Inked

Chapter 5 - Ace

Today was the last day that I had to come up with strategies. I had one more group left which was GOT7 and in the late afternoon I would be meeting the CEO and Ju. I was very early at work and put together my data in a presentation and smiled to myself as I knew that if I would get fired that I had done my best work ever and that they fired me because they feared changes. I packed up my laptop and sheets and met Ju in  his office. He was not very talkative since the day I misbehaved infront of the CEO so he just escorted me to GOT7 practice room. On the way he called over JB (leader of GOT7) and explained to him that I would be having a meeting with them for 30 min. With that Ju left and I was left with JB who was super confused about my presence just like the others. He did not say much and opened the door revealing 6 boys laying on the ground and chatting away.

" JB what took you so long?", Mark asked him.

JB sighed and led me in and Mark smiled faded and he looked between JB and me as he was looking for answers.

" Guys I am afraid there is no break. We have a guest. This is Naja and she is the personal intern of Ju Hyung", he briefly explained and walked over to the guys.

The boys got up and bowed. JB introduced them all to me.

" Hello it is nice to meet you", I said smiling.

" So what brings you here Noona?", Jinyoung asked me curiously.

I placed my things on the couch and took a seat on the chair.

" I just have some questions. It is part of my project. Nothing harmfull I promise", I said and JB was suspicious.

There was someone that kept staring at me. It was Yugeom. I remembered him from the elevator but he was contemplating whether that was me or not. I remained silent.

" Please take a seat. I do not have much time. I was given 30 min", I said rushed and asked them my questions. They were a very loud group which was not bad. I could see that they had a strong bond. They resumed their practice for their upcoming comeback. I noted down my observations and bid my goodbye after 30 min.

I headed to my office and typed down the plan for this group and just made it in time for lunch with Uka.

" You seem in a good mood today... Wait is your meeting with the CEO not today?", Uka asked me shocked with wide eyes.

I nodded and took a bite from the red velvet cake.

" Yes and this will be the best work I have ever done", I said to him confident and then my alarm went off. As I was heading for the meeting room Ju texted me saying that we are meeting in the big meeting room at the top floor which is usualy used by groups and their manager. I knew that something had changed in the setup. Unfaced about potential changed I headed to the meeting room and was not even suprised to see all 4 groups, their managers, Ju and the CEO sitting there and waiting for me.

I bowed politely as I headed in and took a seat next to Ju. Judging from the faces of the groups they had no idea what this meeting was about but their managers seemed to be informed.

The CEO stepped to the panal and looked at everyone and smiled. As he saw me though his smile faded. He cleared his troat and faced the others.

" Welcome to todays meeting. I am glad you could all arrange coming here despite your busy schedule", he said smiling and Ju went over to the panel and took over.

" Welcome on my behalf aswell. You all might be curious about what this meeting is about. Well all these groups here had meetings with my intern Naja. Today we will resolve what this meeting is about. Her performance today will determine whether she remains a part of our team or not. She claimed to know better than us and I guess we can expect a lot. If she is unable to perform than this will also be a lesson to you. Show respect to the ones above you. Naja... good luck. You need it", Ju said amused and left the panel.

I was not even surprised by his words and smiled as I headed to the panel and plugged my laptop to the beamer. I heard some whispers in the room and as I looked up I saw the worried faces of TWICE and more than confused faces of the other groups.

" Let me introduce myself again. I am Naja and today I am going to introduce you to JYP 3.0", I said beaming and started my slide presentation.

" I am sure that you all are familiar with the new concept of JYP 2.0 and some might even call this revolutionary and I agree but there are some things that remain unadressed and unsolved even in this concept. What is lacking in the aspect of the idol and security. Let me paint you a picture here. These are recent photos of you guys at airports. Everytime your fans and others come to meet you there and things get out of control right? How can we prevent this? Easy-specially trained bodyguards and communication with airport security in advance to prevent major mobbing", I said and explained to them the concept and the costs that it would generate which was not a lot.

" Next up let us take a look at the brain of this company. The idols. Being you is a hard job and you strain your body alot. What we do not consider is mental health...", I pointed out and suggested a cooperation with the Safe house operated by REV entertainment.

"This here were just extras. Let me come to the main challenge I had. How could I make your life better and increase your revenues", I said and began to go through all the groups and point out the problems and give a detailed strategy plan.

" If you have any questions please ask me now", I said ending my talk.

The groups were flashed by my talk and so was the CEO.

" What background do you have again?", the CEO asked me.

" I have a music buisness degree and a music degree. Both completed with excellence Sir", I answered.

He nodded and stepped next to me and faced the others.

"Well please raise your hand if you liked her performance", he said and they hesitated expect from TWICE. Their hands were up first and followed by the other groups. Even Ju raised his hand and the last one to do so was the CEO himself.

"Then it is decided: you are fired from being Jus intern", he said seriously and I was not suprised about that. Nothing surprised me now. I bowed as I packed up but then the CEO looked at me and offered me his hand.

" I want you to become the head of our new Trainee&Artist department. You will be responsible to make these plans into reality. I trust in you and your skills. Ju convinced me that you are the best for this job so this was just a test from our side", he said smiling genuiely.

I shook his hand and said: " I would be happy Sir. JYP will be a the best place to work at".

The groups cheered and were told  to leave as I was going to go through my contract with the legal department and Ju.

" Welcome on board Ace", Ju said as he left the meeting.

He was playing with me the whole time. Ju has an excellent poker face. They were observing me the whole time. In the history of JYP I became the youngest and first female as the head of a bigger department. Only at the age of 25 I was inheriting a very important role.