Imperfectly Perfect 2

36 : The Engagement

"Mr. Chou! Good to see you!"

Tzuyu and Nayeon's father promptly smiles at the arriving figure of Chaeyoung's father in the luxurious hallways of an exclusive five star hotel.

"Mr. Son! Good to see you, too." The man offers a handshake.

"I'm so sorry." Chaeyoung's father politely shakes his hand with his prominent business partner. "My last client meeting got extended a little"

"It's fine! Don't worry about it. We're both business people here." Tzuyu's father waved his hand in dismissal of the apology. "We know how things go unpredictable sometimes! Anyway, how are you?"

"Doing fine! Thank you so much for asking. How about you?"

"Great, so great. Hey, before we get into any deep, serious talk, should we head inside first?" He points to a private room down near where they are right now. "The girls are already there."

The two men consecutively walked towards the room.

As soon as they entered it, Nayeon and Tzuyu stood up from their seats and greeted Chaeyoung's father in unison. "Good evening, Mr. Son."

"Good evening beautiful ladies." Mr. Son smiled at the sisters, then he flashes a knowing smile to his daughter who is remaining seated, looking away from him. "Good evening, Chaeyoung."

The soccer ace just glances at him and flashes a faint smile. "Good evening, dad."

"Okay!" Mr. Chou claps his hands and takes his seat at the long dining table in the overly spacious room they are in. "Take all your seats and let me call the waiter so that we can all start digging in!"

——Five years ago——

"Hello, Mr. Chou?"

"Mr. Son?" The man glances at the wall clock of the expensive looking hotel suite he is currently in. It is already ten in the evening. "What did you call for at this time of the day? Is something wrong?"

"No, no. Everything's fine. I just—" The voice from the other line paused for a couple of seconds. "I want to talk about something important. Can I meet you somewhere?"

"Right now?"

"Yes. Is that possible?"

"Actually..." Mr. Chou apologetically smiles even though the other person can't see him. "I'm already in another city right now. I traveled to be here right after your wife's funeral service earlier."

Mr. Son's line went silent again.

"I'm—" Mr. Chou cleared his throat and panicked a little. "I'm really, really sorry again for your loss, Mr. Son."

"Thank you, Mr. Chou. Then... if— if it's fine with you... can we talk about it now on the phone? We can meet personally about the legal papers when you get back here. Do you have the time?"

"Sure, sure. Of course, especially if you say it's something important." The man comfortably positions himself on the couch he has been sitting on. "I can manage right now. What is this mainly about anyway?"

"Umm..." Mr. Son is heard taking a deep breath and clearing his throat on the other line. "About the offer you have been telling me... Is it still up?"

——Almost six years ago——

"Come on now, Mr. Son. You know that those two girls have chemistry!"

Mr. Chou and Mr. Son are in the backyard of the Chou mansion. They are both holding a glass of whiskey in their hands, fully enjoying the annual party thrown by Nayeon and Tzuyu's father for his close business partners. They have been watching Chaeyoung and Tzuyu adorably tease each other while skillfully burning some sausages on the grill.

"I know, I know." Mr. Son chuckles. "Those two look great together! But..."

"Ugh." Mr. Chou cuts in, quickly rolling his eyes in dismay. "There goes the 'but' again."

"Hey. I already told you this a million times now. Chaeyoung already has this crush on some girl from her school. I can't bring up the concept of fixed marriage against a young love." Mr. Son playfully points a finger at his business associate. "You know how strong that is! We've been there. I'm pretty much sure you understand that our girls are at that age."

"Yes, yes. I know. But those feelings are sometimes so strong to the extent of foolishness." Mr. Chou shakes his head a bit. "They go to a point where they are so out of line and way out of logic!"

"But... Mr. Chou, isn't that what... really love is? Being foolish. Not thinking at all. Just purely relying on what your heart says."

While the two men are discussing, Mrs. Son stealthily moves towards them and butts in. "What are you two good-looking men deeply discussing about? Looking serious, huh?"

"I'm actually— I'm simply bringing up the idea of fixed marriage to your husband."

Mrs. Son faintly chuckles. "You are so persistent about that huh, Mr. Chou?"

"I know, right?" Mr. Son quickly comments. "You know what? Give up, Mr. Chou. I'm never letting my daughter go through a forced thing like that."

Mr. Chou gives him a look. "Is that really your final answer?"

"Believe me, Mr. Chou." Mrs. Son proudly concludes, linking her arm to her husband. "My darling here would never agree to it."

"Yeah. I guarantee you that." Mr. Son adds in. He looks to the direction of his daughter who is now with Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu, all laughing like there is no tomorrow. "Well... especially when I can see how happy Chaeyoung is when she talks about this girl crush she presently has."

Mrs. Son then curiously asks. "Why are you so persistent about this anyway, Mr. Chou? Doesn't Tzuyu have these little crushes from time to time?"

"None! Not one." Mr. Chou shakes his head a bit. "She never had any kind of crush during her junior high school years."

"Really?" The woman looked at him unconvinced. "Tzuyu is one real pretty kid. I'm sure she has a lot of pursuers."

"Yeah. Could you believe it?" Mr. Chou scoffs. "She never was interested in anyone else even one bit. I'm actually kind of worried about that kid."

"Why? Does she have a specific type? Or maybe her standards are way too high and unrealistic?"

"It's not like that. She's actually hung up with someone from her—" Mr. Chou purses his lips. He takes a sip of his alcohol before letting out a sigh. "Anyway, just let me know when you change your mind, okay? I would always be glad to know that my daughter would be with a good kid like Chaeyoung."