10

"How do you like your coffee?"

"My coffee?"

"With cream, milk, or—" the timid girl asked, attempting to appear as confident in front of her potential boss. She'd seen the other girls leave the room, defeated. She could only imagine how difficult the interview process would be for her; if she got lucky and landed the job that could make or break her career.

"You don't need to know that."

"Of course she does." You commented, shrugging off your Boss' words.

The young girl casts her gaze forward to three people seated; the one on the left is the CEO's secretary, and the woman on the right side of the room is known as Park Y/N, the personal assistant who will be replaced. It was difficult to ignore her presence, which exuded elegance and confidence.

She was even more awestruck to see you up close, believing that the media failed to do you justice. You had a curvy figure and a small contoured face.

"H-hi Miss Park," she had to exclaim her delight at meeting you. A proud grin spreads across your face when she recognizes you. Namjoon, who sat in the middle, turned to face you, his brows quirking expectantly.

"Let's start with an introduction, shall we?" Somi spoke for him.

You ignore Namjoon's tantalizing gaze and instead give the girl a warm smile. She was the fifteenth applicant to be interviewed today, and Namjoon had done nothing but send them all out before they could even ask you questions about what they could expect from the position.

He made things more difficult for both you and Somi. You were looking forward to this part of the process, but all you wanted to do now was pick any of the candidates and dig comfort in your bed.

Noticing the brief pause, Namjoon decides to chime in. "Perhaps we should call it a day," he says as he shuts the folder in front of him containing all the résumés you've looked through. He turns to his secretary, signaling her to dismiss the girl.

With a click of your pen on the desk, you put a stop to him. "It's Kang Hana, right?" You begin to assess her, scanning the file with your eyes. She nods, slowly relaxing at your welcoming tone.

"Yes, Miss Park, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity—" she starts to ramble as Namjoon turns his attention to you, closing the distance between you two before going to whisper something in your ear.

You shake your head. "No, no, let her finish." You speak clearly enough for everyone to hear. Namjoon sighs deeply, and Somi gives you a worried look as if she begs to be let out and away from Namjoon's intimidating presence.

"...I'm sorry, should I leave—"

"No, Miss Kang, please go on. Tell us about yourself." You tell her and she's quick to fix her posture from a defeated stance.

"Is that necessary when we've got everything on your résumé?" Namjoon interrupts, slinging his arm across the back of your chair. You nudge his knees and try your best to get through this without more trouble. He tongues his inner cheek and sends an apologetic smile at Hana, finally acknowledging her presence. He didn't mean to be an asshole but he didn't like doing this interview thing to replace you.

He didn't like the idea, but he agreed to go along with it for your sake. "Apologies."

"Do you have any questions about the position?" You try to help her find her words. "I'm willing to answer your questions if you have any."

For a brief moment, she thinks to herself. "Oh, I have plenty. Is it okay if I ask you afterward?" Her question cause all of you to let out a few chuckles, except for the grumpy man beside you with his arms crossed over his chest.

She's adorable. Reminds you of someone.

"Afterwards?" Namjoon almost scoffs, not liking how you seem smitten with the girl even though she hasn't even demonstrated her abilities.

"What makes you so certain that we'll choose you?"

"I, uh..." The girl shifts uncomfortably in her spot, and you try to hide your amusement.

"I like her," you admit and you can see the look of disagreement on Namjoon's face.

"You do?"

"What are your thoughts, Somi?" You narrow your gaze to the girl who has remained silent. She nervously gulps, not wanting to be involved in the decision-making.

Before your boss could turn his attention to her, the girl responds. "Yes, I agree."

"All right, both of you, that's enough." Namjoon's cold stare causes you to tense up in your seat, "I get to make the choices, and I didn't say yes to this."

Sensing the impending situation, Somi gets to her feet and scurries off with Hana, leaving you two behind in the closed room.

"Sir, I was just suggesting—"

"But you don't get to do that when you won't even be here anymore," he begins as soon as you decide to listen quietly. "I don't want you to have any say over who takes your place. It's unfair to me."

"Unfair? I don't see why it's unfair. I'm only trying to find the best candidate for you—"

"Well, you won't."

"Yes, we will. That's why we're here," you assert. "And I think we've found the next person deserving of the position. In fact, I think she will do a great job."

