NFS 4.8

“It’s lower than expected. Get the securities firm reports in advance. They’ll be full of sensational words because of the year-end IPO, so let’s filter them.”

Though normal words came from Seo Ahn-jae’s mouth, his lips were still slightly curved in a smile. It was hard to tell if he was in a good mood or not.

“I discussed that with the IR Team Leader, but they thought we should lobby for even more sensational coverage. They said we might get buried since there are big titles coming out at the year-end.”

“What’s the point of being sensational with lower-than-expected performance? Aren’t I enough of a sensation anyway?”

I’ve been in the media, his indifferent gaze seemed to suggest. Though different from shamelessness, it showed an enviable confidence.

“Well, yes.”

True, this guy was impressive. Thanks to the CEO’s broadcast appearance, the company name had truly become known throughout the country. Unable to deny such clear results, Secretary Choi nodded, and Seo Ahn-jae glanced at him briefly. As soon as their eyes met, Secretary Choi’s mouth robotically spewed flattery.

“The whole nation will be stimulated by just one word from you, CEO.”

“Didn’t work on one person though.”

“Perhaps what you said wasn’t meant to work?”

Seo Ahn-jae, who had been looking down at the report, raised his head and stared at him. Just as Secretary Choi was about to feel embarrassed, Seo Ahn-jae called out, “Secretary Choi.”

“Yes?”

“I missed you.”

“…”

“I really missed you.”

“Hmm, ahem, what? Well, you’re seeing me right now?”

Secretary Choi’s face turned red as he choked on his forced cough. Crazy—even though they were both men, his heart sank when those eyes filled with emotion said “I missed you.” As Secretary Choi tried to maintain composure as if nothing had happened, he heard a muttered lament, “It works even on Secretary Choi.”

Though he wanted to firmly deny it had worked, he couldn’t speak due to his recently jumping heart. For a brief moment, questions flew through his mind like airplanes: Should I accept since he’s rich? Which countries allow same-sex marriage? Can you get alimony in a divorce without physical intimacy? But speaking of which, it’s amazing there’s someone those words didn’t work on. Who…? Suddenly, a face flashed in Secretary Choi’s mind.

“Is it Joo Seung-ha?”

“Yes.”

Secretary Choi was startled at blurting out the name, and his heart jumped again when Seo Ahn-jae readily confirmed it.

“You must feel upset.”

“No. This feels good too.”

Getting rejected? Wondering what he meant by that, Secretary Choi looked at him, and Seo Ahn-jae curved his lips.

“Because I’ll try ten thousand, or even ten million times until it works.”

It was the same smile he had when looking at the report earlier. But now it felt a little creepy. Forgetting that he disliked personal chit-chat, Secretary Choi unconsciously asked, “You got permission from him for these attempts, right?”

It was an illogical question when you thought about it. You don’t need permission from others to make attempts. Moreover, given their positions, the other party should be applauding and cheering for such persistence. So Secretary Choi regretted it as soon as those words left his mouth. This wasn’t the time to worry about others.

“No, I mean…”

“Since we’re dating, isn’t that the same as having permission?”

Ah…Ahh! Secretary Choi’s eyes widened in delayed surprise. After confessing his unrequited love even on broadcast, they’re finally dating?

“Con…gratulations?”

“You can’t fully congratulate me because I seem dangerous to him?”

“No, I’m just surprised.”

Though he did seem dangerous based on his earlier words. Secretary Choi hid his thoughts while glancing at the CEO. He was moving his finger across his tablet, examining the remaining materials with an expressionless face.

“Well, it’s not really a situation for congratulations yet. Though I am happy.”

Right, he did say the “I miss you” wasn’t working. Why? Shouldn’t early romance be when things are most passionate?

“They even moved further away from me.”

Though it sounded casual in Seo Ahn-jae’s characteristically indifferent tone, Secretary Choi wasn’t fooled. He sensitively caught the dissatisfaction lying underneath his words. Joo Seung-ha is impressive. If it were me, I’d pack my bags and move into Seo Ahn-jae’s nice house the moment we started dating. Ah, maybe he captured the CEO because he’s not materialistic? While Secretary Choi found himself newly impressed by Joo Seung-ha, he also felt sorry for Seo Ahn-jae who had more money than he could spend. Not being able to use all that money was a complete waste.

“Oh right, any word about the warehouse purchased near the company site?”

“Ah, that.” Secretary Choi shook his head, remembering the warehouse Seo Ahn-jae had suddenly bought personally.

“No. The person interested in leasing came to look once more, but we haven’t heard back from them yet.”

“Tell the agent to lower the rent more.”

