"Where are you right now?"
Chaeyoung asked Lisa's whereabouts as she talked through her phone. Waiting for her answer, she's biting the tip of her fingernails.
"Chae I keep telling you it's fine, I can hear your worry from here," Lisa chuckled at her.
"How do know?" Chaeyoung was shocked.
"I can feel it babe," Lisa said on the phone.
But also even from the phone, Chaeyoung could hear the honking of cars. From there she knew Lisa wasn't in the town.
"So where are you?" Chaeyoung asked her, "Are you in Busan? Did you return to Seoul?"
Lisa who's on the way to see her father took a pause, she didn't realize the traffic on Seoul became too much. She hasn't been here for 5 years to realize how much it grown.
"Yeah, I'm in Seoul, Dad's been missing me a lot lately so I kinda want to stop by where he is," Lisa said, there's no reason for her to lie.
"Good, don't come back yet, it's chaos here," Chaeyoung warned her, "If possible come back next week, or next month,"
"Huh?" Lisa became curious but she has an assumption, "Let me guess, it's because of what happened the yesterday wasn't it?"
"Hmm, Jimin's mindless fan girls are hunting you," "I mean how can they be so childish, it's not their problem so I had to kick Jimin out, he pisses me off so much it's unbearable seeing his stupid face," Chaeyoung hummed sympathetic but more of the feeling to apologize profusely.
Her brother said so many ungrateful things to her that wasn't true. She couldn't tell anybody about her secret, and neither she should explain things without her consent. She wanted to defend her the truth, but she couldn't because it is not her life, and she shouldn't be the one to tell.
"I'm sorry Chae, I put you in a tight situation, I didn't know Jimin misheard me," Lisa apologized instead.
Chaeyoung shook her head, "What do you mean sorry? If anyone who should be sorry it's definitely Jimin, those little fangirls he has is so lame to look for you like who are they? It's so childish and cringey," "Are you okay though?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Lisa sighed, she got a worrisome friend, "Whatever they say, I don't really give a care, they can say anything, I don't care.."
"Ugh," Chaeyoung groaned, "Did you are the most talk in town now," "I've been defending you left and right but they all have to say, It's exhausting!" "Did you know I almost got into a fight at the hall yesterday because you're being the feast of their mouth?"
"I'm not surprised, I've been the talk of the town since I got there," "Should I kick them out of their houses for you?" Lisa joked around.
"Can you do that?" Chaeyoung fell for her joke, "You're a cheon anyways, you can do that right?"
"Chaeyoungaa!" Lisa yelled laughing from the phone, "What if someone hear you?"
"You don't have to worry about that babe, No one is here at the store besides me, Eunwoo is with Jungkook playing basketball," Chaeyoung giggled.
"Aigoo~"
Chaeyoung's discovery about her real identity was a perfect accident as Lisa calls it. It's on their first year being friends when Lisa started her business on boat rental and yatch, to make use of the rapid growth of Jeon's business in hotel and tourism in the district. It was the same time when she decided to enter the industry of distribution. Sandcastle— the luxurious hotel and resort that Jeon Family established since 1990s, they were almost 4 in rating before when she started her business but now, after their good partnership it became one of the leading resort in South Korea with a rating of 5 star.
And so to make things precise, Lisa who wants legacy to herself. She created this small business named Chosue Yatch, means "High class Yatch" that was located 15 minutes drive from Cheon Seong, and 25 kilometers away from Busan. She didn't want to stress herself with managing Chosue while establishing a bigger business, so she hired the best people to solve her problem.
It wasn't an instant rise but it definitely grew wonderfully for a four years since it was established. She didn't really advertise it much nowadays, because Sandcastle can provides VVIP guests for them and it's already been known on the entire country for best yatch experience. However, to make matters secret, she ensure that no one would know that she operates Chosue. She placed her business out of Choen Seong, and as much as possible no one in the town will be hired.
