I was nervous sitting on the tatami floor waiting for Lieutenant Colonel Kwon in an upmarket restaurant that sold sushi and sashimi. This was a place where Chairman Chan met our clients every now and then. But of course, it was for when meeting with people at much higher rank. If this place was good enough for admirals and generals, it was more than good enough to woo a Lieutenant Colonel.
The reason why I was nervous though, was that I was here alone. I have had similar meetings before on behalf of Chairman Chan, but back then I had the ultimate power figure behind me. I was his messenger and an envoy. Crossing me would have been a direct insult to Chairman Chan.
This time was different though. Everybody knew the situation changed. Behind me stands only Hina, and I am now just a personal assistant of a clueless 19-year-old. I had work to do, a target to reach, and things to accomplish - all on my own.
Lieutenant Colonel turned up a little later than our appointment. Actually, almost 30 minutes late. I had a feeling he did this deliberately to see how I'd react. And of course, I reacted as if nothing happened, just greeting him politely with a warm welcome, and letting him take a seat on the guest's seat.
"I believe this is the first time we meet just by ourselves, Miss. Sin"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel. It seems you have been very busy, so I appreciate you taking the time to see me"
"Same here", the Lieutenant Colonel raised his cup of water to toast. I responded in kind and immediately ordered drinks and assorted sashimi set. The most expensive set in this restaurant.
The Lieutenant Colonel cracked a few jokes. Horrible Dad jokes. But I did laugh. It was all part and parcel of this work. Possibly even he doesn't think these jokes are actually funny, but people tend to follow the structure and order of conversation topics throughout the evening like this.
About when we were halfway through our exquisitely delicious assorted sashimi set, the Lieutenant Colonel finally got to the main topic of the night.
"So, I supposed there was a reason you wanted to see me, Ms. Sin?"
I could have gone more formal ways here to respond, but I knew from now on I'd have to handle a lot of these works by myself. If supporting Chairman Chan was my sole duty previously, now I am in a position where I'd have to do things a lot more autonomously.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain. There were some things I wanted to ask for your advice regarding Fast Track Acquisition Program"
"Oh?"
"As far as I know, you are in charge of setting the groundwork for this program and all the details of the program are close to being finalized, and soon we will see the fruition of it when the parliament approves it"
"Ah, don't say that, Miss. Sin. I didn't do anything. Colonel Park is the one in charge here. I just do some paper works"
"Isn't that the main, actual work?"
"Haha. In any case though, what advice do you want from me?"
"I was wondering if there is a possibility of working together with NDDC on this"
The Lieutenant Colonel's expression went cold immediately.
"This is an inter-agency relationship issue within the government. Frankly, you are not in a position to tell two government agencies to collaborate"
"I'm sorry if I came across as offensive. What I meant was more that if NDDC oversees the technological side of this program, maybe there is a chance that the FTAP can expand to include much larger scopes. So rather than just focusing on fast acquisition, it could also sanction fast track to start R&D work, which will then lead to acquisition"
"Let's have another drink first"
"As you wish, Sir"
I called for a waitress and she turned up pretty quick. Just as I was about to order another small jar of sake, Lieutenant Colonel made the decision to order himself.
"Do you guys have some Baiju?"
Ah, shit. I can't handle that drink very well.
"Yes, Sir"
"Please bring us the best one"
"Certainly, Sir"
Ok. This guy is no joke. He just ordered himself the most expensive thing in this upmarket restaurant fully knowing that I - the Chan Group - will be paying the bills. He might be the kind of guy who needs special something to be convinced to cooperate.
Man, this is going to be a pain.
"So, Miss. Sin, please do continue, but I have to say we have come too far with this program development already. It is long past the time when we can add anything extra on top"
So you are telling me nothing can be done but make us pay for the most expensive shit?
To me, this only confirmed that it could be done, and he could make it happen.
"We are aware it is a bit late. I apologize we did not come up with this any sooner, but I think there is a way to do this"
"Such as?"
"How about a suggestion from the parliament to expand the program, when it reaches them to be approved?"
Lieutenant Colonel narrowed his eyes. There wasn't really anything he could say back so it was now the chance for me to frame things the way I want.
"I mean we've all seen it before, right? National Defense Procurement Department, or NDDC, or even Joint Chiefs of Staffs come up with something and the parliament nitpicks on it"
"Are you threatening me?"
Lieutenant Colonel spoke in a stern voice. He thinks I'm trying to get our way by threatening him that the Chan Group will use its influence to block the program from being approved if NDPD does not listen to us.
That's not what I had in mind though.
Not at all.
"Sir, I'm sorry I created that impression. But if you'd allow me to explain-"
Then there was a knock on the door of our private room and the Lieutenant Colonel shouted out unnecessarily loud.
"Come in!"
The waitress from before brought back a bottle of baiju that I recognized to be pretty damn expensive. But that was not a problem. I had problems with certain kinds of alcohol. I could drink whiskey or cognac all night and not get drunk. But Baiju, vodka, tequila… any transparent liquor always really screwed me up. That night out with Hina was also my mistake for letting all that happen probably because we had few shots of tequllia.
"Please allow me to pour one for you"
I quickly took the bottle from the waitress, waved her to leave, and poured the liquor into a new cup that came together.
Lieutenant Colonel received the cup from my hand but did not say thank you.
Right, he still thinks I was threatening him, that if he didn't do what we said we will get parliament to derail his project.
"Your explanation better be good. I find it most unfortunate that you are not the respectful Sin I have seen before working behind Chairman Chan"
"Please, let's toast and let me explain"
We then toasted in silence and gulped the liquor down.
Fack. That went straight to my head…
Just hang in there. You gotta get this one done, Sin.
"What I meant is… during the review, the parliament could see how great your proposal is and decide to increase the fund for it as well as expand the scope. They won't approve the proposal not because they don't like it, but because they find it too good to just let it pass as is. They could send it back to you asking NDPD to investigate further to study what more could be done"
Lieutenant Colonel was starting to get what I meant and it was all over his face that he liked it.
"Lieutenant Colonel. I really have to apologize to you in advance, that if this happened the task force team's work would be expanded even more. It could make you even busier than now, so please, as a token of my apology, let me pour you another one"
"Cheers"
We toasted again and Lieutenant Colonel Kwon spoke.
"Miss. Sin, you are a very smart woman, I'd go even as far as to say you are too smart"
"Haha… thank you, Lieutenant Colonel, although I don't think I deserve such a compliment from you"
"May I give you a word of advice though?"
"I'll gladly listen, Sir"
"Sometimes when you are too professional, it can come across as insincere"
"Sir, I didn't mean to-"
"Don't worry, I didn't take offense. Business is business and I much prefer your way of working. I also understand that as a woman in this industry, you have to be utmost professional at all times. But don't make people feel that you are only there for them for work"
Oh.
"Thank you, Sir. I will take your advice to heart"
"Cheers"
"Cheers"