Mina might be a bit goofy, but she's been extremely good at what she does. She'd passed university with top grades, and always had solutions to problems, and if she didn't, she toiled away until she had one. She'd interned at a fast paced marketing company, often skipping meals and working overtime to complete tasks, something she was not proud of, but it improved her working speed and knowledge. She'd also worked part time at a publishing house, supporting editors and meeting clients. She came from a lower middle class family. Her family had supported her studies, it was her turn now. That was part of the reason she worked so hard.
This paperwork task the CEO gave her was quite simple than what she had expected, and she was done with it by the end of the day. She had sorted the files by both urgency, and had created a digital folder where she sorted them by departments, urgency and budget. It was more than what the CEO had asked for, but she had to prove it to him.
At the end of the day, Mina leans back at her chair, stretching her arms and letting out a satisfied sigh. She gives herself a winner's grin, earning glances from coworkers that look both amused and concerned. Despite her goofy charm, her competence is undeniable, and everyone can see she's serious about her work, despite her social skills and luck.
She gathers her paperwork, neat and organized, and also the pen drive containing the digital files. She confidently struts to the CEO's office, and once the secretary nods, she enters.
Isaac is sitting in his chair, typing away at his laptop. He does not look up, again, something that slightly annoys Mina. "What is it, Miss Kang? Is there any problem with the files?" He says. Mina brings the paperwork to his desk, "Actually, sir. I think I am done. I've also added some other variations digitally, so you can choose which one will suit the current situation."
He finally looks up. He gives a small smirk, as if doubting her, "Oh, are you know?" He takes the files from her hands and skims through, his expression unreadable as usual. Mina stands, trying not to fidget. He also checks the contents of the pen drive, his eyes focused on the screen. The silence is filled only with the clicks of his mouse. Finally he takes the drive out, and places it on top of the paper files.
"Hmm, it is well made. The team can make use of the other variations some other time in the future..." He looks at Mina with a slight curiosity, with almost a pleased expression, "Miss Mina, I did doubt your placement the executive office, but it seems the HR really does know what it's doing. I have no complaints. Keep it up."
"Of course." That was the expression Mina was giving, but she simply bowed. "I'll take my leave then sir." She turns around, something glistens at the back of her elbow. Isaac notices it, and says, "If only you were this good normally...there seems to be a candy wrapper stuck to your top, near your elbow." His face has a mild annoyed expression. Mina turns around, trying to locate it, it takes her a few tries, and Isaac looks at her clumsiness, visibly distraught. He sighs, and returns back to his work.
"Dammit, there goes my cool aura!" She thinks, and walks out embarrassed.
She gets off work, and visits a tiramisu store, "I deserve it after all that bitterness today!" She says to herself, trying to explain her splurge. She walks back to her one bedroom one kitchen apartment, and fixes up a quick dinner. She's pretty much cooked all her meals since she was 14, and was a fairly good cook.
After dinner, she sits at her desk, with her tiramisu. She takes out a book off her shelf, and takes a bite off her dessert. 'Secrets to competence' it reads, and features a list of successful business men and women. She flips the book to an interview article, a name sticks out, Isaac Henley. She brushes her fingers over his name, there seems to be no picture, unlike other people in the book. "So that was him." She sighs, then eats her dessert.
The rest of her night is filled with her reading some books related to her job and taking notes. Her notes are messy, with doodles and scribbles, but they work for her. She's strangely disciplined, and after a while, goes to sleep.
The next morning, the office hums with early activity. Mina arrives slightly earlier than yesterday, determined to avoid mistakes. She murmurs, "No spills. No shouting. No dramatic salutes. Just professional Mina today." Jun-ho, another new hire near her cubicle, giggles at her declaration. She goes to her desk, and takes out a pack of stickers, sticking them around on the desk and computer. She also takes out a small potted plant, a type of cactus with a bud, ones that take forever to bloom. She puts on a portrait of her family, her mother, father, tiny Mina and an even tinier Minsa, her younger sister. Her cubicle feels alive, and bright. "It was so depressing yesterday, now it should be good. " She says, satisfied with her work.
One by one, employees enter the office. Mina waits at her desk, waiting for her assignment for today. The secretary enters, and gives them all tasks. Mina gets the task of writing a report. She gets started right away enthusiastically typing away, reviewing the document with exaggerated gestures, not noticing that someone just glanced at her through the glass wall.
