Monsieur Park - Chapter 1.1

1. Monsieur Park

Monday, the start of a week, is always not bright and happy.

Men showing hungover faces.

Women showing tiredness in their eyes due to a short weekend.

People were holding coffees in their hands and greeting each other with tired faces.

"Good morning."

"Yeah, good morning."

Drrrrrrrr- coffee coming out from the vending machine.

Sound of computers turning on.

Sound of monitors turning on.

Inside the office where the sound was slowly filling there was a sound that made people frown.

....

"Oh~ Miss Kim, Miss Lee, Miss Hwang, Miss Oh, Miss Ko, Miss Song. Good morning."

Is it only an imagination that the greeting was especially long for the Misses?

A man who was 20 minute late for work came in to the office with a buttery smile on his face. And at the same time both male and female workers faces got solid.

Male workers were saying tsk tsk or looking at the female workers with sympathetic eyes. And the female workers quickly sat on their chair and looked through the files really passionately. Looking at the workers suddenly started to work passionately, Director Park's eyes became shiny. A worker who met eyes with the Director Park tried to move to her seat fast as she can, but the Director Park was faster.

"Miss Lee you don't look well. Did anything happen during the week?"

"Nooo....."'

Miss Lee's voice was really quiet. But Director Park was keep sticking up to her with his buttery smile and lightly touched her shoulder.

"Look at this. Why is a young lady's shoulder so stiff? Women should have nice soft skin especially inner skin." 

Right after his talk, all the female workers sighed. But he didn't care.

"Miss Lee, are you on a diet? It looks like you are keep losing weight. Women should not be like that. These days women think being skinny is the beauty, but men don't think like that. They should have little bit of fat, so it's good to touch."

'For whom!!' 

All the female workers were thinking like this but couldn't bring it out to their lips. Miss Lee, who became a target for Director Park slowly became pale and didn't know what to do. She was a 20 year old new employee. She's a shy and quiet secretary. And Director Park only picked on those kinds of workers.

[There he goes again.]

[Poor Soonmi ssi, she got caught again.]

[That bastard never pass a day.]

Female workers typing speed was getting faster. They were busy talking shit about Director Park. Chatting on their computer and pretend to work when the boss walks around was very natural for them. Miss Lee's face started to frown when there wasn't anyone tried to help her. She begged quietly to Director Park to stop with tears in her eyes, but he was not a guy who would stop there. But then.

"Director Park, when are we going to starting our meeting?"

Everyone's focus got moved to this rude voice. End of their sight, there was a man standing rudely like his tone of his voice. He was Assistant Manager Kim Taeyoung.

Director Park Changsup frowned after he got interrupted. He removed his hand from Miss Lee's shoulder and glared at Kim Taeyoung.

"When did you come?"

"I came earlier than you."

Kim Taeyoung still had rudeness in his voice. His legs were slightly crossed and was leaning on his desk. (Kinda rude to talk to elders like this especially when he is your boss.) His pants suit that was covering his long legs was reflecting the sun light softly.

It will not rip. It will last long.

Water proof. Anti-wrinkle.

And one more thing!

He's suit was different from Director Park's suit where it looks like he bought it in the home shopping channel his suit's quality was totally different from that cheap looking suit. Miss Lee's sight looking at Kim Taeyoung was like a Prince Charming who defeated the monster. Director Park got annoyed.

"You, you were actually late but came in without me knowing right?"

"No."

Kim Taeyoung replied calmly. The female workers started to laugh. Their speed of typing got faster.

"Who knows if you are telling the truth? They should seriously install a card system checking their attendance."

'If that happens, you are the first person to get caught. You bastard.'

All the female workers were thinking the same but didn't bring to their lips. But instead their typing sounds got louder.

"Anyway we are going to start our morning meeting everyone come to the meeting room."

He said it arrogantly and wend inside the room. Finally got released from the Director Park's evilness, Miss Lee sighed with relief and went to Assistant Manager Kim.

"Thank you. Assistant Manager Kim."

"No problem."

