It was a bright Saturday morning. Clara stared at her desk blankly, exhausted from staying up all night. Papers were strewn all over her bedroom floor while the pictures that were sent to her by a private investigator were scattered around her desk. Clara massaged her temples. The more she tried to dig up information on her father, the more complicated it got. She couldn’t believe all the connections he had within Korean society—from fellow businessmen to the Blue House*— he was involved in so many corruption cases, it was astonishing.

Clara groaned, as she checked her phone, it was already 9am. Alice, Clara’s best friend from college, was also working in Korea as a prosecutor. Clara had planned to spend the first half of her Saturday with her friend before she had to go to the promotional event later on in the day. Deciding that she should get some sleep before her friend came over, Clara padded over to her bed when her phone rang.

“Hello? Good morning, Team—huh? Right now?” Clara asked, bewildered.

“Yes… Deputy Manager Kim just informed me that she did not finish making the gift bags! We need to get them made by 2pm at the latest! Could you work on them? Everyone is busy helping setting up the venue.” Team Leader Park said in a panicked voice.

“… I’ll be there soon!” Clara ran to the bathroom, hanging up in a hurry.

Grabbing a piece of bread, Clara sprinted out of her apartment and made her way to the company. Clara groaned as she texted Alice that she wouldn’t be able to hang out today because of work. Alice replied immediately with a laughing emoticon. Clara rolled her eyes, as she walked out of the subway and towards the company. She just wanted to relax for one day… and here she was, back at the office.

Clara tapped her id on the sensor as she made her way to the elevator, feeling a bit unnerved by how empty the building was. The place was usually bustling with people, but the eerily quiet building made her feel uneasy. She huffed as she opened the door to the Sales Department, since the Team Leader had texted her the passcode. Clara gasped, staring at the mountain of black paper bags that weren’t even opened, placed neatly in multiple boxes around the whole office. A box full of the printed thank-you messages was also placed on top of one of the desks.

“… That bitch…!” she blurted out in annoyance, as she started to hoist up the boxes into the conference room, for more space to work in.

After a few hours of making the gift bags, Clara decided to catch a break at the café downstairs. She stretched her arms and massaged her neck as she waited for her drink. Grabbing her coffee, Clara sighed as she walked over to the nearly empty tables and plopped down onto one of the chairs. The newbie employee had always avoided coming here as she couldn’t deal with the constant whispering of her co-workers.

“Ahh. At least I don’t have to deal with those idiots… Damnit, I shouldn’t have retaliated… What am I doing on a Saturday morning???” Clara groaned as she slumped over the table.

She was grumbling to herself when she heard a familiar voice behind her. She sat upright and turned towards the voice. Clara watched Woo-hyuk and a man in his 50’s, talking to one another in a serious tone. Woo-hyuk didn’t notice her staring at them as his back was towards her. Clara shrugged as she turned back to play her game when the man’s words made her stop.

“… Yes, Young Master, I’ll have that ready for you. Then I’ll be on my way now.” the elderly man said as he bowed to Woo-hyuk before leaving the building, casting a glance at Clara who pretended to stare out the window.

‘Young Master’? Was Woo-hyuk from a wealthy family? Huh, I thought they only used that term in Korean dramas… No wonder he comes off as pretentious, Clara thought as she got up from her seat trying to not make it obvious that she overheard their conversation. She was about to take another step away from the café, when a hand grabbed her wrist.

“What have we here…?”

Clara jumped as she turned to look at Woo-hyuk who still had a hold on her wrist. Clara yanked her arm back as she stared up at him, with annoyance. Why did he look at her like that? She didn’t know what to make of his smirk as he sat her down on the chair, she was sitting in a few seconds ago, as he sat across from her. They sat, looking at each other in silence before Woo-hyuk spoke up with amusement in his voice.

“Why were you spying on me?”

“… I have better things to do than spy on my co-worker. I’m here because that bit—I mean, the deputy manager didn’t finish making the gift bags.” Clara retorted with a slight blush on her cheeks.

“Ahem... I see, then is everyone else here to help? There’s at least two hundred guests in attendance today.” he raised his eyebrows, glimpsing over at the woman across from him.

“No, it’s just me… and you, I’m assuming. Wait, if you don’t know about the gift bags, why are you here? And by the way, there’s three hundred guests.”

“Well, I don’t think I’m the one who owes an explanation… Why did you eavesdrop on my conversation?”

“Ha… Like I said, I don’t have enough interest to spy or eavesdrop on you—or maybe you’re too delusional to realize that?” she snapped with annoyance.

