Seoulmates by Jen Frederick

Author:Jen Frederick [Frederick, Jen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Despite a massive hangover, I take my newfound confidence to work with me the next day, and as soon as Bujang-nim appears, at precisely nine, I pounce and demand more work. I make my request in Korean and enjoy the mild shock that fills his face. He replies in Korean, but whatever magic took place last night has dissipated. When I don’t respond, his shock morphs into resignation. A week ago, I would’ve slunk away to my desk in embarrassment, but I’m not moving until he gives me work. After what seems like an endless standoff, during which all of my department and half of the sales department next to us watches, he gives in. He types out three emails with attachments and shoos me away. I skip back to my desk.

While I’m happy, the rest of my coworkers appear tense. There’s very little chatter. No one is grouping together at the coffee station making their insta-coffees or downing a tiny bottle of ginseng. Even Chaeyoung and Soyou aren’t making their usual bathroom bonding runs. It’s as if my understanding of Korean has actually driven a wedge between us instead of pulling us closer together.

It’s a process, I tell myself. Rome wasn’t built in a day, et cetera, et cetera. Keep your chin up. I recite a half dozen clichéd platitudes and get to work.

Around midmorning, Sangki texts me.

SANGKI: Now that Yujun is back I never see you it’s like he is more important than me

ME: Never

SANGKI: He can’t continue to monopolize your time like this you’re eating with me tonight

ME: He texted you and said he feels bad about abandoning me and begged you to take me out

SANGKI: Are you reading his phone messages right now?

ME: No but thank you for confirming my guess

SANGKI: . . .

ME:

ME: You looked good on tv last night

SANGKI: Did you watch? I think my face looked puffy. No more fried food. Let’s eat at this vegan place that serves temple food

ME: You did not look puffy faced. I did watch and you sounded amazing and were very funny

SANGKI: I am very funny and I do sound amazing

SANGKI: temple food?

ME: Yes. Who would turn down the right to have dinner with someone very funny who sings like an angel and was once in the running for world’s most handsome man

SANGKI: I got beat out by the British actor Tom

ME: No one in his right mind thinks Tom is more attractive than you

SANGKI: You’re so right. Results were rigged

ME: Biased against Asians

SANGKI: The poll had David Kim in the top ten and we know anything that includes him is sus

ME: Exactly. Let me go downvote his image

SANGKI: Better not. If they catch you, I’ll be accused of sending haters after him

ME: Damn and I just finished making ten different accounts

SANGKI: See you tonight

ME: Can I bring Bomi?

SANGKI: A threesome? How kinky. Yes

ME: You’re paying

SANGKI: I see how it is

ME:

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