An Escape to a New Self

Meeting the New Workplace

Han Na loved showing me off the next day I went in for the job. She introduced me to everyone on her team. At first, I had trouble remembering all their names, but by the end of the week, it was no longer a problem. Every one of them was very nice and friendly toward me. They would all practice their English skills on me. It felt nice they were trying to include me. I tried to learn Korean, too, but Han Na would grab me when they were all heading to lunch. Mr. Park agreed whenever she popped in to grab me. He, though, never seemed to leave the office.

“Does Mr. Park ever leave the office for lunch?” I asked Han Na after being in the office for over a month. We walked down the street to a little cafe that served various sandwiches and desserts. The bonus was the iced Americano after the meal I always ordered. The extra dose of caffeine helped me make it through the afternoon.

“Not really,” Han Na replied. “He occasionally has lunch when meeting with clients, but I think he prefers just to work and eat at his desk.”

We walked into the cafe to see the rest of Han Na’s team sitting at a table. They waved to us as we entered. Han Na and I greeted them as we approached the counter to order. She had just ordered a salad, and I ordered a sandwich with my usual iced Americano. We took our seats as we waited for our orders.

“It has been a few weeks now. How are you liking the job?” Sung Hyeon asked me from across the table. He and Han Na were working on a publishing project for a theater near our apartment.

“I think I am getting the hang of it.” I smiled at him as Han Na brought me my sandwich and Americano.

“I am envious.” Ji Hye looked directly at me. “You get to work with Daepyonim in his office all day.”

I knew Ji Hye was referring to Mr. Park. Honorifics were still very confusing to me. I tried my hardest to call Mr. Park the way everyone else did in the office, but I felt that I botched the pronunciation every time. He told me I could refer to him as Mr. Park in the office. Even though I knew his first name, I never used it. It was not professional and would reflect poorly on me. I tried my hardest not to stick out too much.

“Are you saying you find Daepyonim charming with handsome features?” Han Na laughed. Han Na then taunted the group with small Aeygo talk, which brought a few chuckles.

“You know he is,” Ji Hye replied. “I would get no work done if I had to be close to him all day.”

“I assure you that I do not stare at him all day. I concentrate on my work. At the end of the day, I go home and pretend to understand the Korean dramas on the TV.” This caused a few more laughs around the table. The team talked, mostly in Korean, about the various projects and weekend plans. Everyone finished their lunches and started to walk back to work. Han Na and I were the last two to leave.

“I guess I can see where Ji Hye would be a little jealous,” I pointed out while walking back to the office. “Mr. Park is cute and charming. And he is really nice.”

Han Na stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. People quickly walked around her. I turned around once I realized she was no longer in step with me. A small smile spread across her face, but it looked more impish than friendly.

“Ha! Look, who is developing a crush on her boss?” She pointed at me while she approached me. “I should have seen this coming.”

“A crush?” Me?” I started to feel my cheeks redden. “I just said I took notice of how cute he was. But not once did I say that I liked him. I swore off love, remember? I think you are now putting words in my mouth. Not only that but if you get it into people’s heads that something is going on between Mr. Park and me, then I will be part of the rumor mill.”

Han Na laughed at my outburst. “I never said I was going to spread a rumor. Someone seems nervous.” Her last comment sounded very sing-song.

I sighed. There was no sense in continuing with this conversation. Han Na walked up to me and linked arms. She initiated walking back to the office. I could still see the small smile and this little sparkle in her eye. We continued walking arm in arm until we reached the front of the building. The afternoon sun shone brightly, making it harder to return to work.

“Cat, I am happy you might be melting that icy heart. I know that Dave was your whole world for so long. You were devastated when that world collapsed.” She unlinked her arm and faced me. “I just want you to be happy again, OK?”

“But I am happy,” I said. “I am here with my best friend.”

I meant those words. Since I moved halfway across the world, I found pieces of myself I lost when I no longer consisted of being an individual; people saw me as another half. The hobbies and interests were lost in creating a perfect world with Dave. I found myself losing interest in pursuing a relationship that ended in anguish. Now, I found an opportunity just to be me.

“You know what I mean. I want you to be able to love someone again.”

“OK, OK, I understand what you are saying.” I looked up at the sky for a moment. “You do know that this is not a silly rom-com, though. It is not like the cliche lowly employee falls for the head of the company, and romance ensues. That does not happen in real life.”

“It could!” Han Na exclaimed. She started towards the door.

“Not in my life, I should say.” I followed behind her.