When You're Gone

Chapter 1

Kim Corp is a well-known company based in Seoul, Korea. Owned by Kim Jeha, a wealthy businessman. During his twenty-nine years of marriage, he was blessed with one child, named Kim Jennie, twenty-six years old. Soon, she will inherit all of Jeha's wealth and property, inside and outside of the country.

Jennie was once a good child, always listening and obeying her parents but after she hit puberty and be friends with the wrong people during high school, she change. She became rude and rebellious, not respecting anyone including her parents.

Due to her bad behavior, Jeha had no other choice but to send her to New Zealand to further her study.

But the truth is, he wanted to separate her from those bad influences. Hoping his daughter would return to her old self.

Jennie return two years ago and work with her father right away. Jeha thought his work went successful but Jennie prove him wrong, she does not change back to her kind self, instead, she became worse and unstoppable.

The return of the only heirs caused a lot of headaches for him. Jennie is too hard for him to handle.

"What should we do with her? She not listening to us! Went to the pub every night, get home at four am, and drunk! She humiliates us! My reputation!" said Jeha angrily.

Seeing her husband in that state brings sadness to Anna's heart. A man with who she has had spent twenty-nine years together is in a broken state because of their daughter.

She understands why her husband got too angry tonight and hopes by rubbing his back could calm him down, but it is no use.

Anna as a mother knows it was not all Jennie's fault. She knows which part they lack that caused Jennie to behave that way. But not her husband who refuses to accept his flaw when he look perfect to the world.

To his own world.

Silently the mother thinks of a way to save her daughter and reunite their family once more. Bring happiness to the frozen family.

"I sent her to Auckland and failed. Let her work to get herself busy and learn responsibility, and failed too. I don't know what else to do with her. She's giving me a headache" add Jeha, letting out his frustration.

As a father, he failed to raise Jennie to become a good person like he what wanted her to be. Being a well-known person in the industry has its consequences, it is either work or family to choose.

"Why don't we just marry her off?" Anna gave an idea as she think of someone who could save the family.

"What makes you think she will agree with it? We're talking about our daughter, Jennie" questioned Jeha, as he did not see any good point in that idea. He knew Jennie would not listen to their words no matter what.

"Dear, she will soon enter twenty-seven and inherit everything you worked on. Make a term on her to inherit it, she never experience any hardship and I'm sure she will agree if we threaten to cut off all of her allowance" Anna explains her idea.

This is the best idea Anna could think of to save her daughter although she knows Jennie would refuse it as hard as she can and would do anything to escape herself from it.

But Anna knows a person who could cope with Jennie's attitude, it would be a good plan.

She thinks.

Jeha sensed the good vibes from those suggestions made his lips form a big smile of victory. He knows, this time Jennie will be tamed.

"But with whom she will be married to?" asked Jeha, wondering.

"You love that person very much, and so am I" said Anna and smile proudly as she say it.

"What?! Lisa?! Why her?! She's a girl! Girl!" shouted Jennie angrily.

The silent night was broken by Jennie's voice as soon as she heard her parent's ridiculous request of getting herself married.

She was forced to sit down when she was about to enjoy her night as her parents said they have a business to talk about.

Jennie's feelings were all mixed as she feel deceived by her parents. Who would imagine the business they meant is marriage, things that are not related to money and investment.

It is not business, it is life matters!

"What's wrong with that? We know her well and she is a nice person, same as her late mother. I am forever in debt to her late mother" said Anna as she remembered the scarification of Lisa's late mother had done towards her five years ago.

"Just because you are in debt with her, why must I be the victim?! Why must I marry the daughter of our maid?! Why must I sacrifice myself for your stupid request?! You are the one who is in debt, so you are the one who should pay for it! Not me!" Jennie to continues let out her rage.

"This is not a request, this is an order. A term we put on you as an heirs" replied Jeha.

"What?!" Jennie look at her father with a stern shocking face as she found it hard to believe and hoped she heard it wrong.

Ignoring his daughter's rage, Jeha hand Jennie a file which she snatches immediately.

It was the file of the contract.

Jennie's face turn disbelief as she find out what the file was about. She focus on that paper and furrowed as she read the contents.

1. To inherit Kim Jeha's properties, Kim Jennie needs a partner that is chosen by her parents which is Lalisa Manoban.

2. The heirs, Kim Jennie must be married to Lalisa Manoban before Kim Jennie turns twenty-seven.

3. The heirs, Kim Jennie will inherit all of Kim Jeha's properties after turning twenty-seven with the married status.

4. After married, the heirs, Kim Jennie is not allowed to drive alone. She must be back and forth to the office with her wife, Lalisa Manoban.

5. If the heirs, Kim Jennie file for divorcement, automatically all of the properties changed hand to Lalisa Manoban.

6. If the heirs, Kim Jennie do not agree with the term of the contract, all her allowance and position in Kim Corp will be taken back from her.

Jennie breathe heavily as she finish reading the contents, her chest went up and down rapidly, holding the anger she feel inside. Jennie looks at her father again with the file in her hand, holding it tight.

"It's not fair!" shout Jennie.

It is a one-sided contract. Agree or disagree, she is still on the losing side. No matter what her answer or her action, she ain't gonna win the game.

"I do not agree to this!" said Jennie firmly.

"Then, pack up your stuff and leave" said Jeha, not stepping down.

Anna shut her mouth when Jennie look at her, wanting some help. But Jennie gets none.

Anna is not interested in helping her daughter in this matter as this is her idea to begin with. She wants to end this cold war between the daughter and the father.

"You, joking, right?" asked Jennie, shaken by her father's seriousness as she did not receive any support from her mother.

"Don't try me" replied Jeha. He knew he is finally winning in making his daughter obey him.

Jennie let out a heavy sigh as she get the answer from Jeha, she had no other choice but to agree with a heavy heart. She will get married to a woman she does not even love.