Baek Tae-ho woke up excited about his noon meeting with Moet. He swerve around on his chair in his office, she checked himself out at the mirror by his side. He had carefully chosen his outfit for today, black on black with a grey jacket. Black represents power, and the grey for neutrality and balance. He did pick the right outfit, her beauty gives her dominance, he needs to play power and get her attention by all means. He was curious as to know why she was out late last night, is she that kind of woman? Does she live a double life?
He picked up his intercom to call but was interrupted by a knock on the door "come in" he drops the intercom. it's the personal assistant. He The PA brought in a file and place it gently Infront of him
"I have sent you an email concerning miss Noh-Gojin and this is the contract prepared sir" the PA bowed
"Why are you just bringing it in?, have you checked the time? Do you think I have enough time to go through that now? "
"So sorry sir, I just want to be thorough with my report" Song Yong-jin bowed again
"This is eleven, give me the brief!"
" Miss Moet Noh-Gojin was born in Andong. Her mother "Angelique Go-jin" was a Cote D'Ivoire immigrants child raised by the Go-jin family in Andong, after her parent died in a boat mishap. Her father "Noh Go-jin" was the only child of the Go-jin family. Her paternal grandmother died of diabetes, which she has been nursing for awhile before passing away, the grief led to the grandmother's death a year after. Mr Noh Go-jin married Angelique 2years after his parent's demise, Moet mother died right after giving birth to her. Her father never remarries. She is a model and a student of language at the university of Busan. She has been involved in many sexual abuse cases that pertains to foreigners. She....."
Baek Tae-ho cuts in "what about relationships, that's what I want to hear, who and who is she involved with"
"That's what I was about to get into"
Baek Tae-ho scoffs
" Miss Noh-Gojin went to the police station last night to interpret for an African American woman who came to Korea last week to watch BTS show in Seoul, and decided to visit Beomeosa temple. After the sight seeing with her tourist guard she went to a bar and ended up in a karaoke room, naked and bruised. She tries reporting, that was how Miss Noh-Gojin came in to help her translate"
'so that's where she went last night' Tae-ho took a mental note
"She had dropped her contact at the station for such an event. Most times when there's a case of sexual abuse involving a foreigner she is mostly called to interpret. She has a roommate, her name is Kim Soo Young and she stays at Yeonje-gu. She also has a childhood friend who is schooling in the US, her name is Sandra Taehyung. She mostly moves with foreigners in school and have lots of foreigners friends" the PA cleared his throat to inform him he's through as Tae-ho is pretending busy by checking files on his table
"Is that all? What about boyfriends, any serious relationship?"
" Her present relationship is unknown but she used to be in a relationship with Joo Dan Tae, the first of child of the Joo family, but they broke up after they travel to the Bahamas together for an international designer modelling shoot".
"I bet the shoot didn't go well" he scoffs "I still want you to stay on her for a week. I want to know everything that it is to know about her" Tae-ho instruct. " I need two more bodyguards for today's meeting with Miss Noh-Gojin and make sure to reconfirm the reservation at the restaurant. Are taking notes of that?
"Yes sir! " Yong-jin bowed slightly
" You can go" Tae-ho waves his hands to dismiss his PA. He flips through the contract on his table.
Baek Tae-ho kept at his watch, he notice it's 11:59, ' she's suppose to be here now' his thoughts was disrupted by the intercom rings, he quickly picks it up
'let her in please' he drops the intercom and strolls towards his coat hanger to remove his suit jacket. There was a brief knock on the door before it opens, Moet walks in. She dressed up in a royal blue loosely fitted dress, with a powder blue jacket and a pump heels. Her hair was packed up in a bun, just her usual way of being professional, after one of her female professor as accused her of dressing unprofessional just because she let her hair loose and fall freely. 'who created the standard of what's professional hairstyle or not?' He adorned her ears with a small studded earrings. Her makeup to the barest minimum.
