UNDERGROUND | JJK (Being Rewritten)

C H A P T E R 6

1 5  Y E A R S  A G O

"Mr. Park is here."

The butler stepped back – bowing deeply – into the shadows of the room as Han Woobin awaited the doors opening and soon enough it did. Park Heejun stepped in.

"Good evening, Presidential Secretary Han. To what do I owe the summon?"

Han Woobin stood up, on his face was his famous golden smile that some believe was the key to his rank climbing at an incredible pace.

"How can I be the summoner of a great political diplomat who should be crowned the President by next term? No, Assemblyman Park, I owe the pleasure here. Please have a seat. Anything to drink?"

The men engaged in conversation are hardly aware of the ear pressed against the connecting door to the library, listening in on her father's interactions until someone called out her unruly behaviour. What purpose was there for her being a busybody on matters that she could barely even comprehend was something that no one in the mansion would ever understand.

Han Mirae was yet to be introduced to the society as Han Woobin's second daughter. Her existence had become a semblance of a phantom, a shadow of Han Mina, the first daughter. Mirae knew that her mother has been insisting her father to let Mirae step under the spotlight, afraid that there would bloom jealousy between the daughters. But Mirae was far from jealous, merely an intimidated observer of the blinding light flashes whenever Mina would step out of the mansion. Somehow she did not want any of it, all she has ever wanted was to eat the steaming greasy fried chicken that she had seen in a drama. The chef couldn't, rather wouldn't cool the blasphemous dish and the maids laughed and denied her request of being bought one.

She even asked her sister if she could convince their parents for one but Mina looked at her as if she had said something ridiculous.

"Fried chicken? Why would you even want to eat that greasy food?"
"It looked really tasty, the one with the sauce coating looked so amazing!"

Mina had taken her to the kitchen and asked the chef to cook something delicious. Mirae didn't say anything after that, the dish was tasty but it didn't fill her heart as it did her stomach. So there she was, listening to her father's conversations to ensure that he remains in a good mood when she would talk to him. 

"So why would a Han call for someone from the opposition? That too, me?"

"My brother wanted to talk to you directly but you know, the President can hardly make time for his family let alone others, oh, you won't know."

There was silence in the other side for a while and Mirae leaned in even closer. That's when she heard her father's voice again. But it was different. Her father has always been scary but never has his voice sent chills down her spine. He wasn't screaming, instead his voice was even softer than it usually is.

"Take a step back, Park. Being a President is not your forte. Just keep up the facade of being a good assemblyman and your boy should be fine. I heard he loves playing cop. Maybe you could make him one. Let me know if you need me to send in a good word for him later."

"Brazen of you to assume that I'll do as you say. Being a President wasn't your forte either. Everyone knows you've been eyeing your brother's position for years-"

"You think, Park, that now you've made a name for yourself out there but let me tell you something — this world doesn't really keep the spotlight on the same spot for so long. Just because there was a little spark on you, don't think you've made it. Sparks are essentially the most delicate stage of a fire, don't poke too far or you'll blot it out."