“…Thank you for choosing Haneul Airlines, Miss Kim Taehee,”

“Of course, I’m honored and glad that I chose your company to be my sponsor.” The woman signed the contract with confidence.

Taehyun could only watch as he stood by the CEO’s side. He didn’t know what made him more nervous—standing near one of Korea’s most beautiful faces or his boss. He had stood in this position multiple times, watching the CEO make arrangements with celebrities from all around the world as he assigned them an aircraft and a personal pilot. It was more than just choosing a plane and team for someone famous—this was a business deal where both sides benefited. Haneul Airlines would be promoted at all times by that famous person and in return, that famous person would get private flights anywhere, at any time.

“Is he my pilot?” Taehee turned around and flashed a smile towards Taehyun, a smile he had seen numerous times in magazines and on billboards.

Taehyun flushed pink as he looked at her. She was even more pretty in person. He glanced at his boss for help with an expression of uncertainty.

CEO Park chuckled and shook his head. “Oh no, this person is…” He shook his head. “He’s someone who may take over a part of the company one day, thus I allow him to watch the process.” He cleared his throat. “Come on now.” He stood up and held an arm out towards the door. “I’ll take you to your plane and we can meet your team.”

They left the room, leaving Taehyun standing by the desk with his head bowed slightly as they took their leave. He stood up straight and paced around the CEO’s empty office for nearly an hour.

It was strange; his office was cold and uninviting. It was too formal and lacked everything that Haneul Airlines was supposed to be—family-oriented and comfortable. Taehyun looked around in curiosity, his eyes scanning every corner of the room. He did this every time in case he missed a spot, but his eyes didn’t trick him. The CEO didn’t even have a family portrait up.

Taehyun turned around when the door opened. “Dad—”

“CEO Park,” the old man grumbled. “We’re at work.”

Taehyun nodded. But there’s no one here. “CEO Park,” he corrected himself. “When can I…?”

His father raised an eyebrow. “When can you what?”

“Can’t I be someone’s personal pilot?” he asked. “There are people who have been working under you for less than a year and you’ve already—”

“Because I know them, Taehyun. They have flown for other companies and I know they can do well. These men and women have flown in all sorts of conditions for many years before coming to me,” the CEO said. “But if that’s what you want, I’ll look into it for you.”

“Why can’t I tell people you’re my father?”

The CEO flinched, he sat at his desk and sighed. “Taehyun, this is a business. It just happened that way. The public didn’t know I had a son when I started out in this industry and there’s no reason for them to know. It’s fine. The stocks are doing great, the company has had no fallouts, and I’d prefer that my personal life is kept personal.”

“But even the staff amongst our company don’t know—”

“Taehyun, that’s enough.” the CEO snapped. “You know your mother isn’t around anymore. It’s not something I like talking about in front of you, let alone the company. People have mouths, Taehyun. I don’t need any of this getting out.”

The pilot cowered under the CEO’s words. “I’m sorry,” Taehyun whispered. “I’ll stop asking.”

His father loosened up the tie around his neck. “I’ll let you know if any opportunities come up.”