You Were My Love

Scene 3 - Prince

The luxurious, shining black car was silently, majestically filing out of the city traffic, reaching calmer arteries towards its destination.

Shining as bright as new, people on the sidewalks gaped and pointed at the magnificent vehicle passing by.

If their eyes could have gone past the sparkle of the money-shouting RR Phantom Serenity, they would have seen the chauffeur was driving two men in opulent tailored suits sitting in the back of the car.

An older man in his fifties, wearing a dark brown suit with a sky blue tie, was intently looking at the screen set in front of him, stuck on the back of the seat, while talking on his phone.

At the other end of the leather seat, a young man was blankly looking out through the smoked glass of the car window.

On his slender but firm silhouette, his white shirt, tight-fitting dark blue suit, and black tie contrasted elegantly with his light-blond hair done in a flawless style that framed his graceful face ; a sharp jaw line, a delicate nose, seductive eyes that darted a shrewd, cunning gaze to the world around. All his features showed calm determination and strong will-power... Had he been smiling, his dazzling white teeth would have shown the most charming of smiles.

But Hae Wong contradicted the usual boisterous portrait of young people in their late twenties, seeming tired and bored.

He wasn't looking forward to this business lunch at a friend of his father's at all.

Not only would it probably be uninteresting, but he would also have to pretend he was having fun to take part in the "public relation" thing his father had him over for.

No doubt had the high-ranked analyst already planned on using him for something related to his trade partner's son.

Breaking the silence, the young man spoke :

"Father, I will be of no use to you. I cannot help with the trade and I'm too old for your partner's son to share interests, we're ten years apart ... Besides, we lead so different lives -"

Without even raising his head from the computer screen, his father interrupted in a sharp tone:

"You will do as you are told!"

Hae Wong went silent and resumed looking out through the window. It was useless to try and convince him when he showed that face.

Affluence brought an indecent well-being but it also sure put you under an extreme amount of pressure.

In moment like those, Hae Wong wished has had a more normal life, that he was like this handsome boy on the sidewalk...

His pretty puffy eyes and red nose showed for sure that he was going through hard times, but he was free to walk wherever he wanted to, to show his grief if he wanted to, to let his feelings loose as he wished.

How the well-off young man would have liked to step out of the damned prosperous car and start to talk with the charming kid. Visually appreciating his toned body, well-shaped buttocks, or gorgeous face while chatting. But his father would never allow that to happen.

He simply had to give up on the idea of leading his life according to his own choices. Even for such personal perspectives.

His thoughts were interrupted by his father, who knocked on the separation panel, indicating to the driver he wanted him to stop, then he ordered his son:

"Get off the car. There's a flower shop right there. Go get something for our hosts. Let me see if you can show any sense of decorum and tactics..."

Gosh! Why did he have to be put to the test for every action he was ordered? Didn't he trust him? Hadn't he already proved numerous times he was reliable? Hae Wong sighed but complied with his father's demand. He went in the flower shop and chose carefully.

Once back in the car; his father inspected his picks thoroughly.

"Hmm... very clever indeed... I suppose this all white bunch of azaleas, camelias and calla lilies is to suggest the hostess in an adorable beauty... and this complex coloured mix of tiger lilies, white orchids, yellow poppies and white roses is for my trade partner?

Hae Wong nodded "As a way to pay respect and wish success and wealth to a large family," he explained.

"Right, right... but why did you pick those?" pointing to a third bunch disdainfully.

"They are for your partner's son. Isn't he said to be handsome?"

"Yellow and variegated tulips and two stems of white iris?"

"It means 'you have beautiful eyes and smile, your friendship means a lot to me' "

"You're so sensitive! I'll never get the way you think... Never mind, let's go or we'll be late!"

Hae Wong sighed, trying to subdue his anger and frustration that were building inside his chest.

" 'Good thinking son', 'Well done son!" 'I'm proud of you son' ..." Why the hell was he never getting to hear any of those, however hard he worked?

Hae Wong swallowed his pride and silently clenched his fists as the car resumed its course towards yet another day of frustrations and disappointments and bitterness... What unpleasant situation will he have to deal with next?

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Look forward to the next chapter...

Scene 4 - Encounter