I quickly got dressed for work, putting on the same clothes as yesterday. I didn't have anything else handy. I left the bathroom and saw Mrs. Park in front of a mirror tying his tie.
"Do you need help?" I asked.
"Not at all, Miss Kang, I can do it myself," he replied, trying to tie the tie properly.
"Let me," I said as I took the tie and tied it around his neck. "Before... I used to tie Eun-ho's ties... So I have experience."
★~ One Year Earlier ~★
Eun-ho was trying to tie his tie in front of a small mirror.
"Damn it! I can't even tie a simple tie!"
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll help you." I took the tie and began to tie it delicately. "There..."
"Thank you so much, sweetheart... You're the best. I would never trade you for anyone." You're perfect...
- Are you sure you'll never change me?...
- I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life.
We sealed our promise with a hug. I felt his warmth and strength. I love him madly.
★~Present Day~★
A few tears fell down my cheeks as I remembered Eun-ho's broken promises and empty words. My heart ached with sadness and anger.
- Miss Kang?... Are you alright?...
- Y-yes... I'm fine... I just... I can't forget Eun-ho - I sobbed.
In a second, I felt a protective embrace envelop me. It was Mr. Park's arms holding me. It was a pleasant sensation, making me feel safe and protected.
- Don't worry, Miss Kang... Everything will be alright. Like I told you... Things happen for a reason... If you need any kind of support... Just ask, he urged. I'm ready to support you.
"Mr. Park..."
"Trust me, Miss Kang... OK?... Don't waste tears on an idiot like him... He's just wearing you down psychologically..."
"Okay..." I replied, wiping away the few tears that still remained on my face.
"Everything will be alright... OK?"
I nodded slightly as the alarm went off in the background. "We're running late." I turned away from Mr. Park, hiding my slightly flushed cheeks. We left the building and got into the car. An awkward silence filled the air.
"You can drop me off there." I pointed to a bus stop a block from the company.
Mr. Park parked the car next to the bus stop, and I carefully got out.
"I'm running late." "It's better... to avoid rumors in the company, and Mr. Park... thank you very much..."
"It's nothing, Miss Kang... I'm happy to help you..."
I carefully close the door, and Mr. Park drives away. I walk toward the company, entering as usual, and scan my ID to gain entry.
"Hye-jin!" Soo-kyung calls after me.
"Hye-jin, there you are. Sorry for leaving early yesterday; my dad fell down a step."
"Don't worry, Soo-kyung, I understand. How is your father?"
"He only hurt his hip, but other than that, he's fine."
"That's a relief. Thank goodness he's okay, and that's what matters."
"I know... Hey, what if... we go out to dinner? To make up for leaving you alone yesterday," Soo-kyung said, taking my arm.
"It's not necessary, Soo-kyung... Really."
"Come on... Let's go after work, okay?"
"Okay, we'll go," I replied as we headed toward the office. I put my things on the desk when Mr. Park came in.
"Good morning, Mr. Park," my coworkers said, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning..." Mr. Park replied, walking toward his office and giving me a small smile.
"Good morning..." "Miss Kang..." he said, bowing.
"Mr. Park..." I replied, bowing my head.
Mr. Park entered his office, and I sat down at my desk, turning on my computer.
"Hye-jin... Did I miss something?"
"What are you talking about, Soo-kyung?" I replied.
"That smile Mr. Park gave you... it's weird."
"Do you think so?... It seems normal to me."
"If you say so. By the way... Weren't you wearing those clothes yesterday?"
I opened my eyes, remaining still. I had to come up with an excuse to justify the situation.
"Well... The clothes I had prepared for today..."
"Uh-huh?"
"They got dirty!... Yes! That's it. Some dressing spilled on them, and I didn't have time to wash them. I'm so careless."
"Oh... You should have told me, Hye-jin... I would have let you come over to my house to do laundry or even lend you something."
"I'm sorry, Soo-kyung... It didn't occur to me, especially with your father's situation. It would be very rude of me to ask you that."
"Not at all, Hye-jin, we're friends, we're supposed to support each other, right?"
"You're right," I replied as I opened the documents on the computer.
"Do you have the proposal for Mr. Park ready yet?" Soo-kyung asked.
"I'm almost finished... Do you think he'll ask for it?"
"I'm not sure, maybe not, maybe he will, but just in case, finish it quickly."
The office door opened, and Mr. Kwon entered, adjusting his glasses and holding his tablet.
"Miss Kang... Mr. Park wants to see your proposal in fifteen minutes. Do you think it will be ready?"
"I'm almost finished... Do you think he'll ask for it?" "What?... You want to see her?"
