Chapter Text
Then, I met you
It was in the middle of July. The weather was quite hot and the surroundings are quiet. A lady was running with all her might to get to her destination in time. Wearing a white top, tucked in her pants, struggling to run in her white converse shoes, she was quite noticeable. Who wouldn’t notice her when she has a height of 5 foot 8 inches, pale skin and long straight hair? She is beautiful. Well, most of the time. But not today. She was haggard, came from her on-the-job training and she needs to get into her next appointment quick. Instead of walking elegantly like any other lady her age, she chose not to. Tying her hair up, she finds the room where she’s supposed to enter.
There were quite a number of people in the room already. She quietly opened the door and find herself a cozy chair right in the second row where her friend was waiting.
“Thanks for saving me a chair. How was it?”
“Where were you? We finished introducing ourselves. Get ready. You’ll be asked to do it for sure.”
“Yeah. Hey, there’s nothing to worry about. I got this.”
She sure did. Because just like how her friend predicted, the leader of the group called her up and asked for a short introduction.
“Just tell us your name, position and a short message.”
“Hmm. ‘Kay, got it.”
Smiling, she bowed while introducing herself.
“Hello everyone. I am Kim So Yong. I will be the new Secretary for Human Resource. I hope that we will have a productive school year ahead and I’m looking forward to work with you all.”
She bowed again and raised her hand as if she knew everyone in the room. Each one of them was staring at her as she steps down and went back into her seat. A few people clapped sincerely including the leader. Which only meant she is friends with other senior members already.
“Hey. You did great. Caught everyone off guard.”
“Of course. Kim So Yong is here.” She laughed. “Just kidding, just want to make the atmosphere a little lighter. You know, just want to break some ice.”
Her friend laughed and they went back to listening. It was the first orientation for the newly appointed university government officers. Of course, Kim So Yong must be there. She was after all famous for her activities. She may have a very cold aura when you first met but she can be very sweet and soft once you talk to her. She’s intelligent, accomplished and driven- that’s the bottom line.
While she was listening to the speaker, she was interrupted by Kim Hwan, her cousin who now sits beside her thanks to her friend transferring seats. Despite being younger than her, Hwan has the higher position in their organization thanks to his charisma during their elections.
“Noona, why are you late? You missed the activity to get to know each other earlier.”
“Why? Is it that exciting?” a cold gaze to her cousin before it turned into a smile, indicating that it was a joke, So Yong added, “Sorry to break it to you cousin but I have more important things to do.”
Hwan not listening to any of his noona’s words, turned his head and greeted the person on his left then going back to his noona.
“Noona. You have to meet your undersecretary.”
So Yong hisses, now annoyed by her cousin. “Not now, Hwan. I’m sleepy because I have to travel far.”
“But it’s just a few seconds.” Kim Hwan persuades her.
Eventually So Yong turned and with lazy eyes, she sees the man her cousin was talking about. Her undersecretary.
“Hi.” mouthed the man as they are three seats apart. “I’m Lee Won Beom. Finally, we met.” Looking at Kim So Yong with his cold eyes, he pointed his index finger towards the stage signaling So Yong that they should get back to the orientation lecturer.
So Yong gave one nod and instead of listening, she tried to fight her urge to sleep but eventually lost. She woke up when their president, Bang A-reum shook her violently.
“Hey!” thinking it was her cousin, “It’s not nice to wake up people when they are in the middle of a good dream.”
“And it’s not nice to sleep in the middle of the orientation.” A-reum laughed and hugged So Yong when she got up from her short slumber. It must have been 5 mins or less. But she was thankful for that short nap time.
These days, she gets too much stress because of school works. It’s her senior year and she needs to sort out her requirements for graduation. Though she does well in her academics, it is not impossible for her to strain herself especially when she has to travel far going back and forth for her training and summer classes. She told herself to hang on for 2 more weeks. By then, she can finish it and get an organize schedule with no sleep loss again. Which is what she’s good at.
“Get up and get some food at the back. The office personnel bought us some.”
So Yong got up and went with A-Reum to get some food. In the opposite side of the table, was Won Beom. Talking to his friends, he got a glimpse of So Yong looking at him.
He went to So Yong and greeted her. “I see you already woke up. Here have some of this.”
“Oh, thank you.” So Yong grabbed the food from Won Beom when he suddenly asked her, “Are you on your senior year?”
“Yeah. How did you know?” So Yong asked, smiling. Usually, people would ask her what room is she looking for when she happens to pass by because of how young she looks.
“Oh, well your bloodshot eyes because of lack of sleep are a giveaway.” Won Beom told her.
So Yong finds him interesting. He’s kind, nice and he’s cute too. Or that’s where So Yong was wrong except for the latter part.
“Can I not call you Noona?” Won Beom asked him without hesitation leaving So Yong flustered but she rapidly said yes, without knowing why.
When it was time to go home, A-Reum told the two of them to exchange SNS accounts and numbers as they are the two who needs to work harder than everyone. They have to plan for an event for the members of the organization so communication between them is needed. So Yong promised to start right away with the rough plan.
“I will the start on the rough action plan later, I promise. Then it will be finalized after two weeks.” So Yong gave A-Reum an assurance and shifted her determined but soft look to Won Beom saying, “and it means we’ve got a lot of things to do.”
