In the morning, my mother shakes me awake. I realise the sofa bed is pulled out and I'm covered up. When I cried myself to sleep last night, I didn't get up to pull the bed out or get a blanket.
"Emma, wake up. You have a visitor."
I sit up, half-confused. "What? Me? Who? What's the time?" Why would I have a visitor in Busan? I don't have any friends here.
"It's six."
And who on earth pays someone a visit so early?
"Emma?"
I stare at my mother, uncomprehending. Someone else just called my name. Someone with Hyun Bin's voice.
I whip my head towards the direction of the door.
Hyun Bin i
"Stop worrying," Hyun Bin urges as he closes the door behind us. We've ended up in a condo by the beach. He takes hold of my hand and pulls me to him. He cradles my face in his hands and looks at me earnestly. "Everything is going to be fine. I promise." After he explained everything during the ride over, I tried to be positive. Everything he's telling me points to a massive exposé that's going to cause ripples countrywide and clear up a lot of misunderstandings from the past. But there's a part of me that's reluctant to relax. I've watched him battle negative press time and again successfully, but it only provides temporary reprieve. When the next scandal arises, it's as if he never proved himself before. How many times does he need to prove himself before people leave hi
One Year Later "Thank you for coming. Bye, have a safe ride home." I walk back towards the entrance and heave a sigh of relief. That was the last guest to leave. The night is finally over, and as much as I enjoyed it, my legs are killing me from being on my feet all evening. Before getting back into the building, I come to a halt and stare at the shining sign above the entrance. Emma's. The smile that has been assaulting my lips every time I see that logo appears. It still feels unreal. A year ago, I never would have thought I would be launching my company today. I've spent the last year planning everything and putting together my first collection while also working for one of the biggest fashion houses in the city.
I joined Park Entertainment because I've always wanted to work in the music world.But if you ask my best friend, Bella, she'll tell you I joined the company because of the CEO.That's total bull.I mean...yeah, sure, Park Hyun Bin is the youngest, hottest CEO in the industry right now. But joining a company because of that doesn't sound like a wise career move to me.Park Entertainment simply happened to offer me a job as a designer after I applied to five other comapnies unsuccessfully. And they are paying well.The fact that I'm lusting after the CEO is a meaningless detail. Besides, it's not as if I think I have a chance with him. Please.Park Hyun Bin, with all his money, looks, and influence, is the type of man who only dates expensive women. Gorgeous supermodels, actresses, and songstresses. Not a 25-year average person with only student loans and unpaid bills to her na
I think telling Bella that I have a meeting with Mr. Park tomorrow morning was a bad idea.For the last ten minutes, she's been narrating various scenarios from her favorite erotic fiction pieces involving CEOs. Apparently, there are a thousand and one tricks I can pull tomorrow to seduce Mr. Park. I put the phone on loud speaker, throw it on my bed, and begin looking through my wardrobe."Don't wear that skirt you wore today," Bella's voice comes across. "It was too long.""I'm wearing jeans tomorrow.""What?""My mom jeans. They're non-fitting just like I love it, and I think they'll look great for work.""Your mom what?" she screeches and I cover my ears for a few seconds. When she doesn't scream again, I drop my hands."I look good in mom jeans. High waist. White sneakers. And a simple tee. That's the kind of vibe I found at work today.""
Park Hyun Bin has a lot of attractive traits about him. Everything on his face is perfectly arranged, symmetrical. His dark hair is shorter on the sides and longer at the top, currently slicked back.He's tall and lean. I've seen his shirtless photos before, and he has a perfect six pack beneath his crisp white shirt.His eyes are penetrating. And, right now, they're studying me from across the large mahogany table."Ms. Tsindoli," he begins, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands together. "What's your dream?"It catches me off guard.I thought we were going to talk about my new job, not my dreams.What's my dream?Oh, I do know what that is. But isn't it so simple? I don't want to make a bad first impression. My mother has always accused me of being unambitious. What if Mr. Park doesn't think I'm ambitious enough?I've always been
This is officially a shitty day. How can it not be, when my mother's overbearing presence is so big in my house? Why one earth did she not tell me she was coming? Is it not common courtesy to tell someone when you're visiting them, regardless of your relationship? Why is she here, anyway? When I let us into the apartment, she spends a good five minutes looking around, corners of her mouth downturned. She doesn't need to say anything for me to know she doesn't approve of my living arrangement. But that's none of her business. "You didn't tell me you were coming," I say, dropping my bag on a couch in my living room. It's a small room, filled with everything I own. The kitchen is sectioned from it with a waist-length wall. Despite how small and inefficient my apartment appears, it's more than enough for me. First, the rent is the lowest I cou
"If you don't get laid tonight, I've failed my job as your only friend."I adjust my red leather mini skirt and smack my freshly painted lips together. "You're not my only friend."It's nine o'clock, Saturday night, and I'm in Bella's hotel room. Girl appeared at my door this morning, then quickly stole me away from my mother. When mum asked when I'd be back, Bella said not to worry, I wouldn't miss work on Monday.I had no objections.Right now, we're getting ready for a night out. That concert Bella is attending is happening over the weekend, but she only got a ticket for the last show tomorrow. Tonight, we're going to have fun.She scoffs. "Right, sorry. I forgot you're the social butterfly."I smile and turn sideways, observing myself in the mirror. Bella picked out my outfit and did my makeup. She knew if she let me do it myself, I wouldn't be able to create the 'wow
I came on a night out to have fun and hopefully land a hot guy to bed tonight. Not sit here, reminiscing with my old friend with benefits."Can we talk somewhere more quiet?" Roberto asks a few minutes later. "There's something I want to tell you.""Not now," Bella says, dropping from her stool and grabbing my arm. "We're going to dance right now.""Can I joi-""No," Bella snaps, her patience growing thin. "Why don't you wait for your little friend, Roberto? In fact, why don't you go check and see how she's doing? You might have to take her home early."She doesn't wait for his response as she leads me to the dance floor. We penetrate the throng of dancing bodies until we're out of sight of the bar area.I heave a sigh of relief. "Thanks.""I got you, girl," Bella says. She snickers. "Looks can truly be deceptive. Look at him, with that height and face. Looks like s