News of the employees wanting a welcome party reaches Isaac, through Emily, who advises him, "I think its valid, they've been doing well." Isaac listens in, eyes still on his papers. "A welcome party? They think I'd attend?" She continues, "Ofcourse not, but you should atleast give them your card and tell them to enjoy. It's good morale, besides every other department seems to have thrown one, its only fair."
He hums noncommittally, eyes drifting through the glass wall. On the other side, Mina is animatedly waving her arms around as she reenacts something to her coworkers to which they laugh, nearly toppling in their chairs. Something about that restless energy makes his jaw tighten for half a second before he returns to his papers.
Later that week though, he new hires gather at a cozy barbecue and soju place. Mina claps excitedly when the first round of meat hits the grill. Junho points at their sauces, and leans in towards her, "This place is really good!" Mina nods, and clanks her tongs, "Finally, real food. Bye bye instant ramen, won't miss you!" Her coworkers laugh, pouring each other drinks. One points out, "We should thank the CEO. He at least approved the budget!"
Mina snorts, "Bet he just threw his black card and said 'don't bother me.'", she says, trying to mimic his voice. "Shhhhh, you'll get us in trouble!" someone hisses, but they're all chuckling anyways.
Soon, the soju starts flowing. One by one, the new hires get red-faced and giggly. Mina, despite swearing she can "handle her alcohol," is the first to lose her balance , swaying side to side, her pink lip gloss smudged.
She suddenly stands, glass in hand, "You guys don't understand! I could've been an idol! But I chose to be an office lady...… for the stability!"
Chatters and cheers, everyone seems to be in a good mood, eating and drinking. Mina murmurs, "WAIT. What if the CEO hates me? No, no, no… what if he secretly loves me?!" The table howls. Someone pulls out their phone, already recording. This will be fun to look at Monday morning.
Everyone is focused on their own worlds, that they donot notice a tall man enter. Refined suit, sliver watch, his vibe doesn't really match that sort of place. But there he was, Isaac, along with his secretary, in the team dinner. Emily quietly whispers, "We can stay here one hour, at most." Isaac nods, and stays by the entrance for a while, almost hesitating to join. Just then, Mina suddenly stands on her chair to shout "I'LL GET PROMOTED BEFORE ALL OF YOU!", a faint twitch threatens at the corner of his lips. He quietly sits at the end of the table, some greet him, some are too drunk to notice. Some of the juniors give him grilled meat, and a glass of drinks. Emily orders soda.
The barbecue smoke swirls, the table filled with empty green bottles. Mina's cheeks are flushed bright pink as she dramatically retells how she once almost got scouted on the street, "But I said nooooo, because idols don't get dental insurance!" Her coworkers are doubled over with laughter, Junho half-hiding his grin behind his cup. Isaac looks at her, his lips in a small curl. Mina suddenly hiccups, then gets up, wobbling.
Mina: "Bathroom! Bathroom~!" She stumbles off, using the wall for balance, and Isaac's gaze follows her.
Mina finally makes it to the hallway near the restrooms.... only to misjudge her step. She stumbles forward, bumping into a tall figure just turning the corner. Her eyes widen when she sees the sharp jawline, the tailored suit.
She whispers, horrified, "…No way. No. Way." Isaac then says, in a tone that feels softer than usual, "That's a dramatic reaction to me being here."
She freezes, then does a clumsy ninety degree bow, nearly losing her balance. She mumbles, "Sir! I I wasn't drinking, I swear, this is just, hic, carbonated water sickness!"
His brow lifts ever so slightly, amused, says, "You reek of soju." Mina covers her face dramatically, "…Kill me now."
She goes back at her table after doing her business, clearly drunk, but pretending to be serious. "I gotta tell you guys a secret-" they all lean in "don't look but the ceo is right over there." Silence. Then laughter. "Don't tell me you didn't notice, they've been there for like a hour. Miss secretary even came to us to wish us a good meal, and to pay them no mind!"
Junho softly flicks her forehead, "where was your attention even," smiling. Mina pouts, then looks around at her coworkers, "eceryone knoew? What the hic-hell! I won't forgive this. I was supposed ro be poised and elegant always infromt of the higher ups!!!" She says. Some look at Isaac apologetically, "Please pay her no mind sir."
Isaac's gaze is fixed on Mina's antics, his expression unreadable. Emily leans in, "You could leave first, if the noise bothers you." He gestures no with his hand, "We'll leave at the scheduled time."
Back at the table, Mina raises her soju glass with both hands. Mina says determined, "Fine. Even if I'm clumsy and weird and not poised, I'll show you all! One day I'll be the most respected employee in this whole company!" The table claps and cheers her on. Her coworkers see her as funny and lovable, not realizing she's dead serious. Junho, still with Mina leaning against him, smiles quietly.
Mina slowly drifts to sleep. Still on Junho's shoulder, she murmurs, "Annie, you smell so good" mistaking him for her. Annie giggles, then lovingly strokes her hair. Mina falls asleep. Annie says, "so you CAN look pretty and poised, if you'd nust stay quiet" the crowd softly giggles. Everyone seems to adore this sweet girl.
Junho stays quiet, trying not to move as Mina leans heavily against him. His ears are red, but he keeps his expression neutral. One coworker teases him with a sly grin "Careful, Junho. She might think you're her pillow from now on."
Across the table, the CEO finally sets his chopsticks down, unable to stop his gaze from straying again. The sight of Mina asleep against Junho's shoulder, everyone gathered around her with that kind of affection.… it twists something unfamiliar in his chest.
He winces, and thinks to himself, "Ridiculous. She's just another employee."
His secretary watches him carefully, recognizing that look, the same distant tightness she'd once seen on his father when something bothered him. But she wisely says nothing.
The party wraps up, and a few coworkers fuss over Mina. Annie pats her back, as Junho steadies her, "Let's get her a taxi. She can't walk like this. I'll drop her off." Junho gently adjusts her, offering to carry her bag. Mina stirs, murmuring nonsense in her sleep. The others laugh softly again, and the group trickles out into the cool night air.
From across the street, a dark figure pauses in the shadows, the CEO, just about to enter in his own car. He watches silently as this chaotic scene unfolds, a half-drunk, sleeping junior employee being fussed over by her coworkers. His gaze lingers longer than he intends, every little movement, the way she leans into Junho, the laughter of her friends, imprinting itself in his mind. He's interuppted by a "Sir-" by Emily, who's waiting in the car. He looks at them one last time, a enters the car.