Kim Taeyoung lift only one side of his thin lip and smiled. He probably tanned his skin last summer his skin showed soft color and created soft wrinkle as he smiled. Keyboard typing sound stopped and all the female workers were in sweet dreams.

"But next time reject him without any hesitant."

"Ah......"

This time he even folded his eyes to smile and Miss Lee couldn't answer him because her legs gave out. He lightly pushed her away and Kim Taeyoung erased his charming smile away. And his cold and cruel face appeared. He took out a business plan file from the drawer and frowned. He was looking at the room where Director Park went in.

"Assistant Manager, aren't you gonna go in?"

Right after he heard Chief Shin, his face changed back to kind face. He smiled and holding the business plan file and replied.

"Yes, we should."

Every Monday meeting actually supposed to control the employees’ amount of work and divide the work but that original plan disappeared long ago. Now it's just time that Director Park's being a tyrant and employees just enduring him.

At first there were some opinions that they should report the process of work through intranet like the other departments, but Director Park just ignored it. He is an analogue type who prefers to get the business plan by hands.

"It is better to give instructions face to face. I don't like to talk with the monitor."

Thanks to Director Park the meeting that could have ended in 5 minutes dragged to one boring hour of nothing. This caused many workers to complain more.

Plus the meeting was all about......

"Tomorrow I'm going to a business trip."

Said Director Park.

"Who wants to go with me?"

Everyone kept their silence.

Female workers with cold expressionless faces.

Male workers with scratching back of their heads. They were just dragging their time.

"Why aren't you guys talking?"

Director Park's voice got louder. Still no one dare to open their mouth. This awkward and uncomfortable silence was keep pocking the atmosphere like a needle. Everyone was looking at each other and slowly Chief Oh said.

"I, I have some empty time tomorrow....."

"Chief Oh?"

Director Park looked at him.

"What's your schedules for tomorrow?"

"Mo-nyang Glory product went in to film process. Kyungmee ssi said she'll bring the film, so I just have to check for that. And Ever that design was horrible, so I think they need to start all over, but I do have some time left."

"Is Kyungmee ssi the Chief?"

Chief Oh was doing his best to list his schedules, but Director Park said something. Chief Oh took his eyes off from the paper and stared at Director Park blankly.

"Pardon?"

"Is Kyungmee ssi the chief?"

"No...."

"Then how do you know there won't be any mistake? What if they printed wrong and chief isn't there? Is the head of the team Kyungmee ssi not you?"

Chief Oh lost his words. There weren't any volunteer, so he volunteered, but Director Park gets mad for no reason. And his nonsense continues.

"Actually Chief Oh needs to stay and isn't Kyungmee ssi supposed to go?"

Kyungmee who was listening right next to him suddenly frowned. Director Park was worried that Chief Oh might say something again, so he even pointed his finger to him and said.

"And aren't you just trying to push your work to your female subordinate worker? A chief should stay and take care of the project until the end. You shouldn't even leave this place."

'That's what you always use.'

All the workers were thinking the same.

Director Park said some more things and sat down on his chair. And he cleared his throat and asked Kim Kyungmee.

"Kyungmee ssi should we go the business trip to Incheon? How is your schedule?"

It was like asking her for a date not a business trip. Kim Kyungmee's face didn't get better at all.

She is 26 years old and she is the prettiest employee in this department. Director Park was an average Korean guy who never say no to young and pretty women. He will probably never stop asking until she says yes. And if the other workers said they'll go, he will probably do the same as what he did to Chief Oh. When Kyungmee was try to nod her head with annoyed face....

"I'll go."

There was a voice. Director Park's face suddenly frowned. When everyone's attention was focused in one place, one man stood up. His dark black hair was reflecting the light, and below his navy blue suit that goes well with his light brown skin tone there was a white dress shirt collar sticking out. He looked naive and clean. All the female workers went into dreamlike atmosphere again. Director Park's face frowned like a bull dog.

Females' expression changed eating a sweet candy to chewing a shit. There was a tall handsome young man but suddenly this fat ugly guy blocked their view.

