Chapter 5: One Little Request
Back at the office, everyone was busy at work and there were a few things Sora had to do before ending her day at work. She was at her desk signing a few documents and checking her e-mails before she leaves the office for her scheduled meeting. As Sora finishes her tasks at hand, she called Melissa in and asked her to gather all the necessary files and documents for their meeting with Director Choi that afternoon.
“Sora, from what I have heard from other secretaries that have worked with him said he’s friendly but a rather difficult man to deal with. They said that he’s quite difficult to please and things like that,” warned Melissa. Although Melissa may be a bit nosy at times, but it works to her benefit as a secretary and she tends to get a lot of inside news from all around.
Sora who was now busy gathering her things said “Really? Interesting…Well, that would be a great challenge now wouldn’t you think? At least you said he’s friendly, right?” Sora chuckled as she finishes her last bit of packing.
“Yes, friendly but difficult! That just totally offsets his friendliness!” stated Melissa.
“Melissa, you sound like an ahjumma who’s always worrying. We should always try our best to do our jobs. Besides, I’m sure Director Choi wouldn’t be the only difficult person to deal with in this world, if he is in fact what you described him to be. There are many different people on this planet and not all are easy to please. Since we can’t please everyone in this world then why not make the most out of it by giving it our best,” said Sora, who is always feeling optimistic and confident whenever it comes to doing her job.
Melissa looked at Sora with a smiled. She always admires how Sora can be so optimistic and bright when it comes to work. “I’m really amazed at how confident you can be in almost everything that you do. Don’t you get tired?”
Sora glanced over a Melissa and said “Well, what can I say? I love my job! Are you all set to go?” Sora finished packing and was ready to head out for the meeting.
Melissa double checks her bag, counting the things inside and said “Yup! All set! I’m ready when you are.”
“Aja! Then let’s go!” said Sora as they both head out to the elevator.
Both Sora and Melissa were standing and waiting for the elevator to arrive. When it got to their floor, the doors opened and Victor who was inside came out. He stood in front of Sora while looking at them both and asked “Good afternoon Miss Kang. Are you heading out now?”
At that instance, Sora knew exactly why Victor was here. However, Sora pretended to be oblivious and replied “Ummm…Yeah! Melissa and I are heading out to see a client. Well, we have to hurry now Melissa! We don’t want Director Choi to wait now do we? So, talk to you later oppa.” Sora tries to hurry into the elevator, but before she could, Victor has already blocked her way with his arm.
“Sora-ssi, you’re a smart girl. You should know very well why I’m here and not with your father,” said Victor.
Sora looked at Victor with a distress and said “But oppa! My father said that you’ll start tomorrow.”
“Well, Mr. Chairman decided that for your own safety as well as the safety of others like your passengers,” Victor glanced over at Melissa and back at Sora, “that it’s best for me to be assigned to my new post as of this moment.” Victor displayed no emotions on his face when he replied Sora.
“Oppa! Can’t you just let me off this one time? I mean Melissa will be driving us there, right Melissa?” Sora glanced over at Melissa, who was just eyeing between Sora and Victor with an oblivious look.
“I am?” replied Melissa, who then mumbled to herself “But my driver’s license just got expired and I still need to go renew it.”
Victor didn’t look like he was giving in to Sora’s plead and said “This is your father’s order. Please don’t make this difficult for me, Sora-ssi.”
“Aish! Arasso, arasso…then let’s hurry. I don’t want to be late for this meeting.” Sora finally agreed. She always gives in whenever Victor throws out his killer line ‘Please don’t make this difficult for me, Sora-ssi.’ She knew that Victor was just doing his job and following orders.
Victor then extends his hand out to Sora and asks “Keys please.” Sora unwillingly handed over her car keys to Victor before entering the elevator. With Victor’s back facing Sora, she crossed her arms and pouted. Whereas Victor, as soon as he got the keys he puts on a smiling grin on his face and then quickly returns to his emotionless face as he enters the elevator.
