Haerin's POV:
When she parks the car in front of a large busy building, I look at her unimpressed.
"Not liking it already?" she asks with her eyebrows raised.
"Eh, it's cliché." I shrug, getting out of the car.
"And why is that?" she continues as I walk towards the building's entrance.
"They're scary businesswomen in an intimidating building." I look at her and she nods.
"I'll give you that then."
However, it's a different story when I enter. It's all black marble, and everyone inside is dressed in either grey or black suits.
The entrance room is a big dome shape, and at the tip of the domes interior hangs an enormous crystal and gold chandelier.
At the very center of the large room there is a square counter with five employees working at it, everyone in the room seems to look exquisite, almost sculpted.
All the floors are black marble too, with hints of white mixed into them. The sound of heels and dress shoes clicking against them is very clear.
There is two glass elevators at the left and right side of the building and one wide set of stairs at the center.
There are four doors on either side of the building as well.
"How big is this building?" I ask Hyein.
"Bigger than usual." she answers and starts leading me to Kazuha.
She walks by the five people at the square desk, the receptionists I assume, and one of them, a pretty blonde with delecious dark skin says, "Good afternoon Mrs. Lee." she smiles.
"Good afternoon to you too." Hyein answers.
"People know you here?"
"I come by often, plus the girls are important here so when I'm seen with them all the time I become important too." Hyein answers and gets into one of the glass elevators, pressing number fourteen from the buttons.
When we reach the floor, I see that it's all carpeted in grey, but the walls are still black marble.
There are abstract paintings in black and white hung sparsely on the walls.
When Hyein leads me down the hall, I see many glass doors leading into big rooms with many people, meeting rooms I assume.
There are also large crushioned chairs placed in the center of the floor for others like me to sit.
Hyein halts when she reaches a room with doubled glass doors, both matte to stop whoever comes here from seeing the room.
"Nakamura Kazuha" is written on a gold plaque by the door, under her name "Vice President" is engraved.
My eyes widen, "She's the vice president here?" I ask, tapping her shoulder.
"They're all in the higher status in this business." Hyein answers.
"Give me another example." I tell her before she knocks on the glass door.
"Leeseo is the president of the company, Minji is the chief executive officer." she looks at me with a smile.
"Leeseo owns this place? And Minji is the CEO?!" I almost yell out.
Then Kazuha opens the door, she's wearing a full black suit, even her dress shirt under it is black.
"You brought Haerin?" is the first thing she says.
"Mhm, she wanted to come." Hyein says before walking into the office, me following her.
It's huge, it's the size of a cheap apartment I assume, her desk is wide, with orchids accompanying it.
Bug bookshelves take up most of one wall, colorful spines of books decorating it.
Kazuha closes the door and I instantly say, "I'm gonna go on a limb here and assume you girls have crazy money, so how the hell are you living in a random high schooler's home?!" I blurt.
"Just because we have money doesn't mean we have a lot of privilege." Kazuha answers.
"Ha!" I sing.
"Where's my phone?" Kazuha puts her hand out and Hyein places the metal box there.
"Kazuha where is the-" a voice starts and we all turn to it, Minji is standing at the door, a folder in her hand, "Oh, Haerin." she says, eyeing Kazuha.
My mind is full of questions, and I'm frustrated becuase each time I look for an answer, I hit a dead end.
They have money, clearly, they are all in the top positions in whatever kind of business this is, so how come they can't find a house?
Why would they desperately need mine?
"She wanted to see you girls, and your work." Hyein answers for me.
"Hyein, can I talk to you outside please?" Minji throws the folder and Kazuha swiftly catches it, placing it on her desk.
Hyein goes outside with Minji who closes the door after her.
"I have a lot of questions." I mumble, turning to Kazuha.
"I bet they're many I can't answer."
I groan, "But why?! Why are you living at my house when you can clearly find a solution to eviction. It's all too confusing."
"I told you Haerin; money can't solve everything." she feathers off her coat and goes to sit at her desk, she takes the folder Minji gave her and places it in a drawer.
"Leeseo owns this place, Minji is the CEO, and you're the vice president, I'm sure all that together could get you a palace last minute." I go and sit on one of the chairs that are placed in front of Kazuha's desk.
"Haerin we need to go." Hyein and Minji enter the room again.
I cross my arms, "No, I'm not leaving, you can't keep telling me to forget, it's not fair. I want to know what's going on." I stand my ground.
"You're being paranoid." Minji sighs.
"I'm not, too many things have been happening and none of it is normal I'm tired of acting oblivious." I stand up, waiting for an answer, but Minji just eyes Kazuha.
"Like that! You look at each other like you're sharing secrets when I'm right here!"
"Hyein, you shouldn't have brought her here." Kazuha says sternly.
"Why?!"
"Because you're acting like this!" Minji snaps at me, the sound is so loud that I got scared, flinching a little.
Hyein walks over to me, taking my arm and leading me out of the room, I don't say a word all the way out into the car.
I feel like crying, it was humiliating and scary to hear her yell at me that way.
"I'm sorry." Hyein mumbles, getting the engine ready.
"It's not your fault." I whisper.
"I took you." she replies.
"You didn't know that she was going to act like that." I answer.
She gets out of the parking lot and starts driving me home.
- - - - -
When we get home, I try my best to repress the feeling that still lingers from earlier.
"Are you going to be okay?" Hyein rubs my shoulder.
"I'll be okay." I smile, nodding and leaving to go to my room.
When I get in, I cry it all out, I never knew I was this sensitive, but it was scary to me when she raised her voice.
I sob for a little longer before calming down, going into my bathroom to wipe away all my tears.
What's so bad about what they do that they had to react that way?
It seems like each time I ask a question they get so defensive.
I get out of my bathroom and lay my eyes on my laptop, it then reminds me of the fact that I know the name of their company.
I saw it plastered on the doors when I walked in with Hyein.
Then I realize that I can do my research and find answers myself.
~