Garden Days

Unwanted Investment

*Irene*

*four days until Affliction*

Joo-Hyun had been practicing her confession but it wasn't turning out as easy as she initially intended. It wasn't that admitting her wrongs was hard, it was that she was still coming to terms with her feelings. So she decided to take a break and finally tell her father how the conversation with Jin had gone.
Knocking on the door in two light raps, she entered the study and made way to one of the two seats pointed at the fire. Her father sat in the one adjacent to hers, staring heavily at the numbers scribbled in the binder that was sprawled open in his lap. Joo-Hyun learned long ago to let him speak first; business came before everything and everyone else.
A minute or so passed before he put work aside and turned to his daughter with curious eyes. "You told him?"
"I did."
"And?"
"He...wants all evidence of Sehun gone from the house."
"Do you think that's enough?"
It caught her off guard. "Enough?"
"To keep you from running after Sehun, of course."
Irene shrank in her chair. If her father got involved anymore than he already had, things could get worse. "Don't."
"I'm only asking. I mean, you two have caused quite the scene already so I'm only making sure you don't look anymore of a fool."
"It wasn't... I won't chase him anymore. None of that was ever supposed to happen, but we're talking it out-." She flinched when he stood, not realizing how tense the air had become.
"Do you know how many investors I lost because of you? How much money I lost because you wanted to play your little games?"
"L-Lost?" He was a well-known and intimidating businessman infatuated with the arts and large sums. Many of his investors relied on Ji-Cheol for his strength and he for their stock. It was a shock to Irene that so many would just up and leave. "They wouldn't...because of me?"
"That's what I thought, up until," He started towards her. "My most loyal investor," Ji-Cheol was careful in placing his hands on the armrests of her chair. "Told me, if I can't control my daughter, how can anyone trust the men I send."
Her breath hitched. So this was who he really was, what he really did and that meant no one was safe. "Don't hurt him, please."
"What did Seok-Jin say?"
"He doesn't know yet..."
"He doesn't-." Ji-Cheol bowed his head and grumbled something in aggravation before facing her again. "You will help me regain my investors, understand?"
Irene wanted to believe she had a choice in the matter but a demand made by her father was nonnegotiable. "Yes."
He stepped away. "Meet here at 7."
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This man looked much better off than what she'd expected, dressed in colorful silks and glittering jewels. But of course, wasn't that the relationship between her father and his investors? Pulling the shawl around her shoulders, Irene poked her head a little further from around the cozy chair by the fire and observed as the two men spoke in hushed whispers, their eyes darting over to her again and again. At one moment, a bellow left Ji-Cheol's chest. It was short-lived, cut by the investor's hand on his before they went back to their agenda, allowing her to stand and go to the bookshelf; she tried to look busy while secretly observing the duo:
"How could you even suggest such a thing?"
"Like you haven't thought about it-." There was a growl of protest from her father. "Oh, I see. You think she'll run."
"She's become unpredictable, that's why. No matter her feelings for Jin, Sehun will always be a priority." That couldn't be true. They had chemistry, but she wouldn't abandon Jin or her duties. She was sure now and something she already confirmed with the friend.
"That's why you need to act- before she-."
"Discuss this with Joo-Hyun." Her father said in a manner that called for the addressed to turn; she couldn't help but note how his partner's eyes followed her like a vulture as she approached. "I failed to introduce you properly: this is Akio Inoue, my- our- most loyal investor." Irene gave a curt nod in the general direction, barely acknowledging the existence.
"Would you mind if we spoke alone?" Mr. Inoue leaned forward, eyes darting between father and daughter.
"Not at all." Ji-Cheol answered begrudgingly while standing. This was not supposed to happen. He was supposed to stay, he was supposed to be in control. Why was he leaving? Irene could barely get a sound out when her father added much more strongly: "Seeing as this shouldn't take long, I'll give you three minutes." It was a minor comfort but still, it meant an opportunity for the scumbag in front of her.
"Three?" Akio started in disappointment as the door shut, his attention turning to her right away. "Sit." She hesitantly seated herself in her father's chair, the leather still warm from his lingering presence. "Will he continue to be a problem?"
"No." Joo-Hyun bit her cheek, trying to keep down the shiver of anxiety.
"How can I be so sure? How can you be so sure?"
"I promise you, the situation has been dealt with. I'm..." She paused as she thought about her fiancé. "I'm doing this for Jin."
The man sat still for a moment, taking in all that she said. "Huh, I really hope so." Another pause. "You see, I invest a lot into your father's work and his future, so I would hate if anything happened to that...future-."
Irene leapt up from her chair, furious and frightened. "How dare you threaten-"
It was Akio's turn to jump up; she fell back with a yelp of shock. "We don't have much time left." His fingers gripped the armchair with an even greater pressure than her father's before. "You can do as you're told or..." He yanked the chair forward so her knees pressed against his and leaned forward, breath against Irene's cheek. "Someone might get hurt." She flinched when a hand rested on her throat, the intent in his words and actions speaking volumes. But why did he appear to be so involved? As if reading her mind, the man started again, softly this time. "There's an unspoken and imperfect history between us that, in time, will be revealed."
And just as distance was put between them- as Akio Inoue eased into his chair with modesty and light satisfaction blending into his features- the door opened, and their meeting was over.
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why so messy ;.;