Eun-Sun wouldnât lie that she hated his caring attitude towards her, because she didnât. No one had ever placed such value on her, or prioritized her as much as he did.
All her life, she cared for others, and took whatever bullshit they tossed at her in appreciation. She took care of everything her father left behind, as well as the debts. She looked after her mother even when she made life difficult for her. Several times, she sat by her hospital bed after her frequent episodes of OD, yet she abused and blamed her for all misfortunes. She cared for her grandmother till she died, but no one had ever treated her this nicely.
She leaned into his warm embrace that has become her say haven, and Dan-Han slipped his arms around her, fully immersing her in his intoxicating warmth. He was careful enough not to squeeze her or pull her too close to himself as the stab wound on her midsection was yet to heal.
She placed her head on his chest and listened to the sturdy beats of his heart, that spoke to hers. But despite all the assurance his embrace gave, Eun-Sun couldnât waver off the concerns of her heart.
âDan-Han, I love you and I know you do too, but I still canât lie still and let you take your job for granted. Your father-â
âCanât take the company away from me.â He confidently declared knowing that was the concern of her heart, but Eun-sun wasnât at all convinced. As powerful and strong-willed as he was, she didnât think he should go against his father. The man was just as powerful as he was, and even though she knew theyâd always be at loggerhead regarding the matter of their relationship, Eun-sun didnât Father Lee to have evidence to slander Dan-Han with. His father might no longer oversee the affairs of the company, he still had enough power to make things difficult for Dan-Han, and she didnât want that for him at all. She had seen the look in his fatherâs eyes when she threatened him with Dan-Hanâs position and she feared he might do something against him.
She lifted her gaze to Dan-Han, and intently bored her eyes into his. Her eyes reflecting the sincerity of the words about to roll off her lips.
.....
âDan-Han, Iâll feel responsible if anything happens to you or the company. Youâve worked hard for the company, so mustnât jeopardize anything for my sake, Iâll lose my mind if you do. You canât say you feel at ease staying here at home, because I know you donât. For my sake, please go to work. The project is pending and everyone is waiting for you. Just go to work, please.â She sincerely pleaded with him, and her heart anxiously pounded anticipating his response.
Seeing those beautiful hazel eyes gleam at him and having her small pleading voice ruffling his heart, Dan-Han didnât know what to say. He peered at her and sighed.
âPark Eun-sun,â He helplessly muttered, while his fingers pressed the bridge of his nose. He glimpsed at her eyes and he darted his gaze away.
âYou should stop using those eyes on me. You know what they do to me.â As much as he knew she spoke the truth, he simply wanted to stay at home with her and care for her. But here she was pushing him away to work when she should be monopolizing him all to herself.
âAre you saying?â Eun-sunâs eyes anxiously perked up.
He sighed again. âFine, Iâll go to the office tomorrow. Happy now?â He reluctantly yielded while she happily bobbed her head and stole a kiss from his lips.
âThank you.â She said
...
When the morning came, Dan-Han was no longer willing to leave for work, because he didnât want to leave her at home unattended, but the small lady was bent on sending him away.
âIâm not sure this is a good idea.â He grumped as she buttoned his shirt for him and fixed his tie, while he carefully held her on his thigh.
âYou promised.â Eun-sun reminded him, knowing he wasnât one to break his promise, especially not the oneâs he made to her. She chuckled when she observed the grumpy look on his face. âIâll make dinner for you. You havenât tried my cooking yet.â
âThereâs another type of dinner Iâd want, but unfortunately you wonât be able to give it to me now.â He lowered his head and kissed between her breadt, slightly taking a soft bite of them.
âDan-Han!â She nudged him off, but he hooked his arms around her waist and trapped her in his embrace. A dangerous boyish smile tugged his lips making her blush.
âDonât make dinner, Alex will do it. I donât want you moving around.â
âItâs just dinner.â She protested.
âI need not remind you thereâs a cast on your leg and arm, so stay in this room, till Iâm back. Chang-Wok will deliver everything youâll need to keep yourself busy.â
Eun-Sunâs lips twitched to say something, but she clipped it shut and obediently nodded.
âGood girl.â He ruffled her hair and pecked her cheek. âIâll be back before dinner.â
âTake your time.â She told him.
âMy wife to be should have more of my time.â
âWife to be, huh? You havenât proposed.â
âShould I?â He asked, and the eagerness that flashed through his eyes didnât miss her attention, but Eun-sun hurriedly shook her head.
âNot yet.â She said, while he nodded. His countenance didnât change, but Eun-sun could tell something flickered through his eyes. He was anxious and desperate to make her his, but she was dallying his plans, and that made her feel bad.