"That's right, Miss Kang. Is it ready?" Mr. Kwon asked.
"I'll take her in a moment. Don't worry, I'll be right there," I said nervously. What will I do now? Thanks to my situation with Eun-ho, I couldn't finish the proposal. What if I get fired?
"Very well, Miss Kang. When you're ready, please go see Mr. Park," Mr. Kwon replied, heading towards his office.
"What am I going to do, Soo-kyung?... Because of Eun-ho, I couldn't finish the report."
"What if I get fired?!" I exclaimed, terrified.
"You won't be fired. You're one of the best employees, Hye-jin."
"I hope so," I said, desperate to finish the report on the computer. After finishing it, I headed to the printer. After printing the report, I ran to Mr. Park's office and nervously knocked on the door. Mr. Kwon opened it.
"Miss Kang, you've finally arrived. Please come in. Mr. Park is expecting you."
"Thank you," I said, bowing slightly. I entered Mr. Park's office. I found him sitting at his desk with his legs crossed. His expression was serene as he reviewed some documents.
"Mr. Park, Miss Kang is here with her report," Mr. Kwon announced.
Mr. Park looked up, maintaining eye contact with me.
"Mr. Park" "Welcome, Miss Kang..."
I bowed slightly before handing over my report.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Park... Here is the report," I said, placing it in his hands.
"Thank you very much, Miss Kang," Mr. Park said, reviewing the report documents while I stood at the desk with my hands clasped, awaiting his words.
"Your report is well done, Miss Kang. The statistics and background information are accurate. Mr. Kwon, please take the report to the boardroom so we can discuss it at Tuesday's meeting."
"As you wish, sir," I replied, following Mr. Park's instructions.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Park," I bowed again. "I've worked on this report for a long time, despite my personal problems."
"I know, Miss Kang... You are one of my best employees and the most dedicated to your work."
"I know, Miss Kang... You are one of my best employees and the most committed to your work." "Thank you so much, Mr. Park," I said, glancing up at his serene and peaceful face. When he met my gaze, I quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"Are you alright, Miss Kang?"
"Y-yes, don't worry, I'm fine," I stammered, my face flushed.
"Are you sure? You seem a little... flushed?... Do you have a fever or something?"
"Not at all, Mr. Park. If you'll excuse me, I'd better return to my work area," I said nervously.
Mr. Park stood up from his desk and approached me, placing his hands on my shoulder.
"Are you sure you're alright, Miss Kang?"
I looked into his eyes, nodding slowly. "Yes... I'm fine, don't worry. If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my desk."
I released Mr. Park's hand with a bow and left his office, going to my desk.
"Hye-jin! How did it go with Mr. Park?" Soo-kyung asked, concerned. "You weren't fired, were you?"
"No, not at all. Mr. Park liked the report. They'll even use it for the meeting on Tuesday."
"That's great, Hye-jin! I knew you could do it. Let's go get some coffee in the office kitchen to celebrate."
"Okay, let's go." We linked arms and headed to the kitchen.
"Do you think you'll get a promotion for this?" Soo-kyung asked, stirring her coffee with her spoon.
"I think you'll get a promotion for this." "I don't think so, Soo-kyung. I suppose I'd have to do a project or apply."
"You should. You're one of the best employees here," he said, taking a sip of coffee.
"I'll think about it, but I won't leave you alone in this area. I don't plan on getting a promotion without you."
"Awww, Hye-jin!" Soo-kyung exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "I love you so much, friend."
"And I love you too, Soo-kyung."
Seungho.
While I was silently reviewing some documents, Mr. Kwon entered my office.
"Mr. Park?"
"Yes?... What's wrong, Mr. Kwon?" I asked, looking at him intently as I took off my glasses.
"Your father wants to see you now. He says he has a surprise for you."
"I love you so much, friend." "Surprise?"...
I quickly organized the documents on my desk, grabbed my coat, and got into my car, heading to the hospital.
"Have you no idea what my father is up to now, Mr. Kwon?"
"None, sir... He just gave me instructions for you."
We finally arrived at the hospital, entered through reception, and went to the rooms. We reached his room where my father was. Upon entering, my father was sitting on the bed talking to someone in one of the armchairs. The armchair was facing away from me, so I couldn't see who it was.
"Father?"...
"Oh, son, you're here! Come closer, I want you to see someone."
I approached slowly, still hesitant. I felt a weight on top of me, a feeling of discomfort and unease.
"Son... don't you remember Young Na-ri?"
"I'm here." "What?... Y-young Na-ri?" I stammered as the person stood up from the couch.
"Hello Seungho... It's been so long, hasn't it?"