|| After Snowfall ||
|| Chapter 6: After Snowfall ||
It's been weeks since the day the ravenette posed as a backup dancer for VUNX's performance at the award show. People are still demanding to know who he was and which company he was associated with. However, the company remained silent, refusing to give in to the public's pleas. This is because of the Chairman's decision. "Not a single word about him will be published," His voice was icy cold and low as he stared out of his window, peering over the city's rooftops and traffic, "If any information about him gets leaked, I'll terminate all the idols' contracts. Understood?"
Intimidated by his threat, all the staff members and board of directors kept an eye on the headlines. However, their expectations were shattered when the source of this trouble requested a meeting with the Chairman. It was a Wednesday afternoon; the sky was grey as snowflakes fluttered to the ground, covering every surface in a thin blanket of fresh snow. A taxi cab came to a stop in front of a looming skyscraper that had 'NovaStar Entertainment' on it. A young familiar man stepped out of the cab, fixing his expensive black suit's blazer and collar. His formal appearance instantly caught passersby's attention, causing some to stop and gawk at him.
His extremely dark red-dyed hair was styled into a back sleek style, showing off his sharp yet insanely attractive facial features. He was dressed in a black suit; it consisted of a white buttoned-up shirt, a dark grey sleeveless vest hidden under a black blazer, black trousers, and leather business shoes. An expensive watch was seen on his right wrist while a silver ring was on his left hand's middle finger. As he adjusted his black tie, he checked the time before approaching the building. The moment he walked through the spinning doors, the majority of people in the lobby paused to look at him.
"Afternoon," He stoically greeted the receptionist before giving her a faint business smile, "I have an appointment with the Chairman today at 2:30 PM." Stunned, she stared at him with her mouth slightly agape. "Y-Yes... Y-Your name, sir?" She stuttered out with a small gasp, quickly regaining her composure and typing on her computer. "Kim Siwoo," He answered her as he glanced at his watch, checking the time. She misunderstood his actions and quickened her actions, assuming that he was in a hurry. "T-The meeting is happening in the Boarding Room on the 37th floor," She revealed, glancing up at him with a crooked smile, "I'll be your escort, sir."
With a nod, he followed her to the elevators. As they entered the elevator, he pressed the button and stood in the back with his arms crossed over his chest. An awkward yet heavy silence surrounded them as they headed upward. It wasn't long before they arrived on the 37th floor and she awkwardly escorted him to the meeting room. Some of the office workers peeked over the foggy glass wall to get a glimpse of the handsome rumoured man. When he made eye contact with them, he raised a brow at their actions, causing them to grow flustered before hiding behind their stations.
Once they reached the meeting room, the receptionist knocked on the door and opened it for him when a muffled voice permitted them entry. He quietly thanked her when he walked past her and entered the room. The moment he stepped foot into the room, the atmosphere grew tense and cold. The directors tensed up, gulping as they felt slightly intimidated by his appearance. They were speechless yet they felt annoyed. His cold gaze was pinned on the older man sitting at the head of the table.
The man was slightly shorter than him and appeared to be around his mid-forties; he was dressed in a dark grey three-piece suit. His sharp cat-like green eyes were filled with mischief and caution, complimenting his peachy-coloured skin while wrinkles were formed around the creases on his face. His black hair - which had grey streaks - was styled into a side-parting style. "You must be Kim Siwoo, the part-time assistant manager for VUNX," The older man mentioned with a professional smile as he got up from his seat and held his hand out to the young man, "I've heard many things about you."
"Then may I presume that you're Chairman Jung, sir?" He asked with a stoic expression, taking his hand and giving it a firm handshake. "Indeed," The older man - Jung Ho-sung - confirmed with a light chuckle, liking how calm and professional this young man was. "Have a seat, Kim-ssi," Ho-sung said as he gestured to the open chair on the other side of the table. Silently, the ravenette nodded and took his seat. The room was filled with a heavy atmosphere as he sat down, his gaze and posture was intimidating. "To start this meeting," Ho-sung started, folding his hands over the table while his lips remained in a business smile, "Why have you requested this meeting, Kim-ssi?"
"I would like to resign my position as the part-time assistant manager for VUNX," He immediately revealed, placing his folded hands on the table as he straightened his posture with a blank expression, "Please accept my resignation letter." A low hum escaped the Chairman while the Directors gasped in shock, not believing his words. "Have you sent in your-" Before one of the directors could make up an excuse, the ravenette bluntly cut him off, "I sent my two-week notice a month ago and told Supervisor Yong about it..."
A cold sneer appeared on his face as he clenched his hand on the table, catching the Chairman's attention as he added, "...But it seems that he never reported my notice to the higher-ups." Low murmurs filled the room at his words, creating a tense atmosphere. "Alright," The Chairman suddenly spoke, catching everyone's attention. "Then I'll accept your letter of resignation, Kim Siwoo," He revealed his decision with a beaming smile, causing the directors' eyes to widen in disbelief, "You're also getting the rest of your annual salary as a token of gratitude for working with us!"
'What?' Siwoo was speechless and blinked a few times, not believing what he just heard, 'The rest of my annual salary?!' Seeing how stunned the young man was, the Chairman chuckled before covering his grinning lips from his view. "Although it's a shame that you're leaving us," He added, standing up from his seat with an amused gleam in his eyes, "I, Chairman Jung Ho-sung, would like to thank you for choosing our company as one of your job options." The room erupted into disbelief and shock when the Chairman sent Siwoo a ninety-degree bow.
Flustered, the ravenette returned the bow with a startled expression. This wasn't meant to be so easy. 'There's supposed to be a process of termination and everything,' He thought as he raised his head with a frown, his eyes narrowing at the Chairman's smiling face, 'Something feels off...' Once that was settled, the ravenette left the room and headed home. As he left, the directors demanded an explanation from Ho-sung. "Wasn't our agreement to keep him at all cost, sir?!" One Director sneered, slamming his fist against the table in fury, "His net worth is currently higher than our rookie idols!"
"I made a promise with someone about Kim Siwoo," Ho-sung calmly stated, boredly tapping his fingers against his thigh as he stared at the closed door, "Even if I want to turn him into an idol, that person really wants him, no matter the costs." A chill ran down everyone's spine and gulped, feeling unnerved by his words. Whoever this person was, it must be someone from a more influential company than NovaStar. 'Poor boy,' The Chairman internally mused with a scoff, glancing at the window as the snow started falling from the sky again, 'He probably has no idea that he caught that man's attention...'