It was 6 in the morning and everybody had gathered in the conference room as Haneul had called an emergency meeting, everyone was there except Ash.
"I have called you all here to tell you that whatever happened yesterday is not to be discussed in this office ever again. Not in front of Ash nor with each other. If I find any one of you talking about it..I'll fire you. What happened yesterday is not acceptable and I will find out who did it..and when I do..I'll make sure he or she learns a lesson. Not only has that person done a disgusting act but that person disrespected me and if I find out that it was one of you..I will make sure you face the consequences for messing with Seung Haneul. You may all continue with your work now..Tania and Jung, come to my office.." with that Haneul scanned the whole room and left. He was angrier than ever, Jung followed him
"s-sir..I heard some rumours that-"
"Jung before pointing fingers at others..bring evidence..and before you do that, bring the blueprints for the housing scheme.." Haneul ordered
~
Haneul looked at his wrist watch, then at Ash's office which was empty, it was already 9 and she wasn't here yet.
He called Jung to his office, "Jung..Ash isn't here yet..did she have to go to the hospital early today?" He asked
"uh..sir..I don't think she'll come today.." Jung replied with disappointment
"why? did she inform you?" Haneul asked,
"uh no sir..I'll check.." Jung proceeded to the door but Haneul stopped him
"call her and check right now.."
"okay.." jung took his phone out and called Ash, she picked it up after 2 bells
"hi Ash..how are you?" Jung glanced at Haneul, who looked too interested to know what she was saying
"hm..aren't you coming to work today?" jung asked, "okay..alright..bye..take care.." he pocketed his phone and turned to Haneul
"what did she say?" he asked almost immediately
"she isn't coming to work today..she said she isn't feeling well.." Jung informed
"not feeling well? really? and what sickness does she have?" Haneul asked with a dry laugh
"..I didn't ask..but she did sound realy weak...I better go sir.." Jung left the office
Haneul turned back to work again but he couldn't concentrate on his work, he got up, fixed his tie and left his office
"SH where are you going?" Tania asked walking behind him
"I have to be somewhere right now.." he replied briefly and got in the elevator
His guards and driver quickly got up when they saw him, they hadn't been informed beforehand,
"it's alright..continue what you were doing, I'll drive myself.." Haneul said walking past them and straight to the car, they sat down reluctantly
"he seemed like he was in a hurry..otherwise he would've stopped to scold us..he always does.." one of the staff member said, the others laughed
~
Ash was sitting in the lounge, staring at the wall in front of her, blankly. All that had happened yesterday kept playing in her mind, how she was helpless and desperate. How she was ridiculed in front of everyone for no reason. A tear fell from eye and the bell rang, she quickly wiped the tear and went to the door, she opened it and closed it again quickly. The bell rang again and she took a deep breath before opening the door again, she slowly opened the door and was about to close it again when Haneul stopped her, he opened the door, "if you're done with this, can I come in please?" he asked in a calm but serious tone
Ash stepped aside for him to come in and nodded
"thank you." he said fixing his clothes and looking around,
"what brings you here Haneul sir?" Ash asked
"I'm here to talk to you.." he replied simply
"..about..yesterday?" Ash asked softly, sitting on the couch and then suddenly getting up, "sorry..please have a seat sir.." she said gesturing towards the couch
Haneul examined it carefully and sat down, "yes, about yesterday. What happened yesterday is in the past. Forget about it. Why are you ashamed and embarrassed? Did you do something wrong? no, You didn't, you did nothing wrong! then why are you hiding like this? why are you letting your enemies win? They did all that to see you fall down..to see you lose..and you're giving them what they wanted! Don't hide from the world..face it..face it with strength and a smile on your face..because that's what is going to ruin your enemies..your smile and your confidence is going to defeat your enemies..You..shouldn't hide like this.." Haneul explained, he looked at Ash expectantly, but he was disappointed when she said, "I'm not that strong..I don't have that kind of confidence Haneul sir..I'm sorry..I can't come to work.." she lowered her head
Haneul raised his head a little with a mischievous, playful smile on his face, "okay, if that's what you want..I actually came here to ask where you kept the Busan project file..nobody in the office knows where it is..Jae told me he gave it to you to give it to me..but you haven't given it to me yet?" Haneul extended his hand, trying to surpress his smile
"busan project? sir! I gave you the file myself! I handed it to you.." she replied
"Ash..you didn't. I need the file on my desk before 11. It is an important project Ash..On.my.desk.at.11.sharp!" Haneul said as he saw himself out of her place
Ash scratched her head as she tried to remember where she kept the file, "I'm sure I gave it to him..he says it's important..I need to look for it!" Ash said to herself as she quickly got up and changed
~
"sir..we're ready for the meeting, the clients will be here in no time.." Tania informed Haneul, who nodded and glanced at the clock. It was almost 11. He went to join the meeting.