Isaac had just entered his office, and he'd just been informed that the new hire have been assigned their task for today. He nods at his secretary, but his eyes caught the theatrical movement of someone at the cubicle through the glass wall. He scoffs, "Let's see if she can finish that without spilling her coffee..." His eyes widens, and he shakes it off. Perhaps he was annoyed at even thinking about something so unnecessary.
The rest of the day passes by with the familiar clatter of employees chatting, the typing of keyboards and the flipping of papers. Mina finishes her report, and goes to help Annie, one of the other new hires, who asked her for help. She bends over at her cubicle, pointing at the reports and the screen, trying to make her understand, while she visibly struggles. A tall figure creeps up behind her.
"I don't think you have the time to be helping others right now, Miss Kang." Isaac, stands behind her, observing them both. She gets startled, and almost jumps, then turns around grasping her chest, "..You scared me!" She breathes loud. The CEO looks at her panting, but disregards her. Looking at Annie's name tag, he continues, "....Miss Annie? If you have any issues, you are to come to me or one of the senior staffs in my absence if you have any issues. This is a training period, try not to be an inconvenience to....others." He glances at Mina.
"Oh, I'm not-" Mina tries to speak up, but Isaac starts walking towards her cubicle, "How's your report coming along?" He interrupts. Mina is slightly annoyed, "Why does he keep cutting people off?" She thinks, but quietly follows him. She picks up the report while he stands, "I might be done, but I'd like to review it once more." She says, handing over the report. His eyes flicker at her competence, but he maintains a stoic face. He flips through the report, and places it back, giving her a subtle nod, "Okay, submit it once you've finished your review..." His eyes trace the many small stickers scattered around, the plant, the picture. Mina immediately covers it, making it face face down, embarrassed. Thinking she was in trouble, she stammers, "Uh, this is, I was just making my desk pretty, the secretary told me it was okay. y'know, for positive vibes..." She gives him an awkward finger gun.
His expression remains cold, but his gaze lingers a bit longer than necessary, "You can do what you want with your space." He says, then walks to check it with other employees. "Phew" Mina sighs, then melts into her chair.
She reviews her paper, and makes some copies and submits them to the secretary, who reviews them. she gives her a warm smile, almost informal, "It's been a while since we had someone this good. Keep it up Miss Mina." Mina is touched by her kind words, "Thank you ma'am!" then returns to her desk, where her curious coworkers look on to know if she did it well. She flips her hair dramatically, "What can I say, I'm cool like that!" The small crowd giggles, and Annie pats her head. "Wish me luck, It's my turn next!" All of them give her a thumbs up.
Mina's new coworkers genuinely seem to be good people, and her bubbly personality has developed a sense of camaraderie even though it was just the second day. The atmosphere of the office is bright, and even the wise secretary seems to notice it.
At the evening, when everyone's gone home, she takes a cup of hot coffee to the CEO's office. He is leaned back in the sofa now, with his top buttons unbuttoned, and his hair messy from the day's hard work. He notices the secretary bringing him a cup of coffee, and immediately gets up to grab it from her. "Thank you, Miss Emily." He says with a childlike smile, something so strange. "Are you working late again?" Emily asks, fixing the leaves of the plant that seemed a little crooked.
"I have to." He notices her fidgeting with the plant, "You're quite a perfectionist, aren't you? Were you like this when you were my father's secretary too?"
She gives him a scoff, "Your father noticed stuff like these and fixed it himself." He rolls his eyes. The atmosphere is relaxed, and Isaac has a soft expression he seems to be able to show only to this old woman at the office. "Resume your work after getting some fresh air at the balcony" She suggests, and walks out. Isaac grumbles, but follows her out.
The sunset casts a golden light on the now empty office. It has a calm, almost eerie vibe, without the usual clatter. Miss Emily stops in her way, which makes Isaac stop too. "What?" He asks, then looks at what made her stop.
At the corner of the room, a cubicle glistens. The sunlight is reflected on the metallic star shaped stickers, giving them a glow. It looks pretty. Miss Emily smiles, "Don't you think the office has been a little warmer these days. Miss Kang has an unexplainable charm, everyone seems to smile when she speaks or does something." Isaac looks seriously, without speaking. "We need employees like that too, otherwise work will wear people out. I'm glad HR hired her." She says, looking at her desk. Isaac looks at the face down picture frame, and turns it around. He looks at the goofy smile of a little girl in the photo, and his gaze lingers.
"I suppose so."