"Yes. I'll go."

Kim Taeyoung said it with unconcerned voice. Kim Kyungmee's eyes were shining

"Ass. Manager Kim, is you schedule ok for tomorrow?"

Director Park showed a determined face that if Kim Taeyoung says ok, then he will do whatever he can to make it not ok.

"We just returned all the Mo-nyang Glory's sticker that the gradation didn't come out well. And the new project didn't get confirm from the planning department yet. And I don't really have anything to do in the sales departments. Tomorrow nothing special going on for me."

"That goes same as Kyungmee-ssi."

"Kyungmee-ssi has work to do."

Ass. Manager Kim replied when Director Park was getting mad.

"We just went over the schedule what are you saying?"

"All the female employees have their dinner outing."

Director Park lost his words for a second. All the female employees didn't know what he was saying. Kim Taeyoung smiled mysteriously and said.

"Isn't that true Kyunmee-ssi?"

"Ye...yes,,"

Kyungmee said it like she was hypnotized. Other female workers also nodded their heads. Ass. Manager Kim's smile got even bolder.

"If she goes to Incheon tomorrow, she might not make it in time. So I should go."

Director Parks' expression got slowly better. His wrinkled nose was slowly softened and his lips drew a buttery line smile. He probably got happy hearing female dinner outing.

"What? It was that?" Then I should go there tomorrow too."

"No!"

"No way!"

"What are you saying Director Park!"

Right after Director Park's words all the female employees protested. They can't miss an official outing where they can talk shit about Director Park. And it was free.

"Why can't I go? You guys are gonna use the company credit card anyway."

"It's only for the ladies. Why is there a guy in the group?"

"I don't want it."

"No, I'm just curious what the female employees are thinking and want to hear if there is any complains to your boss."

"What are you saying? You need to go to Incheon with me."

"You can go with Chief Oh."

"You said he needs to finish his project before."

What Kim Taeyoung said made Director Park frown. The female employees turned their head because they didn't want to hear him anymore. By the time like this, Director Park couldn't do anything else and shouted angrily.

"Ok, ok! I will go tomorrow!"

"Okay."

Kim Taeyoung just ignored Director Park's glare and replied. After the meeting ended, Kyungmee stopped him.

"Ass. Manager Kim, do you think it will be okay?"

"Ahhh..."

He just shrugged his shoulders.

"What can I do? Somebody had to go."

"But I heard that Director Park shows nasty attitude towards the male employees who went with him...."

"Then do you want to change it now?"

Taeyoung smiled. Kyunmee's face turned red.

"Harass women and mean to men then it's better to get bullied. You just enjoy the dinner outing."

"Thank you so much. Ass. Manager Kim."

Kyungmee's face was red and thanked him. When Kyungmee went outside, his relaxed smile turned to icy cold expression. And he murmured quietly so no one can hear him.

"Damn bastard. I'll definitely cut his thing off."

Just as Kyungmee predicted, on the way to Incheon was distressful. Right after I met each other he threw the car key at him and rudely ordered 'Drive.' Taeyoung rudely replied 'Yes yes sure.'

They headed to a company located in Incheon headquarter. The company where Taeyoung and Changsup work job was to produce film where they can stick it on to products not on the paper. After they made a contract, it is sales department's duty to bring a subcontract but due to the bad economy, sales department was very busy. So because of that Director from the design department decided to go. He probably complained in the beginning but thinking of going with a cute female employee probably changed his mind.

He wasn't feeling well since in the morning because instead of going with an expected female worker, he had to go with this young and handsome male worker. Since they were the one who getting the job, they had to get there by the time the client announced, so they had to leave the house way earlier than usual.

-Even so, he was 20 minutes late.-

Old Lemans car did not have comfort. (Lemans- Daewoo 1986 cars) If they press on the gas little bit more it made clanking sound everywhere. It was summer, the sunlight was very strong even in the morning. They were on the freeway heading to Bucheon and Director Park was complaining it's too hot, why did I have to come with you. Taeyoung was just ignoring him. (Bucheon is the city in Incheon)

Why didn't you tell me there was a female employees’ dinner outing sooner, why are you so boring. His complaining was never ending. Couldn't stand him anymore, Taeyoung turned on the radio.

