Love Letter to My Loser | Kim Taehyung [ONGOING]

Chapter 13

"Well this engagement really caught every mogul by surprise."

The interviewer flipped through his notebook. "Exactly how long has this romance lasted?" I looked at Sian and he answered. "We haven't known each other very long but there's a lot of qualities we admire about each other."

The interviewer nodded. "Oh, I'm sure.", he said. "You both come from prestigious families so you must share a lot of things in common." I couldn't help but chuckle. "It was the opposite, actually.", I said. "We weren't exactly fond of each other." I caught a glimpse of my step-mom's glares in the corner of the room and I immediately backtracked. "But we gave each other time to adjust...", I continued. "So it's not so bad anymore."

"Is that so? You know many forums have actually been questioning the validity of your relationship."

"...They have?"

"They say its just a ploy for Kang Corporation and Lee Company to dominate the current market. Is there any truth to this?"

The interviewer was exactly right but it threw me off guard. Sian's expression turned sour and he shifted in discomfort. "Outsiders would have zero understanding of our business affairs.", Sian responded. "Whether or not this relationship is beneficial to our companies, it doesn't concern anyone."

The interviewer took Sian's hostility as a challenge. "Well, I certainly didn't mean to offend one of the smartest men in the industry right now.", he said. "Your track record is insane for a 20 year old. Do you think your father inspired you to become such a promising legacy?"

Mentioning his dad annoyed Sian even more. "My father made the importance of our company very clear.", he replied. "To ask if he's my inspiration... I can't answer that." Sian grew more upset and I held his hand to calm him down. "Tough love is... tough.", replied the interviewer. "But I'm sure you know that by now."

Sian was about ready to pounce but I squeezed his hand. "To divert from Sian, it was much harder to find information on you.", the interviewer continued. "The lack of recent accomplishments puts a lot of pressure on your reputation, Byul. But I suppose your looks can make up for that."

After getting a feel of his character, I didn't let the back handed compliment affect me much. He just wants a reaction so I'll give him the opposite. "I believe I have a lot of talents that are useful. Not just my appearance.", I said calmly.  The interviewer smiled and I became suspicious. "Oh I'm sure you do.", he said.

"In fact, my team did some digging and found documented recognition of your piano skills.", he continued. "Apparently, you've been playing since you were 3 years old. Is that correct?" I reluctantly nodded. "Top excellence awards, traveling abroad, and taught by the talented musician Go Hyunjung.", he continued. "I find that to be very interesting. What's even more interesting is all these records date back a little over 6 years ago."

My heart rate accelerated anticipating his question. "Could that possibly be tied to your biological mother's car crash?" My step-mom became fed up and immediately stopped the interview. "We're done here.", she said. "I'll transfer double the amount if that article doesn't get posted."

"We were just getting started."

"I'll pay triple. Now leave."

My step-mom followed the satisfied asshole out and I sat frozen. "I'm not letting that prick leave without a black eye." I stopped Sian before he made a fool of himself. "He just wants a story.", I said. "It was never about an interview."

"I don't care. He crossed the line too many times and we just let him."

"If he's okay with blatantly disrespecting us, imagine what everyone else says in those forums?"

"Byul's right.", said my step-mom. "There's no chemistry between you two and the public sees that." She crossed her arms and thought for a moment. "I think I know what to do." My step-mom pulled her phone out and I grew uneasy.

What is she planning?

____

I hopped out of the limousine my step-mom prepared after landing in Jeju-do. A well dressed man greeted me with a warm smile. "Miss Kang, your fiancé is waiting." I sighed and followed him inside. My step-mom decided attending a charity event with Sian would show the public our "real love". I thought it to be pretty useless and so did Sian.

Regardless of our objections, we were unsurprisingly forced to go anyways. I met him in the hotel room and despite our tolerance of each other, sleeping in the same bed was still pushing it. "My step-mom really had to make us stay in the same room?", I complained. I watched as Sian unpacked his things.

"Anything for the tabloids.", he said. I reluctantly did the same and sat on the bed after finishing. "So what do we do now?" Sian took his watch off and set it on the night stand. "I'm going to take a shower.", he said. "Unless, you wanna join me."

My eyes widened. "What? Of course not." Sian smiled and his dimples showed. "I'm just messing with you.", he teased. He went to the bathroom and I heard the water run. Sian came out 15 minutes later with only his sweatpants on. He walked to the dresser and pulled out a white t-shirt.

I couldn't help but stare. My eyes trailed his back and I spotted a faded bruise by his shoulder blade. "You know it's rude to watch people change.", he said. I turned away and grabbed the TV remote sitting nearby. "I wasn't.", I said turning the TV on.

Sian slipped the shirt on and sat beside me on the bed. I remembered Sian's bruise and glanced at him. He noticed and turned to me. "If you're curious about the bruise, I got it during a ski accident.", he said. "So stop giving me that look." Sian's words put me at ease but I still wondered if he was okay. "...Still.", I said. "You should be icing that thing."

He adjusted the pillows behind him and leaned against the headboard. "I can't even feel it.", he said closing his eyes. I noticed another faded bruise on his jaw and sighed. "And what about this one?" Without thinking, I gently touched Sian's jaw and he opened his eyes. "Is this from skiing too?"

Sian looked at me with a pained expression. I guess not... "You know, I worry about you.", I said, looking at his bruise. "I wish you'd share what bothers you."

"I wouldn't know where to start...", he replied. Sian touched the bruise. "...But marks like these are the reason I continue to work harder." Sian always strived for perfection in hopes to gain his abusive father's acceptance. As messed up as that sounds, I somehow understood Sian's twisted philosophy.

"You need therapy.", I said. Sian met my eyes and smiled. "Only if you get it first."