Sudden Headache

Today was the third week that I became an assistant, where my busyness had doubled from before, and almost took up some of my rest time. If it wasn't for Daehyun who cheered me on a lot, it would have been impossible for me to have survived until now with this job.

However, in this busy life, there was a worry in my mind. What if Donghwa comes back, can I still spare a lot of time for him? Or worst of all ... will he get mad?

Within this week, the company was getting a lot of requests for a project that was just launched. Amid busyness and lots of meetings, Daehyun always reminded me to divide up each purchase per month so as not to interfere with the work of the staff in certain departments, who were doing development on the old brand to join the tough market competition.

However, it wasn't as easy as turning your palm. Every customer wasn't the same. Some of them were arduous when it came to negotiating.

Around 11:00 pm, I should still be awakened. There were a lot of reports that I had to compile before they were given to each of the responsible heads in each department.

In my seriousness of entering a lot of numbers, my cell phone suddenly rang in silence. After seeing the ID of the number, I immediately answered, "Yes, what's up?"

"What time is my scheduled meeting tomorrow?" a familiar voice came from the other line.

"I've given you all the schedule for this week."

Finishing my words, Kim Daehyun chuckled, "Looks like you're in a bad mood today."

I ignored those words, and asked in an indifferent tone, "What's wrong?"

He sounded a lethargic sigh before answering, "Tomorrow I have an important meeting at a different company, and I want you to replace me at the meeting in TU Company. This is sudden. I just found out about it today, too." with a pause, he continued, "Take it easy. I've come up with the idea. You just need to present it tomorrow afternoon. I'll ask Mr. Hye so I can borrow his secretary to accompany you to tomorrow's meeting."

I took a silent breath. It was his decision and rejection wasn't in that option. I had to prepare myself for tomorrow's afternoon meeting.

The meeting was a meeting between department heads, regarding a new brand that would be launched soon. Although it still covered the corporate sphere of TU Company, speaking in front of department heads was already making me nervous that I couldn't help it.

Daehyun continued, "Tomorrow I will come to your place before 6 am. You need data, right? Then now, just take a rest. Don't push yourself too much tonight."

After talking with him, I continued my work and finished it a few hours later.

I grabbed my cell phone, looked at the time it was 02:00 a.m, then opened several emails, and replied to a few of them.

However, while staring at the cell phone screen that was lit up, the pain of disappointment seemed to erode my trust even more. Donghwa hadn't given me any news since his last call — the day after he left — and thought that his fun out there had made him forget about someone who was waiting for him in this cold room, joyless.

I smiled at everything even though it would deepen the prick of the disappointment, and held it until I fell asleep.

When I woke up, it was still dark in the morning. I made breakfast, and in the silence, the doorbell rang which took me a little by surprise. I immediately went out and opened the door.

In front of me, Daehyun looked so tired and smiled softly with several files in his hand. As he said last night, he arrived before 6 am.

Coming in and placing the files on the table, he spoke languidly, "These are the files that you will be presenting. I have kept them as simple as possible to make them easy to understand."

Without speaking, I grabbed some files and studied them. He's pretty good at this. Each point was systematic and simple so it didn't take long to understand them.

Daehyun paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Chunghee, I'm hungry. I smell a delicious aroma from your kitchen."

Hearing Daehyun's words which were like a child asking for food from his mother, I turned my head, "Yes, I'm making breakfast. I was just about to take you."

"Really?" His eyes immediately sparkled and there was satisfaction in them.

This morning, I made Dakjuk. Daehyun sat at the dining table, waiting with joy until I prepared breakfast on the table.

Daehyun seemed to enjoy it so much. He even added and finished all the porridge. Seeing him excited like that, I smiled. It reminded me of Donghwa who also acted the same as him when eating his favorite porridge.

After breakfast, Daehyun got ready to leave. This morning, he had to do a field survey of a construction project in Busan, so he decided to return to his place earlier.

When Daehyun was about to step out, suddenly the pain in my head returned, like a hand squeezing the insides of my head.

With great surprise, Daehyun immediately stopped and there was a clear concern as he spoke, "Chunghee! What's happening?!

While enduring this excruciating pain, my legs slowly became limp and finally collapsed without fainting. I was still able to hear Daehyun's voice, which sounded worrying me. But when I wanted to say something, there was only a loud groan from my lips.

"Chunghee! Your nose is bleeding!"

Daehyun instantly took his cell phone from his coat pocket to call an ambulance, but before he pressed the call button, I immediately stopped him stammering, "No ... No-no ...."

"What do you mean 'no'? You're sick. I'll keep on—"

"No! ... p-please ..." With foggy eyes and pain, I forced myself to look straight at him.

Daehyun gritted his teeth before finally sighing heavily and putting his cell phone back into his coat pocket. He cleaned the blood around my face by using his handkerchief. And after I felt better, I slowly stood up and then went to the bathroom followed by him behind me.

"Give me your handkerchief. I'll clean it up later."

As he handed me his handkerchief, he said with concern in his voice, "Chunghee, let's go to the hospital ...."

"No, no ... I'm just a little tired."

I grabbed the handkerchief in his hand, which was soiled with my bloodstain. I washed it in the sink, then put it into the dirty clothes basket, intending to clean it when I returned from work.

"Uh, then, I'll cancel the meeting so you can take a rest today."

"Daehyun! I told you that I'm okay!"

"..." Daehyun was suddenly surprised when hearing my voice, with his mouth slightly open.