Obsession (Chapter 8)

After seeing Sunjae, Annie is taken aback. Memories of that night at the club with Sunjae flash through her mind, leaving her worried.

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Annie (whispering): Sunjae-yaa...

Tae: What?

Annie: Mmm... Nothing.

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Annie recalls the day when the boss mentioned that he had already sent someone for the meeting.

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Annie (thinking):

Oh, so it was Sunjae. That’s why he was at the club that time.

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Gossiping^^^^^^••••••

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Nandani: Oh my God, the boss’s son is so handsome!

Meenu: You’re right; I can’t take my eyes off him.

Parveen: True! By the way, now we have more "snacks" around us.

Nandani: Snacks? Where? I’m hungry! Did you hide them?

Meenu: Oh my God, you silly girl. Do you understand anything?

Parveen: I meant the guys, not actual snacks, you idiot!

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~~••••

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Sunjae: So, Dad, where’s my cabin?

Boss: Secretary Kim, show my son to his cabin.

Secretary Kim: Of course. This way, please.

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As they walk...

Sunjae (whispering): Who’s that girl?

Secretary Kim: Oh, she’s an employee. Her name is Annie.

Sunjae: Send her to my cabin.

Secretary Kim: Yes, sir.

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~~••••

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JK enters the office with a cold aura. Everyone greets him, but he walks straight to his cabin without responding. From a distance, Tae watches him and recalls the last moments they spent together in China. Annie notices Tae staring at JK and senses the pain in his eyes. Both seem deeply hurt.

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Annie: Tae, are you okay?

Tae: Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry.

Annie: Tae, shall we have lunch together?

Tae: Mmm... Sure.

..

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•••••

Secretary Kim arrives^^^•••

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Secretary Kim: Annie, the boss wants to see you in the cabin.

Annie: Okay. (Starts walking.)

Secretary Kim: Not that way. I mean Sunjae boss wants to see you.

Annie (worried): Oh... (heads toward the cabin)..

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~~•••

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Annie: May I come in, boss?

Sunjae: Yes.

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Annie steps in, standing silently as Sunjae walks closer to her. He stops right in front of her, looking directly into her eyes.

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Sunjae: Finally, I’ve found you.

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Annie steps back in shock, almost tripping, but Sunjae grabs her just in time to prevent her from falling.

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Sunjae: Did you miss me?

Annie: (avoiding eye contact): Excuse me, boss?

Sunjae: Don’t call me ‘boss.’ To you, I’m Sunjae-yaa.

Annie: I work here, so for me, you’re the boss.

Sunjae: Really? Then did you forget the night we spent together?

Annie: It doesn’t matter. I was drunk that night.

Sunjae: Oh, it doesn’t matter? It didn’t seem that way then. I still remember how you were lost in my arms.

Annie: (awkwardly): I think you should forget about that night. It was just a mistake.

.. •••

Sunjae moves closer, gently touching her face, his fingers brushing her lips as he gazes at her.

.. ••••

Sunjae (teasing): A mistake? Well, it was the most beautiful mistake I’d love to repeat.

Annie: (stepping back): Don’t touch me! And forget that night ever happened.

Sunjae: Don’t provoke me. You wouldn’t want to see my other side.

Annie: (coldly): I have no interest in seeing any side of yours. If you have any work, tell me; otherwise, I’m leaving.

Sunjae: Fine, I’ll let you go this time. But next time, it won’t be this easy.

Annie: Whatever. (Leaves.)

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•••••••

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Meanwhile, Tae stands outside JK’s cabin, watching him from a distance. JK notices Tae but ignores him and goes back inside. Annie notices Tae and walks up to him.

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Annie: Tae, let’s go.

Tae: I’m not going anywhere.

Annie: But you promised we’d have lunch together. Come on, I’m starving.

Tae (hesitating): Mmm... Fine, let’s go.

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Annie grabs Tae’s hand and leads him away. JK, standing in his cabin, watches the scene unfold.

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~~•••

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Office Gossiping^^^^••••

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Parveen: Did you guys see that?

Meenu: See what?

Parveen: First, that Annie bitch was in Sunjae boss’s cabin, and now she’s holding Tae’s hand and going to lunch with him.

Nandani: Ugh! That girl better stay away from my Sunjae, or I’ll pull her hair out!

Meenu (laughing): Why? Did you buy Sunjae boss or something?

Nandani: That girl is casting her black magic on all the boys! (Fake crying.)

