CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

Hopeless Secretary Oh (3)

“Arrrgghh!”

Jin-shim examined women’s toilet and stood in front of the mirror. She screamed loudly once she learned that there weren’t other people there. 

‘Seriously, what’s wrong with that person?!’

She had screamed loudly but her anger didn’t just disappear. She panted and staring at her face in the mirror, it looked distorted.

‘I might get wrinkles.’

To avoid having wrinkles on her face, she started to massage her face with her fingers. Jin-shim pouted.

‘I didn’t know there would be an absurd guy like him in this world!’

Despite the fact that she had met many people in Korea, she had never met someone who was as arrogant and cold-hearted as him. 

Did he think he was the only great person here?

‘I’ve never looked down by people before!’

Who was she? Wasn’t she Korea’s Goddess, top actress Oh Yoon-seo?

It was the first time for her to receive criticism from a guy.

Staring at her face in the mirror, Jin-shim gritted her teeth. Suddenly, she remembered about what happened few days ago.

[Jin-shim, you should remember a few things about Writer’s Lee upcoming project.]

A few days ago, when Jin-shim came to the agency office to discuss about her first day of work at Law Firm, CEO Yeon said something to her with a serious look on his face.

‘What is it?’

CEO Yeon tilted his head and said.

[You know you’re on hiatus now, don’t you?]

[Of course I do. It was on articles. Because of that bastard I should cancel my project, losing my privacy and taking a hiatus.]

[That’s right. But in a year, you would make an elegant comeback because you’ve been casted on Writer Lee Se-jin’s drama. Am I right?]

[Of course! Just wait and see! I will show them all how popular I am. I will face them all!]

CEO Yeon laughed seeing Jin-shim raised her fists in the air. He then continued.

[But I think…… You will have a hard time working at Law Firm.]

Jin-shim exhaled a deep breath when she saw CEO Yeon made a sad look on his face.

[…………Well, I’ve predicted that. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy, Mr. Yeon. Same goes with those reporters, it might be a temporary hiatus, but since you and the agency always took a good care of me, those reporters didn’t just stop paying attention to me. But I will endure that and be a good secretary.]

[I’m so relieved you understand about that well, Oh Jin-shim. No matter what happen, just hang in there. You wouldn’t get another chance if you ruined this one.]

[Haha. Mr. Yeon, who do you think I am? I am Oh Yoon-seo. Not other person but Oh Yoon-seo. You think I couldn’t do such a job like secretary?]

[Haha. I like your confidence.]

[It’s not that I’m just confident, but it’s a fact. Just don’t worry. I will do it well. It’s Always Law Firm, right? Haha. I would make all employees there take side on me. You don’t have to be worry, Mr. Yeon.]

Her face on the mirror that couldn’t hide her anger looked so different with her smiling face she showed that day, it was different with the reality happened today.

‘I messed it up.’

She was rumbling about getting all employees at Always Law Firm take side on her but it turned out she completely ruined that promise. The one that she should get along with the most was the same person who hated her.

What did she have to do with that?

[Then if you don’t want me to prejudge you, shouldn’t you at least pay attention about the office hour.]

That man’s cold words could make people pushing their eyebrows together and pulling up their forehead.

If you asked why Jin-shim didn’t pay attention about her office hour, it was because she never experienced working at an office before, although she did say she was willing to try it, but she was also nervous. It was definitely her mistake for not having a good sleep despite the fact that she was about having an important day to go for work.

Not to mention, Jin-shim usually had a morning sleep a lot. When she was still active on entertainment industry, she was also someone who got all her activities settled by matching it with her own schedule. So her knowing about ‘don’t come late’ was getting dull. She should adjust into this kind of life pattern and coming on time to work, but then in the end of the day she only got cursed.

‘But how can I just ignore such an offensive comment like that?!’       

He already made a note about Jin-shim’s behavior as soon as she entered this Always Law Firm building. And she wasn’t someone else but The Oh Yoon-seo.

Of course she didn’t know a single one when she arrived at this place, but nowadays world became scarier.

Even though she was already late to work, she couldn’t just run or jump and ended up panting, in case there would be people who witnessing her and then decided to take picture and upload it on the internet. She also wore sunglasses and mask to cover up her face.

[Gosh! Are you….. Ms. Oh Yoon-seo?”]

She was told by the receptionist that her boss was waiting for her, and just when she was about to head to that room, she bumped into several lawyers who happened to be her fans.

Usually, Jin-shim would say, ‘No, I’m not.’ And then his manager would block them so they wouldn’t go near her.

Yeah. So that’s why she was late.

[Secretary look…. What is this? Are you out of mind?]

That man threw a despising gaze for her.

That harsh gaze reminded her to those cold gazes she got a year ago from those reporters when they were gathering in front of her house.

She admitted that there was ‘a little’ mistake about the way she dressed that time.

She never thought her dress was too much because she had never had a bad sense about fashion.

[Are you sure you don’t need a help?]

[Yup. It’s okay. I will try to figure it out by myself.]  

