BANE

12

Day 2

When Geun Won comes the next day, he's quite surprised of the welcome he got from his colleagues. Nobody even asked about his medical leaves. Turned out Soo Ah have informed them that it's an emergency leave due to "family issue". Well, it's kinda funny for him, considering his freak family condition. Heh...he would be granted a lifetime of Annual Leave if anyone were to know his real family issues. Nobody would've hired him in real life.

He has been assigned to clean up the dishes and 2nd cook helper only. He understood that this arrangement was made by Soo Ah to help him hide the facts about his illness to the rest of the crew. Sometimes during the day, his fingers would suddenly felt stiff and eyes blurry. And it would slow down his pace. Luckily nobody ever attentive enough to notice that.

Well, that's exactly why Soo Ah personally assigned him the schedule for that week. Everybody else would be too busy to bother the one washing dishes or the 2nd cook helper. That position is somehow reserved for staff who needed some time to themselves like when Seol Hwa was having her exams. And everyone will respect that by simply just let that person be. At normal times where the schedule is posted by Yoon Ha, it would be a rotational basis per hour.

Hours went by until he heard Myeong Do called him.

"Hyung, Sajangnim asked to discuss with you." Good. He's already very tired.

What he didn't realize was the few seconds where everyone in the kitchen froze. Soo Ah assigning the schedule herself is something never even heard of. What was happening? Why was he suddenly assigned to that position despite being a very good cook himself? It's usually for Seol Hwa when she has exams.

Collectively, they suddenly recall of how little they know of Geun Won. They could know many things of each other and why that particular person is assigned that position for that week, but they are at lost of why Geun Won is assigned for it. At all.

Geun Won stride by the silent onlookers who were just watching him with thousands of questions in their head about this mysterious guy. Blimey, he has been with them for few months but never had a drink with him even once.

Soo Ah look up from the accounts ledger she is checking when she heard the knocks.

"Come in"

Geun Won came in and casually went straight to the comfy sofa in the office. He really needs to take a break for a while.

"Tsk...tsk...tsk..do you think this is your old office? Do you even know why I'm calling you?" She said very disapprovingly when Geun Won went straight ahead lying in her sofa, in her office, so casually like that. As if yesterday's conversation never happened. She has already gave up on how Geun Won can surprise her with his shamelessness.

"Mmm...mm.." he answered nonchalantly with closed eyes.

She looked at his fatigued face and felt concerned. Once again, she felt conflicted. Why is it that she has to feel concerned when looking at Geun Won's disheveled state? Why does she have to bother?

Despite that, she walked to the sofa with the contract termination paper. It's just a formalities that need to be done.

"You just need to sign this and the next Monday gonna be your last day."

"Mmm...arasso. I'm sorry, but can you give me a few moments?" Damn it he felt nauseous suddenly. But his stomach is empty since he has no appetite since last night.

Seeing how Geun Won still perspiring despite the cool air conditioning in her office has alarmed her. This is not a good sign.

"Yah...gwenchana? Are you feeling sick?"

Geun Won just nod his head a little while suppressing his nausea.

"Where's your medicine? Have you taken it on time?"

Once again, he nods his head. What could have been wrong then?

"Just give me a moment." He would not show his ugly &messy side to Soo Ah anymore. At least, he wants to be remembered as the strong Geun Won that she always seen.

Soo Ah just waited and give him some time to himself. She returned to her desk and resume her works.

After 17 minutes that felt like eternity, the nauseous feeling subsides. He read the contract termination letter carefully before signing the paper and put it back.

He saw something that piqued his interest on her desk. A warm smile cracked on his face.

"Soo Ah ya...you still like those  candies?"

"Huh? Where? Oh...yes. But none of your business."

Geun Won lets out a small laugh. He was the one to put those candy supplies under her desk and locker back in the school days. And when Soo Ah worked at Jangga Co., he asked the receptionist to change the candy at the reception desk to that Sticky handmade candy. He always caught Soo Ah making little chats with the receptionists and asked for few to be stashed in her bag.

She realized something and watched him with squinted eyes.

"How do you know that it's been my favorite candy"

"Do you think some tooth fairies gave it to you because you behaved well?"

"Was that you?"

"What do you think?"

"I thought it's my other secret admirer."

"Which "other" secret admirer would be dumb enough to court you when I was around?"

Make sense! All these while, she thought maybe that "secret admirer" was too scared to come upfront because of Geun Won. Hence, have secretly stashed the candies under her desk and locker. Turns out it was Geun Won himself?!

A few awkward moments passed by.

"Ummm...thanks. I appreciate that. Those candies are so good I even slightly addicted to it."

Hearing this makes his heart flutters like a thousand butterflies. She said thanks to him? And appreciates it? He can die happily now.

Looking at Geun Won's childish grin makes Soo Ah's heart breaks a little. It's so sincere that it touched her heart. She realized that she never said any good thing to him since Mr. Park's incident.

She cleared her throat.

"Since you have already signed this, you have officially agreed to terminate your employment here. And your last day would be on next Monday. Since you still have your Annual Leave balance of 2 days, you can either work half day for the remaining four days or totally take take it in which this Thursday would be your last. It's your choice. Don't worry about the schedule because by tomorrow, the new kid will come in to replace you."

Geun Won's smile was swept away as fast as it came. Is that how fast she wants to get rid of him in her life? She has already found his replacement?

Unaware of his sudden change of mood, she asked again which one would he prefer with. Can't blame her, really. It's her almost fixed script when an employee has signed the paper.

"I will think about it. But, I think I'll be on half day today."

"Okay."