A Change of Plans 2

At the headquarters of the DTDA :

Wow. This place is amazing.

At the moment, I am standing in front of the DTDA headquarters.

According to what Jae-Hak told me in the car on the way here, the DTDA has office buildings set up all over South Korea. However, the main building, the HQ is based in Seoul. Apparently, the jeongdangseong division has its own office building near the Seoul headquarters, which, according to Jae-Hak is actually just a house rented by the DTDA.

The headquarters is a tall glass building reaching 19 stories high. The entrance of the building has a platform that sits four steps above the sidewalk and is covered with a roof held up with pillars. Above this roof are the first two floors of the building. Behind the first couple floors, the rest of the 17 stories stand tall, reaching the sky.

Though very similar to entertainment buildings here in Korea, the DTDA building is unlike anything I've seen before. The inside is highly functional and designed with a modern touch to it. The building interior is decorated with varying gray colors and wood details. On the first floor of the building, a coffee shop was built for the employees, as they often had to rush to the office or be on call at the office and had no time to grab caffeine, something necessary to keep them awake. On the roof of the building is a garden that employees are able to use freely.

There are six entry ways into the building, all on the same wall. Similar to Café Whole Latte Love, each entry way is built with glass double doors. When you walk through one of the six front double doors, you can see a mini hall where the building's elevators are built. Facing each other, there are three elevators on each side of the mini hall.

Jae-Hak had also told me that the director's office is on the 17th floor of the building, and that half of the floor makes up his office.

The two of us walk into the DTDA and make our way to the elevators. All around us are employees, from field agents, to communication managers, to the tech teams, all different types of members in the DTDA are in this building. I look around amazed.

This is way cooler than I expected. I thought that the DTDA would look more… well less dignified.

When we reach the elevators, Jae-Hak begins to talk as he presses the button that calls the elevator to our level.

"Before I take you to meet the director, there's something we need to do."

"And what is that?"

He looks me up and down.

"We need to make you look like a human being instead of a rat."

"A-A RAT?"

"What else would you call this?" He gestures to all of me.

"Beauty clad in comfort."

"Sure. whatever you say."

"All I'm wearing is a hoodie and sweatpants. How does that make me a rat?"

"Rats are black."

"No they're not."

"Yes."

"No."

"Arguing is pointless."

"Tch." Closing my eyes as a sign of rebellion, I toss my head and cross my arms.

"Look around. Do you see anyone dressed like you?"

I peek open my eyes and pout. "No." I admit quietly.

"I can't hear you."

"NO!" I shout.

About seven pairs of eyes turn our way.

"It's Jae-Hak, the number one agent!"

"Who is that with him?"

The people who turned our way whisper among themselves.

Number one agent? This guy? The one who tried to conceal his presence by wearing sunglasses indoors?

"Sorry about that!" He apologizes to the seven pairs of eyes. "Will you keep it down?"

"You're the one who said he couldn't hear."

"You know what I meant." I can see his frustration in his jaw as it clenches trying to maintain self control.

HA! Serves him right for calling me a rat.

In all truthfulness, the second we stepped into the headquarters I realized that I was the only one underdressed. Everyone here is wearing something similar to him. For a second I felt insecure and out of place… Until this jerk compared me to a rat that is.

"We need to hurry."

He grabs my wrist and pulls me into the open elevator.

"Why?" I ask.

"Do you really need to question everything I ask or say?"

"Not really." I answer. "It's just fun seeing you try to stay calm."

He glares at me with intensity.

"Lead the way Mr. Number One Agent." I jokingly smirk.

Jae-Hak presses a button that will take us to the ninth floor.

"Why the ninth floor? Didn't you say we were going to see the director?'

"Like I told you before, we need to make you look presentable."

I roll my eyes.

"That is not how you said it earlier."

"Same meaning. Different wording."

"Whatever. Just tell me where we're going."

