Pay With Your Heart

Eun-sun was surprised to receive a call to her boss' office the moment she arrived her desk. She looked at Hye-jin for a clue on what was going on, but the girl shrugged indicating she had no idea. She looked at the time, but she wasn't too late for work. Though she had arrived the company early, she had made a quick stop at Ji-Tae's office, and that had made her late.

She was familiar with these abrupt kind of invites to the boss' office. It usually meant a query or a sack letter. She had experienced these things while she served tables at different restaurants, then her temper had been the reason for that. But now, all she could think about was Father Lee. The man has mentioned his intention of sending her away from the company. At the moment, anything could be expected.

Had she and Dan-Han been in good terms, she'd have suspected he was back to his old tricks again. Or was he?

Her heart skipped as she thought about the possibility of it. She immediately dropped her bag and made her way to the director's office.

Eun-sun was more surprised when she knocked on the door and the director personally opened the door for her, urging her to step in. Her eyes darted around the room but there was no sign of Dan-Han. She sighed deflatedly. She felt disappointed.

Though there was alot going on between them, and she was vexed with him, maybe not as much as he was vexed with her, but she still longed to see him.

"Good morning sir." She greeted the man with a bow, and he greeted back. A nervous smile plastered on his face as he ushered her in.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously when he pulled out a seat for her and said, "Please sit." Eun-sun was astonished by the man's actions. He was acting strange.

It didn't look like she was getting a query nor was she getting fired. But one thing she noticed was the beads of sweat that covered the man's face like he had a fever, and from how disorganized he looked, she could tell he was nervous. Why?

"Sir, it's everything okay?" She asked with concern. Though she wasn't close to the director, he was a good man and a very capable boss who she respected.

The man gazed at her for a while before occupying the seat close to her, and his face turned serious.

"Ms Park, I know what I'm about to ask is very low of me, but you're my only hope." He said making Eun-sun furrow her eyes at him. She was lost.

"What do you mean, sir?" She inquired. Her intent gaze boring at him in a curious yet suspicious manner.

"President Lee had asked all departments to submit reports regarding the Centenary project yesterday, but there had been some issues with ours and we're currently behind schedule. Do— do you think you can help me submit it?" He asked making Eun-sun look at him in shock. She was stunned to hear his request. Why was he making such a request of her?

He picked up a file from his desk and glanced back at her. "I know you and president Lee share some kind of relationship, and I'm not trying to blackmail you or exploit the fact that I know this. But President Lee has been in a really bad mood recently, he might kick me out for this one mistake, and i can't afford to lose my job now, my wife is pregnant and we're finally expecting a child after so long. I'm ashamed to do this, but I have no other choice. I promise I won't do this next time." He earnestly begged and assured her while he stretched the file towards her.

Eun-sun glanced at the file and then at him.

"I don't think it's a good idea." She told him, while he nodded concurringly.

"I know it's not, and I shouldn't have asked this of you, but you're my last hope." He said.

Eun-sun knew he was saying the truth. The man had been ecstatic when he heard his wife was pregnant after several years of waiting. He was too happy, so much he had announced it at the department and gave everyone a treat. If Dan-Han was in a really bad mood, he might truly lose his job. The man had zero tolerance for incompetence, most especially towards the Centenary project. She looked at the file and she felt torn.

Dan-Han and her weren't on good terms, and there was a tendency the man might even lose his job because of her. But not being able to say no, she accepted it.

"Thank you Ms Park. I'm eternally grateful." He sincerely appreciated her. Eun-sun nodded and received the file even though in her heart she felt this wasn't going to be good.

She took the file and made her way to Dan-Han's office. Her heart pounded loudly as the elevator got closer to the highest floor. She flinched when it dinged on arrival.

Cold sweats of anxiety covered her palms as she stepped out of the elevator. She couldn't remember the last time she stepped on this floor. It felt like ages, even though it was barely two weeks ago. She took in deep breaths to calm herself and walked towards the office.

Secretary Chang-wok was surprised to see her. He was beginning to think she'd never come there again.

"Ms Park." He greeted excitedly, and she greeted back. And before she could ask if Dan-Han was in, the man gestured for her to go in.

Secretary Chang-wok knew he was supposed to inform Dan-Han about her arrival, but he doubted the boss would let her in. He had asked him to find her yesterday, and when he did, president Lee had still not gone to her like he thought he would, despite knowing there was some misunderstanding between them. He was beginning to fear the boss has truly given up on his relationship. If he did, he'd revert to his old ways of being a monster, and he couldn't let that happen.

President Lee could scold him later, but for now he'll do this.