Chapter Nine - The New Assistant Manager (Part 2)

It's amazing how legitimate the company looks, from the polished marble floors to the thick glass windows, and the interior architecture is modern minimalist – simple, refined, and functional. No redundant decorations. It reflects my father's personality to a T.

I suppose a logistics company doesn't need embellishments like an entertainment company, as we seldom entertain guests.

Assistant Yura introduces me to all the department staffs on the first floor. It's still early but everyone's already shuffling papers and answering phone calls. Their dedication is surreal.

"Our company currently employs up to seventy staff. Those you met are only half of them since the sales department isn't in today. Five percent makes up the higher-level management." Assistant Yura chats along the way. "Here, on the second floor is where the Director and Managers' rooms are. The meeting rooms are further down the hall including our mini-in-built gym for staff recreational purposes."

My eyes widen a fraction, and she laughs softly. "Yes, the gym's a recent addition on Manager Lee's behest, the resting lounge on the first floor too."

Hmm. A man who takes care of his staff's welfare but doesn't see fit to use it. What an odd man.

We move down to ground floor operations on the other side of the main building. Several male staffs greet us as we walk by, their eyes lingering on Assistant Yura. I hold back a smile. Who can blame them? Even I was awestruck by her feminine allure.

"This is the heart of warehouse operations." Assistant Yura declares over the background noise of heavy machineries. "Since we deal with import and export, the warehouse is where we temporarily store all shipments that will be transported to their owners and vice versa." She points to a spacious lot littered with lorries and containers. "Our lorry drivers are responsible for the final delivery to our clients, and sometimes to our freight management partners."

I must look confused because she says. "Don't worry, you'll get used to the entire process and the trade jargons. It took me a month to fully understand the flow of things when I first started."

"How long have you worked for Manager Lee?"

"About four years now."

"I see." My thoughts somber. How will I compare to a woman who has been meeting his needs for the past four years?

"You have nothing to worry about." She continues, her tone even playful. "With all the fuss Manager Lee has been doing to get you hired A.S.A.P, I think you'll outperform me."

I can't help but be startled. This is the second person working closely with Manager Lee who is telling me the same thing. Did I really make such a big impression on him?

"Come on, let's head back inside and I'll brief you on what you need to do for today."

We return to the second floor, entering a neat office room decorated in shades of blue. It's Manager Lee's office but his space is sectioned off by a glass partition, while a long desk sits facing the entryway. I presume that's where I will be sitting.

"This is our workspace." Assistant Yura explains, pulling out two chairs. "I'll be training you for the next fourteen days, and after that you're on your own. Today, we'll start with the basics of handling secretarial jobs and simple filing to warm you up. Manager Lee's routine includes coffee every morning, extra black with no sugar or milk. Then, you're required to go through his daily schedule. In that order. I'm sure you're aware of his untidy bad habits but he's also forgetful and tends to get carried away with work. When he does, be sure to prepare him a light meal and no matter what, get him to eat it."

Am I his babysitter or his personal assistant?

Assistant Yura checks the time. "Manager Lee's already in a meeting so he won't need coffee today but, when he comes in later, I'll let you go through his schedule with him." She hands me an iPad of his detailed schedule. Wow, the man doesn't even have time to take a dump. "It's best to practice now and familiarize yourself with his working habits. It gets easier every day. This schedule has been updated but there might be changes going forward. Our company is opening a new branch in Gwangju and we are partnering with a new freight company. It will be a busy few months."

Motioning for me to sit, Assistant Yura sorts out a stack of files. "How familiar are you with the company history?"

"Honestly? Nothing at all." I answer sheepishly. As the owner's daughter, I should know but I don't.

She recovers quickly from shock. "Years ago, Yang Logistics operated within a four-corner shop lot office, right above a fried chicken store. There were only three staff, including the Director. A year later, the company relocated to a business district where they rented a whole block and hired enough staff to fully operate on a large scale. That's where you went for the interview. Only last year did we move to this new warehouse office and it's one hundred percent owned by Yang Logistics, from the land to the equipment, machineries, lorries and facilities."

"Wow," I am impressed by how far my Father's dream has flourished. "We've really come a long way."

"Indeed. In fact, I'll miss working here with everyone. I've worked plenty of assisting jobs, but there's no other boss like Manager Lee. He doesn't talk much, but he takes very good care of those under him." Her voice lowers a notch. "I didn't tell you this but our human resource manager, Ms. Kang isn't a fan of his. As a staff, I won't complain because all his suggestions are purely for everyone's benefits and I think the Director approves of them. That's why, Ms. Kang doesn't like Manager Lee. It's best if you know, so that it'll help you handle any problems related to human resource in the future."

Why am I not surprised that his behavior and attitude might rub some people the wrong way?

"Ms. Yang, you're here." The devil walks in.

Scrambling to our feet, Assistant Yura bows out of courtesy and I mimic her. "Manager Lee, has the meeting ended already?" She asks, thrusting the iPad into my hand. "This must be your fastest record yet."

Their relationship must be close for her to tease him like that. Manager Lee just goes to his desk, shrugging out of his coat and jacket. "What's the schedule for today?"

Assistant Yura nudges me, and I hurry into his room, repeating everything listed on the screen. He opens his laptop and starts typing furiously before responding. "Postpone my two o'clock meeting and push back my lunch meeting. Also, I need you to translate several emails into English and then send it back to me in two hours."

I wait for more instructions, but then he suddenly glances up at me. "Why are you still standing here?"

"Is that all?" It's embarrassing how uncertain I sound.

"Yes." Comes his curt response. "Oh and make me a cup of coffee."

The man's testing me. I'm sure of it.

Putting on a stiff smile, I nod politely. "Certainly, sir. I'll be right back."

I return to Assistant Yura who giggles at the look on my face. "This is how he talks to people. Don't take it to heart."

"It's fine." I shrug it off. "I'll prepare the coffee and be back to translate those emails."

The remainder of the day passes without a hiccup. After I sent him the translations, he leaves the office and doesn't return at all. I'm left to go through stacks of files to familiarize myself with our client database, ongoing projects and so on.

At half past five, I receive a message from Dae.

Dae : Where are you?

Me : Still at work.

Dae : I'll come pick you up. Let's have dinner together.

Just then, my phone rings. "Hello?"

"Aera, where are you? We're coming to fetch you." Hyeon's greets me on the other line. I hear Nari's voice buzzing in the background.

Damn it! I completely forgotten about our dinner date. "Hold on."

Opening my chat message with Dae, I type.

Me : I'm so sorry. I forgot that I have a dinner reservation with my friends tonight. They will never forgive me if I bail on them. Can I meet you after?

I can imagine the black scowl on Dae's face right now.

Dae : Cancel it.

Me : No, I won't. Remember the rules of our contract? No interference in personal lives.

It feels good to poke him with his own stupid rules. Childish, I know.

Me : Why don't we negotiate? How about a massage? Or a bubble bath? Or…we can do something kinky tonight?

Dae : You'll let me blindfold and tie you up. And you're staying the night.

Previously, I confessed that I want to be more adventurous with sex and list out some kinks that we can try together. I guess he's really going for it.

Me : Alright, that's a deal. But remember, turnabout is fair play.

Switching back to Hyeon, I say. "I'll send you my location."