Pauline was reviewing the financial files on her desk when her intercom buzzed. Without looking, she picked the cradle up to her ear.
"Mr. Yoon asked you to go to his office, Miss Park," Ahn Min Ji, her secretary prompted on the second line.
"Okay, Min Ji. Tell him I'll be there in a minute."
She stood up and made her way to Yoon Shin Woo's office. She couldn't help but wonder what would he wanted in such time.
Maybe to finally sell himself? She thought.
As she arrived at his office, Miss Jung Do Yeon, Shin Woo's secretary, stood up to greet her.
"Good day, Miss Park. Mr. Yoon will see you now."
She nodded. "Okay."
She entered at his office and laid her eyes to the man who build the eminent and illustrious LV Entertainment and the man who debuted the most successful boy band of the music industry. Yoon Shin Woo was sitting behind his desk and his eyes fixed on his computer monitor. Shin Woo was on his late thirties, too young but too powerful. He build LV Entertainment when he was twenty-six years old with a humble capital. He didn't want to depend on his parent's money because he wanted to start building on his own. At first, people around him laughed and criticized at his plans on building his own company but with Shin Woo's perseverance and determination, he was able to get to the finish line and obtain his main goal. And after ten years, LV Entertainment was a sought-after company in the music industry and still flourished up to this day.
Shin Woo stood up as she entered. "You're here. Let's get to the practice room. We're conducting a review for ASUS to their upcoming album."
Pauline frowned. "Why me? You know it's not my forte."
Shin Woo rolled his eyes at her. "Just come with me, Pauline. Besides, you owned fifteen percent of stocks in this company and you have the right to judge the performance of ASUS, okay?"
"I'm not a judge. Just an accountant," Pauline retorted.
He playfully pulled her neck and slightly push her back outside his office. "Stop berating, Queen Ice. This is the CEO's order and you can't do anything about it."
Pauline shrugged his hands on her shoulder. "Get off me."
Shin Woo just laughed at her. He was the most irritating person Pauline had ever met. But despite his childish attitude, she respected and looked up to him like a brother.
When they reached the practice room, the members were scattered and had their own activity. Shin Woo clapped his hand to call their attention and they hastily lined-up and bowed their heads to greet them.
The members of ASUS had different aura and talents that made them become one of the sought-after boy band group next to BigHit Entertainment's BTS. For the past five years, both bands were competing each other to rank at number one including international charts.
ASUS had five members and had different styles in displaying their character. Each members were treacherously handsome, no wonder girls all over the world ran after them. Pauline scanned their faces one by one, recognizing.
Lee Min Teuk, aged twenty-seven. The leader and the main vocalist of the group. He had a powerful voice that could break a glass when he reached high notes. His vibrato was the main asset of ASUS since it would give a strong atmosphere whenever they produced a song for the group.
Park Hoon Shik, aged twenty-three. Also, the main vocalist of the group. Unlike Min Teuk's powerful voice, his was sweet and suave. His voice could tame a wild animal and whenever he sang, it was like listening to a lullaby.
Kim Tae Soo aka "Shi", aged twenty-five. The visual and center of the group. His appearance was dangerously innocent. He was like an angel descended from heaven but whenever he performed on-stage, his charisma and sex appeal was explosive it could engulf the whole stadium like a wild fire. The features of his face was symmetrically perfect like it was carved by a famous sculptor. That intense eyes that could set anyone's heart on fire, with high cheekbones, perfect elongated nose, a heart-shaped lips that girls wanted to taste and that deep dimple on his right cheek whenever he smiled that every parent wished to have with their child. Tae Soo was no ordinary visual, his voice was also distinctive that made girls more crazy about him. His voice was low, deep and sensual. Whenever he sang, everybody could melt at his voice like he was speaking to their souls. It was like listening to an old ballad songs that swept every hearts away.
Kang Bin Young, aged twenty-four. The main rapper of the group. Bin Young had a signature style. He always wore a bandana on his head looking like a handsome gangster. He had a strong aura that made him look intimidating. In interviews or even in a reality shows, Bin Young was always serious and never smiled that's why, people named him as "Jugeumi Eolgul" meaning Death Face. But whenever he delivered his rap, everybody was screaming. His tongue was powerful like it could chop a wood, too fast to handle.
And lastly, Jung Seung Joon. Aged twenty-two. The main dancer, rapper and the maknae of the group. One glance at him, everybody wanted to hug and protect him from danger because of his face. His features were soft and demure like a baby and the way he postured, he was more like a woman dressed in a man's closet. Everybody taught he was gay but he revealed that it was his natural attitude. But when he was on-stage, looks could be deceiving. The moment he delivered his lines, he was no stopping. Whenever he danced, people were screaming and cry out for more. Among the members, Seung Joon was the best dancer. He was a dancing machine that even in one glance, he could immediately copy the choreo of the dance like a pro.
"Okay, boys! Show me your angst today," Shin Woo proclaimed.
The boys were started to position themselves to perform while Pauline and Shin Woo watched them. After four minutes, they were done.
Shin Woo gave them his criticisms while Pauline was just listening to him. She was surprised when Shin Woo looked at her with inquiry eyes.
"What?"
"What can you suggest?"
"Nothing?"
Shin Woo sighed and put his hands on her shoulder. "You're the CFO of this company and I'm expecting you to give feedback for this review. Araseo?"
Pauline rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. To be honest, the performance was great. It was fiery and explosive."
"I can hear the 'but' of your sentence."
"Yes, a but," Pauline walked over to the members as she slowly scanned them. "Too wild and explosive that made it look ordinary to me. It's too common," she faced Shin Woo. "Let's change it. Change it into more sweet, sensual and soul that will make people's heart beat in trance."
Shin Woo made a slow clap. "Wow. That's exactly why I chose you to be with me in this review. Your perspective was more specific than mine."
She rolled her eyes. "Stop patronizing me. You're disturbing me with my work," she faced the boys and smiled. "Good luck, boys. Do your best. Hwaiting!"
Pauline just nodded at Shin Woo and walked out from the practice room. She needed to continue reading those files for the preparation of their project. Time was running out.
When she walked to her office, she pulled her phone out of her pocket but was surprised when a paper fell. She looked down and blinked. Her heart began to go crazy. What is it this time, Mr. Grim?
Reluctantly, she reached the paper and opened it. She gasped.
Dear Miss Pauline,
I know that you don't like chocolates but still I wanted to buy it for you.
Chocolates are dark but when you taste it, its sweetness will burst out that you can finally smile and fly.
Like you, Miss Pauline, a face with a cold façade but sweet inside like a child.
A child I wanted to hug and cherish.
:)
PS: Your chocolates are on your desk. Happy eating.
Hoping,
Mr. Grim
******