The Mask Media

 In the back stage of the red carpet Gala, Ryu Tae-Ra was doing what she always does, keeping everything neat and clean. She was a janitor this time around. While she was cleaning the dressing room, she stumbled upon a card that said 'The Mask Media' she smiled, saying "what is this doing here? This is a very expensive thing which worth so much, money especially. Maybe I should take it"

 When she finished what she said, a voice from behind said "you shouldn't take whatever you find in the ground, Miss", he came closer to her "and that is mine" his voice was sweet like whispers in her ears. Just as she realized how close he was to her, she quickly apologized to him "I am very sorry, sir", she bowed to him "I didn't say it literarily. I was thinking about what most people would do if they had found this. But you said it was yours, right? Here" holding the card with both her hands and extending them to him.

 Ryu Tae Ra recognized him as the famous actor whom she heard about in the recent TV news; his name was, Kang Min-soo. She enjoyed his recent drama and was happy that he was kind young man. Kind people are rare in upper class. Unexpectedly, a tall beautiful woman entered the room and laughed out loud "you shouldn't believe a low class person like that, oppa".

 "Low class? And" Ryu repeated to herself as she was amazed "oppa?"

 The woman snatched the card from Ryu's hands and nicely kept in Kang Min-Soo's expensive tuxedo pocket. She smiled at him, as to get some sort of complement for what she did. 

 Kang Min-soo on the other hand was not pleased and asked her to apologize to the young miss, as he called Ryu Tae-Ra, off course not knowing her name. "I will not" said the actress arrogantly "she is low class works man, she should say sorry for even talking to a celebrity like me"

 "Enough" said the male actor in fury and turned towards Ryu Tae-Ra "I am sorry, please, forgive me and my friend here. She drank too much earlier"

 The party hasn't even started yet and already drunk not a good excuse she thought, "You don't have to be sorry, Sir" she smiled kindly at him and then bowed to him, then to the young actress "and I am deeply sorry for rudeness, mam. I shall take my leave now"

 Kwang Min-soo wanted to say something but before he could, Ryu Tae-ra had already disappeared in the busy hallways. That woman was somehow familiar; her smile was the most familiar to Kwang Min-soo. Because he was busy with the actress, Eun Chung-Ae. He couldn't even get the female janitor's name. Eun Chung-Ae's name means 'kind noble love', but she was opposite of that. He didn't like people sticking to him like glue and she would do just that.

 An hour later, Ryu Tae-ra came across a person searching near the waste bins. The closer she got, the better she could look at the person. It was another handsome celebrity who lost something apparently, what an unusual night it is she thought. What could a person like him be looking for near the waste bins? Didn't make any sense and she suddenly had a thought.

 "Excuse me, sir" she called the man who was searching the floors "is this, what you were looking for?" she showed him a watch. "Yes" he answered "how did you know it was mine?" he gently took the watch from her hand. "I happen to see you wearing that watch while you were walking down the carpet tonight" she said "then I found this while cleaning here" she pointed at the old watch.

 "Thank you very much" he said "it is very special to me"

 "I guessed as much" Ryu Tae-ra smiled at him, she slightly leaned towards him "I almost thought to sell for few cash because it looked like the watch had more history to it". The young man laughed at what she said.

 "Mr.."

 "Hyun Chin- Hae" he completed her sentence by filling his name.

 "I glad I was helpful, Mr. Hyun" she smiled and respectfully bowed to him "do enjoy the night, sir. It took me awhile organize this."

 "Wait, what?" he dumfounded

 "I shall be leaving, now"

 Before he could continue, Ryu Tae-ra had already left. What did she mean by that? Thought the young celebrity, he was zoned out b her. Then from behind, someone called him. It was the actor which Ryu had met earlier, Kwang Min-soo. The both of them were best friends.

 "Hey, I am looking for someone" said Kwang "a female worker here, did you see her?"

 "I did and she is already gone" he shook his shoulders "why though?"

 "Damn, I am late" Kwang sighed "I think it's, her"

 "The 'her'?" Hyun Hae-Il repeated what his friend said as a question. "I can never forget the smile from that day". Hyun nodded at what his friend had said and he wished if he too had seen that mysterious girl. His friend fell head over heels for her. That is called love at first sight.

 Nine years later, Ryu Tae-ra was working as a waitress in an expensive restaurant. The restaurant was unusually busy today. Someone had reserved the entire restaurant for someone's birthday and welcoming party. They must be filthy rich she thought or maybe the gang just came together and contributed in it. Or else how could someone reserve a seven star hotel restaurant by themselves.

