Mikayla

The ride is quiet and dark with only the street lights flashing past us and the faint sound of the engine as Mr. Jeon drives me home. I assured him that I had no problem taking a cab because I had driven here in one anyway, but he said it was fine with him.

So here I am, sitting in the softness of the leather seat with the seat heater under my butt. It's not too cold outside, October this year doesn't seem to want to transition into fall yet, but the dress I'm wearing still lets the occasional cool breeze cause goosebumps to form on my skin.

Maybe I should start saving up to get myself a car with heated seats, because whoever invented this, God bless them.

My eyes are getting heavier by the second, but it was a fun evening overall. I didn't think I could have fun at such a fancy event, and yet Mr. and Mrs. Bonneville entertained me very well. Or rather, I entertained them.

The food was very good, although I wish the portions had been a little larger and not just bite sizes, but that's okay. I didn't drink much - just a classic mojito because I love fruity and fresh cocktails.

Mr. Jeon didn't really talk much the whole evening, just a few answers here and there. I panicked inside when Mr. Bonneville tried to make us both dance, but oh my god would that have been embarrassing. He's my boss and I guess I can't just dance with him like I'm his date.

Luckily, Mr. Jeon was able to talk our way out of it, saying that he can't dance, which fits his weird character, because who can't dance? Anyway, I didn't really notice his presence next to me as I was engrossed in conversation. Except for his knee, which accidentally brushed against my thigh sometimes when he adjusted himself on his chair.

He seemed a little strange, excusing himself a few times so he could go to the bathroom, but other than that I don't think I did a bad job accompanying him. It could be that I talked too much, though.

I look at the cockpit of his car, the clock reading just a few minutes before midnight and the navigation system icon telling him to turn left at the next intersection. I gave him my address before we left so I wouldn't have to keep giving him directions on where to go.

The silence lulls me away and after the loud sounds of the evening buzz somewhere in the back of my mind, my eyelids start to fall. But I fight it because we will arrive at my apartment in less than ten minutes.

The slight movements are smooth as we drive over the asphalt and when I look at him for a brief moment I see the streetlights shining on his jaw. Sometimes I wonder what he is thinking because he doesn't really express his opinions verbally. Sometimes he stares thoughtlessly and I wonder if his thoughts are just as blank.

Since I saw him interacting with other people today, I wonder how he is with his friends. I see him communicating with Mr. Park, but that's it. But I push those thoughts away because it's not my business as an employee to think about his behavior with other people.

And I happen to remember that Megan's birthday is in a few days and I still haven't stopped to look for a gift for her. I'm not sure what to get her, but knowing her, she's going to scold me for getting her something anyway.

I can hear my name some distance away, but it keeps fading. A shiver runs down my spine and it feels like something cold is gnawing at my skin and I remember I have to call a specialist because the water in my apartment sometimes gets cold by itself while I'm in the shower.

"Ms. Carlson!"

I jump in shock. "Yes, I finished the Excel file!"

I look around and am greeted with a familiar sight. The car is no longer moving and I can see the front door to my apartment complex. The door on my side is open and the cool wind blows on my thigh peeking through the slit. I adjust my dress.

Looking up, I see Mr. Jeon standing in my open doorway, one hand on the roof of the car and the other leaning on the door. His jacket is straining against his arms and the buttons of his shirt also seem to be fighting for their lives.

He looks down at me and although he is not standing close to me I can smell his scent in my nostrils. It's still familiar, but I can't pinpoint which perfume it is. I have to find out, though, or I won't find peaceful sleep.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have dozed off." I laugh. I must have probably looked ugly, mouth hanging open and neck twisted down and all.

Mr. Jeon steps aside as I make an attempt to swing my leg out of the car. I keep the slit closed on my thigh and grab my purse until I finally stand on both feet.

I stare at him as he just stands on the sidewalk, probably happy to finally have gotten rid of his employee who fell asleep.

"It's okay," he says, and I notice he's taken off his tie. "I probably kept you up longer than I should have. But I appreciate you coming with me today."

It's not really a thank you, but I can tell he's trying. If I told Megan, she'd be proud that he's making progress.

"No, it's not a problem." I smile, brushing away a strand thrown in my face by the wind. "Thank you for driving me all the way to my apartment. You didn't have to. I have ten p.m. to six a.m. free tickets for bus and train. I still would have taken a cab, though, because public transportation can be pretty dangerous at this time of day."

Okay, embarrassing. I wince.

"No problem," he says, glancing briefly at my apartment complex.

I take the hint. "Good night, Mr. Jeon. I'll see you on Monday. Oh, by the way, you still haven't signed that one document I put on your desk."

"I didn't have time to read through the document thoroughly. You don't have to worry about it anymore though. I hired her." he clears his throat. "The applicant I told you about, I mean."

"Oh." I nod. "That's great. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm glad someone found a new job."

He stares at me for a few seconds before nodding and looking at his car, its engine still running. "Good night."

I smile. "Good night."

And with that, he turns back and gets into his car as I walk in the direction of my apartment, desperate to kick off my high heels.

Before I can close the front door I see his car still parked there.

______________________

On Monday, I am at work bright and early. I met Mr. Jeon's new secretary Kiyara. She seems very nice, a petite woman with short dark brown hair. I gave her all the files and documents I still had from Mr. Jeon and that is why I will probably work more casually from now on.

I never had a problem with doing extra stuff, but I felt like it didn't really allow me to focus on my copywriting. Now I can finish writing the script for the next wristwatch commercial and turn it in by the end of the week.

Lizzie is back from her four-week leave today, so we can work together on another ongoing project. She is the creative director, which is why Noah has been her stand-in. It was a little chaotic because Noah has a different way of working than Lizzie, but it was manageable.

