The meeting room was unusually quiet. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone.
But why would I care? I wasn't the only one who was late.
Crack...
The door opened.
A handsome young man walked in, dressed in a perfectly tailored red-and-white three-piece suit.
Weird? Red?
Actually...
Yeah.
Red.
He strode toward the CEO's chair. The moment he turned to face us, I forgot how to breathe. My heart skipped two... maybe three beats.
And perhaps he noticed.
Because I was staring.
Not blinking.
Not even trying to hide it.
He remained standing, staring back at me with a completely emotionless face. His cold expression made it seem like he would fire me on the spot if I didn't lower my gaze.
Look away, ILA.
Come on... look away.
But my eyes refused to obey.
They were completely mesmerized by his.
Oh Lord... is this my punishment?
"Ahem..."
Someone poked me.
I ignored it.
Then they pinched me.
"Ow!"
Finally, I came back to my senses.
"Oh! Sorry, sir." I immediately stood up, pretending to be completely confident. "I'm new here. I was just wondering why the screen behind you is still off."
For a second, the room fell silent.
Then everyone turned to look at the screen.
The IT staff hurried to switch it on.
Without saying a word, the man in the red suit took his seat. He didn't even look at me again.
"Start the meeting."
He faced the screen, leaving me staring at his back.
Phew...
I survived.
"Don't ever try that stunt again."
A voice beside me made me jump.
"Ahhh! You scared me!"
"What exactly did you just say?" my manager asked, raising an eyebrow.
One look at his frustrated face told me he was completely done with me.
Which, unfortunately...
Made me want to laugh.
If I laughed now, he'd definitely kill me.
So I lowered my head, bit my lip to hide my smile, and simply said,
"Sorry, sir."
He ignored me and focused on the meeting.
I wisely did the same.
The meeting lasted two and a half hours.
I was exhausted.
Finally, the CEO closed his file.
"We'll continue tomorrow."
Tomorrow?
There's another meeting tomorrow?
I wanted to cry.
Everyone began leaving.
The moment I stood up—
"Stop."
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the room.
"You stay."
I froze.
Internally crying.
As I walked toward the CEO's desk, my manager passed by me with the biggest smirk I'd ever seen.
"Congratulations," he whispered. "You managed to earn detention in your very first meeting with the CEO."
"I'll write your detention notice and hand it to you when you come out."
Then he walked away.
That sly fox.
One day... I'll definitely kill him.
I turned back toward the CEO.
He looked at me for a moment before speaking.
"Your name?"
"ILA."
"ILA? Surname?"
"I don't have one. Just ILA."
"Department?"
"Production."
"When did you join?"
"A month ago."
"How many members are there in your family?"
"Only one."
He looked up.
"Me."
Silence filled the room.
Then he asked,
"Do you know my name?"
"No."
"Kai."
He paused.
"Remember it."
"Yes, sir."
"Who am I?"
"The CEO."
"Why were you late?"
"Too much traffic."
He studied me for a few seconds before nodding.
"Fine."
"You may go."
Phew...
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
That's it.
I survived.
"Wait."
Shit.
"Yes, sir?"
"Send your manager in."
"Yes, sir."
I quickly walked outside.
The moment I stepped out, I nearly screamed.
"Ahhh!"
My manager was standing right beside the door, detention letter already in his hand.
"You startled me!"
He folded his arms.
"How are you surprised? I've been standing here the whole time."
I stared at him.
"Seriously?"
He waved the paper.
"Your detention letter."
That brat...