I have received a call from Miss Lisa Monday, I have been expecting this call since I found out about what happened during the weekend. I have been working with her ever since I decided to work with Miss Ara. It wasn't easy to keep up, especially because there are not real working hours with us. I was tasked to monitor Miss Ara's psychological well-being; I have been briefed by her psychologist when I was in Copenhagen.
It has been 3 long years of working with her. I cannot really consider it as work, it was more like taking care of an older sister. She never failed to let me know that she considers me a family already. I still remembered the first time I met her. I was expecting to meet an older lady when Martin told me to work a part time job for a week. The money is great. I was barely surviving with my part time jobs that time. My dad just had a kidney operation, our little eatery was made as collateral to have the money for the operation.
She was not an older woman; she could pass as someone in their late 20s. From the moment she talked to me I could easily felt that she is genuine. The only thing I know about her is, she's a writer and she's coming to Seoul for a conference. I would have never expected that I will be tangled with her life and that she will change my life forever.
We barely knew each other. But during the passing hour that we are deliberating what to do with the media situation and the reporters by the lobby of her hotel that day. She made me an offer I can never reject. When we talked while picking her up, she inquired to Martin about my situation and made sure to go out her way to give me full tuition scholarship to finish my bachelor's degree and an extended offer to study master's degree in Copenhagen. She also made sure to pay up my parent's debt in order to continue working at our eatery. All because she can see herself in me. That she wanted me to be her assistant. I have never understood what that actually means until I live with her in Copenhagen.
She's well-off by herself and she made quite a fortune for her family as well. Her family empire started because of her. So, the money she spent in helping me and few others to realize our dreams is nothing for her. I love working for her. Although sometimes it's hard to keep up with her erratic behavior, most of the times she doesn't dwell on them long enough. She is a very analytic, logical person almost to the point of overthinking. She's one of those rare stoics that I got to meet in my life, I would have said ONLY if I haven't met my boyfriend and Nam Jae-woo.
"Soo-ah, please coordinate with Chris Kang about the issue over there that's needed to be taken cared off. If possible, by the time Ara comes back, there will no longer be any problem," Miss Lisa is on the line, the company hired a lawyer this time. I understood the urgency, because unlike last time that she can escape from the publicity, Miss Ara still have some months to stay here.
"We are actually going to meet up today Miss, I think Mr. Jae-woo reached out to him about something…"
"I will just inform you that I will be coming over there by Tuesday next week, we will get busy from then on. Ara asked to form a media team. Coordinate with her about this but if you have some people in mind it would be much easier." She instructed. Now, I'm a little worried. What is going to happen next week?
"I will do that, Miss. But what are we expecting for next week?" I am hoping she will give me more details. But knowing Miss Lisa, she just always generalizes the issue.
"Ara will let you know. She will be arriving Saturday morning. On the meeting with Chris, you know already what to do…" she hung up right after.
Miss Lisa is our main contact when it comes to Miss Ara's problems. Miss Ara have 3 different assistant, 4 including me; an assistant that is based in the Philippines who is dealing with the main office of RTR, an assistant who's dealing with Miss Belle, with the restaurant and service business, and the one who's directly under Miss Lisa in the publishing house. Most of us, are working for her because she gave us a chance. The only thing we have to consider when dealing with her problems. Never divulge too much personal stuff. Roo-ni is curious at times, about my relationship with her. But he knows the boundaries of my work. No one can fully grasp about it if they are not part of the few chosen people who can be let inside her life. We are told that once she finishes her PhD that she can finally take over her position and that we can finally be free from the secrets. But I never really thought about it as a burden, more of being trustworthy.
I arrived at Atty. Chris Kang's office Thursday before lunchtime. I was surprise that I am not the only one who he is meeting.
"I have not mentioned that Mr. Nam Jae-woo asked for this meeting," he greeted. I smile at him. I'm wondering what the urgent issue could be to meet with him since there is already a concrete plan as to how they will handle the rumors and publicity.
"I don't want to ruin her holiday with her family, that's why I wanted to talk with you about something that came up…" he started. He began laying down the pictures on the table.
"It seemed that someone from Namshin had been following them in their holiday, and although I have suspicion, I wanted to make sure if there are any people around her who might be suspicious? That they can possibly be selling these pictures?" He is worried. I looked at closely at the pictures.
"I think these are taken from either Daniel or Mr. Albert's social media account," I informed. They looked at me. So, I introduced them to the people on the photos.
"You'll probably know Miss Katrina, she's the CEO of RTR right now, this is her husband and her two kids. This is Mr. Mark the one with Marcus, he's the 2nd brother and is based in Japan, this is Daniel their youngest and the other one with Miss Ara is Mr. Albert her cousin. Their holidays are usually just an excuse for business meetings, so probably they are all together because of the new business project they are working on…" I explained. Both of them seemed relieve. I opened Daniel's social media and I was right.
"I have read the latest rumor about her other boyfriend this morning," Chris stated. I also read about it, and I was just laughing. Miss Ara has four brothers, but all of them except Daniel are married. They don't look bad, especially Sir Mark and Daniel, when they are photographed together, no one will suspect that she is the oldest and that they are siblings. I have met with her cousins as well and they are the good-looking bunch, of course they have a Chinese and Spanish blood.
"That's good then. At least we can cross that off the issues that we need to deal with," Jae-woo seems much more relieved about it. If I knew better, I might have felt a hint of doubt and jealousy in there.
I'm not really sure how their relationship is unfolding right now, but I know how much Miss Ara wanted him back then. And I can sense how happy she is to be with him right now. The problem with their relationship is not like any ordinary problem that ordinary people faces. They need us to take care of things for them, the media who wanted to get a piece of their controversial relationship. And probably Nam Jae-woo's family who might not accept Miss Ara since she is a foreigner.
"No worries, they are not your competition, there's only one man who could stand between you and Miss Ara. If you'll play your cards right, they might even be your ally." I don't know where I got the courage to crack a joke with the great Nam Jae-woo. He seemed to look worried first, but I guess his IQ is advance enough to understand my point, so he let it slide with an almost non-existent smile.
"How familiar are you with Namshin Foods?" he is not wasting time to get down to business.
"I'm quite familiar with the history," Chris replied.