Chapter 4

Chapter 4: An Unexpected Surprise

Scene 1

After leaving JanDi’s room, JunPyo returned to his room to get ready for his first day of work. He’s dressed in Giorgio Armani black pinstripe suit.

When he came down for breakfast, JanDi and halmoni were happily having a pleasant conversation. Their conversation was cut short when JunPyo sat at the dining table.

“I didn't mean to interrupt, do continue with your conversation.” Jun Pyo said.

“That’s all right, JunPyo. We were just discussing about JanDi’s new job.” Halmoni stated.

“Oh really, what exactly do you do JanDi?” He glanced over to JanDi. She immediately turned to look at her plate.

“I’m a lawyer of Kim & Chang. I deal with mergers and acquisitions between large companies.” JanDi answered.

“I guess you would know about the merger that will occur between Samsung Electronics Co. and Panasonic Corporation. Are you familiar with this case, JanDi?” JunPyo asked.

She turned to look at him and replied politely. “Yes, my boss assigned me this case yesterday.” 

He leaned closer to her, “Really?..I received a phone call from the CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. today. He has placed me in charge of the merger between Samsung Electronics Co. and Panasonic Corporation. This means that you’ll need to work closely with me.” He winked at her.

“JanDi, my red Ferrari will be delivered here tonight. Can you drop me off to work today in the meantime?” JunPyo asked nicely. He knows that JanDi can’t decline his request since his grandmother is sitting next to her.

“Sure, I’ll be waiting for you in the car. Excuse me, halmoni. I’ll be home for dinner today.” JanDi quickly got up and leave.

“JunPyo, did you do something to JanDi? How come she always wants to leave the table every time she sees you? ” Halmoni gave JunPyo a suspicious look.

“No, I didn't do anything to her, halmoni. Maybe she doesn’t like me. I’ll see you when I get home.” JunPyo kissed her cheek.

When JunPyo got in her car, JanDi didn’t say a word to him. It was a long silent ride until they reached his workplace.

“JunPyo, please get out of my car now or else I’ll be late for my work.” she gave him an annoying look.

“JanDi, are you still mad at me about what happened this morning? How do you expect me to avoid looking at you? It’s not my fault that you were the one standing in front of me with practically nothing on but your bra and panties.”

“JunPyo!! Let’s just pretend that YOU DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING this morning! I’ll forgive you this time. Next time don’t enter my room without my permission. Do you understand?”

“Alright, I understand. Thanks for dropping me off. You can pick me up whenever you’re done with your work today.” He gave her a swift kiss on the lips. She was about to lift her hand to slap him, but he quickly got off the car.

Scene 2

JunPyo made his way inside Samsung’s building toward the elevator. While waiting for the elevator, he noticed a woman standing next to him. She was wearing a low v-neck navy pinstripe sleeveless dress with a white long sleeved blouse. The empty elevator door slides opened as both of them entered inside. 

Once the elevator door closed, she greeted him, “Annyong haseyo.”

He smiled, “Annyong. Miss, what floor are you going to?” JunPyo asked.

“The 10th floor, please.” she responded.

“Oh, that’s the same floor I’m going. Do you work here Miss?”

“I’m a new employee here. And you?”

“Today is my first day at work. I’ve a meeting with Mr. Lee, the CEO of Samsung.”

Just then the elevator emitted a “ding” sound and stopped. JunPyo glanced at the overhead display and saw the elevator had stopped on the tenth floor. When the door opened, there was a man waiting for them. JunPyo and JaeKyung stepped out of the elevator and greeted Mr. Lee. 

Mr. Lee led them toward his office. “Well, I didn’t expect to see you both here at the same time. Please have a seat.” They were seated at the small conference table.

“JunPyo, this is Shelly Kim. She’s the Director of Operations. You’ll be working with her on the merger case that I’ve told you about this morning.” JaeKyung held out her hand to JunPyo. When his long fingers wrapped around hers, her skin heated with contact.

“JunPyo is the new Vice President of our company. He has many years of management experience in New York. I’ve place him in charge of the merger case.” Mr. Lee told JaeKyung,

“The merger with Panasonic Corporation will need to be completed by the end of this month. I need both of you to oversee this case to ensure the merger go smoothly. You’ll prepare legal documents and meet with the lawyer of Kim & Chang, who is assigned to this case” Mr. Lee explained.

