Office Diaries - Chapter 75

Liam Kang stared at the documents resting on his table with unseeing eyes. He was working— or at this instance, he was trying. But his mind kept drifting off as a soft smile curved on his lips.

He had a grand plan, and thinking about it made him excited and impatient. He sighed. He forced himself to look at the documents again and do a semblance of work. But as soon as he picked up the paper again, a series of knock resounded before his office door was pushed open.

A pretty young lady in chick white winter dress stepped in. Her long legs kicked the door close behind her as soon as she entered. She threw her back haphazardly on one of the chairs near the door as her elfin face lit up in a mega-watt smile.

“So, how’s lover boy?”

Liam looked up and grinned at his visitor.

“Susie!” he exclaimed as he motioned for his childhood friend to come closer as he stood up and opened his arms in welcome.

Susie Kim, Ken Park’s lover crossed the room and threw herself at her favorite big brother’s embrace. Well, her second favorite big brother since Jinho Kang, Liam’s older sibling was her first favorite big brother. The young woman’s face flushed with health and happiness that Liam felt light and glad just by seeing her.

“What made you visit your big brother today?” the president asked as he guided the other towards a chair.

He had been the company’s president for a year now, but it’s only the second time Susie came to his office. The first time was when he was just first installed as the president before chaos ensued with his previous staff.

“Nothing. I was just curious about your love life. Big Brother Jinho and Ken said you already have a girlfriend so I wanted to see,” Susie told him and Liam chuckled as he shook his head.

“Don’t listen to Ken and my older brother. I don’t have a lover – at least not yet,” the president said and he sighed. It had been two days since he found out that Marian liked him too but he still hadn’t done anything about it. He was shy.

Well, not actually really shy but he felt that to confess, he’d have to wait for the right moment to make it special. He was sweet that way. After all, this was his first love.

A special setting for a confession to a special someone right?

Today was Friday, a day before the Charity Gala that he and Marian would attend, and two days before Valentine’s Day. He was planning on confessing tonight after office hours. He would go to her house and offer her his heart there. When she said yes, he was planning to sweep her off her feet and bring his PA to his favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner.

Glancing at the clock which told him it was three in the afternoon made his blood sing with anticipation. He couldn’t wait for the clock to strike five so he could send Marian home and so he could prepare everything. In fact, he was too excited that he couldn’t do anything at all except stare at the time. Susie’s visit was a very welcome distraction.

“Oh my, big bro, you’re too slow,” his childhood friend admonished in amusement, and Liam chuckled. “I’m not slow, I just want everything set, nice and smooth,” he said as he wiggled his brows making his childhood friend laugh at his antics.

“I don’t know, whatever,” Susie countered as she handed Liam a red, heart-shaped box the size of a plate.

“What’s this?” the president asked as he took the box and examined its contents. “Chocolate?” he asked and Susie grinned at him.

“Well, it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday and there’s no work so I’m giving this to you now,” his childhood friend said and Liam put the box on the side table where dozens of other chocolate boxes were placed. His employees had given them earlier, celebrating Valentine’s a little earlier since the real one was a non-working day.

“Don’t put it there with the other chocolates,” Susie told him and he frowned.

“Why?” he asked and she grinned mischievously.

“Because that’s not ordinary chocolate. It would make your love hotter,” she said with a provocative smile as she batted her eyelashes making Liam laugh though he didn’t quite understand.

A few minutes after, she said goodbye and went to visit her boyfriend’s office on the other side of the building, the box of chocolate completely forgotten.

At five in the afternoon, Liam stood up excitedly from his table just as Marian who looked totally beautiful in light pink pencil cut suit dress knocked and came inside his office carrying paper bags.

“What are those?” the president asked and Marian shrugged.

“Valentine chocolate sir from the staff,” his PA answered and Liam looked thoughtful.  He wasn’t really into sweets and so he sighed.

“Take them home,” the president said and Marian frowned.

“All of these?” the PA asked indicating the paper bags he was holding and Liam nodded as he glanced at the pile of chocolates on his table.

“Take these too,” he said pointing at them and Marian crossed the room to get the others.

Liam watched her move around the room under his lashes. “Ms. James, you may go home now. Tomorrow’s the gala so rest early,” the president said and she nodded and excused herself.

As soon as the door closed, Liam smiled. He’d give her three hours before he’d go to her house and surprise her with his confession. Wasn’t he a genius? With this in mind, a huge grin plastered on his face, wider than his previous smiles as he went back to work.

Outside, Marian James marched towards Jay’s table carrying the spoils of war— er Valentine’s.

“What’s that big sis?” Jay asked as he eyed the packages she was carrying.

“Chocolates. You can have some of them,” she answered as she placed the bags on the secretary’s table. “Boss said we can go home,” she added and the young man nodded as he stood up and helped her carry the bags towards his car.

“Are you okay big sis? Do you have a problem?” the secretary inquired noting the melancholic expression on his friend’s face.

“Nothing,” she answered as she smiled sadly and continued to walk towards the car. “Take me home,” she said and the younger man just nodded.

They reached the vehicle in silence though Jay studied her profile in the car with worry. He had thought that by giving the president a push, his friend’s love problem would be solved. As it turned out, the Kang still hadn’t made a move and it was frustrating the secretary who had to see Marian’s weary and dejected expressions.

After several minutes, the two of them reached her apartment.

“Jay,” she called and when Jay looked, she sighed. “Drink with me?” she invited and the secretary was only ready to say yes.

He reckoned he’d do anything to cheer his friend up while the president’s still hadn’t put his act together.

“How about these?” Jay asked indicating the packages and Marian just took some chocolate boxes and the rest she gave to the younger man.

The two of them walked inside Marian’s medium-sized apartment. Jay was aware that her family was very rich, and her real identity was akin to a princess. But he also knew that his big sis liked to live modestly, and so she chose this small abode.

“Wait here, I’ll get the drinks,” she told him as she placed the chocolate boxes on the coffee table in the living room. Going to the kitchen, she took bottles and bottles of soju and beer and made some food they can have with alcohol.

By seven o’clock, she had already consumed a lot and her skin was flushed all over. Jay who had to drive only had a bottle of beer.

“Big sis, I think you already had enough,” he said eyeing the five empty bottles of soju.

“I think so too,” she agreed drunkenly as she shifted on her seat. “I think I want to puke,” she added and Jay immediately handed her a bottle of water.

“Drink this,” the young man said and when she started smacking her lips together, Jay looked around and spotted the chocolates.

Grabbing a random box from the pile, he opened it and handed her a piece of chocolate. “Here eat something sweet,” he ordered and she took and ate it.

“Hmmnnn…tastes good,” she murmured in approval as she sat up straight and took the whole box from him and started eating more. “You want some?” she asked Jay.

“Nah,” he declined. He already had multiple bags filled with sweets in his car as Marian didn’t take a lot.

“Big Sis, I think I should go,” he said afterwards as he stood up. But when he did, Marian suddenly frowned. “What’s wrong?” he asked and he panicked when she suddenly fell sideways on the sofa. “Big Sis!”