I may be a bit chaotic with my thoughts and often I jump from one topic to another, but when I'm working, I like things to be organized. And that's why some ask me for help when they can't find a document or meet a deadline.

I like to help, and that's why Megan usually bugs me. She's probably the complete opposite of me and maybe that's why we get along so well. I like to hear her perspectives on things even though she doesn't like to share much. Except for her floppy dates.

I schedule a meeting room for our creative team so we can discuss the specifics of the next project because Lizzie asked me to.

"There's another meeting now?" Megan groans after receiving the notification, throwing her head back in agony.

I chuckle. "Yeah, sorry. Lizzie wanted to hear a recap for the last four weeks she's been away and to go over the new project." I explain and she rolls her eyes.

"Could have waited after lunch. Let's go." she gets up from her chair and gathers all the important papers.

Our creative team usually consists of twenty-nine people, but of course, not everyone is at the meeting right now. I had prepared a PowerPoint so we can show the ideas we've gathered so far. There are eight other copywriters in the company besides me, but only two of them work with me.

Lizzie explains to us what she wants to get done in the next few weeks after we present our ideas to her. She is the one who plans and manages everything within the creative team. After everything is discussed within the team, the idea is presented to the client and our CEOs.

The meeting moves quickly and within half an hour we have discussed all the topics and in time for lunch. Since the four of us - Lizzie, Megan, Josh, and I - have usually gone to the cafeteria together for lunch, I'm glad we can finally do that again today since Lizzie is back.

"Where's Mikayla?" Josh asks as we meet in front of the elevator after we're done with our meeting. He looks over my head in all directions.

"Ha ha, Josh." I playfully punch him in the arm. "5'2 isn't even that short."

"First of all, I still have no idea what that is because I'm European and we're talking in centimeters. Also, you're wearing flat boots today, so you're practically a midget." he jokes and I stick my tongue out at him. It's not like I'm very short, Josh is just super tall. It always looks like I'm standing next to a huge statue from ancient times.

"I'm going to ignore that, you giant."

At lunch, Lizzie tells us about her four weeks away from work. I tell her about my time being Mr. Jeon's assistant and she rubs my arm in a pitying way, but I tell her it's okay and was no big deal.

After we all finish our food, we go back to our seats. But before we get to our desks, we notice that some of our colleagues have gathered in a circle.

Curious to know what is happening there, the four of us also walk and join the crowd only to see that Mr. Park standing right in the middle of it. He says that he has a short announcement and that we can go back to our work after that.

"I just wanted to announce that we have already surpassed our goal for this year with a top performance of over a hundred clients that we have had the pleasure of working with," he happily says, and everyone cheers. "I want to thank you all for your hard work."

"Does that mean everyone gets a week off?" we hear someone in the crowd shout and everyone laughs.

Mr. Park grins that half-smirk of his that makes everyone gape at him and shakes his head. "I'm afraid not." he laughs. "But. What I'm about to offer you might be even better than a week's vacation."

Megan puts her arm around my shoulder and we wait eagerly to see what Mr. Park has to offer. No matter what it is, I'm sure it will be good because Mr. Park never has bad ideas. And even though this is our job, I really appreciate that he even thinks of something so thoughtful. And I don't even know what it is yet.

"A weekend at a spa resort out of town. On the company credit card," he announces. "How does that sound?"

"Oh my God!" and "Yay!" and "Yes, please. I needed that!" ring out from all directions.

"Well, I can see and hear your enthusiasm and the euphoria very clearly, and I guess that means this is better than a week's vacation." he smiles and gets a new round of cheers.

I've never been to a spa resort before, but I can imagine how relaxing it will be. I look to my right and find Megan not really excited.

"What's the matter? Aren't you excited because free relaxing definitely sounds like you?" I giggle and she nods.

"I know!" she resents. "But my plans are already made for the weekend because my cousin is getting married and I can't cancel!"

"Oh, no." I rub her shoulder in comfort.

"I can't believe this! Once in a lifetime you get the opportunity to stay at a spa resort for a weekend for free and I can't go." she looks like she's about to explode.

Knowing Megan, she would actually cancel anything to be there - even though it's her cousin's wedding. But her mom would probably throw a slipper at her for that. And yes, she still does that, which I think is funny and cute at the same time.

And that's why she doesn't go visit her mom much.

"Would you be mad at me if I went?" I ask, scrunching my nose.

"Are you stupid? Of course not!" she scolds, and I laugh. "You need to go. Gotta check out if Mr. Park really has that six-pack I'm predicting under that shirt."

"Megan!" I gasp.

"So, all you have to do if you want to be on this trip is simply send me a quick email with your name and date of birth. That way I can register all the guests with the resort and book as many rooms as needed." Mr. Park adds.

"Should we carpool so it's easier and more environmentally friendly?" Noah asks, and Mr. Park snaps his index finger in his direction.

"I love employees with good ideas." He praises, then nods. "It would probably be better if you did that so we can check-in together. I can take four more people in my car and I'm sure Jungkook can do the same. The rest of you should kind of get together in groups."

We all nod and Mr. Park reminds us again to send him the email. Big smiles are spreading on the lips of all the colleagues, just as on mine. While I'm a little sad that Megan can't go, I'm sure that maybe she and I can go to a spa together some other time. Maybe I'll invite her for a Thai massage.

After the crowd disperses, everyone goes back to their seats. I quickly type up the email before anything can get in the way and send it off. Now I just have to go home and see if I need to go shopping for it. I'm not sure if my bikini still fits me.

But I am very excited and the excitement helps me finish my work faster than normal and I make a few stops at the mall after work. The weekend can come.

__________________

A/N: it's finally snowing where I live and it's so beautiful ❄️