Chapter Text
The jolt of the train coming to a standstill work Hoseok from his fitful napping. He opened his eyes quickly, but took a while to come to grips with where he was.
He stretched both arms above his head, feeling the satisfied “pop” of his shoulder joints. He wasn’t used to sitting still for so long - working for a corporation didn’t succeed in getting him to change old habits. His co-worker Namjoon had an English saying for him purely because he couldn’t sit still for too long. Even with the ridiculous amount of overtime expected of him, to move was second nature to Hoseok.
Satisfied with his efforts in waking his body up, He quickly grabbed his luggage, making sure he had the very expensive laptop given to him just before the trip, and made his way off the train to the platform. He was sure to keep alert for anyone who might be looking for him. The information provided by his office before leaving was that a Kim Taehee would meet him at the train station and help him get orientated. A heads-up from Namjoon told him that although she was anecdotally very beautiful, she was the daughter of Mr Kim Yoo Moon, their client, and she was strictly off-limits.
Hoseok supposed that depended on how beautiful she was.
As it was, Taehee was very easy to spot as her beauty really did proceed her. Even without this knowledge, her constant looking around and scary looking companion screamed money, even to inexperienced eyes. Hoseok knew his designers, and how hard they were to import, so the Warhol style bag hanging from her arm clearly spoke of her wealth – even if most of the other travellers though it gaudy or too “american.”
He tentatively approached the young woman. The size of her – he guessed – bodyguard was no laughing matter. He cleared his throat when he was within a polite distance, and bowed deeply.
“Kim Taehee-ssi?” He made sure to keep a questioning lilt to his voice, as if he was wrong, which he doubted, he didn’t want to offend someone who was clearly influential in this city.
“Jung Hoseok-ssi?” Hoseok straightened himself up and nodded briefly in response to her query. “Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I thought my father had given me the wrong train information but here we are.” She smiled warmly at Hoseok, and for some reason, all he could hear was Namjoon’s voice saying “No” in the back of his head.
“Indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Kim. Please treat me kindly. It’s been a while since I’ve been in this part of the world.”
“Of course. Welcome to Pusan!” She briefly turned to her companion and indicated wordlessly that he should take Hoseok’s case. Once she was satisfied, she motioned to Hoseok to follow her as she headed towards an exit. “You must forgive me if I am lacking in my greeting. My father doesn’t allow me to get involved with the business side of things, but I practically begged him to let me come greet you, as you’ve come from Seoul and I miss the place dearly.”
“Oh,” he started, before they came to a stop next to a car. Foreign made, he noticed. He waited politely for Taehee to be guided into the vehicle first, before giving the bodyguard a quick dismissive wave and opening his own door. Once seated, he turned his attention back to Taehee. “You’ve been to Seoul.”
“Mmm” she started excitedly. “I studied at Seoul National University. Fashion Design. Appa’s going to help with starting my own collection once you’re all done with his latest venture.”
“Fashion design? I should have guessed.” Taehee looked at him quizzically, before he motioned towards her bag. “Versace right?” The joy in her face was evident, and Hoseok was pretty sure he’d made an ally in Kim Taehee.
“You know Versace? That’s such a relief. It’s so hard to find people who appreciate good design down here, especially if they’ve never been to Seoul. I think we’ll get on very well Hoseok-ssi.”
“I think so too, Kim Taehee-ssi.”
~*~
The journey to the hotel was filled with Hoseok updating Taehee on the current status of her favourite places in Seoul. If he was honest, it had been a while since he had been to any of the places around SNU, but he figured there was no harm being done if he was vague enough in his responses. It felt too soon to be pulling up to the hotel, Taehee handing him a thick wallet of documents.
“Before I forget Hoseok-ssi. My father wanted me to give these to you. They’re pertinent to the deal and have some information that hasn't made it to Seoul yet." Hoseok took the manilla coloured pack from her, briefly glancing inside at the contents.
"Thank you Taehee-ssi. I'm sure these will be very useful." He moved to tuck them into the side of his bag.
"My father is a very thorough man, Hoseok-ssi. I would recommend familiarising yourself with those documents before dinner. It's likely he will want to speak with you about a few of the points in there." Hoseok looked again at the pile of papers before groaning internally. That was going to be a lot to get through before dinner. Still, he appreciated Taehee's heads-up, and sent her a grateful smile in response.
"Thank you for letting me know. I work hard, Taehee-ssi, your father won't be disappointed. However, I admit that I may not have prioritised these before dinner, so thank you for looking after me." Taehee easily returned the smile, and Hoseok heard the door beside him open, indicating that his time with her was up. "Will you be joining your father and I for dinner?" She nodded readily, holding her reply while Hoseok climbed out the car, ducking his head back in to hear her response.
"You will, Hoseok-ssi. Along with my mother, brother and sister. Business really is a family affair here in Pusan."
"I look forward to it Taehee-ssi. Thank you again for your kindness. Please continue to look after me."
"Goodbye Hoseok-ssi." He moved away from the door and allowed the bodyguard to close it. He waited until the car drove away before turning towards the hotel. It was an impressive looking building, and Hoseok let out a low whistle of appreciation. He heard someone clear their throat, and it was then when he noticed a porter beside him, Hoseok's suitcase sat on his gold trolley.
