EP 2 - You're the bad one!

"You think I don't recognize you?" - Dan

"...." - Naomi

"Why do you underestimate me like that?" - Dan

Theo put down the proposal he was holding. Even though many things were left unsaid, Naomi understood the meaning behind the man's words.

Naomi was so embarrassed that her eyes were shaking and all she could do was bite her lip.

"B...because we only dated for a while." - Naomi

Without thinking, Naomi slipped out. Theo's eyes turned sharp again, as if he wanted to eat someone.

"You mean, out of all the people, why did you have to meet me?" - Dan

"I don't think so. Could it be that you think so..." - Naomi

"Yep, right." - Dan

"Huh what?" - Naomi

"If you don't put your university name on your profile, maybe until this meeting is over I won't remember you." - Dan

Then I'm right, please. Why did he have to speak in such an angry tone?

Naomi managed to hold back the sharp answer that barely escaped her mouth. In this place, Theo was a "higher rank". So, Naomi should not do anything that could damage her reputation.

from the start, Dan Theo wasn't someone Naomi could fight.

"Yes, it can happen. I understand if you forgot me." - Naomi

Naomi tried to answer in a friendly manner, but Theo still glared at Naomi and spoke disdainfully.

Naomi tried to answer in a friendly manner, but Theo still glared at Naomi and spoke disdainfully.

"How, huh? Looks like this meeting will fail." - Dan

"Hm... failed how?" - Naomi

"Because I will be meeting you. The atmosphere is not good, right?" - Naomi

The man's words implied that this meeting which had not even started yet would end badly. Naomi could not tolerate the man's personal feelings and immediately defended herself.

"That's an absurd excuse. It has nothing to do with what our past was like, it's a matter of inter-company business. I haven't even presented my proposal yet." - Naomi

"Those are the words that come out of your own mouth." - Dan

"What?" - Naomi

"When you saw me, you said that right away." - Dan

Little boy! To my surprise, the words I spoke made an impression on his heart.

Naomi kept her words from coming out, then rolled her eyes as she looked at Theo. There was a hint of hatred gleaming in the man's eyes.

"About that... sorry." - Naomi

In the end, only apologies were spoken. Even though it's sad, Naomi chooses to give in and make the man feel satisfied, because it's a reality she can't escape.

"Then why did you appear in this place?" - Dan

Theo glanced at the woman who had provoked his annoyance.

"...so i can eat and survive life." - Naomi

Naomi answered that question very honestly and candidly.

One corner of Theo's lips lifted. Seeing the mocking smile on his face, Naomi was sure the man was about to spit sharp words out of his mouth.

"I...." - Dan

"Sorry, you've waited so long, haven't you?" - Chris

Just as Theo was about to speak, Chris who came back into the meeting room made Naomi so happy that she felt like crying.

"Ah, welcome, Mr Director!" - Naomi

Naomi greeted Chris with a cheerful expression, very different from her attitude towards Theo. Chris smiled back brightly.

"Since you have welcomed me, I am happy, Manager Han Naomi." - Chris

Because of Chris' smile, the black cloud that enveloped Naomi as she chatted with Theo disappeared in an instant. Naomi smiled gently when the awkward and gloomy feeling she felt had turned into a flutter.

Although, of course, Dan Theo's cold gaze managed to break the woman's mood.

Chris sat back in his chair. Naomi took out a sample of the product she had brought from her packaging box. The woman took a deep breath, then spoke the first sentence she had prepared for a long time.

"I will explain about the door lock product that Hanbom Doorlock offers." - Naomi

Simultaneously, the eyes of the two men began to focus on Naomi's fingertips.

If you're sensitive enough, you'll know that Chris is like a soft fleece, and Dan Theo is like the sharp thorns of a hedgehog.

That's how Naomi feels right now.

"In my opinion, the handmade furniture that was recently designed by Wood Rail and named 'Lily' is very unique because it dares to combine something antique, unlike the existing furniture designs." - Naomi

"Yes, yes." - Chris

"Our company, Hanbom Doorlock, tried to design a lever-type door lock with a lily motif to match it with 'Lily'." - Naomi

"Yes, yes. Is that so?" - Chris

Chris' habit of always answering all of Naomi's words, even unimportant words with "Yes, yes" twice, was still the same as before. Every time Chris did this, Naomi got so much happier that she couldn't stop babbling.

