Miss Me?

10

"This is where you work?" She looked at the large building in front of her. It was practically its own village. As she walked through the buildings, following her chic suit wearing Junghyun, she felt like she didn't belong. There were really tall and skinny beautiful girls in dance practice rooms. She just felt out of place since she was only 5'4. As they walked past some guys who bowed to them, she bowed back a little. Leanna could hear them whisper a little but couldn't understand the korean. She heard the word American though so obviously they were talking about her.

"My meeting shouldn't be too long. Would you like to sit in on it? If not there is a coffee shop on this floor." They got into an elevator.

"I shouldn't sit in on a big meeting like that so I'll probably take the coffee." She giggled.

"Here use this and I'll come get you after the meeting." He handed her his black card.

"Isn't this the card you used for that ring you bought from me? You must have a high limit..."

"There's not a limit... that's why it's a black card." He laughed and the elevator opened.

"I'll see you soon. Be safe, alright?" He turned to leave.

"JungHyun!" She asked.

"Yes?"

"Thank you..." she bowed to him like the other guys did. Nice a low.

"Ah don't bow to me like that." He blushed and shook his head, lifting Leanna back up.

"S- sorry! Why not?" 

"Because I'm not your boss. Im not higher up than you. We're equal." He smiled and kissed her cheek, leaving her warm and fuzzy inside.
"I'll come get you in 45 minutes or less. I promise." He waved goodbye and the two parted. As he got out of the elevator, his face turned serious and he went into the meeting room.

Leanna got out on the 1st floor like he told her to and walked around looking for the coffee shop. She wandered until she found it. It was cute and quaint but as she stepped in... people looked at her. Not only was she American.... she wasn't dressed in high fashion nor did she look like she was supposed to be there. As she got up to the front, the whole menu was in korean. The barista asked her something that she didn't understand.

"English?" She asked back.

"Do you need help?" A guy in line asked. She turned around and looked at him. He was dressed in black and had one long dangling earring. He was huge. It scared her a little.

"Yes please. I just want to buy one coffee." Leanna held up the card JungHyun gave her.

"YOU have a black card?!" He squinted and saw the name. He looked back at her and then ordered her coffee at the front, swiping the card.

When the coffee came up, he sat down with her.

"So why do you have Kwong JungHyungs black card?" He crossed his arms.

"He is letting me use it for my coffee." She replied back.

"Uh huh.... I see." He was definitely suspicious but none the less they continued talking.

——

"I'm so sorry boss..." a timid man in a suit bowed to JungHyun.

"They were supposed to be ready by tomorrow. What kind of performance was that? It's sloppy. They aren't put together and don't look like a group." JungHyun sighed and looked at his phone to see if there were any texts from Leanna. Nothing.

"I'm so sorry! They were just nervous to perform in front of someone so important like you! They will be ready tomorrow." The group manager reassured. The 5 highschool age boys were quivering in their shoes as they hoped the boss would show some kind of mercy against them.

"For what?" JungHyun giggled patronizingly.

Silence.

"W- well for their debut? Tomorrow?" The manager replied.

"Are you kidding me? They aren't debuting. You should be happy if they even stay in the company." JungHyun looked at his watch and left the room. The manager followed after him along with the 5 boys trailing.

"Wait! Sir! Please! They've been training for years! I promise they can get better! They just-"

"They just what? Need another year to train? More boarding? More food? More clothes. It's not good for the company. They aren't bringing in any money because they can't debut because they are inadequate. It's simple. Right boys? You understand that."

That's right. As they all awkwardly rode the elevator together, JungHyun was the most difficult person to please. If it wasn't his way, it wasn't right.

That applied to everyone.
Everyone besides Leanna.

He wanted her to argue with him. He wanted to do it her way.

The elevator doors opened to see Leanna sipping her coffee looking at the posters of the groups on the wall.

"Leanna." JungHyun instantly smiled and she smiled back handing him his card.

"Thank you! It's delicious!"

Everyone in the elevator witnessed this. One boy took advantage of the situation.

"Please let us debut next week. If we aren't better by then... you can throw us out. I promise we can do better sir." Said the boy in English. Leanna looked to him and then back at JungHyun.

"You speak English pretty well don't you." JungHyun narrowed his eyes.

"Yes sir."

"JungHyun? What's going on?" Leanna asked as they all filtered out of the elevator.

"Hmm that's a great idea. Why don't we ask Leanna. She will be an unbiased opinion. How about if she agrees with you, you all can stay and debut when you're ready and sign a 5 year contract. But if she agrees with me, you all leave. How does that sound." JungHyun replied to the boys in korean. They nodded their heads.

"Leanna, could you give me a hand with my work for a little?" He rubbed her shoulders.

"S- sure." It made her blush.

—-

As the group performed they were much better and when the finished, they were noticeably out of breath. She clapped and it out a smile on their face.

"What do you think?" JungHyun asked.

"I thought it was great but very serious." She scratched her head. You could see they boy translating for the others.

"Well they WERE dancing for their place in the company." JungHyun shrugged.

"Wait... if they didn't do good they would be gone?"

"Yes, Leanna. That's how it works."

"THATS DUMB! No! Don't be mean!" She hissed. The room gasped.

"I guess you're right." He sighed. "They were much better."

He looked to the boys and waved them off.
"Our deal is as I said. I will see you next week." They bowed excitedly and everyone left the room leaving JungHyun and Leanna alone.

"I didn't realize you were a mean boss!" She crossed her arms.

"I'm not! I can be nice!" He laughed and unfolded her arms.

"No more being mean!" She pinched his cheek.

"Uhhh. Fine. But unfortunately I have to spend a little longer here today to get their contract put together. Can I send you home with a driver?" He stood up and stretched.

"Yes that's fine." She smiled.

"Alright. Let's go."