The conversation at the table falls into a lull, which may have bothered me some other night, but not this one. Tonight, nothing is making me unhappy.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Despite a massive hangover, I take my newfound confidence to work with me the next day, and as soon as Bujang-nim appears, at precisely nine, I pounce and demand more work. I make my request in Korean and enjoy the mild shock that fills his face. He replies in Korean, but whatever magic took place last night has dissipated. When I don’t respond, his shock morphs into resignation. A week ago, I would’ve slunk away to my desk in embarrassment, but I’m not moving until he gives me work. After what seems like an endless standoff, during which all of my department and half of the sales department next to us watches, he gives in. He types out three emails with attachments and shoos me away. I skip back to my desk.
While I’m happy, the rest of my coworkers appear tense. There’s very little chatter. No one is grouping together at the coffee station making their insta-coffees or downing a tiny bottle of ginseng. Even Chaeyoung and Soyou aren’t making their usual bathroom bonding runs. It’s as if my understanding of Korean has actually driven a wedge between us instead of pulling us closer together.
It’s a process, I tell myself. Rome wasn’t built in a day, et cetera, et cetera. Keep your chin up. I recite a half dozen clichéd platitudes and get to work.
Around midmorning, Sangki texts me.
SANGKI: Now that Yujun is back I never see you it’s like he is more important than me
ME: Never
SANGKI: He can’t continue to monopolize your time like this you’re eating with me tonight
ME: He texted you and said he feels bad about abandoning me and begged you to take me out
SANGKI: Are you reading his phone messages right now?
ME: No but thank you for confirming my guess
SANGKI: . . .
ME:
ME: You looked good on tv last night
SANGKI: Did you watch? I think my face looked puffy. No more fried food. Let’s eat at this vegan place that serves temple food
ME: You did not look puffy faced. I did watch and you sounded amazing and were very funny
SANGKI: I am very funny and I do sound amazing
SANGKI: temple food?
ME: Yes. Who would turn down the right to have dinner with someone very funny who sings like an angel and was once in the running for world’s most handsome man
SANGKI: I got beat out by the British actor Tom
ME: No one in his right mind thinks Tom is more attractive than you
SANGKI: You’re so right. Results were rigged
ME: Biased against Asians
SANGKI: The poll had David Kim in the top ten and we know anything that includes him is sus
ME: Exactly. Let me go downvote his image
SANGKI: Better not. If they catch you, I’ll be accused of sending haters after him
ME: Damn and I just finished making ten different accounts
SANGKI: See you tonight
ME: Can I bring Bomi?
SANGKI: A threesome? How kinky. Yes
ME: You’re paying
SANGKI: I see how it is
ME:
I tuck my phone away, and when I look up, I see Chaeyoung staring at me.
“I made plans to eat dinner with Ahn Sangki. He’s taking me to a special place that serves temple food. Very exclusive.”
“Sawon in Insadong?” Her eyes widen with envy.
I nod even though I have no idea where we are going. She mutters, “Jonna jogyetda,” under her breath, which I presume is something like “fucking lucky.” I make the thumbs-up sign to make it seem like I know what she’s talking about. Envy turns to fear and she doesn’t even look in my direction for the rest of the day.
I’m about to pack up for the night and meet Sangki when Yujun appears by my desk. There are only a handful of us still working, including Chaeyoung and the quiet guy, Bong. They both jump up from their chairs and bow to him. He waves his hand to stop them. He doesn’t need that kind of deference.
“I’m here to take you to Sawon,” he says with a huge grin.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I got everything done and was going to text you to see if you wanted to have dinner, but Sangki told me he had already made plans, so I’m third wheeling on your date.”
I’m so happy I could float. “It’s fourth wheeling. Bomi got invited before you, but that works out because you can talk to her while Sangki and I flirt with each other.”
Yujun mock growls. “Flirt with Sangki and he won’t be able to show his face on national television for a month.”
“He would still go and say that he battled a mugger while helping an old lady across the street, and everyone would clap and a dozen articles would be written about him being the best boy in the world.” I sling my purse over my shoulder.