One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 6

Francis Kim's POV

I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, the same familiar walls I'd grown up with surrounding me. The weight of my decision pressed on my chest. The Philippines. It wasn't just about expanding YoGo. It wasn't even really about business. It was about her-Katarina. But how could I possibly explain that to my parents without giving everything away?

For years, I had kept my past with her buried deep. That night five years ago, the night we shared in Seoul, was something I thought I could forget. But I couldn't. No matter how much time passed, her face kept haunting me. And now, the idea of being closer to her, to find out if she even remembered me, was pulling me toward the Philippines. But that wasn't something I could tell Dad or Mom. I had to keep my reasons purely business, as far as they were concerned.

"Dad, Mom, I need to talk to you about something important," I finally said after gathering enough courage to head downstairs.

They were both in the living room-Dad, as usual, was buried in work, reviewing files and proposals. Mom sat with a book in her hands, but her attention flickered to me the moment I walked in. She had that look in her eyes, the one that always saw straight through me.

"Of course, Francis. What's on your mind?" Dad asked, setting his paperwork down. His voice, calm and steady, never wavered, even when big decisions were on the line.

Mom tilted her head, studying me with concern. "Is everything okay?"

I swallowed hard and took a seat across from them, my back stiff with nerves. You've got this. It's just business. Keep it together.

"I've been thinking about expanding YoGo," I began, keeping my tone as professional as possible. "I want to open a new branch... in the Philippines."

Dad's brows shot up, but he immediately nodded, leaning forward with interest. "The Philippines, you say? Now, that's an idea I didn't expect to hear from you. But it's a smart move, son. Really smart."

I could see his mind already racing with plans. He always had his finger on the pulse of business opportunities, and the Philippines was indeed a market he'd been eyeing for a while. It was part of what made this easier for me to propose.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now. The market there is growing, and YoGo could really take off if we establish a strong presence," I added, sounding as convincing as I could.

Mom, however, didn't seem to share Dad's enthusiasm. She set her book down, her face creasing with worry. "But why the Philippines? You've always been here with us in Seoul. Why move so far away now?" Her voice was soft, but there was a tremor to it, a hint of fear I couldn't ignore.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. How could I explain it? How could I tell them that this wasn't just about business, that I needed to go there for personal reasons-because of someone I hadn't been able to forget?

"It's just a great opportunity," I said, dodging the real answer. "The timing is right, and if we move now, we can get ahead of the competition."

Dad leaned back, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I like where your head's at, Francis. In fact, I've been thinking about expanding our operations in the Philippines for some time now. If you're serious about this, I'm behind you one hundred percent."

I gave him a small nod, my chest tightening. I don't want to lie, but I can't tell them everything either.

"That's exactly what I'm planning," I said, managing a tight smile. "It's a good business move for us."

Mom wasn't convinced, though. She reached out and took my hand, her eyes searching mine for the truth. "Francis... why do I feel like there's more to this than just business? Are you sure there's nothing else?"