Jeong-ah Joins the Ranks
Office work proceeded as usual. Today was the day the female volunteers who cared for the elderly woman would visit, so I headed to the bank first. After withdrawing cash from my account and arriving at the office, most of the on-duty staff were already there. I got a white envelope from Kim Yeosa, wrote each woman's name on one, stuffed in some cash for transportation expenses, and slipped them into my suit pocket. Then I gathered the on-duty folks for a tea break.
"How's it going with the Women's Committee Chair?"
"What do you mean?"
"Visiting the grandma's place."
"Surprisingly, plenty of folks offered to help, so it's been smooth sailing."
"That's a relief. Set a time and have them come by the office this afternoon."
"Funny you say that—they're all meeting up today anyway."
"Really? What time?"
"We're getting together at 3, then grabbing dinner."
"In that case, dinner's on me."
"If you're covering dinner, you'll have to spring for drinks too, right?"
"Naturally. Book a nice spot. How many are we talking?"
"Me and Kim Yeosa make it ten. You sure you can handle that?"
"Don't worry—just find a good place and reserve it. I'm a guy with nothing but money to burn."
"Pfft, like a secretary's salary is anything to brag about. You gotta save up if you wanna get married."
"One day's fine."
Over lunch and coffee, the Women's Committee Chair and I chatted briefly about the grandma whose grandson had schizophrenia. At 3, they started trickling into the office one by one. Some were familiar faces from the last election; others I was meeting for the first time.
"Welcome."
"Long time no see."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Hope you've been well?"
We exchanged quick greetings and took seats around the table. Kim Yeosa brought out tea, and once everyone was settled, I thanked them profusely and handed out the prepared envelopes.
"It ain't much—I'm no rich guy."
"We don't need this. It wasn't about the money."
"I know. But it'll ease my mind a bit if I at least cover transit. Just think of it as a favor to me and pocket it."
"Secretary Park, money doesn't grow on trees for you either."
"I get a salary, don't I? Paid by taxpayers' money."
"Pfft, this is probably a month's pay."
"Still leaves me a little spare change. Gotta cover smokes and gas to survive."
"Anyway, thanks—we'll put it to good use."
They politely refused at first, but gave in to my stubbornness, accepting the envelopes with bright smiles. Truth be told, no one would've complained without the cash, but volunteering for months without a dime wasn't easy. These small gestures would ease their stress, give them a sense of reward—and stack up in my favor. Hwang the assemblyman or anyone else wouldn't reimburse me for this; it was all out of my pocket. But those little acts would pay off big when I ran someday, turning them into eager grassroots supporters. So I let go of any regret over the expense.
"Thanks so much. Any inconveniences while helping at grandma's? If you've spent anything out of pocket, just tell Kim Yeosa anytime—I'll handle it."
"Nah, that's fine. Buy us a meal now and then."
"You got it—meals anytime."
"Then I'll skip breakfast before coming to the office from now on."
"Do that. Even if you do it every day, I'll fill you up proper."
We'd settled on duck for dinner—women loved it—so we headed to Anchang Village. Straddling the border of Busanjin-gu and Dong-gu, it started as a remote wasteland until Korean War refugees settled there. In the '70s and '80s, workers from Samhwa Rubber and Taehwa Rubber flocked in, forming a community. Now, restaurants lined the roads serving customers, but it was still seen as a low-income neighborhood.
Anyway, we stuffed ourselves on duck in Anchang Village, rode the high to karaoke, and let them belt out tunes and shake off stress. Then coffee shop to wrap it up. That was their treat. I'd been ready to hit a nightclub if they wanted, but no one mentioned it, so I saved a bundle. For now, the grandma situation was off my plate.
After seeing off the volunteers, I called Jeong-ah. A sudden idea for a favor had hit me, and I wanted her firm yes before I forgot—if her schedule allowed, tonight.
"Busy?"
"Whoa? What ya want?"
"Gonna piss me off again. What else?"
"Tch~ Spill it."
