Fan Fiction |
by Caryn
Would my life be much different if my parents never divorced and I never had that useless half brother, Steve? Things would have been much different. I would be a happier child instead of this me that is harbouring a dark secret. But I haven’t been raped so should this bother me? Why couldn’t I just live life happily instead on living on the past? Maybe I felt that it was my duty to teach Steve a lesson he will never forget. Maybe that provided me the drive in training myself.
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. There was a soft knock on my door and I opened my eyes. I smiled.
“What can I do for you, Josh?” I asked my manager.
He’s in his fifty’s and he has a well built body with a mass of grey hair. He has dimples and his face seems to turn pink when he laughs. Josh must be quite a hunk when he was young.
“I’ve got something to tell you. Can I sit down?” josh asked as he closed the door of my office.
Always the polite gentleman. “Sure. Have a seat. Do you want a cup of coffee?” I asked gently.
“No thanks. Well, I’ve been thinking and I’ve been thinking long. I want to retire.” He looked at me.
“What? Retire? But you’re still so young and capable. Why retire at such a young age?” I asked.
He laughed. “I’m not that young anymore, Caryn. I’m going to be 55 next month. I’m morphing into an old man.” His eyes twinkled.
“But you’re never old to me, Josh. Why quit? Help me manage the gym. It’ll help you stay young.” I tried to persuade him.
“You’re a capable young woman. You’ll do just fine. I want to spend time with my grandchildren.” He said.
“You make it sound like I’m keeping you prisoner here, not letting you off to spend time with your family. Are you sure about this Josh?” I asked sadly.
“I’m sure. As soon as you find someone to take over your job, I’ll retire.” He said gently.
“Then I’m not finding anyone to replace me so you won’t have to retire.” I walked over to him and knelt down, holding his hands.
“You have a good heart Caryn but this is what I want to do. I want to retire.” He said softly, as he patted my hand.
I sighed. “Okay. I respect your decision. I’ll put up a notice straightaway so you could have your retirement.”
Résumés flowed in the following week. Some looked promising while other applicants look like they thought they’re entering some modelling agency or something. Only one stood out among the rest. He has experience and he’s young. Around my age. It’s a good change. At least I’ll have an assistant who’s around my age and experienced and has a wide knowledge according to the positions he held in his previous jobs and the success he achieved. I wondered why he left. Josh was already bugging me to get this guy so that he could retire. I gave the guy the job immediately. I asked him to come to work the following day. He sounds Korean. Won Bin.
I thought that this Won Bin guy would be kind of cocky due to his successes but I was wrong. When he came for work that day, he had a commanding presence. He felt the atmosphere with warmth and a dazzling smile. He’s also humble and is willing to learn from me which is surprising. I mean, how many guys are willing to take orders from women, right? I liked this guy straightaway. He’s helpful and very efficient. I think I forget to mention that he has a nice body too.
Now I understand why Josh wanted to retire that quickly. Managing a gym is not an easy task and I can’t believe I actually grumbled about my workload when I was an assistant manager. Thank god for Won Bin. He made my work slightly easier and followed me whenever I had a meeting with suppliers.
After a tiring day of work, both of us decided to kick off our shoes and take a breather in my office with a cup of coffee.
“Phew! I’m done for the day.” I said in a tiring tone.
“Today’s not that bad. We just discussed with the contractors and the interior designers.” He said casually.
“Yeah, but that’s a lot of brainpower involved. They just didn’t understand what I wanted. I had to explain again and again. Sheesh!” I said irritatingly.
“Well, you are so fussy with everything. Could you blame them when they didn’t understand you? Obviously, you have high taste.” Won Bin smiled.
“I want our gym to look appealing to our customers. Who would want to join a gym that’s shabby and ill-equipped, right?”
“I suppose so.” He said quietly.
“What do you mean you suppose so? Of course they wouldn’t!” I said testily.
“Okay, I get your point. Keep your cool!” he said, taken aback.
I laughed at his action. “Sorry, I just had a tiring day and all.” I sipped my coffee.
“Well, that’s the sacrifice an assistant manager has to take. Being snapped at by the manager.” He said cheekily.
“Are you saying you’re regretting you took this job?” I raised my eyebrow.
“No, of course not! I mean, you’re a great boss and you treat me well and.…” He trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“Complementing me won’t get you a pay rise.” I said.
We both laughed. It’s rare that both the employer and the employee get along that well. I found out that he became a part of the company that I couldn’t afford to lose. My cell phone rang and found out that Frost is calling me. I took the call.
“Speak.” I said.
“Dinner at seven. Your place. You cook.” Frost said in a commanding tone.
“What? Me? Cook? Why? You suggested dinner, so it should be either your treat to the restaurant or you cook.” I said angrily.
“You know I can’t cook and I don’t have enough money to buy you dinner. So, to save my money I thought that I could eat at your place.” She said sweetly.
“Oh… very smart of you, Frost. Very well. Be at my place at seven sharp.” I told her.
“Great! I’ll bring over a bottle of wine.” She said happily.
“At least you still have some manners. Bring a good one. I’m inviting two guys over. I don’t want you flirting with them okay? Keep your hands to yourself.” I said sternly.
“Ooooh…. Guys? My favourite dish! What are they like? Are they cute? Are they charming and tall and…” before she could continue, I hung up. Seriously, that girl needs to control herself.
“Busy night today?” Won Bin asked.
“Yeah. I’m supposed to cook for a friend tonight and I thought maybe I better invite some other friends over. Would you come?” I asked, surprised at myself that I would actually ask a guy to come over but he’s been such a great help that maybe I could reward him.
“You want me to come? Why, sure. It would be my pleasure. Where do you stay?” He asked.
