"The brightest light shines in the darkness."
--
There was a beautiful bitterness to the night. As the amber hues of the setting sun faded into black, the darkness of the night chilled water into stone, green leaves to frosted white.
Everyone rushed indoors, whether it be straight home to a family after work, meeting a lover for a sweet date or to a bar to thaw both the body and the heart. Some needed to nurse their pain with the burning, bitter warmth.
And that was what someone sorely needed that night.
A young woman, dressed in head to toe black, had burst through the heavy and dark oak door, her stiletto heels clacking lightly against the cool marble floor. Panting lightly as is if she ran a marathon, she weaved her way through the dimly lit room and straight to the bar. At this time of the night, only muted laughter was heard, easily drowned out by the brass tones of light jazz.
And finally at her usual spot, she plopped down on the cushioned barstool, her hands ruffling though her messy hair.
The bar owner, stationed just behind the bar chuckled quietly at the woman's weary state, and after perusing through the large collection of liquor, grabbed a familiar bottle.
"On the rocks or neat?"
"Neat."
"Oh, was it that bad?" Now intrigued, the owner slid the drink across the counter and rested her elbows on the high counter top. Thankfully, only a handful of patrons were left, namely around six:
A couple talking amongst themselves on a love seat, a middle aged business man talking on his phone, two working professionals cackling away about the latest office gossip, and a young man who had come an hour earlier. After asking her for a drink recommendation, he settled with a gin and tonic and had been reading a book ever since, facing away from the crowd on the other end of the room.
So with everyone settled, she had all the time in the world. "Talk to me. What happened?"
And the regular had to sigh at the loaded question, quickly taking a sip of the much needed cure. "If I have to listen to another two straight hours of a guy rambling on about himself, I'm going to give up dating altogether."
Well into her thirties and now at the tender age thirty five, Son Ye Jin was a Cha Jang at Geodaehan Corporation (GDH), a job she loved that thankfully came with a great, stable income.
She had worked hard for her position working hard straight after university and forging a blazing path at a young age despite the constant overtimes, judgmental clients and sacrificing basically all of her social life.
But that didn't mean it was nonexistent. Along the way she had met her nearest and dearest, such as the lady behind the bar. After a date had brought Ye Jin to the establishment three years ago, Hyo Jin had come to her rescue when the man, plastered with too much alcohol, had aggressively come on to his date, the former commanding that the man leave her bar.
The shameful man, unintimidated by the presence of another lady, had tried to lunge for her as well until Ye Jin had not-so surreptitiously kneed him in the groin, ending all further complications. Safely escorted out by security and banned from the bar for the rest of his life, the women celebrated that night, bonded and kept in touch ever since.
But back to the present, it seemed Ye Jin had suffered from the hands of a man once more.
"I knew I shouldn't have listened to you and agreed to this." She rested her chin on her palm and swirled her drink with the other.
"What did he say?" Hyo Jin was indeed so amused. Even if she was just a year older, the bar owner had seen plenty of bad dates, breakups and fights occur almost daily, so she was sure nothing could phase her.
"The man really wasn't over his ex. That's all he talked about. How they were high school sweethearts, how they were engaged, how in the month before they were going to marry, she had decided to dump him and he still doesn't know why." Ye Jin paused briefly, remembering how he had burst into tears at this point of his story, her face contorting into a grimace before she chugged her drink, almost finishing it in one gulp.
At her friend's entertained gaze, she wiped her lip and took a long breath. "I know about their first date at the Han River, how she likes her eggs cooked sunny side up, and how her scent was still left on his sweater... Unnie it had been two years after they broke up." Ye Jin glanced at her friend in a horrified state. "And he still hadn't moved on. I felt like a therapist more than a date."
The sound of a small, low chuckle broke her rant. But as Ye Jin turned, only the soothing music and silent chatter could been heard. Maybe she was imagining it.