During their commute over to Director Choi’s office, Sora and Melissa were discussing matters about work until Melissa got curious and asked “So Sora, why is Victor driving you all of a sudden?”
Sora sighed and replied “It was all because of that lousy driver this morning! My day was going perfectly fine until that stupid Aston Martin car appeared. Good thing I show that person not to mess with me when I went out for lunch. But also because of that, I got a ticket for speeding and reckless driving. Hence, my father assigned Victor oppa here to be my driver.” Sora looked at Victor from behind; he showed no response and kept on driving.
“Oh, wow! You actually managed to get your revenge on that person?” Melissa responded with amazement.
“Yes, I did. But…there was something different between the two time encounter with that same car,” replied Sora who then began to think back to the times between this morning and early afternoon. She then asks Victor “Oppa, if you compare this car with an Aston Martin Vanquish, which one is faster?”
“Well your car here is faster than the Vanquish, more horsepower and the pick-up speed is higher too. Why?” Victor replied while looking at Sora through the rear view mirror.
Sora looked at Victor for a sec and then turns to look outside and said “Oh nothing, just asking.” Sora thinks back as to the ways the car was driving. The driving behaviour between the two times seemed a bit different. The one from the morning seemed much feisty and daring, whereas the one from the afternoon was more cautious. “But, how come?” Sora contemplating the situation, but then her thought vanished when Melissa informed her that they have arrived at Director Choi’s place.
“Sora, Sora! What are you doing? Snap out of it! We’re here already,” said Melissa while shaking Sora’s arm.
Victor opened the door on Sora’s side. Sora got out and looked at her watch. They have arrived with a few minutes to spare and Victor said to Sora “I’ll be waiting out here.”
“Oppa, you don’t have to stay here, I’ll call you when we’re done.” Sora said to Victor, not wanting him to wait as there wasn’t a set time to when the meeting will finish.
“Alright then, call me when you’re both done and I’ll come back to pick you ladies up,” agreed Victor.
Sora nodded and went into the office building with Melissa. They were greeted by Director Choi’s secretary and were led to his office.
KNOCK KNOCK
Director Choi’s secretary opened the door to his office and informed “Director, Miss Kang and her secretary from KS (Kang Stars) Productions are here to see you.”
Inside the office, Sora and Melissa saw a man around the same ages as Sora’s father, who got up from his seat and walked towards them.
“Well, hello there Miss Kang and you must be her secretary Miss Kim,” Director Choi happily greeted them both while shaking their hands.
“Good afternoon Director Choi. How are you today?” Sora greeted the Director and gave him a slight bow.
“I’m good, thank you and yourself?” Director Choi reverted back to Sora. He looked at Sora from head to toe and complimented “Wow, if only I have a daughter as beautiful as you then I’ll be very happy.”
Sora was startled by Director Choi’s compliments. Her face turned a bit red as she returned her thanks “Thank you for your compliment Director Choi. I’m sure your daughter is quite beautiful herself.”
Director Choi instantly laughed at what Sora has said and told Sora “Well, unfortunately I don’t have a daughter. I only have a son, perhaps the same age as you. Anyways, shall we get down to business?”
“I thought you’d never ask. I’m ready when you are Director Choi,” replied Sora as she gave him a smile.
They all sat down at the meeting table in Director Choi’s conference room. Sora and Melissa introduced the different event designs and planning their company can do according to the client’s preference. They’ve prepared a general slideshow to show the types of events they have done before. All in all, Director Choi seemed impressed with their presentation and ideas. However, as Melissa indicated before, Director Choi may be friendly, but can be difficult to please majority of the time.
Just moments after their presentation, Director Choi was at his seat with his hand supporting his chin and elbow on the table. By the looks of it, he was already processing what he’s looking for at the event. The conference room was silent for a few minutes while Director Choi gathers his thoughts. Sora and Melissa gave each other glances as they’re wondering what the Director is thinking about, and then the Director finally broke the silence.
