What's wrong with secretary Jeon?

Twenty nine years. Wonderful age, one of the best lifetime stages when you are still young but not quite as youthful anymore, you are strong and look so damn attractive. Though, attractive is an understatement. You are the embodiment of what is called perfection! Seokjin is thrilled, admiring his reflection in the mirror, trying to find the slightest flaw. But there is none. His slender body, broad shoulders of an athlete, thin waist and perfect proportions are only emphasized by a chic Givenchy suit. Giving himself a smug grin he fixes the cuffs of his ideally starched shirt, feeling content about his style thoughtfully planned to the smallest detail by his personal stylist. In about ten minutes he is due to receive a briefing about the upcoming day from his secretary. Jeon Jungkook is his personal assistant and the right hand man. He has been working tirelessly for over five years, from dawn to dusk, without taking any rest, to please his boss. He puts a lot of effort in order to make the company affairs run smoothly and flawlessly. Every morning Jungkook wakes up strictly at 5 a.m. as according to the terms of his contract, he is obliged to arrive at Seokjin's house, instruct him on the day ahead about all of the events, meetings and deadlines. Together they go to the office where numerous meetings take place before lunch. Jungkook prepares the schedule, document drafts and all the essential materials, instructs his boss about them, deftly improvising to find suitable solutions under any circumstances. His workload is hard, requires good intuition and swift judgement as mistakes are unacceptable. Kim Seokjin has never forgiven anyone or given a second chance. Nonetheless, Jungkook does exceptionally well at everything, as he wants to be the best and most irreplaceable employee for his boss. Kim Seokjin is the heir to a huge multinational company, producing electronic devices. He holds the post of vice president, in fact, being the general manager of the entire company, since his father wholeheartedly trusts him to make all the final decisions. Seokjin is slowly recovering from a tumultuous party from the day before that was organized to celebrate the signing of an important contract with the new strategic partners. Being one of South Korea’s most eligible bachelors. the young man is accustomed to increased attention to his persona. He is constantly surrounded by beautiful women, trying to impress him and gain his favor. Taking full advantage of his prestigious position in society and the influence of his family, Seokjin, however, never lets anybody come too close. As a child he learned the bitter lesson that any person who at first seems to be one’s friend, may at any moment turn out to be a traitor and stab one in the back. He doesn’t trust absolutely anyone in this world, sometimes even himself. Understandably, the young man has a social circle consisting of people he enjoys spending time with. One of them, for example, is his childhood friend Min Yoongi. His secretary Jeon has also proven his loyalty and support to his boss no matter what. However, Jin never relaxes and keeps his guard up with everyone and everything. All would have been perfect had his secretary not given him the most unpleasant surprise right on the next day after the above mentioned party. Having finished listing out the tasks for the day and handed all of the paperwork to Seokjin, instead of heading to his workplace, Jungkook lingered at his boss’ desk. Taking a deep breath while gripping on some folders close to his chest, he resolutely addressed Seokjin,  “Mr Kim, I need to talk to you.”  Without raising his head, Seokjin gestured to Jungkook in the direction of a seat that he may take. He was used to the efficiency of his employee and his ability to address him only in cases of most urgent matters. Recently, they hardly ever communicated, Jungkook turned to Jin just to the extent that it was necessary to fulfill his job duties. Expecting for some important information, Jin braced himself to listen carefully. “It’s personal.” “Okay,” Seokjin nodded, without tearing his eyes off of a report that he was handed. Taking in a lot of air in his lungs, Jungkook said, “I would like to officially declare that in two months I am resigning from my position. I would like to ask for your authorization and consent to start looking for my replacement.” Seokjin blinked in surprise, knitting together his ideal eyebrows at the bridge of his nose. His face showed a state of extreme confusion: “Excuse me, what is it again?” he simply asked, glaring at Jungkook’s tense face.  