"Let's meet. Got a favor to ask."
"Headin' out now?"
"No work?"
"Night shift tonight."
"Then let's grab a quick one."
I left the office, picked her up in Haeundae, and drove to Centum City. We sat by the window overlooking the sea, coffees in hand.
"So, what's up?"
"Take on a side gig."
"What kind?"
"Remember I mentioned it? Helping with Twitter, Facebook, that stuff."
"Yeah. I'll help—what's this about a gig?"
"Gotta get serious now. Election's creeping up."
"Whoa?"
"I'm thinking of running next time."
"Oppa, for real? You're gonna run for assemblyman?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"Then of course I'll help—who else? What do I gotta do?"
"How much you make at the hospital?"
"Peanuts. Under 1.5 mil."
"For real? Even with nights?"
"That's standard for aides. Big university hospitals maybe differ, but small ones like ours? Same story. Private clinics pay even less."
"If I match that salary, will you help me out?"
"Full-time?"
"Not quite, but nobody juggles two full gigs."
"It's fine. Our hospital ain't swamped, so I can do both."
"How much per month, then?"
"Nah, forget it. Cover drinks when we party later."
"Then swing by the office when you're free. Gotta learn the ropes on politics and the boss."
"Got it. Nights I work, I'll hit the office days."
"When you sleep?"
"Can't sleep proper at home anyway."
"Handle that yourself. Come by soon, meet the crew, say hi."
"What, today works. Shoulda just told me to come to the office."
"Anyway, thanks. Hungry?"
"Whatever, Oppa."
"Again. Do that at the office, and I'll lose my mind."
"Fine, I'll watch it. Can't I do lunch with Ara unnie?"
"Won't it be awkward?"
"We've hung out a few times."
"Alright, I'll check with Ara."
Jeong-ah and I went to the library, met Ara, and had lunch together. The two women—polar opposites in vibe—clicked surprisingly well. Knowing each other's situations, it was reassuring to see them get along. Over the meal, I explained why I'd met Jeong-ah and shared that she'd drop by the office whenever possible starting tomorrow. Ara agreed to help out as long as it didn't interfere with her work.
The next morning, the office buzzed with Jeong-ah's arrival. Her bold outfit—skirt so short her panties nearly peeked—jolted everyone's eyes wide. Her brash moves left jaws dropped. The office manager probably tsked inwardly a thousand times without showing it.
"Damn, girl, dress a bit more modest, like I said."
"This is all I got—what ya expect?"
"Fine. Sit first, we'll talk. Hey, everyone, gather round a sec."
I quickly seated Jeong-ah and called the on-duty staff.
"Jeong-ah, stand and greet 'em. This here's our elder statesman, the office manager."
"Hi, I'm Jeong-ah."
"Yes, nice to meet you."
"And this is the Women's Committee Chair."
I introduced everyone one by one, then told the staff Jeong-ah would handle SNS going forward. They nodded amid the surprise, though the Youth Committee Chair and Student Committee Chair stared at her fixedly.
"New member's here— no welcome drinks?"
"Youth Chair buying?"
"If it's my turn, sure."
"Sorry, night shift tonight. Next week on you."
"Night shift? What do you do?"
"Hey, hyungnim, you're old enough—Jeong-ah, what's your gig?"
The Youth Chair showed interest; the Student Chair jumped in with the same question.
"Hospital aide. Nights, gotta clock in by 9 latest."
"Whoa, sounds exhausting. Pulling all-nighters on that body?"
"Used to it now."
"Our Youth and Student Chairs are thrilled. Pretty girl shows up, can't keep it together."
"Aw, come on, Chairwoman. Ain't 'cause she's a girl—new team member, just interested."
"Women gotta be young and pretty, as they say."
"You're plenty pretty yourself, Chairwoman."
"Pfft, only in the office manager's eyes."
Anyway, Jeong-ah livened up the office for a good while. Who wouldn't like a pretty young thing? Especially with her killer figure practically on display—bet it stirred something in every guy there.