Carefully plucking the envelope out, she read through the card lying inside. Her sight eventually caught at the names, not really answering her questions.

Dan Hwa : So, Team Jang-nim is getting married. That's a good news though. What's the sulk for?

"He is leaving EHS as a result of this marriage." one of the faces voiced out to her.

Dan Hwa : What?!

Dan Hwa's eyes automatically searched for Mi Jeong in the room. And with a brief wordless stare, the latter left her work station, indifferent and unamused.

Dan Hwa rewound her words, that she took lightly before. Moments later, a female voice, identifying Mi Jeong's immediate junior, Ms.Gil, bought Dan Hwa's lost attention again.

Ms.Gil : You must be thrilled now. Becoming the director.

Dan Hwa couldn't entirely register her words that the speaker also fumed out of the space after Mi Jeong.

The set designer was engrossed in thoughts of the Team leader's abrupt decision. And more so to reason why she was not included in such an important meeting.

She raced towards his cabin and barged in with a few knocks of courtesy.

Director Nam : Come- in. 'Guess you are already inside.

Dan Hwa lightly slammed the invitation card on the table, right before his sight so he can see.

Dan Hwa : Was I supposed to find out this way?

Director Nam : No, Designer Baek. It is not how you think it is.

He folded the file he was scrutinizing through before she came in and put it aside, speaking calmly.

Director Nam : Look, I apologize we had to hold the meeting without your presence. But, it was only because of the election.

Dan Hwa : Team Jang-nim! How could you do this? Leaving the company? If it's about the BTS concert stage, I will talk to the CEO. This is just reckless. He can't do this.

Director Nam : No, no! It's completely my decision. Come on, take a seat first. Please.

Dan Hwa couldn't pass to disrespect his insistence and settled across the table. She patiently waited for him to present his elucidation.

Director Nam : Well, I was originally meant to leave right after that concert. But things happened that it got delayed.

Having paid the EHS fund debt in the last few months, he was finally exempted from it. He could now leave with a satisfaction that he has rightly accounted to his responsibilities.

Director Nam : My fiancè is posted to a high rank permanent job in Seattle. So, it was our mutual decision that after the wedding, we will move to there permanently.

It was unfair enough, that he had to work in EHS without a pay all these time along. And had to postpone his wedding on top of that. Therefore, he simply wished his team was supportive of him now.

Dan Hwa : That's very selfish and irresponsible, Team Jang-nim. What about our team? How could you abandon us just like that?

But, maybe he must've envisioned them of his sacrifices before expecting so blindly. Dan Hwa came across justified to him however, considering that he was indeed very rash and imprudent to desert his team on personal reasons.

Director Nam : Right, I wouldn't argue. But, I will leave once I fill my chair with someone deserving to hold the title. Who can take care of the team just like me. Or maybe even better.

Dan Hwa : And who is that?

Director Nam : You.

Dan Hwa was flabbergasted for a second, entering each letter in her system, carefully.

Dan Hwa : Me?! What do you mean? W-why me?

Director Nam : Well, you fairly won the title with majority of votes in the friendly election, I held in the meeting yesterday. Everyone seems to acknowledge your credibility. So, I don't see, why not.

Right then, Manager Ko interrupted their conversation with another team member. To hand over the assigned task, the director had asked them on.

Leader Nam smiled to them, quickly reviewing through it. While, Dan Hwa busted out again, giving the whole thing a brief thought.

Dan Hwa : No, Team Jang-nim. I don't have the...

Her words trailed off, lacking confidence. The director closed the file and picked up the leash to direct her back.

Director Nam : You do. You do have the right to become the next Team Manager. As far as I see it, leadership is your natural ability. Any disagreements?

There was no voice of objection from the other two figures in the room. Therefore, she tried to make one, whipping straight at the easiest bait-Manager Ko.

Dan Hwa : Yah, you know how bitterly I speak and am arrogant with words. You still want me to be the leader?

Mr.Ko : Ye, Baek Team Jang-nim. Although, you can be a little strict, it is never for anything bad or without a reason. So, we are fine.

The present director slid in to their talk, feeling a little rusty.

Director Nam : You! You sure got over me quick, didn't you? I am still here.

Mr.Ko : Ye, ex-Team Jang-nim. I adjust quickly. Have a safe flight.

Director Nam : You Punk! (-chuckles-) Anyways, thanks for the work. Leave the two of us for a while.

Mr.Ko : Yep.

The two, with quick bows, vacated the room. Dan Hwa instantly regretted reconciling with Manager Ko, beyond the sight of everyone.

It was the director against the set designer, then commenced their mouthful debates and retorts on the matter. Both providing valid points with no referee for any sound settlements.

Director Nam : You have always had the leading traits, designer Baek. In my absence, you have always led the team according to the situation. And I hope I don't have to mention the last concert stage.

