Chapter Text
Life drove us to boring destinations, and not in a fancy limousine or a convertible, probably in some old SUV, a crappy run down car. We accepted it, as it is what life is.
Darius, age 26, a normal office worker in a normal finance statistics department of an even more normal company (arguably every company is secretly evil). His life is a routine, go to work, go home, and back to work again. He likes mundane things, things that make you human, make you better than a machine. He doesn’t have a close relationship with his coworkers, they all give him anxiety, especially at those afterwork parties where they always get way too hammered, and he would have to call a cab for each of them.
Life is not some drama in the movie.
It’s boring as fuck.
“Hey have you heard, they have already sent a new manager for our department.”
“That quick? Manager Seo’s retirement party was last week, lol.”
Banters. The coworkers are always chatting with each other. It’s already half past eight, they ought to get to work. Darius chewed on the last Ginseng energy package, the previous manager bought it for every employee before he left. He was a great man, a bit of a stickler but he was great, not abusive in any way. Darius doesn’t harbor any prejudices toward the role of a superior though it is engrained into every employee’s mind.
“I heard that he’s a top graduate, and a hot shot from the board. Young and handsome, they told me.” – The praises keep coming for a man whose face is not even showing up yet. “Why is he late, on his first day too?” — Darius thought to himself. Technically, he doesn’t need to clock in until 9, but is it not basic etiquette to show up earlier?
Doesn’t matter if he’s a hot shot, a play boy or what, just don’t interfere with Darius’ job, and he probably would steer clear in the next…five years. Working here for more than two years and the newbie who just came got the upper chair, and he still hasn't even made it to chief of the department. Darius felt a bang of jealousy, but it is a hideous emotion to have.
He leans into his computer, ignoring the fussing around him. They are especially loud this morning, but they would turn into crickets and tumbleweed the next morning, as soon as this new management problem blows over.
“Already a Ginseng pack in this early morning? Did you pull an all-nighter, Darius?” — A strange voice in the midst of the banter startled Darius. A whiff of fresh tea smell, first time he smelled someone’s perfume (or cologne) this close, and it’s not giving him a headache.
He almost screamed, but he didn’t. Just dropped his last ginseng package (rest in peace my dear).
“Erm…yes, sorry, you must be the new manager.” — Darius cleared his throat and replied. — “...you already know my name…”
The new manager was sly as a cat, soft steps, almost like he was purposefully sneaking up to Darius. He still smells like a tea party, and his clothes seem like they are freshly ironed. What a privileged man.
“No no, it is my mistake to startle you. I have read everyone’s file to familiarize myself with the office.” — The manager said, he still upholds a soft and calm voice, commanding but has that soft tone of “I can be your friend”. What a pompous person.
“Yes…sir.” — Darius reply awkwardly, he is so tense right now. It’s like when he first come to this department, freshly out of unemployment. He can never understand how people can just come up to other people and talk . Just like that. Part of him fears those without fear, part of him feels envious. They could do the thing he needed to work up the courage.
“No need for too much formality, I am younger than you.”
The new…manager is younger than him? But that man feels so…superior, was he born with a suit and tie, or was he raised by business men? His tone and suit is the epitome of corporate, he can even run for president in such a manner. No, no, Darius is probably tired because of last night's work, and probably was startled to think like that. That man is not all that , he has a stray strain of hair failing down for Christ’s sake.
“Oh, where is my manner.” – The manager speaks. — “I am Haneul Seo, I am manager Seo’s nephew. I just finished my master degree last year and this year I have been given an opportunity to work here. It is my greatest honor to work with you all.”
So we lost a Seo, to have another Seo. Nepotism runs deep in this company. But he seemed like he is qualified enough. And…flashy enough too.
Haneul Seo has two moles on his face, one on his eyelid, one under his lips. He always smiles, his eyes curled up into smiles too. He looks like…those cats on the reception table, waving at the guests. His hair is pitch black, pushed up in a neat slick back. He looks professional enough. His suit is tanned, perfectly tailored, and he doesn’t need to wear charcoal colored socks to make him look taller, he is tall.
“I will answer any questions you have, in fifteen minutes. We all have work to do.” — He said it with a smile. And of course, his pretty face is going to be bombarded with questions. Darius is just happy that…he finally ignores him enough for him to roll away.
He is not going to run into him…again. Hopefully.
After hours, the other coworkers tried to invite the new manager out for a drink, but he declined because it is a Monday. Of course, he is a stickler like his uncle too. Darius walks home, like usual, picking up a cat food bag. He likes to feed the strays outside of his apartment. He likes cats. They are…adorable, feisty, and fluffy. He keeps thinking about the cats, and then a glimmer of the new manager. He probably doesn’t have to pay too much notice to Haneul, since…he won’t bother just him for anything. Right? And it’s not like he has an after-work life with his coworker, or supervisor…
And is that…Haneul Seo feeding the stray he always feeds?!
