In a sleek, pristine hallway with white floors, someone's footsteps were heard. Within no time, it became clearer, louder and faster. Employees holding files or papers in hand halted in their places at the sight of their CEO storming through with a dark, worried expression. They exchanged nervous glances, each of them wondered who had provoked him this time. The tension in the air thickened as all of them were worried for the person who angered him that much.
"Where's Ma Ri?" His voice cut through the silence as he addressed the gathered staff.
"S-she's…at her d-desk!" a female worker stammered, clearly rattled by his presence. As soon as he walked away, the whispers began.
"God, I thought I was in trouble when he looked at me! I thought I did something wrong!"
"She's so dead."
"What did she do now?"
"Exactly! Since she came to work here, she gets on Mr. CEO's nerves every now and then! I wonder how she's still alive!"
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"Hey! Han Ma Ri!" His heavy footsteps stomped across the room as he approached her desk, the noise became clear in every step. Mary was working on the computer until she heard him.
"Oh! Mr. CEO! You didn't have to come all the way here. You could've called me, and I would've come to your office," she said, pushing her glasses up, completely confused by his anger.
"Oh dear! Do. You. Think. I. Didn't? Why the f**k you won't pick up my call?" His voice escalated quickly. He acted as if the world was getting upside down.
"Huh? Oh! You did? Haha! I…uh…" she checked her phone and noticed she had more than twenty missed calls from him.
"Ah…sorry? I had it on silent!" She gave him an awkward grin.
"Come to my office. Now!" His eyes scanned the room before raising the topic. Seeing the curious onlookers, he bit back his next words, saving them for when they were alone.
"Yes, Sir!" She bowed and followed him out, giving her coworkers a bewildered glance, asking silently to the people what she did wrong this time. They all stared back, offering her wordless sympathy and silently wishing her to come back alive from the room.
After she followed him to the room, he slammed the door shut.
"Are you f**king with me right now? How could you deceive me like this?" His voice was softer now, filled more with hurt than rage. Disappointment was clear on his face.
"Eh? I dunno what you're talking about!" Mary replied, still couldn't find the answer why he was acting like this.
"Then, explain it!" He shoved a thin, long envelope into her hand, making her speechless. With curiosity, Mary opened the envelope and pulled out the paper. As soon as she saw the title of the letter, her eyes widened out of shock.
"Ah…. this…" she whispered. Ma Ri understood what was going on. It was her resignation letter. Although she made a deal with the CEO of EcoFusion, she didn't think he'd act this fast.
"Now, say you don't know anything about it?" he asked, gritting his teeth as frustration was clear in his voice.
"Um…this…" Ma Ri fumbled for words, looking at the letter even though she already knew what it was.
"And why the f**k did I receive this letter from EFP? Try explaining?" He held Mary by her shoulder. His cold gaze was on her though his anger was waning as he saw how she hesitated.
"Ma Ri…are you a spy?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief which made her shocked.
"What? No!" She shook her head furiously, declaring her innocence.
"Then? Do you hate me that much?" His voice softened again, weighed down by disappointment.
"N-no! That's not the case! Why would I hate you? I like you! I…" Mary sighed. She didn't want to tell him as she needed to arrange her thoughts. Moreover, she knew he'd overreact if she told him the truth.
"The truth is…" she hesitated. Seeing her struggle, Ho Seok's heart softened. He understood he could make her talk and he was eager to know what was going on. He took her arm gently and guided her to the couch.
"Have a seat first." he sat beside her, facing Mary. He scooted over and went closer to her. Then took off her glasses, making her astonished once again. She gasped in tiny and finally looked at him.
"Look at me!" He cupped her cheeks and made her look at him.
"Now, tell me what's really going on. Did someone bully you? If so, you have me! I'll make sure…" he was going to say more, but Mary interrupted him.
"Thass nawt da casse!" Mary couldn't talk properly as Ho Seok squished her cheeks.
"Then what?" he teased, pressing her cheeks tighter, finding her flustered expression cute.
"Tu ee onEss(to be honest)," she held his hands and exceeded herself. "I…am getting married." She looked downward, avoiding his gaze, still holding his hands.
