Expectations || HOLD

9

"Ms. Han!" Ha Na greets enthusiastically as she enters. Jae Eun becomes alert and sees that Baek Ho has moves to her seat beside Ha Na.

"Mr. Kang," she warns. The man smirks and waves her over. She only takes a few steps forward. "I'm sorry for stepping out, but why don't we continue where we were."

"Jae Eun," he smiles. Jae Eun could tell he has had more than the glass of wine he had when she left. "If we talk about where we left off then we should go back to that moment years ago."

"No need to bring up the past," Jae Eun states. "Why don't you return to your seat and we can finish up dinner and sign the contract."

"But there was unfinished business. I don't like having loose strings," he states. He stands and walk around the table making Jae Eun take careful steps away.

"You are suppose to be here for a business dinner with Ms. Im. Why don't you sign first and she can leave first?" Jae Eun suggests glancing over at a confused Ha Na. Ha Na shakes her head, but Jae Eun gives her a look. Baek Ho's expression brightens. He turns to Ha Na and holds out his hand. Ha Na glances at Jae Eun again who just nods. She does as told and hands the contract to Baek Ho. The two of them sign the contracts. "Great. Ms. Im, I think it would be best for you to give that to Manager Hwang in perfect condition."

Jae Eun nods her head towards the door leaving Ha Na worried. "I can just leave it in my bag."

"Nonesense, Ms. Im. Your superior is right. Who knows what will happen to it during the dinner? You should go on and make sure it's taken cared of," Baek Ho cuts in.

"It's alright, Ms. Im. Mr. Kang and I are familiar with each other so I can stay until we finish dinner," Jae Eun nods and gestures for her to leave. Ha Na hesitantly grabs her things. "You don't need to explain anything to Mr. Kang. If he asks, just tell him to talk to me at his office."

"But-," Ha Na's brows furrow as she recalls the texts that Jae Eun received on her phone. Jae Eun holds up a hand to stop her. She nods towards the door and nods. Ha Na stands and hurries out the door. Jae Eun watches as she leaves and takes a deep breath. When she turns back around Baek Ho had approached her.

"Shall we leave where we left off?" Baek Ho asks while he takes a good look at Jae Eun. She grimaces and steps away from him.

"If you mean dinner, then sure," she says as she walks back to her seat. Beak Ho's eyes follow her and he grins as he returns to his seat across from her. She finds her phone on Ha Na's seat and grabs it. She glances back at the door and wonders what happened when Ha Na left. She looks back at Baek Ho who is just sitting there with a side smile. "Let's eat."

"Jae Eun," he calls her name. She looks up and meets his eyes. "Why are you being so cold to me? We use to have so much fun."

"We must be remembering things differently," Jae Eun responds quietly as she looks down and picks at the food on her plate.

"Jae Eun," he calls her name softly. She feels triggered and grips her utensils tighter. "Jae Eun, why did you leave? We made a promise with each other, remember?"

"I think I had a valid reason to leave, Baek Ho," she gives a cold glare to him as she recalls their past. She struggles as she recalls the many good times that they have spent together, but reminds herself of the worst times. "A promise was made, but there are limits."

"Jae Eun, I explained everything to you," he tells her. His eyes are sorrowful and it confuses her. Her phone buzzes at her lap and she glances down. She puts down her utensils and checks it.

'Jae Eun what is going on?'

"Who is that?" Baek Ho asks in annoyance. Jae Eun flinches and quickly sends a response.

'I'm having dinner. Please make sure Ha Na is sent home safely.'

"Jae Eun!" Baek Ho calls her name out and she quickly locks her phone. She looks up almost cowering into herself.

"Ha Na was just letting me know that she was able to get a taxi and is on her way home," she fibs. She tries to sound confident, but she can feel herself turning back to the way she was all those years ago. Baek Ho observes her before nodding. He then dishes out food and puts it on her plate. She lets out a shaky breath. Her phone buzzes again, but she ignores it this time.

"It's like fate has brought us back to each other," Baek Ho brings the conversation back. "You've become more mature. I was surprised to see how great you are in your work. You even have people under you."

Jae Eun refuses to speak, so she puts a spoonful of food in her mouth. Baek Ho finds it amusing and leans his head to the side to get a good look at her. She sees him move at the corner of her eye and gives a quick glance which only makes him smile wide.

"Eat well, Jae Eun," he says. Jae Eun keeps her head low and continues to eat. Baek Ho smiles happily and eats. The rest of the dinner was silent. Jae Eun just needed to get through the dinner before it would all be over.

When they finished, Baek Ho pays for the meal despite her attempts to reason that she should be the one to pay.

"I've enjoyed the dinner. I'll pay for it," Baek Ho says as he hands his card to the waitress. Jae Eun sighs with a nod. "Is your number still the same?"

Jae Eun unconsciously grips her phone. "I've changed it."

"No wonder I can't seem to reach you," he nods. He then reaches into his pocket and hands his phone to her. "Here."

The waitress comes back with the receipt and card. Jae Eun smiles and stands. "Thank you for dinner. Our company is looking forward to working with yours. Please continue contacting Ms. Im for further questions."

Jae Eun quickly leaves. As she exits the front door Baek Ho calls after her. "Han Jae Eun!"

She continues to ask for her car at the valet. When the attendant leaves, she speaks, "The dinner is over. Now that it is over, we will continue as we were before tonight."

"Han Jae Eun," he pulls her arm to make her look at him. She winces at the force.

"Baek Ho!' she warns. He glances down at his grip and loosens it. "I stayed for the sake of being polite. Don't cause any trouble. We both know what caused us to separate all those years ago."

"Han Jae Eun!" his grip tightens causing her to whimper a bit. "I told you that was a misunderstanding!"

"You're hurting me," Jae Eun struggles to get out of hold, but it makes his grip even tighter. "Baek Ho."

"I'm not letting go. You're taking it all the wrong way!" he barks. Jae Eun winces and looks away when she sees her car pulling in.

"I have to go. My car's here," she manages to say, but Beak Ho doesn't let go. "Let go, Baek Ho."

"Not until you agree to see me again," he states. She tries to remove herself.

"She said to let go." Jae Eun is surprised by the familiar voice.