"Are you ready sir?" Hoseok nodded, a bit distracted by the male's wide eyes and teeth that reminded him a little of a buddy. His physique was definitely not bunny stature, however, and Hoseok had to scold himself. The kid was probably underage, and here he was giving him the once over. He had to make time for some pleasure on this trip he decided.
He followed the porter into the foyer towards reception. The other disappearing with his luggage once a few words had been exchanged with the receptionist. It appeared that Mr Kim Yoo Moon was a big deal in Pusan, and the hotel seemed to treat Hoseok like royalty due to his status as Mr Kim's guest. He'd never experienced such a smooth check-in (and he'd been to America) and before he knew it he was falling onto the bed, a sigh escaping his lips at how comfortable it was.
The room was very luxurious and looking around, Hoseok struggled to take everything in. It was clearly some kind of junior suite, with a living area and desk to the left of the door and a small kitchenette in the corner. If he squinted towards the window from where he was laid, he could almost make out the sea. His eyes travelled across the rest of the room, landing on his bag and the sizeable documents given in the car. He audibly groaned this time, silently bidding farewell to any rest before dinner. He forced himself from the bed, shrugging off his jacket as he grabbed the paperwork and settled into the desk. He picked the handset from the phone and dialled the switchboard, loosening his tie as he waited for an answer.
"Hello sir, how can I connect you?" A faceless voice drifted down the phone.
"Hello, a Seoul number please."
"Of course. Just one moment please sir.". Hoseok pulled the paperwork from the wallet, quickly sorting it into different piles. He needed to use his time wisely, and there would be no point reviewing information he'd already seen. "Okay sir, please dial the number when you're ready." Hoseok mumbled a thanks into the receiver while he focused his attention on some information that was definitely new. He mindlessly dialled the number he needed, muscle memory ensuring he got the right order.
"Hello?" The familiar voice came down the line, grabbing Hoseok's attention.
"Did we know about Burger King's plans to attempt expansion here?" He continued to read over the document, some memo prepared by one of Mr Kim's employees. He didn't like being surprised and was disappointed that they weren't the ones going to Mr Kim with this information.
"What? No. That was not in any of the intel we have." He heard Namjoon shout down the other end of the phone, before he started speaking to him again. "I'll get Seokjin-hyung on the case. Damn. This is something we need to get ahead of."
"I know. I'll go down to reception once we're done, get this faxed over to you. There's a name on here of the employee who drafted the memo, so maybe Seokjin could speak to him first? Do you want it?" Hoseok continued shuffling through the rest of the papers, eyes skimming over to check that nothing else was going to surprise them.
"Yes, that would be helpful. Let me just grab a pen." He heard shuffling down the line, before hearing a faint commotion followed by swearing. "Okay, I'm ready."
"What did you just do? Sounded like you were having some trouble there. Not destroying the office while I'm away are you?" Hoseok smiled fondly, even though he couldn't see the other. This happened daily, and it was nice to be reminded that life goes on even when you're not there.
"Just the pen pot thing. Don't worry, your desk is safe." Hoseok hummed in understanding. "Anyway, the number?" Namjoon prompted.
"Sorry. It's a Min Yoongi - ah, that's unusual. The number is 052-288-6363."
"Got it. Just a sec." Hoseok waited as Namjoon spoke to his secretary at the other end, briefly explaining the situation. "Right, I'm waiting for Jin-hyung. Jisoo's gone to go get him. So you got there okay then?" Hoseok laughed at this. Of course they'd missed the pleasantries. That's what happens when you've been friends for 6 years.
"Yes, thanks. Although my walkman ran out of batteries midway down. Right in the middle of Cypress Hill." He heard Namjoon choke on a laugh at the other end of the phone. "What? I was."
"Mmm, sure. I'm sure you weren't listening to DJ Jazzy Jeff for the hundredth time."
"Hey! Summertime is a classic. I'm telling you, our kids will still be bopping to that in 20 years time. Don't doubt the Jung wisdom."
"Sure Hobi." There was a slight pause before he spoke again. "Did you meet Kim Taehee?"
"Yes, as she was meeting me at the station. Don't worry, I was well behaved. Although she is as beautiful as they say. Almost puts Jin-hyung to shame."
"I'll trust your bisexual ass, but don't let Jin-hyung hear you say that." He heard a muffled 'hear what' from Namjoon's end, signalling the elder's arrival in the office in Seoul. "Okay, Jin-hyung is here. Do you need anything else from me before your meeting with Kim later?" Hoseok shook his head before remembering that the other couldn't see him.
"No, I'm good. He actually provided me with a large amount to read before dinner, so I need to get on with that. I'll get this document faxed to you. You've got the hotel's number to reach me right? I'm room, ummm, 706."
"Yes, sure. As soon as we get anything new, we'll be in touch. Speak to you soon Hobi."
"You too. Bye." He smiled as he heard Jin's bye being yelled in the background. They had to go for drinks when he got back to Seoul. It had been too long since they had a boy's night out. Placing the phone into it's receiver, Hoseok cast his eyes over the piles of paper now strewn across the desk. It was going to be a long afternoon.