Annyeong Chinggus! Are you still here?!! Coz I'm quite happy and excited here's the next chapter for all of you. Hope you like it and leave me some love.
p.s. quite long and un edited
Chapter10
Hyunjoong’s
blood boiled upon seeing Atty Park holding Hyejung’s hand. He took a deep
breath and stride towards their table. He stopped just near Hyejung’s chair and
called her out.
“Buin!”
“Shillang!
You’re here. Come sit down. You look tired.” And Hyejung took his hand as she
let him sit on chair next to her.
“Sorry for
coming in late, Atty Park.” Hyunjoong
apologized to the lawyer. He turned to Hyejung and gasped when he noticed her
hand on top of the table." What happened to your hand, Buin? “
“I
accidentally spilled hot coffee when Myungssoo-ssi was telling a joke.” She
shyly explained.
“Would you
like to go and have it checked first? We can drop by at a clinic before we go
to Choi Galleries?” he asked with concern.
“No need,
Hyunjoong-ah. Just take a snack first then we can leave." Hyejung replied with
a smile.
“We have a
clinic in the office so we can have her checked there.” Myungsoo interjected.
“Okay, good. I’ll
just go to the restroom and wash it for now.” Hyejung stated.
“Hyunjoong-ah,
just take my sandwich. I already ate the half." She ordered.
Hyunjoong
nodded and watched Hyejung left. He calmed a bit after being fussed by Hyejung.
He took the sandwich and finished it in no time.
“Atty Park,
do the staff knows that we’ll be the one inheriting Choi Galleries?” Hyunjoong asked Myungssoo.
“Not yet. We
just informed them that the new board members will be coming over. It’s gonna
be a surprise for the staff and if you would like for us to keep this as
confidential, we will ask all our staff to sign a confidentiality
agreement.” Myungsoo explained.
“I think
there’s no need. Being part owner of Choi Galleries, I would like to help
promote the business. Although most of the decisions will still come from you,
we would like to help the company grow.” He replied.
“That’s good
then. I know Uncle Mirin will be glad for the help. By the way Hyunjoong-ssi,
about Hyejung-ssi...” Myungsoo started
but he stopped when they saw Hyejung approaching. Hyunjoong stood up and help
her to her seat.
“Did you eat
the sandwich? Do you want anything else?” Hyejung asked with concern.
“No. I’m
already full. We can just have dinner on our way home later.” Hyunjoong replied
as he took her hands and inspected the burns.
“It’s
nothing, Shillang.” Hyejung quipped to appease the worried man. She then turn
to Myungsoo and stated with a smile. “I guess we can go now, Myungssoo-ssi.”
“Buin, I don’t
have my car with me. I’ll drive for us and just follow Atty.Park.” Hyunjoong
stated and Hyejung just nodded. Myungsoo went ahead and asked them to just
follow.
They were
already in the car, Hyunjoong steadily driving trailing after Atty. Park.
Hyejung as just looking at the road when Hyunjoong suddenly speak up.
“So Buin,
what have you two talked about earlier? You seem to be so happy that you
accidentally burned your hands.”
“He was just
telling stories about his childhood and growing up with the Choi’s. I really
wish we could have met the couple. They seem to be good people." Hyejung simply
replied.
“I agree. And
you seem to be taken with Myungsoo-ssi. Are you interested in him?" Hyunjoong
teased.
“Just in case
that I’am, what’s wrong with that?" Hyejung snapped and turned her back at
him. His constant teasing about Atty Park really irked her this tme.
Hyunjoong was
taken aback. His teasing back fired and he can’t find a word to answer her.
Silence filled the car until they reached their destination. Hyunjoong was
about to help Hyejung out of the car but she went ahead of him. When Hyejung
reached Myungsoo he placed his hand on her elbows and guided her as they went
inside the office. Hyunjoong had no choice but to trail after them.
They were
lead to the conference room and Myungsoo excused himself so he can call all the
staff and officers. The couple was left alone and Hyunjoong just keep on
glancing at Hyejung.
“Buin”
Hyunjoong gently called out to her. Hyejung ignored him so he called her again.
“Buin, I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t
talk to me now, Hyunjoong.” she said sternly.
“I was just
teasing, Buin.” He explained.
“Well I don’t
appreciate it.” She replied.
“I’m sorry.
Let me make it up to you.” Hyunjoong sincerely apologized.
“Myungsoo-ssi
and the staff are approaching. “She just shrugged him off. “Let’s just drop this
off first.” and then checked her clothes for creases and dirt.
Myungsoo let
the staff in and heard their collective gasped upon seeing the waiting couple.
He asked them to take a seat so they can start the meeting.
“Good
afternoon to everyone. As I have advised previously, Choi Galleries will have
new board members. Uncle Mirin has chosen them personally so I hope you will
give them the same support that you have been giving us. Let’s welcome Kim
HyunJoong and Hwangbo Hyejung in Choi Galleries.”
Hyunjoong and
Hwangbo stood up and bowed to the staff. Hyunjoong let Hyejung introduced herself
first.