[Yoon-seo.]

[Hyuk-joon, don’t you believe me? I’m Oh Yoon-seo. Do you think I can’t even pick a proper dress to work?]

Humph! She snorted, never thought that she would regret it.

Jin-shim bit her lips, her body was shaking from top to bottom.

‘I just can’t ignore it like this.’

This couldn’t be happen. But in the end, her ‘first impression strategy’ in order to look nice ended up being a complete fail.

She heard from Yeon Joon-kyu, CEO of Always Law Firm that the man who looked down at her would be her ‘boss’ for the next half a year. If she didn’t get along with that man who was called by the name of Kwon Jung-rok, her position as secretary would also be on the line.

 “Hoo-ha. Hoo-ha.”

She sighed hard and was determined about something. She took her phone from her fur coat that she put on the sink nearby.

-          Yes, Yoon-seo!

His manager, Hyuk-joon answered her call with a loud voice as if he had been waiting for her call. Jin-shim tried to fight back her tears that was about to come with so much effort. She was about to say something.

But before she said a word, Hyuk-joon spoke first.

-   Are you okay? How was it? Did you work well? I’m worried to death. I was wondering you talk too much. It’s been a known that you’re stupid, but you didn’t show it, right? Did you do everything we’ve told you?

Hyuk-joon exhaled a deep breath once he finished saying those words, Jin-shim wrinkled her face.

“Who’s stupid?! Why did you think I’m stupid?!”

-   ………Huh? Did…Did I say that? Gosh! Sorry. I didn’t know that, it was completely unintentional….

Without mistake, it was completely something he said unconsciously.

But it made her feel worse that she wanted to swear at him. It was true that during her school days she always studied hard, but now that she had entered an entertainment industry she further herself away from studying.

‘But I’m not stupid!’

Jin-shim pouted her lips and held her breath. She started saying words she wanted to say from the beginning.

“Hyuk-joon oppa.”

-          Yup! What? What is it? Say it! I will listen to everything!

It was all just smooth talk, like always.

Jin-shim swallowed up her thought and said.

“Wait a moment…. Can you come here? I need something.”

***

‘Gosh! Seriously.’

He felt the surge of anger of all sudden. He was so mad to the point that he still gnashed his teeth until now. He made a mistake with his decision, that was for sure. 

Jung-rok pressed his temple and pushing his eyebrows together.

‘Alright, I better not think about it. At times like this, it’s better to drown myself into works.’

To erase the memory of that woman’s big eyes staring at him, Jung-rok shook his head. But somehow, it didn’t just disappear that easy.

‘Damn it.’

Jung-rok frowned.

Eyes, nose, and lips had already been stacked on that small face. But for some reason he still could manage his eyes to look bigger when he was dealing with those shocking stuffs. He, who should manage his own image was feeling worse. He needed to kick that woman out from her office.

And then two hours later.

Knock. Knock.

Jung-rok who was too focus dealing with documents and forgot that it was lunch time already raised his head once he heard a knock at the door.

As soon as he kicked that woman out, Jung-rok asked for a help from Eun-ji about those documents that should be processed today. He made promise to bought a meal for Eun-ji who was a moment ago frowned when he asked her help, and only after he made that promise he went back to his office with ease.

“Come in.”

It was probably Eun-ji, without making a big deal Jung-rok raised his head. His whole face became distorted once he found out that woman who entered his office.

“Mr. Kwon!”

She was smiling. Somehow Jin-shim looked so bright like she got this backlit that could dazzle the eyes.

And without knowing the reason, Jung-rok knitted his eyebrows.

‘This woman still hasn’t left yet?’

Before he knew, he was half threatened by CEO Yeon to accept that woman, but to be honest he didn’t want to see her work in front of his office. He even had said that he wish that annoying woman would just disappear so it would bring peace to his heart.

Yet, he couldn’t predict what would come.

Two hours before, she threw a spiteful remark to Jung-rok, and now he stared at Jin-shim who looked had calming herself.

“What is it, Ms. Oh Jin-shim?”

“Oh Yoon-seo!”

“Ms. Oh Jin-shim, what can I do for you?”

“……….”

That woman wore a glum look.

He could possibly unaccustomed with such cold attitude like this. But Jung-rok’s heart wasn’t that big to give a smile to a woman like her.

While Jung-rok was throwing a cold gaze to Jin-shim, he noticed something strange.

‘Huh?’

He clicked his tongue. Those outfits that caused an uproarious criticism had been changed smoothly.

That shiny black fur coat and big sunglasses that covered half of her face were nowhere to be seen, they disappeared. That red shirt was replaced by a beige shirt.

But she still wore those accessories that could hurt his eyes, like those big necklace and earring. So in his mind, Jung-rok bent down his head.

‘She still wears it even after what I said.’

He really didn’t like that woman who acted like she was still a celebrity while in fact she had retired. Jung-rok sighed.

“This outfit is better that the previous one, but as expected it’s hopeless. Alright, what’s the reason for you to knock that door?”

