He doesn’t recognize me.
That much is clear by the lack of acknowledgment in his eyes when his gaze slides past me. I’ve held the memory of the one date we had in my heart like a secret crush. Has he ever even given me a thought since then?
If anything, my new boss is even more handsome than he was eight years ago. His hair is a slightly lighter shade than most Koreans and so are his eyes. And that perfect smile… He could’ve easily picked modeling as his career of choice instead of following in his father’s footsteps.
Director Chang claps his hands together once, then holds one hand out palm up at our new boss like he’s presenting a trophy. “President Park has arrived at last. Please welcome him warmly.”
Korean workplace expectations are different than here in the US. We’ve been in training for weeks now on how to interact with our new boss, so everyone bows. I’ve seen enough K-dramas that this doesn’t seem all that strange to me, but there has been grumbling from the rest of the staff—behind Director Chang’s back, of course.
Pink tinges President Park’s face and he waves his hand. “I appreciate the welcome, but bowing isn’t necessary.”
He places his hand on his chest. “I’m Samuel Park. Mr. Park is fine.” He fakes a laugh. “Yes, my name really is Samuel. I was born here, and my parents gave me that name at birth. You might say my family has had one foot in Korea and the other in America since before I was born.”
Few people here would know what he means by that if not for Director Chang. Neither he nor his secretary use an Americanized name and took great pains to explain why the CEO does, even though I doubt anyone would’ve questioned it.
“I look forward to getting to know each of you better. The success of this business depends on you and that is why I have an open-door policy. Feel free to share any ideas that you think will move us forward.”
Elaine slides me a look that says who is he kidding? before quickly returning her placid gaze back to Mr. Park. The last owner of this business said the same thing, but his door was very much closed—especially to women.
Director Chang takes Mr. Park around the circle of employees, introducing them and explaining what they do here at A Taste of Seoul. When they finally get to me, I bow my head and hold out my right hand with my left hand gripping my right arm like I’ve been trained to do.
“Welcome, Mr. Park. I look forward to serving you.”
Director Chang smiles and puts his hand on my shoulder. “This young lady goes by Cici Easton, and she will be your personal secretary.”
Still holding my hand, Mr. Park’s gaze shifts from Director Chang to me, then back to the director. “Her?”
There went the last remnants of that secret crush.
My spine stiffens and the mask of indifference comes into play. My dad taught me this trick. Never show your hand. Those trying to make a name for themselves will use those emotions against you if they think it will give them a leg up in the business.
As if realizing the insult he just delivered with that one word, Mr. Park’s smile makes a hasty reappearance. “I look forward to working with you.”
He lets go of the handshake that lasted way too long, and he and Director Chang walk toward our offices.
“Does she understand Korean?” Mr. Park asks while speaking Korean.
I hate when people think it’s okay to talk about someone to their face while using a language barrier as their shield.
Director Chang looks back at me and smiles. “No, she doesn’t.”
Wrong. But no one here at the company knows that. No one ever asked.
Mr. Park leans closer to the director and lowers his voice as he continues in his native language. “I’m not comfortable with a female secretary. I thought I made that clear.”
If he doesn’t want a woman for a secretary, I wonder what he’d think of one as a CEO.
Director Chang holds his hand up as if to halt the flow of garbage coming from the man’s mouth. “She has your father’s approval. Of everyone here, I have found her to be the most knowledgeable. I believe she will help you excel more quickly if you give her a chance, and over time, you’ll become more comfortable asking her to take care of your personal needs.”
Personal needs?
He better be talking about me picking up his dry cleaning, going to his house to open the door for a repairman, or feeding his cat when he’s on vacation—stuff I’ve heard the director ask his secretary to do, who also happens to be male.
I wait until they walk through my office and into the CEO’s before I enter. The door between our offices is closed but the blinds are up. The two men seem to be having a heated discussion. Mr. Park makes eye contact with me through the window, then quickly looks away with a blush on his face.
Yep, they’re talking about me.
I sit down at my desk and find something to look at on my computer. I don’t really have anything to do until my new boss assigns me something. Two weeks ago, I was just a general office worker. Then Director Chang started training me for the new position.