Woo-hyuk stared at her dumbfounded before he broke out into a fit of laughter. He wiped his eyes as he coughed, trying to collect himself. Clara just stared at him deadpanned, before rolling her eyes and making her way back to the office. Woo-hyuk stared after her, smiling. He chuckled as he sauntered towards the elevator as well, following close behind. Ignoring him, Clara walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the 12th floor. She felt Woo-hyuk’s smirk from behind and sighed. Of all people she could be stuck with, she was stuck with the moody prince of a wealthy family. The elevator dinged as the two co-workers exited, heading towards the office to make gift bags.

“… I can’t believe the Sales Department didn’t even make the gift bags…” Clara grumbled as she carefully placed one of the necklaces inside the bag and tied a gift tag on the ribbon handle.

“Hmm…” Woo-hyuk responded as he sat next to Clara, helping her make the bags.

“What?” Clara handed him a bag to place next to him.

“You’re… different from what I expected. It’s… funny.”

“Is… that a compliment…?” Clara asked with a raised eyebrow, slightly irritated, as she looked over at him.

“Maybe? It was merely an observation… Say, are you usually that… feisty?” Woo-hyuk questioned, not sure if he used the right word to describe her.

“… Feisty…? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Clara huffed, grabbing another bag.

Who does he think he is? The feisty one is you! I’m suffering over here because you keep talking to me!, Clara thought as she resisted her desire to shake him by his shirt collar.

“…Just proved my point.”, he mumbled as he placed a finished gift bag on the desk next to him.

Clara shoved a bag at his face without a word as she started to make the next one. Woo-hyuk just held the gift bag Clara had made in his hands and blinked for a few moments before smiling. She was like an open book—he could tell she was annoyed (and slightly irritated) by him. Woo-hyuk studied Clara’s face as she focused on making the bags, completely ignoring him. He chuckled quietly as he shook his head, she really was too easy to read.

“Why are you working at this company?” Woo-hyuk inquired, as he rested his chin on his palm, looking curiously at Clara.

“… “

“…” Woo-hyuk just stared at her waiting for her response.

“Done! We got through all three hundred with your help along the way! Let’s hurry and put these away in the box so we can cart them over for the event later.” she stood up from her seat, avoiding his question.

“... Ha, guess I won’t be getting an answer.” Woo-hyuk said to himself as he also got up from his seat.

The two co-workers awkwardly started to place the bags into the cardboard boxes, careful not to smush them. Clara anxiously checked the time, it was already 12pm. She groaned, the event was going to start in four hours, but she still needed to run an errand beforehand. Clara began to quickly shove the bags into the boxes, working a bit faster. Thirty minutes later, the duo managed to place all 300 bags into the cardboard boxes and transferred them onto the carts so that they could take it down to the banquet hall later. The two high-fived each other, exhausted but relieved to be done with their task. They made their way down to the lobby, getting ready to leave the company.

“All right… I’ll see you later!” Clara waved at her co-worker, walking away from Woo-hyuk and towards the exit of the building.

“Wait! I can give you a ride, where are you headed?” Woo-hyuk asked, as he strode up to Clara.

“Huh? No, it’s all right, I can just take the subway—”

“Why waste money when I can just give you a ride? Come on, let’s go.”, Woo-hyuk led the way to his car that was parked outside. Clara’s shoulders drooped as she reluctantly followed behind. She had wanted to get away from him as soon as possible. She sighed, awkwardly opening the door of the black Maserati SUV before sliding onto the buttery, leather seat.

In about five minutes, the two co-workers arrived at the glitzy department store that housed numerous luxury brands. Clara couldn’t help but marvel at the extravagant building—it was beautiful. Clara thanked Woo-hyuk for the ride and jumped out of his car, yearning to get away from him. Woo-hyuk chuckled at Clara’s eagerness to get out— she was entertaining to watch, like a puppy trying to get out of its pen. They were making their way towards the elevators of the garage floor when someone called out to the tall, young man. The pair paused as Woo-hyuk turned to look behind him. He stood still as he grabbed Clara’s hand abruptly. Clara glanced up at him with a questioning look as she turned, only to see a glamourous woman approaching them.

She was stunning, with long, reddish-brown hair and a voluptuous body—she looked like a model! Clara couldn’t help but feel as if she’s seen her before. She seems familiar… Where have I seen her before…?, contemplated Clara, as she just gawked at the mystery woman. The woman stared at Woo-hyuk’s hand that was grasping onto Clara’s, crossing her arms in distaste. Clara felt the jealous aura emitting from the woman, as she tried to yank her hand away from his. Woo-hyuk just tightened his grip, not letting her go.

“Oppa*, who is she…?” the woman asked staring daggers at Clara. Clara gulped as she instinctively took a step back. She was so intimidating!!!

“… My girlfriend.”

SIDE NOTES:

*Blue House: Executive office & official residence of the President of the Republic of South Korea

*Oppa: Korean word for older brother—used by females; can be used in a romantic way!

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**