virtuous deception || pjm (editing)

ii

JIMIN

I sipped the last droplets of my hot chocolate, feeling like that was my last connection to the pretty girl I spilled hot chocolate over. The thought saddened me slightly. Instead of moping I held my head high as the elevator came to a halt. First thing, I had a meeting with a new starter, who would one day be my head of accounting. Her resume was almost too good to be true. Her name was Lee HyeJin and she would be waiting for me by her temporary desk in reception.

The chime of the elevator came and the doors opened, revealing my immaculate company. I loved her dearly. This company was 21 years of damn hard work. I leaned left, dropping my to-go cup in the bin and looked up to see a familiar woman gaping, with an identical to-go cup as mine. Yet her shirt was clean. At first I thought did the girl from earlier have perhaps a twin but why would she be gawking at me if so? Aigoo, it's a small world. Without a single hint of expression, I passed her, waving my finger for her to follow me. For a split second I looked behind me, just to see if she was following. A few steps behind us, head down, taking small, hurried steps. I faced forward and smiled to myself as I turned the corner that lead to my office.

I strided towards my desk and stood for a minute, looking out the windows, that spanned the whole back wall and admired the view. I heard the door shut so I turned, leaning a hand on the back of my chair and nodding my head towards the chairs in front of my desk. Hyejin hurriedly, went towards them and sat in one, jutting her shoulders out and sitting straight, still with her head hung low.

"So what do you think?"

"Excuse me?" for the first time since I walked in the lobby, she poked her head up and acknowledged me.

"Of the company. Of the extreme luck it seems we have had today." she turned her head down nervously again.

"The company is beautiful. I am in awe." I walked towards the end of the desk, sitting on the corner, a front of her chair. " But yes, it seems like quite a small world. This mornings minor detail and now you're my boss." She smiled to herself, twiddling her thumbs together. I put my hand to her chin and raised her head so she looked at me.

"There. Better, now keep your head up. You now work in one of Korea's most successful companies. Now you should hold your head high." I could see her cheeks redden slightly. Not only that, but I could see myself growing to like her. I spent half an hour discussing the company through with her and what her task would entail. All through our discussion she asked intuitive questions and took a pages worth of neatly laid notes. When we were done she stood up to leave and bowed towards me. I bowed my head in response. I heard the door squeak to an open.

"Miss. Lee"

"Yes Mr. Park" She turned to face me. The light from behind me, hit the area around her, illuminating her and all her features. She was very pretty. With long black hair and a small face, which was tinted with a little colour and a couple of freckles I would guess. Her eyes were deep brown, rimmed with a lighter hazel and were shielded by a pair of large round glasses which almost fell off her dainty nose. She smiled at me, her pretty lips thinning to reveal a set of straight teeth. Her cough alerted me and my mind rushed back into reality.

"I think you'll do well here. Keep that head high." she smiled at me, with a slight eye smile. It made my heart tighten in my chest. "Hwaiting!" I shouted enthusiastically. She chuckled to herself and carefully closed the door. This girl seems so innocent. How on Earth will she last in this company?

Hyejin's POV:

I continued the day leisurely. There wasn't much work to complete that first day. Beside answering a handful of emails and ordering a schedule, I was free to think. I spent time brainstorming how to work out my predicament with housing, scanning through sites online, looking for a semi liveable apartment in my price range. But due to not working in a while, I had run through my savings and the little money I had left had to last me 3 weeks until I was due for my first pay. AISH, why do bad things happen to me.

After searching for a few hours with no hope in sight, I scanned through a few more emails before landing on some figures which were to be sent to the accounting department.

"Chae-Young?" I queried.
"Mm-hmm" she hummed in response, typing furiously.
"Check these figures, they don't match. There's income coming in from somewhere it shouldn't be."
"Just send it to the accounting department, I'm sure they'll sort it."
"But couldn't this be illegal?"
"I'm not sure, just send it to them, they'll know what to do." She smiled and proceeded working. I did as she told me to and sent it to the department.

I never received any answer from it, and there were more emails like it.

Something didn't feel right.

***

I am sorry for the shorter chapter. It isn't like me. I can usually write over double and want to write more. But quick explanation, I am on internet ban from my mum for god knows how long and I also have GCSE stuff and coursework and SO MUCH HOMEWORK so sneaking on is quite hard. Soon I will be back and I promise many chapters of both books for my amazing loyal readers.

Also THANK YOU SO MUCH for 300 views on Playing By The Rules. Promise to update that soon too ♥