Boo!

Chapter 2

After a week of rest, I received an email from the company I applied in. It was a company that deals with constructions and designs. I applied as an assistant architect there and sent my application while I was in California in preparation with my return to Korea.

The name of the company was ‘Athena’s Touch’. It was one of the leading companies in the field of construction in Korea. I got to know about it last year when they opened up a new branch in California. I was very hesitant in sending my application but my roommate encouraged me to try.

The email mentioned about having an interview in the company and to look for Ms. Hanna Lee. I went to the company and look for her. She was the head of the HR and her office was in the third floor. I got to the third floor and approached a woman nearby. Her cubicle was near the entrance so I decided to ask her.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Ms. Lee, head of HR.”

She looked at me and answered my question while smiling.

“Her office is down the hallway to the right.”

She seemed like a good person so I smiled back to her and went my way. There was only one office to the right of the hallway and outside there was a sign that showed whose room it was and their position.

I knocked on the door and twist the door knob. Inside there was a table where the computer and a name plate holder that says Ms. Hanna Lee then Head of HR below it. To the right there was a cabinet and in front was two sofas with a coffee table in the middle. She was facing the door so when I opened the door our eyes met immediately.

“Good morning, I am Mina Choi and I applied for the position of Assistant Architect. I received an email about the interview.”

“Oh yes, I was expecting you. Please have a seat.”

I took a seat in the sofa because there weren’t a single chair in front of her table. Right after, she stood up from her swivel chair while carrying an iPad and also sat on the sofa.

“So, you just graduated?”

“Yes, ma’am.” My hands were sweating and I kept on swiping them on my slacks. For today’s interview, I wore a simple blouse then a blazer and black slacks.

She was swiping on her iPad, maybe she was checking my pertinent documents that I submitted online. After a while, she looked at me and smiled.

“Why did you apply to our company? Looking at your credentials, I imagine it won’t be hard to for you to land a job.”

“I applied because ‘Athena’s Touch’ is one of the leading companies here in Korea and I want to work where the best people gather.”

She smiled again and nodded her head.

“Well there is no reason not to hire you. Congratulations, you’re hired.” She extended her hands for a handshake and I took it with both hands feeling giddy about being hired.

“Thank you very much. I will do my best to contribute to the company.” I said smiling and let go of her hands.

“You can start next week.” It was already Thursday so she meant to start on Monday. She stood up and went back to her table. I took that as a sign to walk out of the door.

I got out of the office and I couldn’t believe that I was hired. I even pinched myself to see whether it was a dream. I called my mom to tell her the good news.

I took the bus to go home and seated beside the window. When I got to my stop, I saw the convenience store and decided to stop by to buy some snacks. Since I was feeling good, I even got a basket and started treading through the isles.

I got back home around lunch time and my mom already cooked. Athena’s Touch was farther than I thought. I might need to move so I could reduce my travel time.

I talked it out with my mom and she told me to tell my father at dinner. If it were up to her she wouldn’t let me move out but she also knows that it would be more convenient for me to have my own place near the company. I wouldn’t be moving out right away, it would take a few months ‘till then since I still have to save up.

After lunch, I took a nap. I decided to enjoy the time that I could still took a nap because when I start working I don’t think I would still be able to.

At dinner, I told my father about my decision. He supported me on that and even offered to help me out. I declined his offer and said I would ask for his help when I really need it. My father also worked in construction. He was a civil engineer so he earned enough to even offer me some help.

Around 10pm, I started craving tteokbokki. My parents were already asleep. I decided to go out and buy some. When I got down, there was a guy standing near the entrance. He was looking down his phone. He must’ve heard my footsteps because he looked up. Our eyes met and I almost forgot to breath.

“Mina…”

“Boo…” It was like a reflex memory for me to call bim that.

He was wearing a back pack. Come to think of it, the season was almost starting. He must be returning to his team’s headquarters tonight.

He turned his attention to me and put his cellphone inside his pants pocket. He was wearing a white shirt and his teams pants. While I was wearing a matching purple hoodie and shorts.

We stared at each other for a minute finding the right word to say.