The office hummed with energy that morning. It wasn't just any Monday, as Isaac had decided to assign a major project to the new hires. The glass-walled conference room was buzzing quietly as employees shuffled in, laptops and notepads in hand. Mina, carrying her usual cup of coffee, felt a thrill of anticipation.
Isaac stood at the head of the long, polished table, his posture rigid, face unreadable. Emily hovered near the side, clipboard in hand, efficient and watchful. A couple of other senior employees accompanied him. He flipped open a file, he didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"Today, each of you will be assigned a project," Isaac said, his voice clipped. "Your performance on these assignments will determine the departments you rotate through for the next quarter. Efficiency, competence, and initiative will be noted."
He scanned the room, his gaze briefly resting on Mina. She straightened in her chair, chest puffed slightly, grinning behind her coffee cup as if to say bring it on. He assigned tasks to each employee one by one, until, "Miss Kang, you will draft the initial market entry proposal for our new lifestyle brand," he said, cold and precise. "I expect thorough research, competitor analysis, and a suggested strategy. You will present your findings in one week."
Mina's hand shot up slightly, as if by instinct, her grin widening, and her palms forming a fist, "Yes sir! I'll do my best!"
Isaac's eyebrow twitched. Emily's eyes flicked toward him, but he made no comment, already moving down the list of juniors. Each was given a task appropriate to their skill level and past performance. Junho was assigned a financial analysis of a subsidiary, Annie would work on drafting internal communications, and the others were sent off to operational or marketing audits.
As soon as the meeting ended, Mina settled into her cubicle, spreading out documents, charts, and sticky notes. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she pulled competitor reports, demographic data, and case studies. Every once in a while, she added little diagrams in bright colors, playful sketches that still managed to convey insight. Isaac wandered the floor periodically, checking on the juniors. When he reached Mina's cubicle, he stood silently for a moment, observing. She was animated as she explained her ideas aloud to herself, pacing slightly, coffee in one hand, a pencil tucked behind her ear.
"Miss Kang, what's your approach for brand differentiation?" he asked finally, his voice low, even. Mina spins around with a grin, "We make them feel seen, sir. Not just buyers, but a lifestyle community. People remember feelings, not products!" Isaac's eyebrow twitches. He tries to remain professional, jotting notes. "Be concise. Stick to metrics." Mina leans in, whispering conspiratorially, but playful, "Metrics tell numbers, sir. Feelings tell stories. Both are needed."
Isaac narrowed his eyes, lips tight, and for a moment, she thought she had overstepped. But he merely nodded once and moved on. She watched him leave and muttered under her breath, "He's secretly impressed heh heh."
The week passed in a whirlwind. Mina worked late, organizing spreadsheets, creating charts, and drafting multiple strategies. She asked questions of Junho and Annie, bouncing ideas off them in her usual playful, animated way. The other juniors noticed her energy, but there was a sense of admiration underlying it, his wasn't just enthusiasm, it was competence. This girl was silly, but she gets the job done. Everyone knew.
The day of the presentation arrived in a flash. The conference room smelled faintly of polished wood and coffee. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows, highlighting the sleek glass table where executives had gathered. Mina adjusted the sleeve of her polka dot pink blouse nervously, but stood tall, notebook in hand. Today wasn't just any presentation, it was her chance to prove she belonged in the executive office.
Isaac sat at the head of the table, expression unreadable, arms crossed. His eyes flicked briefly toward Mina, but his face remained stoic, though the tiniest crease formed between his brows. Emily stood at the side, quietly taking notes, her presence both comforting and intimidating.
Mina took a deep breath, then launched into her presentation. "Our target demographic is urban millennials and young professionals," she began, pointer in hand, "but the key is emotional resonance. People remember experiences, not products. Our strategy should focus on community-building and lifestyle integration, rather than just marketing a brand." Her slides shifted fluidly through competitor comparisons, market gaps, campaign ideas, visual mockups, and projected growth charts. Her voice was confident, animated without being overbearing. Occasionally, she leaned slightly forward, gesturing at a diagram or emphasizing a point. Her juniors, sitting quietly around the table, tried not to look too awed, but subtle nods and glances betrayed their admiration.
Isaac's gaze never left her. He tried to remain impartial, professional, arms crossed, pencil tapping his notebook. But he caught himself observing the slight sparkle in her eyes as she animatedly explained a particularly bold campaign idea. She wasn't performing for him, she didn't even know he was scrutinizing her, but that only made her brilliance more striking.
One external manager, leaning back in his chair with a sly grin, whispered to the executives beside him, loud enough for others to hear, "This junior is charming, she's both smart and cute. She'll be popular with higher-ups in no time."
The room chuckled softly, some nodding in agreement. Mina, completely unaware of the comment, continued her presentation, flipping to a slide showing projected engagement metrics.
Isaac's jaw tightened, imperceptibly at first, then for a split second, dangerously. Popular with higher-ups? He thought, voice in his mind sharp and silent. He hadn't expected to feel that, and yet, a strange, unwelcome tightness settled in his chest.
Mina finished her presentation, wrapping up with her signature charm, "In short, the brand doesn't just sell a product. It sells an experience, a feeling of belonging. That's how we make people remember our Lunette, not just as a company, but as a lifestyle." She gave a bow.
There was a beat of silence. Then, applause from the executives, warm and approving. The other juniors exchanged impressed glances. Even Emily allowed herself a small, knowing smile.
Isaac's eyes flicked to Mina, studying her from the corner. He had no words of praise to offer, at least not aloud. His lips pressed into a thin line, jaw still tight. She's good. Too good. His mind wandered briefly to the comment from the external manager. And too visible. Too noticeable.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to shift back into professional mode. Clearing his throat, he said flatly, "Good work, Miss Kang. Proceed with the implementation. Keep me updated daily."
Mina's grin threatened to split her face, and she bobbed a quick, respectful bow. "Thank you, sir! I won't let you down!" Her loose waves softly fell on her shoulders as she bowed, her bangs just a bit disheveled.
As she returned to her desk, Isaac's gaze followed her, lingering longer than he intended. As she sat on her cubicle, she collapsed, "OMG, that was stressful. I thought I was gonna throw up!" Annie playfully replied, "Didn't seem like it back there? Your presentation was the best! You'll definitely be here for a long time!" Junho silently nodded in agreement.
"I'm gonna treat myself to lemon tart today! And not the convenience store ones! Real lemon tarts!" Mina declared animatedly, unaware of the stirs she had brought in someone's heart a few days ago. Here she was just Mina, a hardworking girl who enjoys work, and lemon tarts.