Dan Hwa : But, my best trait is designing. As of which, I entered EunHaSu in the first place.

Director Nam : Of course, you are one of our best designers. But, let's speak practically, no one likes you to design their stages. You always exceed the budget beyond an exception that anyone can consider.

Dan Hwa : But, the designs are also the best quality. Best based on the theme and plot requirements.

Director Nam : Sure. Although you have spectacular and the most fitting designs to the requisition and needs. No one fancies to go off budget on a set, they are going to use only for a few scenes.

Dan Hwa attained a brief silence, realizing her satiation only settling with best quality materials. Henceforth, she twisted the wrangle in a different direction.

Dan Hwa : There's Designer Lee, who is a competent candidate to hold this position too.

Director Nam : And who is also the only senior set designer in our team after you. In all ways, it is best that you lead on the team and he manages the designs. Of course, you will also make your valuable inputs in the designs when needed. I believe in you. And so does the team. These upvotes are the proofs you need.

Dan Hwa : Well, I remember, costume designer, Dan Mi Jeong, is also interested in this seat.

Director Nam fell silent this time and without anymore buts, searched for a name among the vote slips. Catching on it, he casually rested the card before her.

Director Nam : She voted for you.

Dan Hwa couldn't comprehend what was happening. That day, Mi Jeong clearly showcased how bad she wanted the title against Dan Hwa. But her upvote felt suspicious now.

She started to have further doubts in the whole thing. Designer Baek was resilient to accept this sudden change in her work. She nervously broke her silence with utmost sincerity, hoping that it positively reaches across.

Dan Hwa : Team Jang-nim, this is too sudden for me. I haven't led on the team because I wanted to. It was just the need of the hour. Someone had to answer for it, so I did it.

Before Director Nam could attempt a further persuasion, the arbitrator-Designer Lee, knocked and entered the room voluntarily.

Mr.Lee : Team Jang-nim. Don't worry, I will talk to her.

Dan Hwa : Hey, I don't want to do thi-

Mr.Lee : All right. I said I would just talk to you. I didn't say "convince you". So, let's go.

Designer Lee waited a moment for her to follow him. But having no movements from her, he grabbed her wrist and dragged Dan Hwa out of the cabin.

Director Nam smiled with a certain faith, that Mr.Lee would definitely bring her into terms with it.

Out in the common work station, Dan Hwa was lost brooding over the matter that she didn't pay attention to all the eyes, who were staring their walk. Specifically, Designer Lee holding her hand-as they zoomed out to a more private space.

"Are these two dating?" A male employee voiced everyone's thoughts as they shared confused glances at each other.

Another flippant comment came across, following a sigh, "Not in the mood to gossip anymore. Let's just work."

Lost spirits, literally every single member, a fan of the current team leader, was upset about his uncalled for and abrupt leave.

Meanwhile, in the empty hallway, Dan Hwa was waiting by the wide glass walls- staring at a blank space outside.

Mr.Lee returned in a few minutes, with two cups of coffee, blowing out steam. He handed her one of them as he gently blowed on his own.

Dan Hwa : Being my friend, I would appreciate if you'd support me.

Mr.Lee : Well, I am supporting you.

Dan Hwa snapped at him, only to find him already looking at her innocently.

Dan Hwa : I mean to support me of what I want. Right now, I cannot really afford to adopt this big responsibility.

Mr.Lee : I know. And I didn't vote for you either.

Dan Hwa looked at him, more in a surprise. But this time, Mr.Lee was sighted ahead at the city view with his present solemn and enigmatic look.

Mr.Lee : But it is also true that the majority did. Because, it is better to have you as the director, than to have the CEO assign a new item to our team. Who, we don't even know.

The female designer withdrew her gaze and processed his words with a flexible attitude.

Mr.Lee : After the last incident, the CEO is waiting to meddle with us. If he gets this opportunity to torment our team, you never know what kind of a person he would appoint to us.

Dan Hwa could see the depth of the situation finally. She was patient for him to complete too.

Mr.Lee : Nam Team Jang-nim's decision for our team has never been bad. Well, yeah the BTS concert could have been an exception. But, it was only because he was stuck in Jeju. It wasn't in his hands anyway.

Designer Baek was in an agreement with him on this. She was quiet, nonetheless.

Mr.Lee : So, everything he did for us so far, has always been for the best. Everyone now, is just putting their trust in his decision to promote you too.

Dan Hwa stared down on the coffee film in her cup. The warmth it was transferring across her palms, was to some extent rendering her views towards the big change.

Mr.Lee : Giving you a negative vote, was the most I could do to support you. Now, I am also investing all my trust to his decision. And I hope you can do too.

The added pressure wasn't helping her out of the dilemma. She was doubting her competence. More so, due to her personal struggles with her own thoughts.

