Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from this drama. Rae Na. Jae Min, Jae Na, Hye Su, Akira, Amara, JaeHoo are mine. Jan Di's company is also mine.
Warning:
Note: Alright! This is the new chapter! I hope you like! And It's LONG! Please Review!
JD | Home
Wednesday | 12:56:24 PM
JanDi smiled sweetly as her daughter stared intently at the movie playing on the television screen. Her daughter was turning her into a pile of goo. She was really going to cave and get her a puppy if she wasn't careful. Jan Di wasn't ready to a puppy in the house too. Rae Na was an absolute handful - a puppy in the mix would be entirely overwhelming.
But those icy-blue eyes were going to be her downfall. She could see it now. She was going to cave. Jan Di knew it. Rae Na knew it. It was all just a matter of time at this point - this far into the little puppy act her daughter was pulling.
Jan Di plopped down into the love seat catty-corner to the couch and pulled her laptop onto her lap. She was in the middle of recreating the layout of the store from the blueprints on her cushion next to her.
Overall, everything had looked good. It was a clean and nice setup room. Mr Goo - that sound weird, her nose scrunched - had given her the go ahead, along with a thin binder that held pictures for glass cases, small clear shelves for inside cases or on top, and racks for clothing items. She needed to write down the quantities she would need to start - "You can have more ordered for you at any time" Junpyo said with a smile.
Jan Di's shoulders seemed to relax as the tension eased from her body. She had expected this particular endeavor to be much more time consuming and tons more stressful. But Mr Goo didn't seem like the type of person to leave his employees with the hard decisions.
A well-oiled machine.
That was exactly what her father would have called it while walking through the early yet to open mall that buzzed with the workers as they began to open their stores. Everyone had seemed happy and easy going as they opened the barred lifts and flicked on lights.
She was going to keep it fancy and chic. Soft creamy whites and pearl icy blues. The floor was going to stay as was - soft white with a light grey grout. She'd off set the softness with white florescent lights . . . and maybe a couple light blue bulbs here and there. And she'd have certain parts of the walls covered in pale icy blue fabric - a quilted look that made large diamond pattern with gauzy white pearl buttons at the corner of each diamond. There would be white chaise lounge chairs with one arm and silver frames.
Jan Di smiled. It was a dream. A dream that could finally be coming true. She'd wanted a business display right here in Korea . . . But she'd never done it. She'd always put her designs in a store - an off/inset boutique style in a fashion store. But now, now she'd finally have her own. Her very own.
A wide and soft smile covered her lips. It was finally happening.
. . .
Jan Di took a deep breath and let it out slowly as the elevator dinged. She'd never done this before either. She glanced down at herself once more before the silver doors slid open.
Jan Di wore a simple black pencil skirt with her favorite Michael Kors tops. The shirt was soft and gauzy white, it had slouchy kimono style sleeves that hung off the shoulders. Thin black chain-link straps connected to the front and back of the shirt as they rested on the shoulders. The neck open was done loose in a fluid crepe form. And of course, her Steve Madden 'Winslet' black wedged sandals.
She bit her lower lip. Okay, maybe she had gone a little out for this. But no one could blame her. She'd never been to an actual board meeting. Jan Di didn't have those where she worked. As the Boss, Jan Di had never seen a reason for them.
And now, here, she stood - going to her first ever board meeting, as a member of said board. Jan Di chewed on her lower lip as she moved down the halls. Thank Baby Jesus, some stranger had thought to put up a sort of check mark beside each door - room number and a little note of what was hidden behind said torture room. Okay! Well . . . It could be a torture room for all Jan Di knew.
Stop it! Christ! She was going to drive herself up the wall trying to give herself a pep talk. A pep talk that was doing absolutely everything but peping, mind you. Jan Di shook her head and focused on the little signs once more. She needed room 508. Her nose twitched. 496 glared at her in a stark black. It was teasing her.
"Ms Geum?"
Jan Di's head shot upward. People! She groaned quietly. Stop! They are going to see how much of a spazz you actually are. Her shoulders squared as she stood straighter. "Yes," Her eyes flickered with recognition. "Hey!" She smiled widely.
"Hey, Mr. Goo asked me to wait for you." Her dark eyes sparkled. "It will be nice to have another female in the room filled with stupid testosterone." A tinkling laugh filled the hall as she beamed happily.
Jan Di giggled. "Oh, you'll be in there too?" A flash of anxious relief filled her. She wasn't alone. Not that she believed Mr. Goo - still weird trying to call him Junpyo - would throw her to the opposing wolves.
