A Headache

"Cha Sunbae, Manager Hwang wants to see you. He is waiting for you in his office" the receptionist informed me as soon as she saw me.

"Thank you" I said as I made my way to his office.

Manager Hwang had been the manager of JH hotel for the past ten years. He was in his forties with a short stature, bald head and tended to be overweight.

"Manager Hwang, you wanted to see me?" I asked

"Ah Miss Cha, just the person I wanted to see" he replied. "How are the preparations for the exhibition coming along?"

"The preparations are well in place Sir and I hope they would meet with your approval" I stated.

"Would you care to elaborate?" he asked.

"Well I met with the event manager last week and we have finally decided on the interior decor to highlight the gemstones. The interior decor would be saturated with shades of sapphire blue and emerald green. Each jewelry piece would seem to float, captured in crystalline bell jars and radiant columns while cascading from the ceiling to visually define separate displays, lengths of cotton would shimmer in a dramatic light" I explained.

"Good, that sounds excellent" he exclaimed "Now that things are finally underway I want you to hand over the supervision of the work to the capable hands of the event manager while I have another task for you"

"But...." I had spend hours and hours in the company of the event manager going through decor after decor until we finally came up with the idea. I wanted to see it brought to life with my own eyes. I hated doing things halfway.

"Don't worry, I will look into it from time to time. Anyway the task I have in mind for you is of utmost importance than this" he said.

"Headquarters is really eager to get this show on the road and has high hopes for it. So they are sending over someone to oversee the overall execution of the project" he stated. "The thing is the person that they are sending is only half Korean so he is not versed in the language. And since your English is very good plus you are quite familiar with the inner workings of the project, I think you are the perfect person for the job."

"But Sir, I still don't understand what you need me for" I asked bewildered.

"You don't have to do much. Just show him around, answer any questions he might have and act as a go between for him and the staff."

"Sir if you just need an interpreter, we could just hire one. You don't need me for that. I have more pressing matters that need my attention" I protested.

"Miss Cha, you still don't understand. Its not just simply interpreting. I want someone who would be able to portray the hotel and the ambiance in a good light to him. I want you to cater to his every whim every demand so that he would enjoy a pleasant stay with us. We should make good use of this opportunity to score some winning points from him to get back to headquarters" he explained.

"Okay Sir, I'll try to do my best" I assured him.

"Good Miss Cha. I knew I could count on you. He is currently out of the country on account of some urgent business in China but he will be arriving tomorrow. I want you to meet him up at the airport and escort him to our hospital"

"Very well Sir. I will do as you say so" I said resignedly.

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So this was how I found myself holding a name placard in hand as I scan the passengers coming out of the Arrival Gate at the airport. Just then I spotted Mr. Casanova coming out of the gate with not one but two girls in his arms as he flirted with them ceaselessly while the stewardess were ogling him from afar. I couldn't blame them for he was a fine piece of male specimen with long slender legs fitted in khaki slacks, broad shoulders supporting a black jacket, a strong jaw while his eyes hid behind dark glasses. As the girls left leaving their numbers behind, he stood there for a while as if searching for someone in the crowd when his attention drifted to my side. A smile lit up his face as he made his way towards me baggage in towed.

"Hey beautiful" he said as he approached nearer.

"Not interested" I stated plainly as I avoided his gaze while frantically searching the crowd for the person I came here for.

"Really, then why are you holding a placard with my name on it?" he asked bemusedly.

"You're Daniel Jang? From JH Group?" I was baffled. Never for a moment would i have thought that he would be the person I was looking for. I had imagined someone older for I had learned from Manager Hwang that the Project Head was also one of the Directors of JH Group.

"Yes guilty as charged" he smiled broadly. "I gather you are here for me"

"Yes Sir. Sorry Sir. Its just that you were not what I was expecting" I stammered.

"Hmm so what were you expecting?" he asked curiously.

"Frankly someone older than you Sir" I answered honestly.

"I get that a lot" he said absently. "Anyway what are we waiting for? Lets go"

"Very well Sir. The car is waiting for you just outside."

As we settled ourselves inside the car, he removed his jacket and plop down on the leather seat when he finally took off his glasses. He had a pair of breathtakingly blue gray eyes, the color of a storm in clear skies. It was no wonder he had so many female admirers at the airport earlier.

"I'm exhausted" he exclaimed. "What I wouldn't give for a moment of shut eye"

"We will be reaching the hotel in a short while Sir. You could rest for the evening and I will update you on the project tomorrow" I offered.

"That would be ideal Miss??? I don't believe you have introduce yourself yet" he pointed out.

"Sorry Sir. Where are my manners? I should have done this sooner. My name is Cha Eun Su. I am the Assistant Manager of JH hotel"

"Nice to meet you Miss Cha Eun Su. I'm Daniel Jang but my friends call me DJ. I don't stand on formalities especially with beautiful women so you could just call me DJ" he said. "Can I call you Eun Su?"

"Sir, I think us being on first names basis would be too inappropriate. This is Korea not the States" I did not want to be anymore familiar with him than what was expected of me. I was quite familiar with his type, they were the ones who would flirt with anyone in skirts. I just wanted to do my work and to subtly imply that i was least likely to fall in line for his conquest.

"Did you have a pleasant flight Sir" I inquired politely subtly changing the topic.

"The air turbulence was dreadful due to the bad weather. It was a bumpy ride" he said. "But thankfully the company was pleasant so it was alright" A mischievous smile glinted his eyes as he recalled the ride.

I was puzzled by his answer when I suddenly recalled the girls on his arms at the airport. By pleasant company I was sure he meant the company of those girls. I just didn't understand why every conversation I initiated with him led to such awkward moments.

I was finally saved from further awkward conversations by our arrival at the hotel. I swiftly took hold of his room keys from the reception as I quietly escorted him to his suite.

"I hope you have a pleasant stay at our hotel Sir. Manager Hwang has instructed me to accompany you during your stay here acting at times as your interpreter and to cater to your needs. So if you are in want of anything you should kindly let me know" I explained.

"Every need? Are you sure you want me to trouble you for my every need?" he flirted outrageously.

"Have a pleasant evening Sir" I said as I turned around and left but not quick enough to hide the scarlet of my face. I realized then that I had a new headache to take care of in the days ahead.