After the contract signing, the gossip-hungry media followed after the CEO of Summit Group International. The young man was indeed popular not just locally but across international borders as well. However, they only knew a little about the successful businessman. He almost never accepts interviews and to be able to get even just a single answer from him is already a miracle!
Cameras flashed and the reporters buzzed with questions as they surrounded Min Jae. Some asked about his secrets to success. Others asked about his plans for the company in the upcoming years. While the brave few... the brave few courageously asked about his personal life. Regardless, Min Jae not once opened his mouth to reply. He remained silent as he allowed his bodyguards to safely lead him out of the crowd.
Min Jae and Secretary Yoo left immediately after the contract signing. They were on their way back to the hotel when Secretary Yoo recalled Eun Young's request. "Mr. Lee?" Yoo Joong asked.
During their busy days abroad, Min Jae often took these opportunities to rest in between his meetings. And so with his eyes remaining closed, he muttered in response. "What?"
Yoo Joong sighed. Sooner or later he'd have to tell him. Besides, Mrs. Lee seemed to be in a terrible state when she called. Something important might've happened. "Mrs. Lee called while you were at the contract signing, Sir." He began. "She didn't say much but she asked for you to come home as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Min Jae's eyes flew open. He turned to look at Secretary Yoo and the man gave him his phone back. Min Jae opened the screen and there he saw three missed calls from Eun Young and a text message from Mrs. Bong. He opened Mrs. Bong's message which was sent minutes after Eun Young's last attempt of calling.
Mrs. Bong: Mr. Lee, please return soon. Mrs. Lee is in a horrible shape right now and I'm really worried about her. Please contact her as soon as you can.
He didn't even bother to finish reading the message when he abruptly dialed Eun Young's number. The phone rang for few times. He waited, but then the other line suddenly lost service.
"Mr. Lee, Mrs. Dubois requested for an earlier meeting today." Secretary Yoo reported upon receiving a notification just now. "She said she wouldn't be able to attend at the agreed time due to personal reasons so she asked if it was possible that we meet her ahead of--"
"Nous conduire à l'aéroport. (Take us to the airport)." Min Jae ordered, cutting Secretary Yoo off.
The French driver shortly met Min Jae's eyes through the rearview mirror. "Oui monsieur. (Yes, sir)."
Unable to understand, Yoo Joong blinked in confusion. Did he perhaps heard him wrong or did Mr. Lee actually ask the driver to bring them to the airport? "What should we do about it boss?" He asked Min Jae to implicitly remind him about their current schedule as well.
These people they were about to meet were very important personalities. If they were to miss out on this opportunity, who knows how difficult it would be to cross paths with them again? The higher ups will certainly not like it if they all of a sudden dismiss this chance. It could end up badly for the young CEO!
The look on Min Jae's face was enough to make Yoo Joong nervous. His gut was telling him that something was about to go wrong and coincidentally, his gut was almost always right. Finally, Min Jae spoke. His answer was brief, but it definitely made him sit tight and obediently concede to his boss' decisions. "Those f***ers can wait. Unless you want to stay and wait with them, it would be fine with me."
Of course, his family should be his topmost priority. Why did he even bother asking? Yoo Joong swallowed and remained silent throughout the ride.
---
It was already evening when Min Jae arrived in Seoul. For some reason, he felt nervous. It was as if something terrible was waiting for him. When he was first informed about Eun Young's condition, an unpleasant feeling clouded his heart. Suddenly, he just wanted to teleport to her side and find out for himself how she actually was. He tried contacting her. But even after the plane had landed, he still wasn't able to reach her.
All he knew was that Mrs. Bong said she wasn't well. Was she severely sick? Did something happen at work? To the children? He stepped on the gas as similar thoughts raced through his mind. He was fueled by adrenaline. His heart was beating very fast as he was overtaking from one lane to another. Soon after, he reached his destination.
The house was dark and seemingly, there was nobody inside. Min Jae had to carefully find his way through some steps but fortunately, he managed to reach the main threshold. He fished for the keys in the inner pockets of his coat. However as he held the knob, he was surprised to find that it was left unlocked. Quietly entering, the living room was dimly lit up by a single stand lamp. It was the only source of light present and it was enough to help him see.
Thus, he wasn't able to miss the shadow of a woman curled up into a ball by the sofa. As Min Jae closed the door behind him, the woman looked up and her eyes found his. Her eyes were glistening like how he saw them before. But this time, it wasn't because they were happy. It was because of the countless tears that escaped through them--It was because of the pain and sadness she was feeling.
"I heard you weren't feeling very well so I came as quickly as I could." Min Jae began. And as always, Eun Young looked away. "I'm sorry it took me just now." He said, taking a few steps forward. There was a tug in his heart as he watched the woman before him. She was far from the woman he knew that was always optimistic and full of energy. She was far from the Eun Young he remembered that would lovingly welcome him home. Right now, she was indifferent--almost as if she was lifeless.
"What's wrong?" He asked and Eun Young still didn't reply. Min Jae began to approach her. "Eun Young, what's the matter? I wouldn't be able to know if you wouldn't tell me."
He was about to place a hand on her shoulder to get her attention but just as he was only a few centimeters away, Eun Young spoke. Her words were in a whisper but he heard them entirely.
"Don't touch me."
Min Jae's hand froze in mid-air. He was surprised but obediently, he retreated. Eun Young turned to look at him again. But this time, her eyes were brimming with tears. This sight of her panicked him. He was going to ask her again when suddenly, Eun Young stood up in front of him. And in one swift move, her palm swung through the air and loudly landed on his cheek.