Potential Client
Potential Client
He and his mother had come for a visit, following Sun Mi-Cha's request.
He saw Yanmei, sweating, her skin glowed from her arms to her very slender waist. He loosened his tie at the sight of the woman walking in circles with her instructor, getting ready to charge.
"Remember, Yanmei, a rear-naked choke is a very common technique in getting a victim taken or kidnapped. It takes out the oxygen in you until you fall unconscious. Once you get trapped in the choke, there is no escaping," said the female instructor.
Before testing Yanmei, her instructor added, "At all costs, you must get yourself free."
Yanmei took heavy breaths after nodding. Her instructor quickly advanced, putting a hand flat against the crook of her neck. She sneered, responding in seconds by putting her hands on the instructor's forearm and elbow, pushing it upward while rotating her body. She firmly maintained the grip on her instructor's forearm as she moved away, forcing her teacher's torso into bending over.
Out of nowhere, Yanmei heard a clap from behind them. They both turned to find Sun Haneul.
"That was great!" He said while maintaining his clapping before directing his hand at her. "And you look… great."
The instructor and Yanmei looked at each other in surprise. Yanmei did not recognize the man before her that she asked, "Who are you?"
Sun Haneul, who was another sought after bachelor in the city, was stunned to have been forgotten by Anton's girlfriend. He said, "You forget so easily, Ms. Xia. I am Sun Haneul. Remember, we met at a party two weeks ago."
Watching her think back, he added, "I'm with my mother. We came to visit Mrs. Yeong, and I went to the restroom - I got lost and I found you... Let's call it destiny."
"Well, Mr. Sun. I don't mean to be rude, but we are in the middle of practice. Do you need help in getting back? I will ask the maids to help you find your way," said Yanmei, after frowning from his earlier conclusion.
He smiled and said, "No. It's fine. I'll find my way. Thank you."
After he disappeared, Yanmei returned to training, but just when she thought it was the last that she would see him. He came by the office one day, asking for her.
Junsu had informed Yeona of a potential client for Yanmei's department. When Yanmei came to the conference room where the possible client awaited, she was surprised to find Sun Haneul.
She first expressed confusion before asking, "Mr. Sun, was it?"
"Yes." He said with a smile, showing off a dimple on his right cheek. "I'm happy that you remember Ms. Xia. It's nice to see you again."
Yanmei was surprised to hear of his interest in a partnership because as far as she knew, Mr. Sun's family was in the entertainment and fashion business. They were a shareholder of the Lionheart Entertainment and owned several luxury boutiques in the country.
"Mr. Sun, I'm quite confused about how my department can help you. We offer support to real estate businesses in maintaining their resident's or tenant's long-term needs such as electricity, water supply and even the maintenance of the building and subdivisions - "
"I am planning to build a condominium," he revealed. "And I want to establish a partnership beforehand."
Yanmei leaned back at her seat, utterly dumbfounded at the man's words. She thought it was still too early to need their cooperation, but she was not in the position to deny him the opportunity. A client will always be a client. Especially since his mother is a good friend of Yeong Soon.
"Very well then," said Yanmei. "Let me present to you the services that we offer."
To her surprise, he was true to his word. Just within the week, an announcement was made over the news of the Sun's potential investment in a condominium. What astonished her the most was his eagerness for the partnership that he came to the office almost every other day asking just about anything in relation to the services that Yanmei's team has to offer.
In one meeting with his engineers, he invited her to dinner as they concluded the day. "Ms. Xia, we should celebrate this partnership with a simple gathering. You, me, and my engineers. You could even bring your staff -"
"I'm sorry. I have a strict, office - home - office - home routine to follow. You may celebrate with my staff if you wish, but I will go home now," she said while rushing to keep her things. It was already late, and she was famished.
"It must be hard, being with Anton. I imagine you must be yearning for more freedom, but his lifestyle keeps you caged." He also starts to put his laptop on his bag before adding, "I think Anton is a great man, but - but I just think… someone like you deserves someone better."
She shook her head before saying, "You are not in the position to comment about me and Anton. You don't even understand - "
"Of course… and I may be wrong to judge. My mistake. I don't mean anything bad. I was just concerned about you. I earnestly want to be friends with you… Goodnight, Ms. Xia," he said before leaving the conference room.
It was because of that meeting that Yanmei endorsed his contract to one of her underlings. She assumed the worse and concluded he was interested in her more than just the contract. The last thing she needed was another misunderstanding between her and Anton.
Just when she avoided meeting him at the office, he came to the office, bringing a bouquet.
Yanmei's eyes grew wide. She was ready to reject the flowers, but she saw him hand it over to Yeona instead. She was by her office door watching as Sun Haneul give the bouquet to her assistant. He said to Yeona, "Thank you for being a darling and helping me with my appointments."
Walking to Yanmei's office and looking at her shocked expression, Sun Haneul asked, "What's wrong?" He looked back at Yeona's table before adding, "Did you expect the flowers to be yours?"
"No! Definitely not! I am Anton's girlfriend. You would not dare give me flowers," she said with her brows drawn together.
He smiled at Yanmei and said, "That's right. So there should not be any awkwardness between us… Because we have a healthy working relationship and partnership... You would not be doubting my intentions, would you?"
'Oh my goodness, did he see through me?' She asked herself before answering, "I don't understand what you mean."
"Don't worry, Yanmei. I want nothing more than your friendship," said Sun Haneul.