Just One Night

A/N 1: I know she’s Jieqiong, but I read that in Chinese and it throws me off when I write (too used to writing Korean names), so I’m going with Kyulkyung.

"And so we would like to take the time to renegotiate the contract." The client delegate looks at you apologetically.

"Of course... We understand. Please let us know when is a good time to set up another meeting for the renegotiation." You reply politely, your insides twisting. Fuck, what were you going to tell the higher ups?

"Yes, we'll be in touch." The delegate leaves, and you wait till he is out of sound and sight before crumpling up the declined contract, throwing the pen on the desk.

"Fuck!"

"Tough luck. Have a coffee." You look up, seeing your fellow coworker walk up to you with two cups of coffee in hand.

"Hey Kyulkyung."

"I saw him walk away without signing, no deal?"

"They want to renegotiate, after we spent the whole week hashing out the details! Who the hell does that!"

"Idiots, their loss, it was a good deal for them." She agrees with you.

"Yeah well, it was a good deal for us too... damn it!" Your fist slams the arm of the hotel chair you're sitting in.

"We need to figure out how to spin this for the higher ups." Kyulkyung states in a business-like tone.

"Don't you think I know that, fuck!"

"Hey, don't get snappy with me, I'm not the one who rejected the deal." She rebukes you sharply. Abashed, you apologize.

"You're right, I'm sorry."

"It's okay." She says with a much softer tone, patting you hand for comfort. "Let me call our boss, see if we can work something out."

She leaves you to your thoughts, walking away with phone in hand. You drink your coffee, going too fast and scalding your mouth.

"Shit, hot!"

As if you day can't get any worse.

Half an hour later Kyulkyung returns with a smile, holding a thick stack of papers in hand.

"Hey, cheer up, I have good news."

"What is it?"

"I recommended the boss some concessions to make to the client, he made a few calls, and they agreed!" She gives you a wry smile. "We'll be working right up to Christmas and the week before the New Year, but they'll be coming by to sign the papers right now. We'll have to stay an additional night, we'll miss our flight."

"Really?"

"What, you want us to fly back now and come back some other time?"

"No no, I mean, that seems too easy?"

Kyulkyung smirks at you. "No, it means I'm a better negotiator than you."

"Yeah right, I bring in the most business in the company." You boast.

"And I just brought in the biggest business this company's had this year." She shoots back.

"Fine, that's true, and I nearly fucked it up." You sink back into the chair.

"Aww okay, we brought in the biggest business this year." She corrects her previous statement. "You did some work too."

"Gee thanks."

"Heads up, here he comes." The delegate comes striding back towards you.

"I just heard from my superiors, there were some changes made to the proposal?" He asks, eyes fixed on Kyulkyung.

"Yes. We have made the modifications and here is the revised contract." She hands him the stack of papers she was holding. "Please feel free to review them." She returns to her seat next to you, expecting the review to take some time.

The delegate leafs briefly through the pages.

"I think there are no problems here."

"Excellent, then if you would please sign here, here, here, and..." Surprised, she ruffles through the papers, trying to find the right page.

"I don't believe we've met, Miss...?"

"Kyulkyung. If could you sign right here too. Please initial every page, if you don't mind."

"Of course."

Your heart hammers as the delegate sits down across you, getting his pen out to sign the papers. You notice though, that as he signs the papers the delegate's eyes travel up Kyulkyung's exposed legs, leering at her as she goes through her phone, not realizing what he's doing.

"Hey, you must be cold, have my jacket." You throw the jacket across her lap, draping it over her legs. She looks over at you before looking at the delegate, realizing what is going on.

"Ah... thank you." She smiles at you appreciatively.

With an awkward cough the delegate finishes signing the last page.

"Here you go Miss Kyulkyung."

"Thank you! We will send you a copy of the documents, we look forward to working together."

"Likewise." They shake hands before the delegate moves his hand up her arm. "Miss Kyulkyung could I perhaps interest you in dinner or a drink? Something like this deserves a celebration!" You are incensed, your hands clenching into fists. Before you can say anything however, Kyulkyung shrugs his hand off frostily.

"We would love to, but unfortunately we have to work out further details on our end, so we'll be unavailable to join you, maybe next time."

"That's unfortunate. Never mind then, have a good night, until next time."