Jung-rok was shaking his head while mumbling something.

“Ho….Ho…Hopeless?”

“Ms. Oh Jin-shim. If there isn’t something you want to say, I’ll be going to have lunch. So, can you step aside?”

Jung-rok had made sure it was already lunch time, he approached her and said those words to her.

 Her face was still covered with shock, he saw that woman with a long hair gulped. She cried out once Jung-rok passed her.

“Wait, Mr. Kwon.”

“What is it?”

Kwon Jung-rok stopped his steps, he still wore a cold look.

Jin-shim flinched and gave an awkward look once she saw Jung-rok raised his head and threw a cold gaze to her.

“I…. What should I do then?”

Just go eat your lunch and disappear. It would be better like that. Jung-rok talked to himself, his gaze wavered when he noticed Jin-shim was still waiting for his answer.

Jin-shim asked with beautiful shiny eyes.

“Sec….. Secretary’s job! I’m going to do that from now, but….. What job should I do? Huh?”

Those clean black eyes looked like stars. He was enchanted by those eyes for a moment before finally snorted. That woman would open her mouth again if she came near him, and to stop her from making another move, Jung-rok suddenly turned his back.

“It’s weird. Ms. Oh Jin-shim, didn’t you say you’re not coming here to play?”

“…………..!”

“You should spend your time until it’s time to go home. It seems there are many people who like you here, Ms. Oh Jin-shim. You could just talk with them. But, I hope I don’t have to deal with any problem. And please remember that time to leave the office is 7 PM.”

Jung-rok left the office once he gave the cold gaze that leave a confuse look on her face.

‘Ah, yeah.’

He was already between the doors but then turned his body back when something was suddenly occurred on his mind. Jin-shim was still standing there, hadn’t recovered from shock that was caused by his words.

Jung-rok ignored Jin-shim, he took several documents from above his desk. He remembered to went to the courthouse after having a lunch.

“Mr…. Mr. Kwon!”

That woman cried out at him once again when he passed her.

Jun-rok frowned, annoyed by that woman who kept calling his name.

“Why?”

“What… What is it?”

Jin-shim gave a bright smile to Jung-rok.

Jung-rok frowned once he saw that woman’s annoying smile.

“Documents.”

“What kind of documents they are?”

“You can find out it later Ms. Oh Jin-shim….Humph. Well, let me tell you. It’s lawsuit document. It should be submitted to the courthouse today.”

‘Does she even know what lawsuit file is?’

She pressed a charge before when she was still a celebrity, so she must be knew about this one.

Jung-rok was burst out laughing, something was occurred on his mind.

Jin-shim approached him, she was surprised seeing Jung-rok was burst out laughing.

“What?”

“I will do it for you!”

“………What?”

“I won’t have lunch! While you’re having lunch, I will go to the courthouse to submit it!”

‘What does this woman mean?’

She took a big step approaching him and suddenly grabbed those documents, made Jung-rok burst into breathing out of nowhere.

“That’s fine. It’s my job though.”

“No! I’m so sorry for what happened this morning. So I will do this instead!”

“………..This is something Ms. Oh Jin-shim can’t do.”

“I will do it well! Please let me do it, Mr. Kwon!”

“Look, you heard me. This is something Ms. Oh Jin-shi can’t………..”

Two people were start fighting over one document. They pulled it towards themselves repeatedly, and of course that document that was saved inside a yellow envelope would tear apart.

“Gosh!”

Jung-rok automatically threw his gaze to Jin-shim when he saw a half torn-apart documents envelope, she was also staring at those scattered documents on the floor while holding the remains half envelope.

‘This is crazy.’

His headache was getting worse. He bit his lips and bent on his knees. She dragged her red-heeled feet but there wasn’t any voice.

She went on her knees slowly, sighed and gathered the documents one by one.

“Umm……Errr.”

Like a fragile deer, he saw a trembling woman. She didn’t know what to do, she just bit her lips and that red lipstick was stuck on her teeth.

She gathered all her courage to look at Jung-rok who was on his knees and sealed his mouth. She was about to cry.

She was known for having a poor acting, but maybe her 10 years acting experience made her a pro on doing a crying acting. Jung-rok laughed inside.

“Seriously…..”

But still, something to be criticized should be criticized.

Jung-rok stared at her with his cold gaze and started to speak.

“There’s really nothing you can do, Ms. Oh Jin-shim. Not that I’m expecting anything from you though.”

“………………!”

“Please, I beg you. Just sit and don’t do anything. That would really help me.”

Jin-shim exhaled a hard breath but it didn’t stop Jung-rok. Jung-rok glanced down on her indifferently, she was trembling. He put those torn documents above his desk and took out the phone from his pocket.

“Hello, Ms. Soo-min. I'm Kwon Jung-rok from Always Law Firm. I’m sorry for saying this, but I think we should meet. Our employee made a mistake so I’m afraid we should fill in the lawsuit file once again. No, I’ll come to your place. Where should we meet?”