Those small memories from the past made Naomi's face calmer.

"I'll explain first how to lock and unlock the door..." - Naomi

"I think the grip looks ugly." - Dan

Theo who didn't like seeing Naomi's happy expression, immediately destroyed the woman's happiness.

"If you want to keep the design, are you going to sacrifice the quality of the handles and the stability of the locks?" - Dan

"No, the grip isn't bad...." - Naomi

"Should this imperfect product be brought to Wood Rail? Let's just end this meeting. I don't want a door lock like that stuck to my handiwork." - Dan

Don't interrupt my presentation. You're a vile man, like the psychopath in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Naomi tried to suppress her anger. Suddenly the woman's fire of anger subsided and was replaced with a cool breeze when she heard Chris respond to Theo's words.

"This Doorlock's design is special, but the grip is a bit worrisome." - Chris

As it turned out, things got even worse for Naomi. Chris, who was looking at product samples, gave the same response as Theo. Naomi's face immediately turned cloudy.

"May I hold the sample?" - Chris

Chris asked with a serious look with a smile.

"Of course!" - Naomi

Naomi's hand that was handing over the sample product shook with nervousness.

"Hmm...." - Chris

Chris received sample products with care. He took a deep breath, then gave his assessment of the product in a serious tone.

"It seems the grip strength is not as good as other products." - Chris

That's clearly a negative opinion. But strangely, Naomi did not feel offended. Perhaps because the man had carefully scrutinized the sample Naomi brought before commenting.

In an instant, Naomi could feel the man weighing the kindest words he could give among the many expressions he wanted to convey.

In contrast to Dan Theo who always spit out the words he wanted to say without much thought.

"But, I can see that this lock is made with great care, down to the smallest detail. Especially this locking device. I am amazed to see that this tool is designed to move so well." - Chris

"I-is that so?" - Naomi

"If the curvature in this grip area could be corrected for a more comfortable grip, I think that would be enough." - Chris

As expected.

Chris' judgment was very careful. He knew Director Han put the durability of his tools first.

Naomi smiled proudly as the assessment turned positive as she had hoped.

"Does Team Leader Theo also want to check it out?" - Chris

Chris handed a sample of the product to Theo who looked displeased.

Theo only looked at Naomi's face with a deadpan expression as Chris spoke, then turned his gaze the other way.

"...I've seen it. My opinion is the same as the Director." - Dan

You liar. After all, you were just looking at me.

"Then, I would like to discuss further from a business point of view. Miss Han Naomi, please explain further about this." - Chris

Naomi felt that she got strength from Chris. She straightened her back confidently and resumed her interrupted presentation.

"Yeah, then I'll present the plus points of the device I've shown earlier to Director Sunwoo and Team Leader Theo." - Naomi

The voice that came out of this woman sounded more powerful than a moment ago.

Naomi explained the contents of her thick proposal endlessly. At the same time, the woman thought back to her memories with Chris, when the man took the time to be with Naomi, like now.

"Oppa, I really can't ride a bike." - Old Naomi

"Take it easy, calm down. Don't be afraid." - Old Chris

"Don't let go of Oppa's hand, okay! Okay? I won't be able to walk if Oppa don't push me." - Old Naomi

Even in those days, Naomi was easily afraid of even the smallest things.

"No, without me you can do it." - Old Chris

After hearing Chris' spell-like words, all of Naomi's fear vanished.

"Wow! Oppa let go of the handle, right? How's this?" - Old Naomi

"It's okay. The proof is that the bike can walk." - Old Chris

"So now I can ride a bike? huh?" - Old Naomi

In the end, just as Chris' hands let go of the bike that Naomi was riding on...

"In closing... that is the presentation of the cooperation proposal from Hanbom Doorlock which always prioritizes the best quality products." - Naomi

Today Naomi felt the same sensation as then.

***

On the way home from work, on the roof of the Wood Rail headquarters pusat

Theo was in a place often used by office workers who were tired of working to rest for a while.

The man leaned against the parapet, puffing the smoke from the cigarette he had smoked, and recalled the face of the woman he met at the end of the meeting.

"I expect a positive response." - Naomi

As she finished the hour-long meeting, the woman's last words were very formal.

After flashing a smile at Director Sunwoo Chris, the woman turned to face Theo.

"Nice to meet you." - Naomi

Seeing Naomi's expression, Theo knew the woman didn't mean her words. The woman stared at him intently, wary.

