Then I Met You | Lee Jeno

17~ Welcome Onboard

Yuri and Jisung reached their humble abode. As soon as they stepped in, they heard their mother. "Oh you guys are back? Go and fresh up so we can have dinner!"

"Yes Mom!" the siblings replied in unison.  

Soon, the family of four was sitting at the dinning table as they ate the dinner.  "Dad, I got a new proposal which I wanted to talk about," Yuri said as she swallowed her bite. The elder nodded his head in acknowledgement to continue. 

"So the proposal was sent by The Lee Corporation," she revealed. The three of them stopped eating and looked at Yuri to see whether she was saying the truth. "The Lee's?!" Jisung exclaimed. "That's odd. I have known the Lee's throughout my career. Even though we are friends we never brought business into it. If he approached with one then that definitely must be something interesting," the elder retorted. 

"It indeed is." Yuri said as she proceeded to explain the proposition. 

There were no expressions on either of their faces. Jiwoon looked like he was thinking about it while Jisung returned back to eating with his mother. 

"That's... actually an appealing proposition. I absolutely approve. Two top corporations working together is actually a great idea. You can go ahead," Jiwoon replied.

Yuri nodded and returned back to her food. An unknown smile was making her face which she was desperately trying to hide. Unfortunately, it not go unnoticed by Jisung. 

He held a knowing smirk on his face as asked a question. "Yuri, what are you smiling about?" he questioned with an innocent face. 

Yuri was caught offguard with his sudden query. Distracted, she ended up choking on the piece of meat that she was eating. 

Now both of the parents had their attention on their children. Yuri drank some water to cool down the burning in her throat and glared at Jisung who had a smug face. "Huh, what happened?" their mother asked innocently while their father was as clueless as she was. 

"N-nothing mom. I was just smiling thinking about our company's f-future, yes future!" Yuri nervously replied. She was full fledgedly cursing Jisung who sat across her enjoying the whole scenario. 

The dinner passed peacefully. Yuri was heading towards her room upstairs when her mother informed that her father was asking her to visit him in the study room. 

She nodded and headed towards the study room. Knocking on the door she entered the room. The sight of her father reading some papers with his glasses resting on the bridge of his nose greeted her. 

"Oh dear you're here. Come sit," he said and pointed towards a chair across him. "What happened dad? Why did you ask for me?" she enquired. 

Jiwoon removed the glasses and placed them on his desk. He cleared his throat before speaking. Unintentionally, it made Yuri nervous. The look on her father's face was dead serious, something she rarely saw.

"Well, I just wanted to tell you that, it's your decision to make, about the proposal. I want you to be independent while taking such big steps. No doubt, I'll always share my view points but just know that I'm doing it so you can get a bigger picture and not because I'm doubting your skills or abilities," he stated softly.

Yuri's eyebrows furrowed at his statement. "Of course I know dad. I know you trust me otherwise you would not have allowed me to take your position in the corporation. And I will consistently work harder to make you proud, " she replied and walked towards him, bending down to engulf him in her embrace. 

Jiwoon fondly patted his daughter's head as they released the hug. "Now go get some rest, you need it. Don't overwork yourself okay?" Yuri nodded her head as she left the room.

A week passed by in a blink. Yuri still had not reverted back to the proposal by the Lee's. She wanted to have a background check before knowing what she's getting into. 

It came to her understanding that the Lee's partners withdrew their investments at the final moment and the reasons are still unknown. 

Yuri found their background taintless. All the articles that she found on the web were just how the corporation was the leading one in the industry. It was all good words. 

"I have made the decision," Yuri mumbled to herself. 

In the meanwhile, Jeno was sitting in his office, stressed. It had been a week and he hadn't heard any update from the Park's. Second thoughts started making way in his mind.

Unconsciously, he started biting his nails while thinking for a backup plan. Right at that moment, his secretary, Ms.Hwang entered his cabin. 

"Mr.Lee, I have an update for you about the proposal," she informed. Jeno sat straight in his seat. She proceeded and handed the file in his hand. "Thankyou Ms.Hwang, I will check it out," he retorted. The secretary bowed and left. 

Jeno opened the file as he read the reply, 

"The Lee Corporation,

Giving you a warm greeting. This letter is regarding the business overture that you presented to us. We are pleased to inform you, the proposition was impressive and we would like to take this a step further. A meeting for the discussion of contract terms and conditions  and it's details will be highly appreciated. We look forward to work with you.
Regards,
Park Yu&Ji Incorporation. "

As Jeno read the letter, he heaved a sigh of relief and was delighted to hear a positive response. He was about to close the file when he saw a sticky note stuck on it, "Welcome Onboard! :)"  as soon as he read it, he knew it was her. 

The note made his insides all fuzzy and warm. He took the note and read it again. The butterflies in his stomach were going wild. Carefully, he folded the note and placed it in his pocket. 

Without wasting a minute, he rung up his secretary. "Ms. Hwang, please contact the lawyers so we can organize a detailed contract," he ordered. The secretary replied with a yes. 

 "Let's get this started," Jeno mumbled, with a faint smile creeped on his lips.