"What's the problem? It's not like this was our first time stuffing animals."
"No, it's not that, but…" Of course, it's not the first time. It was their grandfather who taught them to hunt and stuff animals since they were teenagers. In particular, Tae-Jun, who showed the greatest talent, started making stuffed animals when he was 15 years old.
But isn't that limited to the "loot" hunted? Disassembling and skinning the body of a prized pet was unimaginable to do. Besides, why would he do that on the night before the engagement ceremony?
Looking around the hall with disdain, Tae-Jun told Lee. "I'll be out for a minute. Call me when the atmosphere is a little more to my liking."
"You mean empty and silent?" Lee said playfully, but when Tae-Jun's face remained stoic, he added, " But we are having a party right now!"
Tae-Jun shrugged his shoulders before saying, "It seems like someone would still enjoy this party without me." He pointed to someone and Lee Jae-won craned his neck to see who it was. A couple of meters from them, Si-yeon was enjoying champagne in the centre of the hall with her chin up. Wearing Oscar de la Renta's dress, she flashed the brightest smile and enjoyed the attention she was receiving.
When Jae-won whipped his head back to address the man he was talking to, Tae-Jun's broad, retreating back was already facing him. Left alone so suddenly, he could only massage his temple in annoyance. He didn't even wait to listen to what I had to say!
"What just happened?"
"Yes?"
"Mr. Lee, what's going on with the chief executive?" Jeong Jin-Wook was suddenly in front of him.
"Nothing. Don't mind him. At this time of the year, he always gets moody."
This was an annual event that has been repeated every year but Tae-Jun seemed to have despised this event. Lee remembered that time when his change became drastic. Four years ago, his cousin became very sick, which was quite bizarre since Tae-Jun had always been healthy as a horse. In fact, since they were kids, he was the one who rarely had colds and fever.
Noticing the sorrow that had filled his grandson, President Seo placed someone next to Tae-Jun to investigate like a shadow. And it was not long before the truth came to light—Tae-Jun had a woman who died in an accident.
All the family members were anxious that he would follow the precedent of his father, Seo Jeong-hoon, who went crazy over women and abandoned his family and even died.
Fortunately, Tae-Jun returned to his usual self, as if nothing had happened. But once in a year, he would be sick and distant like this. Like what his father did, he isolated himself and avoided everyone… he was mourning. The wound caused by the woman's loss had never healed.
Jae-Won asked Ji-Wook while he was at it. "You said you didn't know the woman either. Are you certain?"
"I've told you before. I don't know anything about it. He's such a private person, keeps things to himself."
In particular, Chung's secretary, Jeong Jin-Wook, has been by Tae-jun for almost 20 years. Though they belong in the same company, there was an implicit rule to never mix business with personal affairs. Hence, employees never intrude on each other's territory.
He kept his mouth shut as much as he could about the woman.
What kind of woman was she? Lee Jae-won could only sweep his hair away. Years passed, and he still had not found an answer to this question. What was she like?
To Jae-won, Tae-Jun was an object of awe even if he had grown beside him.
Tae-Jun was Chairman Seo Jung-Ho's only "Seo" grandson. Since childhood, he has never been swayed or revealed his feelings, thanks to his strict upbringing and the pressure that left weight on his young shoulders.
With this, sometimes Lee wondered if Tae-Jun had a heart at all. If so, is the blood flowing properly? And, is it red?
It was only natural for him to be curious about the woman who captivated such a man. Jae-won's face looked torn as he watched Si-Yeon quietly. Poor Si-Yeon…
After leaving the banquet hall, Tae-Jun received a call from one of his co-workers.
"There is no need to negotiate further with them. Yes, I'll come forward if it gets more complicated. That's how we must deal with it." He said with a slight sneer.
It was not an easy problem as three competitors were after the pharmaceutical company's purchase of new sites. The end of the call made him crave cigarettes; so he fetched a stick from the cigar case he kept inside the breast pockets of his tux.
As he tried to light a cigarette in his mouth, he soon remembered the hotel's prohibiting rules about indoor smoking, and his hand ceased with its actions.
I'm getting sick.
Throughout the evening, Tae-Jun was forced to stand up and do little chats. Now, he felt suffocated, his chest seemed to be clogged.
I need to get some fresh air and clear my head.
Even though it was quite late, the lobby was still crowded with guests, attendants and reporters invited.
He got off the elevator with a look of indifference and set foot in the lobby. At that moment, a woman brushed past him, talking on her cell phone.
Tae-Jun's eyes widened when he caught a glimpse of the passing woman's side profile. Her voice chimed in his ears…
His gaze was glued on her back. Terrible disbelief hitting him at once.
Jin Hye-Yeon?
A tall woman, with long hair tied in a single braid which runs down her skinny back, bore an expressionless face while crossing her way to the exit of the hotel.
It's her. No, it can't be.
However, before he could even realize it, the name of the woman he lost years ago slipped out of his lips.
"Jin Hye-Yeon…" He never thought he would hear himself speak this particular name again.
The doubtful tone soon changed to a desperate shout, "Jin Hye-Yeon!"