Chaeyoung, as a clingy person to her boyfriend, she decided apply in Chosue so she can go home back and forth to be with him. Luckily for her she got hired as an intern because of her outstanding performance in hospitality and costumer services in Chung Ang University and because her address was located on her apartment in Seoul and not in Cheon Seong.
Unfortunately for Lisa, they've met on the said place not as a friend, but an owner and an employee when she were inspecting the boats and the restaurant that was in that place three years ago. And a year after that, she hired her to be the general manager. Lisa taught her how the business works in a year so she can closely manage the business through her, and it's the best thing she did for herself. She hardly manages the business because everything is laid out and well organized in reports.
"Imagine my shock to see your face as the owner of Chosue, and the fact that you're a Cheon is the most jaw dropping of all," Chaeyoung remembered how dumbfounded she was, she screamed the hell out.
"It's really a great coincident, now I have an excellent manager who made my business running well for a beginner," Lisa chuckled, "I just love you so much,"
"Aigoo, you have to thank Jungkook for that," Chaeyoung laughed, "Sandcastle is growing rapidly because of his recent popularity in sports and we are on his travel recommendations,"
"You mean after his advertisement for Calvin Clein?" Lisa scoffed, "Besides why would I thank him after he damaged my face once?" "It's fair to think that i'm getting money from his family's business because of that,"
And there on the corner of her eyes, she saw his poster on a sideway billboard, "What's so good about him? He's just a pretty face," She rolled her eyes.
"He got them looks babe, don't me, you know he's kinda hot," Chaeyoung laughed at how ridiculous that sounds.
"Ew!" Lisa almost threw up, "You're simping over your boyfriend's best friend?!"
"Eww Noooo!! I just said he got that look but I don't find him like appealing in sexual sense!!" Chaeyoung's body got the chills, she could never imagine liking Jungkook.
"Okay babe, I got you," Lisa giggled, but then she remembered the partnership with Kang Family, "Oh right, did you know that the reason I went to Busan last night was because Kang Family wants a partnership with me.."
"Oh really? for international distribution?" Chaeyoung got interested.
"Yes, and do you know who they want to be in contact with?" Lisa asks her, as her driver turns to the corner of their street near their house.
"Who? Jeon Jungkook?" Chaeyoung guessed.
"Exactly, they want him to manage the distribution," Lisa said which made Chaeyoung stand up on her chair.
"MWO?! That's not possible!" Chaeyoung screamed on top of her lungs.
Lisa was baffled by her sudden answer, "Why?"
"You know Jungkook is renting Eun woo's house right? It's been a year now," Chaeyoung said.
"Yeah and so?" Lisa asks her to continue while the car arrived at their big gate.
"Lisa, Jungkook doesn't want to run their business, in fact he doesn't want anything to do with business anymore after what happened," Chaeyoung paused, "He had a big argument with his mother more than a year ago and he refuse to reconcile with her ever," "He has no contact with anyone even with Kang Family, he probably doesn't know he is in,"
"I saw it right though, he's on their proposal," Lisa heard her voice so beautifully that Lisa almost jump out of her seat. Who would have thought Jungkook despise it himself, she could've rejected the proposal right there and then, thankfully she has a beautiful friend who knows every people in Cheon Seong.
Now she can decided the best for her, without thinking about her secret identity.
"Are you sure?" Lisa asks for assurance.
"I'm 100% sure babe, he'll never gonna like it," And that leaves a million dollar smile on Lisa's face before she hops out of the car after their call when she arrived at their old house in Seoul.
"Welcome back, MiLady,"
She was greeted with high respect by the staff she grew up with, bowing theirs so low their forehead almost touches their knee as soon as the front door of their mansion opens.
However, as a person who had lived normally for a 5 years, she bowed her head the same time they greeted her.
"Oh annyeongha-" Lisa took it deep in her head, she remained on her lowest while she gathered her thoughts. Right, she hasn't experienced being treated like this she screwed up.
