by L. Marcelo
“Are you losing your confidence now?” It wasn’t a question and she knew that.
“Maybe…” She looked outside the window again.
“You know sis, it’s not important whatever reason you had for accepting this project. I know you. I’ve seen you work and I know what you’re capable of. Whether this is too big for you or not is something I can’t answer either.”
“But what I do know is, you’ll make sure you’ll give your best to make Hugo happy. I haven’t seen your clients unsatisfied with your works.” It was the truth. Everyone he knew who worked with her were all satisfied and happy with her works.
“What if I won’t?” Now, she didn’t only sounded worried but scared too.
“I know you will. I’ve known Hugo for a long time. He’s the type of person who doesn’t settle for something good. He only settles for the best. He’s good at what he do. It’s also probably the reason why he became this big.” He admitted.
“That’s very comforting.” She said sarcastically.
“Did I say I was trying to comfort you?”
“True.” She admitted defeat. “But how if Hugo doesn’t like what I give him? I mean, you know. Just what if? Knowing how big his name is already giving me a lot of pressure.” He didn’t have to see her face to know how worried she was.
This girl doesn’t have any idea at all. He thought.
“That’s your strength sis. Believe it or not, one of your biggest strengths is how you handle pressure. I’m not saying this just to make you feel better or because I’m on your side, I’m saying this because it’s the truth. You’re one of the people I know who handle pressure so well.” He pointed out.
“I don’t get it.” She asked in confusion.
“Don’t you see it sis? The more pressure you get the better your works are. I’ve seen it a few times. Unlike most people, pressure is positive for you… Let’s say this project is too big for you. At first it may be but as you work with Hugo, you’ll realize it’s really not that big compared to the projects you had in the past.” He explained.
“I never thought of it that way. Maybe you’re right. I hope that taking this wasn’t a huge mistake.”
“If it is then learn from it.” He added.
“You won’t let me have the last word on this, won’t you?” She laughed.
“I’m just stating the facts.” He sounded serious but when she saw the smile on his face. She knew she had to give up.
The man simply stated the facts and the way he looked at her, the man had full confidence on her. It even looked like he had more confidence on her than she had on herself.
“But Therry, thanks. I really appreciate you doing this. Thank you for always being there for me.” She smiled at him. It wasn’t a forced smile. It was a sincere smile filled with gratitude and happiness. He didn’t say a word but instead smiled back and patted her head.
After roughly 30 minutes later. They arrived at Hugo’s office.
“Are we in the right place?” She asked Shin, the personal driver that Hugo gave them.
“Yes, we are.” The two men laughed at her.
“Seriously?” She can’t seem to make herself believe that she had to ask again.
“Yes. You’re in the right place. This is Mr. Hugo’s office. This is the company building of Hugo Kim Entertainment or better known here as HKE.”
The two saw Meahri’s face. They tried their best not to laugh but eventually failed. She was too cute for words. She looked like a little girl who just saw the most beautiful, the most expensive and biggest doll in her life.
The building was around 20 to 25 stories high. It shouldn’t even be called an office. It was too big, too beautiful to be considered as one. If it were up to her, she would think that it was a museum or maybe a condominium where the richest of the richest in Seoul lived.
It was made of glass and the distance between floors looked like it was 2-stories high. The building was made of steel and glass and there was a huge HKE written on top of the huge main door of the building’s lobby.
Therry put his arm around her shoulder as he dragged her inside the building. She wanted to appreciate the architecture more but she also knew she have a meeting with the owner of the huge building so she let him dragged her.
Shin bid them goodbye as they entered the building.
Before they reached the elevators, a receptionist greeted them and asked them if they have a meeting and what their name was. After the receptionist confirmed their names on the list, the same girl escorted them. She scanned her thumb in order for the main door towards the elevators to open.
“Mr. Kim is on the 19th floor. Once you get there, his secretary would meet you.” The receptionist walked them to one of the elevators and the two thanked her before she left.
When they were already inside the elevator.
“He really is big.” She said with wide eyes.
“He is.” He laughed.
The elevator stopped at the 7th floor and 3 young boys went in. They bowed to them and they did the same. They both knew that in Korea it was a sign of respect.
She was sure that they were younger than 20. Two of them look like the guy-next-door type and the other one looked kind of wild compared to the two. She can’t help but smile. They looked so young and good-looking. She couldn’t imagine how sexy and handsome they can be once they reached puberty. She wanted to disappear like thin air when she realized what she was just thinking.
If people can read minds, she would’ve been accused of adultery for what she was doing right now.
Therry saw how Meahri’s face changed. He can’t help but smile. He forgot that Meahri was also a girl. He was too used to thinking that she was Vhynce’s girl that he forgot that young handsome guys still had an effect on her.
The elevator stopped on the 14th floor and the boys left. As soon as the elevator doors closed, he burst into laughter.
“That’s adultery!” He exclaimed as he tried his best to stop his laughter.
