Just get up. C'mon, you can do this. You need to get ready.
You pry yourself from the warm security of your comforter. You check the time on the clock next to the bed while stretching your arms, hoping you have time to actually eat this morning - it is already 7. The cold air hits your stomach as you pull your t-shirt off, sending a shiver up your body and your teeth to chatter for a moment. The house has a tendency to get quite chilly at night regardless of the temperature outside.
Damn, of course. Well, granola bar it is then.
You have an important meeting with the Chairman of C&R. You can't be late; you rush to get dressed. Luckily, you already picked out the perfect outfit last night, something that's modest yet trendy. You tuck in your burgundy button up that had this cute bow that ties at the loose neckline into your black knee length pencil skirt. God you hate tights, they're always so itchy and hot. You pull your blonde hair into a perfectly loose fishtail braid, letting your side swept bangs hang in front of your face. It's definitely time for a haircut. You start your simple makeup routine only consisting of moisturizer, winged eyeliner, mascara and a bronze lipstick that makes the green in your hazel eyes really stand out.
Pulling on the black platform booties you had picked for this outfit, you lose your step and fall onto floor.
"Shit!"
You groan, pulling your shoe on and grabbing the keys off the table next to the door. You close the door behind you while going through the ritual mental checklist, making sure nothing was forgotten.
The building is probably the tallest in the city, covered in reflective windows that basically blind you when the sun hits them at just the right angle. You thank the man that held the door open for you and make your way to the elevator. After waiting through two loads of people, you finally get in and it's just you. You press the 68 button near the door.
Ugh, this is going to be a long ride.
Your phone rings, the screen displaying the picture you took of your mom when she had a mouth full of marshmallows.
"Hey mom."
"Hi Soo-min. I was calling to see if you wanted to join us for dinner tonight. Your brother Ki and his wife will be in town for the night."
"Yeah sure, I'll see you tonight. Love you."
You turn your phone on silent and shove it back into your bag. The elevator starts to slow down, the sing song elevator voice letting you know that you are on the 50th floor. The doors open and a man enters. His hair was black and a bit shaggy. God, that pinstripe shirt is awful and his shoes are borderline tacky.
"What floor?" you ask him in the most pleasant voice and sweet smile you can muster up.
"68 please, thank you." His voice is monotone and deep.
You nodded, the doors closed and it grew into an awkward silence. You can hear him breathing through his mouth and it was making you angry. You can feel your eyebrow start to twitch and you let out a huff.
"Can you breathe any louder?!" you bark at the brooding man standing behind you.
"E-Excuse me?"
"You are breathing very loud and it is obnoxious." you growl back.
"My apologies, I have a slight cold." He sounds nasally.
"Well knock it off."
The elevator dings and you turn to him before mocking a curtsey. His mouth gapes in disbelief.
"If you'll excuse me." you chirp.
"Good morning!" The secretary points you in the direction of Chairman Han's office. The door is open and he's already standing up, waiting to shake your hand. You make sure it is a firm one.
Just because you are a woman does not mean you are easily taken advantage of.
"Chairman Han, I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to do business with you."
"Believe me, it is I who should be thanking you for returning my call. My wife has not been able to stop talking about August Pearl for the last week."
He explains how his wife Glam wants to reach into the jewelry business, and when she found that yours was so quaint, she couldn't resist. He begins going over the terms and the two of you exchange documents.
"All of the terms are laid out in the documents there, but I would like to give you a quick overview. We are willing to commit to a 2 year contract. If you are in need of a warehouse, we will also cover that expense, as well as hire 20 employees for your business to cover the warehouse, production, accounting, and management positions. If you wish to open a physical store, that would be something we are interested in, but we would like all decisions to be made together and formally discussed with the board. We would like 30 percent of all profits in return. Do you have any questions or concerns so far?" he chimes.
"No, Sir. I will to have to go over this agreement with my lawyer first. I do not want to begin dealings and negotiations without full knowledge and legal counsel first."
"Spoken like a true businessman. I like your confidence." The Chairman replies, thinking he is being charming.
Ugh, does he ever shut up. This man is so creepy, why does he keep flirting with me? Just keep smiling.
"I do hope you consider this arrangement, Ms. Gho. I will be in touch by the end of next week. It has been a pleasure doing buisness with you." He rises and walks around to your side of the cherrywood desk.
"The pleasure is all mine, Chairman." You exchange another firm handshake. Before you can pull your hand away, he lifts it to his mouth and lays a gentle kiss on your knuckles. You maintain a smile trying to hide the fact that this misogynistic ass just made your blood boil. He places a hand on your lower back.