If This Isn't Love

54: APRIL 2019 - The Worst That Could Happen

Seokjin stormed into Taehyung's office at Kim Incorporated, his face red with rage. He slammed the door behind him, causing Taehyung to look up from his desk in surprise.

"This has gone far enough," Seokjin exclaimed, his voice trembling angrily. In his hand, he grasped a newspaper, which he hurled onto the desk with a disdainful flick of his wrist.

Taehyung's eyes widened in alarm as Seokjin's anger escalated by the second. "What's wrong?" he asked, trying to soothe his older cousin.

Seokjin's eyes blazed with fury as he spun around to face Taehyung. "This!" he barked, pointing a shaking finger at the newspaper. "And everything else I've had to put up with these past few weeks!" The paper slid across the desk, revealing the headline: "Kim Incorporated Heir to Marry Lee Jeon Group Princess!" Seokjin's face twisted in disgust. "Can you believe this? The whole city is going wild over it. I've never seen such absurdity!"

Taehyung's eyes scanned the newspaper article, his brow furrowing in disapproval. The sensationalized headlines and exaggerated claims that this marriage would save the slumping Korean economy made his eyes roll in frustration. He turned away from the paper, his expression somber.

"I'm sure no one takes this sensationalism seriously, hyung," he said, his deep voice laced with skepticism. "It's just a way to sell papers."

But Seokjin was beyond consolation. He spun around, his hands slapping the desk in agitation. "No, Tae! I'm the one being sold out. I'm the one being forced into this charade. If I say no and call it off, I'll be accused of sabotaging the national economy, according to these tabloid headlines. I can't take this anymore!" He pushed himself away from the desk and stalked over to the sofa, dropping down onto the cushions with a defeated slouch.

"I just can't do this," he mumbled, his head hung in his hands.

Taehyung's lips compressed into a sympathetic line as he saw his cousin's distress. He rose slowly to his feet and went to sit beside Seokjin on the sofa, trying to offer what comfort he could.

"Come on, hyung," Taehyung said, his voice gentle but firm. "Let's tell Uncle the truth. You don't want to marry Youngsoon, and you want to go back to America. I'll take your place. By now, Uncle might be willing to listen to me, considering my hard work around here and my feelings for Youngsoon." Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on Seokjin's shoulder. "I hate seeing you like this. You deserve better than this arranged marriage."

Seokjin's eyes welled up with gratitude as he nodded slowly. "Thanks for understanding, Tae. You're the only one who gets it, the only one who truly cares." He took a deep breath, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "You're right. Let's do it. Let's tell my father the truth. What's the worst that could happen?"

Taehyung's smile was wry. "Oh, I don't know... maybe a national scandal, a stock market crash, our company going bankrupt? Yeah, what's the worst?" His words were laced with a mixture of concern and sarcasm, but Seokjin barely registered it, his mind focused on the daunting task ahead.

Seokjin's laughter was tinged with wistfulness as he shook his head. "Can you believe it? Me, Seokjin, the most important person in this country. Back in Dallas, I'm just a regular guy." His smile faltered, and he let out a sigh. "A regular guy in love with an extraordinary woman. I've spent nearly four years chasing after her – even more if you count our college days. I love her so much. The thought of being without her is unbearable."

Taehyung nodded thoughtfully. "From what you've told me, Luisa seems like an amazing person. Any other woman would have given up on you long ago, especially after you started seeing someone else without first explaining the situation. But she showed compassion and understanding towards the woman who was sick and didn't demand you leave her."