Jeong-ah's Office Charm Offensive
One reason I'd asked Jeong-ah to handle the SNS side was exactly that. No matter how powerful the online world was, it had its limits. Once we'd built up some momentum there, we needed to convert that digital energy into real-world action to form a solid organization—and that organization could then stir up a real storm. If a charming, sexy girl like Jeong-ah got active online, guys would naturally flock to her side. And if we could pick out the good ones from that crowd, the results would speak for themselves.
Anyway, after setting up a spot for Jeong-ah right next to me, I stepped out of the office. It'd be way more comfortable for the Youth Committee Chair and Student Committee Chair if I wasn't hovering around.
I headed outside and called the Office Manager to come out. It had been a while since we'd played a round of billiards, just the two of us.
"Where'd you pick up a girl like that?"
"What do you think, hyung?"
"If she were my daughter, I'd break her legs to keep her home—but for the election, she'll be a huge help. Good call. But you don't think that'll spark a fight between the Youth Chair and Student Chair, do you?"
"No way."
"Hey, even I'm feeling a little stirred up. Imagine how those guys must feel."
"Jeong-ah's got it handled. She's a total vixen."
"Anyway, you've got some real talent. Where do you find gems like that?"
"She'll help with the old man's election, right?"
"It's not about the old man's race—it's gotta help your run, Park Secretary."
"I'm not ready yet."
"Start prepping now. And the old man won't hand over his district easily, so keep that in mind."
"Got it. They say even parents don't yield their turf to their kids."
"If it doesn't work out, think about switching districts."
"It's not that stage yet. Once the old man heads to the center, things might shift."
"Don't count on it. Greed has no end."
"Yeah, don't worry too much, hyung. Let's play a game first. Dinner's on me tonight."
"Fine. That's why you're still my easy mark."
"I'm not the old me. I've been sharpening my edge since heading to Seoul."
In the end, I lost the game. Truth be told, I was planning to buy dinner anyway, but I was fired up as I headed back to the office. What I saw there was a sight: the Youth Committee Chair and Student Committee Chair stuck to Jeong-ah like cicadas on a tree. She was winning them over with her bright smiles left and right.
Even at dinner, the two wouldn't leave her side. And after eating, back at the office, they showed no signs of heading home. When I finally tried to take Jeong-ah and leave, they shot me resentful glares.
"Having fun?"
"Yeah, they're so innocent, lol."
"Don't stir them up too much. They might start fighting."
"I was just overdoing it a bit to feel them out. No need to worry, oppa."
"Yeah, you'll handle it. Thanks to you, those guys'll be showing up to the office regularly now."
"So what do I do starting tomorrow?"
"Come in, skim all the materials on the old man, read my old posts. That way you'll get who he is. Gotta know the product to sell it."
"Got it. But earlier, those guys were pitching tents hard."
"Girl, dressed like that and strutting around—who wouldn't stand at attention? If not, they'd have the problem."
"What about you, oppa?"
"I'm immune by now."
"Do guys really find me that hot?"
"Yep, no doubt."
"Guess you're right. Hospital patients whispering behind my back used to annoy me. So what now?"
"What do you mean? Just live with your lot. Anyway, work hard and drop by the office whenever you have time starting tomorrow."
"Okay. Thanks for the ride."
From the next day, Jeong-ah showed up at the office almost every day without fail. Her hours varied with her shifts, but she stopped by once a day like a full-timer. Whenever she came in, I'd fill her in on stories about the old man and the current political scene, tips on growing Twitter followers, and sometimes help her post politics-related stuff on her SNS. Little by little, she was becoming one of the family.
"Secretary, come in here a sec."
Assemblyman Hwang, down from the district, called me into his room. I went in with a memo summarizing everything that had gone down at the district party office. I set the stack of A4 pages I'd prepped for my report in front of him and was about to start when he spoke first.
"Who's that girl?"
"To help with SNS, I asked her to volunteer a few days ago."
"What does she do?"
"She's a nurse's aide at a general hospital in Gu-po."