 "Anyway the amount they had spent was, enormous" said her colleague and friend "The master ought to attend on that day. I mean she did get invited"

 "Really?" asked Ryu

 "Right, you weren't there that day. You see, the person who invited our lady made huge fuss about her rejecting their invitations over ten times already" she laughed "master finally got tired and excepted but only for an hour and not a single second more"

 "Our lady is busy person" said Ryu, while arranging the plates on the table "it is a very unnecessary party which she does not benefit from"

 "I know right, she has better things to do" her colleague smiled "like taking care of us with money"

 "By the way, Soo Yu-mi" Ryu Tae-Ra paused what she was doing and asked "I heard that you were personally taken in by the master"

 "Not only me but 70 percent of the employees in all her companies' around the globe" she stared at Ryu Tae-Ra's eyes "this why we are very sensitive about anyone disrespecting our master because she'd do the same for us" she looked at gigantic chandelier above them and to all the other workers in the area. Hearing those words from Soo Yu-Mi's mouth made Ryu Tae-Ra very proud. A strong bond of trust between employer and the employee, one in a million chances and each one of them were incredible in the work they do and were very honest and hardworking. They are trying to make the master proud of them.

 "Hey, Soo Yu-mi. do you know the amount they spent on this party?" asked Ryu eagerly.

 "That's one thing I don't know about" said Soo Yu-mi pouting her lips "how much?"

 "1.5 billion won"

 "Hell, what?" she jumped "how could someone spend so much? No wonder this looks more like a ball than a party"

 "Anyway let's get back yo work now" said Ryu Tae-Ra

 "Already"

 The night has fallen; and around six pm, the guests have arrived one at a time. The costumes were glamourous for the special occasion. Dignified guests were given the VIP sits and temporary butlers, to guide them during party to night. All the staffs were busy giving out the drinks and snacks to the guests. The manager was busy welcoming them in the front of the door, along with some other butlers. 

 The reporters were busy clicking pictures of the celebrities. Ryu Tae-ra was busy bringing the drinks and showing directions and Soo Yu-mi guided the guests to restaurant hall. Ryu Tae-ra noticed an old couple going to the wrong direction. She decided to take initiative to guide them.

 "Excuse me? Mr. and Mrs. Han" asked them politely "may I know where you are headed?"

 "Oh my, well we are looking for the hall you see" Mrs. Han smiled and said "and we seemed.."

 "Lost" Mr. Han "continued his wife's sentence.

 "I see" said "I shall guide you to the hall" her left hand behind her back and right hand near her left shoulder then she slightly bowed to the couple. She was very professional thought the couple, very well-mannered too. "The Ryu group has a good reputation for its well-mannered employees" smiled the old man "and I have finally experienced in the best way possible"

 "We appreciate your complement, sire" she looked at him yet still bowing "I shall also relay it to the master. We are always happy serve to the guests in the best way as possible; such are the duties of the hosts."

 "Well spoken" said Mr. Han "shall we move on now, we don't wanna be late, do we?" he winked at her.

 After taking the old couple to their table, Ryu was called to escort the main character of the party from door way. Ryu Tae-ra stationed herself ten minutes before their arrival. While she was memorizing the names of the main character in a piece of paper, the actress 'Eun Chung-Ae' and a retired celebrity 'Hyun Hae-Il'. She was very curious about how they looked like? Who would spend so money on something so useless and time consuming ball? Just then a white Mercedes pulled up. She was informed that the main person would come in white Mercedes. So she quickly took position and put the paper in her pockets.

 First came out a man from the left side of the car which she guessed that it was Mr. Hyun Hae-Il. He was one handsome person she'd ever seen. White nylon gloves and ebony black tuxedo which fits him perfectly as if it was made for him, inside was a beautiful white shirt. He was very tall. Had a perfect sculpted face but had no smile on his face. The man adjusted his gloves on the right, while doing so he stood like model there. Then he walked to other side to get the actress. When the door was opened the she saw a glimpse of the glittering gown. She came out and wow! She was gorgeous thought Ryu, and awfully familiar somehow. 

 "Where have I seen them both?" she asked herself. However she didn't waste her time on that and went to escort them both.

 "Greetings, Miss. Eun Chang-Ae and Mr. Hyun Hae-Il", she bowed to them, "I shall escort you to the hall"

 "Wow look at them taking my pictures" Eun Chang-ae excitedly said to Hyun Hae-Il. This rudeness was noticed by few reporters who were close to the three, "Today I am the star to shine and you will be there to support me"

 "Please follow me", Ryu said ignoring the comment. They followed her quietly. It was very unpleasant sight to Ryu. The actress maybe was beautiful on the outside but on the inside she was very ugly. While she was thinking about that, a waitress had accidently spilled some wine on the floor near the actress Eun Chang-ae.

 "How dare you?" said the actress while she pushed her with her leg at that, "you could have ruined my dress. Do you know how much I had to spend on it? How are you so careless?" The others around her were whispering and gossiping.