“I wasn’t doing anything!” She was obviously in-denial.
“But you were. In your mind.” He was still laughing.
“No I’m not!” Her voice got higher at the end.
“Yes you are.” He insisted. He knew he was right. She was just too goddamn shy to admit it.
“Was it that obvious?” She finally admitted it.
“To me it is but to them, I don’t think so. After all, they didn’t see how your face changed while you were staring at them.” He really won’t stop teasing her. Not a chance.
“It’s just that they’re so handsome, you know? And they look so young.” She confessed with red cheeks.
When he saw it, it made him want to tease her more but the elevator doors opened. They were on the their floor.
“That’s just the start. You’ll meet more of those once we start working with Hugo.” He flashed a grin. It was too evil that it looked scary. He was now standing outside the elevator before she can do anything to him.
Chapter Five
The meeting with Hugo lasted for 3 hours. Meahri didn’t know that she wouldn’t only be working on one project but a lot of projects.
After she found out about the list of projects she’d be doing, that was the only time she understood why they had to stay for 3 weeks in Seoul. Thing was, if she didn’t finish the work within 3 weeks, she had to extend her stay. It wasn’t like she would mind staying either.
After the meeting, Hugo gave them a tour of his building. Meahri already knew that he was big in South Korea but it hasn’t sunk in just yet. When he gave them a tour of his office, she was wide-eyed the whole time. She wasn’t expecting that the whole 19th floor was only Hugo’s office.
After they toured Hugo’s office, it was time to tour them to HKE’s building, his building. It took them about 3 hours to tour the whole building and greeted some of the HKE artists. Some of the artists that they met were a group called CORS. They’re also one of the HKE artists that Meahri would work with for the next
3 weeks.
She didn’t expect to see the 3 boys they saw at the elevator a while ago and it just so happened they’re on the same group. Seemed like Therry was right all along. It was just the start. There are so many young artists in South Korea.
CORS is a boy band consists of 8 members aging from 20 to 24. They were one of the newest groups of HKE and one of the many new groups in the Korean Music Industry.
When she found out about CORS she was surprised. She didn’t expect them to be above 20 years old especially the 3 boys they met at the elevator a while ago. They looked so young. If she’d known better, she probably looked like in her early 30s if she stood beside them.
After CORS released their first single few months ago, they became the top newest boy band in South Korea.
Meahri’s interaction with the boys was very limited because they were in the middle of their practice. She knew that if she’d be working with them, they should at least spend some time knowing each other so it won’t be too awkward when they started working together. It should be that way but then Hugo didn’t like the idea of it.
He didn’t want the boys to know Meahri too well before they start to work with each other. He had his own way of handling his artists and this was Hugo’s way.
After all the tours and meeting the artists, they were back at Hugo’s office to discuss the projects that Meahri would be working on. He gave her some documents. It was the list of projects she’d be working on and also her schedule.
While she was busy going through them he started talking.
“I know you wanted to know CORS more before working with them. Besides, doing that will also help you work with them more comfortably and they’d feel the same way too… but truth is, that’s exactly what I don’t want. I don’t want them to feel too comfortable around you.” He admitted.
“Why?” She asked in confusion. Does Hugo hate her?
“Don’t get me wrong. The only reason why I don’t want them to feel comfortable around you is because whenever they feel too comfortable around people, they tend to relax. They tend to be less attentive and I don’t want that. What got them being the top newest boy band now is the way how I strictly raise them.” All of a sudden, Hugo sounded like a CEO.
But shouldn’t it be the opposite? Being too strict might get the opposite effect. She wanted to say it but who was she to say those words especially towards Hugo.
“You mean you want her to be strict to them?” Therry asked in disbelief. He knew her well enough to know that there was no way she can pull that off. She was too nice to be strict.
“I do but honestly, instead of being strict, I would like her to be mysterious instead. I want them to be curious. I want them to learn how to figure things out by themselves. I’ve been looking after them ever since they were trainees and it’s possible that I babied them too much. I want them to grow up, to be mature.”
He spoke of the boys like they were his sons. He took good care of his artists and it was probably the same reason why he was where he was now.
“Well at least she didn’t have to be strict.” Therry said sarcastically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She glared at him.
“You? Strict? I don’t think that’s ever gonna happen.” He tried his best to stop his laughter but it was too hard especially when she was still glaring at him.
“Is she really that nice?” Hugo had to ask but there was a smile on his face.
“Hey!” She exclaimed.
It took her a few seconds to realized what she just said.
“Oh! I’m so sorry Hugo! I didn’t really mean to say that.” She apologized in panic. The two men burst into laughter. They couldn’t believe how adorable she could be.
“That’s fine Meahri. You don’t need to be so formal around me. I may be strict to my artists but I’m a nice guy. Those kids just need someone to guide them. I’m sure they would thank me years later for it.” He said.
“I’m sure they will.” She smiled.
She was thankful to have the chance to meet someone as successful as Hugo and she knew it wouldn’t also be possible if it weren’t for Therry. This time, she owed him not only one but a lot!