“That will not be a problem and I’ll make sure that the merger went smoothly without a hitch.” JunPyo said.

“I’ll assist JunPyo with gathering the legal documents for the merger.” JaeKyung added.

“That’s good to hear. You both are the top executives in the business world. The two of you will make a great team. I’ll leave this case under your care since I know you both will do a good job.” The CEO praised them.

“Also, I want to inform both of you about our company’s event tonight at 8 PM. The press and reporters will be there during the event. I’ll make an official announcement during the event to welcome both of you to the company. There will be board of directors and top executives from other companies attending tonight event, I will introduce you to them. You’re welcome to bring your guest to this event.”

After the meeting with Mr. Lee, JunPyo invited JaeKyung for lunch in order for both of them to become more acquaintance with one another.

“Ms. Kim, did you grow up in Korea?” JunPyo asked

“Yes, I used to live here until I graduated from high school. My dad sent me to study abroad in California. What about you?” JaeKyung looked at him shyly.

“Well, I left to New York with my parents when I was five years old. My father established a real estate company in New York City.” JunPyo answered.

“Oh really? I’ve a very good friend that works in the real estate sector. His named is JunKi, he’s the #1 real estate tycoon in Los Angeles. We came back to Korea together since he wanted to expand his real estate company in Korea. I’ll introduce you to him if you want to meet him.” JaeKyung said.

“That would be great. I’m looking forward to meet him. About the merger, I’ll introduce you to the lawyer that is in charge of this case” JunPyo said.

“How soon will I meet her?” JaeKyung asked.

“I’ll bring her to the event tonight so you can meet her.” JunPyo stated.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting her.”

“It’s mid-afternoon now, and I’ve some business matters to attend to.” He had told her.

She glanced at her watch, “Okay, we better get back to work. I’ll see you later tonight.”

They got up to leave the restaurant and returned to the office.

JunPyo was preoccupied with business meeting most of the day. It was already 5 PM when he returned to his office. He made a phone call to JanDi.

“Yoboseyo?” JanDi answered

“It’s me JunPyo. When are you going to pick me up? I’m almost done with my work in 30 minutes” JunPyo said.

“Listen, I’m not your personal chauffeur. If you can’t wait for me until 6 PM, then call a taxi.” JanDi said.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you in the front entrance at 6 PM. I’ve to attend an event today at 8 PM and you’re coming with me.”

“Why do I need to come with you?” JanDi asked.

“There is someone I want you to meet. I’ll see you later.” JunPyo hurriedly said goodbye and hung up the phone.

Scene 3

JanDi picked up JunPyo from work. When they’ve arrived at the mansion, both of them went to their rooms to change for tonight event. JanDi was roaming through her closet for a dress to wear. After she had showered, she gazed apprehensively at the dress she chose to wear tonight, before snatching it up and putting it on. She turned to the mirror and quickly applied some powder, blush and soft pink gloss. JunPyo was waiting for JanDi to come downstairs. His attention were focused on JanDi when he saw her gracefully walked down the stairs, his eyes were glued on her. She was wearing a black one shoulder dress and black satin open toe platform shoes with gold inserts and cross-over straps.

Halmoni walked passed and saw JunPyo staring at JanDi.

Halmoni tapped JunPyo’s shoulder, “Aren’t you going to give her a compliment?” She whispered to him. JunPyo was still dumbfounded by JanDi’s beauty.

“JanDi you look very lovely today. Are you going out tonight with JunPyo?” Halmoni said.

“Yes, halmoni. JunPyo and I will be attending Samsung’s event tonight. We'll be back in soon. Did you already have dinner?”

“Don’t worry about me dear. I just have a soup earlier. You guys have fun and enjoy the rest of the evening.” she winked at both of them which made JanDi’s blushed.

The red Ferrari was parked in the front entrance of the mansion. JunPyo led her to his car.

Inside the car, JunPyo commented, “You look beautiful tonight.” He bends his head down to give her a gentle kiss on her cheek.

