Park Soo Myun sat in the head office of the organisation. The offices outside of his office visible through the glass walls, he looked out at his employees, all of them well dressed and busy. They owned the building all 50 floors of it but rented out most of it to avoid suspicion. Their businesses the kept to the 40th floor and up.
Beside him was his personal secretary he never let leave his side because he knew too much. He was a young lad, neat, organised and quick witted. He had keen eyes and was very observant. Most importantly he carried out orders precisely, that's all Park Soo Myun cared about.
Park Soo Myun casually rolled a bag through his fingers, it contained small black pearl balls.
“Another shipment should be arriving next month.” Hyun Bin the secretary spoke while looking through the files on his tablet.
“Is it delayed?” Park Soo Myun sneered.
Hyun Bin froze, then spoke firmly, “Rerouted, it was being tracked by some authorities, we don’t know who tipped them off yet.”
“That's the third time this month,” Park Soo Myun stood from his seat and got into Hyun Bin’s space. Although Hyun Bin was taller than the older man, he was still intimidated by him.
“This should be the last time you are comfortable reporting your incompetence to me. Otherwise I’ll drop you in the ocean with the next delayed shipment.”
Hyun Bin swallowed audibly, he took a deep breath but didn’t respond. Park Soo Myun clapped Hyun Bin’s shoulders.
“Don’t look so distressed, I have a job for you. Hire some people, quietly, and dispose of some trash for me.”
“Sir?” Hyun Bin asked.
“Asa, she’s flying a little too close to the sun, she still thinks she can take my position from me. I don’t have time to entertain her anymore. Get rid of her, I don’t care how.”
Park Soo Myun sat back down in his seat and Hyun Bin breathed a quiet sigh of relief, he started to walk towards the door to leave when he heard Park Soo Myun clear his throat he turned and a bag came flying at him, he caught it reflexively.
It was the bag of drugs, Hyun Bin looked at the small black balls and then back at his boss questioningly.
“Make it humiliating.” Park Soo Myun smiled, pulling his wrinkled facial features into something that mimicked a grin.
Hyun Bin bowed and left with the bag in his hands.
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The sun started to light up a very pristine bedroom as the window shields retracted automatically. Hoseok woke up with fatigue lingering in his bones, there was nothing refreshing about his sleep nowadays. It became worse as the days until he met the woman his mother had arranged for him to meet drew near.
Today was that day and he did not look forward to it. Yet he would soldier through the bland affair and get right back to work.
He prepared routinely, once dressed he situated himself gracefully against his kitchen counter sipping an italian brand of coffee that permeated the air throughout the house.
His maid sat on the other side of his island unit and sipped coffee from her own cup. She had worked for him for as long as he remembers having this house, she came with him when he left his mother’s home so he just accustomed himself to having her there in the mornings and seeing her off at night.
She was a middle aged woman, her hair only beginning to grey yet a stern look to her features that made her seem far too distinguished.
“She wants me to get married, I have you, why would I need anyone else to take care of me?” Hoseok scoffed over his cup humorlessly.
Mrs Go Jung Eum just watched him as he did so, she made sure he was done before she herself put in a word.
“At least meet the girl, who knows, you might even like her.” Mrs Go said.
Hoseok rubbed his face, sighing in exasperation, his hand was still on his face when he began to speak.
“That’s not the problem. Ajhumma? When does it end?” He fully faced her now and heard the desperation in his own voice, he tried to cover it up by clearing his throat and picking up his tablet and phone.
Hoseok walked out of the kitchen without another word and Mrs Go didn’t stop him.
He walked out of his gate where a car was waiting for him, his secretary rushed out of the car in a crisp suit, and opened the door for Hoseok who stepped into it casually. The door closed behind him and a few seconds later the seat beside him was occupied.
The car drove off and no sooner than it did than his secretary began explaining his schedule for the day.
Most of the items were just like the usual, meetings, interviews and inspections. Only two were unlike the others.
“Your lunch will be with Ms Park Soo Min, and after that you’ll be meeting a client at the same venue for the advertisement deal.”
Hoseok was confused for a moment, He turned to his secretary, “Who am I having lunch with?”
“The blind date your mother organised. And may I say, you two would look great together.”
“But?” Hoseok asked, sensing it from a mile away.
“You are going to ignore her the whole time. You’re planning on sabotaging this aren’t you?” Secretary Choi looked at him with an accusatory gaze and Hoseok stared right back then he huffed and looked away.
“It won’t kill you to actually look forward to this date, God forbid you even enjoy yourself. She looks like a lovely person, here take a look.”
“I don’t need to.” Hoseok shoves the phone away, “I’m meeting her this afternoon either way so just stop and tell me what’s for the rest of the day.”
“Yes sir.”
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“PARK SOO MYUN!!!!” Asa shouted at the top of her lungs after hearing what Hana had come into her office at the hospital to tell her.
Asa threw her name plate across the room, it rebounded against the wall and thudded to the ground all while Hana watched calmly from beside her.
“Done?” Hana asked.
