Chapter Text
Chapter 1: This Little Worker Ant
Dong Sik sat at his desk trying to finish a file for a client when a head popped up beside him. Park Jae Ho was staring at him with a slight smile. Dong Sik knew what was coming, it always came on Friday evenings.
“Dong Sik, can you finish this for me?” He turned the smile into a pout and stared at him. “I really have to get home, and I know you don’t have anything you need to do.” Dong Sik felt a little frustrated at the comment. Even if he didn’t have anything to do, the work week was tiring enough without the extra work. He was exhausted. Dong Sik smiled gently.
“Yeah, no problem.” Dong Sik nodded. His eyes returned back to the screen and a bang of paper being dropped on his desk caused him to jump. He saw the mountain that he would have to finish, and he sighed. He promised himself that he would work on saying ‘no’ to things that he really didn’t need to agree on. Or limiting on how many times he helped his coworkers.
“Hey, Jae Ho hyungnim!” Seok Hyun waved. “Want to go get drinks with us?” Dong Sik looked up. Jeong A and Mi Joo were standing there waiting.
“Of course!” He patted Dong Sik on the shoulder on his way by. Not one of them even looked at him. He was invisible. He sighed and turned back to the computer. Maybe later he would get home and watch The Invisible Man. He focused in so he could get home.
The hours ticked by as he worked, just a few more papers and he would be finished. The clock was nearing eleven and he hadn’t moved since six. Exhaustion had set in. He rubbed his eyes roughly and stood up, stretching his arms to the ceiling. Looking around he took his jacket and headed up to the top of the roof. His body felt heavy with the weight of a full week of working more than sixteen-hour days. He needed to exercise more and eat more vegetables. Though the scale told him he was on the closer side of being underweight, he wanted to get stronger and healthier.
The elevator dinged signifying its arrival and he walked in with his head down. He accidentally knocked into someone causing them to drop their phone. His head jerked up at the contact. A handsome, tall man in a sharp suit that screamed ‘hey I’m rich’ stood looking at him with sharp dark eyes. Dong Sik bent down quickly.
“I’m sorry.” A sharp movement, a quick hand reached down and snatched the phone before he could touch it. Dong Sik stood up slowly. His face was red, a heat of embarrassment raced through his body. The elevator doors had already closed, or he would have gotten off. “I’m really sorry.” Dong Sik bowed. The man stared at him with such hate that Dong Sik hit the button for the nearest floor so he could get off.
“What’s your name?” The cold voice asked. Dong Sik swallowed noticeably and uncomfortably. Dong Sik turned to face the man, he needed this job. He could tell this man wasn’t one for crying or sniveling. He looked cold and calculated. Dong Sik bowed his head.
“My name is Yook Dong Sik.” He looked up and found himself staring at the chin of the man. “I’m really sorry about running into you.” Dong Sik tried again.
“Yook Dong Sik, never heard of you.” The man said sliding the phone into his pocket. His hair was perfect, his suit was perfect, and Dong Sik could tell this man was important. He curled his lip in a hint of disgust. Dong Sik took a step back from the man. The man smiled at the movement. “At least you know your place don’t you Dong Sik?” He took a step closer, the elevator dinged. Jerking Dong Sik bowed to the man, repeating a sorry and exited hurriedly. The man chuckled, hitting the buttons to keep the doors open. Dong Sik was frozen staring at the man.
“I’ll see you later Yook Dong Sik.” He let the doors slide close as the elevator took off. Yook Dong Sik felt for the first time in a long time a true since of pure unhindered fear. He could feel the danger from that man and knew he should avoid him in the future.