BIDDING ON LOVE
Yoona made a beeline for the powder room, needing a moment to collect herself before meeting with the gallery chairwoman. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, taking deep breaths to steady her racing heart. The annoyance from her confrontation with Junho still simmered beneath the surface, but she couldn’t afford to let it show. She splashed a bit of cold water on her face, patted it dry, and reapplied a touch of makeup. Satisfied that she looked composed, Yoona squared her shoulders and headed to the small meeting room.
Inside, Miho Go, the formidable chairwoman, greeted Yoona warmly, congratulating her on the event. Miho’s eyes, though kind, were perceptive. “I understand the auction didn’t quite meet our target figures,” she said, her voice gentle but direct. “Please submit the terminal report by Monday afternoon. It’s important that we analyze what happened and ensure we’re better prepared for future events.”
Yoona agreed then Ms. Go added, “Please also arrange a meeting with the rest of the board members for the end of day Monday. We need to discuss tonight’s auction and start planning for the 25th anniversary and year end event. It’s crucial that we deliver a flawless performance for such a significant milestone.”
Feeling a mix of exhaustion and resolve, Yoona assured Miho that everything would be ready. As she left, she reflected on the night's challenges, particularly the complications caused by Junho. Determined to rise above setbacks, Yoona focused on preparing the report and planning the crucial meeting, confident in her ability to overcome difficulties as she always had.
—
Monday morning dawned with a sense of urgency for Yoona. She arrived at Aphrodite Galleries early, ready to tackle the mountain of paperwork awaiting her. The weekend had done little to quell her frustration from Friday night’s events, and she felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her.
The first task was the terminal report that Ms. Go had requested. Yoona and her team buried themselves in spreadsheets, financial summaries, and bid analysis, carefully crafting a comprehensive overview of the auction’s outcomes.
Her stomach growled as lunchtime approached, but Yoona was too engrossed in her work to stop. The clock seemed to move faster, and before she knew it, the early afternoon had slipped away. Just as she was finalizing the last section of the report, her phone rang.
“Ms. Lim, good afternoon,” said the receptionist on the other side, “There’s a delivery for you from the San-San Group. It’s quite large—snacks, refreshments, pastries, crisps, coffee, tea, and juices for the entire office.”
Yoona’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “From Junho Lee?” she asked, trying to mask her immediate suspicion.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s also a personal note addressed to you.”
Yoona felt a mix of curiosity and annoyance. What was Junho playing at now? She instructed the receptionist to have them brought to their floor pantry. The delivery person handed her a small envelope containing a note, which read:
Dear Yoona,
Congratulations on the successful event last Friday. I hope these refreshments help keep your team motivated for future successes. Also, I’d like to discuss our business further at your earliest convenience.
— Junho Lee
The note was signed with a flourish, professional yet with an unmistakable undertone of flirtation. Yoona’s mind flashed back to their heated exchange and found the gesture both sarcastic and confusing. Was this another one of his schemes?
Yoona felt her irritation rise. She walked to the office pantry, where her team was eagerly diving into the spread. She deliberately avoided the snacks, not wanting to feel indebted to Junho in any way.
By 4 PM, the board meeting began. Yoona sat at the head of the table, the terminal report in front of her and the 10 board members, ready for scrutiny. Yoona took a deep breath and began her presentation. She highlighted the event’s accomplishments, noting the high attendance and the overall positive feedback. However, she didn’t shy away from the fact that they had not met their financial targets.
“The lower-than-expected bids were primarily due to external factors,” Yoona explained, choosing her words carefully. “Several bidders expressed doubts, likely influenced by certain individuals’ comments.”
Ms. Go nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s crucial we address these issues in our communications strategy for future events. We can’t afford similar disruptions, especially with our 25th anniversary auction approaching.”
The discussion then shifted to the upcoming milestone event. The centerpiece of the auction would be the Salvation Necklace, previously owned by Junho’s family.
“We need to ensure this event is flawless,” Ms. Go stated. “Ms. Lim, what’s the status on the Salvation Necklace?”
Yoona hesitated briefly before speaking. “San-San Group, specifically Mr. Junho Lee’s team, has initiated talks about retrieving the heirloom piece. We have discussed legal options, and I offered a deal which he refused.”
The board members exchanged glances, intrigued by the mention of the San-San Group. Mr. Park, one of the senior board members, leaned forward. “The San-San Group is a significant player. Building ties with them could be beneficial. Their gesture today with the refreshments shows goodwill. We should capitalize on that.”
Ms. Go nodded in agreement. “Ms. Lim, can you please send a thank-you email to Mr. Lee? Emphasize our appreciation and express our interest in future partnerships.”
Yoona forced a smile and nodded. “Sure, I’ll do that.”
The meeting continued with detailed discussions on improving their communication strategy and solidifying plans for the anniversary auction. As it drew to a close, Ms. Go gave Yoona a final directive.
“Ms. Lim, the board is entrusting you with making the 25th anniversary event our most successful auction yet. Additionally, we need to resolve the matter of the Salvation Necklace. Given the financial impact of last Friday’s event, final settlements on our main event piece is more critical than ever.”
Mr. Park added, “We’ve heard about the rare jewel, Amor, that Mr. Lee’s father, Mr. Heo Saek, knows the location of. It could be a game-changer. I think that piece is our best option while talks about the Salvation Necklace is still ongoing. Your team has to find a way to reach out to him, perhaps through Junho Lee.”
Yoona’s heart sank slightly at the thought. She had already tried to strike a deal with Junho to help her contact his father, but he had refused vehemently. Nevertheless, she nodded, determined to find a way.
“Understood. I’ll do everything I can to secure the Amor jewel,” Yoona said, her voice resolute.
The meeting adjourned, and Yoona returned to her office, her mind swirling with the weight of the board’s expectations. She sat down at her desk and opened her laptop, staring at the blank email draft for what felt like an eternity. The memory of Junho’s underhanded tactics during the auction still stung, and she couldn’t shake the bewilderment and irritation that his gesture of snacks and refreshments had stirred in her.
What is he playing at? she wondered, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. The note he sent was as perplexing as it was infuriating—congratulatory and professional on the surface, yet laced with an undertone she couldn’t quite decipher. And now, on top of everything, the board wanted Aphrodite Galleries to foster a deeper relationship with San-San Group. The irony of the situation was not lost on her.
After several minutes of contemplation, Yoona started drafting the email. She kept the tone polite and formal, carefully avoiding any hint of the frustration still simmering beneath her composed exterior.
Subject: Thank You for Your Generous Gesture
Dear Mr. Lee,
I wanted to extend my gratitude for the snacks and refreshments you sent to Aphrodite Galleries today. Your thoughtful gesture was appreciated by all.
Additionally, looped in this email is my assistant, Hana. She will be reaching out next week to schedule our discussion about exploring potential avenues for collaboration.
Best regards,
Yoona Lim
After proofreading the email multiple times to ensure it was perfect, she hit ‘Send,’ then leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply.
With her laptop closed, she stood up and began gathering her things, ready to end her day. The tasks ahead were daunting, but Yoona was determined to face them head-on. Despite the lingering irritation and confusion over Junho’s actions, she knew she couldn’t afford to let personal feelings interfere with her professional responsibilities. As she left the office, her mind was already strategizing the next steps for the upcoming anniversary auction and the inevitable interactions with Junho Lee.
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