“On it.” Won Beom said in determination. Then bidding goodbye as Kim Hwan called him already making himself at home in Won Beom’s car.
“Yah, Kim Hwan! You loser!” So Yong screamed making her cousin laughed while waving goodbye.
“Ba careful.” A sound came from the woman who asked them to exchange contacts. “I hope you enjoy your time talking to him later.”
So Yong was left thinking about the meaning of those words from her friend when she realized that her driver has already arrived.
“Good afternoon Miss, I believe we have to go now. Your father is waiting for you.” A woman emerged from the passenger seat saying, “You have your dress inside you can change here.”
For now, she has a lot of things in her plate. Determined, she told herself, “Later So Yong. Think about it later.”
Their one-hour drive was full of nagging from her secretary. “Why do you have to be late in your meeting earlier? What if anyone sees you running around like that? Your hair, it’s a mess. Have you got no time to at the very least fix it? Are you done there? Make sure to look sharp and if possible, put some eyedrops. The chairman is waiting for-“
“Ahhh Secretary Choi you’re always nagging. You know that it’s not good for you right? You’ll age in no time. Stop it.” So Yong cuts her secretary as she and for sure her driver already find it annoying. They all know how much of a worrywart Secretary Choi but today was different. She seems more restless. Her secretary was still uttering muffled words when So Yong handed her a box.
“Here. Happy birthday. This was the reason I was late and had to run earlier. And of course, the traffic.” Trying to divert the story before her secretary burst out in tears.
“You don’t have to do this, Miss. But thank you. Thank you for growing up beautifully and for being always happy.”
“Nah. Too much drama Secretary Choi. Enough. We’re here.” Stopping in front of a restaurant, So Yong got off after Secretary Choi opened the door for her, eyes still damp from crying.
So Yong went inside immediately asking the manager about the reservation her father has made as he made his way to escort Kim So Yong.
“Your father is waiting for you Miss Kim. He arrived five minutes ago and once you’re settled, we will serve the appetizer pronto.” The manager briefed her as they entered the room where her father was waiting.
“Father!” So Yong rushed, ignoring the manager into her father’s side. “Are you okay? I’m sorry I’m late. I am starving!”
Her father could not help but laughed. They had been together for 22 years and never there was a day So Yong was sad. She was always energetic and bubbly. The chairman is always afraid that So Yong would grow up lonely, awkward and far from his reach.
“Oh, So Young-ah slow down.” Laughing, Chairman Kim of Yongsu group snapped his finger and their appetizer was brought in in an instant. They started eating while laughing and talking to each other like they haven’t met each other for a very long time. The room was filled with laughs and giggles as Kim So Yong told her father stories from her first day of training and how she was confused about what gift to get for Secretary Choi. Even the waiters serving their food and attending to their needs were smiling because of her stories.
When they finished their dinner date, they went straight home using her father’s car. So Yong immediately went up to her room after bidding her father good night in advance. She took a quick shower, fixed up some things then opened her computer. She was both shocked and excited when she saw a request from a familiar name in her SNS account. Lee Won Beom sent you a request. She immediately accepted him and sent him a message.
Good evening Mr. Lee, I just got home and opened my laptop.
I will search for some venues where we could do our activities.
If you know some, can you send me links of the places’ websites?
It should be wide enough to house 20-30 people. Thank you.
She started browsing for places and while she was working diligently, the comfort of her bed and the coldness of her room called her laziness. She decided to open her phone, which she left unattended for a few hours now. A notification woke her up and when she opened it, she got up in a sitting position.
Yes. I will take note of this. Please check your message inbox.
I asked for your number and I want to make sure you get my message.
You might want to save my number. Thanks, So Yong.
Her heart skipped a beat and she doesn’t have an idea why. She opened her message inbox and saw his number sending her a simple “hi”. That’s it. She thought of possible reasons as to why she felt a sudden jolt in her stomach.
“Does he have to call me So Yong? Do I have to hear his low voice in his message?”
So Yong thought of all the other reasons while browsing her new friend’s SNS account. He is handsome, she said to herself. She saw a lot of travel pictures in his account and some school related photos tagged on him.
“So, he is also good at studying. And also, active, and ooh athletic too.”
So Yong thought when her mind went back to her work. She got up and drag her body back to her computer. After several hours, she already has a detailed rough action plan with all the suggestions incorporated. She did this while getting some help from Won Beom. It was pure work at first, what they were talking about in their SNS accounts, but they also had episodes of asking each other about personal and school related questions. So Yong definitely enjoyed her time talking to him as to what A-Reum hoped for earlier. And as So Yong promised, she already sent the plan to A-Reum before wishing both A-Reum and Won Beom a peaceful night and finally went to bed with a light heart.
Mixed emotions were keeping her eyes open as if she just drank a liter of coffee. On most nights, she might think of today as boring, nothing much to be remembered and exhausting. But not today, it might be a long and tiring day, but she feels the excitement in her heart. Today, she made a friend. A friend she knew she will treasure for a long time. A friend she hoped she can always lean on no matter how cold and short were his replies were. A friend she hoped she can talk to openly.
Smiling, she closed her eyes and hoped for tomorrow to quickly come.