Because It's You - Hwang Inyeop

Fourteen

A lot of pictures regarding In-youp and Ji-hoon's fight circulate on the internet. In-youp has already confessed to his manager about her relationship with Hee-soon and he promised not to tell the CEO if they promise not to see each other in the meantime until the issue subsides. They have no other choice but to follow In-youp's manager. However, the news is fast as lightning, and the news about In-youp having a girlfriend already reached his office.

An unknown girl is the cause of Hwang In-youp and Lee Ji-hoon's Heated Argument

The CEO faced his laptop to In-youp and showed one of the trending articles circulating the internet. "Who is this girl?" The CEO eyed him. In-youp remained silent and avoided looking at the article.

"He's a friend of In-youp, Mr. Shin," In-youp's manager answered for him. "He was --" He was not able to finish his sentence when In-youp interrupted.

"She was not the reason why Ji-hoon and I fought," he said as he gave the CEO an irritated stare. He doesn't like the idea of bringing Hee-soon into this problem.

"Yah! In-youp!" His manager elbowed him. He clearly instructed In-youp earlier not to say anything and leave all explanations to him.

"Really?" Mr. Shin said as he fixed his glasses over the bridge of his nose. "Enlighten me then."

"I believe you still remember Lee A-yeong," he said and gave the CEO a serious look. The CEO was taken aback upon hearing the name. "I told you that I should go to her funeral at that time. Now his brother is accusing me. He saw me having a heated argument with A-yeong at her party and now he thinks I am the reason behind her suicide." He raised his voice.

"If we let you go to that funeral do you think you will be the rising star everyone loves right now?" The CEO raised his voice as well. "Do you think you will attain the fame you have right now?!"

"No," he quickly answered without thinking twice. "I don't think I will be this famous if I did. However, I will be out of anxiety thinking whether A-yeong's family will accept my apology. I will have no worry thinking that A-yeong's family won't think that I am the reason behind her suicide."

Mr. Shin was not able to say anything because everything In-youp said was true. In-youp took the silence of the company's CEO an opportunity to continue explaining himself. "I know that the purpose of shutting every article regarding that issue was for my own good and I am thankful for that. However, even if I fall for doing what is right, I'll make sure to climb back up again no matter what happens. So please let me handle this problem now." In-youp stood up from his seat and looked at Mr. Shin with his eyes full of hope. "Let me handle this properly this time."

In-youp bowed at the CEO as a sign of respect before going out of the office, leaving the CEO and his manager. Both of them were shocked at the bravery displayed by In-youp. The manager turned to the CEO with an apologetic look. He was already preparing himself for a lot of sermons but he was astonished at what the CEO said.

"He grew up in this industry well," he said and smiled at the CEO. "We did a good job hiring him in this company. You did a good job looking after him." He said and patted the manager's shoulder. Both of them smiled in content remembering how In-youp defended himself earlier.

As In-youp got out of the CEO's office, he dialed Ji-hoon's number which he got from his sources. "Are you free today?" He asked as soon as Ji-hoon picked up the phone.

Upon recognizing In-youp's voice, Ji-hoon snickered. "You have the guts to call me. Alright, since you sound desperate, let's meet at my office."

"No, let's meet at your house. I don't want to just explain myself to you but your parents as well." He firmly said as he made this decision when Hee-soon asked him to be worry-free.