Eunha
"Tired?" Kiseok glanced at me then fixed his eyes on road. It was almost 12 pm, the street was quiet and the ride wasn't deadly awkward, my relationship with Kiseok was good and less awkward, he often smiled and friendly but it wasn't make him unpowerful. He was still professional and I'm grateful with that, at least we had been get along so far.
"Not really, Sir." I shifted on my seat, leaning back further as if I had no bone. I wasn't tired, it's just sleepiness that keep bugging me and I wished he didn't mind.
"I'm sorry for keeping you late, you can go work at 10 am tomorrow, Eunha. I'll come late too, I need sleep." He said then chuckled lightly when he caught me yawning.
Me and my mouth which never had a nice synchronization.
"Go sleep then, I'll wake you when we arrive. I know where your house is.." he sent me last glance and gave me warm smile.
"It's fine, Sir. I can manage to work on time tomorrow." I reassured, I didn't want to be spoiled. It was my job as his personal assistant which was aware that my job would be containing of stuffs, demanding deadline and tagging along wherever he goes.
Then we went silent again, but it was a peaceful silent until I decided to open a conversation.
"Airplane ticket and hotel already booked, Sir." I informed, after received an email from Mr. Kwon, I decided to book the accommodation for Kiseok so he could go to Busan as soon as possible, just like what he asked me to do.
"When is it?"
"Three days later, I don't know how long you'll stay but I make it one week, it also can be extended whenever you want."
"Good then, make it two. You're coming with me." He said and I immediately whipped my head on his direction, obviously confused because last time I checked, he just need three days for meeting and investigating the land which potentially to be hotel so he didn't need me.
It looked like he saw that I wanted to object his decision but his eyes told me to back off and I shrink back on my seat, admitting my defeat.
Well, come to think of it.. Busan was so beautiful place, I could enjoy little sight seeing between his might packed schedule.
But Busan was also the place that made me back into memory lane which I didn't want to visit, it wasn't like the place is annoyed me but someone who lived there made me uneasy.
Someone who had been keeping me in my own grief and sadness for the whole time even if I tried to move on. Someone who still gave me heartache whenever I heard his name. Someone whom I couldn't forget for years..
Kwon Hyuk..
----
It was bright and peaceful evening when I focused on stuffing my clothes into my pink luggage, contemplating what kind of clothes that I should bring with me. The formal one or the casual one? But then I remembered, I'm going to Busan for work, not for vacation, so I must dressed as formal as I could.
"What time your flight is?" My mom peeked her head in my room since my door was a jar opened.
"Night one, 8 pm." I replied while folding my last dress then put it on top of messy piles of clothes and forced them to fit in my luggage.
"Busan, isn't it?" My mom walked in then sat on the edge of my bed.
"Uh-huh, Busan." I replied nonchalantly, still busy locking my luggage.
"Will you meet him?" She asked out of the blue.
"Huh?" I looked at her and realized who was she referring to.
No, not again.
"Of course not, mom. I don't even know where he is." I said, not giving chance myself to breathe.
It was a lie, I knew he came back to Busan after the death of his father three years ago. He was working with his father at Los Angeles when we decided to break up and living our lives separately.
My heart clenched, remembering what what happened years ago. It wasn't like I despise him, it's more like I despise how universe rudely not taking on our side.
Screwed anyone who said that times will heal everything, because in my case that thing never healed. It still left a big hole and I didn't how to deal with it anymore, so I tried to get used to it.
"You'll meet another one, honey. That guy who drove you home was so nice, he'll make a good husband for you."
Now, she was talking about Kiseok-
"My Gosh, Mom- she's my boss for God's sake!" I screeched, never in my mind happened to day dreaming about him. And me getting married to my own boss was never in the picture.
And she chuckled, "for the boss' behavior he was more looking like he felt guilty for sending you back home very late after date."
"He just feeling guilty for keeping me late since Mr. Jung never did that." I reasoned, silenty pleading her to drop this ridiculous idea, me and my own boss, the almighty, hot and drool worthy Jung Kiseok.
Wait, did I just said hot?
"He's indeed a gentleman."
"He is." I mumbled, I'm not going to argue on that, he was and he always. He might has his cold expression and stuff but he never disrespect me or his employees, he treated all of us fair, respectful and square. It made us have respect on him for more.
