Like A Boss (REWRITING)

여섯

Seokmin expressed his disappointment that Mingyu was leaving again, but the young CEO explained that it was only for a few days and that it was Seungkwan whom he'll be meeting, so Seokmin doesn't need to get so emotional. Like before, Jeonghan and Seungcheol picked him up and dropped him off at the airport on his day of flight.

Seungkwan picked up the businessman at the airport and took him to his hotel. He was one of Mingyu's younger friends who came from Jeju and volunteered to help Mingyu expand his business there. Seungkwan's family was also famous for cooking, so Mingyu didn't have to worry about the people he'd entrust the Jeju branch of the Avenue to.

So that anticipated week in Jeju came, and Mingyu spent the whole week fixing papers and building up the Avenue 46 branch there with Seungkwan's assistance. It was a business trip and a healing trip at the same time, with Seungkwan kindly showing him the nice places, but somehow Mingyu missed having someone to pick on.

During Mingyu's stay at Jeju, he realized he had been fond of Eunseo more than he thinks. They had worked together since he came back to his office and she had been under Mingyu's eyes the whole time. He had watched and interacted with the girl for weeks, and he strangely feels satisfaction ordering her around and picking on her endlessly. He was amused by her expressions and her strong will and patience. He disliked hearing her complaints behind his back, but she makes him feel like he finally found another friend in the office other than Seokmin, only except both of them might regard their relationship as "frenemies" rather than friends.

He also enjoyed Eunseo's short stories that she shares with him whenever she gets the chance, even though she knows Mingyu doesn't listen to them. And her many questions about the  Avenue or about him that made him think hard for the answers. It's been a long time since he's had someone to chat or argue with about those and he had never been so chatty since he dedicated himself to running Avenue 46. His parents and friends told him he had always had his mouth running when he was young, but he suddenly grew to this serious, business-oriented person he is now.

They've also both become slightly more comfortable with each other even though Mingyu insists on keeping his pride as the CEO. Considering they were only a year apart by age, Mingyu learned to get along with her after being exposed to her positivity 24/5. Of course Mingyu wouldn't let the other employees see that, else they'd say he had softened up for the girl, because that definitely isn't the case.

***

Back at Seoul, Eunseo was somehow feeling the same as Mingyu. It's like she just got used to getting picked on and ordered around by her mean boss that she started missing it. She denies it though, because who would even miss that little - actually really tall - devil?

As always, Eunseo shared her thoughts with Seokmin as the Head Chef dropped her off home. She regarded Seokmin as one of her best friends since he talked the sense into Mingyu, and she trusted he'd never tell Mingyu about her thoughts. And technically, he doesn't, but also shares that information with Seungcheol and Jeonghan who were always up to no good.

Jeonghan regarded Seokmin's stories as crucial information for teasing Mingyu. Ever since the day Mingyu lashed out on Eunseo the first time, Jeonghan knew that Eunseo would be the perfect person to tease him with. And he suddenly came up with a nasty plan.

Without knowing that he was contributing to the plan, Seokmin handed Eunseo an envelope that contained a plane ticket to Jeju. Jeonghan told him that Mingyu was asking for Eunseo to accompany him in the Jeju business hence the ticket. Eunseo accepted it and knew something like that was coming. Mingyu must definitely feel bored without someone to order around there.

With a little hesitation, Eunseo packed up her luggage and headed to the airport to board her flight to Jeju. She was worried about a lot of things after realizing Jeonghan must be planning something because they didn't say anything about accommodation, yet again it made sense that Mingyu would ask for her because he always does. Eventually, Eunseo arrived at Jeju and was taken to Mingyu's hotel through a van service. It was convincing enough until the hotel staff asked her to wait for Mingyu to come back to the hotel before they could grant her access to her "hotel room". Now it was getting suspicious.

Mingyu was surprised enough to hear from the hotel that somebody was there to see him, so he made his way back to find out about it. He was more surprised to see Eunseo outside his hotel room.

"What are you doing here?"

"Chef Lee told me you wanted me to come here, and gave me a plane ticket."

"I did not ask for that, obviously. Why would I need you here?" Mingyu paused, closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "Jeonghan hyung."

"Oh, yeah, Chef Lee told me that Jeonghan person asked him to relay the message."

"You know, you should go home. I really didn't ask you to be here, so you better go back to Seoul."

"What? How would I do that? I can't rebook the ticket let alone afford a new one!" Eunseo frowned.

"Your fault for being too gullible. Ask Jeonghan hyung or Seokmin to help you out. They got you into this mess, they should get you out of it, too." Mingyu nodded and got in his room, leaving the girl outside.

"What? Seriously?"

Since she was left with no choice, she tried to contact Chef Lee atleast who coincidentally wasn't picking up her calls no matter how many times she called him. The sun had already set and Eunseo was still unable to find a way home. She didn't know anybody in Jeju but Mingyu, nor could she ask her friends for help. It would take too long.

Eunseo was so frustrated plus her empty stomach added up to her stress that she started tearing up. She was so upset that her boss didn't even come out of his room or offer her some help, and even called her gullible. She sat down by his room and curled up into a ball as she cried and eventually fell asleep. Mingyu ordered a midnight snack through room service and the bellboy noticed Eunseo as he pushed the food cart into Mingyu's room.

"Sir, there's a girl sleeping outside your room. Do you know her? Should I report her to the front desk?"

"Ignore her, someone will come pick her up later. She's just there to wait for them."

"Ah, I see. Please enjoy your meal, sir."

"Yes. Thank you."

Mingyu regarded Seokmin as his good conscience, and he seemed to hear his friend's voice as he ate his meal and it bothered him a lot. He peeked out of his door and saw Eunseo still there, asleep in a very uncomfortable position. He wondered why Seokmin or anybody else hasn't sent her any help yet and decided he'll give a little help. He still had pity and conscience and he doesn't want them to upset his stomach.

He took Eunseo inside and placed her on the loveseat in his room. When he noticed her position still wasn't comfortable, he decided to move her to his bed. He refused to sleep on the tiny sofa and tried to stay up until the morning -- which he failed to do. He still fell asleep even for few hours after placing a pillow between him and the girl.

***

Eunseo woke up the next day in a very confused and surprised state. After seeing Mingyu sleeping next to her even with the pillow still between them, she panicked and quickly got herself out of bed. She knew she watched way too many dramas when she even checked if Mingyu had clothes on. Her being paranoid woke Mingyu up and got herself scolded really early in the morning.

There was mixed feelings for Eunseo for the few hours that she stayed with Mingyu in that room. She had to watch him eat breakfast, witness his fresh-from-the-shower appearance (clothed, ofcourse), and be suffocated by Mingyu's perfume that filled the air-conditioned room. It was the same for Mingyu too, except he kind of liked the smell of Eunseo's vanilla lotion.

That was Mingyu's last day in Jeju, and he figured he should atleast make use of Eunseo while she's there. She became her secretary for the mean time, but Seungkwan refused to recognize her that way and insisted she was "Mingyu's girlfriend" because why else would she smell like him? Eunseo definitely can't tell Seungkwan that she temporarily shared the room with Mingyu.