"I haven't decided on anyone yet," he says frustratedly, running his hand through his silky locks as he turns his chair to face you.

"I think Hana will do an excellent job," you say as you hand him another folder. He examines it with a puzzled expression. "I've done background checks on each of them, and I believe she's the best one we have. She attended SNU—"

"And dropped out?" He finishes for you with a slight grimace.

"But she also received an offer from one of America's Ivy Leagues," you try to explain, asking him to look beyond her academic achievements when you believe it doesn't always have to be based on that.

You didn't graduate from a top university, but you didn't make it a setback. You're glad it wasn't, and you wish it was like that for everyone.

"Okay, I don't know where you're going with this Y/N... but I don't think this is a good reason. We always have to see if they're capable of handling things."

"She is. I know she is," you assert. And Namjoon appears to be losing his mind trying to figure out why you're so keen on giving her the job. "That's why she turned down Harvard to work for one of the most successful non-profit organizations in Asia."

"Y/N..." he pronounces your name with a groan, lowering his head in apparent dismay. "It's not that I don't want to hire her because of her credentials. You know I'm not like that. I don't see people for what they've achieved in life, but I see them for what they've proven. This position requires more than a college degree, more than what an average requirement asks of." He explained.

"I understand, Sir." You try to discern his point of view. "I see in her something that the others don't have. Her decision to leave her previous job reveals a lot about her personality."

"Like she's also capable of leaving a job she's had for nearly five years?" He mentions this specific information about Hana that was written on the file. There is a hint of bitterness in his tone as his dark gaze never leaves yours, making you profusely bite the inside of your cheek.

You're not sure if he was still talking about Hana.

"Perhaps she just needed a change," you try to defend her.

"What kind of change could she possibly need when everything is already in front of her?"

"That's not something I can answer, but whatever her decision may have been, she made a brave one." You say without a doubt. "She took the risk, knowing that nothing would be guaranteed once she made a choice. And not everyone is capable of doing so."

"Are you also taking a risk?" He questions out of nowhere, and your breath hitches in your throat. "Is that why you're so eager to leave?"

Your posture, which until this point has shown to be very relaxed and fairly detached, changes. You are now leaning away from him.

"I think I am," you say, taking a deep breath.

"Why must you take a risk?"

"Because... I have to."

"You have to?"

✧ ✦ ✧

You ponder over your conversation with Namjoon earlier in the conference room as you sit across from Somi at one of the cafeteria tables. His specific question about having to take risks never leaves your mind until you see a familiar girl in front of you.

"Good afternoon, Miss Park." Hana greets with a more genuine smile than she did previously when she was all wrapped up in nerves. "Do you mind if I take a seat?" She gestures to the empty seat beside Somi.

"No, go ahead. I hope your day is going well so far."

"Oh, it is!" She exclaims, unable to tear her gaze away from you, someone she admires. "I wanted to come and personally thank you for helping me out there," she can't stop smiling as you drop your chopsticks to concentrate on what she has to say.

"I thought I wouldn't get the job, and I can't thank you enough... I was even more surprised to learn that a call back was unnecessary." She expresses her gratitude through her kind words.

"What are you talking about, I didn't do anything," you laugh, causing her grin to widen even more at the way your eyes curve up. "It was all you, Miss Kang. Congratulations, I look forward to working with you."

Finally, you won't have to worry about anything else other than the training part.

You hear Somi groan amidst your small celebration. "I still can't believe you're leaving us Y/N..." Somi pouts and drops her used tissue on her empty tray. "You're leaving me here all alone? What will I do without you?"

"Stop that," you chuckle at her childishness. You'll definitely miss her out of all the employees. "It's not like we won't see each other again. You've got my number, phone me or something." You say before going back to finish your meal.

"I knowww," she draws out her words dramatically. "But it's different having you around here. I'm sure boss won't be as nice anymore. I don't want to get yelled at for getting his coffee order wrong."

"Hm, then do your job right, and you won't have a problem," you joke, a slight smirk making its way to your face. "Plus, you don't have to worry about that when Miss Kang is here to help."

"I— of course! At your service," Hana beams, causing both of you to laugh. "I will do my best Miss Park."

"Please, just call me Y/N. I'm only a few years older."

