Office Diaries

"We're here?"

As excitedly as a little child going on a field trip, Tohru James asked upon their arrival as the car stopped over to the side.  However, the two were not really at their destination yet.

"Not yet, boss. We still have to walk," Yanee answered condescendingly as if she was dealing with a child.

Namdaemun Market, where they were going dated back in 1414. It was the biggest and the oldest market in all of South Korea. Since the place was built during the time when cars were not prevalent, it's only normal that it couldn't be accessed by vehicles aside from motorcycles. If people wanted to go take a look at it, they had to stop at a street nearby and then walk the rest towards the market area.

"Really? How long?" Tohru asked as soon as they got out of the car.

The two of them stood on the streets near Exit 6 of Hoehyeon Station, a stop for Seoul Subway Line 4. They still have to walk a bit ahead past it to search for Gate 4 of the ancient market.

"Not long," Yanee answered noncommittally as she stepped on ahead, although not too fast.

She couldn't help but feel a bit conscious though. As they walked on ahead, Yanee could feel the gazes of more and more people in their direction. She glanced behind her to surreptitiously look at her boss who was totally looking around him like a tourist.

However, due to his height and impressive good looks, people were slowly gathering and following them with their eyes and whispering amongst themselves as they passed them by. The potato was not wearing any sunglasses or cap, and so everyone who looked at him would have a full course of his handsome face. Due to this, Yanee was not even surprised to see women and girls giggling on the sidewalks as they stared at them.

Yes, THEM.

Unfortunately, Yanee was also being stared at because she was with the potato. However, unlike the appreciative looks they gave her boss, they looked at her with unhappy faces. They stared with eyes filled with disdain as if questioning the heavens why she was the one walking with the male god.

Feeling unhappy and insecure, Yanee unconsciously walked a bit faster than normal and was about to forget she was with another person when she felt a hand grabbing her arm.

"Hey, wait," Tohru James told her, and she just realized she was about to bolt alone and leave the potato there on his own.

"Er… Sorry," she apologized, as Tohru stepped in next to her and they walked side by side.

"Why did you suddenly run off?" the potato asked, obviously displeased.

"Sorry boss, I just got uncomfortable with all the death threats I received."

"What?"Tohru grabbed her arm and made her stop and pulled her so they'd be face to face. His eyes were wide in alarm. "What death threats?"

Er…

Yanee mentally kicked herself. She should have made herself clearer and should have chosen better words. Her boss was obviously concerned which was understandable. They're on a business trip after all. Anything bad that would happen to her would be the company's responsibility.

"Ms. Lee, what death threats are you talking about? Should we call the police?"

NO!

"Er… boss, I'm so sorry, I misspoke," she told him sheepishly. "I didn't mean literal death threats but something like that," she continued as she secretly pointed at the women nearby whose eyes were like daggers as they stared at her.

"Oh…"Tohru murmured in understanding, before leaning closer to her to whisper. "If that's a death threat then should I consider myself given threats as well?"

Yanee wanted to ask what he meant but he had also secretly pointed at a direction, and when her eyes followed, she was surprised to find a group of men who were glaring at Tohru's direction, but then smiled upon realizing she was looking at them.

Huh?

"They were looking at me?"Yanee couldn't believe it.

"Why not? Aren't you pretty?" Toru commented as he straightened. "They must be thinking I'm your boyfriend and are pissed at me."

EEEEH?

Yanee didn't know why, but her heart did a summersault when she heard him say she's pretty. If her nervous heart beating could make b.o.o.b.s bigger, her B cup would have been upgraded to G cups at the moment.  

"That's impossible boss," she denied.

"Why not? Also, the girls might be thinking the same and think you're my girlfriend and are angry at you," he whispered to her so other people wouldn't hear them.

Huh? So this potato had some awareness, huh, Yanee thought.

"Oh, so you do know they want to kill me with their eyes because they like you," she commented.

"Of course. I'm too good looking after all," he said unabashedly that made her want to strangle him.

