Masked Love

CHAPTER 2

NIGHT OF THE MEETING

Jungkook was sitting in the lounge area of the hotel. He let his mother know he was there and that he was thinking of not going through with the meeting. He sensed her coming, the anger permeated the hallway ahead of her. He saw her stalking towards him.

She closed the distance between them and hovered over him, he hands on her hips. Although he ran the business, she was still the owner and CEO. His Dad, a mere figurehead, and JK answered to her. Sure, he did all the work that kept it all going, but that was just because she was tired. She had run the company on her own his entire life and was more than capable of taking it back over.

Mother: 'I have given you twenty-five years of freedom. You have had the best of everything, school, clothes, cars and even had your own place since eighteen. All of it I own. All I asked is that you repay me by keeping our business alive.'

Jungkook looked at her resentfully. A sexy girl walked past his mother and Jungkook stared, watching the hips sway. She obviously saw him sitting in the chair and was putting on a show for him as she looked back at him.

Mother: 'Jungkook? You know her?'

Jungkook snapped out of it. 'Damn! He would have to watch what he did closer in the future.' He thought.

JK: 'Ahhh... she's the girlfriend of a colleague. A nice girl that likes to tease me.'

He rolled his eyes and glanced at her. She had slid up on to a stool at the bar, obviously someone he would have approached before...one of those girls that could be gotten with a few drinks and left in a room upstairs without any questions asked. He sighed.

Mother: 'Oh. As I was saying, you just need to keep the business intact and thriving!'

JK: 'I know and it is doing well. With a merger or not we will be fine for the next twenty-five years.'

Jungkook couldn't understand her forcing this matter. Until he saw her face drop and a chill ran down his spine. She sat down in the chair next to him, thankfully making him turn his back to the easy prey. No girl would approach him with his mother there, so he was safe.

Mother: 'Do you not know why I am so accepting of your lifestyle?'

JK looked at her questioningly.

Mother: 'The business has you and me. The board members listen to you because I am here.'

Jungkook nodded. He knew full well that without her backing the business would be on rocky ground. He had only taken over last year and still needed to gain their trust completely.

Mother: 'I won't be here another twenty-five years, Kookie. Or ten, or five or one... you understand?'

He stared at her. His heart dropped. The world slowed for just a moment and his logical mind kicked in.

JK: 'What...what are you saying?'

He couldn't believe that what he was thinking might be true. Was she sick?

Mother: 'I may not be here in three months, six or eight if I am lucky, Kookie.'

JK: 'What is it?'

Mother: 'Cancer. It is already late stages and spread. We just found out a week ago. Which is why, while I am able, I am trying to get this sorted for you.'

He stared, not sure how to react or what to say.

Mother: 'I didn't want to discuss this here, but this is where we are. You need this, someone to love you and be with you. Someone who will bring stability to your position in the company when I am gone. His family is on the board and second highest shareholders besides our family.'