"Yep!" Jae Ni smiled widely. "Wouldn't let him throw you to the wolves. I need all the girl power I can get." Her eyes sparkled widely. "And maybe a couple heads ups on sales?" She leaned in closer. "The top that you designed for Khor's Spring Fashion show last year had me in tears with jealousy." Her cheeks tinged a soft pink. "I was late coming to work cause I needed that shirt."
Jan Di laughed. "Anything for a fellow Girl Power girl in need." She winked. "Let's do this."
"Let's." A smile stayed plastered over her softly colored lips. She knocked twice before opening the door. "Mr. Goo, Ms Geum is here." She bowed slightly and stepped inside as she held the door open wide.
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders once more. She was not below them. Jan Di was on equal standing. She would be treated the same. She was no different than any of them here. "Hello gentlemen," She smiled aristocratically and kept her head level with those in the room. No signs of weakness.
"Ms Geum," Junpyo spoke softly as he stood buttoning his suit jacket once more. "Glad you found us." He glanced down at his watch, lips twitching. "And a few minutes early too." His dark eyes sparkled as he held out his hand for her to take. Junpyo pulled her closer and turned to face the Board. "Gentlemen . . . The is Geum Jan Di."
Jan Di kept her smile professional as she nodded. She wouldn't bow. She was equal. Jan Di stepped towards one of the two empty seats left around the circular table. "Gentlemen."
"She will be filling in as the new board member, permanently." Junpyo left no room for questions or choices. It was his word. And his word was law in his company. He smiled slightly as he pulled another folder from his briefcase and passed it to Jae Ni to pass to Jan Di. "I am under the impression that there is no issue with that." It wasn't a really a question. "Good. Let's begin."
.
Jan Di heaved a small sigh and closed the folder. That had been a whole lot of numbers. Geez! A heck of a lot of numbers. Jan Di blinked and eased the chair back. So was this what real board meetings were like when you had a corporation? Jan Di did not want his job. Not for a millisecond.
"Well?" Junpyo questioned as he stood next to her seated form. He held out his hand to help her rise gracefully from the rolling chair. "Was it too much?" He smiled slightly. "I know that it can be a lot to handle all at once." Junpyo shrugged. "I usually tend to throw people into a situation. It gives me an idea of how much they can handle."
She grinned slightly. "That much I gathered." She swallowed. "Though not sure if Mr Kim has the heart for it though."
"He's been here for a while." Junpyo shrugged slightly as he buttoned his suit closed. "Shall we?" A soft smile flitted over his stoic features as he nodded his head towards the door. "I had an office prepared for you on my floor." He glanced at her, watching her. "You do not have to be in office. I understand that your business does not derive around you being confined to an office."
Jan Di stayed quiet as she followed him back towards the elevator.
"I understand you will not be in office. I have your personal cell if I need to use it."
Jan Di frowned. "I have a work phone too. You can use that number and erase my personal." She wasn't going to ask. Her personal life and her business life were going to remain separate. Jan Di glanced at Junpyo once more. She swallowed, though if her boss looked like that it might be a little difficult.
"Very well." Junpyo smiled and reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out two phones. One white and one black. "I have two." He grinned and slipped the black phone back into his pocket. "Give me your business phone number and we won't have this problem again."
Jan Di smiled and held up her white phone. "Great minds must think a lot alike." She chirped out the digits of her work number. Jan Di grinned as her phone chimed softly with a new message. "Thank You."
"No, I understand completely." Junpyo murmured softly. "It is easier to keep them separate. Cleaner." Junpyo placed his hand out against the elevator door dinged and opened. "Ladies first."
Jan Di stepped forward and off of the elevator followed quietly by Jae Ni. She moved tot he side and let the others take move first, choosing to follow. Jan Di kept her eyes wide open. "Your office is straight back, right?" A smile tugged at her lips. At least I remembered that much.
"Yes," Jae Ni grinned. "This means, once you step off an elevator go left." Her heels made a soft clack sound against the wooden flooring.
She held back a groan. Another long hallway with few doors and long pictures. Once more, Jan Di came to a slight foray/waiting area - receptionist with desk included. Straight for Junpyo, and Left for Jan Di.
"This is Kara." Jae Ni smiled sweetly. "She is one of two assistant secretaries." She moved passed the young woman. "Your office will be straight back." Jar Ni pointed to the door to the right. "This is the only other office in use on this side. Kim Ga Eul."
