"Yunhua, please wake up. It's past nine." Yunhua Seo woke groggily and was met by the face of her best friend, Airi. As she roused herself, Yunhua was once again met with the only-too-familiar sounds of the office in the morning- doors opening, bags being set down, hellos being exchanged, the whirr of the coffee machine-
"Mrrrrgh." Yunhua leaned back in her chair and stretched, extending her hands to form a demure arch above her. "Nine already?"
"Yes," Airi said with a concerned smile, "unfortunately. But none of that. Did you pull an all nighter and stay in the office again? You haven't slept, have you." She stated the last comment as a fact- Yunhua's work ethic and die-hard attitude was well known throughout the department. Yunhua stood and took in herself in the little mirror she kept at her desk. Her once-pristine appearance had steadily deteriorated as she worked past hours to ensure all was well and that their department was well ahead- her once shiny raven black hair had started to fray, her face was dry, and her sharp dress shirt and matching trousers had both begun to wrinkle.
"No," Yunhua admitted. "But it's fine. I've gotten the schedule for the passing weeks and that other audit finished."
Airi hugged her best friend tight. "Yunhua, you can't keep doing this! We all admire your effort, but you're going to end up killing yourself. Take breaks and remember to take time off."
Yunhua took her friend's hands in hers. "Airi, it's fine. I'm managing. Look!" She made an attempt at a smile but it must have been strained as Airi's face dropped. Airi sighed.
"Fine. But you're going to come along to breakfast. You're not going to work through all your meals again." Grabbing Yunhua by the wrist, Airi led her through the office doors and the crowd of office workers all going to the cafeteria. As they walked, several people stopped to say hello and wish good health upon Yunhua; she and Airi were both well liked and respected throughout their department. The pair headed into an elevator- neatly emblazoned with the logo of Y4 Corps, the company they worked for - and Airi punched the button labeled C for cafeteria. The elevator whirred to life and soon the rhythmic clunk-clunk-clunk filled the duo's ears. Yunhua looked through the glass panels as they descended past floor after floor of office spaces. As much as she hated to admit, her life had certainly been dragging on. She powered through high school and graduated as the valedictorian for her major at university - now here she sat, at an average paying desk job as a lower section manager. Perhaps it might be good to start looking for a new job soon. But not yet. There's still much to be done here. The door slid open and the two emerged into the cafeteria. The hall buzzed with conversation - most that attended the company breakfast were those that had stayed the night or those that didn't have time to eat before leaving home. The two grabbed a simple breakfast and sat down to eat.
"Yunhua, when have you properly slept? I haven't seen you leave at five since last week," Airi asked.
"Mmm. I imagine I haven't at all, really. It doesn't matter though, I'm managing just fine," Yunhua replied. "Plus, the new project in Seoul requires my attention more than ever, and we're expected to receive new members soon. I need to make sure everything is ready for them."
"Yunhua, you really don't have to do everything. You have other people in the department. We all know you're capable, but remember there are others you can depend on."
"I'd rather manage it all and do it myself. I don't want us to fall behind again." Airi sighed at this. After all, she knew how stubborn Yunhua could be on this matter.
"Fine, but you're leaving on time today. I'm forcing you to go home at five and sleep. Alright?"
"Mmm."
"Yunhua…"
"Alright, fine," Yunhua finally relented. "Oh, right. When is the president coming on down? He should've been here 5 minutes ago-" No sooner did Yunhua finish her sentence did Y4's company president enter the cafeteria, followed by his secretary. As per company etiquette, the hall became silent and everyone stood. The company president, a capable and charismatic young man by the name of Chang Soo-Yeon smiled and raised his hand.
"Please, be seated," he said, and walked towards a dias nearing the center of the cafeteria. It was company tradition for the company president to address the company and give a briefing each morning regarding news as well as to keep morale high. Chang began - "Firstly, good morning everyone, and I hope you are all well. Second, as I am sure you all know at this point, today the new hires will be arriving. They will be sent to their respective departments at noon. Next-" he continued for a while, addressing several concerns and congratulating the HR department for their performance before stepping off the dias and heading back upstairs.
"Well. He sure strikes a figure, doesn't he," commented Airi. Yunhua almost choked.
"Who? The president?" Yunhua asked. Airi nodded. "Mmmm."
"Come on, Yunhua. Are your standards really that high? I know you want to find someone that pairs well with you," Airi asked half-jokingly. "Remember that one time you turned down that guy in high school just because he-"
"Shush." Yunhua abruptly clamped a hand over her friend's mouth. Yunhua was quite a figure herself- flowing raven black hair, a pretty yet cool and mature face, and smooth skin. Though not much of those you could tell anymore with her current state. She sighed. "Time to head up and see who's joining us this year. I'll see you later, Airi."
Airi pouted. "Alright. But I'm coming to get you at 5, you hear?" Yunhua smiled.
"Right. I'm looking forward to it." Yunhua left the cafeteria, punched in 5 for the fifth floor in the elevator, and wondered why Airi was so taken by the president. He was good looking, for sure, and he was responsible and caring. But what else? She shook her head. Enough of that for now, Yunhua thought, I have documents to take care of, not to mention that a new member is coming soon. She stopped by the coffee machine to grab another sweet espresso and settled down at her desk. She pulled her long, black hair behind her head and neatly slipped a hair tie to keep it in place. Time to get back to work, she thought.
- - -
"Everyone, your attention please," It was 12 o'clock and Mr. Youngsoo, the department chief, stood by the entrance to the floor. He gestured to the new hire that stood by him. "Please welcome Ms. Shin. She'll be working with us under HR from now on." After an exchange of pleasantries, Youngsoo looked at Yunhua. "Ms. Seo, Ms. Shin will be working under you as I've been informed that you're short on hands."
"Yes, sir." Short on hands? Yunhua wondered. While it certainly would be nice to have another person helping out, Yunhua thought they were managing perfectly fine. Well, another pair of hands couldn't hurt.
Mr. Youngsoo walked Ms. Shin over to Yunhua. "Ms. Shin, this is Ms. Seo. You'll be working under her from now on. Ms. Seo, please show Ms. Shin around, and give her a hand, while she finds her footing, please."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, and Ms. Seo? One last thing."
"Sir?"
Mr. Youngsoo sighed. "Hopefully one more pair of hands gives you less reason to work yourself to the bone, yes? I can see that you haven't been sleeping properly." He smiled kindly, almost like a father to his daughter. "After all, it wouldn't look good for us as the HR department if a section manager of our department of all things burns out, would it? Please make sure to take care of yourself. Ms. Shin, make sure to keep the health of your superior in mind. She can be stubborn sometimes."
"Yes, sir." Ms. Shin bowed as Mr. Youngsoo retreated to his office, leaving the pair alone.