A week later

Y/n POV

My body was wrapped round in pain as if a damp sheet is folded over a wire.The light of dawn seeped into my room.  There was a pearly glow in the sky.This morning I woke up, the same as everyday stretching my legs off my bed weakly and onto the floor, my arms raised up grazing the ceiling, as I let out a gloomy yawn.I rubbed my bleary eyes and walked to the window. The rising sun was casting a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. It didn't surprised me to know that as always, I woke up too early today as well. Something which is now an uneditable part of my daily recent life.
Slowly, I went to my bathroom to clean up myself and carry out my morning routine.

But, I let out a sudden yelp in horror, when I took in my state which was reflecting on the mirror infront of me.

I look....scary?!

But, this as well didn't surprised me the least, cuz in the light of the past few weeks, nothing surprises me anymore. I've embraced my life the way it is.

There are dark bags under my swollen pinkish eyes, with dried tears sticking to my pale cheeks. My nose is as red as ever, looking like a cherry perched on top of a rotten muffin. My hair is a greased mess, oily and sticky due to the lack of clean bath for over a week and now, I can't imagine how am I even going comb it...it sucks.

If I be straightforward, I'm not less but more looking like a Zombie.

I'm being like this since the very time I stepped in my flat after coming back from Daegu. I had completely lost it as soon as the lonely breeze of my flat, had hit my rustling body. I didn't had the slightest courage to go back to Taehyung's house to collect my leftover belongings from there. Instead, I opted to lock up myself alone in my flat for atleast a week, abandoning myself from the outside world. I feared of the fact that if I went out, then might be, I would've to face him....for which, I'm not ready yet. I'm grateful for almighty, that Taehyung didn't showed up at my doorstep.

But, I couldn't lie that my heart doesn't ache for him, that my eyes doesn't look for him in every corner of my house, that my mind doesn't hallucinate him, that I'm not dying to see him and throw myself in his secure arms.... because, every bit of my soul knows how much I'm dying and suffering in attempt to stay away from him....it's making me die yet again and again, everyday, every minute, every second...

For the last week, I couldn't think straight accept about him.... I've been doing nothing but just fretting and shedding my painful tears, sitting at the one corner of my bed or either of my room. Everytime when I decide, to not think about him, my heart decides to betray me and wanders off to him....like a free bird.

His memory feels like home to me.
So whenever my mind wanders, it always finds it’s way back to him.
I had someone once who made every day mean something.
And now…. I am lost….
And nothing means anything, anymore.

When you experience loss, people say you’ll move through the 5 stages of grief….
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance….. What they don’t tell you is that you’ll cycle through them all every day.

If you could love someone, and keep loving them, without being loved back . . . then that love had to be real. It hurts too much to be anything else.Because what’s worse than knowing you want something, besides knowing you can never have it?

I know it very well, I fell in love with someone whom I can't have....who can't simply be mine.

The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.

The bravest thing I would ever do would be continuing my life when I wanted to die....and that's what, I've decided to do. I earnestly want to go back to my previous life and step ahead to keep pursuing my dreams. That's for what, I had came to South Korea at the first place.... I'll have to move on from the harsh reality and admit it....it's true, Taehyung is that inescapable person in my life,from whom maybe I would never want to stay away... I'll see him again but only when I'll be strong enough to bury my wounded feelings deep inside my heart that I have for him....

A few tears trickled down my pale cheeks as I stood there infront of the mirror, contemplating my thoughts. I was never supposed to be like this....I thought.

I finally decided to pull off myself together, as I reluctantly brushed my teeth and went for a clean warm bath.
I rubbed my entire body so roughly, that it left behind red rashes on my skin.I don't care. After I finished with my hair, I went out and started drying my hair with a hair dryer, when yet again our lovely memories crashed down on me...when he had helped me to dry up my hair, just after I had came back from hospital to his home for stay. I still remember the glint in his eyes and that mesmerizing smile on his face he had them on that day....I swallowed the lump in my throat shaking away his thoughts once again, only to regret later, as I opened the drawer to take a hair band to tie my hair but instead got the handkerchief in my hand, that he had used once as a scarf to tie my hair on that sweet windy day, in mid of the street. I slouched down by the wall, hugging my knees, shaking my head from side to side in frustration...as I held it in my hand, letting my tears be soaked by it as they fell on it's soft fabric. I felt utterly anxious, as I bit on my lips to get rid about his thoughts.

