|| Awake || On Hold

|8|

The next few days passed by very busily. I was managing the cafe most of the time alongside job-hunting for a decent job now that I am officially a graduate. I don't have to take up jobs at the day-care centers or restaurants anymore. But if I don't find any job in the upcoming month, I might end up having to take up whatever is offered to me.

Mr. Kim, being the sweetheart, could sense I was stressed from time to time and would joke about marrying a rich man and setting all my worries on him. I would tease him about his archaic views on marriage and suddenly my day would become a lot better.

Today is a semi-busy day as well. Only a few tables are empty throughout with the rest three-fourth filled up with people who liked to spend ages on their laptops with a coffee on the side. 

Mr.Kim had gone to the pantry in the back to settle the supplies with the supplier, leaving me alone at the cash counter, when a huge shadow fell on the counter. 

I looked up to see a man in complete formals standing in front of me. Smiling at him, I welcomed him and asked for his order but he instead asked, "I am here for Miss. Song Areum. Is she here?"

Confused, I told him it was me and he politely asked me if he can talk to me for a minute. At a loss of words, I asked him to take a seat near the counter so that I can keep an eye on it.

He somehow fit his big frame in the small chair, looking rather uncomfortable, and waited till I joined him. Rubbing my hands on my jeans, I took a seat and asked him for his reason to come looking for me.

He took out a card from his jacket sleeve and suddenly the situation became a bit more understandable. He introduced himself as Mr. Hwang Jaehoon.

"I am from the HR team of BigHit. Usually, we don't do recruitment on this basis but your case is special in some sense. Although your application for the artist managers post was not selected in the final selection, we got a special request to recruit you. Which is the reason why I am here. Ma'am, if you still desire to work with us, we would like to welcome you to BigHit."

My jaw hit the floor as I looked at him, eyes wide. To be honest, I had lost all hopes about being selected at BigHit way before the results came out after seeing the qualities of the other applicants but to get scouted...is unbelievable.

To his credit, Mr. Hwang patiently waited for me to process the information. And once I did, I smiled widely and told him I am still very interested in the position.

He explained a bit more about the job and how the remaining details will be discussed with me the next day at BigHit to finalize the employment. He told me that if at all I decide to change my decision, I would be required to contact the HR department in person to convey my disinterest.

Giving me a swift goodbye and greetings, he went back faster than he came in. I sat in my seat in disbelief for nearly ten minutes when Mr.Kim came out from the pantry and smacked my head lightly to scold me for abandoning the counter.

Still, in my stupor, I did not even tell the old man my reason to be blanked out and continued my day as if nothing happened. Just in disbelief.

-----

The next day, I stand in front of the main entrance of BigHit entertainment and take a deep breath.

Finally, the day is here Areum. Your dream of getting a stable job and a steady earning. 

To guide my way to the conference room where I would be meeting with the HR was relatively smooth. Most of it had less to do with the fact that I had been to this more times than I count and more with the efficiency of the front-desk staff who cleared my entrance and guided me towards the conference room.