HERSHE - SEULRENE

SR - Lunch

It was Friday noon. Irene, Krystal, and Taemin were going down for lunch.

"Ms. Irene." The male security guard approached as they were heading to the elevator area. "I was about to call you. A visitor of yours just came in."

Not expecting anyone to visit her, Irene whipped her head to the reception area only to see Bogum sitting there, smiling at her.

"What is he doing here?" Irene gritted her teeth.

"What's the matter?" asked Krystal, noticing her friend's turmoil. She followed Irene's line of sight and saw a slender guy already approaching them.

"Hey..." he said.

"Oh. M gosh, a hottie," Taemin whispered.

Irene elbowed Taemin subtly. "Bogum, it's a surprise to see you here."

"Sorry for coming here unannounced." He scratched his nape. "I had a meeting just around the corner and thought of inviting you out for lunch."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Krystal." Krystal stretched her hand out for a shake. "And this is Taemin. We're Irene's most trusted friends."

"Bogum," said Bogum. "Nice to meet you."

Irene massaged her temples.

"Pleasure's all ours." Taemin shook Bogum's hand. "Didn't know Irene here is keeping a friend like you from us, huh?"

Bogum chuckled.

Irene had an eerie feeling she needed to flee the area soon. She turned to her colleagues.

"So, um, I can't join you guys for lunch. I'll see you later then."

"Why don't we all go together?" suggested Bogum. "It'll be unkind for me to steal you away from your friends when you guys had already planned something."

"Yeah. We should go altogether. The more the merrier, right?" said Krystal. "Don't worry. We won't disturb your little date."

Irene glared at Krystal before turning to Bogum. "Are you sure you're comfortable with that?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. It seems you have cool friends here."

Taemin playfully hit Bogum's arm. "I like him, Irene. I like him."

Irene massaged her head again, already regretting she told Bogum where she's working. She looked around the area to make sure that a certain individual isn't passing by at the moment.

"Okay. Let's go."

Irene pushed the elevator button and felt relieved when the lift opened. She hurried inside, making sure to close the doors right away.

"Hold it! Hold it!" Yeri was hurrying to catch the elevator, putting her hand out to stop the doors.

Irene felt cascades of ice-cold water being poured over her when Seulgi and Taeyong followed Yeri in.

Then the elevator door closed.

"Seulgi!" Taemin exclaimed. "I thought you guys are staying in the pantry?"

Seulgi turned around. "Yeri changed her mind for the fifth time and decided to go down instead." Then she noticed Irene. "Oh. Hey."

"Hey." Irene waved a little.

"Oh. have you met Irene's friend?" said Krystal. "He's joining us for lunch. You guys should join us too."

Irene felt like she wanted to disappear from where she's standing when Seulgi turned to look at Bogum.