06. Stay up late

••

"You look so happy, aren't you?" Hyungtae looked at Aera enjoying a big box of ice cream. She is truly a different woman from the others. How can Aera be able to finish that much ice cream, it's already night. It's a little unnatural to eat that much, not to mention the other snacks that Aera picked up on the shelf earlier. "Yeah, I'm so happy. I haven't had this much and delicious ice cream in a long time."

"It's great. You can look this happy just because of ice cream. Then why do you look gloomy all day? Isn't it enough for you to meet a man as handsome as me?" asked Hyungtae seriously. Aera is not even surprised anymore by Hyungtae's words, which are always narcissistic.

"You think I should smile happily while being held hostage like this? This is tantamount to kidnapping, you know?" replied Aera casually but strikingly. "But you are wrong, so you have to take responsibility?" Hyungtae replied once again. Well, this topic always ends the same. Aera is always wrong and Hyungtae always blames.

Everyone in the world knows that the person who is hit is the victim, unlike Hyungtae. With an unclear basis, he took advantage of Aera. He said Aera made Hyungtae's heart health insecure because he almost became a suspect in an accident. Or maybe there's actually something else that Hyungtae is hiding.

"That's right. I will never win against your selfishness Kim. It's strange even though we've only known each other for a day, but I think I already know your character very well." It's really annoying that Aera can't reverse Hyungtae's argument, even though she could have defended herself and tried to get out of this house. But she doesn't know what made her unable to do that.

"So you're starting to like me? Good, this is just right. There isn't any girl who doesn't fall in love with me." Proud Hyungtae while moving his eyebrows up and down. It suddenly made Aera take out another scoop of ice cream that had just been in her mouth. "Enough Kim, narcissism must have a limit too. You're too far past that limit. I suggest you turn back immediately. I'm afraid I'll want to hit you again." Then the spoon that is taken out, is put back into Aera's mouth.

"Your words are always harsh, I don't like it. I also wonder why you really want to leave here. Mr. Park said you really enjoyed the flower gardens and food here, don't you? Or are you afraid to make your family worried?" Hyungtae asked repeatedly. Hearing the question made Aera smile sadly. Her eyes glazed over as if Hyungtae had pulled back the happy expression that had been on Aera's face. "Family? huh... Unfortunately, I don't have something like that. Whether I'm lost or going anywhere. No one will care, let alone feel worried." Aera is sad, but she tried to hide it with a faint smile and immediately ate back the ice cream, which is only a few spoonfuls away.

"Hey. Don't make that kind of expression, you're not good at acting at all. If you want to cry, just cry I won't see." Hyungtae comforted a little can warm Aera's heart. Aera knows that Hyungtae is actually a good person and she can feel it.

"I'm not going to cry, don't overdo it. You want to tease me again, don't you?" Aera knew Hyungtae doesn't mean to tease her. It is just that the current atmosphere is so awkward that she wanted to stop the meal. "Why do I tease you? You're the one who feels tempted by me." They both wanted to avoid a topic that is quite sensitive to Aera. At least Hyungtae started to know a little more about Aera's life.

"It's 3 o'clock. You should go back to sleep. It's not good to stay up too long. Tomorrow you have to accompany me to the office," Ask Hyungtae. Because it looks like Hyungtae's eyes have started asking to rest again. "Okay, I'm going back to my room now. Thanks for the ice cream and ramyeon earlier, Kim."

••

"Good morning Miss Aera. please enjoy your breakfast." Said Mr. Park who led Aera to the dining room. "Thank you, Mr. Park. Have you had breakfast?" Aera asked politely, wanting to make small talk with Mr. Park. In this house, Aera is only close to him. All-day yesterday Mr. Park accompanied Aera around looking at Hyungtae's house to having fun in the flower garden.

"Yes, I have. I'm used to having breakfast very early, so I can serve Mr. Hyungtae immediately," explained Mr. Park, with a little sigh.

"Your master must have been giving you trouble all this time. Don't worry. after this, I will make it easier for you." Aera tries to comfort Mr. Park. The two of them, are like two lovebirds who have known each other for years.

"Haha, Miss Aera... If you do that. The master will definitely burden my work more." Mr. Park replied. "If your job is too heavy, I will help you, then how about we gossip about your evil master?" Aera offered as she hand-fed the luxurious version of the fried rice the waitress had prepared for her.

"It's up to you Miss. I'm just following what you want, like the master's message to me." It's funny that Mr. Park is still acting polite even though he is talking about his master behind his back, making them both laugh together.

"By the way, isn't Hyungtae awake yet? Isn't it time for work now?" asked Aera surprised. Because it's already 8 o'clock, but Hyungtae's nose just can't be seen. "The master has left early Miss. Because he received news of an impromptu meeting this morning, he advised not to wake the lady first. The master feels worried about disturbing your sleep because you have stayed up all night," explained Mr. Park at length. Aera doesn't expect Hyungtae to worry about her. Isn't Hyungtae the one who needs rest more than her? Hyungtae woke up because Aera, also cooked her ramyeon, not to mention still accompanied Aera to talk all night.

For some reason, Aera thought about Hyungtae, it turns out that behind his selfish and narcissistic nature, he has a warm nature. Even though last night Hyungtae who is very enthusiastic, took her to the office but now he just left him. Aera is already curious to see the BV company, the best marketing company in Seoul.

••

"Good morning Sir. We have an urgent meeting this morning. Director Jung has returned from China and arrived in Korea at 1 pm last night. He is now in the meeting room." Manager Min explained at length about the meeting that is suddenly announced this morning.

"Calm down, don't be in a hurry so you don't miss a point Manager Min." Actually, Hyungtae is quite angry because his cousin always tests his patience. If it's just arrived, why not just rest first, so the meeting can be postponed tomorrow. From the beginning, Director Jung has never changed, he always makes things difficult for Hyungtae.

"Okay, sir. But are you okay? Under the eyes of Hyungtae looks puffy and black." asked manager Min curiously.

"Ah, damn it. I stayed up late last night. I only got a little sleep. But you can take it easy, I can handle it." Hyungtae said. Trying to calm his subordinate so he will not worry too much about him. Manager Min knows this very well. Kim Hyungtae is the most competent CEO he has ever known. In addition to good looks and a high aura of authority, Kim Hyungtae's work is known to be fast and always precise, that's how office workers have always described their CEO.

••

"Hyungtae has a meeting so early in the morning? What time does he get ready? why do I have a bad feeling about him." Aera said worriedly, her right hand raised a glass filled with clear liquid to flush her throat. A second ago, she was choking from eating while talking.