Reserved Love: Episode 1

It's Monday, the brightest day of the month, but certainly not the brightest one for students and workers. Because that means the end of holiday and the beginning of battle every weekdays. A fine man who will turn 30 soon, looking at the mirror and prepares himself. He tries out some clothes and changes again, unsure what will be appropriate today.

That man, our resident chaebol guy is Cha Mu Young, Daehan Group's son-in-law that just promoted as HR Director of Daehan Oil, Ltd. Yunno, since he has no expertise nor competence on oil, natural gas and such so he just got his job managing Human Resources things. He talks to himself about his stroke of luck recently.

"People consider themselves as lucky, but for me there's no such thing as luck if we're unprepared. Just like me, I have to prepare everyday for whatever outcome that will be. I'm lucky if you said so, but it's because I work hard to earn it. My house, my wife, my job and now my company don't come from the sky. It's all gained by myself who endure pain and humiliation."

A car has parked in front of our house. Driver Kim is ready to take him to his new office today.

But his wife calls, "Jagiya, why you don't sit down and eat breakfast first?"
"But it's my first day. I want to make good impression towards the employees."
"Sure, but if my hubby is hungry, who will care for him? I have asked Ms.Wang to prepare your favorite breakfast, kimchi fried rice with fried rice..”
"Okay then. but I need to eat quickly honey," Mu Young tells her.

His wife smiles at him and he smiles back. He loves her smile that reminds him how beautiful she is.. Well yeah, as long as she doesn't drag her mom to their household. He eat the breakfast and it's really delicious and before he finishes his plate, his wife gives him a glass of orange juice. Surely she's too perfect of a wife right?

He holds her hand for a while.. and look at her eyes, bright and wide. She tries to hide her shyness. He tells her he maybe come home late. She doesn't worry but instead tells him to take care. She will also go to work later. He tells her he has to hurry now but she holds him back and properly fix his tie.

He think to himself, "I once dreamed to have a wife who will fix my tie in the morning. I can't believe I get that kind of wife now and she still does it whenever she feels my tie is rather off."

He bids farewell for the last time and enters the car. Now he orders his driver to take him to his new office. His office is in downtown Seoul, Myeongdong Area. But his house is near Incheon and it needs almost an hour by car, if there’s no traffic jam. They pass bustling Dongdaemun and reality hits him on the head that he’s no longer vegetable store owner. His own life is the perfect re-enactment “from rags to riches” story, thanks largely to his filthy-rich wife and her family of chaebol. But he actually tears up because he can no longer smell the freshness of vegetables out from the market. Or just sings and dances like crazy with his friends, or sometimes the customers too. But now as he’s chaebol’s son in-law, his life must meet their demands accordingly and he can’t just live his own way.

As soon as he enters the office, staffs line up, bow down and greet he. He’s actually a bit uncomfortable but he tries to be polite and walks quicker.

Finally he reaches my new office room. it's bright and spacious. There are glasses, instead of walls that separate me from my immediate subordinates. He can see them through the glasses and they can see him too.

As he just sits in the office room, his Assistant Director comes and introduces him to the workers on his department. Mu Young scans through the female workers and wonders which one is his secretary. Ass.Dir Choi introduces him to his secretary, finally, he is excited over it. Not that he looks for recreation here, but aren’t man the same? He chuckles to himself. But then a man in his forties step forward and explains clearly he’s his new secretary. Mu Young can’t believe it! He’s not even a handsome man, but more like a frog. Hahaha. His imagination goes awry and he accepts his secretary, Jo Jae Hyun with bitterness.

After long introduction, Ass.Dir Choi also reminds him that today there’s job interview at the company and Mu Young is expected to be one of the panelists and in charge of supervision since it’s their job desc, on Human Resources, means employees and their ins and outs.

Mu Young almost forgets today’s job interview. But no worries since his ass.dir and secretary efficiently lay out their work in front of him and he only needs to be present at the job interview. Needless to say, there are literally hundreds of job seekers in the hall. Mu Young gets panic, he’s actually really nervous while in the crowd, but he maintains calm facade. He only needs to talk to one of the supervisors, maybe some directors, interview the job seekers and then go home.

A familiar man appears and cuts his train of thoughts. He still looks at him and wonders how he even get so far in this company. That’s his brother however. His twin brother to be exact. But he’s considered his hyung. Cha Mu Won, 30 years old this year. Living his life as gambler before, but poor decision made him a loser. A big-time loser!

