C9 Chapter 9

I'm sitting on the brown couch in my room and staring at my phone expectantly. I am so worried that Mr Jay is not calling my phone. I'm sure that his room is in the VIP section of this hotel, but ever since he saw me with Leo, he didn't call or text me or even threaten to fire me. He didn't ask Mr Park to check if I have returned to the hotel safely. The silence is making me restless and somewhat angry.

Perhaps, its all in my mind, thinking he may care a little about me. Just like he came to find me at the bus stop that day. He shouldn't have come to me when I panicked that day. He shouldn't have kissed me in the car. He shouldn't have shown me that he could be warm and caring. Now I have expectations and my feelings are so messed up that I don't know what to do.

I wish I can get over this narcissistic piece of garbage man and just run over to Leo. At least I know that sunbae has genuine feelings for me and will not break my heart easily. We didn't talk much with him after his confession, and I must admit that things were a bit awkward between us, nevertheless, we still enjoyed the company of one another. We still ate our spicy street tteokbokki, hot fishcakes and rice dumplings. He dropped me back in his car and left his jacket with me so I can think about him. He said he'll call to hear my voice at night. He's so caring and warm, yet I feel like my heart wants something else, and not from sunbae.

Nothing excites me anymore at this point. I'm not excited that sunbae will call me tonight. I'm not excited that Jenny has finally agreed to let me set her up with Eomma's friend's son on a blind date. I'm not excited that Manager Ahn has earlier called me about my salary increment. I'm not excited about anything. My spirit is down, my heart is aching so badly.

What's even frustrating is the fact that I can't stop myself from feeling this way, even though I'm not the type of person who usually put my hope in people. How and when did I become this way? Why is this jerk CEO all over my mind and I can't help it? Why do I feel like I want to stoop so low, call him and just listen to his voice?

Darn it. . . My thoughts and feelings are all over the place. I'm going to put off my alarm, mute my phone and double the dose of my sleeping pills so I can sleep for as long as possible. I need this for my health or I might as well just go completely insane.

*

It takes a few minutes for me to recall where I have slept last night. It surely wasn't on my bed. I remember taking the sleeping pills and drifting into a peaceful slumber on the luxurious brown couch opposite my bed. Now I'm in my bed, but how did I get in here? Did I sleep-walk myself to the bed?

I'm lost. I don't know how to put into words how I feel right now. Confused. My body feels so tired. I climb out of bed and move to the couch and my phone is still there on the armrest. I pick up and the time says 8:13 AM. And. . . Oh my goodness I have 23 missed calls and four text messages. 7 missed calls from sunbae Leo and 16 from Mr Jay? What the. . .

Before I call back anyone, I tap to read the messages.

12:06 PM

Leo Sunbae: 'I miss you, pretty. Are you asleep? Can I call?'

12:09PM

Leo Sunbae: 'I can't reach your phone!'

12:43PM

Leo Sunbae: Sleep well and dream of me, cutie.

7:03AM

Leo Sunbae: 'What number is your hotel room? Call me as soon as you see this! I'm getting worried!'

Without hesitating, I know who to call first. My hands shake as I tap on Mr Jay's number and call. . .

He didn't pick up. Next, I search Mr Park from my contacts and call. . .

He picks up. "Miss Han, good morning. How do you feel, are you okay?" Mr Park asks and I scrunch my face confusedly. What does he mean by how do I feel? Why will he even ask me this? Since when have we become so close enough for his voice to sound this worried?

"Morning, Mr Park. I'm very sorry I overslept." I say. "I'm fine, I just overslept and I saw lots of missed calls from the CEO, where should I come to meet him? Was there an emergency yesterday night?" I ask as I make for the bathroom and start multitasking by holding my phone against my shoulder and taking my brush and toothpaste.

"Just come to the VIP. Its on 45th floor, tell the security you're Agent 1927 FC, they'll let you pass. Be quick, or you miss breakfast." And he hangs up so quickly. Good, I actually need the time to prepare myself. I don't even need to bath now, do I? I'm just going to brush and change.

Seven minutes more, I'm pushing my feet into the nude heels and running out of my hotel room. I get into the elevator, smoothening the texture of my hair and checking my outfit as the elevator shoots me up to the 45th floor. Thank goodness I brought an extra set of work outfit; a white set of pants and blazer jacket, with a crop top underneath my jacket, else I wouldn't have anything to wear today.

The door parts open and I step out nervously, my gaze falling on about seven to ten mean looking security men stationed in position up to the end of the long and vast lobby. There's a large, computerized door at the end of it. The security men are quick to snap their necks as they look at me and even before they say a thing, I say; "Agent 1927 FC. The CEO wish to see me, I'm his personal secretary." I'm not sure of that though since he leaves me out of everything now.

The one nearest to me nods at the others and signal me to pass. I'm walking my heels on glass tiles that looks like there's a pond underneath it. I'm sure its not a pond but a fantastic artwork. In short, this VIP place is out of league even for my Father who is considered to be rich. To talk about fortunes, I don't even believe we're rich anymore if I'm to compare my family to this man.

As I reach the door and stand, none among the security men say anything to me about how I can get in. Do they expect me to penetrate a computerized door? I'm about to ask how I can get in, when the door slowly opens by itself and Mr Park's face comes to view. Oh, I remember these people are fond of observing others on CCTV monitors, I'm sure they saw me coming. Mr Park is wearing a black suit —well, he's always in a black suit with some Bluetooth gadget connected to his left ear. He has this redness in his left eye as if someone has previously try to gouge out his eye. It probably could be a minor irritation.

"Miss Han, please come in," he says, slightly nodding his head as a greeting. "Hope you slept soundly? The CEO will be having breakfast at nine, you can sit and wait in the sitting room. We'll be leaving for Seoul by 1:00PM today." I'm presently in the sitting room as he's talking, and I have found a spot to seat on a black couch beside a gold fish aquarium. I didn't know we're going back to Seoul today, but it doesn't matter anyway.

"Thank You, Mr Park." I respond absentmindedly, looking around the clean, white luxurious sitting room that mostly has either black or white stuff. Ohmo! I feel so deprived when I compare this VIP floor with the floor I'm in. Why am I not allowed to just sleep here too? Like Mr Kenny Park? I'm sure there will be nothing less than five rooms in this place.

"I'll get you some coffee for the meantime." And he disappears through a double door to the left before I can say anything. See that? I remind myself again, the reason why Mr Kenny Park is everything to Mr Jay Young. Its seem like he knows every nook and cranny of this VIP floor. I'm the only one who's not needed and doesn't fit into the picture, yet I'm here doing nothing related to work and waiting for free breakfast. I feel so low.

I take out my phone from my blazer pocket and see another three missed calls from sunbae. Oh my gosh, my phone is still muted and I've totally forgotten to call or text him. I call, and it soon starts ringing. . .

"Sarah are you okay? Did anything happen to you?" His voice comes out in a rush, worrying. Why is everyone worrying so much? I feel like a burglar has attempted to break into my hotel room overnight. Something which is very highly unlikely to happen in such a secured five star hotel.

"Sunbae, I'm fine. Good morning." I greet.

"I'm so relieved. I'm on my way coming to you, I was so worried when my friend called this morning and told me about the false emergency alarm that went off at your hotel. You must have been very startled."