I again decided to step ahead, as I forcefully yanked away those memories. I went to my messed wardrobe which was full of untouched bags and suitcases, as I rummaged through them to come up with a desirable outfit for my important day.

As I stood glancing at myself through the mirror, my heart clenched at my  own state. I don't look like the one I used to be, not more than a week ago.
But, here I'm...not even able to digest the fact that the person I'm peering at through the mirror is none other than me...I scoffed ironically.

I hope I don't mess up....atleast not today.

I sighed weakly as I held my office purse and wore my heels. Feeling not very intrigued with the thought of having something to eat, I dashed out of my flat. I felt somehow a bit revived as soon as the chilly sweet wind outside kissed my skin...plastering a reluctant smile on my face, I sat inside the cab... watching the green trees and high rising buildings pass by as the cab pulled into the main township of Seoul....

Welcome to your new life Miss Lee Y/N.

Meanwhile,Taehyung POV

The golden honey beam of the sun was directly falling onto my face, making me squint and rub my eyes, as I turned on my back, facing the ceiling. The corner of my lips upturned as soon as the melodious voice of my beloved ringed in my ear.
I took my phone from the bedside table, and increased the volume of the recorded audio. It was the only thing that broke the death silence in the room as well as in my heart. I closed my eyes as I let myself engulfed in her angelic voice, inhaling deeply the scent of her bedsheets, which undoubtedly smelled like her....I tightly held the teddy bear close to my chest, as my eyes got moist with unbearable emotions of missing her.
Where she was?, What she was doing?, How she was? Was she safe? Was she in need of help? Did she missed me? Etc etc etc....were the only things that kept me captivated in her thoughts all the time, since the night she left me alone in Daegu. I still can't believe myself, that I haven't heard from her since that day...that, I haven't seen her after the time she told me that she was going to get herself a drink....I feel broken.

I don't know what am I supposed to do now, but it's not like I didn't tried to contact her...it's just hard to remember how much times I've messaged her, called her, voice messaged her....but I didn't got any single response from her side. I even went to her apartment everyday but it's a shame that I didn't remembered her tower no. and floor no. both.... everyday I would go there and search for her, but it's all in vain. Nobody knows her and nobody recognises her there....it's like searching for a pearl in a vast blue ocean.

I don't even know if she's back from America or not, but I've this faith in me that she would've surely contacted me if she was back....but, still my heart is filled with uncertainty.

Sometimes, I even feel angry about the fact that she didn't even contacted me after she went to America, was she not aware that how much worried I would've been for her...but, then again, I feel worried for her....what if, she was in danger, something bad happened to her....this would instantly made me feel weak and stirred with tension. I don't want to give up on keep looking for her, but then I'm left with no other option except to wait for her to come back to me. I'm only left with this teddy bear of her's and the audio recording of her melodious voice when she had sung lullaby for me....and the room where she stayed up in my house.

Her room still feels like her, her fragrance is scattered in each and every corner of the room and whenever I made my way inside it, my heart vainly hopes to see her sitting there and waiting for me, that she would jump on seeing me and throw herself in my arms....but, my heart clenches when I see it empty. Goddamn! I miss her so much....only if she knew how much I want to see her and hear her talking. Once I enter her room, I never feel like leaving from there anymore and I just want to stay wrapped up in her duvets on her bed with my face buried in the pillow filled with her tantalising natural scent. It soothes me everytime when I feel troubled or worried.

When will I get to see you Y/n??

With this thought, rattling in my mind...I decided to get myself ready for office.

Time Skip
Y/n POV

I took in continuous deep breaths, as I stood at the entrance of my new workplace. It was a massive high rise, Skyscraper building made of shining glasses, surrounded by huge boundary walls and fencing of green hedges. My eyes were surely the size of saucers by now...I wiped the sweat oozing out from my forehead as I rubbed my hands together, to get rid of the anxiety seeping into me and get myself bold and confident enough to atleast pass the first day at my new office place without making a fuss.

I took a last deep breath in, and without wasting anymore time, entered the main building which led to an extended furnished ground lobby with numerous employees filling around. With a bit of hesitation, I went to the reception, only to meet a young lady, dressed professionally in beige pant suit. She was pretty.

