The Price of Love

Chapter 12: Powerless

Jin

I stared open-mouthed at my father as he sat at his ornate desk. It had been four days since he had been released from the hospital, and he had only waited two days before finding his way back to the offices at KWI.

That was not what had stunned me into silence. It was the announcement that my father had just made concerning Coastal Entertainment and his agreement with its CEO Fred Gettis that left me dumbfounded. I blinked my eyes a few times in confusion.

"Uh, run that by me again," I said finally. "I think I misunderstood."

"Fred and I have agreed that you will marry his daughter so that we can each own shares in our respective companies without having to go through too many legal hoops. Plus Coastal's strong financial position will help bolster KWI so that we can continue to innovate in the hospitality industry--"

"Enough" I interrupted him. "I wanted to think I misunderstood, but unfortunately, I didn't. Is this a joke? You can't just tell me something like that! We're not in the Middle Ages!"

Sunghoon waved a hand in the air dismissively. "Don't be dramatic. You said you wanted to help me, and this is how you can help. Corporate marriages are the most common types of unions in our social circle. You've known about this all your life."

"Which is one of the many reasons I left," I retorted, feeling myself becoming upset. "You can't just order me to marry for the company's sake. I'm an adult. What about what I want?"

"Well, what do you want, Seokjin?" his father asked gruffly. "What do you want that I haven't given you, huh? Money, status, education, not to mention cars, apartments, vacations--what?"

I bristled. "It's not just about giving me things. What about getting to know me and the person I am? What about being a father? You know nothing about me."

"Don't start with that again," the older man scoffed. "What should I know about you, then? I thought you were here to help me not to send me to my grave."

I gulped. "That's not my intention, but I can't marry Gettis's daughter. I already have a girlfriend, and I love her. Madly."

"Madly, is it? That's a mistake. You sound like a silly teenager." Sunghoon's eyes narrowed. "A girlfriend. Huh. Tell me about this girlfriend of yours. What company is her family affiliated with? Maybe we can work something out."

"She's...her family is not a corporate family," I said a little softer.

"I see. No advantage, then." The older man sighed and stared down at his hands. "Let's be reasonable. You will marry the Gettis girl for the good of the company, but you can still keep your girlfriend. Just be discreet. It's not as if it hasn't been done before."

I felt my face get hot. "No!" I exclaimed loudly. "No! I will not do that! I will not ask her to be my--my mistress. That would be an insult. I told you that I love her."

"And I never said you didn't. You love her madly. Fine! All I am saying is that you keep her quietly on the side like any other powerful man would do. I doubt she will leave you. Where else is she going to find a life of luxury with a handsome man like you?"

I was sure my face was registering my horror at his suggestion. I could not believe we were even having this conversation. "Sir, I will not do that. I told her that she could count on me."

My father simply stared at me. "Count on you? Ah, I see. I'm sure I know what she's counting on. I assume you have a physical relationship with her and made an idiot's promise in bed. I expected better from you, Seokjin. Why do you insist on wasting your time with women who want your money?"

I was sure he was talking about Abigail, but I did not rise to the bait. "Bella is special. I want her to be my wife. I'm sorry, but if you insist on this travesty of a marriage, I will leave and never come back. For good this time."

He wasn't angry or shocked. He just studied at me, as if measuring me for how far he could push me. Unfortunately for me, the push was hard.

"If you leave, I will cut you off completely, and I will dilute your entire trust fund," he said.

"Fine!" I cried out. I was determined not to give in to his bullying tactics.

He held up a hand. "I haven't finished. Not only will I do that, but I will find your girlfriend's family," he paused for effect, "and I will ruin them."

I inhaled from the sheer malice of his threat. "You...wouldn't dare. Y-You can't do that."

"Try me, Seokjin," he said slowly. "You should know what I can do."

I clenched my hands into fists at my side, but I stayed silent. Inside, I was so angry that I felt the screams of a thousand demons moving through my body. Outwardly, I gave him no clue as to my emotions. He didn't deserve to know how close I was to breaking. "No," I said again.

I shook my head.  "I will not let you do this.  My answer is no."  My mind immediately called up Bella's loving, trusting, beautiful face. I loved her, and I would not do this.

"Very well." He shuffled through some papers, then picked one up. "Isabella Domani. Education major. Junior year. Parents Carlo and Gloria Domani. Managers of Banquet Catering. Hm. I've always wanted to own another catering business."

I concentrated on breathing in and out, forcing my mind and my body to stay calm. He already knew everything. Of course. I turned my eyes toward him and all of a sudden, I was seventeen years old again. I was an insect with a pin through my body, holding me down. I was powerless, but this time I couldn't just run and hide.

"Father...please," I managed to whisper. "Please," I said, hating the quiver in my voice. "I came here in good faith to--to help you."

"Yes. I thank you for that, and I will give you anything you want," my father said, "but you must do this for me. For KWI. This is the help I need from you."

I turned away and walked stiffly out of his office. I could already feel my eyes filling up with hot tears, but I willed them back. I would not cry in front of anyone, least of all him.