Chapter 3: Unnoticed and Unexpected Feelings

Today was no ordinary day for Rusa Soe as she entered her office, determined to make an impression. She had chosen to forgo her regular office uniform and instead wore a pair of jeans and a dark red blouse. Her intention was to look better than she did on any other day. However, as always, nobody in the office seemed to comment or compliment her. It was as if no one noticed her presence.

Undeterred by the lack of attention, Rusa focused on her responsibilities and began distributing today's work. She carefully formed teams for each product's plans, aiming to satisfy customers and assist clients effectively. Anna and John decided to work together, while Raj and Neesha formed another team. Rusa's attention then turned to Kim, whom she chose to join her team. Noticing that he had a laptop, courtesy of the chairman, Rusa invited him to work together in her office.

In the midst of their work, Rusa couldn't help but notice Sarae's stunning appearance. As always, Sarae looked effortlessly beautiful in her pink short one-piece dress and high heels. With a constant smile on her face, she interacted with everyone, reflecting her role as a receptionist. However, the other two receptionists didn't seem to share the same warmth and were less expressive.

As Kim entered the office, his fashionable attire caught the attention of those around him. Wearing an expensively designed jacket, jeans, and a recently released printed t-shirt, he exuded undeniable charm. Accompanied by his personal assistant and manager, Kim's gaze fell upon Sarae, who was engaging in conversation with other office members.

"Hello, sir. How can I help you?" Sarae politely asked, not recognizing Kim as she had joined the company after his photo shoot three months ago.

Apologizing for Sarae's lack of familiarity with him, the other receptionist quickly intervened, "Sorry, sir. She's new here. Please take a seat. I'll inform the shooting team." She hurriedly reached for the phone.

Realizing her mistake, Sarae immediately apologized, saying, "I'm really sorry, sir."

"No problem. Take it easy, girls," Joe responded coolly, his attention captivated by Sarae's perfect figure, face, and height. He found it intriguing to have a top model as a receptionist.

"Sarae, can you guide Sir and his team to the company's studio?" the other receptionist requested, hanging up the phone.

"Sure!" Sarae replied with a smile, stepping forward to lead Joe, his assistant, and manager. "Please, come."

Accompanied by Sarae, Joe and his team made their way to the studio. Joe found himself drawn to Sarae's smile, style, and overall appearance, thinking to himself, "She's perfect."

Meanwhile, Rusa was engrossed in her work, completely forgetting about Joe's presence. The public relations department, caught up in their tasks, overlooked ordering lunch for the day. As the lunch hour approached and the cafeteria filled up, the team gathered at their regular table, disappointed by the lack of food.

"No lunch today, then? Are we supposed to work without eating?" Neesha complained.

"I'm sorry, guys. It was my turn to order today, and I totally forgot because I was swamped," John apologized.

Hearing their conversation, Rusa took charge and promptly ordered lunch from a nearby restaurant, as she always did. Walking towards the group, she announced, "Lunch will arrive in five minutes at the reception. Who wants to go pick it up?"

"I will go," John offered, quickly making his way to the reception.

Rusa

smiled and said, "Enjoy, everyone," as she headed towards the door.

Kim, standing behind her, asked, "Won't you eat with us?"

"I've ordered six lunch sets. Leave one in my office. I have to meet someone now," Rusa replied, making her way out.

A few minutes later, John returned to the department with a bag of chicken. As they opened it, they discovered six thin cardboard boxes filled with delicious fried chicken from an upscale restaurant. Following Rusa's instructions, Kim took one box to her office and placed it on her desk. The team members relished the crispy chicken, expressing their delight.

"Wow, it's really delicious," Raj exclaimed.

"Our boss is really great," John praised, realizing that he would have been scolded if Rusa hadn't ordered lunch.

"She was always so cold, but today she's cool," Anna added.

"Yes, I've never seen her in jeans at the office. She's changed," Neesha observed.

"Maybe she's going to meet her boyfriend after work today," Raj speculated.

"You do have a point," Neesha agreed. "She seems to be already taken, so she may have a boyfriend."

"She is rich. She can have the best of the best as her boyfriend," Anna commented, somewhat critical of their boss.

"Though she doesn't have the style and looks," Anna added, leading to laughter from everyone except Kim.

Perceiving the negative comments about Rusa, Kim couldn't remain silent. "What are you guys saying? She is beautiful, but she doesn't care to showcase it with accessories, makeup, or fashionable clothes, even though she's rich. She has a great figure, but no one can see it because she chooses to wear comfortable rather than fitting clothes. She could be a top model if she wanted."

For a moment, silence filled the room as everyone absorbed Kim's words. Anna then playfully teased him, "I thought you were a simple and innocent gentleman, but you've really observed her figure." Laughter filled the room, audible even to those outside.

Meanwhile, Rusa made her way to the studio, where Joe was engrossed in conversation with the shooting team. Spotting Rusa, he halted his discussion and walked over to her.

"Hey, Rusa, you've totally transformed into a businesswoman," Joe remarked.

"Hi, after all, I am the daughter of a businessman," Rusa replied with a smile.

"How are you?" Joe inquired.

Before they could continue their conversation, the director and cameraman announced that the break was over, and everyone needed to resume their tasks. Joe hurried back to his set, and Rusa returned to her department, momentarily forgetting about their encounter.

As the workday neared its end, the public relations department remained engrossed in their tasks, oblivious to the passing time. Kim, eager to meet Sarae as he always did after work, realized that she was no longer at her desk. The thought crossed his mind that he might be running late today.

Driving his scooter along the road, Kim found himself stopped at a red light, surrounded by people and vehicles. Lost in his thoughts, his gaze fell upon a nearby restaurant window. To his surprise, he saw Sarae sitting face-to-face with Joe, both engaged in conversation. Sarae was wearing a smile that made her even more captivating. The realization hit him that his expectations may have been too high, and a pang of heartbreak consumed him.