Heirs to The Thrones

Finale

Sooyoung was relieved that they didn't stay longer than two days in Bali. She was afraid of what would happen, what she'd give if he asked.

As they landed in Incheon, they changed to fresh suits their secretaries brought for them. From the Sooyoung and Sungjae who stole a weekend to be together—for whatever reason—they changed back to CEOs Park and Yook, who prioritized work as their number one.

They said nothing as a goodbye. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and entered his car.

She was shocked because she felt a pang of loss when his car walked away.

"Miss Park? Is everything alright?" Irene asked, shocked by how her boss stared at Sungjae's car that disappeared from view a few seconds ago.

Sooyoung stirred at the question, gave her secretary a small smile, and entered her own car.

It's the start of another week. She's Park Sooyoung, and life would resume as it should be.

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The first thing Sooyoung noticed when she returned to the office was the painting she so badly wanted was placed right in front of her huge desk, properly lighted as if it's placed on a high class gallery.

It was indeed beautiful. The ballerina was outstretching her hand passed the top of her head, the spotlight focusing on her, the audience's expression full of awe staring at her.

Sooyoung noticed the personal touch from the sender, though.

The painting wasn't hanged by the usual white rope to hang paintings. No. Three thick gold chains replaced the usual rope, with little gems of onyx filling the length.

A negotiation fulfilled?

She sighed, fingering the painting's frame, before moving away, sitting on her desk, and began her work.

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Sungjae forced himself to pull away one step, wishing Sooyoung to contact him first.

If she still didn't reach out for a week, he decided, he'd resume his chasing game.

Apparently, Sooyoung did contact him first, although not in the way he expected.

She appeared in his office that Saturday night—because of course he was working—unceremoniously entering his office at 8 pm.

She was wearing her sunglasses, and sat quietly in front of him.

He could sense something was wrong in how silent she was. Then, he noticed the tear stains on her usually impeccable face.

".........something really wrong just happened, isn't it?"

She wasn't sure why after what just happened, she drove as fast as she could to his office. She just wanted to be with someone who understood—and though she tried to deny it, Yook Sungjae was someone who would completely understand how she felt.

She took off her sunglasses, and there, on her fair skin, was a cut right under her eye, as if someone scratched her with nails.

Sungjae cursed to oblivion and got up from his seat, reaching for her face and looking closely.

Only that close could he see her right cheek was red.

Someone slapped her.

"Who did this to you?" he hissed.

"Only my mother" she answered, obviously trying to sound nonchalant but failing, due to the tears streaming down her face.

"I'm here because I can't talk about this to anyone else. And that you'd understand exactly how I feel."