Liar woman. He was not happy to meet me. Even at the last moment he still wanted to say bad things to me, like "I'm dead..." he said the first time he saw me.

Actually from a week ago Theo already knew the person he would be meeting with was Han Naomi from Hanbom Doorlock. The man didn't just notice. Since then until now, he was always counting the days, waiting for the day he would see her again.

"Excuse me." - Naomi

"Yes, what is up?" - Dan

"I...that?" - Naomi

"What? Just bother...." - Dan

The woman crossed paths with Dan Theo, who always let out whatever was on his mind like a bulldozer.

"Your bag is open...." - Naomi

"...." - Dan

"Can I close it?" - Naomi

The man who reunited with Han Naomi, the woman who was like a butterfly.

And Theo sided with the woman for four years, from the age of 20 to 23.

Finally when his feelings were reciprocated, it only took Theo two weeks to lose the woman who held so many fears. The woman didn't seem to be able to keep up with Theo's four years of love.

One sided love that lasted for four years. The first love he can't forget for five years.

After nine years had passed, finally today Han Naomi reappeared before Dan Theo, and shook his hand. It was an impossible thing that Theo had to face.

"I'm dead...." - Naomi

The woman's reaction when she saw Dan Theo was so bad that the man wished it was better that they didn't have to see each other for the rest of their lives.

Upon hearing Naomi's words, Theo, who was waiting expectantly like a fool, finally couldn't contain his anger.

In front of newcomers, you can always say "I'm dead".... Your words are really outrageous.

Because the first words that came out of Han Naomi were very painful, Dan Theo unconsciously acted up, making their relationship even more distant.

After all, Dan Theo was at fault for scaring Han Naomi. There was absolutely no difference from his behavior in the past.

Actually Theo didn't know what kind of answer to give if the woman threw sharp words when he met him. He also didn't know how to hide the long-buried frustration in his heart.

Ah, I shouldn't have shown my hurt because of that woman.

For a moment the man looked regretful, but then he began to feel it was unfair to him.

Of course anything that hurts will hurt. So what should I do?

"Hah...." - Dan

Theo let out a long breath along with the cigarette smoke he had smoked. As the smoke passed through his throat, his brows furrowed even deeper.

"Well, as you say, it's been a messy day." - Dan

Theo thought back to Naomi who seemed more pleased with Director Chris he had just met, than he was with the woman she already knew.

"Nevertheless, I don't want to be hostile to you." - Dan

Those were the words he wanted to say to the frightened looking Naomi. Just as he was about to say it, Director Sunwoo Chris walked into the meeting room so Theo couldn't resolve the misunderstanding between himself and Naomi.

"Bad woman. Was it that hard for her to greet me nicely?" - Dan

After saying this, like being slapped by a rolling wave, Theo realized that he was indeed evil.

"Try to speak nicely...." - Dan

Even though all the words that the woman said irritated Theo, he still looked beautiful.

After all, even though she was always stiff, the corners of her eyes that were drooping and seeming soft were still as sweet as ever.

"Team Leader Theo, I like the door lock products from Hanbom Doorlock. I'm also considering working with them. What do you think?" - Chris

After Naomi left the meeting room, Chris secretly asked about Theo's opinion.

Actually Theo agreed with Chris' assessment. The problem is, he's not sure about his feelings. If these two companies were to work together, Theo would have to face the woman's piercing gaze several times a day. The man doubted he could survive. Today, just because that woman said "I'm dead" in front of him, Theo's feelings were already broken in half.

Theo stubbed out his cigarette at the parapet and turned around lazily. The man had left work piled up in order to attend the meeting. Now he cannot feel sad and must return to the field immediately.

Normally he really hated having to work late, but this time he was very grateful for being able to work all night without thinking about anything. Theo thought maybe he could forget the face of the woman he met today.

***

Naomi's room filled with cute dolls, house in Han Dong-seok's name, in the Hwagok-dong area of Seoul.

"Naomi, order fried chicken, please," - Naomi's Father

said Director Han who didn't look lost in energy after being hospitalized for half a day with stomach pain.

Naomi knew her father was advised to fast for one day. He just shook his head at his father's stubborn words.

"Dad, today you have a colon infection."' - Naomi

"Ah, it's because I'm nervous. But since you've been with them, I've recovered immediately." - Naomi's Father

"No way. Just drink ionized drinks now, okay?"