"A-are you sure that's alright? You're my senior and I wouldn't want to be impolite."

"That's alright," you reassure her. "Can I address you by name as well?" She nods eagerly, overwhelmed by everything that has happened in the last hour. She surely didn't expect this.

"By the way Y/N," Somi looks up from her phone to find you stuffing your mouth with more food. She fights back the urge to giggle and continue with an idea that she had been planning for a few days. "So, I talked with our department team, and we were thinking of throwing a farewell party for you."

You swallow your food before looking up at her. "Absolutely not."

"What, why?!"

"Because I don't want to bother you guys."

"But you aren't!" She whines at your words. "We just thought we'd do something for you before you leave us..."

"But a party?" You sigh internally, not wanting to ruin the mood for your friend. "It's a bit too much, don't you think?"

"I guess so..." she frowns thinking about it. "I don't know, we just want to do something for you."

Hearing your conversation, Hana speaks up. "How about just a company dinner? A small gathering at a barbecue place? It seems f—"

"Fun!" Somi exclaims with excitement. "That's perfect! I can't believe I haven't thought of that. Thanks for the idea, Hana. You're already a lifesaver!"

"Relax, Soms." You set aside your empty plate with a cackle. "But sure, let's do it as long as it's just a small gathering. I'm fine with that."

"Alright, it's set. I can't wait!"

✧ ✦ ✧11:11 p.m

Packing the last of your belongings inside the second box and sealing it shut with tape, you let a relieved moan escape your lips as you sit back down on your chair. You look around at what used to be your second home, considering the number of times you've spent here.

You just can't help it, all of this feels overwhelming.

You will have to leave a bunch of boxes that contain all the information and documents Hana needs to learn as a personal assistant, and not only that but she also has to memorize a lot about Namjoon's business partners, his likes and dislikes, and things she will need to do when you're gone.

Somi has helped you with most of the packing before her shift ended three hours ago, from searching for lost belongings and organizing all your stuff. You had done that together as she sulked next to you the entire time.

"You got everything?" You're startled to hear Namjoon's raspy voice behind you, completely forgetting that he hasn't come out of his office until now, only to find you still here with the lights out, the only ones being your cubicle and the narrow hallway to Namjoon's office, and most of the employees have ended their shifts at seven p.m., except for the security, who has to stay until the next shift arrives in the morning.

"Yes, Sir." You adjust your posture to look presentable even with your slightly messy hair and wrinkled clothing. "Did you need anything?" You ask, rubbing your eyes to get a better look at him.

He shakes his head and drapes his coat over his shoulders, exhausted. "No, I just completed my work. Were you waiting for me?" You nod your head and he goes on to scold you. "You shouldn't have stayed out so late. It's not like I require your assistance."

You gulp, feeling the slight sting in your chest at his choice of words. "Yeah, I was just packing up the last of my belongings to bring home tonight." You force a smile but he doesn't reciprocate it.

"And you couldn't wait tomorrow?"

"No, Sir. I was actually planning on returning the car tomorrow. I figured it'd be more convenient if I finished—"

"Return what now?" He cuts you off, leaning his body against your cubicle.

"The car you gave m—"

"Yes, I'm aware. The one I gave you. Why are you giving it back?" His defensive tone causes you to blink the weariness from your eyes.

"I just thought it's the right thing to do..." your voice comes out above a whisper like you're unsure of what to say to make him understand where you're coming from.

Namjoon sighs disappointedly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Y/N, this is ridiculous." He deadpans. It hurts his ego, but more importantly, it hurts his feelings. "It wasn't a reward. It was a fucking gift. On your birthday. One that I thought you deserved." He sternly enunciates every sentence.

"It just doesn't sit right with me," you confess, and it's only now that you start to notice the hurt flash across his face. "I hope you understand," The way he looks at you causes your heart to stammer against your chest. It's unfamiliar and puts you in an unsettling situation.

Namjoon tongues his inner cheek in disbelief. "Wow... okay," He scoffs bitterly. It takes everything in him not to crack under your soft gaze. "I don't know what to feel."

"I just think it would be easier this way."

"Easier?" Namjoon let out a scoff. "For whom exactly?"

"For both of us."

"For both of us?" He repeats your words in a sharp tone. "You're only doing this for yourself..."