HS's POV
I've been working in Manolin since I graduated from college. Totally zero experience in other companies or any other job positions. No other than being an art gallery manager. Totally different to my bestfriend, Dee, who's already 6years in her profession as a stylist, hadn't been in a company permanently for even at least 1year. As far as I could remember, 8months were her longest. Rude bosses, annoying clients, delays, etc. were her common complaints. She had never been fired actually because she really was the one leaving. Resigning was not new to her.
She came by Manolin that morning and told me that she will be having an interview at Kingkong agency.
"Nice agency," I ironically smiled after hearing the agency's name.
"You're familiar with that?" her forehead crunched up.
"No. I mean..the name, rather," I said, throwing my hand in the air.
"I really don't have any idea about the agency. Haven't heard of that yet. Perhaps, it's within e-circle. Not art-circle," I snorted.
"I wish their manipulation is not as bad as their agency's name. And wish no big boss looks and acts like Kingkong," she said, resting her right elbow on my desk and sipped on the cup of coffee I got for her.
"So how is it going?", she continued.
I knew what she meant.
"Ne?", I pretended that I haven't heard anything. I needed to seguay.
"Anyway, that day. Remember? You've told me that you've been following me that whole time. I forgot to ask. Why are you two following me then?"
"Keunyang (Just..).. Sunnie.. We were just curious in the aftermath of harabeoji's predictions. So...we tried to stalk you to see...", she trailed off.
"Acting like you're overprotective of me.." I smirked at her. My phone rang suddenly. I pressed the answer key without taking a glimpse at who it was. "Yeoboseyo?"
It's Min Ho-ssi! Oh God, how can I talk to him without being overheard?
"Where are you?", he asked.
"Here at work. Wae?"
"At Manolin? Hmm.. nothing. I just feel like hanging around somewhere. I think Manolin would be fine."
"You're coming?" I swallowed. I stole a glance at Dee, checking if she was making a poker face to me in wondering.
"Ne. Can't I? I just finished filming today. I still have to wait for two hours for our general practice later. So I am hours vacant "
"I see...Sure."
Why did I just say "sure" with easy coolness?
"Kwaenchanayo? (Are you okay?)"
Limiting my words sounded a little cold for him I guess. But I was only throwing caution to the wind actually. I didn't want Dee to realized who I am talking to. "Ne, kwaenchana (I'm okay.)," I responded, puffing out.
"Ok. I'm hanging up. See you in a bit."
"Hmm."
Once it ended, I suppressed my panting so Dee won't notice. "Dee, can you help me out? I need to go shopping for an errand tomorrow," I half-lied.
"What errand that you need to go shopping all of a sudden?...By the way, who called?" It was a relief that her face was not that suspicious on me.
"Someone whom I will be dealing with tomorrow."
"VIP?"
Coughs. Since when did a stranger become a VIP? Or I unquote: "Very. Important. Person."
"Kind of," I said with slight frowning. I did my best to hide my smile that was threatening to spill onto my face off it. I didn't want her to get suspicious because she will absolutely interrogate me about him. Or about us. When there was no "us" yet.
Then we left Manolin and headed to the mall. I was extrapolating this in my head while Min Ho's on phone. She shouldn't be an interferer of us two.
"Hey, I smell sweets and flowers already. Don't tell me, this is actually for a date, not for an appointment with whoever VIP.." Dee suspected while we're browsing clothes through the hangers. Already one blazer on the crook of her arm.
"Aiiisssh. Museun..Deiteu?! Aigoo. (What..date?!)", I stuttered.
"I heard you speaking informally on the phone. And it's like he was asking where you are and if he can come over. That's what my ears scooped," she shrugged.
I quickly made up, "Just someone who works in Manolin too, an officemate. He's on a lower rank than me, so no need for honorifics. And he's needing consultation for some project proposals...Satisfied? Let's get going. An interview's waiting for you." I faked a scowl at her so my acting would be more effective. If she found out that it was Min Ho, she would not just bug me, she'll also demand to meet him.
I dashed to the counter. Didn't even get to fit the clothes we picked.
"Why so guilty?", she just glared to me, indicating a suspicion, as if she really knew.
Dee and I separated our ways after the brisk shopping. I headed back to Manolin just in time.
"Manager Koo, someone's waiting for you," Ms. Yoon informed me as soon as I came in.
"Where?"
"Right outside your office."
I wasn't sure if thoughts were already whirling in Ms. Yoon's head from what I noticed from the look on her face.
"Thanks," I said, hurriedly walked up my way to my office. And right there, in front, he stood up from his chair and waved a hand at me.
"Sorry for the wait," I bowed upon getting near towards him.
"Aniyo. Actually I already did rounds of dawdling here," I saw his ironic smile again.
"Keureh?! (Is that so?!)"
He laughed and wagged a hand at me, "Ani. Aniyo. Keumbang dochakhaesseoyo (I've just arrived.)."
We took a round of the whole gallery. There was this artwork who did captivated his attention. He took a photo of it and even posted it on Twitter. Then he had let me see that it gained a lot of comments and favorites from his twitter followers. Some commented, "You must be having fun around Manolin Gallery..", "You should have taken an Art Major instead, not a Theater Arts Major!"
That tweetphoto must be a big thing for his fans already. They had learned that their idol is also into arts as well.
We both climbed up the stairs to the rooftop where the mini cafeteria is located. There we sat on the recycled teak wood chairs under the shade of parasol.
"Mashil keo kajiko kalkka? (Should I bring something to drink?)", I offered him, motioning to stand up.
"Ani. Kwaenchanha. (No need.)"
I sat back. "Hmmm how about our Swiss cheese toast?... Coffee pie?"
He smugly shook his head.
"Wae? You don't want to experience our celebrated coffee pie?"
"Unless it's free~" He looked at me in a way to see if he'd get a reaction out of me.
Mouthing "aigoo", I answered, "You know sometimes I'm afraid maybe they thought you're just using me to eat here for free." I placed my chin on my hand over the table. "You must be hanging around here for a free dine in, huh. Museun..are you still getting your grand salaries?"
He chuckled at my jeer and shook his head, "I'm coming here because of you."
Our gazes met for that seconds. Immediately, my cheeks turned red. The awkwardness prompted me to relay any word, but my tongue was cut short. Was he only kidding with me?
"Were you able to sleep well?" he quite broke the ice there.
I nodded. "I easily get asleep in alcohol," sneaking away from my lblush, I chuckled. "Neo neun? (You?)"
He nodded, barely moving his head. He shoved his phone back to his pocket and spoke again, "What about you? What's your favorite artwork here by the way?"
"Hmmm. The eternal clock photograph by Mr. Robert van Der Steeg."
"What do you like about it?"
"Do you believe in forever?" I leaned towards him. "Because I do...Virtually, it's only a picture of a watch but made it eternal using technical photography application to depict an image of interminable time. When I saw that photograph, I realized we actually have limitless time, that we don't have to live just in a lifetime. Yeah, someday we'll die, but we already had left a mark in this world that opt to stay here forever."
For me, foreverness is brought by every ending which always comes with a new beginning. I wonder what new beginning awaits me.