“Good
afternoon. I’m Hwangbo Hyejung. It’s a pleasure meeting all of you and to
become a part of this company. We may not be as well versed as you guys with
regard to this business but I promise to help out in every way I can. Thank you
and it’s nice to meet all of you.”
The staff
clapped after her introduction. Now it’s time for Hyunjoong to greet the staff.
“Hello every
one. I’m Kim Hyunjoong. It might be a surprise for all of you to find out that
Hwangbossi and I will be the new board members. We will try to learn more about
our company and will work hard so that Mirin-ssi will be proud of us. Thank you
and hope we can all be friends.”
After the
couple’s introduction, Myungsoo, introduced the staff one by one. The officers
of each department were asked to ready business presentation. Hyejung and
Hyunjoong listen intently and they were impressed at how the company was well
led. After the meeting, Myungsoo toured them in the office. After two hours of
staying in Choi Galleries, they were ready to head out. Just then, Atty Park
reminded Hwangbo about her burns. They dropped by at the clinic before they
went out. The doctor applied topical crème and gave her another tube that she
can use until the burns heal. Myungsoo
see them to their car and tell them to contact him if they have concerns.
Hwangbo was about to get inside her car when she turned and asked the lawyer.
“Myungsoo-ssi
would you like to join us for dinner? We’ll be dining in my restaurant.” She
offered.
Myungsoo was
pleasantly surprised with the invitation. He nodded with a smile and asked if
they can wait up since he needs to get some documents in his office. Hyejung agreed
and get in the car to wait.
“I’ve asked
Myungsoo-ssi to have dinner with us. Let’s just go to Shimsontang since it’s
not that far from here.” Hyejung informed Hyunjoong.
Hyunjoong
wanted to react but knowing that his Buin is still annoyed with him, he just
mumbled a simple okay. He really wanted to make it up to her, apologized over
dinner but since she invited the lawyer he needs to find another opportunity.
They waited
for Atty Park in silence. Hyejung was facing the other side and Hyunjoong don’t
know how he can reach out to her. After about ten minutes they saw Myungsoo
walking towards them. Hyejung rolled down the windows and called him.
“Hyejung-ssi,
Hyungjoongssi, I’ll just follow you. I need to bring my car since I need to go
to Choi Estate after." Myungsoo told them. The couple just nodded and then they
drove towards Hongdae.
It took about
fifteen minutes for them to reach Shimsontang. Since it’s still a bit early,
Hyunjoong needed to use the back door of the restaurant so people won’t see him.
Myungsoo just followed after Hyejung also to avoid any issue if people will see
them together. Hyejung asked the staff to lead Hyunjoong and Myungsoo into her
office once they came in. Food will be served there too. The two men were able
to come in without a hitch and Hyejung excused herself so she can advise the
staff what food to prepare.
The men were
treated with a good food. Hwangbo served the signature dish- Shimsuentang,
dimsum and ssangyumpsal. Myungsoo complimented the food and Hwangbo shyly
thanked him. Hyunjoong who was sitting beside her thanked her for dinner. They
enjoyed eating in companionable silence, but they were still half way over dinner
when Hyunjoong’s phone rang. He excused himself and answered the call on the other
side of the room.
She knew that
it’s not polite to eavesdrop but Hyejung can’t help but hear Hyunjoong saying
that he’s still busy. He kept on dis agreeing with the other party but after a
few minutes, she heard him mumbled a resigned okay. She stared at him as he walked
back towards them.
“Buin, I’m
sorry but I need to leave. Hyung’s on the way to pick me up. Something urgent
came up.” He explained.
Hyejung just
nodded. Hyunjoong turned to Myungsoo and
the lawyer told him its okay.
“Hyunjoong-ah,
just stay and eat till your manager arrives." Hyejung muttered as soon as he
sat beside her.
Hyunjoong
tried to eat but he’s really wary to leave since he hasn’t talked to Hyejung
yet. He kept on glancing at her but she either just keeps her eye on her food
or talking to Myungsoo. When his phone
rang again he reluctantly stood up and bid goodbye.
“
Myungsoo-ssi, thank you for taking time in introducing us to the staff of Choi
Galleries." then he turned to Hyejung. “Buin, I need to go. I’ll call you
soon.” And then slipped out of the
restaurant again thru the backdoor.
It was
already few minutes after Hyunjoong left but Hyejung was still staring at the
door. She was a bit startled when Myungsoo called her out.
“Hyejungssi,
I can see that you’re business is really successful. Are you planning to put up
some other branch?”
“Well, I’m
praying for that. There’s still a lot of work to be done. For now, I’m focusing
here and of course with Choi Galleries.” She humbly replied.
They enjoyed
and finished dinner while talking about the Choi Galleries and Hyejung’s anecdotes
of the entertainment industry. They were
already done with dinner and having coffee when…
“Hmmm,
Hyejungssi, I hope you don’t mind but can I ask something.” Myungsoo said with
uncertainty.
“Sure. Go
ahead.” Hwangbo replied with a timid smile.
“You said
than you and Hyunjoong are not together right?” to which Hwangbo nodded.
Myungsoo
paused and took a deep breath and then said.
“I know we've only known each other for such a short period. But I really am sure about this.
I like you Hyejungssi. Would it be okay if I court you?”