Everyone was baffled. To think the heir to Skye would bow her head to a servant. Back in the days, she wouldn't even lower her head even an inch. Although she is most sophisticated lady they've served, she was trained to never lower her head to anyone not even the President of this country. So this kind of gesture from her is quite surprising for them.
"Lisa?"
It was thanks to her father who rushed himself out of his office to see his daughter made her thoughts went back to reality and quickly composed her.
"Appa.." Lisa walks closer to her dad, who's walking fast to embrace her.
"Come here my dear dear child!" Her father engulfed her so tightly she can feel immediately felt his warmth. Oh, the feeling of being loved. Oh, the feeling of being cared. "I missed you dearest,"
It has been five years since she'd been with her father. His embrace is as soft as a pillow, as if telling her to come back to the comfort of this big place.
"Why don't you stay here and never comeback to Cheon Seong?" Her father requested but she quickly rejected the idea.
"Aigoo my clingy father," Lisa coo at him as she pulled from their hug and hook her both arms on his arm, "I wouldn't be here for too long, I have businesses in Busan and Cheon Seong,"
"If you can handle all the works in Cheon Seong you can do that here too my dear, your staff can send all your paperworks," Her father said as they walk towards the breakfast room to catch up with tea and desserts.
"I didn't come here to work, I came here to have vacation with you," Lisa faces her father, pouting her lips. "I strictly told Secretary Noh to not disturb me for three days,"
"Vacation?" Byung Hun looked at his daughter.
"Hmm.. Can you do that too dad?" Lisa nodded as she pleaded with her eyes. "I missed you much, so can you spend it with me? Let's go to Singapore!"
Her father chuckled at her, "What you want to do in Singapore? Shopping?" "Right, I heard you're not even buying stuff for yourself dearest, don't just work have fun a little, you can't use money when you're dead so buy anything you want, this old man will give it to you,"
"Well, there's something that I really want in Singapore, do you mind going with me?" Lisa giggled.
Her father nodded, "Well It's the right to use that private plane that I just bought, we can put that to use,"
"Another aircraft?" Lisa raise her brows, "I heard you bought a jet last year,"
"It's too small for a long flight, I need a plane that doesn't need a refill on some airport, it's hassle and I'm a busy man," Her father excused.
"Is that so?" Lisa giggled, "Well then busy man, can you clear up your schedule and spend a three day vacation with me on Singapore?"
Her father chuckled at her cuteness, "Even a busy needs a time to rest, especially if his lovely daughter demands it,"
"Hmm! I demand it!" Lisa chuckled.
Her father turned to his butler who'd been with them since the beginning and gave him his order, "Tell the captain that my daughter wants to go to Singapore," "We will leave immediately this afternoon,"
"Yes, Chairman Cheon,"
———-
Sweat breaks as he pump his chest out with a single push of the barbell. He squat his lower half as his hand lifted the metal rod. Seconds he froze as he controls his breathing and a timer stops answering Eunwoo calls.
"Stop,"
Jungkook removed his hand on the barbell, carefully not wanting his feet be crushed from the heavy metal. He started panting, breathing heavily, he stood up holding his pelvis side by side chasing his breath.
"Control your breathing better, and reduce the stress on your muscle, otherwise you'll faint due to lack of oxygen," Eunwoo reminded him.
"I should have removed the weights on my foot, this wasn't helping," Jungkook crouch on his feet, removing the weights he put on his ankle.
"You're not even running, why do you have those?" Eun woo asked.
"I have to do 20km laps starting today, I received a message from KBA (Korean Baseketball Association) that we will be joining the Spring Basketball League a month from now," Jungkook informed him.
"So you'll be in Seoul with Min Hee next month?" Eunwoo asked, wanting to watch him play.
"No, Spring Basketball League is in Busan this time, I heard Taehyung changed it this time because there's a lot of participants but I will bet my career that isn't his real reason," Jungkook said.
"That person rarely do anything even though he's a great grandson of the founder," Eunwoo gotten curious, "Why do you think so?"