Though he was understanding and would probably never complain, Eun-sun still didnât want to be selfish in their relationship. He was holding back on his plans just for her to be happy, and she also longed to do same for him. She had to hasten her plans to make something of herself. It might not be as grand as she had always dreamt, but she could make some compromise for him.
Eun-sun wordlessly hugged him.
She picked his bag and passed it to him. âAbout Ji-Tae and Hei-Ranâs cousin, did you find anything?â She inquired.
âNothing.â
âReally?â Eun-sun was surprised, more like disappointed. She had hoped to get some results from him, so Hei-Ran could wrap up this issue with A-Yeong.
âYes. Are you really sure they were the ones you saw?â He asked and she nodded affirmatively.
Dan-Han thoughtfully furrowed his brows. âIf thereâs something between them, then Ji-Tae is being really careful about it and I donât know why. But it wouldnât be strange if he wants to keep her hidden.â
âHow so?â Eun-sun asked as she frowned in confusion.
âJi-Tae isnât known to be committed to any woman. Every relationship heâs been has always been for his own benefit and nothing more. Heâs just a strange person.â
âBut what about the owner on the off shore account? Did you find anything?â She asked. Hei-Ran had mentioned the foreign account A-Yeong had occasionally been sending money to, and she had also passed the details to him, while they also waited for Jin-Haiâs contact.
âIâll get an answer for that when I return.â He told her.
Eun-sun smiled appreciatively. âItâs okay. Thanks for helping us.â
âItâs no problem.â He said, before his phone suddenly began to ring.
âWhat is it?â He stoically spoke through the phone and Eun-sun was surprised by how quickly his voice changes whenever he spoke to someone other than her. His current tone was chilling and terrifying.
Eun-sun frowned when his countenance changed into a grave one.
âLet him. Iâll be there.â He said and dropped the phone.
âDid something happen?â Eun-sun worriedly asked.
âItâs just work, nothing serious.â He gently told her, but Eun-sun didnât believe him. His countenance didnât just mean anything, nonetheless she smiled and urged him to leave.
âIf you miss me...â
âIâll call you.â She completed his sentence knowing that was exactly what he wanted to say.
âGood girl.â He kissed her one more time before leaving, but not without ensuring she had all she needed to stay busy.
The moment Dan-Han left Eun-Sun picked up the laptop he had left for her. She opened her email and looked through a project she had drafted in her earlier days of working in Pk corps, but had been too scared to submit it. She read through it and she was surprised to discover the conviction which had birthed the idea was still strongly rooted in her.
To make a path for herself she has to go the extra mile and that involved bringing the extraordinary to the table, and this extraordinary would require her intellect and strength which she wouldnât mind to give. If she pitched her idea well, she should be able to land herself a promotion, and that would bring her step closer to her dreams, and her plan of marrying Dan-Han.
~~~~
The atmosphere of the entire company changed the moment Dan-Han strided into the building with heavy feets. His presence plummeted the temperature to the barest minimum.
Dan-Han was greeted with an anxious look on his secretary face.
âWhere is he?â He asked while Chang-wok trembling pointed towards the conference office. Dan-Han pushed open the door and walked in. Everyone jerked to their feet the moment he stepped into the room, except his father. His presence mounted an insurmountable pressure on the people surrounding the table, making them share looks of fear and worry.
âWhatâs the meaning of this?â His cold voice echoed through the room, as he took his seat at the head of the large conference table.
âPresident Lee,â They echoed in greeting and bowed, but Dan-Han ignored him. He could see they way they shifted uncomfortably but they were the least of his concerns.
He turned to his father. âWhatâs the meaning of this meeting?â He inquired, the sullen on his face intensified as he stared at his father.
âI thought she had you tied to her heels.â Father Lee snickered with contempt, but Dan-Han wasnât in the mood to entertain him.
âWhy are you here?â He asked.
âNeed I remind you this is still my company, and you come earlier, youâd had found out my reason for being here.â He scowled at his son.
He turned towards the frightened men still waiting on their fee. âInform the press and everyone who needs to be informed, the centenary project begins building today.â
He glanced at Dan-Han who looked murderous. âAnd in the next quarterly shareholders meeting slated for next month, weâll be discussing matters regarding the leadership of this company. It seems President Lee is falling short in his duties.â He announced. A wave of shock twirled across the room and it was evident on the face of everyone in the room. They understood what his words meant. All eyes darted towards Dan-Han who was blankly staring at his father.
âWas father Lee impeaching his son from power?â Was the question on everyoneâs mind.