After instructing the puzzled Secretary Choi to leave, Seo Ahn-jae picked up his phone that had been ringing. Park Hyo-joon’s name was displayed on the screen. The person he waited for every minute and second didn’t contact him, but instead these small fry do. Seo Ahn-jae pressed the call button with an irritated gesture.

–Hey, fuck, that gangster bastard. Ugh, really.

Park Hyo-joon started out by cursing without any preamble.

“Which gangster?”

–That gangster bastard you kicked out at the investor meeting…Wait, do you know many gangsters?

“Why about that gangster?”

When Seo Ahn-jae ignored him and asked, Park Hyo-joon’s mouth got rough again. To summarize, the man was apparently really a gangster, as he had barged into the investment office with large men in tow.

–They just asked the employees various things and left, probably just trying to threaten us, but fuck, they mainly asked about you. Be careful, they might come looking for you next. If I had been at the office, I wouldn’t have let this matter slide. Fuck, do they think we don’t know any gangsters?

Before Park Hyo-joon could brag about his gangster connections, Seo Ahn-jae cut him off, “You should have been more selective about who you accepted.”

–…I’m already regretting it, okay? Don’t you start too. Hey, should I assign you some bodyguards?

“Don’t bother.”

–This isn’t the time to be relaxed. Is there anyone in Korea who doesn’t know you’re a CEO? You need to be careful.

“I’ll handle it.”

–Sure, like you’ll handle it so well. Will you at least say thank you?

“If you want thanks, handle things before problems arise.”

Seo Ahn-jae coldly ended the call. He felt like he’d just wasted time on unnecessary talk. Then, looking at his phone as if missing something, he couldn’t resist pressing Joo Seung-ha’s number. A moment later, Joo Seung-ha’s surprised voice came through, taken aback by the call during work hours.

–Sunbae, did something happen?

“No. Just because.”

Though he heard criticism about making unnecessary calls during work hours through the phone, Seo Ahn-jae just laughed.

Today too, Joo Seung-ha’s message notifications were dominated by messages from Seo Ahn-jae.

[There’s someone who says they’ll only maintain their investment if they see my face in person, so I need to go show my face this evening.]

Even though they were just black text on a 2D screen, Seo Ahn-jae’s disgruntled grumbling was apparent. Joo Seung-ha could now easily read Seo Ahn-jae’s emotions that he wouldn’t have understood before. And after exchanging countless messages, he learned that these situations required immediate responses. Otherwise, Seo Ahn-jae would get slightly upset. Joo Seung-ha paused before entering the office and tapped his fingers on the screen.

[If you’ve become famous, you have to handle fan meetings too. Hand out photo cards while you’re at it.]

[I could hold that fan meeting just for you.]

Joo Seung-ha automatically imagined Seo Ahn-jae making eye contact and whispering with a pleasant smile. He rubbed their forehead and briefly looked away from his phone. Ah, now I’m reading this in 3D. Have I become too familiar with Seo Ahn-jae?

[I’m not a fan though.]

[Even better. Everyone else just looks at my appearance and talks nonsense anyway.]

Nonsense. Joo Seung-ha’s fingers froze in mid-air, unable to respond immediately. Since Seo Ahn-jae had become much more famous than him, there must have been all sorts of reactions. Praise and jealousy were basic, and there must be plenty of groundless criticism too. After all, Joo Seung-ha had heard all sorts of things just from appearing on an Internet shopping broadcast. Plus that malicious comment that had made Joo Seung-ha shrink back for over a week. Though he was numb to it now, remembering it still felt like being pricked by a small thorn. Joo Seung-ha rubbed his hands over his whole face this time.

[Who’s talking nonsense about you?]

The text appeared on the screen. Even a ghost would have more tact than this, wouldn’t they? Joo Seung-ha felt slightly creeped out, swallowed hard, and quickly sent a reply.

[There is someone. Seo Ahn-jae.]

[Woof woof.]

They got goosebumps for a different reason this time. Both Seo Ahn-jae for making such a joke, and themselves for finding it somewhat cute—it was all too absurd.

“Team Leader Joo.”

Hearing someone call their name, they looked up to see the president gesturing for them to come into her office. Joo Seung-ha quickly left two replies before putting away their phone.

[Sit. Wait.]

“Let’s wait a bit longer with this company. They’ve been doing business with us for a long time, and I think CEO Jung has some personal circumstances.”

***

While reviewing companies with outstanding payments with the president, Joo Seung-ha pointed to one place. The president nodded as if remembering that company’s CEO.

“Ah, CEO Jung is a good person. Then we’ll have to send these two places to debt collection. For the rest, set a deadline and have Team Leader Joo contact them again.”

