The next few days went by quickly. Everything went off without a hitch and before AnLing knew it Friday came.
For a few nights now, AnLing was consumed with so many thoughts flying around in her head that she could barely get a wink of sleep and the night before was no different. When she had finally been able to close her eyes and feel a slight relief she was awoken by the irritating beeping of her alarm.
Crawling out of bed AnLing groaned.
For a moment, she sat on the bed and collected herself. She really didn't want to go to work today, but she had to pay rent now. Though she knew that Kang Jun wasn't interested in the rent…
AnLing's face suddenly turned crimson. Already, her young romantic heart couldn't help but beat at the thought of Kang Jun.
'I don't have time to think about this today.' AnLing sighed in her heart and then shook her head violently.
Quickly, AnLing took a shower and got dressed.
She slipped on some black ripped jeans and a plain white short-sleeved blouse before tying her hair up in a messy bun and slipping on her grey and black running shoes.
The style suited her.
Though AnLing wasn't sure what to call her sense of style. It was plain, yes, but the jeans made her look edgy, her glasses made her look smart, her bun made her look lazy and her blouse made her look put together.
But at the same time, due to her color scheme, she always seemed to fade into the background.
Grabbing her bag, AnLing headed out the door.
There, like he was on cue, Kang Jun had just closed his own door. Looking at him, AnLing couldn't help but hold her breath. She couldn't help but admire his beauty for a second. Sleek, put together, not-one-strand-out-of-place perfect Kang Jun. That was how AnLing described him.
Kang Jun: "What a coincidence."
'Boooy! Coincidence my ass.'
Despite what her mind screamed, AnLing put on a polite smile.
Even if it actually had been a coincidence AnLing wouldn't have believed him. She'd told him that she was busy that week and yet he still managed to get some time with her, here and there. There was never one day in which she hadn't seen the man.
These apparent coincidental meetings were all the work of Kang Jun. There was no doubt in AnLing's mind.
"Good morning Mister Kang," AnLing said.
Kang Jun looked at her for a moment, examining every article of clothing she wore. AnLing felt like she was under a microscope but she didn't feel too uncomfortable because of the soft look he gave her.
Though she couldn't just allow him to do as he pleased so she tilted her head with a questioning expression.
Noticing this, Kang Jun stopped and walked closer to her.
Kang Jun: "Heading to work?"
AnLing nodded.
"I'll give you a ride." Kang Jun said, using his nonnegotiable voice.
AnLing looked at him horrified.
'In what? Your Maybach? Hell no! Do you know how many rumors that would start? My quiet life would be over in a heartbeat.'
There was no way she would allow him to drive her to work. AnLing knew that Ning Jie, Manager Hong and Lin Li were a nice people, but after seeing a lowly assistant getting dropped off in an expensive car by a good looking driver, AnLing knew that all three women would be both shocked, curious and slightly annoyed.
Who wouldn't be?
AnLing: "No. I'm fine. Thank you for the offer though."
Kang Jun didn't react. He didn't even show one once of discontent as if he knew that she was going to say that.
"If you're worried about drawing attention to yourself, you don't need to worry. We can take a taxi."
AnLing's jaw dropped. This man was really ridiculous. What would be the point of dropping her off if they would take a taxi? She could just take a taxi by herself...
If he came to drop her off, wouldn't he be spending unnecessary money?
"Mister Kang, may I say something?"
Kang Jun: "Mmm."
AnLing gulped before she spoke. She wasn't sure if she should say it or not. A part of her feared that Kang Jun would be angered by her criticism but she had to say it now, or else she would be forced to bend to the man's whim
"Doesn't it not make much sense to drop me off in a taxi if you'll have to go to work yourself? Won't that mean you'll be paying for my trip to work, and then your trip to and from work?"
"I don't lack money." The man said nonchalantly.
'Doesn't mean you should spend it recklessly! Seriously. Rich people these days… ' AnLing felt her head begin to throb.
"Ah… Mister Kang, I'm seriously fine. I can get to work myself. Thank you for the offer, I greatly appreciate it but I still think that it would be best to take the bus. It's not that far anyway."
AnLing wanted to end the conversation there. She wasn't sure how long she could keep counteracting the nonsense that came out of Kang Jun's mouth.
The whole time, AnLing hadn't been looking directly at him but at the end of her sentence, she decided to look up at his face.
The expression Kang Jun wore was one that seemed to wander between disappointment and anger. Not that he was angry at her, but at himself for being unable to convince her. He found it strange. It was quite obvious that he wanted to spend more time with her…
How could she continue to deny him?