I coughed slightly to get her attention, to which she narrowed her eyes but then spoke politely.

"Hello, how can I help you Ma'am?" She asked.
"Umm, Myself Lee Y/n... I'm a new employee in the company. May I know where I would find Mr Shi Jo Lee." I said handing over her some papers related to my appointment and joining letter.

She fixed her spectacles on the bridge of her nose, going through the papers intensely. Then she glanced up at me, and smiled gently. Her smile really made me quite relaxed, making me ease up a little in the new environment.

"Please come with me, Mr Shi Jo Lee was expecting you today... I'm sorry I didn't remembered."  She said bowing slightly. I assured her and then she led me to an elevator, and pressed the floor 11 button.
My heart was beating faster than usual, making me feel more weak than I already was. The elevator soon dinged, and we filed out, only to walk through a corridor, made entirely of tinted glass doors and shiny floorings.

She led me to a cabin, and bowed before leaving from there. I stood there studying the area, furnished with black work table, sofas, bookshelves and a sheer glass wall looking down at the beautiful city around.

"Is that Miss Lee Y/n??" A serious voice called out from behind me.
Alarmingly, I turned around and bowed down, only to meet with a man, in his early 30's.

"Yes, I'm Lee Y/n..." I said trailing off, not knowing what to say else.
The man hummed and motioned me to sit on the sofa across him. When I was comfortable enough, he reached out his hand to handshake, which I gladly accepted with a small smile.

"Hello, Miss Lee Y/n... myself Mr. Shi Jo Lee, the Executive Manager of Kim Hynix. I heartily welcome you to our company as our new Managing Director." He said with a warming smile, standing up from his seat, automatically making me stand up too,as we again shook our hands formally.

"Thank you so much.... As we discussed on the phone earlier too, I am very pleased to accept the position of Managing Director in Kim Hynix. Thank you again for the opportunity. I am eager to make a positive contribution to the company and I'm hopefully looking forward to  work with everyone else here." I said with a cheerful tone.

He seemed to like my level of enthusiasm as he chuckled, but soon recomposed himself while changing his expression back to serious.
"It's good, now I would like to inform you that the CEO of our company wants to have a talk with you before you officially start as the new Managing Director of the company....so, please follow me." He said and turned his back to me walking towards the door, not even waiting for a response, and I quickly had run to catch up with his speedful walking.

Now, the fact was that I was not at all prepared beforehand, to meet the CEO on the very first day of my office. My palms became sweaty all of a sudden, and my heart was pounding irresolutely in my chest... as we walked through the imposing hallway of the current floor. I became much aware of my body language and was praying immensely, not to make a bad impression on the authority of the company on my first day. Soon, we came to a halt,and Mr Shi Jo Lee  turned to me.
"Please wait, I'll tell Mr Kim that you're here." He said and entered the office of CEO.

I nodded.

"Breathe in, breathe out...." I mumbled to myself, so as to calm my sanity, taking in deep breaths.

Soon, Mr Shi Jo Lee appeared from the glass door and motioned me to come inside. I took a last deep breath in and wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand, as I smiled timidly while fidgeting with my fingers.

"Everything's going to be fine...." Mr Shi mouthed to me in muffled voice. I nodded and entered the office, with the most bright smile that I could've afforded at the time.

But lo!....my legs abruptly stopped at their tracks as my breathe got stuck in my throat when I saw the person who was sitting infront of me on the swivel chair , whom I was intending not to see at any costs, atleast not yet.... Taehyung. My eyes got widened in utter caution and it took me some moment to realise the fact that, Taehyung was himself the CEO of Kim Hynix, the company which I was soon going to start working for. This realisation had me nearly sweeped off my feet.

God was surely now questioning my life, I was more than sure about it...but the question is,why me?

A part of my heart said to run and make a escape from there, but a part of my heart also kept me pinned to the ground...because it knew how much I suffered to get a glimpse of him, that I endearly wanted to see him. I yearned to see him.

Somewhere inside my heart, I knew I was so happy to see him....the intense feelings that washed through at the time was just indescribable. My heart was thumping painfully against my chest.... making me feel frail. My lips quivered as tears were threatening to fall any minute now. My eyes lingered at him fervently as I watched him engrossed in his files...oh! How much I loved watching him while he was indulged in his office works....it was always a beautiful sight to watch and it still is.

