#eunkwang comedy

Kwang Hani hated nothing more than company dinners followed by the most boring karaoke sessions of history. What annoyed her even more was the fact that everyone kept talking about those karaoke nights until the next occasion arrived.

Not until a certain someone appeared in her life, did her opinion change.

The day it happened Hani was already fed up with her co-workers and didn’t feel like spending a couple more hours with any of them. Nevertheless, company dinners were compulsory but in return the renting of the karaoke bar and the meals were paid by the company. If she had to pay, she would hand in her resignation right away because she couldn’t afford that much money every month (since the dinners were monthly).

Taking her extra hours at work into consideration, she could barely made it to the dinner. Barely. In the end, she arrived at the restaurant in time but her boss didn’t even start until he made sure that everyone was already present.

“Where’s Ilhoon?” She inquired as she sat beside the new HR intern – Yook Sungjae.

Ilhoon was usually the life of the party, so she was surprised that he didn’t show up that day. It’s not like she had anything to do with the said guy, it’s just that he was always teasing her as they worked in the same department and she found it peculiar that there was no one to mess with her.

“He’s ill.” The young boy shrugged his shoulders.

“What?” Hani furrowed her eyebrows in question. “He seemed perfectly fine when he left work with me.” She reasoned, trying to recall how Ilhoon had looked when they left the company. He seemed like his usual casual self, there was nothing extraordinary about his appearance, nor his behaviour.

“Actually…” Sungjae looked around like he was about to tell her a big secret. He moved closer to her and lowered his voice. “He has a date.” The intern announced with a mischievous smile on his face.

Hani’s mouth slackened. She shot up an eyebrow as she didn’t want to believe what she had heard. Ilhoon had a date? For real? He was the last guy she thought would have a girlfriend. He wasn’t a bad guy, he was actually pretty nice if he made an effort which didn’t happen most of the time.

“Oh I see.” She bobbed her head while Sungjae smiled his trademark smile.

The rest of the dinner was spent in a somewhat awkward atmosphere. For the first time ever, she was glad they went to the karaoke bar after the meal because at least she didn’t have to sit beside Sungjae. The guy was dancing with himself in the other side of the room while she tried her best to stay awake.

A question kept gnawing at her and didn’t let her rest in peace for the rest of the night. If Ilhoon had a date, why couldn’t she? She wasn’t jealous, she just didn’t get it. Why was her love life practically non-existent? Why everyone seemed to have a significant other while all she had in her flat was a grumpy cat and a dying cactus. Hani couldn’t help but ponder why it didn’t work out for her. Was there anything wrong with her?

As she was moping and having an existential crisis, she couldn’t help but be appalled by someone’s singing. The voice was unfamiliar but it shouldn’t have been a surprise since they weren’t the only ones at the bar; there was a group of friends as well. Half of them were already drunk, so were her co-workers, small wonder why her colleagues were more than fond of the idea that strangers would sing with them. What is more, they competed against each other to see which team was better. Of course, Hani wasn’t brave enough to participate, she was caught up in her thoughts anyway.

Yet, that voice was sending shivers down her spine. Even though the mood was ruined because of the heart-breaking song, Hani couldn’t have been happier. The talented (and handsome) young man was singing her absolute favourite song – Miracles in December by EXO. A few of the already-too-drunk people held hands and started humming in the background like they were at a real concert.

The gorgeous stranger felt the curious and amazed eyes on him and Hani didn’t know why but when he turned around to face his audience, he winked at her. She was sure that it was directed at her since she was the only person sitting on the couch.

Oh man, she totally blew it right then and there.

She reassured herself that she wasn’t totally sober, that’s why she was imagining things, but when she found a phone number on her office desk the next day, she immediately thought of the handsome stranger. When she turned to her right, she caught Sungjae staring at her with a playful smile plastered on his face.

“Was it you?” She raised an eyebrow in question. The intern shrugged his shoulders.

“Maybe I helped you find a date.” He boasted a boyish grin of his and Hani couldn’t help but smile with him.

You were certain that there was no end to your work, no end to your meetings and no end to your papers.

To make matters worse, you should have been preparing lunch because you were already living on ready-to-eat meals as you didn’t have the time to cook for yourself.

The absolute worst thing was that due to all the stress your job gave you, you didn’t have time for yourself, let alone for your boyfriend – Eunkwang. You knew that he was one of the most patient people you’ve ever met yet you felt guilty because you had to let him down every time he wanted to go out with you. You knew that this can’t go on any further but you didn’t know how to stop.

The days got monotonous, boring and very disheartening. Everything felt the same and you were stuck in that crazy cycle of work, little amount of sleep and work again.

Luckily, Eunkwang was always there when you needed him, so you weren’t surprised that he was the one who put an end to all your suffering. He didn’t need to do anything extraordinary, he merely walked into your room while you were working and stood by you for a solid minute before you decided to ask:

“What are you doing here?” You let out a weary sigh as you were still typing on the computer, unable to tear your gaze off the computer.

“I’m here for my daily fix of hugs and kisses.” He announced joyfully like it was breaking news, even though it couldn’t have been further from the truth.

“Look, Eunkwang. I have work to do.” You reminded him as you pointed to the screen.

“But you always tell me that.” He let out a childish whine while he still stood by you like he was your bodyguard.

A moment of silence passed by but it was enough for you to come to the conclusion that you had to either talk to him face-to-face or tell him off for the next few minutes because he wouldn’t go away only if you literally forced him to leave you alone.

Yet, when you turned around to face him, the pout on his face made your heart ache. The past few weeks were a blur and you had to admit that you didn’t cast a glance at him like the way you used to. Therefore, you didn’t even notice how worried and tired he looked. It was the first time that it crossed your mind that maybe your behaviour affected him as well.

“Come on!” He tried to perk you up, trying his best to lighten up your mood. “One hug wouldn’t hurt you.” He pointed out with a playful wink.

Under the happy-to-go façade, you could tell that he was also struggling. You didn’t want to hurt him with your actions and cold behaviour but you just couldn’t stop.

However, as you were looking at him this time, you didn’t have the heart to shrug off his assistance. He was your boyfriend after all. You couldn’t neglect him because of stupid things like those papers on your desk. You wouldn’t complain if those papers disappeared but you would be devastated if Eunkwang did. You didn’t want to lose him.

“You’re right. I feel like I could use a hug right now.” You finally admitted after some seconds of contemplation and he didn’t even wait for you to stand up properly, he immediately crushed you into a big bear hug.