''just the person I've been waiting for, good to see you Miss Noh-Gojin, shall we?" He gestured towards the door as he wears his jacket. He signaled to his secretary to pick up the files on the table as he walks towards Moet who's confused about the arrangements
"I thought this is a meeting to discuss terms and conditions of the contract" Moet blurts out her confusion, as she walks briskly besides Tae-ho
"It is Miss Noh-Gojin, I'm just hungry and one of the first rule of business engagement is to never bargain when hungry or tired, the opposition already has an advantage"
"Am I the opposition in this, you're the employer, you're superior in the negotiations to begin with" Moet rolled her eyes at Tae-ho wondering why he's displaying chivalrous attitude towards her as they step into the elevator.
"Miss Noh-Gojin, I always like to be prepared. The second rule of business engagement is never underestimate the other party" he smiles as he notice how the extra bodyguards are onto their eye-service, that is exactly what he needs extra effort.
"Preparation can not be overrated" she smiled awkwardly as she noticed what's going. 'Is he trying to intimidate me? I don't get intimidated easily, am half black half Asian, I don't scare easy' she thought as they walk towards the car parked in front of the building. Tae-ho holds onto the car door for her as she sits in the car before he entered also.
'whats with all this chivalrous attitude and the decadence display of wealth' she made a mental note. 'It's time to be on defense Moet, there's more to this meeting that meets the eye' A lot of thought was running through her mind as they drove in silence to the restaurant. She stares in space, as she straightened her back her neck to forward without a single glance at Tae-ho. Tae-ho couldn't keep his eyes of her. Her makeup is barely there, which displayed her beautiful skin the more. Her full lips is tempting 'business first Tae-ho, Keep the beast at bay!'
The restaurant was an exclusive one. They sat opposite each other with a dinning table of a full course meal with different side dishes. Moet eats graciously with different cutleries assigned for each meal. She is on defense, everything has to be done intentional, no stone must left unturned. Her father is truly a farmer, but been an only child with no other family financial burdens has given her father little or no financial burdens deal with. With her grandfather vast landed properties she could be categorized as well above average, not stupendously rich but she could as well afford many things without stress.
Tae-ho watched her as she eats with class and poise effortlessly, he knows he feels different about her but their meeting today will determine if his feelings should be nursed or thrown out. Reality is far different from romance novel or drama, he gently nudge himself 'there's nothing has love at first! Either a feeling born out of sexual desires, or one born out of curiosity' he gently dabbed his mouth as he notice Moet was doing the same as they finished their meal.
"How was the meal?"
"It's good" Moet knew he was hoping for a better answer but her guard is up, she has to be economical with the compliment. Why would he bring her to a Michelin five star restaurants? Whatever he his hoping for is dashed already! He has met his match.
"Good?" Tae-ho asked befuddled
"Good! I've tasted better in France and some other countries that I've traveled to" Moet shrugged
"Wow! I'll cut to the chase, I don't like beating around the bush. Apart from you been my personal interpreter for next week during my meetings, I would also like if you can be the face of our cosmetic company as we are launching a new product and also rebranding." He stares directly into her eyes as he speaks.
Despite the intensity in his eyes, Moet made up her mind not to blink first, 'its a staring competition'. A tensed moments prevails between them, as Moet stares without blinking in absolute silence. Tae-ho cleared his throat and took some water
"You're not saying anything"
"I'm trying to figure out if there's any undertone to this sudden proposal"
"There's no undertone, I'm just a business man who found what he's been looking for" Tae-ho shrugs
"Really?"
"Really!"
"Because I noticed you are here today with extra bodyguards, a limited edition of Patek Phillips wrist watch, Italian customized tailored suit and shoe. And then diamond encrusted cufflinks and we came here in rolls Royce to a five star Michelin restaurants VIP room. Are we here dealing with a paper company?"
"Wow! Miss Noh-Gojin, I must say I'm surprised as well as shocked to your observations. Can I call you Moet? You can call me Tae-ho, I'd more comfortable with that" Tae-ho suggested
"No! I'd prefer our conversation be as formal as it can be. After all this is Korea" Moet smirked.
