Chapter 34

Tae Seong Group Headquarters.

The VIP elevator came to a halt at the top floor. As Ho Rang stepped out and entered the lobby, the secretaries serving Chairman Baek stood up and bowed in unison.

"To what do we owe this unannounced visit?"

"Is the Chairman inside?"

"Yes. Please wait a moment."

While the secretary contacted the office, Ho Rang reflected on the events of earlier.

When Chairman Baek first suggested an arranged marriage meeting, Ho Rang hadn’t been certain of his feelings for Bo Bae. But as time passed, his heart grew for her, and Do Yoon’s provocation finally awakened something dormant within him.

He no longer wanted to live as the Chairman’s puppet. He had vaguely thought about stepping out from the Chairman’s shadow someday, but putting it into practice was difficult.

Yet, Bo Bae made him want to do it. A strong desire to have her was what moved him.

"You may enter."

As the secretary opened the door, Ho Rang walked inside.

Chairman Baek was standing before a large window that overlooked the entire city of Seoul. He took great pleasure in looking down from high places. He often said that, unlike his impoverished childhood, seeing people scurrying beneath his feet gave him a certain thrill.

"I’m here, Grandfather."

As Ho Rang bowed, Chairman Baek moved toward the sofa.

"I see. I was just about to contact you myself."

Once the Chairman took the head seat, Ho Rang followed suit and sat down.

"When do you plan on meeting Chairman Han’s daughter?"

"I came here to speak with you about that."

At Ho Rang’s unusually serious tone, Chairman Baek leaned deep into the sofa. He sensed this conversation might be a long one.

"Go on."

At the low voice, Ho Rang took a moment to catch his breath and looked at the Chairman.

The gaze beneath those eyelids was still piercing, and the deep-set wrinkles seemed to testify to his unyielding stubbornness.

To Ho Rang, Chairman Baek was like a mountain. A towering peak that stood by his side the moment he turned around, one he could never hope to cross. He was a terrifying, formidable figure. Because of that, Ho Rang had never once gone against his wishes. He had grown up as the "good grandson" and the businessman his grandfather wanted him to be.

He’d lived like that for twenty years, but Na Bo Bae, that woman is changing his life. That kissing maniac dug her way into his heart unexpectedly and took up residence there. She won't leave. No, he won't let her leave. So, he have to find a way to live with her. To do that, he must cross this mountain first. This massive, steep, and rugged mountain that he’d never crossed, never even dared to try crossing, before.

Clenching his hands atop his knees, Ho Rang spoke in a calm but firm tone.

"I would like you to cancel the talks regarding my marriage."

"What did you say?"

At Ho Rang's words, the Chairman’s eyes flashed sharply.

This was a boy who had never once rebelled. A boy who had never talked back about anything. Even when given unreasonable orders, he was the one who always brought back satisfactory results. And now, that very boy was trying to defy his will.

"What is your reason for refusing?"

He had a vague suspicion, but he wanted to hear it directly from Ho Rang’s mouth.

"I’ve found a woman I love."

Of course. Like father, like son.

For a moment, the face of his son, Jae Wook, seemed to overlap with Ho Rang’s.

It was a story from over thirty years ago. Jae Wook, Ho Rang’s father and the Chairman’s son, had stood in this very spot and said the exact same thing.

'I have a woman I love.'

And he had added.

'And your grandchild is in her womb.'

Jae Wook was the son Chairman Baek had cherished most. He was brilliant, polite, and even athletic.

Having grown up poor, Chairman Baek had made sure his children enjoyed everything he couldn't. From education to travel, leisure, and sophisticated hobbies.

He was generous to his son in every way, except for one thing. Marriage.

To expand the company further, a strategic marriage was necessary. But Jae Wook had been stubborn. He said he wouldn't enter a calculated marriage because he had found the woman he loved.

At that time, Chairman Baek had already picked out Su Yeon, the daughter of the Minister of Construction and Transportation, as his son’s match. Her father was essential to his business, and the elders had already made a promise.

Yet, he had another woman! That alone was enough to make his blood boil, but a child too?

Chairman Baek had thrown whatever he could get his hands on. He threw an ashtray from the table, and Jae Wook had to get five stitches on his forehead.

But, he couldn't turn the heart of his young son who had fallen in love. Ultimately, Jae Wook started a family of his own without his father’s permission. Resentful, Chairman Baek refused to even look at the son who came seeking forgiveness every day for ten years. And then, twenty years ago, Jae Wook passed away alongside the woman he loved. Leaving only this boy behind.

Will this boy be as reckless as his father? Or will he play around for a bit and then return to my side?

Chairman Baek observed Ho Rang. The grandson was the spitting image of his father. At times, it felt like his late son had come back to life. But if there was one thing that set this boy apart from Jae Wook, it was his hunger for success.

Ho Rang loved Tae Seong Group more than anyone. To become the master of Tae Seong, Ho Rang had run forwards without looking back, obeying every command to grasp the company in his hands. Of course, this was the result of the Chairman's brainwashing since childhood, fearing Ho Rang might be swayed by a woman.

Chairman Baek was certain Ho Rang wouldn't end up like Jae Wook. No, he was determined to make it so. The match with HB Cosmetics was a connection far too valuable to lose, for both Ho Rang and the company.

"You know what I’m going to say, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Leave. I have a headache."

At the Chairman’s blunt response, Ho Rang had no choice but to stand up. Knowing his grandfather was a man who saw his intentions through to the end, Ho Rang knew he wouldn't back down. He simply had to steel himself.

After Ho Rang left, Chairman Baek sank into deep thought. He had lost his son, but he couldn't lose his grandson too. He had to find a way. A way to protect both his grandson and Tae Seong Group.

"Secretary Kim. Come in."

