EUPHORIA ¦ PARK JIMIN

Chapter 4

August 20, 2010

It was another tiring day at the office and on her way in, she struggled to pass through the group of employees who were too busy gossiping to even notice that the person they were accounting was behind them. Ha Eun had heard rumous that employees bet she won't even last half a year in the company just like the other women did before. As much as she wanted to defend herself, she didn't want to create a commotion unless she wanted herself fired and an additional scolding from the almighty Park Jimin. All she just had to do was to prove them wrong.

In the other side of the wide lounge area, a woman approached the reception table.

'I'm here to see, Mr Park Jimin,' She said, looking around the area through her glasses then brushing her mahagony red long hair.

'Good morning, ma' am! May I have your name, please?' The receptionist replied courteously with a smile on his face.

'Han Areum,'

The receptionist typed her name on their system to validate whether she had set an appointment. 'Ma'am, I'm afraid your name isn't listed in here. Did you set an appointment with the huijang-nim' s secretary?'

'Ani naneun haji anh-assda,' She replied, dismayed but she wasn't giving uo just yet. 'Can't you make an exception? I'm his old friend and I have to see him,'

'I apologize, ma'am. I really can't let you in. You'll have to set an appointment with his se----,' The receptionist insisted before he was rudely interrupted by her.

'Alright. Where's his secretary?' She rudely asked and crossed her arms, appearing to be so impatient. The receptionist slid a calling card on the counter that printed Ha Eun's name and her phone number.

Areum immediately took out her phone to dial Ha Eun' s number when the receptionist saw Ha Eun approaching.

'JungBiseo!' The receptionist hollered to Ha Eun, startling the gossiping girls. Stunned and frozen, they spun around and plastered some unreal grins at Ha Eun and bowed who responded with the same courtesy.

'Do you think she heard everything we said?' One whispered to the others.

'Neo pabo ni (are you stupid) ?! She was right behind us!' Another employee replied as they scurried away.

Ha Eun shook her head and walked towards the counter where Areum stood. 'Yes, Mr Gu?'

'Ah, Miss Han, this is huijang-nim' s secretary,' The receptionist introduced while Ha Eun smiled at the unknown lady in front of her.

'Good. I want to set an appointment with Park Jimin today,' Areum said and gazed at Ha Eun from top to bottom.

'I see, Ma'am. However, I'm afraid that his schedule today is full,' Ha Eun replied. Areum frustratingly heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes.

'What about tomorrow?' Areum crossed her arms.

'Ah, that as well, Ma' am. Actually his schedule for the whole week is full but I will try to squeeze in your appointment with him and give you a call. May I know your purpose of appointment?' Ha Eun said.

'Personal reasons which is none of your business,' Areum answered with an annoyed look plastered on her face.

'I understand, ma' am. I'll do my best to squeeze you in his schedule. Please, leave your details to Mr. Gu before you go. Have a good day,' Ha Eun forced out a smile and walked away quickly to catch the nearly closing elevator.

Upon reaching the 15th floor, she settled down her chair and revised Jimin's schedule to squeeze in the appointment of the woman from the ground floor awhile ago. Although how curious she was to know who the woman is, that was completely none of her business and whatever her purpose was. A few minutes later, familiar footsteps were approaching. She heaved a heavy sigh and plastered a wide smile before Jimin even came to her sight.

'Good morning, huijang-nim,' She greeted and bowed. As usual, Jimin merely acknowledge her greeting with a raise of his hand and entering his office. 

As the door of his office shut, she picked up her tablet to check the new notifications coming from the reception area. She had guessed that it must be the details of the woman from awhile ago. Subsequently, she proceeded on doing her usual tasks by bringing Jimin his coffee.

'Huijang-nim, another ap---'

'Is that a good news you're gonna say?' Jimin said, cutting her off.

'That depends on how you look at it, huijang-nim,' She replied.

'Well, get on with it,'

'Miss Han Areum is setting an appointment with you,' She directly said, completely clueless about the things running inside Jimin's head.

He hated to admit it; but whenever he heard that name, it still made his heart skip. Whilst his racing heart and trembling system, his mind went blank. Ha Eun noticed the change in his aura and immediately injected another conversation.

'Huijang-nim?'

'Did you confirm it?' He asked, his aura turning cold again.

'Ani-imnida, huijang-nim. Your sched--'

'Then tell her it's not happening,' He cut her off again.

'Ne, huijang-nim' She replied and bowed. Spinning around to leave, she dialled Areum's number.

The moment Ha Eun was out of sight, Jimin sighed and stood up from his chair. After all these years, why'd she come back? He was back to thinking about those years again, those memorise as he stood by the glass walls of his office, watching the city 404 feet below. He felt suffocated as he loosened his tie. As he pondered for what he thought was only for a few minutes; he had completely lost track of time until Ha Eun came in again and his attention averted to her from the clicking of her heels.

'Huijang-nim , your meeting with our new business partner is in 10 minutes,' Ha Eun informed and stared at him.

'Arraseo,' he muttered and noticed the look she gave him. She looked like she felt uncomfortable about something. When she thought that he was about to leave for the meeting as he grabbed his coat, she stood right in front of him.

'Your tie is crooked,' She said while fixing his tie.

'Ya! Ya! Not too tight,'

Ha Eun adjusted his tie alittle before spinning around and leading him to the meeting room.