Parveen: I’m going to confront her for holding my Tae’s hand right in front of me!

Meenu: ohh shut up..

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~~••••

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At the restaurant:^^^••••

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Annie and Tae are having lunch.

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Annie: Tae, why aren’t you eating? Look, I ordered your favorite dish.

Tae: Yeah, yeah. I’m eating.

Annie: Hmm, and here’s your favorite drink too.

Tae: Hmm.

Annie: What are you doing this weekend? Let’s go watch a movie together!

Tae: I’ll probably stay home.

Annie (upset): Oh, come on! Please, I really want to watch that movie.

Tae: Fine, we’ll go.

Annie: Do you want ice cream?

Tae: No, I’m not in the mood.

Annie (awkwardly): So, how’s the food here?

Tae: Mmm, it’s good.

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Both sit in silence, sadness lingering between them. After finishing their meal, they quietly return to work.

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~~••••

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At the Office:^^•••

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Kaira: We’re going to the club tonight. Will you join us, Annie?

Annie: Hmm, no. I want to spend time with Tae, so you guys go ahead.

Kaira: Are things better between you and Tae?

Annie: Hmm, I’m not sure. It’s going... just going.

Kaira: Sorry to say, but I don’t think you stand a chance with Tae anymore. I think it’s time for you to move on.

Annie: Whether I have a chance or not, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to bring back his happiness. I want to see him smile again, the way he used to—so carefree and joyful.

Kaira: Hmm. Then good luck. But if you change your mind, join us at the club tonight.

Annie: Hmm, I don’t think so.

..

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•••√√√

Elsewhere in the office:^^^•••

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Secretary Kim: Tae, take these files to Mr. JK and get them signed.

Tae: Me?

Secretary Kim: Yes, you. Or was I talking to someone else here?

Tae: Okay, I’m going.

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Tae picks up the files and nervously heads to JK’s cabin.

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Tae (awkwardly): Sir, these files need your signature.

JK: You? How dare you enter my cabin?

Tae (sadly): I’m just doing my job. Please sign the files.

JK: You have no business coming into my cabin. (Angrily) Now leave!

Tae (scared): But sir, the signature—

JK (yelling): Get out and don’t ever show me your face again!

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~~••••

Tae, shaken by JK’s loud voice, leaves the cabin, his eyes brimming with tears. Annie watches everything unfold from a distance and decides to follow him. Tae heads to the terrace, where he breaks down, crying silently. Annie observes him quietly before approaching.

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Annie: Tae, are you okay?

Tae (upset): Yeah.

Annie: You don’t look okay to me.

Tae: Annie, please... just leave me alone right now.

Annie: (holding his hand): Come with me.

Tae: (irritated, loudly): I said, leave me alone!

Annie: (upset): How can I leave you like this? I care about you, Tae.

Tae: (shouting): Then don’t care about me! I can take care of myself. Stop following me around all the time!

Annie: (hurt): Following you around?

Tae: (irritated): Yes, you are! Why can’t you mind your own business? It’s always, Tae this, Tae that, lunch with Tae, movie with Tae. I don’t want any of it. So please, just leave me alone!

Annie: (crying): Fine! If that’s how you feel, I won’t follow you anymore. (Leaves.)

...

~~•••

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Tae is troubled by JK, and Annie is hurt because of Tae. Both are drowning in their pain, unable to figure out how to fix things or protect their hearts from breaking further.

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~~••••

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Later, outside the office:^^^••

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Crying, Annie steps out of the building. Suddenly, JK pulls up in his car and steps out, walking toward her. He looks into her tear-filled eyes.

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JK: Are you crying?

Annie: Mmm... No, sir.

JK: Need a lift?

Annie: No, sir. I’ll manage.

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From a distance, Tae watches the interaction, his heart sinking.

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JK: Who’s responsible for putting tears in those beautiful eyes, hmm?

Annie: I should go.

JK: Do you really think I’ll let you leave like this? Come on, I’ll drop you home.

.. ••

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Annie stares at him silently, her teary eyes unable to hide her vulnerability. JK grabs her hand gently and leads her to his car. He opens the door for her, guiding her to sit inside.

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From afar, Tae witnesses the scene. His heart fills with jealousy and frustration as he watches JK and Annie drive away together.

..

~~

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𝙏𝙤 𝘽𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙙... ~~~}}}

..

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𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙪𝙮𝙨. 𝙞𝙛 𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙨𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚..

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙔𝙤𝙪~~💜💜

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