The meeting started exactly at 11
"isn't Miss Ash around today, Mr.Haneul?" the client asked
"no, she won't be joining us today..I guess, after what happened yesterday..she won't be coming to the office at all.." Tania replied with confidence
Haneul clenched his jaws,
"what happened yesterday?" the client asked, "without Miss Ash this project isn't going to be the same..she gave such wonderful ideas, the lawn, the ceiling window..how can we carry-"
"good morning everyone! Pardon me for being late today..I had to take care of something.." Ash entered the room and bowed, Haneul's face lit up on seeing her, he tried hiding his smile but he gave Ash a nod, telling her she made the right decision
"it's alright Ash..we haven't started yet..let's begin." Haneul said and Ash nodded
~
"shall we discuss the budget as well?" the client asked at the end of the meeting
"yes of course, Jung call in the finance team, the rest of you may leave..thank you.." Haneul said
Everybody left the office except a few people and Ash, Haneul eyed her to leave but she smiled and walked towards him, "Haneul sir..thank you for hiding the file..I found it under your desk.." Ash whispered
Haneul smiled a little, "uh..I don't know what you're talking about.." He lied because of embarrassment.
Ash smiled and left the room. As soon as she left the room she saw a poster with a heart and pictures of Ash and Haneul in it. Ash looked around and took it off, she read what was written on it, "boss loves secretary" she tore the poster so Haneul doesn't see it.
She went to her cabin, everyone kept whispering and laughing at her, that's when she saw what all the fuss was about, there were posters all over the office
She saw Tania laughing, "oh look who it is..Miss Ash..the secretary who lured her boss-"
"THAT'S IT MA'AM TANIA!" Ash shouted, "what kind of a childish act is this! why are you bullying me?" Ash asked
"bullying you? haha..I'm merely stating facts..does SH not like you? you spent the night together in the conference room, then you had breakfast in his office..then he called an emergency meeting for you? Because of you he asked our client to pull their CEO out of the project otherwise he'll cancel it! The project he worked so hard to get..he was ready to cancel it so easily? and all that for an ugly third class person like you!!" Tania exclaimed
Ash didn't know any of this, she was touched but confused too. Why would Haneul do something like that for her? He made it clear that he didn't care for their old friendship, then why?
Ash shook her head, "it's all a misunderstanding..if you don't care about me..think about how you're disrespecting Haneul sir right now! all these posters are defaming him!" Ash pulled a chair and got on it and started pulling down the posters
Tania saw Haneul coming their way and rushed everybody to continue their work, leaving Ash alone
"if you don't care about me..it's alright..but at least think about your bo- AAAh" the chair moved and Ash lost balance, which caused her to fall
She opened her eyes and gasped in surprise, she was on top of Haneul, he fell while catching her from falling. Ash quickly got up and cleaned her hands, "Haneul sir! are you alright?" she extended her hand to help him stand up but he didn't take it and got up himself.
"ASH! what is all this? what do you think you're doing in the office!? You should join a circus if you like such activities!" Haneul scolded
"I was just-"
"that's enough!" Haneul gestured her to stop, like he always did, by raising his hand and turning his face away with a frown
"no! you didn't listen to me! I was standing on that chair for you! but what does it matter, right? people may die for you and all you'd say is 'I never asked you to die'. You really don't care about what others do for you! HUH!" she folded her arms and turned her back towards him
He wanted to say something to her but he didn't, he took a deep breath, "I came here to give you this invitation card Mr.David gave, he wants you and I to come to his restaurant's opening.." Haneul said handing her an invitation card
