Jihyo typed away on the keyboard of the laptop that was sitting on her lap. It's her third night in Shanghai and she could feel herself getting mentally and physically exhuasted. Her schedule was packed to the brim. For three days straight, morning till evening, she had been going around different companies to conduct some market research and after that, the evening would continue with a meeting with Gwon to discuss about the project.
"Have you compile the research data?" Gwon asked as he flipped through a few sheets of paper.
She pulled out a blue file from underneath a stack of notes, and passed it to him.
Gwon looked at the thin file, then cast her a glance. "That's all? I was expecting more." He said.
"Everything is inside. Perhaps, you should read it before giving any feedback." She replied.
It didn't take him long before he reached the last page of the document. His eyes narrowed slightly as he read through the content on the last page.
"Is that what you decide on? Just by looking at the survey results?" He turned the file towards her and pointed to the comment written at the bottom of the page.
'Proposing an open-concept design'
"Is there anything wrong? More companies are adopting that design and I don't see why we shouldn't propose that to the company." She argued but Gwon was still opposed to it.
"Scrap that."
There was a look of utter appall on her face. "Gwon ssi, you're my business partner not my boss. You can't just demand for things to be done your way. Learn to respect other's opinion, and whether or not, the company will like the proposed design, we shall find out in two days time. It's up to them, not you. Let's call it a day." Jihyo shut her laptop, and gathered her documents.
***
After spending fifteen minutes washing up, she grabbed her phone and the stack of papers on the table, kicked off her pair of cotton slippers before climbing into bed. She propped her phone against the table lamp, then pressed the video call button. As she waited for the call to connect, she look through the sheets of paper spread out on the bed. Her itinerary for the next day consists of the same routine - a list of companies that she has to visit, followed by another discussion time with Gwon.
She sigh at that. She can't wait for the day when the whole project ends. Just two more months to go, and she wouldn't be seeing him again - that's what she hopes.
"Yeoboseyo," a voice in a slightly high pitched tone came through, breaking her away from her thoughts. "Yah. Why are you video calling without showing your face?"
"Just a few minutes." Jihyo replied. She wasn't looking at her phone but could imagine him pouting. She arranged the papers before chugging them aside on the table.
"I'm still waiting."
Jihyo chuckled at his impatient man. She make herself comfortable then lie down on her side, with one arm wedge between her head and the pillow, and facing her phone.
She gazed at him longingly. His hair parted in the middle. His tanned face. The stubble on his chin. His slightly bloodshot eyes, which she assumed he probably drank a few shots.
"I miss you." She said.
"You miss me so much that you only call me on the third day?" Gary let out a teasing laugh.
"I didn't expect my schedule to be so hectic. Mianhae."
"Arasseo. Have you been staying up late every night? I can see your panda eyes from here." Gary said as he leaned forward, staring hard at the screen. For a moment, she could only see his forehead.
"Hm." She responded. "For the past few nights, we had been having late night discussion till two or three in the morning. We wrapped things up early today." She told him, hiding the fact that she almost got into a quarrel with Gwon.
Gary frowned. "Discussion? Just the two of you? At where?"
She looked at him, and teased him with a grin. "Lobby. The hotel lobby, where many people walk in and out. Shouldn't you have faith in your wife?" She said, frowning slightly.
"Of course I do. It's him that I don't trust. Just promise me that you won't be alone in the same room as him."
"Arasseo. Stop being so naggy. Are you cooking something? I think I hear the kettle whistling."
"Making ramen for supper. I'll be right back." There was the sound of the chair screeching as he got up and then disappear from the camera view.
He poured the boiled water into the cup of instant kimchi ramen and brought it to the table. "Have you been eating well? How's the food over there?" He asked, looking up from his cup noodle to his phone but only to find out that she has fallen asleep.
The lights in her room were still on. He let out a soft, contented sigh as he watched her sleep. He wondered how tired she must have been to fall asleep even though he was only gone for a minute or so.
"Sweet dreams, yeobo." He whispered.
