Bright sunlight. Mild wind brushes through my hair. A sleek black suit. Me stepping out of a car like some main character in a glossy k-drama opening.
Hair perfect.
Life perfect.
My confidence was like I have the 'stuff.' Everyone's got their eyes on me, looking up to me, like I'm some kind of 'superstar.' As if today is really a brand new day… a brand new life… a whole brand new me.
Then Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Haaa, not again"
"A new day. A new me." Yeah. Bullshit.
"Nothing in my life is new. Just the same old Jiwoo, who is perpetually over-stressed and underpaid" I pained as I rubbed my face while remaining fixed to the bed like an overcooked pancake.
Wait. New Day. Dream.?
My brain went from a blank to screaming at me in one second.
Holy. Moly. I grew so quickly, I almost left my soul at home.
"THE DREAM
KANG MINJ
PROMOTION
For a moment, I even managed to forget everything about it.
"Yeah. it is a new life, But what's the advantage of the same life if I am still walking on an eggshell." I whispered, lying on the bed again.
I've been so stressed out the past week since Minjae left my webtoon because now I think he could suspect me any time now so I'm walking on eggshells around him. Surprise package, apparently.
Then I saw the time. 8:30. "…Oh crap." FIRST. DAY. If Mr. Kim knew I was late on my first day at the newest office, after being promoted, he would bury me alive, then send me a nice termination letter to my ghost.
I launched myself out of bed like someone had pressed my emergency alarm.
I was running from the Bathroom to the Kitchen.
Toothbrush in mouth. Bread between teeth.
Water splashes everywhere on the floor.
Above-suit and below pajamas.
The daily opera of a "young man living alone."
After ten minutes, I was dressed. My room looked like as if a tornado had come in again.
I had a peek at the mess and shrugged and whispered with a smile, 'Baby, I'll clean you when I get back tonight'
My room, offended, remained silent.
The moment I moved towards the entrance near the door to tie my shoelaces, a weird sensation engulfed me.
"What do I feel that I am forgetting?"
"What do I do now?" I thought, spinning around the apartment like a hotshot detective analyzing a crime scene.
Wallet? Check.
Phone? Check.
Bag? Check.
Tie, ID card, files, clothes that look like they came from a garbage bin? All check. So what's missing…?
"Nothing Jiwoo and If it was important, I'd remember." Saying that I locked the door and rushed out.
"Dear God, please bless my day and save me from Minjae, as from today I will be officially entering Nova Muse Entertainment and will have to face him every day starting from today." I signed.
Merely spending 2 to 3 hours around him a day was already giving me a headache, but now I feel I will probably have a migraine issue soon," I grumbled.
I started walking quickly as I rushed to the bus stop, not having any desire to be late for my schedule at the office today. As a matter of fact, I had some piece of bread in my hand that I was munching on.
It was very silent in the environment along the way towards the bus stop, and even the weather was nice to create my desire for a fine day.
At last, when my bus arrived, I got on without hurrying to the extent that I earned a window spot.
"Thank God I have arrived on time," I muttered. Honestly speaking, I survived only because this new office was just twenty minutes away from my apartment.
When I reached the Nova Muse Entertainment building, It looked more like a fancy villa than an office building. The words "Nova Muse Entertainment" shone on the entrance in bright metal letters, like they wanted everyone to notice them.
"Okay, God," I whispered, clutching my bag like a nerdy puppy.
"Please let me work here for a LONG time." I straightened my clothes, practiced my shy-nerdy face in the glass door reflection, and walked inside like an innocent, hardworking employee. Which lasted exactly three seconds because.
The lobby looked insane. My jaw dropped. "Is this really an entertainment company…?"
I whispered, "Looks like a seven-star hotel."
Marble floors so spotless I felt like I could eat off them. Upper-crust employees in crisp, snappy uniforms. Models wearing clothes that probably cost more than my rent for the next three years. Idols, hairdressers, photographers, everyone moving with purpose.
Fans waited in lines, clutching gift bags with cartoon of their favorite idols. I must have watched them for a good ten minutes.
Then a man brushed past me in a suit the same department I was supposed to be working in.
Right. I wasn't here to admire cute fans.
Oh shit.
I glanced at my phone. Five minutes until the meeting.
I spun toward the elevator nearby just as the doors started to close.
"NO WAIT FOR ME!"
I dove forward like a budget action hero, slapped a hand between the doors, and tumbled inside like a falling cardboard box. "Hah… got it," I panted. "Nice, Jiwoo. Good stamina. Very athlete. Olympics soon."
And then… "Good morning, Mr. Han." That voice. That low but familiar voice. I looked up. Kang Minjae.
We were in the same elevator. Just us two. And no one else.
In the same elevator.
Just the two of us.
When i noticed that it was minjae right in front of me, I jerked back in surprise to the point where I almost banged my head on the door of the elevator.
Suddenly. A warm hand enveloped my wrist and pulled me forward before my head hit the door.
Too close. Way too close.
Close enough to smell his cologne a mix of cedar, something faintly sweet, something expensive, something dangerous to my heart and possibly to public safety.
"Oh?" Minjae murmured, lips curling slightly."Mr. Han… why are you so clumsy this early?" He leaned in just a little.
"Did I scare you?" His hand remained on my wrist. His thumb brushed against my skin, and although it happened by accident, casually, it sent me into a dozen pieces of emotional shreds.
My mouth opened. Nothing came out. "...ugh-ugh-" He blinked. "What was that? I can't hear you."
"I-I'm sorry!" I squeaked, practically jumping away.
"Thank you for saving my-my head! From the door!" Minjae stared at me for a moment…Then he laughed. I froze. In my dreams, Minjae never smiled. His face was always serious, almost heavy.
He looked lonely, like someone carrying a weight on his shoulders which no one else could see.
But here, he was smiling. And he looked…Really good, Warm and Real.
Not like the one I'd been dreaming of for years, but someone who is making my chest tightened softly, uncomfortably, beautifully.
"Mr. Han?" His voice brought me back to reality. "Which floor?" Oh God. Not again.
"Y-Yes! Sorry! Fourth floor!" He pushed the button with such calm, effortless elegance I wanted to melt away. "There you go."
"T-Thank you." When the doors opened, i hurried out as fast as I could. For a second, I felt like I might trip, but I managed to stay upright.
I quickly turned around and made the best possible attempt to bow before the doors shut. As soon as he was out of sight, I let out the most pitiful cry that had been building inside me.*
"Why is my chest like this…? Stop. Stop it." I patted my cheeks repeatedly. "Okay, Jiwoo , Focus. You're here to work. Not to malfunction because your dream man is suddenly real."
I took a deep breath and walked towards my department.
New day. New life. Same me… Praying I don't embarrass myself again by lunch. And hoping that the universe doesn't give me more surprises.
— To be continued