Secrets Aren't Lies

Chapter 1

"Good morning Jiyeon, I'll see you when I get home, okay? I'm off to work now." My twenty-six year old brother, Hongbin, tells me as he pats my head. I smile, pushing his hand away.

"Have a good day." I mumble, still trying to fully wake up. He fixes his tie, grabs his briefcase and exits the door.

I groan and ruffle my hair, waving to him as he leaves. I rub the sleep out of my eyes as I check the clock on the microwave, 'seven-thirty AM' it reads.

I head back to my bedroom and pick out my professional outfit, which is just a mid-thigh length black skirt and a white blouse tucked into it. I fix myself up to get ready to leave for work in thirty minutes. I brush my long black hair with it cascading down my back as the curling iron heats up. I curl my hair in a short amount of time to give it some simple bouncy waves, then I quickly grab a bite to eat for breakfast.

I trace some eyeliner around my light brown eyes carefully, but quickly, and I put on mascara to bring my eyelashes out. "Who am I trying to impress?" I scoff to myself with a playful eye roll, applying some light foundation.

I pick up my purse and shove my feet in my short heels that are easy to walk in. I rush out the door, down the elevator, and out the apartment building, walking to my workplace that is just down the street.

It's a beautiful autumn day, the breeze blows slightly and the leaves are in the midst of changing their colors. My shoes click with each step that I take against the cold cement. I listen to the crowds' murmur as I look around at the tall billboards and lights. Horns are always honking, even this early in the morning, it never seems to die down. I love living in a city though, there is always something going on and it's so lively.

I quickly pull my work camera out of my purse and snap a photo of a guy on the street trying to make a political statement, I figure this might be a good headline for today's story at the newspaper company I work for. I'm the head boss in my department, but I still take orders from the main manger.

I get to the front of my work building, having the door opened for me by Leo, my best friend. He works alongside me, usually the camera man when we go out walking around town to catch the latest scoops. I thank him with a giggle and we go to greet my other coworkers as they gather around me.

Leo always sits to my left because he says that's my good side. Of course, a photographer would say that, but I think he is just flirting with me. Honestly, he's also just a really good friend. He witnessed so much bullying in his school days as a child, so he never wants to hurt anyone that is close to him.

Leo is an exquisite sight to be honest, he has light brown hair with hints of blonde streaks added to it, his perfectly placed lips, his chiseled jawline, and just a beautiful smile, that sometimes catches me off guard. He is merely two years older than me.

We all sit at the table, talking about the recent events and news in Seoul to make a good story. I have my intern print out the photos from the camera and my coworker, Kijun, and I begin writing a story. Leo inspects the photos looking for the best ones to use. A few hours pass with a busy work schedule, and my phone vibrates with a text.

I check the message from Hongbin, surprised that he is actually texting me on a work day. 'Let's get lunch. Meet me at the usual place where we get Tteokbokki.'

I smile ecstatically, he always knows that's my favorite place to eat. I reply to him quickly, telling him that I'll be there. I do a little bit more of my work before packing up my things.

"I'll be back, I'm meeting Hongbin for lunch, would either of you like to go?" I beam at them graciously.

Leo chuckles, still searching through the stack of photographs. "You go ahead, enjoy your meal with him. Tell him I said hey." He lets off that stunning smile of his and his eyes twinkle.