“So what do you think of the projects and schedule? Do you think you can handle it?” Hugo suddenly sounded serious.
“No. No. I’m really good with it! Therry told me a lot of things about you and I’ve been so excited to work with you.” Therry saw the how Meahri glowed with passion when she said those words. He knew he didn’t made the wrong decision to give this project to her.
She was overwhelmed when she went through the papers. The coming weeks were going to be very busy for her but she was happy too. She knew that chances like this only comes once in a lifetime and she knew very well that she’d also learn a lot from working with someone like Hugo whose standards had always been so high.
She had a feeling that she’d be pushed to her limits but who knows. Maybe that was what she needed for her to improve more.
“Good to hear that! Then I guess we’ll be seeing each other tomorrow?” Hugo said as he stood up.
“Yes, we sure will!”
The two stood up and bid their goodbye.
And so Meahri’s crazy 3 weeks started.
Chapter Six
“Do you even remember all their names?” Therry asked.
“Yeah I think I do.” Meahri replied while she busied herself with her laptop.
“Do you know which is which?” He didn’t even catch all their names so there was no way for him to help his little sis on this.
“I guess?” She laughed.
“They’re just too many names and faces to remember in such a short meeting you know? Hugo never changed. He’s still as crazy as ever!” He said in frustration and amusement.
“It only means you’re getting old that’s why you can’t catch a lot of names and faces in such short time.” She teased.
Before he can retaliate, CORS arrived at the studio and the first project that they need to work on was CORS’s season greetings.
“You guys are early.” She greeted.
“I told you it’s still too early.” One of the boys commented. He looked like he wasn’t in a good mood. She guessed he wasn’t a morning person.
"Park." Their manager warned and continued, "I always make sure they're early. I don't like rushing. I prefer being early than late."
It seemed like one of the members sensed the awkwardness so he tried to make the situation better and if she remembered it correctly, it was Jin.
"Noona..." Before Jin can even say his next words, he stopped when he saw the way she looked at him. It was a term used by Korean guys to call a girl older than them.
“You can just call me Meahri.”
"I mean Meahri."
When Jin called her by name, she finally smiled. She knew it was part of Korean culture but she didn't feel comfortable being called noona. When she first met them yesterday, Hugo insisted that the boys call her noona but she still insisted in being called Meahri. She was stubborn that way.
"What time did you arrive?" Jin asked. His smile was as bright as she remembered it from yesterday.
"Probably around 6."
Before she can say what she was about to say, Jin beat her to it.
"What time did you actually wake up?” He asked in surprise.
"Pretty early, I guess? Though it’s not a big deal since I don’t usually sleep until 6 or 7 in the morning." She smiled. The boys were all in shock with her words.
"Trust me, she's so used to this." Therry had this smile on his face that you don’t have any other choice but to believe him.
"Therry." She barked and it sure made everyone laugh.
Jin can't help but notice the smile that Therry put on Meahri's face. It may just be their second meeting but he noticed something between the two. He knew he shouldn’t be meddling with their business especially when they just met yesterday. But there was something in her that made him cur
ious. He didn’t know if it was just him being too observant or he was just really crazy.
"You guys can go ahead and get ready. We can start as soon as you guys are ready." She smiled.
Their manager said something in Korean and with her little knowledge, she knew that he simply told them to hurry up. The boys bid their goodbye and left.
"You really need to get used to it you know..." She heard Therry commented out of the blue. "What do you mean?"
"Them calling you noona. It's just their way of showing respect, you know. And well... also affection. Do you prefer them calling you Meahri-ssi instead?" Therry joked.
He knew it would get to her and it did. She made a face. Adding the word ssi after your name was like adding ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms’ in front of your name so technically it was more formal than being called noona.
"I'm just not used to it. Besides, It's not like we have a huge age difference." She flashed a grin. He can't help but laugh.
"Yes. You. Do." His eyes got wider as he uttered every word making sure she knew he meant it.
"At least to half of them." He added.
"If I let the younger group call me noona, do you really think the older group wouldn't?" She asked sarcastically.
"Come on sis. There's no harm in letting them call you noona. It's still better than Meahri-ssi. Besides, I'm pretty sure you'll be hearing it a lot. Trust me, they'll make a lot of mistakes in calling you that you'll find yourself getting used to be called noona." He spoke in full confidence and she knew whenever this side of Therry appeared, there was no way she’d win.
"We'll see." She sounded like she just challenged him. She so didn’t have any idea what she was in for.
It took the boys an hour and a half to get ready. They started with the group photos first but as Meahri took the shots, she felt something wasn’t right. It was okay but it wasn’t good enough. There seemed to be something missing.
She took a minute going through all the photos and she understood what was wrong. They were too stiff. She had a feeling it was because the boys were still not comfortable around her. She wanted to blame Hugo for this but she knew she shouldn’t. She was a professional so she needed to act like one.