Expectations || HOLD

1

Today was the day.

Jae Eun was on her way to work with high hopes for a promotion. This years sales revenue had skyrocketed and made a new record. Everyone acknowledges her job well done.

As she drives downtown, her radio is playing music instead of her usual informative talk show. She felt lively and wanted something to match her mood. As if the universe was on her side, she got all of the green lights and was at work in an instant. She pulls into the parking garage and scans her badge to enter. She finds a parking close to the elevators and pulls in. She hums to herself as she checks her appearance once more and nods her head in satisfaction.

She heads over to the elevator and presses for the main floor. Upon entering the elevator, she greets her coworkers.

"Good Morning," she smiles widely. She could not help the tugging at her lips she looks at all of them returning a similar expression

"Good Morning, Jae Eun," they reply.

"Congratulations," one of them holds up a thumbs up. Jae Eun sheepishly smiles and shakes her head.

"I haven't been promoted yet. It's too early for a "congratulations"," she tells them. They reach the main floor and the conversation ends. She allows them to walk out first and follows after as she smiles to herself. She greets everyone with a nice smile and a nod of the head. It was much different than how she would normally walk into work, but everyone was expecting the same and new why she was in such a cheerful mood.

"Jae Eun!" As she reaches her desk, she is greeted by a friendly voice. Without even looking she knew who it was.

"Min Ji!" Jae Eun mimics her excitement. She fixes her things and then looks up at the expectant woman. "Why are you so smiley? I can see your back teeth."

"Because! My best friend is getting promoted," Min Ji dances happily beside the desk. Jae Eun laughs at her friend's antics. The two of them go way back. They had gone to school together, but only befriended each other the day of interviews for the company. They got hired at the same time and have stuck together since. Jae Eun envies her friend who seems to have such a mature aura, yet can be such a playful person.

"You don't know that," she humbly replies. Jae Eun glances at the girl's long brown hair that falls over the cubicle wall as she fidgets.

"If you don't get promoted this company is doing wrong," their other friend and colleague joins in.

"Ha Na!" Jae Eun scolds. Ha Na was the youngest of the group and had a long way before she could reach their level of seniority. Jae Eun and Min Ji Just adored Ha Na from the moment she joined their team. She just screams youth and the two elders wishes they could go back to that time. Ha Na seemed to be the complete opposite of the two as she sports short hair and has a child-like and optimistic attitude.

"What! You've given them more than anyone else. You've already paid your dues with your loyalty and staying for so long. Other companies have already tried to scout you, but you stayed!" Ha Na points out. Jae Eun quickly puts a finger to her lips and looks around.

"No need to announce it," Jae Eun scolds.

"Everyone knows about it already," Min Ji rolls her eyes. "If they didn't, they either live under a rock or are fresh meat."

"You make it sound so intimidating," Jae Eun chuckles at her choice of analogies.

"Jae Eun!" The girls turn around and see someone they wish they didn't.

"Hey, Kim Jae Hwan," the girls sigh as they give a greet. The man comes strolling in with a smug look on his face.

"Did you guys hear that there's a new manager coming in?" he asks them.