" I've been perceiving hostility since we've been here, do you have anything against me or my family or the Company?...."
"Just the set up!" Moet cuts in. I don't like when people tries so hard to get unnecessary attention towards themselves, especially when they just want to feel superior"
"Are you feeling inferior? I don't take you for that kind of a person" Tae-ho chuckles.
"Nop! I don't get intimidated easily, neither do I get impressed easily, and when I see someone trying so hard to impress me, it's a total turn-off for me." She gaze into his eyes " I am not interested in been a model for your company, if you have done your homework, you would know I'm on a break.
Tae-ho threw at her the file he had prepared and stares back her. "You haven't seen the offer yet, which I can increase if you try bargaining well"
Moet picks up ber bag by the side, she's infuriated by his actions, how can he thinks he could buy his way out of this by offering more money, what an insolence! She might not be as rich as he is but she fares well financially, she can afford any kind of luxury she so desires. "Mr Baek it's been great having this conversation, please tell your secretary to contact me if you are still in need of my service as a translator. And if I may, let it be known this is strictly because I have the utmost respect for professor James. She walks gently to the door and was confronted by the bodyguards who was by door, she looks back at Tae-ho, who waves to the guards to let her go. She strides elegantly out of the building.
"Miss Noh-Gojin may I have some minutes please? Asked Song Yong-jin as he walks briskly towards her as she flags down a taxi. She turns to him reluctantly
"Please be brief, I need to quickly go to my house and knock off all this stickly insults of my body in hot shower bath "
Song Yong-jin hands over the file in his hands to her. " I'm so sorry about my boss approach towards the meeting, he's just so deeply impressed by you" Moet rolled her eyes in disagreement
"I understand he might be too intense with his approach, he meant no harm. Please kindly go through the file, and if you want any adjustments, or not agreeing to it, my number is there. Please feel free to contact me anytime soon. Hope our previous agreement still stands?"
"Like I said, I'm here purposely to be your translator and nothing else. Would tell you the terms and conditions of this" Moet turns around
"There are 2 contracts in that file, one been for the verbal agreement we've had and the other is more of a proposal, if need be for any alterations just call me." Moet smiled gently at him
"Now someone with manners! Would do, since you requested so nicely " she bows mockingly
Song Yong-jin was taken aback by her gestures, It's quite charming! Truly her beauty is uniquely divine. Her smile is very captivating, no wonders his boss seems obsessed with her. ' it's forbidden Yong-jin! Don't get carried away with her charms. Nothing good can come out of it ' he made a mental note and chuckle softly
"Thanks a lot for your understanding. Just so you know he's not like that at all, he's just charmed by your elegance" Yong-jin shyly compliments Moet.
Moet smiled. She knows when a man is being flirty to her. Strangely she's not irritated by it but finds it amusing and wanted more. " Are you saying I'm elegant?" She intentionally stares into his eyes.
" The color of your eyes is unusual here in Korea and is quite mesmerizing, it's easy to get lost in the divinity of it's beauty" he gently stares back at her and smiles broadly showing a perfect set of white pearly teeth.
Moet loves the way the conversation is going. She shouldn't rush it, though he appears to be sincere with all his compliments but he might just be a professional play boy. Moet gaily looked at him, he's not bad looking, not as handsome as his boss, but she loves the fact that he looks more manly with his average athletic body and chiseled jawline. 'watch it Moet! Thread softly, let him do the chasing!' she smiled back at him
"Can I please take you back to the office? That's where you packed your car right?" She nods " I guess you'd want to take a cab to the office or you're so angry you'd abandoned your car there" he jokes subtly
" Was thinking about abandoning it, but I changed my mind because a gentleman politely seek to help out, I'm simply going to accept it" she smiles generous
"Would you please wait a moment to get the car out?" he signaled to the valet and hands over the card to him