What's Wrong With Assistant Kang?

3. Jaehee's Loneliness

"Yum! Grilled pork is the best, don't you think?" Yoosung gushed, stuffing the food inside his mouth excitedly.

He and Jaehee were sitting comfortably inside a barbeque restaurant the next day, as planned.

"Lately, I haven't really gotten time for food, either..." Jaehee whispered, gazing away. Her shoulders were completely stiff and her head was clearly in the clouds ever since they arrived.

"Aw, come on, Jaehee!" Yoosung stopped eating to pout at her and complain about the stress she was emanating. "You're away from work for once!"

And he was away from LOLOL for once, too.

"I'm actually surprised Mr. Han dismissed me on time today."

Because usually she was the very last, before Jumin, to leave the C&R building.

"Maybe it's 'cause I mentioned it in the chatroom last night! Hee hee." Yoosung grinned at her proudly, waving a fork along his movement.

Jaehee cocked her head to the side in momentary confusion before remembering the RFA chatroom and sighing. Yoosung truly had made a big deal about it.

But appreciated the intention anyway. "I see. Thank you, Yoosung."

The assistant still couldn't help but feel something must be wrong for Jumin Han to suddenly let her go like that. She kept nervously fidgeting with her fingers under the table.

"Will Mr. Han be able to deal with that project Mr. Chairman left us all by himself? Should I have stayed?" Jaehee wondered inside her head with anxiety.

Yoosung finally took notice that something was bothering her as he leaned to the side to glance at the older woman, putting down his food.

He puffed up his cheeks, concerned. "Stop being so anxious, Jaehee! What are you thinking about?"

"Huh?" Jaehee returned to reality for a second. "Huh, just... work."

Yoosung turned clearly frustrated at the statement, blowing off air and putting his arms behind his back as he did when upset. "See? This is exactly what I wanted to talk about!"

The short-haired woman with non-prescription glasses stared at him, confused. "I don't understand?"

"Your job, Jaehee! All the work Jumin gives you!" he explained, frowning deeply. "You clearly don't have a life out of being Jumin's assistant, do you?"

Jaehee sat there, speechless.

She really didn't have a life outside of her job?

"W-well, there's Zen-"

"Is that everything? There's way more in the world other than musicals...!"

"Well..."

"And Jumin doesn't let you enjoy any of it because he's so possessive of you!" he bellowed, making Jaehee stop breathing on the spot.

"...Excuse me?" she finally managed to speak up, still frozen. "Possessive?"

The violet-eyed boy just blinked.

"Huh, yeah? Jumin treats you like his possession. He always keeps you closest to him and doesn't let you leave for too long, and he gives you extra projects unlike all the other employees. And you're the only one he trusts to take care of Elizabeth, and he's kept you in your position for three years already-"

Yoosung was interrupted when Jaehee suddenly exploded with laughter, shocking him, if not everyone at the restaurant.

She was still laughing her head off, when Yoosung tried to talk to her, extremely puzzled.

"Ja-Jaehee? What's... What's so funny?"

"Mr. Han?! Possessive of me?!" she sniggered, half covering her mouth with her left hand.

"Yeah-"

"Yoosung, don't you realize?" Her eyes widened, as did her mouth, with surprise. "That's a ridiculous thought. Of course I'd find it funny."

"But-"

"Mr. Han always keeps me close to him because... because I'm his assistant. There's no other reason. I'm just that." she explained to him, laughter quickly dying and being replaced with a serious expression.

The 21 year-old seemed conflicted for a while and stayed silent. "But..." he spoke again.

Then he huffed and waved his hand mindlessly. "Nevermind." He gave her a small smile. "I still think Jumin treats you in a really insensitive way sometimes, though."

Jaehee's lips quirked up a little, though her eyes were sad.

She never thought Yoosung worried over her boss like that. It was only Zen and occasionally Luciel just days ago.

"I'm actually surprised you're so concerned about this, Yoosung... I thought you'd be playing LOLOL or something of the sort at this point." she admitted.

"Hey! You seriously think I don't worry?" He looked like he was about to cry. "Of course I do, Jaehee! You're a member of the RFA! I care! We all do!"

"I'm sure even Jumin does," he added, tapping his chin.

Jaehee hummed, smiling ever so slightly, but not really believing the words.

"Thank you, Yoosung. Sincerely... I'm very thankful. You're truly a good friend." she told him with a warm voice, feeling touched.

"Eh, it's nothing." He scratched his neck, embarrassed. "Besides, you're the best one out of the two of us... While I'm only an obsessive gamer, you actually work so hard everyday..."

Jaehee didn't respond, only gazing away.

..

Outside the restaurant, on the way back home, the brunette young woman couldn't help but worriedly think over Yoosung's past claims.

"I don't have a life?"

Was Jumin actually possessive of her? Did he think of her as some toy that should be intently available to him at any hour and minute and second of the day?

Sometimes, it did feel like it.

But then again, what was she expecting?

He was only her boss. She was only his assistant...

Nothing more. Nothing less.

The only thing that kept her going was the money in her bank account and overall, Zen's existence.

She couldn't ask for anything more than that. That was enough for her. Her reason to be happy...

As she went inside the bus and sat down along the rest of the passengers, her honey brown eyes couldn't help but wander at a very happy couple sitting just in front of her; they held a small, healthy child between them as the three beamed and smiled and laughed quite cheerfully.

Then a thought passed by her mind.

"Could I ever have a family like that?"

She shook her head almost immediately.

"Obviously not. I'm way too busy for that kind of luxury..."

Luxury. Everything involving time was a luxury to her. Events that would be the most important and special to any other person were basically impossible for Jaehee Kang and her extremely full schedule.

She barely had time to sleep, less date. And even less get married and have children.

And why was this?

Because of Jumin Han and solely him. And all the consequences that came with working for him.

Jaehee suddenly felt very lonely.
..

When she finally arrived at her house, basically moping around and questioning everything, she was utterly astonished when Sarah Choi greeted her at her apartment door, fuming.

"You're his assistant, right?! Explain to me why Juminny has been totally ghosting me ever since the party!" the furious woman yelled, arms crossed.

Jaehee sighed.

Yes, this was because of Jumin Han and solely him.