34. Be Professional

"Tsk, don't joke around, Brad. That's not funny," grumbled Luna.

Brad, on the other end of the line, chuckled. After his laughter subsided, he said, "I want to talk about the meeting with Kim Min-soo tomorrow."

Luna was taken aback. "How do you know?"

"Why are you surprised? Could it be that you didn't want me to know?" Brad asked.

Luna's face turned red instantly. "No, it's not like that!"

Brad smiled. "Well, I can imagine your face turning red right now."

"Shut up! Just answer my question!" Luna yelled, annoyed.

"Of course, Min-soo informed me too. But before meeting him tomorrow, we should meet first because there's something I want to talk about," said Brad.

"About what?" Luna asked, curious.

Brad sighed. "Be patient, you'll know tomorrow. Okay, I'll wait for you at Ordinal Restaurant at 9 AM. See you tomorrow, my love."

"Geez, stop it!" Luna shouted, and soon Brad's voice was no longer heard.

After ending the call, Luna placed her phone on the nightstand, tried to close her eyes and sleep. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside, a constant reminder of the life bustling beyond her apartment walls. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering irritation from Brad's teasing and the surprise revelation about the meeting. Thoughts swirled in her mind, making it difficult to relax.

Luna glanced at the clock. It was getting late, and she knew she needed to rest. She had a long day ahead, and she couldn't afford to be exhausted. She tried to clear her mind, focusing on the rhythmic sound of her breathing. Gradually, her body began to relax, and the tension in her muscles eased.

She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket closer around her. Slowly, the edges of her consciousness began to blur, and the weight of sleep started to pull her under. Her breathing became more even, and the worries of the day began to fade into the background. The promise of tomorrow, with its potential and uncertainties, was something she would face when the morning came. For now, she allowed herself to rest, knowing that whatever awaited her, she would be ready to handle it.

The gentle hum of the city continued outside her window, a lullaby of sorts, as Luna finally drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep, her mind settling into the calm that had eluded her all evening.

...

Early in the morning at the promised time, Luna stepped into the Ordial Restaurant. She glanced around the room. The restaurant was bathed in the soft, golden light of the morning sun, which filtered gently through the large, floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows offered a stunning view of the city just beginning to wake up, with the streets still relatively quiet and the occasional passerby strolling leisurely. Inside, the restaurant exuded a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The tables were neatly arranged with crisp white tablecloths, each adorned with a small vase of fresh flowers that added a touch of color and life to the room. The polished wooden floors gleamed, reflecting the morning light and enhancing the cozy, yet elegant feel of the space. Comfortable chairs, upholstered in a muted shade, were positioned perfectly around the tables, inviting guests to sit and relax.

The walls were painted in a soothing, light hue, adorned with tasteful artwork that complemented the restaurant's sophisticated yet unpretentious decor. A subtle aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the air, adding to the inviting ambiance.

In one corner of the restaurant, a small bar area featured an array of neatly arranged glasses and bottles, ready for the day's service. The soft murmur of early diners, engaged in quiet conversation, mixed with the gentle clinking of cutlery and plates, creating a serene and pleasant background noise.

Overall, the restaurant in the morning was a haven of tranquility, a perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or an early meeting, enveloped in the peaceful charm of the early hours. However, as her gaze crossed the corner of the room, Luna saw Brad sitting there and waving. She immediately walked over to him.

"Good, you're not late like usual," Brad teased with a smile.

"I'm lucky the traffic wasn't too bad," Luna said, sitting across from Brad. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Wait, after ordering I'll tell you." Brad waved a hand, summoning a waiter.

The waiter handed them the menus, and Brad immediately began scanning the options. He asked, glancing up at Luna. "What are you thinking of having?"

Luna looked thoughtful for a moment, her eyes darting over the various breakfast selections. "I think I'll go for the avocado toast with poached eggs. It sounds delicious and healthy."

Brad nodded approvingly. "That does sound good. I think I'll have the full breakfast platter. I need something hearty to start the day."

The waiter noted down Brad's order and gave them both a polite nod. "Thank you. Your orders will be out shortly."

As the waiter walked away, Brad turned his attention back to Luna. "So, are you ready for the meeting with Kim Min-soo?"

Luna sighed softly, her mind already shifting to the day's upcoming events. "I think so. I'm just curious about what you wanted to discuss before the meeting."

Brad smiled mysteriously. "Patience, Luna. All in good time. Let's enjoy our breakfast first."

Luna chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "You always know how to keep me in suspense."

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee soon filled the air as their drinks arrived. Luna took a sip of her cappuccino, savoring the rich, creamy taste. Brad, meanwhile, enjoyed the robust flavor of his black coffee.

Moments later, their food arrived, beautifully presented on elegant plates. Luna's avocado toast looked vibrant and inviting, with perfectly poached eggs nestled on top. Brad's breakfast platter was a hearty array of eggs, bacon, sausages, and toast, everything looking cooked to perfection. They both dug into their meals, enjoying the delicious flavors and the comforting atmosphere of the restaurant. As they ate, their conversation flowed easily.

"So, tell me what is it?" asked Luna.

"Well, you know getting a job with an overseas production house is not easy. A lot of artists want this opportunity, but you're the lucky one. So, I want you to really mean it, Luna," Brad said.

Luna rolled her eyes. "Of course. You don't need to tell me this, I already know. Besides, when have I ever not taken my work seriously?"

Brad nodded in agreement. "I'm not denying your dedication to your work. But that's not what I meant."

Luna was taken aback, then looked quizzically at her Manager. "Then what do you mean?"

Brad looked seriously at Luna. "I'm warning you not to get emotionally involved with anyone in the production, at least until the movie is finished, because it's very unprofessional and could mess everything up."

Luna was shocked, not expecting to hear those words from Brad. It seems Brad suspected that Luna had a crush on Ha-neul. No wonder Brad had brought it up last night. However, as a woman, of course Luna didn't want to admit it in front of a man, even if that man was her manager and best friend.

"Do you think I really like Min-soo?" Luna asked, somewhat annoyed.

Brad shrugged. "Maybe, it could happen. He's a handsome and charismatic man; it's easy for him to win any woman's heart, Luna."

Luna sighed in frustration. "Believe me, I will always be professional. You should know how I am because we've worked together for years."

Brad didn't respond immediately, instead gazing into Luna's eyes as if trying to gauge the sincerity of her words. However, he soon smiled. "I believe you. Don't worry."

"Good," Luna said curtly.

Brad glanced at his watch. "I think Min-soo will be here soon."

Just as Brad finished speaking, a man and a woman entered the restaurant, drawing everyone's attention. He was a handsome Asian man with neatly styled black hair. He wore a casual outfit that perfectly matched his white pants. His good looks were reminiscent of South Korean celebrities idolized worldwide. It was no surprise that his arrival captured everyone's attention, including Luna and Brad's. Yes, he was Kim Ha-neul, or as Luna and Brad knew him, Kim Min-soo.

Unlike the other patrons, Luna was more surprised to see the woman accompanying Min-soo. She was a beautiful Western woman, around the same age as Luna. However, this wasn't Luna's first time meeting her; they had met many times before. Yes, Luna knew this woman very well.

Luna watched as Min-soo and the woman approached, a tumult of emotions stirring within her. An uncomfortable heat seemed to radiate from her chest, spreading through her body like wildfire. She couldn't quite understand why she felt this way. She struggled to maintain her composure, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of insecurity and confusion. Was it jealousy? Luna had never considered herself a jealous person, yet the sight of Min-soo with someone else evoked a strange mixture of emotions she couldn't easily shake off.