Junpyo nodded. "She is one of my head designers for advertisement."
"Okay." Jan Di nodded. "So I will work with her when it comes time to promote the Grand Opening?"
He smiled sharply and nodded in agreement. "Very quick. You will do well here." Junpyo took a small step back. "Kara will tend to anything that you need work or computer wise." He glanced at the young woman before the desk before focusing on Jan Di once more. "But if you need me Jae Ni can get a hold of me. Or text." Junpyo's voice was soft as he stared at her.
"Yes." Jan Di smiled as she glanced at Kara. "Thank you."
Junpyo nodded and moved towards the elevator. He had work to do and a Dragon Lady to see.
"If you need me just have Kara buzz." Jae Ni grinned and waved before moving quickly to Junpyo's side.
.
Jan Di smiled at Kara. "Hello."
"Hi, come on." Kara grinned and waved for Jan Di to follow her to Jan Di's new office. "Line one of the phone will connect you to me." She held the door open and let Jan Di enter. "All other pre-sets, you can set." Kara's eyes sparkled. "I'll be out front if you need anything." She took a small step back. "Mr Goo said that you would not be in office as much as everyone else."
Jan Di nodded. "I have a daughter that comes before everyone else." Her voice was soft as she looked around the spacious office. A desk with a large leather rolling chair sat facing away from the large bay window. To the left was a floor to ceiling bookcase and a long side table with a decorative vase next to it. To the right was a mini couch with a low rise coffee table and two lounge chairs. "I also have an offsite office - I will be there more than here."
"Yes Ma'am." Kara replied. "If you will give me a link, I will pre-set your other numbers in my phone for the times you are out of office."
She nodded. "Thanks." She watched at the other bowed and started to walk away. "Oh Kara."
"Yes Ma'am?"
Jan Di smiled. "My name is Jan Di. Not ma'am."
Kara grinned widely. "Very well . . . Jan Di." Her hand rested on the doorknob. "Will you be in office long?"
"No" Jan Di glanced down at the watch on her wrist. "I will need to go pick up my daughter in twenty." She watched with soft eyes as the other shut her door. She had a real office. Not a room made into an office. But a room made for an office. Jan Di giggled quietly. She was finally moving up. With a soft sigh, Jan Di sat down in the leather rolling chair.
Jan Di reached for the telephone sitting on the large desk. She pushed the number she knew by heart.
"Hello?"
She giggled. "That sounded very easy. How many unknown numbers call you on a regular basis?" Jan Di cackled as the other squawked. "They gave me my own office Ai-Umma." She leaned back fully into the chair and let her eyes fall shut. Her shoulders relaxed.
"As any smart person would." Ai Mi whispered happily. "My little girl is growing up too fast."
Jan Di smiled affectionately. "Yeah, I think I'm going to have to agree." Her eyes glanced at her new settings. "He wants to put my business in every one of his malls."
"Wow . . . Just wow." Ai Mi whistled. "That is a lot."
She nodded. Too much really.
"Well, stop stressing and go get your little girl." Ai Mi demanded. "And if I remember correctly she has been talking non-stop about someone named Jun."
Jan Di groaned. "I'm going to cave."
"We all do at some point." Ai Mi giggled. "Now shoo. Give my baby loves."
.
Jan Di heaved a small sigh as she parked the SUV and cut the engine. She pulled the key from its place and placed it in her pocket while grabbing her purse. She was a little early, but that would give her time to check on the situation with bullying. And Maybe she could finally meet this Ji Hoo and Jae Hoo that Rae Na kept speaking of.
Rae Na had asked about inviting Jae Hoo over for quite a few different occasions. And it wasn't that he was a boy that had anything to do with it. Jan Di simply hadn't met either of the two on neutral grounding and she wasn't ready to take it further until she had.
And dammit! He did his name sound so familiar? Jan Di's brows furrowed. She'd heard the name for sure from somewhere . . .
JiHoo | 2:50 PM
Ji Hoo heaved a small sigh and leaned against his car in the early pickup line. He had bargained with his little brother on the pickup time. Ji Hoo shook his head. Yes, he - the adult - bargained with Jae Hoo - the child - about pick-up time. But until you have to fight puppy-eyes no one was allowed to give him looks.
"Mr. Yoon? You are here early."
Ji Hoo bowed his head politely. "Hello, Mrs. Oh."
