"You arrived." Miss Dianne greeted us. We were 15 minutes late. Thank goodness it was not far. It was not expensive but a decent restaurant. We rented a private space good for 15 people. Inside the room was a wide table, a banner and balloons, and a big TV screen and a microphone intended for videoke.
She guided us in the vacant seat available. "Alice, come here," she called me and pointed the seat next to her. I followed suit and everybody is waiting.
Miss Dianne remain standing as she announced that the welcome party is about to start.
"We formally open this Welcome party to our new superior Mr. Hyung-woo Baek. Please give a hand." Everybody clapped their hand as Hyung-woo stand up enticing everybody with his imposing presence.
"First, my apologies for being late," he said without giving an excuse. "And thank you for this warm welcome. I am looking forward to work with you all. Let's do our best. We are outside the office so let us enjoy tonight!" he declared. Everybody cheered.
We all started to eat and talked. The place started to become noisy as each converse with each other. One of the female team members asked Hyung-woo that most of the female members are waiting for.
"Sir, do you have a girlfriend?" it seemed like everyone is waiting for his answer. I, too, leaned my ears in secret, somehow curious if this guy is already taken.
"I don't have a girlfriend." He answered with a smile. Most of the single ladies in the room look at him with sparkling eyes but it was soon washed off when he said, "But, I am interested in someone." Everybody's interest was piqued.
"Aww..." most of the reaction inside the room.
"Who is the lucky person Sir?"
"Where did you meet?"
"How old are you?"
And a few personal questions flooded to be answered.
"Now ladies, are we making our new superior suffocate with your questions?" Miss Dianne butted in. And just like that, they talked with each other.
He sure has a way to get everybody's interested in him. Hmph! I silently seethe as I drink the glass of beer in front of me.
I watched Miss Dianne and Hyung-woo talked side by side. Not fully listening to their conversation as I saw both of them smiling at each other. My heart clenched seeing both of them looked good. It has been a long time that I feel this kind of emotion. Somehow, I know that it is called jealousy. I am surprised at how I easily accept it. I
I excused myself and went to the bathroom. Everybody was in a lively mood and enjoying the food and alcohol. At around 9 o'clock, they requested to turn on the huge TV screen monitor and had a videoke.
I stayed outside for a little while after using the bathroom. Everybody was really having fun but I want to go home and rest. I have to calm down my unsettled feelings.
"Are you okay?" I heard the voice beside me. I looked at the owner of the voice and here he was, looking concerned at me.
"Yes. Why are you here?" I curiously asked.
"It took a while for you to come back, so I came here to find you." again, he said it as if it was a natural thing to do. "You are not drunk, are you?"
"No," I answered immediately.
"Good."
"And why is that?"
"I am feeling tipsy and I came here to ask for a favor."
"A favor?" I got a bad feeling about it. True enough, I could smell a faint smell of alcohol. His eyes are a bit droopy too.
"Drive me home." Dang, it!