"We're going to the ninth floor which holds the personal needs rooms like showers, overnight rooms, changing rooms, etc. One of my co-workers has an extra suit here that she is going to let you use."

"An extra one?"

"Most of the field agents keep an extra suit here as well as their go bags if they are on call in this building. Similarly to hospitals where there are rooms for the on-call or night shift nurses and doctors, the DTDA also provides a whole floor dedicated to this need."

"Wow."

Working here may be the best decision of my life. This amazing building, money for my rent, AND money for my work? How could it be any better?

The elevator door opens and we step onto the ninth floor. From the area where the elevators are, the mini hall branches to the left and to the right. Towards the very front of the very back of the building are hallways, with doors to the different rooms on the inner side of the building.

Jae-Hak and I walk to the left, the hallway near the front of the building, and enter one of the many rooms on the right hand side.

"Jae-Hak you're finally here!" A woman's voice exclaims as we walk into the room.

"Yeah, sorry we're late."

"No worries!" The lady says with a love stricken face.

Wow. she looks incredibly dumb… what's so great about Mr. Number One? Sure he has good looks, but there is absolutely nothing on the inside. Oh my gosh. She looks like she's gonna drool… Disgusting. Remind me to never fall in love with anyone.

I force a smile as I inwardly throw up.

"We'll get out of your way so you can change!" The lady says, finally taking her eyes off him.

"Thank you for your trouble."

"Of course!" she says, grabbing Jae-Hak's arm and gazing into his eyes. He looks away. "Anything for you."

"Ha. ha. I'm right here." I wave at her. She doesn't see me, and walks out of the room still clinging to this arm.

As I close the door behind them I hear Jae-Hak say, "get off of me please."

"Ohh you're such a tease!" She responds.

I gag.

I feel sorry for you. Good luck.

I quickly change into the suit.

The lady who is lending me her suit is a good four inches taller than me. She also has a noticeably larger chest than I do. The button up shirt she has lent me is quite big around the chest area. I pull it down to tighten the fabric and tuck it into the black skirt that matches with the blazer she has given me. The only problem is that the skirt goes past my knees and the blazer looks oversized. Other than that, it works well. I put on my only pair of shoes and walk out of the room.

The second Jae-Hak sees me, he bursts into laughter.

I frown.

"What's the matter?"

"Sweetie," the lady starts. "Is my suit a little too big for you?"

"No." I grumble.

Did she seriously just call me sweetie?

"You look, you look-" Jae-Hak gasps.

"Save it." I snap.

Jae-Hak stands up and regains his composure.

"I'll have the agency buy you a tailored suit by tomorrow. But right now, we have to go meet the director, so for now this will have to do." He says as he bites his lip to keep himself from laughing.

"Whatever. Let's just go."

"Thank you once again for lending the suit. I'll have it dry cleaned and sent back to you by tomorrow." Jae-Hak says turning to the lovesick lady.

"You're welcome." She sighs as she shoots heart eyes at him.

Pathetic.

As he begins to walk back to the elevator, I follow behind. We get into the elevator and he presses the button that will direct the elevator to take us to the 17th floor.

"Now, we'll go to the directors office. There you will meet the leader of our division, the other members of the division, and the director himself."

I nod.

We remain silent the whole elevator ride.

When we reach the director's floor, I freeze at the elevator entrance.

"What's the matter?" Jae-Hak asks.

"Nothing… I just, it's nothing. let's go."

It's not nothing though. I'm not even standing in front of the people yet, and yet I feel so out of place. This office is meant for those who serve the greater good… but am I good? No… remember… ? I'm on fire… And something on fire leaves things burning in its path.

We begin walking to the director's office. On the 17th floor, there are two rooms, each taking up half of the floor. One room is the director's office, the second is a meeting room. Jae-Hak leads me to the second room, the meeting room.