Asking for money wasn’t an easy task, but fortunately, Joo Seung-ha found it less difficult than others. Thanks to having watched his mother not paying back money and causing trouble for a long time, he was firm in regard to this matter. He nodded in acknowledgment and was about to stand up when the president, seemingly not finished, furrowed her brow.

“About the warehouse…The logistics team has complained several times about the new company, so I think we need to move…”

“We’re going to have more volume coming in. The current company should be able to handle the increasing capacity. Other places are too far away, and their shipping service costs don’t match up.”

“Right.” The president seemed to be contemplating something as she tapped her fingers on the desk. Due to the sudden increase in sales volume from the Internet shopping broadcast, the logistics side had been chaotic lately. The issue was that because sales performance was good, the company had contacted them wanting to contract another sale.

“So I was thinking, maybe we should take this opportunity to rent a large warehouse and relocate the company.”

“To Gyeonggi-do?”

“We’ll have to. We can’t afford warehouse rent in Seoul. But considering employees’ transportation issues, we should stay near Seoul.”

Joo Seung-ha realized this was the president’s real reason for calling him in. And given her personality, bringing it up like this meant she had already made up her mind.

“Oh right, you moved recently too, didn’t you? Why did you suddenly move?”

“…Because it’s closer to the company.”

“Ah…I should have told you a week earlier.”

“Yes, you should have.”

The president briefly avoided eye contact. Then, as if changing the subject, she pulled up a map on her laptop and pointed to a location she had in mind.

“How about here? Is it too far from your home?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, then how about this place? I really like this one. The price is very good too. They require a long-term contract which is a bit concerning, but other than that, the conditions are really good.”

Joo Seung-ha hesitated looking at the place the president pointed to. Why does this area seem familiar? Then the answer came to mind. Ah, it’s near where Million’s new headquarters is being built. Though he had only seen it once in an article, somehow the location immediately came to mind. As he unconsciously looked at the map more closely, the president asked in an excited voice.

“Do you like that location too?”

“No, just…it’s within walking distance to the subway station.”

“Yes. I liked that too. Other places don’t even have subway stations nearby, but this one does. And there’s a large IT company complex next door, right? I heard that Million’s new headquarters is being built there, massively. It’s quick by car as well.”

Joo Seung-ha watched the president with tense eyes. Why was she suddenly talking about Million? She couldn’t know about his relationship with Seo Ahn-jae, could she?

“What does it matter if Million is close or far?”

“It doesn’t. Just that it’s a company related to Team Leader Joo.”

“It’s not related to me either.”

“Huh? Doesn’t Million sponsor the place where you volunteer? They helped find Kkukkeu too, right?”

Ah, well. Joo Seung-ha felt embarrassed for getting unnecessarily tense and ran their hand through their hair.

“That’s true, but…the person in charge of sponsorship is someone else…And it’s Cookie.”

“Really? I saw on the SNS of the person who adopted Cookie that they wrote it as ‘Kkukkeu,’ so I thought the name had changed.”

Fair enough. Joo Seung-ha nodded internally, thinking of Seo Ahn-jae’s sister’s voice. Maybe even Cookie thinks their name is ‘Kkukkeu’ now.

“Do you dislike Million? You seem quite serious about it.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It doesn’t seem that way. Even now you look like it.”

“…It’s not. They sponsor us and we’re grateful for that.”

Haah. Joo Seung-ha swallowed a sigh and ran their hand through their hair again. The president watched him intently and patted his shoulder.

“It’s okay.”

“What is?”

“Their CEO appeared on TV and became a huge topic for being handsome. If it weren’t for him, our Team Leader Joo would have dominated public opinion as the handsomest person on everyone’s lips.”

No, what are you talking about? Joo Seung-ha waved his hand in denial, but the president comforted him as if she knew everything.

“If it weren’t for that unusually outstanding person, our Team Leader Joo would have been the center of attention and our sales would have increased more. Are you angry?”

“Not at all.”

“I am. Very much so.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Ugh, I’m so annoyed I might even pack a lunch box to stop you if you bring such an unusually outstanding man as your partner later.”

She’s not really saying this because she knows something, right? Joo Seung-ha watched the president tensely, but her face only showed her disappointment due to sales.

“How could our Team Leader Joo be overshadowed anywhere? Right?”

“I get overshadowed often though. Besides, since when did I become ‘our Team Leader Joo’?”

Joo Seung-ha was dumbfounded, but the president replied shamelessly.

“Since the point when we became able to relocate the company thanks to Team Leader Joo’s achievements.”

“Yes, it’s an honor.” Joo Seung-ha responded and got up to his feet. However, as he was about to leave, the president spoke as if she had just remembered something.

“Oh, and don’t look at the comments.”

“…What comments?”

“The comments on the video you appeared in. There are some trashy remarks.”