Chapter 2: DISAPPOINTMENT

CHAPTER 02

When I see the clock in the workplace, my eyes light up. Luckily, even without my phone alarm, I can wake up early every time I switch on the light. I can't check my alarm clock since it's been broken two months ago. Now is the time to check my emails. I sit and my eyes enlarge as I try to focus.

The manager comes towards me. "Good morning, Miss Yujin." he shows his big smile. "I sent you an email at 8 p.m. last night about a new project for today. Only you can complete this project. As usual, the director is interested in your unique idea. "Did you complete it?" He is looking at me with flashing eyes.

I blink rapidly. "Sir, I just finished reading the email a few minutes ago."

"What? Why?" His brows were raised. "Are you serious, Miss Park Yujin?" His face turned red.

"No, sir. It's all my fault." Please accept my apologies." I do a 90-degree bow to him.

"Miss Yujin, you should have known that our director admired your work. How can you let him down now? Now, answer me. What are you going to do now? The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. You don't have much time to prepare a presentation. Aigoo! My back! My entire body is in pain right now." His hand was behind his aching body. I said it directly while looking at his face. "Don't worry, sir; I'll have it finished before the meeting begins."

"Are you sure about that? You're still not thinking about it, aren't you? How are you going to pull it off? What are your plans?" he raises his tone.

"I don't know." I respond with a flat tone.

After hearing my response, the manager placed his palm across his face. "OK, ok, just try it in your way. I'll confirm with the director that we'll meet at 2 p.m. You may now return to your desk and tell your assistant to help you."

While I was concentrating on my work, I noticed my assistant in a state of panic, as if she didn't know what to do and kept seeing the clock. I can even see her sweat around her face.

"What are we going to do, Miss?" The deadline has barely a few hours left. She has asked twice.

"Calm down. We still have enough time to finish this; it's simple. First of all, stop asking me questions like that. Nothing will work if you are in a state of panic. Second, take this task." I gave her the list I had made. "Just do what I told you, and I'll focus on my own." I say.

"Understood, Miss Yujin! I'll try my best!" Fighting!' She nodded, and she clenched both of her hands in fists to cheer me up.

For two hours, I focused on my computer, looking for ideas. I even skipped my normal lunch with Mrs. Yeom. After I finished exploring ideas, I began working on the presentation with the support of my assistant so that it could be completed by 2 p.m.

I'm in the meeting room with my assistant, waiting for the director and manager. We're all greeting him. When the director arrives with a VIP investor, I can see him with a wide smile full of expectation.

"Miss Park Yujin! I'm looking forward to your excellent presentation today." Says the director. He is winking at me with his wide smile, assuring me that I will not disappoint him. I simply nod and smile at them, keeping my head straight. I'm not nervous in the least.

They are focused on me, and I feel calm as I explain the layers of my presentation to them in detail, slide by slide. This presentation takes 1 hour to complete. After that, they all became quiet, without any response. I was looking at them, waiting for them to speak up. This is not the reaction I am looking for.

"Daebak! Daebak! Haha! This is going to be incredible, Director Nim!" The investor bursts out laughing and continuously claps his hands.

I became stunned and didn't know how to answer.

"This is a fantastic idea." "From photo shoots and design concepts to materials and customer targets, everything is wonderful. The concept does not require a lot of money but still appears elegant and luxurious." The director gives me the thumbs up.

I'm continuously worried about the cost of my phone. I approach Mrs. Yeom, who is making coffee in the kitchen. Maybe she can give me some advice on how to get an extra salary from the director. "Mrs. Yeom, may I ask you a question?" I ask.

"Sure, Miss Yujin. Oh yes, anyway, congratulations! I heard the meeting went well. You did a great job." She smiles proudly with sparkling eyes.

"Thank you; I was wondering how I might get a bonus from the director. Or maybe it's about how I'll get my money before payday?" I raised my eyebrows. I wish she would give me a good answer. That's what I think.

"You've already put in a lot of effort, but I can't advise you since the director is so frugal and sensitive when it comes to money." She shook her head. "So if you want to talk about it, that's useless." She patted my shoulder.

"He will respond when we have a lot of money and become a bigger company; you may ask me for a salary increase." I imitate him.

"Exactly like that." she said, pointing at me. "But why are you now asking about this? Do you have a money problem? You can tell me, and maybe I can help." She took both of my hands in hers.

"No, I was thinking that maybe someday I could need the money for an emergency or anything like that," I lied.

"Are you sure about that?" She concern.

"Sure, thank you, Mrs. Yeom. I smile at her. I'll come back to my desk now. Enjoy your coffee, Mrs. Yeom."

My team and manager leave, and I'm still inside pretending to still work because I don't want the manager to order me to leave soon and lock the door by himself. As soon as they go, I contact eomma using the office phone.

[Hello, who are you?] eomma responds.

[Eomma, this is Yujin.] I say.

[Yujin, why are you calling from a different number?] She asks.

[My phone is in error, eomma, and this is my office number. I just wanted to let you know that I will have to wait a few weeks until my next payday to service my phone or buy a second one. So I won't be able to contact you till then.]

[You knew how many times I told you to be careful, but you won't listen; this is your bad habit. [Maybe this is the seventh time you've changed your phone.] She is scolding me.

[Eomma...don't say that again. I understand, and I'm sorry.] I pursed my lips. [I'll hang up now] I say, to avoid this argument.

[I'll transfer money to your account for the battery; you should check it tomorrow night.] She speaks in low tones.

[What? No way, eomma! You can't. What about you later? Eomma did this a few months ago, so you don't have to.] I became more frustrated.

[We didn't have much money left this month. But this will be enough till Appa's salary comes. We don't want to lose contact with you, and you also need a phone for work or communication with others.]

I want to keep rejecting her [But–.] [We're fine] she insisted.

[Thank you, eomma, and please accept my apologies.] I lower my voice

[It's OK; you'll have to be more careful next time. Take care of yourself and remember to eat. Good night.] She hung up the phone.

I stand up while raising my head. I bit my lower lip to stop my tears from falling. I can't even eat as much as I used to as a kid, eomma. I'm sorry, eomma, but I can't tell you how horrible my life has been for the past five years. You will be disappointed in me. What was I doing in my past life? I'm at a loss for words as to how to deal with this failure. An Independent woman? It looks to be an illusion. I'm holding on to my chest pain. It's useless; I can't express how I feel to anyone. If complaining can fix all problems, I'm confident I'll achieve success in this nation.

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