Dan Hwa : Ever since we joined EHS, he has been our mentor. I just don't feel confident and knowledged enough to take his shoes. 'Team Jang'; it is too grand for me.

Mr.Lee : "Team Jang". Wow, it sounds so cool. I like the title. It's classy and frankly speaking, it's money.

Dan Hwa : Then, why don't you do it?

Mr.Lee : For the money? Definitely, would've. But, honestly, that weight is too much for me. Moreover, I get really uptight with too many responsibilities. I might end up causing a Manager Ko incident, who knows.

He experienced a shiver run through his spine, simply at the thought of an anxious situation.

Dan Hwa, contrarily tranquil, sipped on her serving of the hot beverage, as Mr.Lee went on.

Mr.Lee : On the flip side, you are known to have a straight face even in the worst scenarios. You have an excellent presence of mind and composure. There are pretty much no negatives with your work. It is now, simply you accepting it.

Noticing her persisting silence, designer Lee lightly sighed sipping on his coffee. He then decided to reach out to his final resort in the situation. Just so, he could save the team from an unwelcomed torture of the CEO.

Mr.Lee : And I think, we can make this work.

Dan Hwa : How?

Mr.Lee : . . .

_________

😬
Don't hate me. I had to hang it here.

Behind the scenes : (Important)

Dan Hwa, few weeks back, amidst the drama set production chaos, found Manager Ko, seated along a flat pillar in the empty corridor.

She has been observing him since a long while now. Being, distant from everyone and arrayed alone in some corner.

Dan Hwa finally decided to approach him that afternoon and advanced towards the unaware Manager Ko.

Dan Hwa : The team is in hectic schedule. And you are chilling out here?

Manager Ko immediately stood up and lowered his head, not arguing back.

Mr.Ko : I apologize, Baek Designer-nim.

She was hoping, he would atleast provide an explanation to his negligence, be it an excuse. But, seeing his spirits layering on the ground, Dan Hwa let down her guards for once.

Dan Hwa : I have alot that I am not allowed to say. So, the fewer things that I am without any restrictions, I don't hesitate to speak them out. Therefore, my words came across too blatant that night over the team dinner.

Mr.Ko lightly nodded understandingly and didn't word back. He was so beguiled by her compassion one would rarely experience, that he failed to notice the depth in her words.

Dan Hwa : But, why do you need my forgiveness so bad? You can just forget it and move on.

Mr.Ko : At first, I was really sorry. I still am, for causing you inconvenience. But, later on, it appeared to me. If it wasn't for you, my ignorance could've risked those artist's lives.

There was hitch in his voice as he tried not to tear up before her.

Mr.Ko : It gives me goosebumps, even thinking about the consequences now. I feel too indebt to you to even ask for your remission anymore. So, it's okay, Designer-nim. You don't have to force any fake leniency.

She felt a nameless urge to deliver the words, she wished someone said to her, in her years of remorse and guilt.

Dan Hwa : I have also committed a culpable mistake once. Many, but it was characteristically a grave one.

Having a mental guide over Dan Hwa's work history, it was a news to Manager Ko. That, the perfect designer Baek he had known, was admitting to also have caused similar accounts before.

Dan Hwa : You should be grateful, that you have your entire team supporting you. Even Nam Team Jang-nim included. Probably I was the only pain in your case. But in mine. Well, to put it in rough figures, it was all Designer Baeks to me. And I had none in my support.

Manager Ko hanged his head low, feeling a certain empathy towards her. As if he could sparingly get in the region of what she could've been through.

Dan Hwa : I had to pay the price you are scared of right now. So, I do know how you feel. Perhaps, the best.

Mr.Ko : Baek Designer-nim~

Dan Hwa : Don't live in the fear of something that hasn't ever happened. And work in your present attentively enough, to nil the chances for that to visit you in future.

Mr.Ko felt a lump in his throat, holding his bubbling sentiments as he nodded along with his response.

Mr.Ko : Ye. I understand you. I deeply apologize again.

Dan Hwa : You can end with the apologies now. And get back to work. Don't wander around in work hours.

Dan Hwa was taking her leave nonchalantly, but Manager Ko's hesitant call made her to look back. She could read through his stunned face, quite literally.

Dan Hwa : You got it. My remission.

She simply turned around, without waiting for any more small talk. Manager Ko bowed to her formally in an ebullient manner, as if every inch of his body experienced salvation. The final liberation from an illusive weight.

Mr.Ko : Thank you, Baek Designer-nim! Thank you so much!

His voice echoed around the vacant corridor outlines as he generously announced his respect and gratitude through his body language and expressions.

Dan Hwa did not look back but could fairly imagine his relieved face. A warm smile spread over her lips, as she walked her way out of the gleaming space. 

▪︎▪︎▪︎