Monday morning. 8:05 Am. And I have averted the first crisis of the day.
A meeting on progress reports regarding a couple of our top clients is due to start at Kim Corporations and one of the files in my bag had gone missing. The last place I left my bag unattended was at Tiffany’s apartment. I called but she had already left for work. Fortunately Leo was awake and spotted the file on the dining table. It struck me as strange because I could have sworn I didn’t remove it from my bag. Anyway, Leo offered to drive over with the documents.
“There was the odd stray sheet but I managed to get them all in there!” He says as he hands them over.
“Thank you, Leo.” I say gratefully.
Mr Lim and I enter the boardroom and everyone rises from their seats and bows. I place the papers in front of me on the table. I flick open the file to make sure everything is there. My eyes run down the first few pages. So far, so good.
“Kwang-seok!” One of the new interns bumbles through the door. He’s gasping as though he ran the whole way here. His eyes widen as he spots me. He bows a little too enthusiastically, almost doing a cartwheel in the process. “Please accept my apologies, Ms Kim. I missed the bus and – ”
The department head who is meant to be his supervisor is glaring furiously at him. “Kwang-seok!” He repeats again. “Don’t bother with your excuses and sit down!”
Kwang-seok smiles at the rest of the room. After getting no response, he dejectedly sits down. His supervisor bows, “I’m so sorry for this, Ms Kim.”
“Don’t let it happen again.” I’m still checking the file. I’m near the last two pages when the intercom on the table crackles.
“Ms Kim, there is an important call for you.”
“The meeting is about to start, Janet. Tell them I’m busy.”
“It’s William Barron.”
My hands stop abruptly. I set the file back down. The last couple of pages are only the minutes of the prior meetings, so I set them aside without a second glance. I have to take this call.
“I’m sorry everyone, it’s important.”
As I leave the room I vaguely hear the supervisor order the intern to hand him something.
Mr Barron is a businessman from America and is someone I’m very keen to meet. The call goes well and I feel exhilarated. This is a big, big deal.
I re-enter the boardroom and take my seat. Mr Lim whispers in my ear, “Mr Barron? It went well I take it?”
Kwang-seok is standing with a couple sheets of papers held in his hand. He is so nervous, the papers are flapping wildly in the air. I’m not even sure he can read what’s written.
“What’s going on there?” I ask.
“Oh, his supervisor is making him read the previous minutes.” Mr Lim brushes it aside. “Tell me about the Barron.”
I shift my focus onto Mr Lim. A smile slowly forms on my lips.
Mr Lim grins and shoots me a thumbs up. Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room changes. Everyone is now gaping at the intern who is trembling through his words. I tune in to what he’s saying.
“I like the way you talk in your sleep.”
Wait…what?
“Kwang-seok!” His supervisor rattles. “Just read what’s on the paper!”
“I-I a-am.” He stutters and continues, “I like the dimples in your smile.”
One of the men turns his head towards me and stares in astonishment – at my face. His eyes travel to my chin. I realize my smile has frozen in place.
