(which by local standards was not too late) and I went down to the first floor at the moment when my father called me.
«Congratulations on finishing your first day at work. Waiting for you in the parking lot. We’ll drive home together,» he said into the phone in a tired voice and hung up.
I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that I didn’t have to think about anything other than the fact that I would soon be in my comfortable bed. I felt boundless fatigue, but not from work, but from the fact that I did not know what to do with myself. Sung Joon was invincible. He defiantly did not accept my help, especially in everything related to food.
«How was your day?» my father asked right after I got into his car next to him.
«Long and not entirely clear,» I breathed out.
«You’ll get used to it soon. Have some patience,» he patted my arm encouragingly, «when your schedule isn’t very busy?»
«This Friday. Sung Joon only has a photo session in the morning,» I answered automatically without thinking too much, because due to lack of work, I spent the whole day studying Sung Joon’s schedule.
«Great. Don’t plan anything for Friday night. I’ll cook dinner. It’s been a long time since we spent time together. There’s something to talk about,» my father said as he pulled out of the parking lot below the agency.
«Mom didn’t call?» I asked after a short silence.
«No. She said she’d be writing a book for a couple of days.»
«Well, nothing new,» I chuckled sadly, feeling ready to pass out in the car.
My next two working days were no different from the first. Sung Joon continued to pretend that I did not exist, did not accept any of my help and ignored the food that I offered him. In addition, I accompanied him to a photo shoot that took place on Friday morning, not really understanding why my presence was necessary, because Sung Joon ignored me.
Immediately after the photo shoot ended, I went with Sung Joon to his apartment to check if the cleaning was done, waited for the bottled water to be delivered, which I unloaded into the refrigerator and made sure that my help was no longer needed, after which I climbed onto my floor, feeling relieved and happy that I can rest for at least a couple of hours.
And to relieve tension, I decided to go down to the fitness room located on the first floor of our residential complex and do a full workout.
«Are you boxing again?» Alex’s voice came through the earpiece.
«Uh-huh. I was able to get into the gym for the first time in a week,» I answered pantingly, continuing to methodically hit the bag, which was almost twice as tall and wider than me, «Ji Han opened the gym for me and grumbled because I skip workouts.»
«Judging by the tone of your voice, you are not very pleased with your new job. Starry Olympus is not as bright as it seems from afar?» he asked mockingly, and I began to think over his question, stopping in place. The punching bag pushed me back, and I staggered, then laughed because of my sluggishness.
«What are you doing?» my best friend asked in surprise.
«I… seems to have received an answer from someone I didn’t expect at all,» I answered, still laughing, and patted the pear with exaggerated care.
«So what’s up with your job?» he impatiently reminded me of something he’d asked before.
«They ignore me, but for some reason, this does not anger, but only causes a feeling of pity.»
«Well, I’m sure there’s something to be sorry for idols. I hope you haven’t changed your mind about going through with this deal?»
«No way!» I replied, continuing to box, «I’ll find a way with him. It would be too boring if he gave up without a fight.»
«Well, good luck to you. I have to go. I’ll call you later,» he said goodbye and hung up the call.
I felt a surge of energy and, at the same time, a pleasant fatigue throughout my body. Having collected my things from the locker, I decided that I would take a shower at home, so I went up to the apartment and froze on the threshold from the delicious smell of food burning my mucous membrane. Something hissed appetizingly and I, leaving my shoes in the hallway, walked into the kitchen.
Dad, in home clothes and an apron, skillfully prepared dinner, quickly moving from the surface of the kitchen island to the stove and back.
«Min Hee?» he smiled happily as his gaze lingered on me for a moment, «You’re on time. Get dressed and I’ll be waiting for you for dinner. We’ll have guests, but it’s a house party. So there’s no need for formal wear.»
«I didn’t plan on wearing anything formal,» I chuckled and trudged into my bedroom, which had its own bathroom.
When we moved into this penthouse, I chose the smallest room for myself, which now contained only a large bed, a closet with my clothes and a work desk where I spent my nights.
Under a stream of warm water in the shower, I felt empty that in the last five days I had not once made time for the business that I had been dreaming about for the past few years. My father taught me to dream and to believe that nothing is impossible for me. And it’s not because he and mom had enough power and money. On the contrary, he taught me discipline, dismissing momentary desires and thoughtfulness in everything that concerned my own life. And for that I was grateful to him. The only thing that he could not overcome in any way in me was my passion for fast driving and for everything that caused an adrenaline rush and an emotional outburst in my mind.
I had a plan, and I was not going to let one single person (albeit a very influential one) deprive me of the opportunity to achieve my goal.
I dressed in casual pants and a wide cotton sweater and dried my hair with a hair dryer, finally feeling at home. In peace, comfort and peace of mind.
«You have no idea how much I want to eat!» I exclaimed and entered the kitchen, after which I stopped abruptly and looked at my father in confusion.
«I said we’d have guests,» he excused himself with a shrug, then turned his gaze to Cho Hee, who was looking at me with a smug smile on a bar stool behind the kitchen island. He filled his glass with water and pulled it towards him.
«Hello!» The young man waved his hand at me in greeting.
«What is he doing here?» I asked my father.
«You’re not a very hospitable hostess,» dad laughed and made an inviting gesture towards a place located next to Cho Hee, who handed me a glass filled with red wine.
«Are you still mad at me about that incident in Itaewon?» With a sweet smile on his face, a young man who looked dazzling even in a simple tracksuit addressed me, «Let’s clear our past misunderstandings. And officially introduce ourselves. I am Min Cho Hee, Min Sung Joon’s younger brother. His assistant, loyal friend and singer for MW Corporation. You don’t have to introduce yourself. I already know everything about you,» he smiled, extending his hand for a handshake.
I put