"Anyway," she turned around, smiling sweetly as Hyo Jin returned with a refilled glass. "I was actually about to forgive him since he offered to drive me home. We were on the way, but..."
She sighed, closing her eyes as an attempt to erase the memory completely.
"He decided to take a route that went past his ex's house."
To that, Hyo Jin was almost tempted to pour a shot for herself. Almost. She just shook her head and laughed.
"So no chance?"
"Would you give him one?"
"... Touché," Hyo Jin conceded, but not before asking another burning question. "But what are you going to do? You just lost another guy."
Ye Jin just gasped exasperatedly at her remark. "Hey, speak for yourself. Where's your man?"
"In my dreams, honey." Hyo Jin gave her friend a teasing wink. "And he's doing just fine."
But her gaze rapidly shifted into one of concern. "But you know what I mean. It's just been a while since-"
"I know," Ye Jin just have a small smile. She didn't need to hear anymore. Luckily, she had another topic to switch to. "Don't worry about me though. Your girl might be getting a promotion tomorrow."
Thankfully, that digression worked as Hyo Jin squealed. "Yes! You deserve it. Let's celebrate..."
Yet as she caught a quick glimpse at the time, she smiled. "But maybe tomorrow? Get out. I'm going to close soon."
Oh, god. Of course. Punctual as always.
"You're probably the only bar that closes this early," Ye Jin playfully pointed out.
But Hyo Jin didn't care as she motioned towards the large neon lettering fixed on the wall behind her. "That's the name, don't wear it out."
There were of course, bars and even restaurants littered around the area that closed at completely normal times of the night. But not here. Not at "Cinderella." Just like its name, the elegant bar closed at the stroke of midnight. Was it because of branding? It could be. Or was it because the owner herself didn't want to work that late at night? That made way more sense.
So yes, Ye Jin only chuckled in disbelief, stood up from the barstool and made her way out, waving at her best friend then lifting her scarf over the bridge of her nose as she exited. It seemed that the chilly air and the darkness were going to be her companions for the night.
Back at the bar, Hyo Jin finished wiping one of the last free tables. Only about three patrons were left in the bar, the cackling ladies who weren't done talking and that same man that had been reading the entire night.
But just as she was about to announce closing time, the man stood up, gathered his coat and headed straight to the bar.
"Thanks for the drink recommendation." Even in the dimly lit room, Hyo Jin was able to see that the man was indeed a looker, his well-defined dimples only highlighted in the dim light. He settled his bill and gave a small, entertained smile. 'I'll be back."
—
Of course, at quite possibly one of the most important days of her life, Ye jin just had to wake up late.
Cursing at herself for forgetting to set up her alarm the night before, she had carelessly strewn together an outfit for the day, tied her hair in a low ponytail, threw on some concealer and lipstick and practically beelined to work. It was bad enough that she was known for her punctuality, but on the day she could get promoted? And have an all-hands meeting right after? Triple the stress and pain.
But thankfully, the impressive structure, "Geodaehan Croporation," was now only a few steps away and she knew she was safe. She quickly checked her phone to see messages from her colleagues who were wondering where their usually early manager was that morning. Was she avoiding them and their interrogations of her date?
Maybe it was a blessing she was a little late. But too preoccupied with her phone, she hadn't noticed that a car had pulled up at the entrance of the building. The man in the car had already gotten out, having small talk with the driver and guards before Ye Jin all too unknowingly ran straight into him, dropping her phone as the man almost stumbled over if not for his strong build.
"Ah! I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking," she didn't even look up, already reaching down to grab her phone to check for any damage.
In the midst of her check however, she hadn't noticed how the guards circled around her, probably prepared to remove her from the scene if not for the man's quick shake of the head and the dismissal. His eyes had narrowed slightly in curiosity.
"No, I'm sorry too." He had such a soft, but rich voice. "Here, let me help you up."
