❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Final Flashback

Just as Soobin was about to give up, a stern-looking guard emerged from the mansion's entrance. "Can I help you?" he asked gruffly, eyeing Soobin's casual attire.

Soobin hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I'm here to see Yeonjun," he said finally.

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Do you have an appointment?"

Soobin shook his head, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "No, I just...I wanted to talk to him."

The guard nodded curtly. "Leave your phone number. If Yeonjun wants to see you, he'll contact you."

Soobin scribbled his number on a piece of paper the guard handed him, feeling a mix of hope and trepidation. Would Yeonjun really reach out, or was this just a polite way of dismissing him? He left the mansion's entrance, wondering what would happen next.

Later he received a message on his phone. Soobin's heart skipped a beat as he read the message. "Reach Hotel Blue Lily at 11 am sharp tomorrow." The brevity and urgency of the message sent a thrill through him. Was this a meeting with Yeonjun?

Soobin double-checked the address of Hotel Blue Lily and made a mental note to arrive at least 15 minutes early. He didn't want to risk being late and missing out on this mysterious opportunity.

As he lay in bed that night, Soobin couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

Soobin kept the mysterious message to himself, not even confiding in Yewon. The next day, he made his way to Hotel Blue Lily, his curiosity and anticipation building with each step. As he entered the grand lobby, his eyes widened in surprise. A large, elegant portrait hung prominently at the entrance: Yeonjun, flanked by his parents, smiled regally from the frame. Soobin's heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth - Hotel Blue Lily was owned by Yeonjun's family.

The woman, elegantly dressed in a business suit, greeted Soobin with a warm smile. "Right this way, please," she said, leading him through the labyrinthine corridors of the hotel. Her heels clicked on the marble floor as she walked, her pace confident and purposeful.

Soobin followed her, his heart racing with anticipation. Where was he being taken? And who would he meet?

At 10:58, the woman stopped in front of a sleek, wooden door. She produced a keycard, swiped it, and pushed the door open. "Please, go in," she said, gesturing for Soobin to enter.

Soobin stepped into the office, his eyes adjusting to the soft, warm lighting. The room was spacious, with a large desk at the far end, behind which a figure sat, shrouded in shadow.

Soobin's eyes widened as he took in the imposing figure behind the desk. Yeonjun's father, a man in his late 50s with a strong jawline and piercing eyes, gestured for Soobin to take a seat.

Soobin nodded, his heart racing, and took a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk. He couldn't help but notice the opulent decorations in the room, the expensive artwork on the walls, and the stunning view of the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Yeonjun's father leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he regarded Soobin with an intense gaze. "So, you're the one who's been trying to contact my son," he said, his tone neutral.

Yeonjun's father leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "How old are you, and what's your family's background?" he asked, his tone direct and to the point.

"I'm 18, my parents run a department store and own some land. I plan to start my own business someday."

Yeonjun's father sneered, his laughter dripping with disdain. "A department store and some land? That's cute. You'd have to liquidate everything just to cover the cost of a few luxury outfits for my son."

"Can you possibly provide the kind of lifestyle my son is accustomed to?"

"I can keep him happy, I love him," Soobin said with conviction.

But Yeonjun's father scoffed, his words dripping with malice. "Love doesn't put food on the table. You can't give him the life I've provided. You're just a naive child, blinded by infatuation. What if you grow up and realize you're not attracted to men? What then? I won't let your adolescent experimentation destroy my son's future."

Soobin stood firm, "I'll build a thriving business and give him everything he needs. Happiness can't be bought with money."

Yeonjun's father snorted, "Save the idealism for the textbooks, boy. In reality, money makes the world go round, and without it, your precious happiness is just a distant dream."

"My love for him is genuine, not a phase or a whim. I'm committed to him, and my devotion will only grow stronger until my dying breath," Soobin said, his voice firm with determination.

Yeonjun's father looked at Soobin with a stern expression. "Listen carefully, because I'm only making this offer once. I'll give you a chance to prove yourself, to show that your feelings for my son are genuine and lasting. For the next 15 years, I want you to focus on building a life, a career, and a business that will make you worthy of my son's hand in marriage."

Soobin nodded intently, his eyes locked on Yeonjun's father.

"During this time, I forbid you from contacting or interacting with Yeonjun in any way. Give him the space to grow and flourish without your influence. If, after this period, you've established a business that surpasses any of mine in monthly sales, I'll take that as a sign of your success and dedication."

Soobin's face set in determination.

"But, let me be crystal clear: if, after all that time, my son doesn't want to be with you, you must promise to respect his decision and leave him alone. You must not pressure him, persuade him, or try to win him back. You must accept his choice and move on with your life. Do I make myself clear?"

Soobin nodded again, his voice firm. "I understand. I'll do it." He bowed his head in respect to Yeonjun's father.

Soobin turned to exit the room, his gaze lingering on the large portrait of Yeonjun hanging on the office wall, capturing his radiant smile. Yeonjun's father allowed a subtle smile to play on his lips, convinced that Soobin would never be able to fulfill the daunting conditions he had set, and thus, would never claim his son's hand.

But little did he know, Soobin's resolve was only strengthened by the challenge. As he stepped out of the hotel, a fierce determination coursed through his veins. He knew that the odds were against him, that the chasm between his humble roots and Yeonjun's elite world seemed insurmountable. But Soobin refused to be deterred. With a resolute heart, he vowed to shatter the barriers that stood between them, to prove himself worthy of Yeonjun's love, and to claim his place by Yeonjun's side. The fire of his passion burned brighter with every step, illuminating a future where love knew no bounds, and where he and Yeonjun could be together, free from the shackles of societal expectations.

***