Some Kind of Business

“What’s my schedule for today?” Your boss asked you.

Standing at the window, looking down the busy streets of Seoul. Together with her, you’re at the highest point of the building she owns.

“At 10 am, there was a preliminary meeting about the new museum proposal in room 304. At 12 pm, you’ll have lunch with the leading Italian brand owners. At 2 pm, you’ll have a board meeting regarding the newly appointed executives for the existing foundations in room 407. At 3—” You answered, standing politely behind her, meters away.

“Cancel all of it.” She ordered you, as her secretary.

“Uhh, but—” You can’t just cancel it on the same day; it was essential to the company.

“I have somewhere to go.” She turned to face you. Her fierce look alone tells you that you should follow her orders, or else you’ll be caught up in her annoyance.

“Yes, ma’am.” You bowed, bracing yourself for a thunderous rage of executives you’ll have a word with.

“...”

You bowed your head and were about to leave her office. But, a few more steps before the door, she speaks.

“You’re coming with me, drive for me.”

“Y-yes?” You turn around once more, and your eyes meet hers this time. Something’s telling you there’s another reason behind her eyes.

“My parents want to meet me.” She said, staring at you.

“I understood.” You already knew what she meant and took another bow to excuse yourself.

Thud.

“What do her parents want from her this time?” You muttered, then proceeded your way back to your desk.

Your boss, named Lee Ji-eun, doesn't want anyone to call her that way anymore; however, she has no choice but to embrace it if she wants to succeed. She despised her family, and the “Lee” in her name, but for money and power, she wouldn't mind it.

She’s cold, charismatic, and meticulous. She wanted everything to be as perfect as possible. She didn't believe in mistakes, but instead blamed carelessness. Thankfully, you survived all of that and learned to adapt.

You worked for her for five years, and you learned how things worked from your workplace, to your duties as her secretary, and now even how your boss and her family fight for the company and shares. You just saw it in dramas, but after working for her, you just realized that all of it was possible and happening in real life.

The moment she told you earlier that her parents wanted to meet you, you instantly got what she meant by bringing you with her.

She needed someone to listen to whatever she said.

With no other person beside her, except you as her secretary, she’ll lean on you.

Well… it didn’t work that well since you had to often listen to her bitching…

“I can’t believe they tried to sneak their slush funds under my name! Those fuckers.”

“I wish you saw the look on Mr. Park’s ugly face.”

“Finally… I had fifty percent of that damn share.”

“...”

“I wonder what kind of story I’ll hear from her later.” You sighed, you’re already exhausted just thinking about how tiring this day might be for you.

Your ears hurt, your eardrums were almost shattered, and your head ached after the executives roared at you through the phone. You get it, they’re mad for cancelling important meetings the same day just because she said it. But they can’t get mad at her since they were scared of her, so they chose to take their anger out on you.

“Oh, Ms. Lee.” You said even though she’s not around.

“Oh shit— teeeeen–” The landline cuts. Her name is like a magic word; it works well for you in tight cases.

“Her name alone scared the shit out of them.” You put down the phone; the last cancellation is done.

“They’re scared of her, acting mighty just because I’m her mere secretary.” Sometimes you thought of resigning, but the pay’s good and the company benefits are top-notch. So you choose to keep it and adapt.

“...”

After a while, her office door opened.

“Hello, Ms. Lee.” You quickly stood up and greeted her.

“Let’s go.” She dropped the car key on your desk and walked away.

“Yes.” You grabbed it together with your stuff and ran through the elevator lobby, taking another lift besides the one she’s facing.

Other employees stopped walking and paid respects by bowing. The tension’s high, and no one dared to stand by her except you.

While she takes her time walking, the other way goes to you. You are running your way to the parking lot; basically, you have to be there before she arrives.

“...”

“Did I run too fast?” You looked at your watch; it’s just five minutes after she told you that you’re leaving.

“Habit.” You chuckled softly and waited for her patiently.

After another couple of minutes, the glass doors slid smoothly, and she appeared. For a second, you stared at her unconsciously. For a second, you forgot to move. Even under parking lot lights, she stood out too much.

“Hmm? Let’s go.” She said after noticing you’re staring at her.

“Huh? Ah, yes.” You opened the door for your boss. Her flowery perfume hits your sense of smell while her smooth skin subtly rubs through your hand, notifying your sense of touch.

You did not think about it; it’s just an accidental contact. Though you can’t deny it’s electrifying for the first time.

However, you are well aware that she’s your boss, a towering wall separates the two of you, a boundary that can’t be surpassed. So, you threw those feelings a long time ago. Those affections and excitement are replaced by admiration.

All you currently hear right now is the low hum of the car’s air conditioning, the sound of the car’s engine, and her breathing.

“Say, how’s working with me?” She’s looking outside, the car’s window reflecting her pretty face perfectly.

“Should I be honest? It’s pretty tense.” You glanced at the rear-view mirror.