"Let me know what time you'll be done, so I can pick you up," Oh Jaehyun held the phone close to his ear as he perused the documents in front of him. "You're having lunch, right?"
Oh Jaehyun had just received a call from Chung Ji-Eun, informing him about changes in their schedule today. He put the papers down for a moment to focus on the conversation. He nodded and sighed and shook his head, but he kept his eyes focused.
"Alright," he said. "I think I have about an hour more before I can drive over. I'll see you then."
He hung up and checked the time on his phone.
'It's been what? Around twenty minutes?' He glanced at the door to the conference room. 'How long did Ms. Min say she would be gone?'
He sighed.
That morning, Chung Ji-Eun had informed him rather hesitantly that she would not be able to go to The Little City for the documents that they, as the benefactor, needed to hand over to the management. So, in her stead, Oh Jaehyun went and represented her. As much as his schedule was packed to the brim with all the closings that they had to do today, he told her not to worry and to go take some time off to prepare for her 'wedding' even if it was only for a few hours.
In all honesty, he felt relieved that she had agreed to step out of the hotel for something else rather than business, but he couldn't help but wonder a little at Song Hyun-Shik's sudden paradigm shift. After that rather eventful boutique experience, he noticed a subtle change in Song Hyun-Shik's actions towards his Lady Boss. There were more... words between them now.
He knew everything, of course, about the front that the two of them were putting up, but he couldn't say anything about it since Ji-Eun already had everything planned. Plus, he had already chosen to trust her on this, so all he could do on his end was to observe and support her.
A little distracted, Oh Jaehyun turned his attention back to the page and began to mark and make notes on the contract before him.
"Secretary Oh?"
A soft, but commanding voice brought him out of his focus.
He shifted his eyes up and saw the lofty Madam of The Little City stepping inside the conference room. He moved quickly to stand and bow to the company CEO.
"Madam Song," he said in a deep voice. "You didn't have to personally come over. I would have waited for your feedback here."
He straightened up and saw the owner-actress smiling at him.
"Ah, really!" She exclaimed sweetly. "Whose son are you that you're so handsome?"
Hearing her words, Oh Jaehyun's smile faltered a little, his face turning red from embarrassment. "You're too kind," he said as he covered his mouth in an attempt to hide his face.
"Hmm," Song Min-Ji smiled at him fondly. "Now, I really regret not having a child of my own."
She gestured for him to sit down on one of the chairs.
"Lady Chung sends her regards," Jaehyun said when he got his bearings back. "I came to bring you an updated financial report for the company's upcoming projects."
"It would make sense that she sent you, Secretary Oh," Song Min-Ji nodded smartly. "The Group really trusts you a lot, don't they?"
Oh Jaehyun nodded politely.
"By the way, how is Ji-Eun holding up?" Song Min-Ji asked curiously. "Knowing my family, they must be keeping everyone busy. Appearances," she smiled ruefully. "They put a lot of emphasis on it."
She looked at Oh Jaehyun expectantly.
"She's... I think she's doing okay," he answered carefully. "She's being very cooperative, to tell you the truth."
She nodded, urging him to continue.
"In fact, the reason why she's not here today," he said. "She had to go attend to something for her wedding with Song Hyun-Shik earlier."
He said all that the while masking the sour change in his tone.
"Oh, really? That's good!" She clasped her hands excitedly. "It's good to hear that they're getting along well. I mean, for an arranged marriage, they seem to be having a good time together."
Oh Jaehyun nodded at the remark but did not say anything.
"Oh, but forgive my nosy nature, Secretary Oh," she laughed lightly. "My brother rarely gives out updates about this event. And Hyun-Shik hasn't really visited me since the day you and Ji-Eun met him here."
She pushed a button near the head of the conference table and in no time at all, Secretary Min came to them bearing the financial report.
"Now, onto business..." The owner-actress gave her secretary a quick nod and she handed the report back to Oh Jaehyun. "I have no qualms with any of the arrangements the Lady Chung has made for the company," she said seriously. "Here are the reports back with some of my notes on it. Please let her know too that the new collection's launch will proceed in a month's time."
"Thank you for entrusting us with your business, Madam Song," Oh Jaehyun nodded affirmatively as he proceeded to tuck the report back into the folder he brought.
She let out a gentle laugh. "I find it really lucky that Chung Ji-Eun gave my small company a second glance. Even with all of those interested investors... she's the one who stood out the most, so I ended up chasing after her instead."
'Chung Ji-Eun likes challenges.' He thought as he nodded back to show his respect to Song Min-Ji. 'And your company... it has given her a new lease at a challenge.'
"She wouldn't say no to a good project, Madam Song," Jaehyun said.
After a few more exchanged words, Jaehyun decided that he better get going, so he could give the owner-actress her time back. Song Min-Ji could only laugh at the secretary's sincerity as he stepped outside of the conference room with a light air.
Oh Jaehyun pulled out his phone and checked the time.
"A little past the half-hour," he whispered to himself thoughtfully. "Oh well, I'm just going to have to drive a little bit faster if I want to pick her up."
He walked towards the elevator doors and waited. After about a minute, the doors opened and he stepped inside, bowing politely to the only other person who was riding the lift. But, his bow momentarily froze as soon as he got a good look at the person inside the elevator.
'Bae Yuri?' He thought as he moved back up and went inside the elevator.
She had let out an irritated snort and moved aside, giving him his much-needed space.
He paid her little to no mind as they shared the elevator ride towards the lower floors. It was only after a few seconds of oppressive silence inside the elevator that he heard a voice directly addressing him.
"This is quite the surprise." Bae Yuri said slowly, almost lazily.
Confused, Oh Jaehyun turned to face the made-up model who was leaning on one side of the elevator wall.
"Your owner is not here today?" Yuri continued. "That's sad... I wanted to ask her something important."
At her words, Oh Jaehyun's eyes took on a cold glint as he shifted his whole focus to the model that just spoke to him.
"Owner?" Oh Jaehyun said flatly. "Did you mean the Lady Chung?"