Yes, Miss Manoban

CHAPTER 20

Half passed midnight and she's still inside the damned practice room. They finished installing the new mirror weeks ago yet it was only 'til now she'd gathered up enough courage to go back.

So far, the company's been doing good. Secretary Jeon has proven to be more competent than he's given credit for.

Her thoughts drifted her back to her days in New York. She missed it. That euphoric feeling she gets when the lights on the stage suddenly opens. Blinding as it usually is, it didn't really matter. Hearing the applause of the audience makes up for all of it.

But it was taken away from her. A single night took everything from her. Everything she'd worked hard for.

"It's okay, love. We'll be home before ten. I promise we won't take long..."

"Miss Manoban?"

Astrid's head immediately snapped towards the door. Secretary Jeon. What's he doing here? Last time she checked, all employees except for Vince, had already left. She blinked as he walked towards her with a bottle of water at one hand and a small towel on another.

"Here," he crouched down to meet her level and gave the two items with this polite smile.

Her eyebrows furrowed. How did he know she was here?

Since she didn't take the towel and water yet, Secretary Jeon went ahead and used the towel to wipe off her sweat. Her eyes grew wide at the sudden gesture. And the guy just smiled at her as if it wasn't such a big deal.

When she was able to regain composure, she held his wrist and looked straight at him who was just a couple inches away from her face.

"What do you think you're doing?" she spat. Secretary Jeon just smiled—which was some sort of grin if she's being particular.

"Returning the favor," he simply said before leaning back. He then unceremoniously sat beside her. "I haven't thanked you properly last time. Being you're my boss and all, you didn't need to do that but you still did. So, thank you."

She scoffed. "I didn't do that for you. It was for the company."

Joshua's smile grew wider. This made her roll her eyes at him.

"Whatever."

The young secretary then took the fresh bottled water and opened it before placing it beside her.

"If you need anything else, I'll just be by my station finalizing Ro5e's debut proposal."

Now it was her turn to get all flustered.

-

Astrid pursed her lips as she directed her attention on to the projected image in front of her. They're currently in talks of Saerin's upcoming debut and with it being in just a few months, they would need to cash in a miracle to pull this one off.

"I don't like it," she said straightforwardly which made the prod team jump a bit. "The song's EDM with a hint of Pop. Why does this scream b**m? Color. You need variations of color here. And we're not pimping her, for God's sake! I said make her look sexy, not a freakin' slag!"

"Slag...?"

She rolled her eyes.

"A hoe."

She heard Vince chuckle before shifting from his seat. Secretary Jeon cleared his throat.

"The clothes look great, Ms. Eun," the secretary said with a smile. Ugh. This guy's too nice for his own good! "But Miss Manoban is correct. The song has a bit of Pop in it so we should incorporate a few pops of color here and there. Also, I agree that the outfit choices are a bit too... provocative. We'd have trouble with broadcasting stations because of it."

"I understand," Ms. Eun said. "We'll provide a new set of clothes—"

"No. Bring the clothes here tomorrow and we'll come up with a plan regarding her wardrobe," she instructed then turned to Secretary Jeon. "Did you call the MV Director? I need him to be here tomorrow as well so we could discuss the set design. And, I need to see the choreography before she learns it. It should fit well with her song."

"The choreographer sent us the video early this morning, Miss Manoban," Joshua informed her. "I was gonna show you but decided to wait 'til the meeting so that we could all watch it together. It'll also help the styling team with regards to the comfortability of the clothes Saerin would wear."

"Show it to us then," she demanded. "I don't have all day."

"Yes, Miss Manoban." The secretary bowed and handed the tablet to the tech guy.

The video started to play with a group of female dancers—all wearing black with the exception of the center girl wearing a white crop top, in position where the center sits on the leg of two back-ups like she was sitting on a throne. The other back-up had her hands positioned the center's head like she was putting on an invisible crown.

Then as the music started, the center raised her chin with her hand supporting it then proceeded to raise the said hand to frame her face as she elegantly glided it away.

The moves were in-sync not only to the beat but also to the lyrics of the song. She can't help but nod in appreciation to the complexity and precision of the routine.

But then, the chorus started. She felt her insides churn as she felt a sudden familiarity to the moves. Her heart started to pound loudly inside her chest.

"Assie? You okay?" she heard Vince whisper beside her.

She didn't respond. Her eyes were glued on the screen.

"You're a pompous arsehole!"

"But I'm your pompous arsehole, love. And you can't get enough of this."

"Ugh! I don't know why I even hang out with you. You're such a bad influence on me."

"It's 'coz you love me."

"Don't flatter yourself, Kim."

"The choreographer for Saerin's dance had collaborated with a friend of his who's currently based in London," Secretary Jeon suddenly said. "But lucky for us, he's currently in Seoul and he's willing to come and personally prepare Saerin for her debut. He's actually coming over to meet with—"

A knock on the door took the secretary's attention. Astrid's chest felt heavier by the minute as her eyes watched the dance movements closely. No. It can't be—

"Sorry I'm late. I got lost finding the loo."

Her head snapped towards the door. She felt a colossal lump on her throat. Her surroundings starting to grow hazy.

"Oh! It's alright. Everyone, this is Saerin's choreographer, Mr.—"

"Alex Kim."