Chapter 56
While I was deep into my book, I got hungry and headed downstairs. Hajin said he was just about to call me for dinner. After we ate, we settled on the sofa to watch a movie. It was our usual routine minus one Seo Hahyun, and the house was as quiet as a monastery.
Hajin watched the movie while holding my hand on his knee.
“Um… Has Hahyun contacted you? He’s pretty late…”
Honestly, the longer he stayed away, the longer the peace would last—which was fine by me—but since he’d stormed out because of me, I was starting to worry. Hajin seemed to feel the same way. He glanced at the clock and sighed.
“Why? Are you worried about him?”
“It’s only natural to worry. Actually, earlier today…”
“I know. I got a call from his fiancée.”
“Then shouldn’t you call him?”
At my words, Hajin immediately dialed Hahyun’s number. But even after several attempts, it seemed like the call wasn’t going through.
“Can’t reach him?”
Hajin stroked my head while dialing another number.
“Don’t worry. I know where he is.”
The fact that my body responded to his touch even in this situation made me think I was losing my mind.
“Oh, Eunji. Is Hahyun there right now?”
Eunji? Was that the girl from earlier? So that’s where he went.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll come over, so keep him there.”
Hajin hung up and stood.
“What a shame. We’ll have to finish the movie later.”
“Are you going to bring him back?”
“Yeah. Apparently he’s staging a protest in front of her house, saying he won’t leave until she agrees to call off the engagement.”
“…”
When I couldn’t find words to respond, Hajin grinned.
“Will our Juwon be okay alone? Won’t you be scared?”
“…I’ll be fine. Just hurry up and go.”
***
“I sincerely apologize, Chairman. We’ll take full responsibility for the compensation…”
Hajin bowed deeply before Chairman Choi, Eunji’s father. Beside him, Hahyun was on his knees, while Eunji stood with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at him.
“No, hyung… That’s not what happened! Eunji was the one who suggested breaking up first…”
“Be quiet.”
At Hajin’s sharp words, Hahyun clamped his mouth shut, realizing this wasn’t the time for excuses. Chairman Choi spoke with what looked like amusement.
“I’d prefer if Eunji and Hahyun stepped outside while the adults talk…”
“No, Dad… You’re talking about me, so why should I leave? Does that make any sense?”
“This isn’t about you—it’s about business. Let’s step outside, sweetheart.”
Eunji shot Hajin a meaningful look before dragging Hahyun out. Left alone in the room, Hajin tilted his head.
“Did you have something you wanted to discuss privately…?”
“Forget about compensation and all that—just quietly cancel the engagement without Eunji finding out.”
Hajin was stunned by Chairman Choi’s words. He knew the engagement had been arranged by Chairman Seo and Chairman Choi for business purposes without consulting the parties involved, but he hadn’t expected it to be canceled so easily.
‘Could it be? Eunji…’
Chairman Choi laughed heartily, reading Hajin’s expression.
“I spoiled my daughter rotten since she was so hard to conceive, and now she’s become quite the handful, hasn’t she?”
“Not at all. Eunji is sharp and beautiful—it’s our Hahyun who’s at fault.”
“Until now, Eunji said she liked him, and Hahyun didn’t seem opposed either, so I went along with it because it made my daughter happy… Hajin.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Would you understand a father’s heart, not wanting to marry off his young daughter so early?”
Hajin tended to be suspicious when dealing with businessmen, but he knew Chairman Choi doted on his only daughter. This probably wasn’t a lie.
“I understand completely. I wouldn’t have wanted Hahyun to marry early either if it weren’t for Father. Haha.”
He played along to keep the atmosphere pleasant, but inside, Hajin was burning up. He regretted not being able to have Yoon Juwon all to himself.
On the drive here, he’d been hopeful, but after seeing Hahyun’s frantic behavior when he arrived, that hope had evaporated completely.
Chairman Choi extended his hand with a satisfied smile.
“Now I can finally sleep in peace.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Um…”
There was still an important matter to clarify. Hajin trailed off with a troubled expression. Chairman Choi withdrew his hand.
“It’s not like you to hesitate. If you have something to say, just say it.”
“This won’t cause any unfavorable consequences for our company, will it?”
Chairman Choi gave an ambiguous smile. He’d read Hajin’s thoughts completely.