Seeing his eyebrows knit, AnLing felt slightly bad. It was unfortunate for such beautiful features to be twisted as such, but that didn't mean she was going to back down.
She still had her rules and already, getting herself this deeply involved with Kang Jun broken more than one of her rules. Her goal when she came back was to avoid all trouble but that didn't seem to be working out at all.
Regardless of everyone else in her life, Kang Jun was a different kind of trouble. He was the type that, when interested, it would be hard to push him away.
"Fine." Kang Jun finally answered.
But even so, he walked with her to the elevator. He matched her stride for stride, making sure not to leave her behind.
AnLing noticed this, but she didn't say a word.
She wasn't fully sure who he was or how much trouble he was but she could sense that getting herself involved with him would decimate any once of peace she once had... The thought chilled her to the core, but she didn't have the heart to push him away.
And it would be hard to stay away from him…
They stepped inside the elevator in unison. Their shoulders brushing up against each other sending shock waves throughout AnLing's body.
Not expecting it, her heart skipped a beat.
'Stupid heart! I know he's hot but still. Calm your ass down.' AnLing gulped and then tried to steady herself. Right when she thought she was completely calm, her phone rang loud.
She looked at her phone and saw the words "Lifeline".
AnLing took a deep breath.
"Manager Hong, Hello…" AnLing said slowly.
Her voice was meek and gentle, like a child.
Kang Jun turned his head sharply to look at her strangely. AnLing noticed his look, but she ignored him.
"You don't need to come in today, Ah Jie is horribly sick, so the appearance has been canceled." Manager Hong said.
"Ah… okay." AnLing hesitated for a moment. "Do you want me to go take care of her?"
Manager Hong: "No, no. Lin Li is already doing that."
AnLing slowly nodded before saying, "Okay then."
'Thank god...' AnLing mentally sighed.
It hadn't been long since AnLing had joined Manager Hong, Lin Li, and Ning Jie but she had quickly gotten used to the threesome. They were a good team, tho how a new singer got paid enough to have two assistants? AnLing had her suspicions but that wasn't important.
As an up and coming singer, Ning Jie wasn't as annoyed as the others in the industry but when it came to her persona at home, her personality did a complete 180.
AnLing felt herself calm down when she found out that Lin Li was taking care of her.
Usually, since AnLing and Lin Li were around the same age (give or take a few years), competition ensued.
Lin Li was always first to help, first to ask and first to do though. Because of that, AnLing sometimes found herself being an assistant to an assistant which did something strange to her pride but she couldn't deny that Lin Li had her merits.
Despite her age, Lin Li was already really good at her job.
This wasn't shocking to AnLing though because with what she had heard, Lin Li had parents in the entertainment industry and she had started as an assistant when she was only 18 years old.
She had worked long enough in the industry to become a manager if she wanted to but for some reason, she remained an assistant.
"But, could you pick up Ah Jie's dry cleaning. I'll send you the address." Manager Hong's voice was rigid. With that, AnLing knew she couldn't refuse.
Not that she was going to refuse in the first place.
She wasn't crazy. She didn't want to lose another job.
All of a sudden, she began to feel tired. Since she wasn't working today, her pay would be cut... Her pay was determined by the hours she worked in a week.
AnLing: "Ah…" She gazed and Kang Jun from the corner of her eye. He was looking at her with an expression AnLing couldn't read. It made her feel uncomfortable. "I'll be right on it."
When AnLing finally hung up she sighed.
"You okay?" Kang Jun's voice penetrated the silence.
AnLing turned to look at the owner of the voice.
Kang Jun had been staring at her the whole time. He couldn't help it, they were stuck alone in an elevator with mirrored walls. Anywhere he looked he would come face to face with her petite frame and cute oval face. So instead of looking at a reflection, he decided to look right at her.
AnLing smiled, though her eyes didn't. "I'm fine."
Together, they walked out of the elevator towards the door.
AnLing was deep in thought and Kang Jun glanced at her from time to time. Many thoughts drifted in and out of his head.
That's right... she was an assistant.
He had read about it when he was looking into her but he had completely forgotten about that fact until today.
It really didn't suit her. At least that was what Kang Jun thought. He saw something else in her and it caused him to believe that sooner or later she would be dissatisfied with the life she lived.
But if his insinuation turned out to be wrong and she remained an assistant he believes it wouldn't be bad either.
He could always ask her to be his personal assistant.
But she'd probably say no...
With that thought, Kang Jun slightly frowned.