Let's go to the beach, let's jump to the ocean,

These idols were saying they are young and they sang very high pitch note.

A guy who likes instrumental music did not like this kind of dance songs, but if he could erase Director Park's voice, he wouldn't mind.

They were driving for a while, and suddenly Director Park's eyes were sparkling, and he raised the volume. One woman singer was singing unlike other songs it was soft and quiet ballad. Taeyoung gave him the look.

"Do you like this song?"

"No."

He denied right away. Taeyoung was curious.

"Then why did you raise the volume?

"Ahhh, this singer's body line is like!"

".....Never mind."

Taeyoung looked away when Director Park was drawing a coke bottle with his finger.

Right, it's my fault for asking a pig for a musical comment.

They visited the biggest company in Bucheon, and they got the job from the design department. Since it was their first time giving them the job, they gave them lot of unnecessary direction because they were worried.

"Don't worry. We will finish the job with not error. Then we will send the product two weeks later from the printing office. Of course we will send the file first then the sample to check."

"Then please do your best."

Director Park was giving them trustworthy smile. Taeyoung was amazed looking at him from the back. It's been one year since he entered this company, but except when Director Park was flattering the higher ups, he never saw him this serious.

"Then let's leave, Ass. Manager Kim."

"Yes."

Those two came out with receiving a formal goodbye. As they got to the car, the file he was holding preciously was thrown to the back seat of the car. Taeyoung frowned seeing a file treated as a trash.

"What are you doing? Start the car."

"..........Yes."

Taeyoung turned the key. Brrr- car made this nasty exhaust noise and started to vibrate. When the car was leaving, Director Park said.

"Tell the printing office to send the product two weeks later and send the samples to the company."

Taeyoung was outrageous.

"That's what you promised."

"That's why you should do it since you are my subordinate."

"......."

Brrr- the car made the exhaust noise again. Taeyoung was thinking quietly. Next time he goes to a business trip with his human, he will definitely tape his lips. He could imagine his dark overtime future.

Design department director Park Changsup.

Nick name Monsieur Park.

Right now he has the perfect amount of fat in his body but he's the type who will definitely have a beer belly in few years. His face is always oily due to his sweat, and he has big eyes, but people say he look buttery because he's double eye lids are too thick.

And the reason why his nickname is Monsieur Park because.....

"Ass. Manager Kim, don't you think I'm odd little bit?"

"It's not little bit. It's a lot."

"You are good at joking."

"It's not a joke."

He said it while he was turning the handle. Director Park was laughing.

"Ass. Manager Kim, I'm really an odd person. I've been to four different high schools."

"You transfer a lot."

Director Park changed his expression.

"What are you saying? I was expelled."

'Good for you.'

Because Taeyoung didn't have any reaction, Director Park was bored, and he started to talk again. Taeyoung really wanted to drive quietly. He said.

"Do you want to hear a story about rape?"

Taeyoung sighed. This is why female workers don't like him. This time too, he didn't get any consent, and he started to talk.

"This is reaaally happened before."

".....I don't want to hear it."

"Hmmm? What did you just say, Ass. Manager Kim?"

"Nothing."

His thought probably slipped through his mouth. Taeyoung started to focus on driving again, and Director Park continue the story.

"When I was in France, there was this thug who came from Korea said he was gonna study designing. This dude was a thug, but he was a flimsy thug. He kinda looked innocent, so many white guys liked him. He was always by himself because he couldn't speak French. My wife always invited him to have meal, so he visited our house often. But one day he started to avoid me and when he sees me from far, he ran away. I was wondering what's wrong with him, and we kinda drifted apart like that. Somehow we met again in Korea again, and this guy confessed what happened. He said, 'Actually I was raped in France.' Like this"

'Wife?'

Taeyoung listened carefully. I thought he was single -because he always flirts with women- He was a married man. That's even worse.