He gave a smirk and said “Miss Kang, thank you for your wonderful presentation. I like the overall idea of what you’ve come up with,” at that moment, in Sora’s mind she knew that there’s going to be either a ‘but’ or ‘however’ in his next line. She’s just waiting for the Director to say it out loud. “However, I have just one little request and would like you to help me organize for this event.”
Sora asked Director Choi about his request “If it’s within my ability Director Choi, I will try my best to help you arrange and organize it.”
Director Choi admiring Sora’s determination then said “Well for the last program at the event, I would like to have a music performance by one of Korea’s top idol groups. So please see if you can arrange it.”
Upon his request, Sora without further a due, complied with Director Choi and answered “That shouldn’t be a problem; I believe it can be arranged.”
At that moment, Melissa looked at Sora in shock and couldn’t believe Sora just accepted Director Choi’s baffling request.
“Very well then! I am happy that we had this meeting today and I will look forward to hearing good news from you, Miss Kang.” Director Choi stood up and shook hands with Sora.
“Thank you Director Choi. I’ll let you know the good news when I have it arranged. Have a wonderful day.” Sora thanked the Director.
“No, no, no. Thank you Miss Kang. I hope my request isn’t too demanding. But yes, do let me know when you have it arranged and have a wonderful day yourself too.”
Director Choi left the conference room and had his secretary kindly escort Sora and Melissa out. Sora called Victor, telling him that the meeting had just ended and can come to pick them up. Just after she ended the call, Melissa asked Sora “What were you thinking Sora? How can you accept Director Choi’s request so easily back there? Where and how are we going to find and book one of Korea’s top idol groups in this short period of time? It’s not like the idols have no schedule at all and are just waiting for someone to ask them to perform at any time.” Melissa was clearly worried that it’s going to be difficult to perform this request.
Sora also realized that she has gotten herself into a difficult situation. Like what Melissa has stated, how were they going to get one of Korea’s top idol groups to perform at the event in this short period of time? And, what if all the top idol groups are fully booked on the day of the event? Sora knew she had to come up with a good plan and proposal soon in order to arrange one of the top idol groups in Korea to perform at the event. She has to act fast as time is ticking. She only has roughly three to four weeks’ time to settle this arrangement.
“Sora, from what I have heard from other secretaries that have worked with him said he’s friendly but a rather difficult man to deal with. They said that he’s quite difficult to please and things like that,” warned Melissa. Although Melissa may be a bit nosy at times, but it works to her benefit as a secretary and she tends to get a lot of inside news from all around.
Sora who was now busy gathering her things said “Really? Interesting…Well, that would be a great challenge now wouldn’t you think? At least you said he’s friendly, right?” Sora chuckled as she finishes her last bit of packing.
“Yes, friendly but difficult! That just totally offsets his friendliness!” stated Melissa.
“Melissa, you sound like an ahjumma who’s always worrying. We should always try our best to do our jobs. Besides, I’m sure Director Choi wouldn’t be the only difficult person to deal with in this world, if he is in fact what you described him to be. There are many different people on this planet and not all are easy to please. Since we can’t please everyone in this world then why not make the most out of it by giving it our best,” said Sora, who is always feeling optimistic and confident whenever it comes to doing her job.
Melissa looked at Sora with a smiled. She always admires how Sora can be so optimistic and bright when it comes to work. “I’m really amazed at how confident you can be in almost everything that you do. Don’t you get tired?”
Sora glanced over a Melissa and said “Well, what can I say? I love my job! Are you all set to go?” Sora finished packing and was ready to head out for the meeting.
Melissa double checks her bag, counting the things inside and said “Yup! All set! I’m ready when you are.”
“Aja! Then let’s go!” said Sora as they both head out to the elevator.
Both Sora and Melissa were standing and waiting for the elevator to arrive. When it got to their floor, the doors opened and Victor who was inside came out. He stood in front of Sora while looking at them both and asked “Good afternoon Miss Kang. Are you heading out now?”