"I don't know probably because he's tired of Seoul, a new air perhaps," Jungkook went over to the bench where his water was and drank it before adding to his speculation.
"Or he's giving up his idol career and focus on their business," Jungkook added which took Eunwoo's attention.
"Is he retiring?" Eunwoo asked.
"Who knows what that weirdo wants," Jungkook chuckled before running his hair to remove the sweat, "He rarely talks about himself, don't really give much care about his surroundings," "Aside from giving fan service to his fans, he has no interest in any women,"
"He's gay?" Eunwoo guesses.
"No! what the hell are you thinking?" Jungkook laughed at him, "He's so career oriented so he probably doesn't want any distraction,"
"That's so much like him" Eunwoo nodded his head before looking at the time, "Ya! Ya! Ya! Min Hee told you to meet him at 11am, it's already 10:45!"
"Huh?" Jungkook looked at the direction of the clock and confirms the time, "Fuck! Should I take a quick bath?!"
"You should, cuz you stink man," Eunwoo continued to laugh at his friend, following all his moves from taking his clothes on his sports bag to going inside the shower room.
Jungkook took a bath as fast as he can to meet up with his girlfriend. She was quite avoiding him for the past few days because of his stubbornness, so he had to make up with her to clear their silent treatment.
And just 5 minutes after their said meeting time, Jungkook arrived at the place. He saw Min Hee standing outside her house.
"I'm sorry I'm late!"
"I was lifting barbells when I saw and I forgot to set an alarm, don't hate me!" Jungkook quickly apologized when she hops on his car.
Min Hee chuckled, "Baby it's fine, it hasn't been 3 minutes since I waited outside," "You're totally not late,"
Jungkook took a deep sigh of relief, "Good, Good, I thought you've waited a lot,"
"No, I expected you to be late for hours," Min Hee joked .
"Ya, I've never been late like that, I'm always on time," Jungkook took it seriously before he starts driving his car to Chosue where they decided to have lunch. According to her, she haven't eaten in Chosue so Jungkook decided to book a table for them.
And that is today.
"Thank you for visiting Chosue, Mr Jeon and Ms. Kim, Manager Park and the whole staff are grateful for your visit,"
As soon as they arrived at Chosue Yatch, they were directed to the most beautiful spot next to the sea while the servers gave them their perks as someone who recommends Chosue to their high class customers.
"Please enjoy your time here for a moment as we prepare your meal," The server bows her head to them.
"Absolutely," Jungkook said to the server before giving all his attention to his girlfriend, "So how do you want to spent your remaining 2 week with me?"
"Remaining two weeks," Min Hee mimic him with a little funny pitch on her voice, "Hmmm... I don't think I'll be here in two weeks, I have to go back to Seoul early to process my bar exam on November,"
"Huh?" Jungkook stare at her eyes, "I thought you'd be here until end of month,"
"Babe.." Min Hee gotten nervous, "I-It's my big moment, I need to study to pass my bar exam,"
She took his hand, holding onto it like a precious gem, "I don't want to disappoint anyone, your mother, your uncle, my parents, I just want to pass this exam and help them,"
"Why do you even care about them," Jungkook sighed, "If you want to pass, do it for yourself," "Don't think about what they think because when you pass the exam, that title is for you alone,"
"I know that but.." Min Hee pursed her lips, "Your uncle supported my education, then your mother expected us to get marry next year, I just don't want to fail them so we can go as planned,"
"Ahh..." Jungkook was lost for words, he can't blame her for thinking about the support she received. Everyone in his family wants her to finish her bar exam fast so they can marry. No one in his uncle's side took law, so when they heard about his girlfriend they're very supportive of their relationship.
Ever since then, it became toxic that he cannot remember when's the last time they had fun together.
But.. Marriage? He had no idea where they got this from but their family think he'll propose this year. They kept hasting him for no reason at all, would marriage now be different if he's ready? Why do they want to force him to marry so suddenly after she achieved her dream to be a lawyer?