He came here a little over six months ago when the business was bought by the Park Family Conglomerate to get the corporation in shape for the youngest Park son to take over. Since no one knows I speak Korean, I know a lot more than I should because the director uses that language like a secret code whenever he wants to say something in private to his secretary.
For instance, I know that Samuel Park has been undergoing some kind of intense training for this takeover. I also overheard that he has a lot riding on making something of this business. Apparently, the first two Park sons messed things up in some way and this is Samuel’s chance to prove he can one day run the family conglomerate.
Sam. That’s how he’d introduced himself to me all those years ago at a New Year’s Eve masquerade. Just Sam, no last name, and I had introduced myself as Cecilia to add to the intrigue since no one knew me by that name.
The guy my friend had set me up with ghosted me. Then Sam joined me on the rooftop balcony and struck up a conversation. At some point, he took his mask off but mine was painted on. Then at the toll of midnight we—
The phone rings, pulling me away from the memory. The ringtone tells me it’s a direct call. This office has a separate number that not everyone has access to.
“President Samuel Park’s office. Cici Easton speaking. How may I help you?”
“Secretary Easton, it’s so nice to hear your lovely voice.”
It’s Sam’s dad. We’ve never met but we’ve talked on the phone enough for me to recognize his voice. His accent is stronger than that of his son. “Chairman Park, how are you doing today, sir?”
“Fabulous. It’s a beautiful day in Busan and my favorite son is one step closer to taking my place.”
I can’t help but grin. “Oh, so he’s your favorite. I see.”
He chuckles. “I have three favorites, and Sam is one of them.”
How would Sam feel about the rapport I have with his father? I can’t help that from our first conversation, Chairman Park set me at ease.
“My guess is he’s the one you called to speak to, not me. Let me patch you through.”
“Not so fast.” He lowers his voice. “How’s he doing so far?”
My heart dips when I remember Sam’s reaction to finding out I would be his secretary.
“You took too long to answer. Is he misbehaving already?”
My nerves do a dance. “No, he’s doing great. Nothing to report so far.” I cover the receiver with my hand and whisper into the phone. “Are you trying to get me into trouble? I can’t be the office snitch.”
His laughter rings out. “Okay. Put me through, and I promise not to say anything to get you into trouble.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” I’m still smiling when I connect the call and speak into the intercom.
“Chairman Park on line one, sir.” I look up to see Sam glaring at me from his office and that wipes the smile from my face. Mr. Park. I need to clear my head of the name Sam, so I don’t accidentally use it.
Just before my new boss takes the call, Director Chang steps out of his office. He smiles and claps his hands together. “This is where I leave you. Secretary Yoon and I will fly back to South Korea on Saturday.”
“So soon?” I stand and come around my desk to meet him in the middle of the room.
“My job here is done. I only came to run things until President Park arrived, and he’s here now.”
I glance at the newly instated boss. “I thought you’d stay to help Mr. Park get settled.”
“He knows what to do and he has you. I’m sure you will support him well.”
I bow my head and hold my hand out to shake his. “It was an honor working with you, sir. May your trip back home be uneventful.”
“Gamsahabnida.”
His use of the Korean thank you surprises me. I told him once that I watch Korean dramas. The word is so common on the shows, he must assume I know what it means.
At the director’s departure, I look through the window at my boss. The look on his pale face reflects anything but happiness. He’s holding his fist up to his mouth and swallowing repeatedly. Is he about to throw up? I can’t imagine what his dad could be saying to cause such a reaction. The man is as nice as can be.
He might be totally different to his son.
Mr. Park looks up at me, and I scramble back to my seat and pretend to look busy. I have no business staring at my boss like that. The light on the phone turns off and I glance at him. He’s staring right at me. I open my desk drawer like I’m about to search for something and my intercom buzzes.
“Miss Easton, can you join me in my office?”
I look up at him yet again and he’s motioning with his hand for me to come to him. Already headed his way, I stop to take a breath at his door, and the mask of indifference slips back into place. On the outside, I’m cool as a cucumber but on the inside, I’m a ball of nerves.
Find it on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GM8QPL19
Andrea Boyd 