Somewhere Over the Rainbow

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?”