Mu Young’s father in-law bails out his losses, gives him the similar job to Mu Young’s in the company and even gives him promotions and bonuses too. Now he’s just promoted as Finance Director. What the heck!! Maybe his father in-law figures out that gambler obviously knows and understands money?

“Ya, namdongsaeng! You come just in time!” Mu Won comes to him.
“Ah hyung! I’m glad you’re here too,” Mu Young gives him thin smile.

Mu Young looks at his cocky hyung. There’s literally nothing he can be proud of, except his good-looking face. Oh, and he’s rather smart and cunning too. He’s fast learner to be exact. Mu Won smiles at him knowingly and gives him a pat in the back.

“Don’t look at me like that, Mu Young-ah! It makes me uncomfortable,” Mu Won says.

A staff comes looking for them. They’re given a pile of paperwork and briefed quickly. In short, they will interview the candidates. Each room has around 100 candidates and they have 3 rooms. Mu Young already shivers hearing so many candidates to interview today. He plans to just give them whatever question on his mind, beside the obvious questions like their specs and motivation.

One by one candidate enters his room. He dosen’t need to hear every single thing they said, because they say almost the same. Same old same old spec, same motivation, same target and oblivious of their company. What he can expect then? That’s until the 51st candidate. A woman. She's just very common woman but not too shabby either. She looks confident and pretty cool. Her name is Lee Young Won. For some reason, that name resonates on him, eventhough he never meets her.

She introduces herself in front of the panelists. Her voice is clear and bright. She says she had worked for 2 years in another oil company but just resigned to gain new experience.

“My name is Lee Young Won. I was graduated from Dankook University, chemical engineering major class 2005. I’m interested in this company.....bla bla bla...” she explains herself.

Ah, maybe that’s why she seems familiar to him. They’re graduated from the same university, but different major. Mu Young himself was graduated from business administration. While he looks at her, he thinks that she will be perfect on his team. Mu Young doesn’t need to hear her technical spec and details, he’s confident on her ability. Mu Young tells other directors to take her and give it to other department. One director murmurs to him because she’s more of technical person with field experience than office person. But Mu Young already sets his eyes to her.

The announcement comes on the same day, Mu Young is still deadly tired after interviewing so many people. He massages his shoulders as they’re in great pain after overwork today. The results are out, the candidates are swarming to the notice board to see if their names are listed as the new hires. So many are disappointed, but others are in great joy. Mu Young looks at them from afar, amused. He remembers the time when he also needed to seek a job. That time seems faded into his memory. Mu Young looks for his target worker, Young Won. He also looks at some papers to find her name. Great! She’s on his team! Now he’s rest assured and can go home comfortably.

**

He meets that woman again today. She’s new hire on his team, Human Resources HQ. Working near a director must be a great thing for her. But once she walks near his table, her question is surprising.

“Director, my qualification is on technical part as I’m an engineer and technician first. Why am I on this department?” Young Won asks him.
“Shouldn’t it be an honor to you? I chose you to work on this department because I trust you. I like you and your experience will truly benefit our department.”
“But... I don’t understand the things here. As I said before my qualification is engineering.”
“You can attend training and courses. We will pay for your courses and such! I just want you in my department!!”

There’s silence after Mu Young said the last sentence. But he quickly brushes it off as something the company would do to talented person. Young Won looks at him with hundreds questions on her eyes, but she doesn’t dare to ask him again. For now, she just goes back to her room and cubicle.

Mu Young lets out deep sigh. Clearly he’s not on the right mind today. He will be in trouble when someone ask the justification for such thing when it’s just his own impulse. Mu Young quickly thinks a justified reason for her as his direct employee and for work training too.

Her desk happened to be right in front of his room. He can see her through his room window. Her task today will be to memorize names and positions on the company and scans through if there’s mistakes on spelling and such. She’s clearly bored by the task.

By 3pm, Sec.Jo informs Mu Young that Madame aka his wife comes by to the office. Mu Young is excited and combs his hair with his hands before meet his wife. He rushes to the lobby... till a familiar sighting catches his eyes.

He sees his wife chats with Mu Won on a bench. They look so hapy and comfortable together. Time stopped for him by then.

***

Writer: kanz
Pictures credit: as tagged, to owner