"You shouldn't be surprised. We are just getting by because of the good salary," Che-U said, her tone more serious.
Zee's gaze scanned the group, and they all nodded in agreement. Her eyes widened. Was Kang Min-Jun's character that bad?
"Seriously? He is really that difficult to work with?" Zee asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the anxiety creeping in.
"Difficult? More like impossible at times," Che-U said, rolling her eyes.
"That's harsh," Zee replied, biting her lip.
"So tell us, Zee, why are you already in his bad books on your first day?" Gui-Jin asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
"I… I…" Zee stuttered, unsure how to respond. The truth felt heavy in her throat. "It's because of my skin color," she blurted out before she could think twice.
"What!" They all exclaimed in unison, disbelief etched across their faces.
"Noona, there is nothing wrong with your color," Si-Woo said, shaking his head vigorously.
"Exactly, uhn-nee. You are beautiful," Do-Hee added, her voice earnest.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Che-U clicked her tongue, a familiar sigh escaping her lips. "It's Kang Min-Jun after all; we shouldn't be surprised."
"Aigoo! We are really sorry, Zee. My advice is to stay clear of him if you want to keep your job," Gui-Jin said sympathetically.
"Are you forgetting she is his personal assistant?" Che-U pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "How can she stay clear of him?"
The four of them turned to look at Zee with pitiful gazes, as if they had already seen her being fired. The atmosphere shifted, and a somber air hung over their table.
"Look, I appreciate your concern," Zee said, trying to maintain her composure. "But I can't just give up. I want to prove myself to him, to show him that I'm capable. I believe there is more to him than just what everyone says."
"Brave words," Gui-Jin replied, her tone softening slightly. "But just be careful. It's easy to get hurt if you push too hard against someone like him."
Zee nodded, her determination reigniting. "I understand. I will be cautious, but I won't let fear dictate my actions."
"That's the spirit!" Che-U cheered, raising his glass. "Here is to Zee! May she succeed where others have failed!"
The group laughed, the previous tension dissipating as they lifted their glasses. As the night wore on, Zee found herself laughing and enjoying the company, her earlier worries fading.
***
Zee arrived home late that night, the soft sound of the door clicking shut barely echoing in the quiet apartment as she was being careful not to disturb Ji-a, who was already fast asleep in her room. Zee had texted her earlier, letting her know she would be late, so her friend wouldn't worry.
Feeling exhausted, Zee made her way to the bathroom for a quick bath, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue of the day and smell of alcohol. After changing into her favorite comfortable pajamas, she crawled into bed, sinking into the soft sheets before reaching for her phone, hoping to unwind a bit before sleep.
Scrolling through her social media feed, she was taken aback to see herself featured in multiple entertainment news headlines. Curious, she leaned closer to the screen, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
"Who Is This Amongst Kang Min-Jun's Entourage?" one headline questioned.
"Actor Kang Min-Jun Gets A New Assistant!" another proclaimed, seemingly celebrating her new role.
But not all the headlines were kind—"A Black Face In Kang Min-Jun's Entourage?" one article scrutinized, while another ominously warned, "Will She Be Treated The Way His Former Personal Assistant Was Treated?"
The memories of the rumors surrounding Min-Jun's last assistant flooded her mind, and her stomach twisted. In that moment, her eyes shone with a sudden light and she frantically scrolled through the entertainment news, searching for one incident—Min-Jun pouring water on her during filming. Relief washed over her when she discovered that no photos of that embarrassing moment had surfaced.
"Thank goodness they hadn't captured that," she whispered to herself, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.
But as she continued reading, the headlines kept coming, each one more probing than the last: "Is This New Assistant a PR Stunt?" another article speculated.
Others questioned her professionalism: "Can Kang Min-Jun's New Assistant Handle The Pressure Of Fame?" Or "Is Kang Min-Jun's New Assistant Ready For The Spotlight?"
While others teased: "New Assistant Or New Target?" Or "Kang Min-jun's New Hire: A Match Made In Heaven Or A Ticking Time Bomb?" While yet another stated, "Kang Min-Jun's Bold Move: Embracing Diversity In His Inner Circle."
"Will She Rise Above The Drama, Or Will She Be Swallowed By The Chaos Of Fame?" another posed a rhetorical question.
As she lay there, Zee couldn't help but feel the weight of the world pressing down on her. She had applied for this position out of a genuine desire to work closely with Min-Jun. Yet, she hadn't considered what the limelight could bring. She was okay with the attention but the judgments felt harsh. As she tossed and turned in bed, she was left wondering if she was truly ready for the journey ahead.
Aigoo—Oh my