Little White Lies

"Eun-ah?" I ask.

It's a couple of days later, and we're both sitting in the kitchen, eating our breakfast. It's a Saturday, which means that I get to sleep in at least, even though it doesn't give me a break from Hajun. Taking a break is not a concept he's familiar with, and if he needs something, he does not refrain from texting me on the weekends. To be fair, my constant availability is in my work contract and one of the most essential parts of being an assistant, so it's not exactly like I can complain now.

Which, as mentioned before, is probably the most frustrating aspect of my situation right now. I can't even complain, because I created this mess for myself.

To cheer up, Eun's reminded me how I also had to do homework on the weekends and that I need to see Hajun's weekend-texts as just that, the adult version of homework. I wish I could follow her advice. However, my homework in high school didn't yell at me and blame for every little single thing that goes wrong, and most importantly, when I was done with it, I was done.

With An Hajun, it's never-ending.

She stops scrolling on Instagram to spare me glance. "Yes?"

"You went to New Zealand last year, right? Could you airdrop me some pics? I told my parents I flew there yesterday, so now they are asking for some photos."

Eun nods. "Sure." Then she adds, sighing: "When do you plan on telling them the truth, Rose-ah? You can't actually think they're going to be that furious with you. They are your parents, after all."

"I don't know," I mumble, chewing on my lips. "I feel like I'm too deep into the lies now. How do I even start explaining my whole job with Hajun? And the fact that I'm living with you? My life is such a mess right now. I don't want them to see me like this."

"Listen, I don't want to push you to do anything," my best friends says slowly, clearly trying to not cross the line while still making her point. "Just keep in my mind that the longer you wait, the more difficult it is going to be to confess to them."

As always, Eun is right. However, there is something inside of me that paralyzes me, which ultimately stops me from telling my parents the truth. I'm just so scared they'll look at me differently afterwards, once they realize their only daughter is not as perfect as she appeared to be.

...

"Rose-ah," Hajun calls out my name, startling me as he walks towards my desk at the HA Entertainment office with long strides. My work days are usually divided into two parts: following Hajun around and ensuring he's got everything he needs, or sitting here in this office and doing the rather administrative work. The rare hours I spend here are the most pleasant ones, as I don't have to interact with anyone and can focus on nothing else but my screen for a while.

I divert my gaze from the hundreds of e-mails I need to catch up on. Not all of them even concern Hajun. some of my superior just feel bored with dealing with them themselves and transfer them to me. "Yes?"

Internally, I'm groaning just at the pure sight of my boss. Whenever he shows up, it means complications and particular demands.

He puts a stack of documents on the table. "From HR. They forgot to make you fill this out when you first signed the contract. We need your address and emergency contact." Ha. the young man is probably not very fond of the idea of having to play the messenger bird for me, which probably explains his sour mood. Not that Hajon would need a particular reason to be in a sour mood.

Emergency contact.... In the past, I would have put my parent's phone numbers without even considering anything else, but now, things are different. What if something does happen to me and HA Entertainment, a company my parents don't even know exists, calls them? That would cause more problems than it would solve.

However, "emergency" is nothing specific, so I suppose I could just write Eun's information, right?

Reluctantly, I decide to double-check with an impatient Hajun, just to be sure. "I don't have to put my parent's contact number, right? Just whomever I want."

He just scowls as if that was the stupidest question ever. "I don't care who you put. Just remember it should be someone constant in your life, so maybe not a boyfriend who you'll break up with within the near future."

"I don't have a boyfriend," I say absentmindedly, still looking at the document.

However, Hajun's cold voice snaps me back to reality. "I didn't ask. Just bring the paper form back to HR yourself when you're done, you know where their office is anyways. See you later."

And with that, he storms out, leaving me to shake my head. Sometimes I wonder if he tries to be such an asshole on purpose or if it just flows out of him naturally.

"I don't have a boyfriend," I repeat quietly into the empty office. "With all the amount of work you give me, Hajun, it would be impossible for me to have one. I wouldn't have the time."

And with that cheerful thought in mind, I return to it, to all my work.

...

Sighing, I step into the elevator after having survived another long day of completing frustrating tasks. Since I always leave so late, I almost expect to be alone, but instead, I'm surprised to almost bump into another brown-haired boy.

What intrigues me most about him is how young and squishy his face looks – he can't be much older than me. Which surprises me, because I just kind of assumed when I started here that I'd be the youngest of the company. Is he a trainee, maybe?

He must have noticed me staring at him because he looks up. "Do I have something on my face?"

His tone is not mocking like Hajun's voice would be if he asked that same question, but still, I blush. "Uh, no."

"Oh, good." A cute smile appears on his face. "That's a relief. Just ate some really crumbly bread, and I thought it would be all over my face."

Quickly, I shake my head. "No, you look fine, no worries." Then, maybe because he's the first person I've met here who doesn't seem too intimidating or perfect, I hesitantly ask: "What's your name? I've never seen you before."

"Chan." We shake hands. "You've probably never seen me before because I'm a trainee here, always practising. How about you?"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rose. You've probably never seen me before because I'm stuck in the office, always working."

He laughs. "So HA Entertainment has taken both of our social lives away, it seems."

I join in. The first person I've met willing to criticize HA Entertainment. He's receiving major plus points from me. "Exactly. What year were you born?"

"2000. And you?"

My face immediately lights up as I hear this. Finally someone on the same level as me. "Me too!"

He seems equally happy to hear this, and suddenly, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder. It's like I've found my partner in crime here, someone I can be myself with.

I barely know Chan, but somehow I can feel that we're going to be good friends.

"Would you like to go out sometime?" Soobin asks me, his ears immediately turning into an aggressive red. "Just as friends, as I mean. We're not allowed to have romantic relationships anyways. Not that that would matter since that's not I'm asking for. Anyways, it's just that the only people I've been talking to lately are other trainees and our trainers. As much as I love it, I just need a break from this world, you know?"

His rambling is cute.

"I get that.", I smile. "And yes, I'd love to go out sometime."

...

"One iced vanilla latte for Rose!" the Starbucks lady calls out, and I hurriedly take the drink she's handing me.

It's Thursday, I've almost survived the week, and I'm running late because I overslept this morning. Hence the coffee.

I'm rushing down the street towards the building – Hajun despises tardiness- as my phone dings. Full of anxiety, I look at the screen, fearing it's a text from my dear boss, but luckily, it's just Eun.

So, round two with Haechan tonight.

Haechan is the new guy she's been dating for a couple of weeks now. Judging from the way she swoons for him, I can't wait to meet him soon.

Second date already? I text back. Where?

At home... would you mind maybe coming back home a bit later tonight? I want to cook for him, and then we'll go to a bar or sth anyways. Thx gurl!

While there's nothing I'd hate more than spend one more minute than necessary in this horrible office, I can't say no to Eun, and I owe it to her to be 100 % supportive with all her endeavours. That's the way she's always acted towards me as well.

No problem., I quickly text back and put my phone back in my pocket as I've almost arrived in front of my building. Alright. Time to face the devil. Taking a deep breath, I take a first step.

Precisely at that moment, I hear a loud thump behind me. It's probably one of the loudest sounds I've ever heard. Thinking two cars just crashed, I turn around, but what I discover is far worse than anything I could have ever imagined.

In front of me on the ground lays a dead man.