This potato…

She was thinking of how to murder him without going to jail when a group of brave girls approached them. They looked fresh and sweet that gave the impression that they were college girls – brave college girls.

Well, who would approach a stranger when he was obviously not alone?

Anyway, Yanee didn't even bother to smile at them since they outright decided to ignore her existence and only spoke to Tohru. If she were the real girlfriend, Yanee recalled she'd be royally pissed with how she was treated, most especially since the other still spoke to them in spite of being rude to her. Fortunately, she was not, and she didn't care how he'd deal with them.

Or so she thought.

"Hi, are you going to the market?"

Well, duh, sisters. If someone came there, was there any other reason other than going to the market?

"Are you going shopping here?" they asked again without waiting for Tohru to answer the previous question.

Yanee wanted to roll her eyes at how idiotic their questions were but kept a straight face since it was not her business. She was here to accompany her boss. If the potato suddenly decided to tag along with these girls instead to explore the market, then she'd be happy to surrender her tour guide duties to them and return to the hotel to nap.

She had a nasty nightmare last night that she woke up in the middle of the night and had a hard time going back to sleep so she was sleepy. It was also why she's so unhappy with the potato for waking her up at seven in the morning.

Based on how kind he looked at the rude girls, there's a possibility Yanee would have the chance to have her nap, and she secretly cheered the girls on.

"Yes," Tohru answered with a smile.

"Then would big brother want to come with us? It'll be more fun if we go in a group, no?" they asked with hopeful expressions, their eyes begging as they gave him a demure smile.

"You're right. It'll be fun in a group," Tohru answered in agreement, and Yanee watched as the girls looked at her with a schadenfreude expression and triumph in their eyes.

However, before the girls rejoiced because the hunk they liked decided to go with them and before Yanee could jump in joy because she could go back to the hotel and sleep, the potato continued to speak.

"But the group I like to tour around with can't come with us today, so it's only my girlfriend and I," he said, making everyone's jaws – including Yanee's drop in shock.

Girlfriend! Who's your girlfriend?

Before Yanee could react further, Tohru placed his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close to his body. "Sorry girls, but I prefer to enjoy this date alone with my girl. I do hope you will have some fun. Goodbye."

It was amazing how the world seemed to stop at that time. Yanee had no recollection of how they managed to leave that spot and walked to a different location until those shocked gazes stopped following their backs.

"Whew! That was close," Tohru said with obvious relief as they stopped on a sidewalk.

Yanee had no idea what to say so she just glared at her boss, waiting for him to explain.

"Ms. Lee, don't be mad at me, okay?"

"Oh, why would I get mad, boss?" Yanee countered coolly, indicating her anger level.

"Because I dragged you without warning," Torhu answered, confusing her.

Huh? Was he not going to apologize because he lied and told people she's his girlfriend? He caused such a big misunderstanding, but he only said sorry because of dragging her?

"Why do you look like that? I didn't have time to tell you about my plan because we can't escape otherwise. Those girls looked determined to stick to us."

"Wouldn't it be alright for them to accompany you? I mean they must know the place better and they looked happy to do it." Yanee was unhappy she couldn't get her nap, okay?

"Why would I be happy? I don't like hanging out with noisy girls I don't know. Besides," his voice trailed off as he stared at her, making her heart react again with nervousness.

"Besides?"

"You're here because it's your job, no?" he suddenly reminded her that Yanee had no choice but to give up and accept her fate.

"Yes, boss," she answered unwillingly, but she dared to frown at him. "But please don't lie to people anymore and tell them we're on a date."

"Why not?" he asked innocently.

Why not? What do you mean why not? Yanee wanted to strangle him again.

"It's the most effective way to fend off unwanted company, no?" he continued, and thinking about it, it started to make sense.  

"Well… you have a point, boss,"Yanee agreed reluctantly, and she almost became blind by the bright smile the potato gave her afterwards.

He happily tapped her shoulder. "Then do a good job and protect my chastity…"

Huh? Chastity?

Yanee wondered there and then again if she could get away with murder.