At that instance, Sora knew exactly why Victor was here. However, Sora pretended to be oblivious and replied “Ummm…Yeah! Melissa and I are heading out to see a client. Well, we have to hurry now Melissa! We don’t want Director Choi to wait now do we? So, talk to you later oppa.” Sora tries to hurry into the elevator, but before she could, Victor has already blocked her way with his arm.
“Sora-ssi, you’re a smart girl. You should know very well why I’m here and not with your father,” said Victor.
Sora looked at Victor with a distress and said “But oppa! My father said that you’ll start tomorrow.”
“Well, Mr. Chairman decided that for your own safety as well as the safety of others like your passengers,” Victor glanced over at Melissa and back at Sora, “that it’s best for me to be assigned to my new post as of this moment.” Victor displayed no emotions on his face when he replied Sora.
“Oppa! Can’t you just let me off this one time? I mean Melissa will be driving us there, right Melissa?” Sora glanced over at Melissa, who was just eyeing between Sora and Victor with an oblivious look.
“I am?” replied Melissa, who then mumbled to herself “But my driver’s license just got expired and I still need to go renew it.”
Victor didn’t look like he was giving in to Sora’s plead and said “This is your father’s order. Please don’t make this difficult for me, Sora-ssi.”
“Aish! Arasso, arasso…then let’s hurry. I don’t want to be late for this meeting.” Sora finally agreed. She always gives in whenever Victor throws out his killer line ‘Please don’t make this difficult for me, Sora-ssi.’ She knew that Victor was just doing his job and following orders.
Victor then extends his hand out to Sora and asks “Keys please.” Sora unwillingly handed over her car keys to Victor before entering the elevator. With Victor’s back facing Sora, she crossed her arms and pouted. Whereas Victor, as soon as he got the keys he puts on a smiling grin on his face and then quickly returns to his emotionless face as he enters the elevator.
During their commute over to Director Choi’s office, Sora and Melissa were discussing matters about work until Melissa got curious and asked “So Sora, why is Victor driving you all of a sudden?”
Sora sighed and replied “It was all because of that lousy driver this morning! My day was going perfectly fine until that stupid Aston Martin car appeared. Good thing I show that person not to mess with me when I went out for lunch. But also because of that, I got a ticket for speeding and reckless driving. Hence, my father assigned Victor oppa here to be my driver.” Sora looked at Victor from behind; he showed no response and kept on driving.
“Oh, wow! You actually managed to get your revenge on that person?” Melissa responded with amazement.
“Yes, I did. But…there was something different between the two time encounter with that same car,” replied Sora who then began to think back to the times between this morning and early afternoon. She then asks Victor “Oppa, if you compare this car with an Aston Martin Vanquish, which one is faster?”
“Well your car here is faster than the Vanquish, more horsepower and the pick-up speed is higher too. Why?” Victor replied while looking at Sora through the rear view mirror.
Sora looked at Victor for a sec and then turns to look outside and said “Oh nothing, just asking.” Sora thinks back as to the ways the car was driving. The driving behaviour between the two times seemed a bit different. The one from the morning seemed much feisty and daring, whereas the one from the afternoon was more cautious. “But, how come?” Sora contemplating the situation, but then her thought vanished when Melissa informed her that they have arrived at Director Choi’s place.
“Sora, Sora! What are you doing? Snap out of it! We’re here already,” said Melissa while shaking Sora’s arm.
Victor opened the door on Sora’s side. Sora got out and looked at her watch. They have arrived with a few minutes to spare and Victor said to Sora “I’ll be waiting out here.”
“Oppa, you don’t have to stay here, I’ll call you when we’re done.” Sora said to Victor, not wanting him to wait as there wasn’t a set time to when the meeting will finish.
“Alright then, call me when you’re both done and I’ll come back to pick you ladies up,” agreed Victor.
Sora nodded and went into the office building with Melissa. They were greeted by Director Choi’s secretary and were led to his office.
KNOCK KNOCK
Director Choi’s secretary opened the door to his office and informed “Director, Miss Kang and her secretary from KS (Kang Stars) Productions are here to see you.”
