Outside of Business Hours

Untitled Part 1

I've worked for Min Industries for 5 years now. I started as an intern when I first moved to Korea and quickly worked my way up to senior project manager for one of the company's most important projects to date. I'd always heard that Mr. Min was highly dedicated to his work, often working long hours late into the night.

It wasn't a shock to me when he asked me to pull all the project files and bring them to his place to go over something. He said something was missing and he knew that together we'd be able to find it, so I didn't hesitate to show him what I was capable of when he tasked me with this.

"This isn't right. Something is still not fitting into place. If we go to the buyer with this proposal, he's going to laugh in my face." Mr. Min said.

I nodded, pursing my lips. I had a feeling that I knew what it was, but it wasn't my place to tell him how to do his job. He was after all the boss and while I may be the lead on this project, it's still his baby.

"You haven't said much." He noted.

"Sorry, Sir. With all due respect, it's about the numbers. You aren't taking into account the huge loss from last year. With the pandemic, businesses weren't buying up new software like they normally would have been. Everyone was worried about going bankrupt in an unpredictable time." I offered but held back slightly.

He thought it over for a minute, his brow furrowed. I was worried that he thought I was being disrespectful.

"What would you do?" He asked me.

"Sir?" I questioned.

"Forget for a minute that I'm the boss. If it was just you and your team and YOU were the boss, what would you do?"

"I-" I paused.

"Go ahead." He pushed.

I swallowed hard before speaking. "Well, honestly, I'd start over."

His eyes went big and I knew I'd fucked up.

"Why?"

"I know it would be costly Sir, but at this point, there are too many competitors offering the same thing as what's going on with this project and while it was something the market was lacking when we started, it's too saturated now and while Min Industries is highly respected, I don't think it's enough to push people to buy the same thing that's been available for a little while now."

I watched his jaw clench and I immediately jumped into back peddle mode.

"My apologies Sir. I was out of line."

"What are you apologizing for? I asked you for your input. I've watched you grow in this company, the amount of pride you put into your work and I value your opinion."

"Thank you, Sir. That means a lot." I bowed to him. It really did mean a lot.

"Okay, so say we start over, what do you propose?" He gestured to the files on the table and motioned for me to sit.

He listened to every word I had to say. He took notes. I was scared shitless but he asked me for my take on what would be best. He never once questioned my words in a negative way and when he did have questions, it was so I could clarify something.

After what seemed like forever, he pushed his chair back and walked to his kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine.

"Would you like a glass?" He offered me.

"Oh, no thank you, Sir. I'm still on the clock."

"Well, it's long past business hours and we have accomplished all we can for now, so I would say your shift is over. So I'll ask again, would you like a glass?"