 "Please forgive us, Miss Eun Chang- ae. This girl was newly recruited and doesn't know much about handling works like these" Ryu Tae-Ra bowed to her, in hopes she might let it go, "I will take the immediate action on her"

 "You know what? I will take the action" Eun Chang-Ae said it very confidently and turned around and called another waiter who was caring wine bottles, "you there, give me one", the waiter did as told. She opened the bottle, "you should know it would have felt if it actually fell on me", she said to the waitress who standing behind Ryu Tae-Ra.

 "Miss Eun Chang-Ae, you are acting rash. Please think twice", said Ryu calmly. "Oh, then I suppose you should take it instead of her, butler", evil smile spread across her face, "take it or else I will make a bigger scene"

 "If that is what you wish, mam", Ryu said still keeping her tone calm, "I shall oblige", she knelt down. "Suit, yourself", said the evil actress. She poured down the cold red wine on Ryu, shaming her in front of everyone. No one dared to interfere in this situation; they didn't want to get involved with her. Actress Eun Chang-Ae had a reputation for being an evil witch in acting industry. And interfering in her situation was a bad luck, either it was to help her or the victim she bullies. Hyun Hae-Il pushed the crowd and grabbed Chang-Ae's hand away from Ryu.

 "What do you think you are doing? Chang-ae", he was furious "you are making a fool out of yourself. There so many people here, making a ruckus here will ruin your reputation and end of your career", he looked at the crowd "you've done enough so let it go", he said it in clam and serious voice.

 "But oppa", she acted pitiful, "it was them who started it"

 "Oppa…..", Ryu repeated, "now I know where I have seen them", she got up. Both of them looked at her. "If you are done I shall take my leave, the master will be arriving shortly. We must prepare", she smiled at them especially Eun Chang-Ae "it's been a while how have you been mam?" she asked the actress. "Who are you?" Eun Chang-Ae asked directly.

 "it's a shame you don't remember me, mam"

 She turned around saying those words and said to the waitress behind her who was in utter shock, "clean this up and tell the manager the master will be late", and she left not looking back even once. Hyun Hae-Il stood there in daze, it was her. It's been nine years since that night in the red carpet gala. She looked the same from back then. What a world and what a coincidence is it he thought he must meet her this time.

 It was almost nine pm when all the works were notified that the master will be arriving within fifteen minutes. All the butlers excused themselves from their guests to greet the master in the door way.

"They look very happy", said Mrs. Han

"Well.. Each one of want to impress the chairwomen", Mr. Han smiled at his kind wife.

"Why do they call her 'master'?" Eun Chang-Ae asked her partner, "how old fashioned?"

 The hotel's butlers all stood in line on the white carpet on both sides, with professional stance. Minutes later a black sports car pulled in front. The flashes of cameras were like the stars in the sky, everyone was excited to see the chairwoman. She'd always wear a mask when coming in public but this time it was said that she will come without it. Thinking about that the reporters jumped, however there was a condition this time, 'no one is allowed to take pictures and all the cameras will switched off until she leaves'.

 The manager came and signaled them to stop and everyone did, they put down their cameras and waited. From the right came out the famous butler, Mr. Hye Il-Seong, he was tall handsome man. He was the Chairwoman's childhood friend, secretary and house butler, the closest person to the mysterious chairwoman. He then gently opened the right door.

 Then came out the chairwoman with her staff, the master, she wore all black mermaid gown with high neck, A long coat with attached jewels, diamond ring on her right hand, a heavenly looks her beauty cannot be compared, sexy scarlet lips even if her eyes were covered by a mask. Along with powerful aura of the mighty predator, she was someone not to be messed with. She put her left hand around Hye Il-Seong's arm and smiled elegantly.

 "Welcome, master!" the staffs bowed.

 She gave a slight nod of approval. She walked with grace and power in every step, the chairwoman went forward. She was the black swan who going to the castle.

Inside the hall, Soo Yu-mi was very worried about Ryu Tae-ra, who was nowhere to be seen. Where could she have gone? Soo Yu-mi had only heard about what happened to her.

 "She must have felt very humiliated" thought Soo Yu-mi "now the master has also arrived and she will miss the opportunity she her in person. I hope she is well"

 The door to the hall has opened wide, for the famous chairman and master to enter. Eun Chang-Ae was very curious to see who it was and she would a long complaint about the incident few hours ago. And Hyun Hae-Il was standing next to her also curious about the chairwoman like the others. She was the youngest chairwoman in the Ryu group and the world at that. It was said that she had a strong personality and was good natured, had multiple companies abroad. And also she is rarely comes to Korea. Basically she lives abroad. 

 Right then enter, the chairwoman and her butler entered the room. And she removed her mask, everyone was amazed. A shock of horror came across Eun Chang-Ae's face and even Soo Yu-mi was amazed.

 "Heaven's" said Mrs. Han

 "What a world?" said Mr. Han smiling as if was joke or something

 It was the butler who was humiliated few hours ago, Ryu Tae-Ra.

 ...