"That dude left our house drunk one day and decided to walk Seine River and fell asleep on the forest bench. However, there are lot of gays there. Something felt weird, so he opened his eyes and there were two big Dobermans were growling at him and pressing on him. And these three black men came and raped him. He took a long time to recover from embarrassment and shame."

Director Park was only person serious and murmured.

"That's right. The hardest thing human can overcome is shame."

".......I see."

Different from Director Park, he murmured because he felt bad to the man who got raped in France.

"I didn't even know what gay was until I went to France. I just thought it was like here when we go to public bath together, we touch each other’s balls, have our arms around each other, and hold our hands. But the school I went......"

"Wait!"

Taeyoung was just listening and something felt wrong.

"Guys.... touching each other’s balls when they go to public bath?"

"Yeah. Right."

Director Park nodded his head.

"Have arm around each other and hold each other’s hands?"

"Yeah."

"............Please continue with your story."

He felt like if he ask more questions he will hear something scarier, so he decided to just shut his mouth. Director Park continued with his story.

"The place I went was famous for art, and 70% of men were gays. When I went to that school, there was a rumor about me saying there is a King of Asian gays. Somehow, I was pretty popular in that school, and it was all because those guys were aiming for my ass hole."

"Ass hole....."

Taeyoung suddenly started to think that thank goodness neither Kyungmee nor Soonmi came along.

He said ass hole. His talk was way too honest.

"But there was a guy named Eugène. He was really tall about 190 cm (6ft 2in). He had a long blonde hair. When I first saw him, I couldn't close my mouth because he was so good looking. One day he and I were sitting on a bench. I was falling asleep, and Eugène said, 'Monsieur Park. Use my lap as a pillow.' So I fell asleep on his lap. And he started to recite Baudelaire's poem. That scene was so beautiful my school friends took a video of it. I still have that film. Ten minutes long."

Taeyoung was wondering if it was really beautiful, but he passed it.

"But one day we were riding a subway going home and he said, 'Monsieur Park. Let's sleep together.' So without thinking too deeply I said, let's go to our house, let's drink and talk all night. And he said, 'Your house has your wife.' Right away I realized. I got goose bumps, so I ran away. After that every time I see him, I ran away. And because of that he started to call me every morning.

'Monsieur Park, I love you.'

'Monsieur Park, don't hate me.'

Every time when that happens, I lulled him and hung up. My wife started to think weird, so she called him and invited him over. She said you shouldn't hurt someone else's feeling. With my poor French I told him I know your feeling, but I'm not gay. But even though, he said he still loves me. So I took him to a book store and bought him bunch of books like book of morality and East Asian culture books. I send him away telling him to read those books. And about a month past, he called and said he understood. And the reason why I was able to adapt to a new school was Eugène let me borrow his note and made me a study guide every time we had a test."

Taeyoung suddenly thought it was funny. To win over this stupid and buttery guy, thinking of a handsome French guy calling him Monsieur Park and showing him his affection was funny. He couldn't hold his laugh.

"Why are you laughing?"

Director Park asked him with curiosity. Taeyoung was thinking, what's the point of this topic. A guy who got raped couldn't cure his scar, or thanks to a gay friend he could safely studied aboard. He figured why the female employees are looking at him with annoyed stares and calling him Monsieur Park Monsieur Park.

"Anyhow it's so hot. Turn on the A.C."

He looked thirsty. He turned on the A.C. But the A.C. did not work.

"It's broken."

"What? Really?"

"You know. If they fix this car during summer for A.C., the heater breaks during winter. If they fix the heater, the A.C. breaks. After last winter, we fixed the heater, and we didn't fix the A.C. yet so it's still broken."

"Damn this old car."

"I heard the boss got this care for free somewhere for the female workers since they are not used to driving a manual. If it's not an automatic, there are some places afford free cars. It's hard to find a free automatic cars."

"Ah, tell them to buy a new car!"

"Even if you tell me, it won't help. Accounting department never listens."

"Damn it."