JK

I was with Mr. Park in his office. We were both working on putting the answers to the questions we received in the warning letter. Being a representative of regulatory from GLZ, the final response was supposed to go from my e-mail.

We had completed our target yesterday, a day before the due date. It wasn't until late at night, so no one was actually at the office at the time, but the moment Namjoon sent a confirmation to our WhatsApp group, everyone's texts flew in, all filled with relief and exhilaration. I could only imagine the kind of celebration we would have today.

But as I walked into the office, not as early as I had come the past few weeks, everyone was already there and was busier than usual. Mr. Park had called me the moment I turned on my laptop and he saw me online.

Namjoon was already there with him, and all of us brainstormed to write our response to the regulators. Mr. Park was always calm, but I had to admit he was filled with kinetic energy today. He wouldn't sit still anywhere for more than a minute. He was pacing back and forth in his office while I and Namjoon exchanged glances.

"What about now?" I turned my laptop screen to show him the revisions we had made after his review.

He stopped, eyes honing in on the screen like a hawk. He read for a few seconds and then pressed some keys on the keyboard. "Not bad," he mumbled. "Not bad at all."

I grinned, knowing this was the extent of praise I was getting out of him. Namjoon grinned at me and we stood up. "Send it to me. I'll sign it and then you can send it to the inspectors."

"Let's do it together," I told him.

"Huh?" He looked up non-commitally, as though he missed what I said.

"I said let's do it together. This is a huge deal. We all have contributed to making it happen. Let's call everyone here and then we can all see the response go on the projector screen."

"See. That's why you need to be a people manager, Jungkook," his lips stretched until his straight, white teeth shone. The sight was so unexpected that my heart dropped in my belly. He was so beautiful that it hurt to sometimes look at him. I paid attention to his words. "When you have people in your team, they think of better ideas than you."

His jab was pointed at me. I had argued when he'd told me I needed to hire three people in my team when I didn't want to be anyone's babysitter or manager. I couldn't help but look down to stifle a smile.

While he signed off the letter, I called everyone in.

The team leaders gathered behind me, all bright-eyed and jolly. Today was the day we hoped to achieve, and we did it.

We finally did it!

I stared at the letter, signed in blue ink and stamp showing GLZ, Korea CEO. My chest swelled with uncontained happiness and pride. If there were fewer people, I would've cried a few happy tears, but I kept a leash on my emotions.

Writing the e-mail, I attached the letter and then added the recipients. "Ready?" I asked.

My peers behind me roared with excitement, swift laughter taking up the room. "Together." I stepped on the side and everyone stacked their palms on top of the tiny mouse except Mr. Park.

He stood on the side, smiling down at us with pride.

At that moment when our eyes connected for a jiffy, I told myself that I always wanted Mr. Park to be proud of me. I wanted to make him proud of me.

I clicked and the e-mail went to the outbox before showing in my sent box like a victory flag. For one last time, we let out a hurrah.

Mr. Park slumped down on his chair and we looked at him carding his fingers through his hair. His eyes turned shut but his lips were fish-hooked into a smile. "Guys," his voice sounded sincere as he opened his eyes and leaned forward to put his hands on the table. "Thank you can't begin to express my gratitude for the hard work all of you have put into this."

"Just doing my job," I answered easily.

"Yes," Namjoon nodded, a beautiful smile on his lips. "It wouldn't have been possible without your guidance and support, Jimin."

"Just doing my job," he winked at me and then grinned at Namjoon.

They all hollered a laugh at his jesty remark, but my heart skipped more than one beat. I never thought someone could make a wink look so classy.

"Before you guys leave," he reached for a drawer and took out two envelopes. "Namjoon," he called and extended the one to my senior. "And Jungkook." He held out the other one to me.

"Me?" I asked like an idiot.

"Yes, you," he said wryly, his features now reverting to his calm and collected state.

"Namjoon, man... I received two recognitions for you from the other business heads from the production unit for the way you led and contributed to this recall activity. They both said very nice things for you, so this is the recognition award I am giving you."

I learned about rewards and recognition after my onboarding at GLZ. If someone performed well and received nice feedback in an e-mail from a stakeholder who wasn't a part of one's team, they were entitled to a reward. Li told me that even if we got good recognition e-mails, employees hadn't received any rewards in a long time because the company was on cost-cutting, however.

"And Jungkook," he looked at me. "I have received numerous calls not only from Korean leaders but across global GLZ about your marketing campaign. There are about eight e-mails that were sent directly to me. So...this reward is for you for the good work done even when you had just joined the company. I will share those feedback e-mails with all of you to see."

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Congratulations!" Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Taehyung chimed from behind us.

I felt a little bad that they didn't get anything. I also felt conscious about what they must be feeling about me getting one. I knew I deserved it, especially when Mr. Park had evidence of the feedback from people, but I couldn't shake an uneasy feeling.

