Confidence Booster - Yeonwoo
“Come on, how can you make such a simple mistake?”
“I’m sorry boss, it won’t happen again.”
“Shut up Miss Lee, it’s your fault too, you should have been checking his work!”
“B-but the data was gathered from your other team-” You sputter weakly.
“Excuses! Miss Lee, you should be checking what your employee is submitting before you hand them to me!” The director roars in anger. “Now get out of my sight!” He does it for you, leaving the conference room and slamming the door shut.
“I’m sorry boss, i-it won’t happen again.”
“Why didn’t you lead with the data issue to begin with?” She asks you frustratedly.
“I wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear it…” You stammer.
“Ugh…” She ruffles her hair in frustration. “Of course he doesn’t, you need to be more confident, I know you do good work, but you need to back it up with confidence, show the director that you’re capable.”
“I’m sorry, I’ll try.”
“No, I don’t need you to try, I need you to do.” She checks her watch, it was already in the evening. “Do you have evening plans?” You shake your head. “Good, we’re getting dinner, and then we need to work on your self-confidence, you’re too good an employee to be wasted.”
“R-right, thank you.”
“Good, pack your stuff and let’s get out of here.”
You gather your stuff, still upset and indignant about the director’s unwarranted scolding. Your colleagues, who heard the director’s outburst earlier, see your foul expression and don’t say a word, merely nodding and offering a weak smile that you return. You grab your jacket and some files before leaving the building. You wait at the exit for a few minutes before you see Miss Lee stride towards you.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“N-not at all.”
“I found a place, we’ll drive there, come on.” She leads you to her car, motioning for you to get in. You throw your stuff in the trunk and ride shotgun. The car ride is awkwardly silent, and Miss Lee clears her throat.
“So, what do you normally do after work?”
“Me? Just go home, watch some TV, surf the net, what else?”
“There’s a lot you can do, exercise, draw, cook.” She says confidently.
“Do you do that?”
“Yes of course.”
“Wow, you have it all figured out.”
“Mostly…” She trails off, humming a tune to herself instead. You quietly sit there, and the short drive quickly comes to an end at a fancy Italian place. She gets out of the car and strides confidently towards the entrance, locking the car with a casual click of her remote.
“Reservation for two, Lee.”
“Right this way Miss Lee.” The two of you follow the host to your table, taking your seats silently.
“This is on me, so order whatever you like.” She says.
“O-oh I couldn’t…” You try to refuse, but it dies away under her glare.
“What would you like?” The server comes to the table and asks you.
“I-I’ll have the steak.” You say.
“Eh, I don’t like the steak here.”
“Right, sorry, I’ll have the-” She interrupts you by placing her menu down on the table not too gently.
“You’re the one eating it, why do you care what I like? You really need to stop worrying about what I think, and do what you want.”
“Yes, I’ll have the steak then.”
“Excellent choice, and you Miss?”
“Give me the fish.”
“Very good.”
As good as the food was, the dinner was equally tortuous as Miss Lee needled you on your performance, trying to help you with your lack of confidence and assertiveness. You were all too glad for the dinner to be over, but she wasn’t satisfied at all.
“No good, come back to my place, I’m not done with you.”
“I-I’m sorry?” You nearly choke on your glass of water.
“You’re worse than I thought. We need to up your assertiveness. Come on, let’s go.” You follow her sullenly out the restaurant and into the car. The ride is short, and you shortly find yourself in front of her apartment.
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