Despite the five year age gap between the two of them, Jungkook has repeatedly proved to be more emotionally mature than most of his peers, and at times, even his boss. While Jin had a tendency to act impulsively on some occasions, Jungkook would always find a way to get ahead of him and come up with a more tactful way out of the situation. Thus, the success of the Kim enterprise largely depended on the actions of the vice president’s personal assistant. “In a little less than two months I plan to change my career. It implies that I would like to resign,” Jungkook explained, his eyes still on Seokjin, looking with determination. Seokjin fell into an oppressive silence which he didn’t break for a few minutes. He simply didn’t know how to react to this statement. After the slight shock and confusion receded, he asked: “I hope you are kidding, Jungkook? We have so little time. I need to finish this report by noon”. Jungkook cleared his throat in embarrassment, lowering his gaze. However, he resolutely met his boss’ dumbfounded gaze again after a second. He was not going to back down: “Mr. Kim, I am speaking seriously about my decision. I indeed want to quit this job.” Had somebody told Seokjin something ridiculous and unbelievable it would have been less difficult to accept that as a fact than what his assistant decided to do to him so suddenly. Jungkook was the one on whom he learned to count no matter what and whose help he needed so badly, and now he was abandoning him to his fate. The realization formed an unpleasant metallic taste in his mouth as his breath hitched. He got up from his seat, took a couple of nervous steps towards the windows, trying to get hold of himself and get rid of this vile sensation. Stopping by the window that offered a stunning view of early morning Seoul, he ran his fingers through his shiny hair. Letting out a shaky breath he quickly walked back to his desk, gazing intently at Jungkook addressing him: “Jeon, I wanted to talk to you about this on a different occasion, but I guess the right time has come. We can plan your career advancement, discuss all about your promotion right now if that’s what you want. Starting tomorrow I will give you a private office and you can also have your own secretary. At this stage with your work output results you deserve it. Just provide me with your motivation plan, list your requirements and we will start the transition process to your new position immediately. Jungkook looked a little insulted. Holding his breath, he involuntarily clenched his fists. His heart was pounding fast and his lips were drawn into a thin line. Jin’s assumption that he was trying to bargain for a promotion in this way was offensive. He didn’t want to back down and succumb to the persuasion of his boss, changing the decision that was made with great effort. Of course, he didn’t want to quit this job and give up his career, abandoning his colleagues who loved and respected him so much. But he can no longer and does not want to be a personal assistant and work for Seokjin. Jungkook will do his best to find a decent and reliable replacement for himself. He needs to be sure that a qualified and competent worker would come to take his place, that would deal with all the tasks just like him, and, most importantly, they would take good care of Mr Kim. Straightening his shoulders, he said: “Mr Kim, I greatly appreciate your offer, but I have to refuse. My decision is definite. I want to leave the company”. Jin still didn’t want to believe what he had heard. Somehow having mastered himself, but still gaping at his employee in the same bewilderment he asked: “For what reason do you want to leave?” “The reason is my personal matter”, Jungkook responded, his face not showing anything at all, which was unusual enough for the boy. Usually he was very straightforward and Seokjin could read him like an open book. This time, Jin’s expression darkened and took on the business look that intimidated his employees. Glancing coldly at Jungkook, he snapped dryly, making it clear that their conversation was over: “Do as you please.” When the door closed behind Jungkook, Seokjin sighed heavily, dropping his head on his hands. For some reason, he got the feeling that his world started crashing down.

