Gong Joon stormed to his office. When he passed by the lobby and saw nobody behind the desk, he was sure his secretary had failed his test. He had no expectations for her anyway.
Shaking his head, he enters his office but instantly halted in his tracks.
Moon Yuna is in a mustard knee-length dress, hair tied in a polished bun. She wears her usual practiced smile and bowed her head, "Good morning, Mr Gong."
Joon only scoffed - clearly mesmerized. "Good morning." He answered, walking to his desk. He settles down, crossing his slender legs, "You passed the test but at the same, you've failed."
Yuna tilted her head, shooting Joon a questionable glance, "I am afraid I don't understand you."
"You won't." Joon inhaled, erecting his hands on the desk as he clears his throat to speak, "Who gave you the right to enter my office without my consent?"
His question rattled her. She was, but for a brief moment, at loss for words, "I am sorry, I just thought I should clean up before you arrive."
"And who gave you the right to do that?" He interrogated, rocking back into his chair, "If I needed my secretary to clean my office, why in the world would we hire over a hundred cleaners then?"
She ducked her head.
"Do you know why I can't stand people like you?" He sneered, "It's because you can do anything to get noticed by people like me. You are desperate for attention, desperate to prove you are worthy of mingling with the likes of me, but it will never happen, you know why? Because no matter how many golds you adore a hawk in, they will never become a dove."
Bruised by Joon's words, Yuna sharply looked up to meet his daggering gaze.
Seeing the tears in her eyes made Joon feel victorious. He couldn't care any less about how hurtful he sounds, "From today onwards, you are not allowed to step into my office without my consent, now leave!"
Yuna felt too embarrassed to protest and idly did as Joon commanded. Head lowered, shoulder slouched, she dragged her feet to the door and reached for the doorknob.
Moon Yuna, never bow before any man. Even if you are wrong, hold your head high and accept your flaws.
Her late father's words flowed back into her head. Her confidence immediately rushed back in. She released the doorknob, wheeling sharply around.
Joon was busy pressing his phone when Yuna's shadow loomed over his head like a thunder cloud. He lifted his head, giving a surprised chuckle when he takes stock of her solemn face, "why are you still here?" He questioned.
Yuna drew a deep breath, "Mr Gong, people like me have two legs and two hands just like you. We breathe the same air and tread the same earth. I will never live in shame of who I am because I am proud to be me. You can sleep and even bathe in money, but that doesn't make me any less than you. Yes, maybe when you speak, people will listen because you have power, but for how long? As long as you don't live forever, I will never let myself feel lesser than you. And I will not tolerate you treating me badly, so I am respectfully warning you, you can berate me for my mistakes but don't insult my existence!"
Before Joon could utter a word, she had already turned and leave.
He scoffed in disbelief, growing rather more impressed with Yuna. She is fearless and she is challenging him. It will be fun when he puts her back in her place.
*****
You enter Jiho's office and your mouth literally touches the floor. The austere cold room is decorated with a desert brown and black interiors which speaks loud about Jiho's cold personality.
"Wow, this is very beautiful Gong Jiho." You sweep your brown eyes across the room and advanced further in. You settle on the black expensive leather chair behind the desk and, crossed your legs.
Jiho walked to the right side of the room, staring at the city view from the window. His hands are in his pockets, distant gaze beaming with emotions.
"Are you daydreaming?" You teased.
He affected a seriousness, "I was never allowed to step foot in this building and today, thanks to you, I even have my own office. It is interesting, how my life completely changes when you are in it!" He casts you a glance, "How do you do it?"
You chuckle, "It's a secret." Rotates the chair around and as you stopped to look at the him, he was no longer standing by the window.
All of a sudden, Jiho curls his leg around the chair, using his strength to effortlessly pull you to him.
He is leaning against the desk and as he pulls you over, he brings his face close to yours.
Taken aback, you stiffen in your seat, eyes widening in shock.
His eyes studies your face, "Won't you tell me?"
"Huh?" Having Jiho up close practically disconnected all your senses.
"Your secret, I want to know." He pouted like a baby, "As your husband, I deserve to know."
"You are very handsome." The words slip out your mouth.
Jiho froze - clearly surprised.
It was after you had said the words did you realize what you had done. You quickly turn the situation around by saying, "Isn't that what you want to hear from me?"
Jiho gave a sigh of relief, chuckling sheepishly, "You are really …Anyways, this is the beautiful beginning but it's going to get rough. This project, we must give our best."
"Hm. We should draft a plan, lay it out, make the proposal and send it as soon as possible. I already have a few ideas in mind. I did study business administration after all." You bragged, shooting Jiho a wink.
He nods his consent, "Okay. We should do that."
"Okay."
AN HOUR LATER….
Jiho had stepped out for a phone call and you are busy researching on previous similar projects when a call interrupts you. You rummage through the piles of files in front of you and barely managed to locate your phone under the chaos.
It's a call from an unknown number. You reluctantly answer the call,
"Hello? Who am I talking to?"
"Good day ma'am, I am calling from the police station." A man answered.
"Police station?" You tensed, "Why am I receiving a call from the police station?"
"Do not panic ma'am, we just need you to immediately come here to bail someone. Is your brother's name Kang Inha?"
"What? Inha!"
Without wasting another second, you rushed to the police station alone. You were shocked and confused as to why you are the person who received the call but most importantly, why was Inha arrested.
You enter the station with haste and was ushered to your caller's desk. Inha is seated on one of the chairs.
"Inha?" You called his name as you rushed to check up on him. He was clearly punched in the face judging from the massive blue bruise next to his eye.
You grab his face to observe his injuries but upon seeing you, he hissed, yanking his head away.
He frustratedlu faces the cop who is behind the desk, "I told you I would call someone else, why did you have to call this annoying woman here?"
"Annoying woman?" You shoot him a glance, "How can you even say that when I am standing here?"
"I never begged you to come, did I? Even if I was dying, you would be the last person I need to come to my aid." He growled.
"At least, even though I am at the bottom, I am still amongst the people you will call for help." You smiled, "So stop being stubborn and let me just see your…" As you reach for his face again, he sharply gets to his feet, pushing your hand away,
"I told you I don't need your help!."
You really tried to remain calm but Inha is being a brat. Hissing under your breath, you didn't know when you frustratedly grabbed and twist Inha's ear.
"Ouch!" He exclaimed, "What are you doing? Let me go! I SAID LET ME GO!" He forced himself out of your grip. "HAVE YOU LOST IT??" He yelled so loud the entire room echoed with his voice. "WHAT IS FUCKING WRONG WITH YOU? I ALREADY TOLD YOU I DONT NEED YOU."
You paused a moment and then barked even louder, "YOU STUPID LITTLE FUCKING SPOILED BRAT! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SCREAMING AT? DO YOU THINK YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN YELL? I HAVE A VOICE TOO YOU LITTLE SHIT. HOW DARE YOU? DO YOU THINK I WANT TO BE HERE TO BAIL YOU OUT, IF IT WEREN'T FOR CIRCUMSTANCES, I WOULD EVEN PAY THESE COPS TO KEEP YOU HERE FOREVER YOU ARROGANT PIECE OF SHIT!!! ….."
You kept insulting Inha till his entire body goes cold. The cops were also left shocked, your words were sharp enough to cut the head off a hundred soldiers.
You ran out of breath and had to pause to compose yourself.
Inha gulped, glanced at the cop and then back at you with a baffled expression, "I'm …I'm sorry sister."
All your anger instantly washes away when Inha addressed you as 'sister'. He even apologized too.
You couldn't help but smile, "That is right. I am your sister. So allow me to act like one."