Chapter Text
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon. Jang Gyeo-ul was staring out of her window watching the rain drops. There’s something about the rain that makes her feel relaxed. She’s on her day off today but unfortunately, the activities set up for today was not how she planned her Saturday to be.
There was a knock on the door and she answered with “Come in,” followed by a big sigh. Two women entered dressed in fashionable clothes one carrying a medium sized bag and the other pushing a rack of clothing.
“Ms. Gyeo-ul, we’re here as requested by Chairman Jang”, bowed the one carrying the bag.
“Ah yes, I received her instructions for today.” She stood up from the comfortable chair by the window and approached the two ladies.
“I’m sorry you have to spend your Saturday dressing me up. I just don’t see the point why I have to attend this gala. If it was up to me, I’ll be be spending my afternoon seeping a cup of coffee, watching “The Classic” for the nth time.”
“Agasshi, it’s no trouble at all. We like doing our jobs,” answered the younger lady standing by the rack of clothes. They introduced themselves as Yeri and Mari, respectively.
“That’s good to hear. Let’s start before I receive a call for not sticking to the schedule.”
With another sigh, she sat on the make up chair and in front of the mirror. Looking at her tired face, she really just want to go home, watch a movie and sleep. She was in her family home today. She and her brother was requested to attend a company gala tonight to show support on the business expansion of Chairman Jang’s hotel empire.
Two hours later, there was another knock on the door for the second time that afternnon. Gyeo-ul heard it opened and heard heavy footsteps.
“Yah, why can’t you wait for people to let you in? Also, do you not know how to walk quietly? That’s why sneaking out never works for you,” was her respond to the man staring at her in the mirror as if trying to figure out who is this person in front of him.
“Wow. Is that really you, Noona?,” tilting his head from lead to right. “I know these ladies did a really good job. I look like a decent person now,” she smiled at them. Her hair was in a elegant messy bun with soft curls at the side of her face. She was wearing earrings shaped liked snowflakes. No specs tonight, she was wearing contacts for a change.
“Aniyeo, you’ve always been beautiful Agasshi. We just covered up the dark circles under your eyes and put on a little blush on your cheeks. You look so pale.” Yeri said.
“I know. I wanted to just sleep today. I’ve been so busy at the hospital lately. Junsu-ah”, she turned to her brother. “Why are you not dress yet? You know she hates it when we’re late. I swear if I get another lecture from her, I’m making you drive me to/from the hospital for the next four weeks!”
“Relax will you. I don’t need as much time as you to get ready, We’ll leave by 6:30 on the dot.”
“Fine. Now get out of here. I still need to decide which shoes to wear”.
“Ah, good luck with that. That closet over there is a minefield.”
“Oh please, how hard can it be to pick up a pair of shoes?”
—-
It turns out harder than assisting in a liver transplant surgery.
“What do you mean it doesn’t match with the dress? It looks perfectly fine to me,” she said exasperated at Mari.
“You see Agasshi, the dress is quite long, so you need to wear higher heels.”
She was wearing a silk a-line periwinkle blue dress with boat neckline accentuating her collar bones. The dress was floor length so Gyeo-ul thought she can get away with hiding any shoes that she chose. “Uhmm, I don’t really wear heels. You know that.”
“We’re sorry, Agasshi. It’s just that the Chairman picked this dress and she told us these shoes look better with it.” She presented her a pair of silver stilleto.
Gyeo-ul looked at disapprovingly. “C’mon she won’t know that I’m wearing a different heels under this dress.”
Yeri and Mari looked at each other. “Agasshi, you know she would know”.
Another sigh. She thinks she be able to get away with if noone tattles. “Okay, let’s get this over with”.
By 7:00pm, Gyeo-ul and Junsu arrived at the hotel’s banquet hall. Flashes of camera were everywhere. She hated those. That’s why she never attended these functions.
“Noona, how long do you think you can stay tonight?,” asked Junsu. They were walking side by side with her arms linked to his.
“Uhmm, 2 hours maybe? I can try in an hour and a half. I just have to find a good exit route”.
“You know, she’s not letting you leave until she gives her speech.”
“I know that’s why I’m saying 2 hours tops. She can’t wait longer than that to boast all her accomplishments.”
They made small talks with family friends, tried to be polite with the members of the board. She kept scanning the hall for Chairman Jang but she seems to be taking her time for her entrance tonight.
“Is it me or these entree are getting smaller.,” Junsu remarked as he took a bite of cold smoked salmon with dill creme fraiche.
“You should tell her that. She agrees in everything you say.” He rolled her eyes at her. His sister never liked the limelight that goes with being in this family. He had no trouble with it.
Finally at 8 o’clock, Chairman Jang entered the hall followed by her secretary. As she began her speech, Gyeo-ul started scanning the hall again for her escape plan.
“Preparing to make a move?”
“You bet. I can’t wait to get these heels off”.
The speech was about to end. “Okay, walk with me to get some punch.” The punch table was the closest to the door that leads to the bathroom. They started to walk while applauding then her phone in her purse started to vibrate. They continued walking while she unclasped her purse. It was a call from the hospital.
“Dr. Jang, there’s been an emergency and we need more people for tonight’s shift. Are you able to come?”, came Dr. Bong’s voice.
“I understand, Professor. I’m on my way”.
“Emergency?” Junsu asked. She nodded.
“So I’m your get away car after call.” He smirked. “I’ll buy you dinner this week. Let’s go!”. He grabbed his hand and stealthily walked out of the hall.
They rushed to the parking lot of the hotel. As soon as she entered the car, she undid the clasp of her heels and massaged her feet. “Turn on the radio, please. For the news...” she requested. There was a traffic accident in one of the busiest highway. A bus carrying 20 passengers crashed against a carrier truck. She prayed there weren’t much casualties. “It’s going to be a long night”.
“So you’re going to the hospital dress like that?”
“No way!” She blinked at him. He raised an eyebrow at her. “I mean drop me off at the hospital parking lot. I have to stopped by the night duty room to change. There is no way I’m letting people in the hospital see me like this.”
As they were pulling over, a black sedan was also pulling over behind them. She got up bare feet, heels on hand and hurriedly entered without saying goodbye to Junsu. But she briefly heard “Jun-wan, drive safely!”. Oh please don’t be them.