When Noelle returned, she found Chloe in her office. Sang-Jun was also there. He looked cool and distant. He greeted them with a casual nod, as if nothing had happened, and went to the meeting room with his laptop.  

All the others seemed to be long gone. 

Chloe waved at Noelle, asking her to join her. 

"Sit down, Noelle" Chloe said when she closed the door. "I am in the most unpleasant position..." she started saying with a slight pause. 

Noelle felt like she was losing the ground beneath her feet. 

This is it. It’s all over. The internship, the thesis, the dream – all gone before even started. If only you could give me just a little more time... 

"Noelle, are you ok? You look a bit pale" Chloe asked. 

"No, I am ok, please go on" Noelle replied. She would accept it with dignity. 

"So… I'm so sorry, I need to apologize again for Ye-Jun’s behavior. And for his girlfriend's behavior this time. I know they are both unprofessional and childish. I am profoundly shocked by Mi-Ok's attack. Listen, Noelle. I know this is too much for a young girl. I will totally understand if you want to resign. I am also open to discuss the issue of your compensation in any case" Chloe explained. 

Noelle reflected carefully on what she heard. On one hand, she was not being thrown away, from another point she was free to leave. On the other hand, she heard something about compensation. 

Could it be? 

"Is this a subtle way of asking me to leave?" Noelle asked. 

"No. I would ask it directly if that was my target" Chloe affirmed. 

Noelle straightened her back and raised her head. They had started a war and that was their first battle. It was too early to admit defeat. 

"I don't want to leave. I am not scared that easily. I came here with a purpose and I plan to finish what I have started. I think I like working with you and the rest" she said. 

Chloe smiled. "I am glad you are not a scaredy-cat. I was expecting that from you. But it is obvious that I cannot guarantee that the environment will be... sophisticated. I realized that today. Will you be fine with that?" she asked Noelle. 

"As long as you want me here, I will be fine" she lied. 

As the war was evolving, she would need allies. Chloe was the most important ally she could gain. 

I have to appear strong and bold in front of her, someone worthy of her support. 

"That's a deal. I will tell you if and when you don't need to be around anymore. When the time comes, I will let you go. Ok?" Chloe suggested, smiling. 

"Yes! Thank you again for the opportunity!" Noelle said shyly. 

Chloe nodded. "I feel I must bring up the issue of your compensation again" she added a bit formally. 

"What do you mean?" Noelle asked. 

"Well... We are used to offering compensation for incidents that affect... others. Sang-Jun is currently investigating if there was any sort of leak" she explained. 

Hm... Easy money.... 

She was bribing her not to talk about what happened. She never thought that she could gain money for keeping her mouth shut. 

How nice it would be to get some extra cash? She wasn't comfortable with asking her parents for pocket money. Thet were already paying a lot for her. And her internship would offer her an amount that barely covered her meals for a month. 

Ugh! 

She felt disgusted that such a thought had even crossed her mind. Accepting money without giving something in return, apart from being illegal in many cases, meant that the person giving the money owns you. 

Nobody will own me. 

“I don't want anything. If I am part of the team, I protect the brand and the product as part of my job" she replied sharply. 

Chloe looked amused with the answer, and smiled widely. "I am glad you see yourself as a team member! But… product? Well, indeed he is a product. Though, is he tangible or intangible?" she asked. 

"Artists are classified as intangible" Noelle said. That was right. He was out of reach. 

"Correct. Just note that we don’t use the term. We stick to brand. So, don't write this in your thesis" Chloe suggested. 

Noelle felt bad. She had said something out of bitterness but probably offended Chloe. "Sorry, I understand it sounds contemptuous.” 

"It’s ok. He also calls himself a product from time to time.” 

This is self-awareness... 

“So, if we are going to move ahead, let's take baby steps. I want you to take the rest of the day off. You need to cool down a bit. Tomorrow morning, let's review a bit your resource plan, shall we?" Chloe said. 

"Yes, of course" Noelle replied. 

It was only natural to send her home. They need to make damage control, serious stuff, and an offended intern would only get in their way. 

She walked back home. It took her more than half an hour. Every step cleared her mind. By the time she reached her apartment, she had a new resolve. 

Find a way to win the next battle. She wasn’t an ant or any other insect someone could just step on.