***

Jimin was about to have his first day of work at Kim Enterprise. He still could not quite believe his luck. His dream was coming true - he was offered an internship in one of the most prestigious companies in Seoul, albeit for a trial period. Finally he is going to be able to get a decent full-fledged job as an assistant programmer in the advertising department. He left for work early, however, he got unlucky being caught in a terrible traffic jam. Nervously cursing, the young man once again made a promise to himself that he was never going to use public transport again. He should have ridden his motorcycle instead, which seemed to be the most practical form of transport in the conditions of Seoul’s heavy traffic on the roads. Running up to the office building through the revolving doors he accidently nearly knocked down a guy walking towards him. Hoseok was on his way leaving Kim Enterprise, running some errands for Seokjin. The lobby of the building was busy, a usual morning bustle: one employee was picking up his breakfast, another one was lingering at the reception, chatting up a receptionist, somebody was reading news on the go. Hoseok noticed a red-haired guy of an extraordinary beauty rushing straight at him through the doorway. A millisecond before the collision he stopped frozen, with a comical expression on his face. “I’m sorry,” Jimin squeaked with a shy smile, dashing towards the turnstiles. He beeped the chip of his keycard and ran to the elevators, still open on the ground floor, not looking back at the dumbfounded Hoseok who stood still as if he was glued to the floor. He stared back in confusion, watching the graceful figure disappear in the sliding doors. Perhaps that guy was running really late. Suddenly Hobi thought that he would really have liked it if the red-head indeed crashed right into him.

***

“For five years, can you imagine that, five freaking years, he had been working for me, never asked for anything, never complained and then suddenly:“Mr Kim, I want to leave the company”, Seokjin lamented, lounging in an armchair with a glass of whiskey. He was in a very bad mood. Min Yoongi stood at the opposite end of his office, nodding occasionally, patiently listening to his friend’s complaints. The two had known each other since high school, and had always had a close relationship. Seokjin felt honored when Yoongi accepted his proposal to work at his father’s company. Their relationship grew closer after Seokjin introduced Yoongi to his friend from the university, Kang Ji Won, who soon became Yoongi’s lover and three months later his wife. Their marriage did not last long, putting the guy through a bitter divorce. However Yoongi was always efficient at work, contributing to the strategic success of Kim Enterprise. Now he is Seokjin’s direct subordinate. He is responsible for the human resources recruitment and controls the advertising department. Being Seokjin’s close friend he started noticing an oddly evolving dynamic between Jin and Jungkook. They hardly communicated outside of work, constantly avoiding contact, feeling awkward in each other’s presence. When the three of them were present in the same room, Yoongi could almost feel on the physical level the tension created between Seokjin and his secretary. “Are you certain he never expressed any discontent? Perhaps asking to change anything? Such radical decisions are not made on the spur of a moment, much less by people like Jungkook. He has every step carefully planned ahead, probably knowing exactly what he is going to do every day for the next ten years,” Yoongi fiddled with his pen, deep in thought. Seokjin appreciated Yoongi’s ability to foresee the future events, good judgement for characters as if he could see right through people. He would often help Seokjin to sort out thoughts in his head, directing them into the right direction so that he could understand better from where certain emotions originate. “Absolutely nothing! Everything was fine, he seemed pleased and content. I am the best boss he could ask for! He simply doesn’t realize how lucky he is to work with someone like me!” Jin exclaimed, “Who else would give him so much freedom of action?! I have always shown him my appreciation, listened to his opinion, put his interests above my own and the interests of the company. I gave him the opportunity to continue his university studies while working. And this is how he is showing me his gratitude!” Yoongi fought back a chuckle. Like any of Kim’s employees, he is fully used to his friend’s narcissism and shameless bragging. All those who knew Seokjin at least a little bit below the surface understood that he was not as arrogant as he wanted people to believe he was and all of his fake bravado was in fact nothing more than an attempt to hide his self-doubt and fear that he had been struggling with for ages. From the defining moment in his past that made him who he was today. In his teenage years, he went through a severe experience that completely changed him and made him doubt everything and look for a catch everywhere. As a boy, Seokjin grew up in a very affluent