Ye Jin again barely registered the hand, focusing on the small crack that appeared on the corner of her screen. Oh God, I just bought this, she inwardly groaned. When she stood up however, she found herself staring eye level at broad chest. This stranger was annoyingly tall, she noted. But not thinking much of it, she bowed slightly, thanking him for all the help before hurrying into the building.
Not that she would have noticed, but if she had looked back, she would have seen the man's face light up with recognition, his lips curving into an all-knowing smirk.
She barely made it in time to the meeting room, almost exactly on the dot. There she held her breath, awaiting her fate and hoping that all her hard work she had done for the company would finally be acknowledged.
—
"And right here, is your office," the secretary motioned to the large well-lit room at the end of the hall. Located at the very top of the building and equipped with not only the typical desk but its own meeting room, couch and personal fridge, everything was pretty much state of the art.
"Thanks," Bin chuckled. "You make it sound like I haven't ever been here before, Mrs. Shin."
The older woman, almost sixty years in age chortled in reply. "Sorry, it's just been a while since I've seen you." Having also worked with the previous president, Shin So Min was practically the matron of the company, the eyes and ears of management and the most trusted and loyal worked a company could ever ask for. Despite her petite stature and motherly nature, Bin knew that if he could ask for something, the woman would fight tooth and nail to obtain it.
So Min gave him an appraising smile, looking at him from head to toe. "And look at the man you have become. The next President of Geodaehan at thirty five years old? Impressive, indeed Si-."
Her sentence broke off, chuckling at the blank look he gave her. There were only two things that Bin had asked her to do once he came into the company: To not call him by any formal title was one of them. But he waved off her little blunder and checked his watch. "The meeting is coming up now, right?"
"Yes, I'll take you the conference room."
—
"Ahh, congratulations! I knew you were going to get it!" Ye Jin was flanked on both sides by her two closest coworkers, Uhm Ji won and Lee Jung Hyun. They had snuck away from the offices to be right outside the meeting room to hear the great news. She had definitely done it. She was now a Bu-Jang.
"Thanks girls. Let's definitely celebrate," Ye Jin was over the moon. All that hard work recognized once more. And she was glad that there were people here that supported her.
But such celebrations would have to wait, as it was announced that an all-hands meeting would be held in the largest conference room. The girls quietly slipped in, finding some free seats near the back.
"So what would the meeting be about?" Ye Jin whispered. She had passed out the night before, too tired to read the late notice of this upcoming meeting.
"Oh, my dear Ye Jin. You're took stuck in your own happiness," Ji Won winked, bestowing a sweet, but playful smile and answered. "It's huge, actually. We're finally seeing the new president. He's coming now."
Ah, yes. The previous president and CEO, the founder of their huge company, had announced his retirement the month before. Yet although he still remained Chairman of the Board, he had shocked everyone by announcing that he would be bringing someone in that no one had ever heard of. Someone that had never worked at the company before. All everyone knew was that he was flying in from abroad and of his name.
Ye Jin was actually curious at who their next leader would be. He definitely would be seasoned in his career, serious and probably older. But suddenly, as if the room was stunned into silence, Ye Jin looked around, wondering if the man of the hour had come in.
Indeed he did, her mouth unknowingly opening slightly in shock as well.
Because with his simple three piece grey suit, and his dark hair that was neatly combed back into place, the man in the very front of the room was nothing that she had imagined at all. Definitely not.
For the man that walked in was genuinely the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.
--
Cha Jang: Deputy Team Leader/ Senior Manager - Makes sure all team members are assigned specific roles and oversees progress.
Bu Jang: Team Leader / Head Manager- He/she manages teams responsible for working on specific current projects. 10 years of experience is necessary to become a Senior Manager.
A/N: Yes, writing a new fic! Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. The second one will soon follow :) It's going to be a bit more serious than my other fic "Simple Moments" (check it out if you haven't!), but focus intensely on the love between the lovely couple.
Side note: Regarding the company name, a little google translate of 거대한 can help you out ;)- it's a synonym HAHA.