Asclepsius

Chapter 2: The Unexpected Offer

AM

The morning sun seeped through the curtains, painting thin golden streaks across the room.

A beautiful girl buried herself deeper beneath the blanket, wincing as the brightness disturbed her precious beauty sleep.

She had barely opened her eyes when her phone began ringing from somewhere near the edge of the bed.

Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

"Ugh..."

She ignored it.

The phone continued ringing.

She pulled the blanket over her head.

Still ringing.

"Whoever that is, I officially hate you."

After what felt like an eternity, she finally decided that escaping the comfort of her bed was unavoidable.

It took her nearly ten minutes of blindly reaching across the mattress, stretching her arm farther and farther until...

Got it.

She grabbed her phone and squinted at the screen.

One new notification.

An email.

She opened it lazily.

Then froze.

Her sleepy eyes widened as she read the message again.

And again.

Hello, this is Big Hit Music.

Good morning, Am.

We are happy to announce that you have been selected as a Make-up Artist Staff Recruit for 20XX.

We require you to come to the main HYBE Corporation office today at 11:30 AM. Further details will be provided to you in person.

Thank you.

Meet you soon!

Am sat completely still.

"...What?"

She reread it.

Her eyebrows slowly knitted together.

"This has to be a mistake."

She had never applied for a job at HYBE.

Not even once.

So why on earth were they contacting her?

She quickly checked the recipient's information.

Her name was correct.

Her email address was correct.

Everything looked completely legitimate.

Her confusion only deepened.

Then she checked the time.

11:15 AM.

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"ELEVEN FIFTEEN?!"

She practically launched herself out of bed.

"THEY WANT ME THERE AT ELEVEN-THIRTY!"

The next fifteen minutes became absolute chaos.

Clothes.

Hair.

Makeup.

Bag.

Shoes.

Keys.

She barely had time to think before rushing out of her apartment.

11:25 AM

Am stood inside the impressive HYBE Corporation building, trying desperately to catch her breath.

She glanced at the time on her phone.

11:25.

"Five minutes early..."

She placed a hand over her chest.

"Okay. Good. I didn't embarrass myself."

Yet.

She looked around the enormous office.

Everything felt surreal.

She still couldn't understand how she had ended up here.

Yesterday, she had been worrying about finding a job.

Today, she was standing inside one of the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea.

And apparently, they had hired her.

She was informed that she had been specially recruited and would be meeting Bang PD himself.

That fact alone was enough to make her nervous.

Five minutes later, a staff member approached her.

"Ms. Am?"

Am immediately stood.

"Yes?"

"Please follow me."

She nodded.

As she walked through the corridors, her heart began beating faster.

Okay, Am. Calm down.

It's just a meeting.

Just a normal meeting.

With Bang PD.

At HYBE.

About your new job.

She mentally screamed.

Definitely not normal.

Finally, they stopped in front of an office.

The staff member opened the door.

"You may go in."

Am took a deep breath.

Then stepped inside.

Bang PD's Office

"Good morning, sir."

The man sitting behind the desk looked up.

"Good morning, Am?"

"Yes, sir. Am here."

She offered a polite, presentable smile.

Bang PD nodded.

"Hmm."

There was a brief silence.

Am stood there nervously.

He looked at her for a moment before speaking.

"You must be wondering how you ended up here, right?"

Am hesitated.

"No, sir..."

She paused.

"...Actually, yes, sir."

Bang PD chuckled.

"You're quite straightforward."

Am gave a shy smile.

"Thank you, sir."

He smiled before looking down at the documents in front of him.

"Okay. I believe you're the university topper in Fine Arts, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Excellent."

He leaned back slightly.

"Your university recommended you for recruitment at HYBE Corporation."

Am's eyes widened.

"So that's why I had no idea about this!"

"Exactly."

She finally understood.

All those years of hard work.

All those projects.

All those sleepless nights.

Her university had apparently noticed.

Bang PD continued.

"I also heard you're currently looking for a job."

Am nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Then perhaps this is one of the best opportunities you could have received."

A smile slowly appeared on her face.

"Indeed, sir."

He slid the documents slightly toward her.

"So, are you willing to agree to the terms and conditions and proceed with the recruitment?"

Am didn't even hesitate.

"Of course."

She paused dramatically.

"Only an insane person would say no."

Bang PD laughed.

"Fair enough."

He picked up another document.

"And there's one more thing."

Am tilted her head.

"Sir?"

"You won't be working as a general makeup artist."

She blinked.

"Okay..."

"You'll be assigned as a personal makeup artist."

Her eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"For whom?"

Bang PD looked down at the document.

"Jeon Jungkook."

Am froze.

"...Oh."

A second passed.

Then another.

"Wait."

Her eyes widened even further.

"Jeon Jungkook himself?!"

Bang PD smiled at her reaction.

"Yes."

The excitement on her face lasted approximately two seconds before reality hit her.

Her expression changed.

Excitement.

Then nervousness.

Then absolute panic.

Jungkook.

She knew exactly what that meant.

Not only was he one of the biggest stars in the world, but she had heard enough stories about his personality to know that handling him might not be as simple as handling an ordinary client.

Bang PD seemed to notice the sudden concern on her face.

"I know it may be difficult."

Am swallowed.

"Yes, sir."

"But I believe you can handle it."

She looked at him.

"I trust you, Am."

Those words gave her a strange sense of confidence.

She straightened her posture.

A determined smile appeared on her face.

"Indeed I will, sir."

Bang PD nodded.

"Good."

He smiled.

"All the best."

Am bowed politely.

"Thank you, sir."

She turned toward the door.

Her hand reached for the handle.

Then she stopped.

One thought suddenly crossed her mind.

I'm going to be Jeon Jungkook's personal makeup artist.

She slowly looked back at Bang PD.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"...When do I meet him?"

Bang PD smiled.

"Today."

Am's eyes widened.

Today?!

And just like that...

Her first day at HYBE had officially become a lot more interesting than she had expected.