Inside this room is a long rectangular wooden table that sits at least 24. Why 24? I don't know. At both ends of the table, there are chairs that look as if they're meant for the important people of the room. On the wall, opposite to the door, is a projector, which I'm assuming is used for showing CCTV videos, profiles, evidence, crime scenes, etc.

As we walk into the darkly lit room, three people stand up to greet us, all three in comfy clothes similar to pajamas.

"Ah!" I exclaim pointing to them. "Why are they wearing comfy clothes when you said we are supposed to dress professionally?"

"They're different," he responds. "They make up the tech/IT team. They have to be on call most of the time, so they eat, sleep, and do everything they need to do at the DTDA."

"They never go home?"

"They do, but at the maximum twice a week."

"What about the other members?"

"They are the only tech/IT members in our division."

"I see. Does that mean everyone else is an agent?"

"When will they be here?" I ask.

"We're already here."

No way… does he mean that we are the only field agents?

"Our division is small because of the many losses we've taken since the start of our investigation of the Hallyu. The higher ups deemed it unnecessary to add more than who they have chosen. Don't worry, these three and I are the top in our fields."

He then leads me to the second to last chair at the end of the table on the left side. He sits in the chair directly on the left of the "important person seat." The three IT people sit on the opposite side of us, leaving the chair immediately to the right of the "important person chair" empty.

I look at the three closer.

They look so much like my coworkers from the café… It's probably the lighting.

"Long time no see." A familiar voice greets.

"S-S-Soo-Yun!?"

"Were you surprised?"

"Kyubok?"

"Hi." a shy voice adds.

"Myung-Dae!? What are you all doing here?"

I jump up in shock.

"You guys are supposed to be my normal friends from a normal life and from a normal, well, a café."

"Why do you think Café Whole Latte Love exists?" Kyubok asks while laughing at my shock.

"Our manager and the old ajumma are part of the DTDA too?"

"No." Soo-Yun laughs. "The DTDA anonymously funded the café, and the manager was just a coincidence. We were sent to keep an eye on you to make sure you were the right person."

"Oh right…" I let out a half sigh and half laugh. "That means you all know who I am."

"Of course!" Kyubok exclaims.

"Shut up!" Soo-Yun jabs her elbow in his ribs.

Kyubok bends over in pain muttering something about how if she wasn't a woman, he would fight her.

"We chose to be your friends." Myung-Dae explains. "Our mission was just to keep an eye on you and not to engage, but we grew to like you for who you are now regardless of who you used to be."

"That's right!" Soo-Yun adds. "You became my best friend! Who cares if the past you made mistakes. You changed and became the person standing in front of us right now!"

"Thank you guys so much.." I smile genuinely for the first time today.

As we continue to talk, the door to the meeting room opens, and two people, a man and a woman walk into the room.

Immediately the four of my teammates go silent and stand up to greet the two figures that have just walked in. However, I'm the only one who remains sitting.

Jae-Hak taps my shoulder.

"Stand up and greet them." He hisses.

I look at him in confusion then quickly bolt up as I realize that the people who just walked in rank higher than anyone in this room.

"I'm very sorry," I apologize, hanging my head.

Maybe all those years of being one of the high ranks in Hallyu have gotten to my head and ego…

"It's okay." A tough but sweet voice reassures me. "Please lift your head."

I comply. The lady who spoke is tall and beautiful. Her long dyed icy blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail. She wears a fitted suit that shows off her delicate figure. Her makeup is flawless and her demeanor is delicate but strong, kind but stern. She is unlike anyone I have ever seen before.

The man next to her is even taller than her. He is much younger than I had imagined, he seems to be around the age of 30, and stands above 6 feet tall, even taller than Jae-Hak. He has a muscular build, and jet black hair. He may be even more handsome than Jae-Hak as well. He has the demeanor of someone with a strong will, but the smile lines around his eyes seem to tell me that there is more to him than just stubbornness. However, as I study this man, something about him seems oddly familiar.

I tilt my head and stare at the director. Suddenly realization hits.

"A-a-Appa*?"