He pressed the intercom, and soon Secretary Kim entered and bowed.

"Dig into Ho Rang’s background. I don't care how trivial it is. Report everything to me in detail."

"Yes, Chairman."

Since he couldn't lose his grandson, he had to eliminate the source of the trouble.

~~~~

Although it was quite late, Bo Bae sat in her dark container without turning on the lights. After sitting dazed for a long time, she looked down at the back of her right hand.

The spot where Ho Rang’s lips had touched a few hours ago felt as hot as if it had been branded. She recalled what had happened at the office.

.

.

["I’m not going to any arranged marriage meetings. So don't worry about what that guy said."]

["Why? Why aren't you going?"]

["Because I’m not the kind of jerk who goes on match-making dates when I already have a girlfriend."]

["..."]

["Why are you so quiet?"]

It wasn't like he was speaking a foreign language, but she couldn't quite process his words. She didn't understand the intent behind them.

["When you say 'girlfriend'... do you mean me?"]

["Then who else is there but you?"]

His tone was short and plain. But his voice was filled with certainty.

["Since when am I your girlfriend...?"]

Bo Bae’s voice trailed off.

They were dating, sure, but that was strictly a contract relationship. A contract that was set to end in a month and a few days. She had no intention of holding him back with a fake relationship.

Of course, she had feelings for him, but she didn't think he felt the same. She didn't want to bind the life of a man who didn't love her with a mere contract. After all, their agreement started with a set end date. But then.

["Look at this woman."]

["...?"]

["She’s the type to go somewhere else and deny having a boyfriend."]

Bo Bae’s eyes widened as she looked up at Ho Rang. Then, Ho Rang took her hand and gently pressed his lips to the back of it.

["W-What are you doing?"]

["I’m marking my girlfriend. You’re mine, so don't even think about anything else."]

.

.

As the memory of Ho Rang’s clear smile surfaced, Bo Bae’s cheeks flushed deep red.

"What is this? It feels like we’re actually dating."

Her heart thrummed. It beat so hard she felt dizzy. It felt as if a giant spark was traveling through her veins and had lodged itself right in her heart.

"I guess Baek Ho Rang likes me too."

Bo Bae had noticed that Ho Rang, who used to grumble and keep his distance, had changed at some point. Like when he told Ju Hee he was her fan, or when he told her to go ahead and like him.

But it was still hard to believe. That prickly man actually liking her.

"Haa."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Bo Bae let out a long breath. She had never been this flustered in her life. What if her heart burst? Had anyone ever died from a bursting heart while in love? With this much pounding? This much madness?

"Oh no. I like him so much."

Suddenly, the lights in the dark container flickered on. Startled, Bo Bae looked around to see all the electronic devices that had been off suddenly powering up.

The lights, the TV, the laptop, even the beam projector.

Like a disco ball had been activated, the electronics repeatedly turned on and off of their own accord.

Seeing this, Bo Bae clutched her stomach and laughed. She couldn't contain her emotions. She wanted to feel the fluttering excitement, and she wanted to laugh to her heart's content.

"Phew. Is this what love is?"

The fact that her heart overflows just by thinking of him. Wanting to see him even when looking at him. Her heart tingling at the mere thought of him.

If that’s love... then she was definitely in love.

Just as she was rolling around on her bed, kicking her feet, she heard a dry cough from outside. Bo Bae scrambled up, smoothing her messy hair and tidying her clothes.

"Are you sleeping?"

"O-Oh, no."

When she opened the door, Ho Rang was there. She saw his face every day, but her heart raced the moment she laid eyes on him.

"What were you doing instead of sleeping?"

"Just... doing some thinking."

"About what?"

"Just, you know, this and that..."

"Am I included in those 'this and that' thoughts?"

Bo Bae looked up at Ho Rang but immediately looked down again. She couldn't meet his eyes. Why was she so nervous and awkward?

"Want to go for a walk?"

"I’d love to."

A bright moon hung in the pitch-black sky. The dew-kissed grass was moist and soft, and the sound of crickets chirping echoed from somewhere.

When they first met, summer had just begun, but now they stood in the heart of the season. In the meantime, small buds had bloomed into full flowers, and seeds had borne rich fruit. Much like the two of them.

"Can I hold your hand?"

At Ho Rang’s question, Bo Bae nodded, biting her lip to hide the smile that kept creeping up. Then, as if he had been waiting, Ho Rang’s large hand slid into hers. She thought he’d just hold her hand, but his fingers intertwined with hers. Startled by the unfamiliar sensation, Bo Bae looked at him, but Ho Rang ignored her gaze and didn't let go of her hand. Feeling another person’s touch in the sensitive gaps between her fingers gave her a strange, tingly feeling.

Ah, am I being perverted?

While she was giggling to herself at the thought, Ho Rang’s voice reached her ear.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing special. I'll probably be writing my manuscript."

"Then let’s go on a date."

"A date?"

"Why? You don't want to?"

"No! I want to. I’d love to."

Bo Bae answered quickly, nodding vigorously for fear he might cancel.

At that, Ho Rang stopped walking and stared intensely at Bo Bae. Her dark pupils looked exceptionally deep and beautiful today. After watching her for a long moment, Ho Rang pulled her into his arms with his large hands.

"Sigh. What am I going to do with you?"

"....?"

"I can’t get anything done because of you."

Na Bo Bae the moment he woke up, Na Bo Bae while he worked, and Na Bo Bae until the moment he fell asleep in bed.

Lately, Ho Rang’s head was filled with nothing but thoughts of Bo Bae. He, who had never rebelled in his life, was now defying the Chairman because of this woman. He never dreamed such a day would come.

He was clearly intoxicated by her. And if so, he didn't want to sober up. He wanted to remain forever drunk on the sweetness that was Na Bo Bae.