บท 4: Soon We Will Meet Again: Vincent

"All your meetings are postponed until the afternoon, Sir. Have a good day."

Nina left my room after summarizing the new work schedule to me. I wonder why I had the urgency to postpone my meeting, although they are less important than the one I had just now.

I need to secure the deal as soon as possible and work on the project. Or else, I would have considered not coming to work at all.

It was strange. I often seem to skip meals for work but I never thought about skipping work.

Nothing was normal about today. The way it started, and the way I could not remember the reason why it started this way. I have never felt so frustrated in my life. I was having the constant feeling that I forgot something very important, which was, of course, unlikely for me.

The doorknob was twisted again, and my secretary peeked through the door. "Sir, Mr. He is here."

"Let him in."

"Holed up in the company, office boy," as soon as I gave the permission, Jaemin helped himself in. Sometimes, I doubt about his manners though he was one year older than me.

I was sure it was not his complete fault that he became shameless, and I know who made him this way by now. Bad influence worked its magic after years.

"It's not like I wished to be holed up here," I grunted.

"We all know, Uncle kicked your ass until you sat on that chair," Jaemin chuckled. He was trying to use his charming energy to lighten up the mood, but it did not work for me. I was not a girl, and this office was not a place where I ever felt at ease.

"Why do you hate it so much? I can see you are doing great handling ROYALS. A company name like that should be treated well by royalty as well."

I knew he meant royalty to me, but it was good having my own small identity. People tend to make me feel like someone honorable, though I always liked to live my quiet life more.

"Where are the others?" I urged to change the topic while tossing the file of the Greenland project from my hand to the other side of the table.

"It's the weekend buddy, not everyone is busy working overtime on the weekends as you think. One is busy with his trophy and another is busy with the first-line heir of the ROYALS," Jaemin finished it dramatically.

"Sure thing, only if he was willing to take it over," I muttered under my breath.

"That is never going to happen, both of us know," Jaemin sighed at my misery.

"So, the reason I came here, where were you last night? Why did you ditch me? I agree I was a little late, but that doesn't mean you will go missing for that."

"One hour thirty minutes to be exact," I calculated the time he might have taken to come to the promised place. But I doubt he even took more time.

"Hey, now don't hold a grudge on me. What's so bad about being late than disappearing wholly? Both of us are dying single here, at least you could have tempted me to come faster by preparing me a date."

I looked at Jaemin, frustrated. It's not like he is going to date anyone soon anyway. And I was definitely not the right choice for the job of a cupid. I would not do something like this even if someone offer me billion dollars.

"Oi, don't look disgusted! I believe I am quite good-looking," He tried to sound confident.

"Hah… get out if you don't have any good to do. Stop easting my time," I lifted another file that is yet to be checked.

"Well, I heard you didn't come home last night. Everyone was worried at home," finally Jaemin decided to talk business.

I pressed my temple in tension. It's frustrating that I don't even know what I was up to last night.

Opening my eyes, I found myself looking at an unfamiliar ceiling, an unfamiliar setting. To be honest, I was pretty annoyed to witness this, as I hated the idea to wake up in an unfamiliar place. I have my personal reasons for that. But what made me feel worst was the dissatisfaction after realizing that I did not know why I woke up there.

Although I did not feel like explaining this to Jaemin, I do want to dig it up a little.

"I ran into a problem, I had to rush back office," I lied.

"Uh-huh, I already asked your secretary Nina if you worked late at night yesterday, and guess what? She denied."

This bastard, came inside fully prepared.

"Vin, just tell me you had a good time with your hidden lover or something like that. I won't mind if you get married now. You will be already twenty-eight in another blink of an eye," Jaemin sounded mischievous, which did not suit his deep voice. I had my birthday just one month ago, and now he is already talking about another one.

"It can be spicy news you know, the city's youngest CEO had a flash marriage," he laughed his heart out. "Don't forget I am a journalist."

"Not for a moment," I pinched my nose in annoyance.

After Jaemin left I called for Nina and warned her not to disclose my schedule or whereabouts to anyone, even if it is my family or friends. I, myself made this exception a while back, but now, I think it will do no good to me letting them know about my business.

After working till evening, I was a bit tired. Last night I had a few drinks. I was good at holding my liquor. I must have let myself loose to get this tired, I need to know how many glasses I chugged.

"Nina."

"How can I help you, Sir?"

"I went to this bar near the office yesterday, pay the amount I owe them with this."

I rummaged through my drawer to get my black card when my eyes caught a sparkle.

"But Sir, there wasn't any bill issued from there," Nina replied, feeling a bit puzzled.

Whenever I had drinks there and lost the opportunity to pay instantly, they would let me know the amount I owe them through the company. Strange. Did I pay them yesterday? I don't remember any shit.

Another wave of annoyance cast over my mind.

"I will look over it on my own, you may go now," I excused her, being confused myself.

By finishing shortly, I drove towards thar bar I went last night. It was quite crowded, the reason was obvious. Today is the weekend. I forgot how long has it ben since I stopped enjoying my weekends. Probably this is why people hate office jobs.

"Hand me the bill," I walked towards the counter, as the person serving at the bar counter recognized me in a second.

"Mr. Lee! Another round today?" the boy asked.

"No, the bill," I replied impatiently.

"It was paid, Sir?" he repled seemingly confused by my demand.

"Paid? Did I pay before leaving?"

"No, the lady did."

"Which lady?" I was already on the verge of losing my patience. And now the way this server is talking in riddles making me more impatient.

"The lady who accompanied you yesterday night. I thought she was your date as you two were having cocktail together," the boy replied innocently.

Which lady is he talking about? I do not remember brining a date with me. Not just yesterday, I never brought a date a woman in the bar even before that. I do remember one woman hitting on me when I was silently waiting for Jaemin, but I did not even bothered to spear a glance at her. Her perfume smell was already nauseatic enough, so I could not bring myself to meet their eyes.

"How did she look like?"

At first, the boy was surprised to her the question but he did not hesitate to answer, as he knew keeping mum will not do any good to him.

'Well, I was scared to fully look at her as I thought she was your date, but she was extremely gorgeous. I never saw someone as beautiful as her coming to a bar alone. She was a bit scary too," he replied scratching his hair a little. I could see the tint of blush on his face clearly.

I do not know why I felt a little annoyed. Ridiculous, I don't even know who she was but I was acting like this. Furthermore, I do not remember a single shit from last night after I had a few glasses of whiskey. When did I get the cocktail? Did she mix something in it and for this reason, I forgot everything? But why would someone do that? When I woke up, I had nothing missing. Not even a single penny. Maybe it was just the drunkenness to blame.

Who knows?

But for some reason, I felt a weird urge to meet that woman again.

Suddenly, I was reminded of something. I fumbled inside my pocket and took out that sparkly little thing and could not help but smile a bit in contentment. Maybe we are meeting soon.