How about him? Does his dream not big enough to be disregarded?
He's just so sick of them, pushing themselves on their relationship. He's annoyed by the fact that both of their sides want it so badly that sometimes a dinner would led to a wedding preparation.
"Jungkook?"
Min Hee nervously grab his attention when she received a message on her phone, not wanting him getting angry because she knew he'll never gonna like the real reason why she asked to be in here.
"Don't be surprise okay, I-I just.."
Jungkook put his attention to his girlfriend, stuttering to her words until he saw a very familiar figure on her back.
It was a woman of elegance, dressed in a teal Chanel dress, she wore a cropped vintage white coat and a white high heel jimmy choo. And even thought she is wearing a sunglasses, Jungkook knew exactly who she was.
"Why is she doing here?" Jungkook asked Min Hee.
Min Hee pursed her lips, finding the right words to say, it took her a little too long to answer and said, "I-I just think it would be better if you and your mother reconcile,"
"She's been asking me the whole time just to talk to you, so please give her a chance," Min Hee pleaded.
Jungkook scoffed at her pleading. Shock was an understatement as he glared at the woman going towards their direction. If only he knows her intention, he would pick fainting on her workout than painting himself red on this very seat.
Having enough of the sudden change of atmosphere, Jungkook stood up from his seat. He doesn't want to engage such a wicked woman, so he wanted to flee, away from her.
"I'm going,"
"Jungkook, please," but Min Hee stopped him as soon as his mother arrived in front of them, "Stay please, I beg of you, not in this place,"
Jungkook looked into his surroundings, he noticed few people looking at his mother and him. And even if he wanted to go, it wouldn't be good for family if rumors starts to spread that Jeon Family doesn't get along well.
"Please," Min Hee pleaded for him. Not a single word, he obeyed and took a seat. He was sitting further away from the wicked woman.
Mrs Jeon felt good to see her son in flesh, but not the tattoo he has on his sleeves. She was grossed of how unsightly his arms look now and how many his piercing were.
"What did you do to yourself Jungkook, are you becoming a gangster?" "Do you know how you awful you look right now?"
It was the very first thing she says to his son she hasn't talk to for a year. If it wasn't for Min Hee she wouldn't be able to see him, nor ever get a conversation with him. However, it doesn't matter whether he likes her or not, she is still his mother and that doesn't change that.
Min Hee looked at his right arm, disheartened how he tampered his skin with black ink. She remembered how it angered her the first time she saw it, but she can't do anything about him. He's stubborn that no one can't control him.
He's like a wild dog.
Jungkook on the other hand was beyond pissed. Who cares about what he does to his body, it his own, "Most of parents who hasn't seen their sons for a long time would ask how they've been, while you asks if I'm a gangster just because of my tattoo, Ms Kang?"
"Miss Kang.." His mother clicked her tongue, "Then what do you want me to do? Hug you? After you revengefully left the house?" His mother asked, Jungkook sarcastically chuckled at her.
"You can simply not give a fuck about your runaway child," Jungkook went straight to his rejection, "Otherwise people would think you care,"
"Of course I care you're my only son," His mother relaxed her body on the back rest while staring at her son. "Why don't you take a seat instead,"
"No, I lost my appetite, "Make it straight and short, get to your point so I can go home," Jungkook said to his mom.
"Home is where I am my dear, let's eat first I'm starving," His mother took the menu.
"I haven't been into this restaurant even though we are working together for four years," His mother turn to Min Hee who's been silent while she listens to them, "Aren't you hungry too daughter in law?"
Daughter in law.. Jungkook scoffed, he's trying his best not to create commotion but this wicked woman is trying her hardest to ruin his mood.
"Ye-Yes aunt," Min Hee stuttered, she can see the growing frustration on Jungkook's face.
"I said go straight to your intention, why are you doing this to me?!" Jungkook whispered yelled, gritting on his teeth, trying to control his anger watching his mom.