Inside the office, Sora and Melissa saw a man around the same ages as Sora’s father, who got up from his seat and walked towards them.
“Well, hello there Miss Kang and you must be her secretary Miss Kim,” Director Choi happily greeted them both while shaking their hands.
“Good afternoon Director Choi. How are you today?” Sora greeted the Director and gave him a slight bow.
“I’m good, thank you and yourself?” Director Choi reverted back to Sora. He looked at Sora from head to toe and complimented “Wow, if only I have a daughter as beautiful as you then I’ll be very happy.”
Sora was startled by Director Choi’s compliments. Her face turned a bit red as she returned her thanks “Thank you for your compliment Director Choi. I’m sure your daughter is quite beautiful herself.”
Director Choi instantly laughed at what Sora has said and told Sora “Well, unfortunately I don’t have a daughter. I only have a son, perhaps the same age as you. Anyways, shall we get down to business?”
“I thought you’d never ask. I’m ready when you are Director Choi,” replied Sora as she gave him a smile.
They all sat down at the meeting table in Director Choi’s conference room. Sora and Melissa introduced the different event designs and planning their company can do according to the client’s preference. They’ve prepared a general slideshow to show the types of events they have done before. All in all, Director Choi seemed impressed with their presentation and ideas. However, as Melissa indicated before, Director Choi may be friendly, but can be difficult to please majority of the time.
Just moments after their presentation, Director Choi was at his seat with his hand supporting his chin and elbow on the table. By the looks of it, he was already processing what he’s looking for at the event. The conference room was silent for a few minutes while Director Choi gathers his thoughts. Sora and Melissa gave each other glances as they’re wondering what the Director is thinking about, and then the Director finally broke the silence.
He gave a smirk and said “Miss Kang, thank you for your wonderful presentation. I like the overall idea of what you’ve come up with,” at that moment, in Sora’s mind she knew that there’s going to be either a ‘but’ or ‘however’ in his next line. She’s just waiting for the Director to say it out loud. “However, I have just one little request and would like you to help me organize for this event.”
Sora asked Director Choi about his request “If it’s within my ability Director Choi, I will try my best to help you arrange and organize it.”
Director Choi admiring Sora’s determination then said “Well for the last program at the event, I would like to have a music performance by one of Korea’s top idol groups. So please see if you can arrange it.”
Upon his request, Sora without further a due, complied with Director Choi and answered “That shouldn’t be a problem; I believe it can be arranged.”
At that moment, Melissa looked at Sora in shock and couldn’t believe Sora just accepted Director Choi’s baffling request.
“Very well then! I am happy that we had this meeting today and I will look forward to hearing good news from you, Miss Kang.” Director Choi stood up and shook hands with Sora.
“Thank you Director Choi. I’ll let you know the good news when I have it arranged. Have a wonderful day.” Sora thanked the Director.
“No, no, no. Thank you Miss Kang. I hope my request isn’t too demanding. But yes, do let me know when you have it arranged and have a wonderful day yourself too.”
Director Choi left the conference room and had his secretary kindly escort Sora and Melissa out. Sora called Victor, telling him that the meeting had just ended and can come to pick them up. Just after she ended the call, Melissa asked Sora “What were you thinking Sora? How can you accept Director Choi’s request so easily back there? Where and how are we going to find and book one of Korea’s top idol groups in this short period of time? It’s not like the idols have no schedule at all and are just waiting for someone to ask them to perform at any time.” Melissa was clearly worried that it’s going to be difficult to perform this request.
Sora also realized that she has gotten herself into a difficult situation. Like what Melissa has stated, how were they going to get one of Korea’s top idol groups to perform at the event in this short period of time? And, what if all the top idol groups are fully booked on the day of the event? Sora knew she had to come up with a good plan and proposal soon in order to arrange one of the top idol groups in Korea to perform at the event. She has to act fast as time is ticking. She only has roughly three to four weeks’ time to settle this arrangement.