I took in a sudden sharp breath as soon as he lifted up his dark gaze to look at me, and we made an eye contact. I clutched on the sling of my purse tightly, that it made my knuckles go all white.
His dark gaze instantly turned into the one with which he always used to look at me....caring, gentle, soft, adoring...I bit on my lower lip as a choked sob left my mouth.
He sat there without single movement in his body, as he looked at me with sheer astonishment. The sides of his lips twitched, involuntarily making me smile a bit too, but all of a sudden my vision became blurry as tears clouded my vision, atleast what I thought it was...with my knees suddenly feeling wobbly and not competent enough to support my body weight. I felt like shaking and dizziness made me feel lightheaded in cold sweat. I made a poor attempt to clear my vision by blinking my eyes and tried focusing on Taehyung, but instead black dots invaded my view and my vision started to gray out around the edges. And Then, with one step backwards I crumpled like a puppet suddenly released of its strings...as I saw Taehyung running towards me with my barely opened eyes but before Taehyung could've came to my aid, an another strong arm held me up from crashing to floor by my shoulder and then everything blacked out.

Taehyung POV

A muffled knock at my office door, brought me out of my reverie and I soon got stiffened at my seat, permitting the person to come in.
It was Shi Jo.
"Good Morning Sir...how are you today??" He asked politely. He knew about the fact that I was quite disturbed these days.
"Hm... I'm fine. What brought you here??" I asked with no inclination in my tone to his concern.
"Sir, the new Managing Director of our company is joining us from today, do you remember I had given you the file about her qualifications and appointment details few days ago...." He asked expectantly.
"Ooh... I forgot about it, I haven't gone through it yet...is she here already??" I asked pinching the bridge of my nose in stress.
"Yes sir, she's out of your office." He said in low voice.
"Ok then, send her in." I said sighing to myself as I grabbed my coat from tableside.

He nodded and went out.

I took the file out of the pile of other files, and started going through it, when the door of my office clicked open and the click-clack of heels approached in. I waited for some kind of greeting from other side, but it was dead silence in here. I frowned in confusion and glanced up only to get  frozen at my spot. My mouth fell agape and my heart tingled with overwhelming happiness...it felt as if, I saw sunrise after years of experience of living in darkness. I can't describe in words how relieved I felt upon seeing her, I couldn't even believe my own eyes....there she was, my life, my love, Y/n.

But what was she doing here?...I felt confused, but then I realised that Y/n was actually the new Managing Director of our company. It was all so much to take in at once, I was so much happier than ever.

I felt alive again...I wanted to run to her and engulf her in my arms, never letting her go ever again. A missing piece of my heart was back again...

Her expression was very much the same like that of me, as if she too was not expecting to see me here. Her eyes were glittery with tears, as she stood there silently looking at me as a small smile crept on her face but I got worried when she let out a choked sob. But, before I could understand anything she wobbled on her feet, as her breathing got heavy and in split of seconds her body gave up on her and she was about to collapse on the ground but before I could've reached her, Shi Jo had already caught her in midst of falling. I quickly ran to them nonetheless, and helped him to carry her to a nearby sofa. I sat beside her as I gently tapped her cheeks, and rubbed her palms which was chilling cold. Shi Jo instantly brought a bottle of water and sprinkled some on her face, to which she slightly squinted her eyes and shifted uncomfortably. She slowly opened her eyes and her gaze directly fell on me....I interwined our hands, as she looked at me meticulously.
But then, she sat up alarmingly as she coughed slightly... scooting away from me and eyeing Shi Jo who was standing beside me. I understood at once, she was well aware of the fact that we were not alone.
I too coughed a bit embarassed and stood up from the couch, fixing my suit.
"Umm, how are you feeling Miss Y/n...you fainted, I guess??" I asked neutrally, trying to sound as much as cold I could be, as I always am with others in office.

She mouthed a muffled fine not even glancing up from her lap.

"I'm sorry sir, that we met in such a circumstance, I didn't knew I would mess up my first day like this... I'm literally apologize for troubling you like this...." She said finally gazing up but her voice cracked.