"Does she have the time?"
"She's super passionate. Shifts vary, but she comes by once a day without fail."
"Really? How about hiring her on salary?"
"That'd be tough. We're not even paying the current party staff—if we paid just her, there'd be backlash."
"Call her in for a bit."
I opened the door and brought Jeong-ah inside.
"Come sit here."
"Yes."
Assemblyman Hwang had her sit in front of him and chatted her up, listening to her answers. It was natural enough, but I couldn't help noticing his eyes drifting to her half-open cleavage now and then. Whether she knew or not, she just smiled brightly and laughed along with his words, answering smoothly.
"Isn't hospital work tough?"
"It's fun."
"Then why live out instead of commuting from home? Boyfriend?"
"Not a boyfriend—just circumstances."
"Okay. Anyway, help out a lot."
"Yes, Assemblyman."
After she left, I reported on district happenings, but he seemed annoyed, half-listening. Then he ordered a dinner with the party staff that evening. I went out, announced the assemblyman-hosted dinner, and urged not just staff but available key members to join. Suddenly, the staff buzzed into action. It was a prime chance for them to shine in front of influential members close to them. Around quitting time, Jeong-ah started tidying her spot as usual.
"Oppa, I'm heading out."
"Yeah, say bye to the assemblyman first."
"Assemblyman, Jeong-ah's clocking out."
"Why? Join the dinner?"
"My shift starts soon."
"Night shift means going in late, right?"
"Gotta be at the hospital by 8:30. I'll join next time."
"At least eat dinner first."
"Jeong-ah, do what the assemblyman says."
"Yes, got it. I will."
At reservation time, the old man and staff headed to the restaurant.
"Jeong-ah, right? Sit here by me."
The old man patted the seat next to him. Jeong-ah glanced at me for approval, and I nodded. That crumpled the Student Committee Chair's face—he'd been eyeing that spot. With the old man there, I had no time to relax and eat; greeting and seating all the party members who'd shown up to make their faces known to him after so long was all on me. The old man, with Jeong-ah beside him, was in high spirits, laughing and chatting loudly. Who wouldn't enjoy a pretty, lively girl like her at their side?
Jeong-ah had a few shots of soju with dinner, got swept up in the vibe, ditched her shift thoughts, and even hit a nightclub with the staff, partying till the end. The old man—with her next to him—made a rare stage appearance, shaking it with her, and at the staff's prodding(?), danced blues with the Women's Committee Chair, Jeong-ah, and a few other women. After he left, I said goodbyes to staff and key members, then took Jeong-ah to drop her home.
"Why'd you skip work?"
"He kept pouring soju, and begging me to take the day off and stay—how could I say no?"
"Girl, just 'cause he says that doesn't mean you blow off work."
"Dunno. But he was kinda off."
"How?"
"Dancing blues, his hand kept going for my butt. And his thing was rock-hard—I had to dodge."
"Old man's got issues. All guys are like that—cut him some slack, Jeong-ah."
"Eh, no big deal. Just weird 'cause he's a congressman."
"Girl, congressmen are human too. Nothing special."
"True. But why aren't you like that, oppa? Other guys pop tents just looking at me."
"Think I haven't seen you do your thing once or twice? Your boyfriend gets hard every time too, right?"
"He does, but he doesn't know how to handle it."
We bantered pointlessly till I pulled up to her place. I dropped her off and turned toward home.
"Oppa, you've been so busy lately?"
"Yeah, sorry, Ara-ya."
"Old man came down suddenly—couldn't even call."
"Where are you now?"
"Heading home."
"I miss you so much."
"Sorry. I'll swing by the library tomorrow afternoon."
"Can't you come see me now, just for a bit?"
"This late? Where are you?"
"Home, duh."
"Girl, going out at night worries your mom."
"Just say I'm grabbing something at the convenience store. I really miss you."
"Alright. But just a quick face-see, then straight home."
"Yeah! So you'll come?"
"I'll call when I hit the neighborhood."