After a long stressful day, I was ready to hit the bed and sleep. Somehow, I couldn't sleep, thinking about everything that happened earlier in the office. I cannot understand the nervousness I got from Hana. When she was close to me, I couldn't breathe properly, and what happened today did not make me want to continue working for her. I kept tossing and turning on my bed with confusion and frustration all night.
In the morning, I heard Rita calling my name, trying to wake me up. It was 8 am. I saw her sitting beside me with a coffee in her hand. I glanced at her a few times before waking up. I continued to wake up late every day now, and the award for it goes to Hana. I am still frustrated with the past incidents and saw Rita confused and worried about my behaviour. She asked:
"Are you okay? You look frustrated and also wake up late every day. Spill the beans now...."
I took a few sips of my coffee; and told her everything that occurred yesterday. She listened to everything and said:
"Maybe she likes you also; this is so romantic."
I replied:
"Oh please! She is a tease and just wants to get on my nerves." saying further:
"Can you be serious for once?"
Rita apologised and advised me to ignore her and limit talking to work-related. She said that the more I reply to her, the more she will engage in conversations and conflicts, making me frustrated and losing control. Hearing her saying that I took a few deep breaths and finished my coffee with a boost of sudden energy and went to get ready for the day.
I was ready today to mind my own business and not let Hana interrupt me with anything. When we reached the office, I saw Hana sitting at my desk doing something on her mobile. Suddenly I heard someone say from behind, "Be nice." It was Chan-yeol giggling at me.
I ignored him, whereas Rita continued to talk with him. I reached my desk and greeted Hana nicely. She glanced at me and greeted me with a smile too. She asked me:
"What is the schedule today?"
I answered:
"We will make advertising plans for your academy. During that, please let me know if you want to add something to it."
She smiled and went straight to the senior's office. I was wondering about what just happened. Is it something she didn't like, or is it something I said something inappropriately?
Rita, Chan-yeol, Ari and Ae-cha rushed towards me and said:
"What did you do now?"
I replied:
"I don't know. She asked me about today's schedule, and I told her everything, and then she didn't say anything and left towards senior's cabin."
With confusion, we all waited for her to come back. After a while, our senior came out along with Hana asking for everyone's attention. He said:
"Ms Hana wants to take you all for a visit to her 'THE ELITE UPPERCUT' academy. You all will be joining her today. This will help you to understand more about her work and academy to plan a better marketing plan."
With this, everyone got excited, but I was still confused. Hana reached out to me and said:
"Come on! You are coming in my car."
I asked about the others. She said that the others will join us in other vehicles. I insisted Hana take Rita with us as I didn't want to be alone in the car. Rita heard it and said:
"Noo! You go ahead; I will join others."
I kept signalling her to come with us when Hana took my hand and made me follow her. While we waited in the elevator to reach the parking lot, I saw Hana keep staring at me. To remove the awkwardness, I asked:
"Why did you suddenly decide to visit your academy?"
She replied:
"You must see the academy yourself. Telling about it won't help with the work."
I nodded in agreement. When we reached the parking lot walk towards her car, I saw the same car she brought to the club that day. She unlocked her car and opened the door for me. She was smiling while holding the door for me. Such a sudden move makes me flustered. I instantly sat in the car and saw her closing the door for me. She sat beside me and came close to me.
I got shocked and said:
"What are you doing?"
She leans forward to me and pulls out the seat belt for me. She said:
"Safety is important."
I replied:
"You could've told me that. No need to do it yourself."
She smirked and started to drive her car. As she was driving, she stopped the car in front of the stall where a lady was selling Bungeoppang (A Fish shape cake). Hana went to her and bought two cakes. Coming back to the car, She offered me one cake. I refused to take it. She took my hand and placed the cake on my palms. She said:
"You are here in Korea. You should try different food. Also, it is my favourite treat."
I replied:
"Why are you telling me? I don't want to know about it."
She replied while driving and eating cake:
"I want you to know it."
Saying this, she glanced at me with a smile. I didn't know what to say, so I kept looking out the window while eating the Bungeoppang.
Soon, we reached her academy; and it was massive from the outside. We went to the parking lot and took the elevator to reach the reception floor. Hana asked me to follow her. When we went inside the building, I saw a lot of people. Seeing so many people at once, glancing right back at me makes me feel awkward. So, I excused myself to Hana and told her that; I'll be waiting outside for other colleagues.
As I was leaving, she placed her hands on my waist, pulling me closer to her. I looked back at her while struggling to let her go of me. I said:
"Let me go. There are so many people it is very awkward, also they are now staring at you and me."
She smiled and didn't let go of me. While I kept struggling with all the awkwardness, she finally let me go. I got confused and realised other colleagues coming in. Seeing them made me feel comfortable. Everyone was in awe to see the interiors of the academy. Hana asked everyone to be comfortable and offered them some drinks and treats.
After getting comfortable, she took us all to show every part of the building. There are gyms with good-quality equipment, food area for boxers to maintain their diest, and sports equipment areas where I saw everything needed for boxing. It includes uniforms, sportswear, trunks, gloves, hand wraps, punching bags, etc.,
It was nice; how Hana explained everything about her work, routine and the academy. When she speaks about it, her eyes sparkle with passion and love. It was nice to watch someone enjoying their work.
We saw other areas, such as the conference room; and accounts department and finally reached the training room. The training room was huge and remarkably well-designed for the boxers to give the practising aura. There was a boxing ring, but it was empty. I asked Hana about it, to which she replied that the training sessions for today were off as they were informed about our visit.
She doesn't like her students to be distracted. After a few minutes of roaming and admiring the training room, Hana asked:
"Do you all want to experience the training session for today?"
I saw everyone getting excited, whereas I was opposed to it. Rita and Chan-yeol said:
"You are so boring."
Hana replied:
"Are you afraid?"
I replied fast:
"Of what?"
She said:
"I don't know; maybe you are afraid of boxing or me?"
She was again smirking at me as if she was taunting me. So I replied:
"No. Let's do it then."
Hearing this, everyone got excited and left to change their clothes. I glanced back at Hana and saw her waving at me. Somehow I felt that she is planning something.