"Dear, how was your preparation for the bar exam?" "Are you ready?" His mother asked Min Hee intentionally ignoring him.
"SAY.. IT," Jungkook felt exploding.
"I-I'm still preparing," Min Hee felt trapped in between.
"Take your time dear, if possible I'll send you a private lawyer to prepare you with closest mock ups exam," His mother continues to ignore him.
"It's too much aunt, I-I'm goo—
*slammed!!!*
"Are you really going to continue ignoring me?" Jungkook slammed the table startling both his mother and his girlfriend. Everyone's eyes are now on him, creating commotion inside.
"If you're going to ignore me all day, you could've said so," "I don't want to be here nor ever want to see you, I'll her entertain you instead," Jungkook stood up from his seat.
"Jungkook please let's eat first then we'll go," Min Hee pleaded once again.
"Why are you siding her?" Jungkook sarcastically chuckled, "I did my best to control my anger for you, but in exchange of that she already insulted me first thing she sees me," "Now she's ignoring me, what else I should be here of?"
"I need to discuss of something with you Jungkook," His mother.
"Oh now you're talking me?" Jungkook scoffed, "Your time is up, I don't want to hear anything you have to say, I'm sick of your antics,"
Jungkook moved out of the table, "You already own the business why would you need me? Go handle it yourself," "I'm leaving,"
"Au-Aunt," "Jungkook.." Min Hee hesitated to stand up but with Jungkook walking away, she stood up and followed him.
Min Hee bow her head as an apologize for his behavior, "I'm so sorry about Jungkook aunt," "I'll try to convince him to talk to you next time,"
Jungkook's mother watch his son walks away but before he took another steps forward, his mother stood up and revealed her true purpose. "Your Uncle demands you to handle a business for K&F,"
Jungkook paused, His uncle? Kang Ji Su? What do he want from him now? "Demanded?"
"It is a business partnership," "An international business that you've specialized," "They know you can handle that so your uncle demands you to handle it," His mother said while watching his son turn his back around to look at her.
Jungkook smirked, "Don't fool me around Ms Kang, K&F Corporations doesn't have any international distribution, they mainly produces goods for locals from export ingredients,"
"You mean they were," His mother clicked her tongue, "But as soon as the proposal got accepted not anymore,"
"What?" Jungkook creased his brows.
"They wanted to expand their business globally after an massive demand, particularly in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia," His mother took the glass of water while staring at his son whom she knew is now interested more than ever.
He's been looking forward to this international market in K&F for so long.
"They are partnering with Skye Distribution,"
His mother gave him a smirk that he could never forget. His eyes grew when suddenly a voice of a man that he's been trying to forget, echoed inside his head. The voice of the only man that supports him tremendously in any dream he wants to accomplish.
Has said his farewell for eternity.
Mianhe.. Jung..kookah..
Mi..anhe..
Sa..ranghae adeul..
Jalga..yo (goodbye)
His world turns without him knowing, flashbacks of last year came back haunting him. He could feel the horrible feeling he had seeing her sinister smile. His heart feels bursting, he can feel it jumping hard that he couldn't breathe. It's the same feeling he had before everything began crumbling.
That smile that haunts him.
That smile that ruins everything.
"Specifically the Skye heir," His mother paused, "Lalisa Cheo—
"Andwae!!!" "I don't want to listen to anything you have to say!!" Jungkook yelled so loud to unhear the voice inside his head while everyone look at him in utter confusion. His fist crumpled, breathing heavily unstable.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!!" "Don't talk!" "I'm not going to listen anymore!"
He look back at them as he chases his breath. He saw all their baffles in their faces, even people around them started to get worry of his extreme rage. He knew at that time that he needs to leave or he will lose consciousness in this place.
He stepped back away from them as he said his final word, "Leave me alone,"
"Don't contact me ever again,"
A/N: bear with me as I need to establish the drama.