Chapter Text
Baek Seung Chan revved up his newly bought dark gray Hyundai Tucson. Feeling the heated, leather covered steering wheel in both his palms gave him a sense of accomplishment after working his ass off in Honey Dream Productions.
He had advanced his way up as an intern to Project Coordinator. It’s not a walk in the park to work in a big production company. Competition is tough, his diligence and good rapport with people is what made him stand out. He was promoted a few months back and this new car is the fruit of his dedication.
“If I get that promotion, it would be fantastic, the perfect gift for my upcoming Birthday.” He had been working twice as hard these past couple of months aiming to get the promotion to Production Manager. This position was left vacant a couple of weeks ago when their former production manager migrated to another country. It was the perfect opportunity for him to show what he was capable of.
Their producer has assigned him to temporarily act as the Production Manager while it’s still vacant. This further increased his chance of getting this position permanently. Not to brag but he was able to fulfill two roles flawlessly. He barely slept because of it but he knew that hard work always pays off.
He turned towards the underground parking reserved for production team members. He slowly navigated towards the overhead blue light indicating an available slot, and was overjoyed as he did not have to walk in the cold, and slip on the wet pavement like what happened a couple of years back. Basement parking is preferred in early February when temperature dips in South Korea.
He noticed a similar SUV, this time a red one. Somebody in Honey Dream got a new car as well!
Seung Chan wondered who might be the owner of the red Tucson as he ran towards the elevator bringing him to the 3rd floor. And as usual, he almost tripped by the door, close to ruining his finely newly-bought yellow Bench pullover. Good thing he didn’t, and everything else remained as they were, including his well-combed short bangs. His Monday was saved.
The elevator stopped at the lobby and Jae Su, his long-time friend, a production assistant whose father is a Board Member of the company, joined him. “Oh, Mr. Winter Smile is so early today, huh?”, greeted Jae Su with his winning yet annoying smile.
Before the elevator doors closed, Ju Ri scrambled to get in and joined them.
“Hello, you two! Good morning!” a panting Ju Ri greeted. “Driving in winter is really not my thing!... the roads are way too….”
“How about me? Am I your thing?” Jae Su interrupted, complete with a side glance and that annoying little smile.
Ju Ri snickered. If she doesn’t work closely with Jae Su she could have swung her heavy laptop bag across his face to release that overconfident air in his head.
Seung Chan snorted and tried to curtail a smile.
“Hey, Seung Chan. Are you ready for the meeting later? The new Production Manager will be announced. I’m sure you’ll get the promotion since you have successfully led the team as our Production Coordinator. Well, well, well, should I start calling you ‘manager’ now. Our new Production Manager is here, ladies and gentlemen.” Jae Su tried his darndest to crack a joke, resulting in Juri’s look of exasperation.
Seung Chan, on the other hand, was still processing the information when they arrived at their floor, silently hoping that he’ll get the position since he really had worked hard for it. Jaesu, out of force of habit, did not mind the reactions of the two and just volunteered to buy them lunch before they go to their own cubicles to prepare for the day.
At eleven o’clock, the production team rushed to the conference room for the regular Monday meeting with the Executive Producer, Park Haeng Ja. As Park Haeng walked in, her confident strides and pristine business suit made her look in command. Looking at the door, she nodded to the person waiting there.
A girl in her mid-20s wearing an orange double breasted suit jacket over a gray woolen dress strutted in until she reached Haeng Ja's side.
Slowly, she put her Chanel bag on the table, took off her Louis Vuitton sunglasses and flipped her hair while the aircon behind her was blowing air.
“She looks like a model, very pretty,” Jae Su whispered to Seung Chan. “I think she’ll like ME,” a statement which earned an exasperated grimace from Seung Chan.
“Ye-yeah, she is pre-pretty.” Seung Chan can't help but stare a bit.
“Annyeong, everyone. I believe this happy production team had a wonderful, Twitterful weekend,” Haeng Ja attempted to lighten up the mood. We still have a lot of things to do today , but first, I’d like you all to meet Noh Soo Young who will be the new Production Manager of this team. ”
“Annyeonghaseyo, Noh Soo Young imnida,” greeted Soo Young in a dulcetty voice, mesmerizing everyone.
Amazed and surprised at the same time, the team was silent for a while so Haeng Ja decided to proceed by introducing each member.
As if on cue, Producer Lee Sang In entered the room, greeted everyone and eyed Haeng Ja rather differently. The usually observant and clever Seung Chan wasn’t even sure if he saw a sidewink from Sang In, so he did not entertain the thought anymore.
Sang In brought in some Iced Americano for the team. Everyone reached out to get a cup, Seung Chan and Soo Young reached out and held the same cup.
Their fingers touched and he jerked his hand away, causing him to accidentally topple the cup next to it. The cold contents spilled on Soo Young’s branded bag.
“OMO! My baby!!!!” Soo Young yelped, eyes grew big in shock.
“Joesonghamnida, Soo Young-ssi!” Seung Chan was startled. “Ottoke! Ummm ummm… Let me wipe it dry.” He immediately reached inside his pocket to retrieve his handkerchief and began to wipe Soo Young’s leather handbag.
“That’s not used, Seung Chan, is it?” She pointed to his handkerchief.
He shook his head.
“I thought drinking is not allowed during office hours...but you seem drunk. I hope my stuff are still dry in here." Her voice was laced with annoyance and she continued shooting daggers at Seung Chan who felt like hitting himself to the wall for being so clumsy.
“Joseonghamnida, I will make it up to you.” He carefully wiped her handbag making sure he got all the wet spots.
“Sure. This is too much for a first meeting, don’t you think?” Soo Young said with a pout. Her bags, given by her harabeoji, are precious to her like a baby.
Soo Young’s patience was hanging by a thread, trying her hardest not to throw a tantrum, knowing that this was her first day with the team. But she was screaming inside, “Baek Seung Chan!!! You clumsy fool. YAHHHHHHH!”
Before the meeting was closed, Haeng Ja reminded the team about the dinner to welcome Soo Young. “Wednesday night at One Taste Korea, guys, near KBS Studios. I’ll see you there.”