Director Han glanced at his daughter who was stiff for having forbidden him.

A moment later, Director Han asked carefully about something he had been wanting to know for a long time.

"So how was the meeting this time?" - Naomi's Father

"Hmm...." - Naomi

The answer that Naomi gave was inconclusive. Director Han approached with a worried face. He demands answers from his daughter

"Why? What was the result?" - Naomi's Father

"Hm.... How about that, huh?" - Naomi

"Failed?" - Naomi's Father

"No, it's not like that...." - Naomi

"Ah, so what?!" - Naomi's Father

Director Han couldn't wait for Naomi's response.

However, since Naomi didn't know the result yet, she gave an ambiguous answer again.

"If we're lucky, we'll win. If we're not lucky, we'll be sad." - Naomi

"What do you mean? Tell me more clearly." - Naomi's Father

"Those present at the meeting were the director and the head of the team. The responses of these two were completely different." - Naomi

After hearing Naomi's explanation, Director Han began to think hard. He asked with a very nervous face.

"Positive ratings are on the director or team head?" - Naomi's Father

"Director." - Naomi

"Phew. Then it's safe." - Naomi's Father

"Re-really?" - Naomi

"Yes, definitely! Compared to the team head, the director's influence is stronger, right?" - Naomi's Father

Director Han was very sure, but Naomi could only shrug.

Despite the director's enormous influence within the company, Naomi can't control her feelings when it comes to the hot-tempered Team Leader Dan Theo.

Even when he was in college, the man was always angry.

"Professor, if you only need your eyes to do a report, even if you want to write with your feet or your tongue, you'll definitely get an A+, right?" - Dan

"So what if you're a year older than me? Want to fight me on the sports field?" - Dan

"I've told you five times I don't want to drink alcohol. Are you deaf?" - Dan

Professors, classmates, or seniors, he will fight if he feels disturbed.

"Looks like we can only wait now. Surely they'll get back to us soon, whether it's good news or bad news." - Naomi

Naomi calmed down the overconfident Director Han. To be honest, he was afraid of disappointing his father. Moreover, there is Dan Theo who has a considerable influence on Naomi's feelings.

The overconfident Director Han shrugged his shoulders and left his son's room.

"Lulu~~ Lala~~ Then, tomorrow we will party, party." - Naomi's

"What party?! The results haven't been out yet" - Naomi

"Tomorrow when I get to the office, I will tell all the employees." - Naomi's Father

"I told you, we're not necessarily working with Wood Rail." - Naomi

Naomi shouted behind the old man's back.

♪♬♫♫♪♬♫♫♬♪♫♫♬

At that time, the sound of the telephone ringing suddenly filled Naomi's room. Her voice matched the volume of the woman's screams. Naomi's shocked gaze turned to the cellphone on the table.

"Um, whose number is this..." - Naomi

Naomi carefully pressed the answer button when she saw a nine-digit number she didn't recognize.

"Hello?" - Naomi

The voice sounded a little timid. Then there was a short pause.

"Hello, who is this?" - Naomi

"Im...." -???

The voice of the person on the other end sounded a little nervous. Naomi confirmed the location of her cell phone. Instinctively the man's face came back.

Without another word, Naomi waited for the caller to speak first.

"Hello, Miss Han Naomi." -???

"Yes?" - Naomi

"I happened to be in front of Miss Naomi's house. How do you like it?" - ???

No way, no way, no way!

Naomi walked to the bedroom window while still holding her cell phone. In front of the gate of his house, in a place lit by a yellow street lamp, stood a man who looked directly at him.

"Oh, I saw you." - ???

Accompanied by the voice that came from Naomi's cell phone, the man who smiled sweetly looked beautiful under the moonlight.

"Chris Oppa...?" - Naomi

It turned out to be Chris!

Naomi said the man's name in a trembling voice. Then, Chris who had hung up the phone deliberately followed Naomi's style when she greeted him this morning.

"Good evening, Miss Han Naomi."- Chris

"Ah, ah.... Yes." - Naomi

"Have you Dinner?" - Chris

Chris threw the sweet question with his hands to his lips.

Naomi did not want to repeat the mistake a second time. She answered immediately without taking a breath.

"Not yet, really. I haven't eaten yet. Let's eat together!" - Naomi

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