Structural Damage

Chapter 2 - Headspace

Seo Dan stepped off the elevator and made her way towards the office, she left her sunglasses on because the fluorescent lights were a little too much for her this morning. She had stayed out a little too late with Jeong Hyeok, drinking and talking until the wee hours of the morning and completely forgetting she had an early morning to prepare for. She was already late, it was nearly 8.30 and on most days she was in the office by 6.30. No telling how many times Se Ri had already dropped by or tried calling her desk to begin discussing the damn Jeju deal. She could sneak into her office without Se Ri seeing, but she would eventually have to face her.

Seo Dan knew that she had fences to mend, one with Se Ri and one with Jeong Hyeok. She couldn't remember why Se Ri was angry, she just remembered that when she left, Jeong Hyeok's mood changed. She could tell that Jeong Hyeok had actually started to feel something for Se Ri. He made it clear he didn't want to discuss her the rest of evening. The two of them had enough drink that it wasn't a problem, but she knew she had to do the right thing and mend that fence today. She could easily avoid him most of the day, he would be able to sleep off last night!

But Se Ri, well there would be no use avoiding her, as a matter of fact, the moment Seo Dan opened her office door and found her sitting behind her desk, waiting to pounce. She gasped in surprise and swore she saw an evil grin emerge on Se Ri's face.

"You scare the hell out of me. Yoon Se Ri." Seo Dan cleared her throat.

"Well, nice of you to come to work today. I was expecting you to call in sick."

Seo Dan walked into her office and softly closed the door behind her. "If I thought I could without you firing me, I would have." She finally admitted.

"Here, I brought you coffee, it should still be hot. I've only been in your office for about 10 minutes. I had Young Joon, from the security desk in your building call me when you left for work. Guess it pays to be the one who owns the building you live in." Se Ri quipped as she pushed herself out of Seo Dan's chair and stood up. The pale pink suit reflected an innocence and grace that was a stark contrast to the bitch streak Se Ri was currently displaying.

"I am sorry that I am late." Seo Dan started to speak, but Se Ri held up her hand to indicate that she stops talking.

"I don't want to discuss your late-night drinking with Ri Jeong Hyeok. But by God, we will address what you said to me and how inappropriate it was and the fact you said it in front of him." Se Ri's eyes were alight, she was definitely angry and had no intention of letting up because Seo Dan had a hangover.

"I don't remember what I said to you, Se Ri. I swear, I had quite a bit to drink and after you left, Jeong Hyeok and I drank quite a bit more."

Se Ri took a few steps away from Seo Dan. Placing her hands on her hips, she spun back around. "So you don't remember asking me, in a restaurant full of people, including the Mayor, with whom I just had a conversation, if I was ready to go fuck Ri Jeong Hyeok?" She waited for Seo Dan's response and the continued, "And you don't remember saying you saw the foreplay and wondered if we were ready to fuck?"

Seo Dan cringed and hung her head, letting out an audible sigh. "Shit, no Se Ri, I don't. Damn." Seo Dan had walked around her desk and lowered herself into her chair. This could be the beginning of the end for her relationship with Se Ri, both personally and professionally.

"Damn is right. Luckily, your voice wasn't very loud, and I don't think anyone heard you, other than me of course. I am not really sure if Jeong Hyeok heard you. I guess since the two of you continued to drink all night, he didn't hear it or he didn't care."

"I am so sorry; you know I would never do anything to hurt you or embarrass you in public. We've been friends for years and have worked together just as long. I respect you and know how much your name and reputation mean. I am really sorry, Se Ri." Seo Dan was genuine, she was sorry and wished she could take it back. She was sure it was meant as a joke but probably didn't come out that way, depending on how much she had already had to drink.