“You’re not the type to fear such trivial matters. I hear your position’s unstable these days?”
As expected—the man was cunning. Hajin chose his words carefully.
“I apologize for my petty tactics. I chose the wrong opponent.”
“I know that was intentional too. Well, it’s getting late. Shall we get to the main point?”
Chairman Choi massaged his neck as if tired. Hajin cleared his throat.
It was finally time to reveal the real reason he’d come here tonight.
“I heard you maintain special relationships with several of our directors.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, as if to say, “So what?” If Hajin could recruit Chairman Choi—a major player in the industry—and manage the people already on their side, Secretary Kim would be easy to defeat.
But Hajin had no intention of showing weakness or groveling. Since Chairman Choi was known to be tough on the weak and weak against the strong, appearing strong was crucial.
“Since you dislike preamble, I’ll get straight to the point. I’ll promise you 2% of my shares.”
“Good lord! I told you to skip the preamble, not jump straight to the conclusion… You’re quite impulsive.”
“So you don’t like it?”
“No, I like it very much. If you’d made the request first, I would have sided with your opponents.”
“I thought as much. Then I apologize for disturbing you so late.”
Hajin bowed neatly and turned to leave. But Chairman Choi stopped him.
“Have you given any thought to marriage? I find myself more drawn to you than Hahyun…”
“Oh my, Eunji’s far too good for me. I’m quite lacking, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Chairman Choi let him go without resistance. When Hajin stepped out of the room, Hahyun and Eunji were in the middle of a staring contest.
‘They’re not children…’
He muttered under his breath and grabbed Hahyun’s arm.
“Let’s talk when we get home.”
***
“What did Chairman Choi say?”
From the moment they left Eunji’s house until they got home, Hajin didn’t say a single word to Hahyun. Hahyun knew the marriage to Eunji played an important role in business. That’s why he’d tried to break things off without causing trouble. But…
‘It’s disgusting…’
Yoon Juwon’s single word kept circling in his mind, making him feel like he’d die if he didn’t break up with Eunji immediately.
<Do you want to have an affair?>
The words that followed were even more shocking, leaving him unable to think about the company or anything else.
“Can’t you hear me? I asked what Chairman Choi said!”
Hajin’s lips remained stubbornly sealed. Hahyun wished he would just ask what happened or get angry—anything. But with Hajin keeping his mouth clamped shut like that, Hahyun felt like he was burning alive inside.
“Fuck, you think I wanted this? If you like Chairman Choi’s family so much, why don’t you marry into it instead of me? Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb when the person who’s actually needed doesn’t go? This is fucking bullshit.”
Whether Hajin reacted or not, Hahyun spilled out every word he’d been bottling up. Then Hajin pulled the car over to the side of the road and glared at him.
“W-what… What are you gonna do, staring at me like that? I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Hahyun. I told you we’d talk at home, didn’t I?”
“…”
Hahyun knew all too well that Hajin was far more furious when he spoke in that expressionless, low voice—enunciating each word clearly—than when he yelled. He was a little scared, but he tried not to show it and clenched his fist tight.
“Haah…”
Hajin’s long sigh spread through the quiet car.
“Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll just say one thing.”
“…What.”
“The engagement’s being canceled.”
Hahyun was secretly shocked.
‘It’s resolved that easily?’
Given how overly conscious and wary Hajin had been of him these past few days, this was unexpected. Chairman Choi wouldn’t have agreed to cancel the engagement without conditions—Hajin must have given up something.
‘Damn. I hate being indebted…’
No. Breaking off an engagement with someone of higher status wasn’t easy, and ending things with Eunji was the better choice even if it meant owing Hajin. Hahyun finally bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Hajin raised his hand and stroked Hahyun’s head. Hahyun hated it, but stayed quiet since he was at fault.
“I’m not doing this for free. The losses are significant, so you’ll have to do something for me too, right?”
Hahyun’s head snapped up, his eyes on Hajin. They trembled rapidly.
“What do you want? I could sell one of my buildings to cover the loss. Or give you some land.”
“Well… Business isn’t always about money. The biggest problem is the loss of reputation.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
Hajin gripped Hahyun’s neck firmly.
“I haven’t decided yet, but let’s agree that when I ask for a favor later, you’ll do it unconditionally.”