family. His parents have always had excessive demands, pressuring the boy to do as well as he could. And instead of praising him for his achievements, they would only compare him with other children, especially his older brother. When Seokjin turned thirteen, he fell in love for the very first time in his life. He fell hard for a classmate and in the beginning it seemed that the feelings were mutual. At least Jung Myeong was constantly assuring him of this. Both boys ended up in the same summer camp and Seokjin was in a state of euphoria. Little did he know at the time that this summer he would experience his first heartbreak and a cruel betrayal. Seokjin had enemies at school, the worst of whom was the boy named Teju, the informal leader of a local gang at his school. The band of hooligans hated Seokjin and made his existence at school and in the camp unbearable, insulting him, but Jin dealt with them elegantly, always finding a witty response making Teju look stupid in front of anyone who wittnessed his attacks on Jin. Unfortunately Teju and his gang also ended up in the same summer camp as Seokjin and they made use of it to get their revenge. They set a trap in the locker room and it was Jung Myeong who brought his boyfriend to that place, leaving him to the mercy of Teju and his boys. Beaten and humiliated, Jin lay shaking and bleeding until he was found by one of the camp workers in the corner of the locker room the next morning. In denial Seokjin was refusing to accept Jung Myeong’s responsibility for the incident, and that he was betrayed by the person he loved. Later he started blaming himself thinking that he deserved what happened to him as he was unworthy of love. His feelings were severely played with and at times the boy found it hard to want to continue to live. Seokjin would lock himself in his room, stop eating, not wanting to see anybody, which forced his parents to drag the boy to the counselor's office against his will. After long and exhausting sessions of psychotherapy he managed to get over depression. But Seokjin had learned his life lesson: he can never trust enough to fall in love again. Love makes you weak and breaks you. The stronger your feelings are the more likely you are to be taken advantage of and humiliated. The only way to keep your peace of mind and avoid pain is not to feel anything at all and not to let anybody into your heart. And Seokjin has been good at this for many years. Regarding Min Yoongi, Seokjin had little reason to doubt his loyalty, which had been tested many times over the years. That’s why when he had a bad day, the young man would come to vent it with the friend. From his perspective, Yoongi felt curious about Seokjin’s reaction to the unexpected decision of Jungkook to resign. Understandably, Jungkook was hard to replace, but it was curious that Seokjin perceived his voluntary dismissal on a very personal level. As if it was a betrayal on Jungkook’s part. “But why does it bother you so much? You fired thousands of employees without a slightest regret, forgetting it the next day. Why does Jungkook’s resignation make you so upset?” he wanted to know. “Seriously? How can you ask me that, Min?” Seokjin exclaimed, “Jungkook is my personal assistant, he has been working with me for almost five years! I have no idea where to find a worker who would be at least half as efficient as him and how to train them. The company will not be able to function without him. I have no idea how we would cope without him….I will not be able to cope without him,” he added with hesitation. “Sometimes we don’t know what’s best for us,” Yoongi drawled, deep in thought, “It seems that we cannot cope without a certain person but in fact it turns out to be for the best, much better than we would imagine.” Yoongi's expression was full of melancholy. Two years ago he got divorced from his beloved wife who had been cheating on him. Min couldn’t forgive her until this day. It seemed that their feelings were strong and they both were happily married until one day he returned from a business trip early, finding his wife with a lover. It took her half an hour to pack her suitcase and leave Yoongi, moving in with the new boyfriend. After that Yoongi completely gave up on love. This saddened Seokjin greatly since it was him who introduced the former spouses. He still would say, trying to console a friend: “Yoongi, like I said, in this life we can only trust and rely on ourselves. Even the closest ones may be the ones to cause us the most unbearable pain. Nobody can be trusted and the safest thing is to avoid love.” Yoongi would only glare at his friend with growing annoyance, not one bit appreciating what Seokjin was saying. However, tonight Kim Seokin was in his little world, lost in thought of a handsome boy with a childish face and strong adult body. The boy, who had been his assistant and a stronghold of stability in his life for the past five years. He desperately longed to understand Jungkook. “I still wonder what’s wrong with secretary Jeon?” Seokjin said to himself, playing with little pieces of ice at the bottom of his glass.