JANG'S COMPANY
"Are you guys prepared?" Eun asked his team mates.
"Yes, we are" They answered, and Eun looked around. Thankfully, Ji Ho wasn't late today.
"I need you all to give this your best. Other teams would also be presenting theirs, and only the best project would be chosen.
It would be a big plus for us, if we can be chosen. Please do your ultimate best" He pleaded, and they nodded.
"Presenters, I hope you are set" Eun asked, and both Min Ju and Ji Ho nodded. "Yes sir"
Ji Ho eyed Min Ju as the latter packed her documents. "Let's see how you'll do this, without flopping" She smirked. "Sis, can I help you pack your stuff— just to relieve you" She asked, and Min Ju raised her brows.
"Do I look like I need any relief?" She asked, and Ji Ho blinked. "I just wanted to help." She said with an innocent look and Min Ju scoffed inwardly, before bringing her voice down. "Don't worry sis. Thanks. I'll be back" She said, smiling and left, dropping the documents on her table.
Ji Ho grimaced,"How is she able to change her expression within the blink of an eye"
She checked Min Ju's bag, which was just by the table. She saw her bottled water, and chuckled, then exchanged it.
"You can't shine brighter than me, it's not possible"
She looked down at the documents Min Ju had dropped, and she grinned. "A plan B never hurts"
She was the only one in the office, she went to the door to check if anyone was coming, and after confirming that no one was on the way, she exchanged the documents, with the one in her bag.
She left immediately she was done, making sure no one saw her.
Min Ju came in some minutes later, and packed the documents on the table. They were the ones she would be presenting to the two CEOS, so they could follow up with what she was presenting, in addition to the slides that would be projected.
Everyone headed to the staff hall, where the presentation would hold.
They all took their seats, awaiting their president's arrival, and also the unknown CEO that would be coming.
They had heard that he's a very powerful person, but they have no idea who he is, or which company he is representing.
Seung-ho came in, and everyone stood up, applauding him as he walked to the high table.
Min Ju smiled as she saw her dad. She applauded even louder. He had worn a suit similar to this, the day he died.
The sight of his burial, flashed before her eyes, and she winced.
It appeared so vivid, her head started to hurt and her eyes began to get blurry.
Not only was she feeling very sleepy, the vision of her dad's death kept flashing in her eyes as she squeezed the hem of her clothes. She was sweating profusely.
She excused herself, and went to the restroom. Ji Ho saw her leave, and her lips curved up into a smile. "Sleep well, sleeping beauty"
At the restroom,
Min Ju stared back at her image in the mirror. She was feeling so drowsy, she struggled to keep her eyes opened.
"What's going on" She muttered. She needed to get to the event as soon as possible. They were the first team that would present, so she needs to hurry up.
She splashed cold water on her face, and breathed heavily. She felt like just laying back and sleeping on the floor. She was that drowsy. "Was I drugged? " She muttered, trying to keep herself awake.
After cleaning her face, she dragged her feet out of the restroom, her movements erratic.
Without looking at where she was going , she stepped on water which had been spilled on the floor, and slipped.
She struggled to prevent herself from falling, but couldn't. She lost her balance and was about falling, when a large hand held her waist.
She gasped, and looked up to see who had caught her, and her lips parted, when she saw those familiar grey eyes.
"It's really you" Kael muttered. He had seen a young lady, walking in a zigzag manner, and he wondered what was wrong with her.
Did she drink, at work? He could clearly tell she was a member of the staff, from the identification card hanging on her neck.
However, her hair had covered her face, so he was unable to see who it was.
But now, staring at her sleepy, small face, he couldn't help but scoff, "I think there must be a magnet on my body, that makes you wherever I am"
"Mr Kael" Min Ju tried to smile, before finally closing her eyes, giving in to the sleep she couldn't resist.
Kael stared at her in his arms, unsure of what to do. He had been invited by Seung-ho, as Sterling's Empire president, which only a few knew him as. He only attend few gatherings.
He decided to make an appearance, after Seung-ho told him how important the project was.
Min Ju had drifted into a peaceful sleep in his arms, and she made no sign of waking up anytime soon.
Why would she just fall asleep all of a sudden, and why was she walking like that?
He sighed, then went back to the private suite, he had been given in the company, with her in his arms.
He dropped her on his bed, and ruffled his hair. He then locked the room and went out.
In the hall,
Eun looked around, anxiously, wondering where Min Ju went off to. He had sent a female worker to check on her in the restroom, but she had reported that she couldn't find her.
The program would start soon, and Min Ju was nowhere to be found.
"The presentation would he starting in five minutes. All teams, please get prepared"
Soo Hyun, walked to Eun "Do you know where Min Ju is? I can't find her" He said,and Eun shook his head. "I haven't seen her too, I tried calling her, but her phone rang from her bag" He said, pointing towards Min Ju's bag, which was beside the seat she was sitting.
"I'll try to look for her, but we have no choice, we have go on with the presentation." He said, beckoning to Ji Ho.
"I can't find your sister"
"Ohh. I wonder where she went to. I don't understand her at times." Ji Ho said, rolling her eyes.
"What do we do now?" Baek Ah asked. They were going to be called up anytime soon.
"Ji Ho, you have to take the presentation" He said, and Ji Ho smiled. "No, problem sir". Though her plan was for Min Ju to feel drowsy, on the podium itself, so she could become a laughing stock.
But presenting it, would be even better.
"Here," He said, handling her the documents in Min Ju's bag. And Ji Ho frowned. Those were the documents she had exchanged.
"Must I use that? Are there no other copies?" She asked,and Eun arched his brows. "What's the need for other copies, when we have them right here"
"Team A, kindly step up"
Ji Ho smiled gingerly, as she walked up. Just as she got up, the presence of the CEO of Sterling Empire, was announced and Kael stepped in, looking hot.
Ladies gasped when they saw him, and even the guys couldn't help, but feel intimidated by his presence.
His looks and body was striking hot, but his face was so cold. His gray eyes scanned the hall, and some girls almost fainted when his gaze landed on them.
His aura commanded respect, and no pair of eyes was left out, as they stared at him.
"Please welcome Mr Kael Dane, the CEO of Sterling Empire!" The announcer said, and everyone have him a standing ovation.
They have only been hearing rumours about the great and cold CEO, they have never met him before.
The announcer beckoned to him, to make a speech, as that was the norms.
He walked to the microphone, and girls held their breaths, their eyes on the work of art before them.
Ji Ho momentarily forgot where she was, her eyes couldn't leave him.
He bent down, a bit because of his towering height. In his deep, husk, baritone voice, "Good day everyone—" he was interrupted by the loud screams from the female workers, who forgot they were at work.
"His voice.... Gawd"
"I can feel myself getting wet" One female worker whispered to her friend.
"He is so handsome–how can one look so hot, yet so cold at the same time"
Kael sighed as he watched them. The more reason he didn't like making a public reveal.
After everywhere had calmed down, he completed his speech, which was very brief.
He ended it, and they all tried to stop themselves from another round of screams.
His eyes landed on Ji Ho for a moment, and she froze. He walked towards her, and for no reason, she could hear her heart beating fast.
His eyes were peering into hers, and she could feel his chilling aura.
He recognized her as Min Ju's stepsister and he smirked, but the expression disappeared almost immediately.
He got to her, and she stood there stupidly. "Move! You are in my way" His deep voice sending shivers down her spine.