I wrote down the address for him and closed the place up as there weren’t any customers today. I went shopping at the supermarket to buy some meat and vegetables. I called Alex and wondered if he would come over for dinner.
“Alex? Remember me? Caryn here.” It was the first time I called him after our meeting at the mall.
“How could I forget? You beat me at archery!” he said.
I laughed. “Hey, I’ll make it up to you. Come over for dinner at my place at seven. I’ll introduce my friend Frost to you. Remember her?” I asked.
“Right! The queen of seduction! How could I forget?” he snickered.
“Keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Casanova.” I laughed.
“Where are you now?” he asked.
“I’m at the Giant supermarket, doing some shopping for my dinner.” I said as I picked up a bunch of vegetables.
“Okay. I’ll come over to help. Stay where you are.” After that, he hung up.
That’s nice of him to come and help me. I was going through the meat section, pondering over what to buy when he tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around and saw him smiling at me. He looked different today. He didn’t have his hair in a ponytail. In fact he let it down but it was stylishly styled. He looks great. I smiled a little.
“Admiring my looks?” he posed for me.
“Yeah, you look different than the other day.” I said, smiling.
“It’s the hair isn’t it?” he grinned.
“Yeah, definitely the hair.” I nodded.
“I think you should go with beef.” He said over my shoulder.
“You think so?” I asked.
“Yeah but what are you cooking?”
“I thought maybe I could make us black pepper steak. Think it’s a good idea?” I looked at him.
“Sure! I love steak. How many people are eating at your place tonight?” he picked up at least 4 packs of steak.
“Including the both of us, there are four of us.” I told him.
“Four? Who’s the other person?” he looked at me questioningly.
“My assistant. He’s a nice guy. I think you’ll like him.” I said casually.
“Oh no! I’ve got competition. Dang! With another extra guy around, I can’t work my magic on you girls. I gotta settle for one only.” He said, disappointed.
I slapped his arm. “You can’t be serious.” I said, shaking my head.
He grinned. “I think we got all we came for. Ready to head home to cook?” he looked at me.
“Sure. You can go home and get ready for the dinner.” I paid the cashier.
“What? I’m already ready. I’m following you back home.” He carried the groceries for me.
“You’re ready already? But dinner won’t be ready that early.”
“With my help, it will be.” He smiled.
“You’re helping me cook? Are you sure?” I said in disbelief.
“Of course! I’m a great cook.” He said confidently.
“Well, hopefully we won’t end up in the hospital tonight.” I said sarcastically.
“You will be awed by my cooking.” He winked.
We both headed to my house and began to work. I have to admit that he’s pretty deft with his hands when it comes to cooking. He seems to know what to do. We chatted as we cooked and I found out that he loves dogs like me even though I’ve yet to get one. He cooked the steak as I boiled the gravy. As I stirred the gravy, the doorbell rang. Who would be that early? It’s only 6.30. I wiped my hands and opened the door. I was greeted by a big bouquet of white lilies. I was taken aback. Won Bin popped his head out of the bouquet and smiled. I smiled back.
“Thought I should get you something.” He said.
“Thanks! It’s great! Come on in. pardon the mess.” I gestured him to come in.
“Wow, smells nice!” he stepped into the house.
“Yeah, I have a helper with me. Come and meet Alex.” I pointed at Alex who’s busy cooking the steak.
“Hi Alex.” Won Bin said.
“Alex, meet Won Bin my assistant.”
“Hi man! Take a seat. Dinner will be ready soon.” He smiled.
“So, how do you like Won Bin?” I asked Alex when I went back to cook.
“He seems like a nice guy.” He said plainly.
“He is.” I said.
“You like him, don’t you?” Alex looked at me.
“Of course! He’s a great assistant.”
“You like just because he’s a great assistant?” Alex asked.
“Yeah. That’s all. Nothing else, okay? Now get back to your steak. I think they’re almost cooked now.” I pointed at the pan.
“You’ve got a nice home here.” Won Bin said aloud.
“Thanks. Didn’t have time to clean up though.” I laughed.
“It’s very neat. What else is there for you to clean up?” He said lightly.
“Well, I’m glad that my house is not in an embarrassing state.”
“I’m done with the steak here. You done with the gravy?” Alex asked.
“Yeah, it’s done.” I poured the gravy over the pieces of meat on each plate and decorated it with slices of tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers.
I took out four wine glasses and placed them on the table. I placed four napkins beside the plates of steak and waited for Frost to come.
“I’m sorry. We have to wait for my friend, Frost.” I said apologetically.
“Don’t worry. Dinner looks appetising.” Won Bin said.
“Yeah, it’s the result of our hard work.” I looked at Alex and gave him a smile which he returned.
Finally, the doorbell rang and I opened the door to reveal Frost in casual attire. She handed me the bottle of wine and hurried in to check out the guys. I was left standing by the door. I closed it and saw that Frost has taken a seat next to Won Bin. I could see Alex checking her out with an amused expression. Won Bin seemed casual. I proceeded to the kitchen to open the wine.
“Need any help with that?” Won Bin asked.
“It’s okay. Go sit down and have a chat with them.” I took the wine opener and started to screw the cork out.
“It’s not polite to leave you with all the work. Come on.” He took the wine from me and opened it.
I smiled. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He smiled and led me to the table where he pulled out my chair. What a gentleman.
Could this be a start of a good friendship? I wondered who will end up with Frost and was amused by the thought. Dinner was great and Alex kept looking at me as if he wanted me to tell him that I’m awed by his cooking. I nudged him and grinned. He laughed while Won Bin and Frost chatted. It’s a nice way to end the day with a great dinner and the company of some nice friends. Looks like life isn’t that bad after all.