My heart ached when she said sorry to me....

"No!....umm...it's completely fine, don't say sorry or anything, it's nobody's fault. Btw, I gladly welcome you as the new Managing Director of our company, Kim Hynix. I hope you'll not disappoint me and give your best efforts in the growth of our company. Congratulations!" I said offering my hand to her to have a handshake, which she reluctantly accepted.

It was then, when I finally realised how weak and pale she had gotten...there were dark black patches under her eyes, most probably due to lack of sleep and even her cheekbones were showing a little. She had been not eating and taking care of herself properly... something's extremely wrong here.

I wanted to talk to her alone, as so many questions were ticking in my head and most importantly, I wanted to hug her very badly and assure her that everything was going to be okay. I felt too worried for her, and her current health didn't calmed me either but on the contrary, made me more tensed for her.

But then, my train of thoughts came to a break when Shi Jo called for me.

"Huh??...yeah, what were you saying?" I asked unknowingly.

"Sir, I said that I'm taking Miss Y/n to her Office cabin and get her introduced to some of our prominent employees. So, do you need anything before we leave??" He asked smiling brightly, which was a bit unusual of himself. But, I shrugged it nonetheless and just nodded in response.

"No...You may go. Make sure Miss Y/n is comfortable working in her office and appoint an assistant to be her helping hand for now, until she's finally ready & experienced enough to take all the concerning matters in her hand...and, Miss Y/n take a good care of yourself, in order to work efficiently for the company, you need to be first healthy and active yourself. I hope you understand what I mean. Best Of luck!" I said in serious tone, even though my own voice was trying to betray me today, as my eyes were constantly lingering at the frail form of Y/n...it made my heart tightened with overflowing emotions for her.

I needed to talk to her as soon as possible....

They soon left and I sighed contended, when the thought of Y/n working in the same company as mine filled my mind. I was more than happy for this and thanked God for his kind deed. Now, I would never have to worry about her safety and it would be my best gift ever, to see her everyday in my office. She would be right infront of my eyes everytime 24/7, but for that too, I'll have to ask her out first, which I eagerly want to do for so many days now, I can't wait to tell you about my feelings Y/n, it's getting hard to keep it hidden inside my heart for too long.

Y/n POV

I came out with Mr Shi Jo Lee out of Taehyung's cabin, sighing internally.
We walked in silence for some moments, as my mind was racing with millions of muddled thoughts but then Mr Shi Jo Lee broke it.

"Are you feeling alright now, Ma'am?"

My ears perked up at his sudden regard for me...

"Yes, I'm alright but what did you just called me....Ma'am?" I asked completely confused.

He smiled gently as he stopped walking just infront of the lift...

"It's my respect for you...you're now the holder of higher position in the company, even more than I'm..." He said calmly.

My eyes widened at the new info.

"But, how's that??" I asked,my eyebrows frowned.

"I'm the Executive Manager here, & you're Managing Director, so technically, I'm your subordinate... I'll be working under your supervision and guidance from now on... you're the supreme authority for me after the CEO." He said elaborately, still looking at me.

"Ooh, I see...but Mr Shi Jo Lee, you don't need to call me Ma'am even though you're my subordinate, for me, everyone is equal and nobody's superior or inferior cuz everyone in the company equally contributes his/her hard work, blood, sweat & tears in the growth of the company and hence, is equally liable for respect. Apart from that, you can't deny the fact you're my senior." I said smiling at him, as he looked at me in disbelief.

"I-i-I...I don't know what to say now Miss Y/n...but, then you tell me what should I call you??" He asked.

"You can call me Y/n...I would highly appreciate it." I said.

"Ok then, Y/n it is.... but then, you also pls don't call me Mr Shi Jo Lee everytime, it's so time consuming to say...you can simply call me Shi Jo from now on." He said chuckling.

"Ooh...I agree." I said laughing too with him.

"Ok, so let's come back to the business, come with me, I'll show you around a bit and then I'll get you introduced to Miss Ara...she'll be your PA for now, you can contact her anytime whenever you would be needing her help... she's so friendly to work with...." He said as we entered the lift and dispersed at the 6th floor.

I was quite sure as hell, that I was going to have a hard time here with the lifts and multistorey floors, I made a note to myself as we walked to other side of the building.