Strange Morning

I woke up to the sound of Woobin's band at 7 AM. This was a risky game I played every morning, as there was always a danger of drifting back to a dreamy state upon hearing his heavenly voice. So I set the alarm music as one of the heavier and rockier songs of his band - "Sky Burn". This came with its own caveat though. Listening to Woobin's rocky growls and moans with a morning glory was also… dangerous. Especially this morning when I felt exceptionally vitalized. 

But today was another weekday morning and I had no time for that. If I wasn't at work by 8:30 - 30 minutes earlier than the actual work start! - I would get another earful from my scary senior, Mr. Moon. 

As I reluctantly got out of bed, I remembered - or tried to remember what happened the night before. 

OK, so I met up with Woobin. He was lovely as usual. We had a great time and… did I drink too much? I was never too good with alcohol but it wasn't often that I drank to the point I lost my memory. But for the life of me, I couldn't remember what happened after that moment of my failed confession (it wasn't even one as I didn't even get to say it!) and Woobin's surprisingly soft hand on my head with his fingers between my hair. 

Gosh… I hope I didn't say or do anything stupid. I would die of embarrassment if I told him anything I shouldn't have. I prepared for a confession but I never wanted to tell him what I felt when I was actually drunk. I thought I was managing myself well not to get carried away, but… what happened?

I didn't have a particularly bad hangover either and my mind felt fresh, so it really was a mystery why I couldn't remember. 

Although it was a bit early and Woobin would never wake up at this hour, I thought I'd leave him a message.

But as I scrolled through my Mango Talk messenger, I noticed that there was no chat with Woobin.

Eh?!!!

Did I delete the chat?!!!

Oh God… I hope I didn't lose all the chat history… luckily I religiously saved any and all pictures he sent me so not everything was lost, but I was bummed at the thought that I might have lost all my precious chat memories.

Stupid, stupid me…

But hang on-

As I scrolled down, I noticed that ALL my chat histories were gone except for the advertising messages from all the online shopping malls I subscribe to receive promotional offers. 

No way… 

I checked at my Friends List and immediately winced. 

Everything was gone… except two people that I never got along well with.

My Dad and my third sister - Yujin. 

Did my phone get hacked?!!!

Was I in some sort of self-sabotage mode last night and deleted everyone that actually mattered to me?!

This was depressing as hell, but thankfully, I had Woobin's number inscribed in my mind. Who the hell remembers people's numbers by heart these days? No one. Including me. But of course, it was different when it came to anything that's got to do with Woobin for me. 

I quickly added him as my friend manually and typed away. 

'Hi >.< I hope you got back home alright! Thank you for the night and… heh~ I hope I didn't do or say anything silly! (sorry, I think I had a bit too much to drink… @.@)'

Right. Hopefully, that will do. 

As I headed toward the bathroom though, I got the jolly notification sound of the Mango Talk. 

:Mango! Mango!:

Oh! He's awake at this hour?

Although it was unlikely he actually 'woke up', considering his lifestyle it was conceivable that he still hadn't gone to bed yet. 

Hehe. My lucky day. 

I almost dropped my phone when I tapped on the notification to read the message though. 

'Who the fuck are you?'

Wha-

I know he likes to joke about and play pranks sometimes but this was still too mean…

'T.T please don't do that. I thought it was for real for a second;;;'

:Message failed to send. You have been blocked by the user:

Huh?

WHAAAAT?!

Stupid, stupid Woobin! He took this joke too far this time. 

As much as I love him, I wasn't afraid to tell him off when I was pissed off. As soon as he unblocks me and says 'Punked!' I'm going to scold him.

Worried that I might be late, I quickly brushed my teeth, did my hair, and got dressed for work. 

The commute to Seolleung Station was brutal even at this hour. Getting a seat was obviously impossible and I didn't even expect that in my wildest dreams, but it would have been nice not to be squashed like a dried squid every single morning. 

By the time I got off Line Number 2, it was 8:15 AM, so with only 15 minutes left I rushed to the office.

The headquarters of Sooyun Group was a massive 50 stories building right on the main road and there were many street sellers and small shops that sold Gimbap and toast at this hour, but today I didn't really have any time to spare for breakfast so I ran straight to work. There was already a long queue to go through the security gate. When I checked my phone it was already 8:25 and all I could do was wait nervously with my worker's tag in my hand. 

Damn… I'm going to be late. 

First Woobin's prank and now this. 

Today's going to be a long day…

By the time I finally managed to walk into my office on the 46th floor, it was already 8:37 and everybody was seated.

Seven minutes late. This is bad.

Just as I expected, Mr. Moon spotted me arriving late to my desk and he immediately walked over.

Here it comes…

"Good morning Mr. Lee!"

But… Mr. Moon sounds unusually cheerful today?

"Good, good morning Mr. Moon."

"Have you had breakfast?"

"No… I'm sorry I'm so late today."

"Oh, no. So you haven't eaten?"

I couldn't really read what was behind his friendly smile, but I knew I was in really deep trouble. His 'nice' attitude was just a setup for a massive outburst to come.

I better brace myself…

"No… No, Sir. I haven't eaten anything."

At least I should clarify that I'm not late because I was snacking on something on the way to work. 

"Ah, that won't do. I'll be back in a second."

With that, Mr. Moon turned around and headed back to his desk, and to my surprise, he came back with a cup of ice-Americano and a sandwich. 

"Here, take these. I'll get mine later when I go for a cigarette break."

Eh? What's he playing at? As much as he hates me surely he wouldn't give me poisoned food?!

"Haha, what are you looking so confused for? It's not like I put poison in these, you know?"

So he DID put poison in!

"Don't worry, Mr. Lee. A young man like you shouldn't skip breakfast. Take it easy every now and then. You've been working too hard."

Just for how long is he going to push his sarcasm?

Mr. Moon noticed growing confusion in me and asked me, with sincere concern in his voice. 

"Is everything OK?"

"Yes, Sir…"

"You look tired, Mr. Lee. Take this sandwich and ice-Americano to the break room and get back when you are done."

"But… but… Sir…"

"Hahaha. What are you so worried about? This is an order from your senior. You are not allowed to get back to work until you finish your breakfast, OK?"

Mr. Moon gave me a wink and a pat on my shoulder and then walked back to his seat. 

As I stood next to my desk with the cold coffee and a poisoned sandwich in my hand not knowing what to do, Ms. Choi, another senior who sat next to me got up to face me. 

OK… maybe they are playing Good Cop Bad Cop today to wind me up. I'm going to get the hairdryer treatment from Ms. Choi now.

Just as I was thinking that, Ms. Choi raised her hand.

FOR REAL?!! Isn't this going too far?!

"Here, Mr. Lee. Have some of these as well."

Er… eh?

Ms. Choi held up a packaged cookie before my eyes and slotted it into my shirt pocket, gave me a warm, welcoming, motherly smile I'd never seen her make before, and promptly went back to her seat.

Whatever it is they are doing, this is really working. 

I've never been so confused at work before, but what can I do…?

"Thank you…"

Ms. Choi only responded with yet another smile and waved me off, so I did as I was told and headed to the break room.