She quickly wiped her cheek, “Yahh!!! What the hell are you doing? Don’t you dare put a move on me again!!” She scolded him.

“Alright, calm down JanDi. You’re too conservative. When I was living in New York City, people kiss each other on the cheek all the time. It’s nothing serious.”

“Just shut up and drive!!” She exclaimed.

Scene 4

Upon arriving at the event, there were reporters standing by the lobby. JunPyo took hold of JanDi’s hand and twined his fingers through hers as they made their way inside. Inside the entrance hall, there were board of directors, top executives, and employees of the company attending the event. Mr. Lee and JaeKyung approached JunPyo and JanDi when they arrived.

“JunPyo, it’s good to see you. Who’s the beautiful lady next to you?” Mr. Lee asked.

“Mr. Lee, I would like to introduce you to JanDi. She’s a lawyer of Kim & Chang. JanDi is in charge on the merger between our company and Panasonic Corporation.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Lee.” JanDi shook his hand. She glanced over to JaeKyung, “It’s nice to meet you to Miss….”

“It’s Shelly Kim. I’m the Director of Operations. JunPyo and I will be assisting you with the merger case.” JaeKyung stated.

“Annyong. I’m looking forward to working with you, Shelly.” JanDi held out her hand and gave her a firm handshake. The moment their hands touched, there was a familiar feeling, closeness, and a bond between them.

Mr. Lee interrupted, “Excuse JanDi. I would need to borrow JunPyo and Shelly for a few hours. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Please go ahead, I don’t mind at all.” JanDi responded.

JunPyo looked at her tenderly, “JanDi, I’ll be right back. Why don’t you try some appetizers on the table?”

“Ok, I will. Don’t worry about me. There must be a lot of people you have to meet. I’ll wait over there for you.”

The event program started when Mr. Lee got up on stage to announce the two new executives to the company. JunPyo introduced himself to everyone on stage when he was announced as the Vice President. Follow by JaeKyung who was standing next to JunPyo when she was introduce as the director of operation. After the announcement, JunPyo and JaeKyung were introduced to the board of directors and high ranking official that they will be working with. 

JanDi was filled with jealousy when she saw JaeKyung linking arms and smiling coyly at JunPyo. It made JanDi feel uneasy when he was smiling back at JaeKyung. She went over to the appetizer table grabbed a piece of crab cake. 

“Hello, Miss. We meet again. You look very beautiful tonight.” JunKi walked up behind her.

JanDi looked at him in surprise, “Oh, hello. Sorry, I’ve not formally introduce myself last time. I’m JanDi Goo. And you?”

“I'm Lee JunKi. It's nice to see you here.” He took her hand and kissed it.

“Are you here alone?” She asked.

“No, I’m here with my date. Unfortunately, she’s busy socializing with others.”

“Same here. Would you like some crab cakes? It’s delicious.” JanDi offered him.

“Yes, I would like to try some.” JanDi handed it to him.

“Are you a client of Mr. Jung?” She asked curiously.

“Yes, I went to meet Mr. Jung to seek his legal advice. A friend of my recommended him since Mr. Jung has a extensive experience dealing with corporate matters and start up ventures. I just returned to Korea a few days ago. My intention is to expand my real estate company in Korea.”

“Oh, I see. If there is anything I could help you with, please let me know. Here is my contact.” She handed him her business card. 

JunPyo glanced around the room swiftly. He found JanDi talking and flirting with another man. He felt a tinge of jealousy and insecurity.

JaeKyung noticed it and asked, “Is she your girlfriend?”

“She is not technically my girlfriend. I just met her when I returned to Korea. She has living at my grandmother's house for the past 15 years.” JunPyo said.

“Oh, how did she end up living there?” JaeKyung asked curiously.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it another time. Excuse me, Shelly. I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow.” He stated.

JunPyo hurriedly walked toward JanDi and dragged her out of the hall.

“Yah!! What’s your problem? You’re hurting me.” JanDi screamed at him.

“The event is over. We’re going home.” JunPyo opened the door to let her inside the car.

Shortly after JunPyo and JanDi left the room. JaeKyung walked over to JunKi.

“Are you interested in her?” She asked him.