"Good afternoon, Jennie." A financial manager waved in a friendly manner as the prodigal Kim daughter made her way through the halls of the halls of her parents' building, filled with the echoes of phones ringing, coffee brewing, and idle chatter.
Jennie waved back, trying not to look as exhausted as she felt.
Her schedule was unreal.
From the crack of dawn she was up. Running, coming back to see Jisoo for just a sliver of time, classes, practice, then her hours at the office (far later than a good majority of the workers), and then she'd come home, just in time to miss Jisoo leaving for her irregular shifts at Dante's new gallery, with lots of opening parties at night, for socialites.
Jennie scrunched her nose in distaste at the thought of Jisoo, stuck there with her undoubtedly dreadful TA (though Jennie hadn't even met him). She considered calling in a favor to her parents to see if they could pull some strings to land her an invite.
But then she realized it was Jisoo's time to grow, to be away from her, and she just worried her lip instead. She was being irrational.
"Jennie." The gentle voice of Sinclair, the head of operations in the Los Angeles branch, (and effectively, her boss,) sounded out from his office.
Jennie bowed her head respectfully and entered, tucking a manila envelope under her arm. "Sinclair."
"Did you file those reports?" Sinclair's voice wasn't demanding, rather, curious.
"Yes." Jennie nodded.
"And the papers from marketing, did you-"
"Already entered into the powerpoint for tomorrow's conference."
"Oh." Sinclair lifted a brow, a little smile on his face. "Then, I have one more favor to ask of you."
Jennie looked smooth, and ever so slightly cocky as she quipped, "Your personal presentation is already done as well."
Sinclair looked absolutely blown away. "Wow, well done, Jennie. Your parents will be pleased to hear about this."
Jennie nodded, thinking about biting her tongue, but ultimately ruling against it. She leaned her head out, noticing the light in Alie's office was still on.
Dammit.
"Sinclair, can I have a word?"
"Hmm?" The man hummed, leaning back in his chair, adjusting a few papers on his desk.
"I know that my parents left you in charge, and I don't expect that to be overridden for me, either." Jennie began warily, tugging at the collar of her crisp white shirt. "But I am making an incredible sacrifice by taking this job, along with football, and-" and I miss Jisoo.
"I know, Jennie." Sinclair sighed. "What are you trying to get at?"
"I just...this isn't a part time job for me. And while I know I have fewer prospects, in terms of degrees, compared to my...colleagues...If you see that I'm worthy for the promotion, Sinclair, don't hesitate. I will find a way to balance it all."
Sinclair looked troubled, throwing an off glance in Alie's direction, as she appeared behind Jennie, holding a few files in her hand.
"Jennie, you're a wonderful asset. But you have a lot to learn. If you show me that you can handle the increasing responsibilities, I will think about it. You're not out of the running yet. Until then, I need you where you are, alright?"
"I'm sorry." Alie's cold, almost monotonous voice sounded. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No." Jennie licked her lips, nodding at Sinclair. "I should take my leave, then."
