Kim SeokJin is a powerful CEO in one of the largest companies in the country. His lover is his chief business rival, Kim SongDae. Park JiMin only complicates matters between Jin and Dae with that damn smile of his.
All seven friends work togethe...
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Dae and Joon were left alone, deep in discussion.
Their father left with strict instructions for them to settle the terms of her contract and for NamJoon to insure she made it to the family dinner.
After their father left, Joon watched Dae's face. She was paying attention, but she was too easily distracted by Jin.
Joon waited until the rowdy group of friends left before he began discussing the agreement in earnest.
Joon felt guilt and regret swamp him again as he watched the light dim in his sister's eyes as the elevator doors closed and carried Jin away. He had been so selfish to keep them apart. He had so much to make up to her.
Dae turned her focus back to NamJoon.
She reached for the proposal in his hand, but he held it firm.
"I am proud of you. Dad made a mistake in bringing me back. You are a better CEO than I will ever be," he told her.
That caught her completely off guard, but she could tell he was sincere.
"Joon! You know that is not true!" she said.
"It is true. I would have never thought to take that gamble, would never have created a way back into the company," he said.
"I did it because I believed in Jin. You did too once," she said sadly.
"I know," he admitted," we had a talk. I think lies and misunderstandings have twisted things between us. I have much to make up to him."
She nodded at him; her eyes bright with unshed tears. Oh, how she prayed they could rebuild the partnership and friendship they once had.
"Come work for me," he coaxed, "we will make a place just for you. Father will insure you have everything you need."
Dae shook her head. "I don't want that," she said. "I want freedom, my own company, my privacy....and if he will have me, more than anything, I want Jin."
He looked down into her determined face and saw why she rarely lost at the negotiating table.
Satisfied, he smiled.
"God help him," he said" because he is going to need it."
He handed the proposal to her and said "Let's go! Mother will be anxious to see you."
Dae looked down at the paper in her hands and flipped to the back page. There was Joon's bold signature scrawled across the bottom.
Dae sighed, then smiled.
"Have you learned nothing? Are you not even going to discuss terms?" she asked.
"Not at all," he responded," you are worth it all."
He kissed her forehead and nodded toward the elevator.
"But I got better terms than SeokJin right? I get more perks? Priority company?" he asked.
The entire ride home she refused to discuss her "other clients" and he badgered her to say he would get preferential treatment.
As they walked to the door of the home they had shared as children she touched his arm, stopping him.
She reached on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. She could not remember the last time she had done that. She smiled and linked her arm in his. It was so good to be home.
The Kim family meal was a celebration.
Dae was swept away by her mother's tears and her grandmother's small hand clutching hers. They laughed and talked as they prepared the traditional dishes, her Grandmother insisting she learn to prepare them.
Dae stopped often to think of Jin, to dream of him being her with her next time they had a family meal.
Only once did she allow herself to think of tonight. She felt her face flush as she thought of Jin's gentle and all too brief touch in the board room.
Then she caught her mother staring at her. She blushed even harder as her mom's sweet laugh rang out over the spacious kitchen.
"Oh SongDae!" she whispered, "you look so guilty just now. A young man? Don't worry. I can't read your mind."
Dae laughed and said "That's a relief."
Suddenly her mother grew serious, placing her hand on Dae's arm.
"SeokJin?" she asked, Dae's surprised gasp gave her answer.
Her mother simply nodded.
"The two of you should have married years ago," Her grandmother said as she walked past.
Dae laughed, then cried, embraced by the beautiful, strong women who raised her.
After the meal, in the middle of the laughter and tears, Dae's father stood and asked to speak with her.
She caught the warning look pass between her parents and the way her father's gaze softened before he turned away.
She knew that look. She looked at her mother in astonishment and caught her sly wink before her father called her from the room.
Dae laughed, maybe she was just like her mother.
Dae spent an equally warm time with her father and grandfather. Once more they reviewed the agreement and Dae's plans. They both spent several minutes giving her advice and questioning her next move.
Finally, a look passed between them. Her grandfather withdrew an envelope from his breast pocket and passed it to Dae.
"Open it on your way to your young man," he said, smiling at the shock on Dae's face.
"You are excused. I will expect your visit next week," he instructed.
The next several minutes were a blur as Dae said her goodbyes and made plans for the next visit.
Her father called a car for her and helped her in, kissing her temple as he did.
It was promptly 9 o'clock.
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Oh my word!!! So many emotions!!! Only a couple of chapters left!!!
As always, I want to slow things down, including updates, because I want to hold on to them as long as possible!!
But they have worked so hard and been apart so long and you have been so encouraging I will do my best to let go!!
Thank you for your reads and comments and votes!!! They mean more than I could ever tell you!!!
PS, the picture of Jin at top? Slightly rumpled and buzzing from his dinner drinks? He's on his way home!! Finally!
