Come To Me | A Park Hyungsik Fanfiction ✔️

One Step Forward

End August 2017

(Office Tower of the National Association of Arts and Theater)

"Put your trust in us, Hyeyeon-ah. Ani (No), put your trust in me."

Hyungsik's words from thirty minutes ago echoed on my mind as I sat steps away from the large door to the board room. In the spacious hallway of the building's tenth floor, my mind kept drifting back to how it was; the way he phrased it, the way he kept his eyes on me, the way he held my hands. As I waited for my turn, his earnest words held the key to my tranquility.

Together with PD Choi and Mi-Ha sunbaenim, Hyungsik made it a point to personally convince the executives with the signed petition. It would not be an easy round, but his body language today affirmed his quiet confidence. While the outcome has not been made known, regardless, a part of me already felt like an outright winner with my best defense playing forward.

"Moon Hyeyeon-sshi?"

A bespectacled woman around my age range stood before me, calling my name. Rising to my feet, I straightened out my formal white collared blouse and black pencil skirt before addressing her. "Yes, I am."

"Follow me, please."

Inhaling a deep breath, I collect my thoughts as I geared myself for the mental battle. Shaking off any remaining trace of fear on my face, I put on a composed expression as the large blackwood doors swung open.

A gigantic U-shaped marble table occupied the vast area of the board room, with both ends of the table near the edge of a full panel window. Natural lighting filled the room, but the faces of four solemn-looking executives on one end of the table did not pass me by.

And with one of them eyeing me uncomfortably from the top of my head to the tip of my toes, I merely breathed out an air of displeasure.

This time, I will not allow myself to be an easy victim.

The secretary led me towards the seat between Mi-Ha sunbaenim and Hyungsik. As I take my seat, I could clearly see Mi-Ha sunbaenim's poker face on display. Hyungsik's features were relaxed, but the intense gaze in his eyes was unmistakable. Shifting my eyes away from the both of them, I kept my chin up, looking straight ahead. A verdict awaits me, but I still have a chance to redeem myself in the hearing.

"Let's cut right into the chase. Moon Hyeyeon-sshi, are you aware of the implication by you requesting for a reinstatement?"

The President, sitting third from the left, sounded agitated as he raised his question. His wondering eyes left me uncomfortable just moments ago, and the silence in the room thickened as everyone waited for my answer. Turning my head towards him and then the other executives, I simply nodded, "Yes, I am aware of the implications and I am ready to stand by my decision."

At my reply, I saw his chest rise and fall as he grunted with annoyance.

The second man from the left, also the Chief Financial Officer, spoke with a thick southern dialect, and he continued the trail of questions with the President's permission. "Moon Hyeyeon-sshi, are you truly aware of the financial implications? Having you back on the show may cost us greater loss in ticket sales. We're talking about running a sustainable production here. How can you be sure that we will not find ourselves in this liability?"

Parting my lips, I let out the rehearsed words in my head, "Considering the headlines over the past weeks, it is logical and fair for you to have such concerns, sir. It truly is of no value if I would be reinstated in my role but see the musical production disintegrate into nothingness. However, neither you or me, or anyone in this board room, can be sure of that reality. The casts and I feel hopeful and confident that we will not let you down, but in all fairness, this is a risk we are asking of you. If it can be of any help to change your mind, sir, I am willing to have you reconsider my reinstatement if the ticket sales drops by the second week of my return."