Asa just panted as her head whipped to glare at Hana, “What are we going to do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure, arranging a marriage between his daughter and the chairwoman’s son is a good move on Park Soo Myun’s part. Considering it leaves you no more options.” Hana hummed as she summed everything up, “I’m actually kind of impressed with Park Soo Myun, he must have anticipated our next move.”
“Hana I asked for solutions, not whatever this is.”
“There’s nothing we can do but observe the situation.” Hana replied, speaking carefully.
“You still need to get as close as possible.” Hana concluded and Asa nodded.
“I’m meeting him today, let’s see how we can handle things going forward. But we need eyes on Park Soo Myun, I feel like he’s up to something.”
“When is he not?” Hana replied leaning against the desk, her lips looked so shiny they reflected the morning light.
Hana noticed Asa staring but didn’t allow herself to dwell on it. Hana pushed herself off the desk and started to walk out of the office.
“Alright, I’ll get some eyes on him. Anything else Boss?”
Asa shook her head and Hana left.
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The Lounge bustled, people in classy attire having light conversation over their meals. The aromas wafting through the room were tantalizing, mixed with expensive perfumes and colognes.
Hoseok was seated at a table set for two at the far corner of the room besides the window. He stared as the cars drove through the streets a storey below.
He took a sip of water out of a clear glass, and then pulled his jacket sleeve from his wrist checking for the time.
As he dropped his arm he turned to look at the entrance of the lounge, a dark haired woman walked in as though slowing time with each step. She was gorgeous, round dark piercing eyes that focused instantly on him. A slight build with delicate features but a powerful aura surrounding her.
Hoseok took a moment before he stood up to greet her. He reached out his hand and she shook it courteously.
“Park Soo Min?” Hoseok asked.
She nodded with a bit of a smile on her face. “Kim Hoseok. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Hoseok chuckled as he led her to her seat and as she sat down he pushed the seat in for her.
“Nothing good I presume.” He rounded the table to his own seat.
“Quite the contrary, very interesting things came up.” She replied.
Hoseok heard the tone in her voice and was too curious to let it pass. “Is that right?”
“Yes. One can never be too prepared when meeting a stranger. Oh and, what a whirlwind of a life you’ve had.” She said lightly, her voice hardly carrying over the rest of the noise.
But Hoseok heard every word a bit too clearly, a frown formed on his face.
Soo Min chuckled, “Relax, there’s nothing about you I can't manage.”
“Why would you have to manage anything?” Hoseok replied, taking another drink of water as he gestured for the waiter to take their order.
“Ultimately you know what our parents want from us.” She started as she only took a glance at the menu and ordered immediately. If she hadn’t just admitted to digging into his past he might have found that extremely attractive. Honestly, he still found it attractive.
Hoseok cleared his throat and quickly ordered as well.
“I do, ultimately. And you’re resigned to it?” Hoseok asked curiously.
“Yes, I am.” Soo Min responded “Why?” Hoseok asked flustered, “Isn’t there more to your life than being told who you should spend the rest of it with?”
“There are obligations that come with being a child from a wealthy family. The sooner you come to terms with that, the easier life becomes as well.”
Hoseok’s frown got even deeper, the food had arrived several minutes ago but he hadn’t even noticed. Mostly because he was too astounded by what Soo Min was saying.
“So you’ve never thought you’d miss out on marrying someone you actually love?” Hoseok asked. Soo Min smiled and said.
“Oh Jae Hwa.”
Hoseok went rigid at the mention of that name, his upper lip curving slightly.
“Your, half brother’s wife, your former fiance. Perhaps, do you still love her?” Soo Min chuckled at Hoseok who was glaring at her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Hoseok replied.
“All I’m saying is, this could be a mutually beneficial arrangement for the both of us if you allow it. I don’t plan on letting anyone keep me from the one I love. Not even my husband.” Soo Min finalised and Hoseok was understanding suddenly that this woman was not at all as she seemed.
Hoseok did not have any reason to oppose this, but still he hesitated.
“I’ll think it over.” He said.
“Delightful.” Soo Min said in a cheery manner, she got up from her seat at the table and rounded over to his side, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek and whispered in his ear.
“For the news articles, try to look happy to see me.” She giggled and Hoseok flashed a slow but devastatingly handsome smile up at her which under different circumstances would have made her heart flutter. It did, her fluttered but she would deny it to her grave.
She picked up her bag from the table and touched his arm as a gesture that she was leaving. He decided to play it up for those watching them specifically to tell their parents.
He let her hand slide down to his elbow and she began to walk away but he reached his hand out to hold hers, she looked back at him and smiled shyly and then he softly let her hand go as she walked away. She left with two bodyguards and an assistant all waiting for her at the entrance.
When she was gone he sighed softly, already exhausted.
“Sir, your next appointment will be within the hour. The client requested to meet over drinks at the bar. How should I respond?” Secretary Choi rushed over with a cunning look on his face, possibly decieved by the little show they put on for on lookers. Hoseok didn't even try to correct him.
“Yes.” Hoseok replied, rubbing his face. “Drinks sound good.”
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