Where You Are

When we arrive at the elevators, people bow again. Min-Joon finally lets go of my purse but I'm sure its because he's expecting I wouldn't move since we are surrounded by so many people. And he was 100% right.

Suddenly the murmuring started.

"Who is she?"

"What's a foreigner doing with the Vice-President?" I should get used to this. The first thing everyone will notice and comment on when they see me with him is that I'm not Korean. I shouldn't let that bother me but the tone of voice they use when they point that out makes them sound like I disgust them rather than surprise or amaze them.

"Could she be working here?"

"She's definitely overdressed to be here. Who's she trying to impress?"

I look at Min-Joon and notice his hands tighten. He's definitely going to say something but if I let him say something now, that'll just make people talk more and think that I can't speak for myself, but the last time I confronted someone they ended up having the last word and I was humiliated.

Then a woman's voice from behind me says "Could she possibly be…?"

Before that person can even say out loud their speculation I turn around and look at her. She was talking to another woman. They seemed to be startled. The people around us stared at me with surprised expressions.

"That scared me" the woman says.

Oh God…I'm going to regret this. I take a deep breath and ask "Could she possibly be what?"

I hear some say in amazement "She can speak Korean" I grin because I can't.

The woman looks scared and the people around look impressed. I feel like I have the upper hand, so I cross my arms and smile.

"You know, if you're going to talk behind someone's back, you should make sure they can't hear you" I say. I look around and say "That goes for the rest of you" I look at Min-Joon, a smile is plastered on his face.

Could he possibly be proud of me?

I look at everyone that's staring at me "Also, rather than jumping to conclusions about who I am, you should just ask me directly. Rumors are such nasty things, don't you think?" I wait for the women to answer. Both of them nod.

I can see Min-Joon still smiling. No one is talking, just staring. The thought about how awkward the elevator ride will be starts to bother me, so I take Min-Joon by the wrist and pull him away from the crowd.

"I'd like to take the stairs if you don't mind" I tell him.

When we reach the stairs, I let go of him and take a sigh of relief. He claps "I'm impressed. You defended yourself pretty well" he said.

"Well, you defended me on the bus and saved me from those drunkards" I pause "I just don't want to seem useless in your eyes" I say. He stares at me but doesn't say anything. Ok, awkward silence again, we best get moving.

"Shall we go to your office?" I ask. He fixes his suit and nods.

As we go up, I'm surprised to see Ae-Ra walking down. I almost forgot about this skank. She looks at Min-Joon, and of course, completely ignoring me. I roll my eyes, sighing at my misfortune. Nothing good ever happens when the bad guy shows up.