"Good to see you." Mrs. Oh smiled sweetly. "Jae Hoo was very good today." Her brows furrowed, "though he seems to have some separation anxiety. Especially towards Miss Choi."
Ji Hoo let out a heavy sigh and nodded. He expected that. Ji Hoo had been trying to deal with the issue but sometimes it was more difficult than it was worth.
"May I ask where his mother is?" Mrs. Oh inquired.
"She has left." Ji Hoo replied cryptically. His eyes narrowed, it wasn't her business what happened between Jae Joo, Ji Hoo and anyone else. His nose twitched lightly as he stared down at the woman.
Mrs. Oh closed her mouth and nodded. "If we notice any problems . . ."
"Let me know if it becomes an issue." Ji Hoo answered, cutting her off before she could continue to talk. He wasn't in the mood to hear about all of the ways he could be raising Jae Hoo better. He wasn't a father. He wasn't ready for this.
Mrs. Oh nodded before walking away.
Ji Hoo frowned. Be pulled out his phone from his inside suit jacket pocket. He scrolled through the contacts. His mocha orbs stared at the contact titled: Jae Hye Noona. Ji Hoo's lips pursed in thought. Hesitation clouded his mind as he slowly lowered his thumb over the name. He brought the phone up to his ear and waited.
'The person you are looking for is unavailable. Please leave a message af-'
He pressed end as aggravation filled him. It's not my job to raise your child noona.
"Hoo!" An overly happy Jae Hoo called out as he ran towards the elder.
Ji Hoo smiled despite his aggravation. "Hey." He chuckled at the nickname that the younger had given him long ago. JaeHoo had always had a fascination for Owls. And apparently he was no exception to the fascination.
"Hoo!" Jae Hoo reached for his hand and began to tug him back towards the doors. "Come meet my friend." His eyes shimmered with happiness. "It's a girl Hoo! She's pretty!" Jae Hoo grinned widely, innocent and carefree.
Ji Hoo's lips twitched as they lifted upwards in a smile. He let himself be tugged towards the doors as they began to open. "You need to slow down. We might ru-"
"Oh No! I"m sorry."
Ji Hoo kept his hands around her waist, keeping her steady as he righted them both.
"Hoo!" Jae Hoo smiled brightly. "Rae Na this is Hoo!" He grinned widely and pulled on the hem of Ji Hoo's shirt.
He chuckled softly as he looked at the little girl. Ji Hoo looked down, a smile already placed on his lips. His eyes widened as they shot up to the woman standing still in his arms.
"Hello, I am Jan Di." She grinned. Jan Di bowed slightly and took a small step back. "Rae Na's Mothe-" Her eyes widened. "Oh!" Her eyes widened as she tilted her head to the side. "I ran into you at the mall?"
Ji Hoo smirked. "Yes." He bowed slightly, while nodding. "My name is Ji Hoo."
A slight blush stained her cheeks. "Nice to meet you, again." She smiled shyly. "My name is Jan Di."
He chuckled. "Nice to see you again too." Ji Hoo left JaeHoo kept one of his arms as he held the other out for Jan DI to shake. "Pleasure to finally put a name with the face."
"Sorry . . . again, again." Jan Di giggled softly. She twisted to the younger boy. "You are Jae Hoo, right? I've heard very good things about you." She winked.
Jae Hoo blushed a deep cherry and stuttered out a hello.
"Yes." Ji Hoo smirked. "And I have heard about you, Rae Na."
Rae Na beamed brightly. "Hello," she exclaimed cheerfully.
"We need to exchange numbers." Jan Di laughed softly. "We might have to make a play date."
Ji Hoo smiled. "She likes watching movies about puppies too, huh?"
She nodded. "More than anything else." Jan Di shook her head.
Ji Hoo smiled, his eyes twinkling. "You cave first."
"What?" Jan Di cocked her head to the side in question before her eyes widened in understanding. Laughter filled her eyes as a beaming smile broke on her lips. "No, you." She bobbed her head in his direction. Jan Di's attention was drawn back to the little girl at her side. "Hmm, Baby?"
Rae Na smiled sweetly. "I want to go see Jun!" Her smile widened as Jan Di nodded in approval. Rae Na beamed brightly and waved energetically at Jae Hoo. "See you tomorrow JaeHoo!"
"Okay." Jae Hoo blushed and waved, "Bye Raerae!"
Ji Hoo smiled and shook his head before sending a small wave of his own. His lips pursed. Jun?
Okay?