----
Jung Kiseok
"Take care, baby.." my mom hugged me really tight when my flight being announced. We argued earlier, I didn't want her to send me to the airport but in the end I lost the battle because I have to respect my mom. Just like what the bible said.
"Mom, Busan it's just one hour flight away." I mumbled but still hugging her, my mom and her soft heart was really cute and sometimes exhausting for me to keep up. She never bored to keep checking on me like typical possessive mom.
I recalled the memory when I used to fly back and forth from California to Korea due my master degree and helping my dad to handle the company, and mom being mom always be eager and shedding tears whenever I'm leaving, just like today.
My older sister never wanted to be businesswoman so she decided to go to London, study literature and became a writer. My family wasn't the type of controlling, we all have own opinion and dream, but since my dream was being businessman like my dad, grandpa and great grandpa. I welcomed the opportunity to study business and worked my ass off to be who I am right now.
My mom pulled herself from hug, "Don't be rude with me, I'm worried about you!" She pinched me and I flinched in pain. Gosh, minutes ago she was being the nicest mom ever and next minutes she's back on her usual mode, glaring at me.
"Okay.. Okay." I held up my hands, not going to argue or I will lose the battle. Never mess with my mom, never.
"Eunha will come with you?"
"Yes, her flight is tonight. I'm going there first." I said and started to gather my backpack and let my driver taking care my luggages behind us.
"You'll fetch her, won't you?" She nudged my arm.
"She said she will take cab." I shrugged then my mom smacked my arm.
I frowned at her but my mom quickly added, "don't be so insensitive, be responsible and pick her up. She's nice and both of you are cute together~" my mom said in dreamy tone and I just stared at her dumbfounded.
I knew she loves Eunha, she always praised her, not only my mom but my dad was always say the same about her.
It's not like I didn't find her attractive, likewise, Eunha was beautifull and cheerful, she also responsible and have strong character which I found it more attractive. But I never see her in kind of a guy and a girl way, we became friends but nothing more than that. We're still in professional line.
"But-"
"No buts, do as I say.. You need loosen up a little bit, enjoy Busan, have date with her, you guys might get married and live happily ever after, forget about Clara-"
Shit, that name-
"I know." I said coldy and sighed, "please drop that thing, Mom. I love you and I will give you grandkids when I'm ready, okay? But now I have to go."
I pecked her cheeks and walked faster to check in area, avoiding the subject that I didn't want to hear anymore. The name that I had been buried for a long time and I already decided to keep it that way.
Buried it deep in the darkness, forever.
-----
Busan International Airport
I sipped my Starbucks coffee as I leisurely pushed my luggage trolly, coming out from arrival gate. Kwon Hyuk or Mr. Kwon insisted that he would be there to pick me up instead of his driver.
I met him twice before at some business party in Seoul, we became friends and decided to do project together after some talks. I want to expand my hotel at Busan and he willingly to help me as Consultant and Project Leader, he was smart and independent guy so I have no doubt to take the chance to work together with him. He helped to find the land, negotiate with the landlord until I got the good price.
He was half American-Korean guy, his dad own a quite big construction company and now he took over because his dad's will, I heard he used to work as Engineer consultant in LA few years ago.
And he wasn't ugly, I mean.. He could be considerate as good-looking guy with that baby face, I was wondering about Eunha's opinion when he saw Kwon Hyuk. Will she find Kwon Hyuk more handsome than me?
"Do you want to drink tonight?" He asked when we already in the car riding, heading to hotel where Eunha already booked for me.
"I'm sorry I can't, I have to pick up someone." I politely refused, I needed to pick up Eunha at the airport tonight. It's not because my mom told me so, but I thought it will be dangerous to let her wandering in Busan alone at night. I'm her boss and I have to be responsible for her safety.
"Your girlfriend?" He smirked.
"Secret." I chuckled, wanting to say that I'm going to pick up my personal assistant but I didn't want to share my personal matter yet.
"Tomorrow maybe?" He suggested.
"Okay, we can do the meeting in the morning and have some drinks at night." I agreed, we need to talk about the schedule of the hotel construction.
"Sounds good." He nodded and focused in driving again.
I looked at the view through the window, my childhood town Busan have changed into more beautiful, the blueish beach, warm sunshine, nice weather.. I felt like I'm going to have vacation here instead of working.
I found myself smiling wondering how Eunha would react if she saw this view, that girl must be excited to be here.
And I couldn't wait to see her and bring her sight seeing, enjoy the beach and have some fun times beside working.