chapter one: mr park

"AND THAT'S WHY I think men are scum," Rin says, stuffing another jam doughnut into her small mouth as she dusts her hands off, finally concluding her story of the weekend that had just passed.

"And that's why I don't do speed dating." I shrug.

"Come on, Nari. Don't tell me you haven't wanted to tie the knot with someone at least once?" She whines, nudging my shoulder as I try not to push her away.

Getting the message, she scoffs and gets back to her cubicle, getting ready to start typing away again.

It's another day at this office. Another day of having to conduct myself and hide my true feelings of absolute crippling stress from these people. Except for Rin. She's my actual friend.

Today is also just the usual. Manage our social media, plan for new posts, edit those posts, etcetera. It happens to be the routine upgrade given to me, especially as the team leader, once we got a new CEO.

The CEO we've never met.

He replaced Mr Lee six months ago but never showed his face here. Not to us, at least. I was told he worked from home, but deep down, I still don't find it a good enough excuse. If I'm honest, I find it pretty sketchy.

I've never said it out loud though. I'm concerned with nothing more than my job, my money and the bills I constantly have to pay.

Taking a sip of my cooling tea, I untuck myself from my seat, deciding to stretch my legs a little.

The social media managing department is barely important, which is weird, but it 'still has a place in this building'. 'Mr Park's' words.

I guess that's why we got the smallest, filthiest break room in the whole building and why I've decided to blame this company for the occurrence of me having to go out during my breaks.

Refilling my cup with water this time, I can't help but imitate the man out of boredom under my breath while the machine started to make 'expensive' noises. I should probably mention that it needs to be fixed soon enough.

"Mr Park said this. Mr Park said that." I say, in an obnoxious, high-pitched voice.

"Oh, but Mr Park wouldn't allow it!" I'm having fun now, using a male voice as snooty as possible.

"Mr Park said- I'm tired of Mr Freaking Park!" I whisper yell, raising the cup to my lips and moving back to my cubicle.

The others, Rin included have weird looks on their faces.

"What? Quit staring!" I snap, rubbing my damp hands down my black jeans and lean against Rin's desk. "You look ever so serious. Does it have to do with 'mR pArK', hm?"

Her usually never closed mouth gapes as she forms incoherent words and silently tries to grab my attention.

Unfortunately, I, in my state of goofiness, didn't take notice.

"Jeez, Rin! Stop being so weird." I playfully slap her shoulder and look in the direction she's staring at only to find something worse than the ghost I first thought she'd seen.

A young man with full lips set in a straight line of permanent disapproval stands near the elevator, brows raised slightly as we make eye contact.

Ordinarily, I wouldn't have cared. I'd have just focused on what I was doing. But that would have been so if it wasn't Jimin Park from my juvi days. And he doesn't look particularly happy about what he's seeing.

Worse yet, he probably heard my little mantra rehearsal in the break room that lacks a fricking door.

"Good morning everyone." He finally announces, eyes tearing away from my direction. I straighten myself into a proper sitting position, correct posture and everything.

"For those of you who don't know me by face, I'm the 'Mr Park'," Shoot, he looked at me when he said that. I now know he heard me for sure.

"Because of the business's current issues, I'm going to have to move you around a little. You'll be called into my office for an interview which will determine my verdict. The lady who came in last is first."

"What the hell?" I accidentally say out loud.

"You heard me. Be in my office by three. Don't be late."

With that, he swiftly leaves via the elevator, and the murmuring almost immediately begins.

Did you hear that? I'm sure he's gonna sack her!

The stupid girl should know to respect the man who pays her!

You're talking! He looks way too young!

I groan and fall into my chair as Rin snickers next to me.

"So much for good impressions, Nari!" She's almost choking by this point and I scoff, checking my phone.

I audibly gasp. He's obviously a madman.

"Don't kill yourself while I'm gone, Rin. I'll be back here if I'm not sacked for misconduct." I respond, hastily putting on my black blazer jacket and taking my past work just in case.

"It's three already?"

"Seems Mr Park was planning it." I huff, boots digging into the carpet as I step into the elevator.

My anxiety is through the roof as I reach the top floor, raising my fist to knock on the door.

"Come." His voice is as chipped as I remember.

I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off and beats me to it.

"Don't even try it, Nari. Take that stupid jacket off and tell me what the hell you're doing at my company."