"What?" His voice dropped, stunned by the unexpected revelation.
"Uhm." She moved her hands from him and started fidgeting, still avoiding his gaze.
"Haha! You're joking, right?" He was hoping for a denial as he was afraid to accept the truth.
"No, oppa. It is true. Remember the date I told you about? I went to meet them." She looked at him with her doable eyes.
"Yeah! But weren't you cussing him?" He blinked, shocked.
"Don't tell me you met YJ from that idol group you're head over heel for!" He acted serious as if it could be the truth.
"As if!" Ma Ri rolled her eyes.
"Then who is it? And how does EcoFusion fit into all this?" he came straight to the point, though he was very curious about the date.
"Well, funny story," she said with a forced laugh.
"…the thing is…the guy I was cursing at, when I was going to meet him, I looked into his info. And you know what? He was the CEO of EcoFusion! Haha! I can't believe I finally got to meet him!" She was acting exuberantly.
"What?!"
"Yeah, and he promised to help my dad, so…I agreed."
"Huh? You never told me you have a crush on that crazy son of b***h!" Ho Seok's face flushed with disbelief.
He never expected she'd like that guy out of all the guys in the world.
"I don't!" she protested. "But…"
"But what? You never allowed me to help you, but you'll let him? Isn't it discrimination? Or you just really hate me and act all nice in front of me? Sh*t! I can't believe you're….Argh! This is driving me crazy!" He ruffled his own hair as if he was gonna rip them apart out of frustration and anger.
"Come on! It's not like that! We're just friends and knowing your situation, I can't accept help from you. Your company is just growing so you should only focus on it, hm? You don't have to help anyone else but you. So don't say it like that! This is something I decided on myself. So don't be cranky. And It's not like I'm never gonna meet you again! You're still a priority to me." She stood up while saying. She noticed he was looking gloomy.
"Aww, is my Seokie sad?" She leaned down and hugged him, stroking his hair to comfort him. He hugged her back, burying his face in her belly. He wanted to say something harsh, but controlled himself. He just had a stern and cold face while he was pretending to be soft and cute towards her.
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[Inside a gymnasium]
Jiman stood with dumbbells in hand, his muscles were taut and defined as he worked out. He was wearing half pants and a white t-shirt. His t-shirt clung to his sweat-soaked body, outlining every muscle. He grunted with effort as he continued his reps.
Ho Seok walked in. Though his schedule was different, he deliberately came at this time to run into Jiman. He changed into a muscle shirt and shorts. His usual bulky body which was always hidden under business suits, now on full display.
He came towards Jiman and started warming up.
"Oh my! Looking sexy today!" Ho Seok teased, stretching his arms. "But not more than me." He winked as their eyes met.
"Tsk," Jiman ignored him, furrowing his eyebrows, he continued his workout.
"This might be the secret you win over Ma Ri, right?" Ho Seok's smirk widened. Jiman froze, afraid as he thought Mary told him everything after making a deal with him.
"Why? You Jealous?" Jiman asked, walking over to gauge how much Ho Seok knew.
"Hmh! I won't let you off if I hear you hurt her in any way!" Ho Seok moved closer, glaring at him with vengeful eyes.
"Hah! You don't have to worry about that! I'll take care of her. At least, better than you!" Jiman shot back, as he thought Ho Seok liked Mary, he smirked, thinking he finally had the upper hand.
"Says the guy who does nothing but run away whenever he faces any problem." Ho Seok raised his eyebrow, clearly mocking Jiman with something.
Jiman's eyes narrowed. "Still sulking over that? You're no better than any whiny little girl!" he just wanted to act cool, but was surprised by How Seok's reaction.
Ho Seok's face darkened. "Do you think it was that easy?" He grabbed Jiang's tshirt and pulled him closer. His eyes were full of rage as well as grievance. He noticed people were gawking at them, so he pushed him while saying, "Forget it! You'll never understand."
"Just remember to treat her well. She means a lot to me." As he walked away, he called over his shoulder.
"What the…" Jiman stood still, bewildered by the sudden shift. He couldn't understand what just happened and what that guy was trying to say.