"Any time you receive good praise for your work from other teams," he looked at everyone by turn. "Forward me the e-mail immediately so I can do this." Mr. Park instructed all of us. "And also instruct your teams to do that. The R&R was blocked for managers below the director level, but I have gotten it cleared. Please feel free to reward your team members, too, as you deem necessary."

Namjoon beamed the brightest at the news. I was sure he had many people in mind to reward, the people who worked hard in the fields.

"One last thing before you leave."

Everyone keened their ears back to him, halting their shuffling. "Korea GLZ will soon organize an event. I have an expectation that I have shared with Kyla on what the format of the event should be. I have assigned specific roles to all of you. I am planning to do it before we leave for the Chuseok holidays. Today is your day. Take it easy. Enjoy. Leave early if you want. You've all earned it. Kyla will get in touch with all of you about that separately in two days."

I went back to my desk and checked the envelope. There was nothing but a thick card inside with text typed out in cursive and black.

Dear Jeon Jungkook,

Congratulations on being recognized for your proactive approach to launching the marketing campaign. The program was successful and we observed three percent more sales each day exponentially after that.

You exhibited GLZ's values and we would like to reward you with a small token of money. The amount equal to Thirty percent of your basic salary will be paid to you extra in the upcoming pay cycle.

Keep up the good work.

I read again. Thirty percent of my basic salary? For someone earning less, the amount wouldn't count for much, but for the amount they were paying me, it was huge.

"Hey, Li," I hollered from my desk. The woman was immersed in the work. Every time anything crucial happened in the company, or any announcement had to be made, she had to release an e-mail with all the updates to all Korean employees. She paused her work to look up at me. "You told me about the rewards. Remember?"

"Yeah?"

"How much amount was the norm?"

"Depends," she sighed and leaned back on her chair, taking this opportunity to massage her neck muscles. "If your contribution is big enough, you could get as much as twenty-five percent to thirty of your base pay. I think Hoseok can tell you in more detail if you want specifics. The HR has criteria of type of achievement and amount of rewards."

"Thanks."

"Why did you ask?"

I grinned, waving my envelope between us. "Because I just got one."

"Congratulations!" She walked over to me and patted me on my back. "I need a party."

"Any time."

**

I returned home feeling so light that I felt like I was back to being a toddler with no worries. As opposed to what I thought we would have a big celebration, we had a small one.

Mr. Park had a long call with central corporate team in the morning after we sent the e-mail to the regulators. He had commissioned a huge fruit cake which we cut in the pantry room. It was a silent celebration. Once the cake was cut, the housekeeping staff had distributed it to all the employees by taking the slices to their desks.

I left the office on time, but it felt too early because I'd gotten used to staying as long as ten in the night. I enjoyed watching the sun on my way home.

I felt like having a drink or two. I wasn't required to go in early, so even if I slept in, it would be okay. Mr. Park allowed that much.

I took a shower first. There was nothing to raise spirits than washing yourself with cold water. Putting on comfy yellow PJs, I went to my kitchen to check the wine, but it turned out I was out of it. I groaned, not in the mood of having anything else, but also not wanting to go out and buy one.

I browsed an online store and ordered some wine. Before I could lock my phone after my order went, it pinged in my hand. The notification was a picture sent by Taehyung with the caption 'Thank you so much, Mr. Park' in our WhatsApp group chat.

I clicked on it, still hanging out in my kitchen.

The picture had a huge toy, Belgian chocolates, and a beautiful bouquet of purple and white flowers with some yellow ones in the mix. The card linked to the flowers showcased legible and familiar handwriting a message.

Mrs. Kim,

You and your daughter endured quite a lot in the last month because I made Taehyung stay longer at work. I thank you for your understanding and acceptance. Please accept this very this very small token of apology.

Park Jimin.

Who was this man? I have seen people. Big, powerful, and arrogant people. At first sight, he also seemed like them. How could he have been any different? He changed my notion about him completely. He had humility and kindness when it was due. I wondered again if his intentions about me were even immoral. I shouldn't have assumed.

One by one, everyone else clicked and shared their pictures, saying the delivery had been made earlier in the day. While the toys were different in each picture, as though customized to the children's needs, the chocolate box and flowers were the same. On looking closer I saw the message on each card was also different.

Mrs. Kim,

You and your two sons endured quite a lot in the last month because I made Namjoon stay longer at work. You should go and enjoy bowling together this weekend. I hope for your understanding and acceptance of this small token of apology.

Park Jimin.

I couldn't overcome my high thoughts of Mr. Park when I realized I hadn't received anything.

Was the delivery made to the mailbox? I called my concierge to ask if he let anyone in for any of my deliveries, but he said no.

Guess it was only for the people who were married with kids.

My doorbell rang. "Wine's here."

I opened the door and my hands started to sweat. Not remotely what I had expected.

Mr. Park stood outside with his left hand occupied with at least three different bags and his right one with a bouquet.

➽────────❥

༻11 Feb 2025༺