Eric Jiseok feared nothing, nothing means nothing! There were no horrors he hadn't seen, no depths of darkness he hadn't explored, living in the busy city of Seoul being the heir of one of the shadiest companies. The business industry was practically owned by him or his father you could precisely state Han Jiseok the owner of the billion dollar company Jiseok Co-operation along with indifferent and inherently cold Jun Jiseok the chairman the elder brother and the first heir of the Jiseok Company...and... Eric? He was the CEO of Jiseok Company that's in itself a big title for a 25 year old man although his father had different plans for him. Eric was aloof and indifferent like his brother but a little more intense.
It was somewhere around three years ago where Eric's title of THE CEO was taken away by his father...reasons? Unknown. But it was clear Eric had no interest whatsoever in dealing with the family business not because of how shady it was but because he didn't like being bossed around by his brother...Eric and Jun never had a good relationship since childhood. And you'd wonder if all rich families are the same. No one knows. Unless maybe if you are like rich? But Jiseok family was a scattered mess. No one was ever together. It never felt like a family to either of the brothers. They were under high surveillance 24 by 7 but neglected when necessary care was needed, Jun was calm yet egoistic no one ever knew what went on inside his head but he was smart...not just the bookish smart but smart in every way that one could be smart, seemingly handsome for a 30 year old, he solely led Jiseok Company to overwhelming success and they have never seen a downfall ever since he took the lead. Eric was never the one whose skills were off the chart and ever since a very young age he had been compared with Jun an unhealthy amount of times like all highly achieving siblings would be praised and pampered with compliments but only to put the younger siblings down. Between him and Jun everything was a competition from eating to sleeping and do we still wonder why they never got along?
The Jiseok's mansion was no lesser than a palace with a grand gate, gardens, private pools, two curve paths leading to the bungalow, a huge fountain in between these roads, a 3 storey house wherever your sight could extend it was all the Jiseok mansion located on the outskirts of Seoul. For an average person this could only be a dream.
It was still early morning in the Jiseok house, someone breaks the utter silence that is usually surrounded here all the time. It was Eric's dad who called out him out, a few attendees called for him in his dad's room. Eric was still in his pajamas half-asleep, rubbing his eyes and yawning, maybe he could still see stars. Little did he knew that his world was about to turn upside down in a few seconds.
Dad:- I want you to be there in Bangkok for the INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EXCHANGE meet tomorrow itself. They will arrange a 21 day stay for you there. No questions !
Me:- But Dad isn't it big brother who was supposed to be there.
Dad:- Your brother will be with me, I am giving you this opportunity you should take it and prove to us that you are not a useless son and fit to be an heir. Don't follow your sister's footsteps!
Me:- Father please don't bring Sis into this.
Dad:- Yeah!Yeah! Whatever,Go! Prepare yourselves up you are leaving tomorrow!
Eric and his brother Jun have always been childhood rivals, because they were both taught to be. Right from the beginning they had to fight to get their father's attention. And the literal fact that as they grow up they'd have to go on a war against each other to be the ultimate heir to the Jiseok Company. Not because they want to but because they have to. The one who does become has complete power over the systems of the Jisoek Family and the Company. It is a battle of who takes the throne.
.........................
The Next Day
Sir! We have a problem"
"What is it, Manager?" Eric Jiseok replied in his bitter harsh voice.
"The... Jets pilot had a ...ca..caa...car accident he won't be able to come... to his... du-duty" The words of his manager kept cracking as he answered in a hesitant voice.
"WHAT!!!???"
"So... we... have to urgently take any available plane " he said in his yet hesitant now fearful voice
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN? ....AM I SUPPOSED TO FLY BY LOCAL PLANES? TO AN INTERNATIONAL MEETING?? Eric said in anger.
"I need you to find another pilot immediately! Do you understand?
And fire that useless pilot." he yelled in a state of distress.
"But Sir we don't have much time. I'll book a first-class ticket for you. You will reach just in time.... I promise. ...I'll arrange everything! "
"Are you gone mad? Have I ever traveled in a local plane? Will you make me look like a middle-class."
"Si....sirrr.. we don't have much time...Mr.Jiseok has ordered you to leave URGENTLY...please..." The manager cried.
"I will kill you if I don't reach in time!" Eric grabbed his collar and yelled at him in anger.
' A dark Blue shade of suit and trousers with one of Asia's best fabric, matched with a blue-black cheetah patterned tie with ERICs initials on it's bottom ,with a long black over-coat, black glossing shoes, silver-coated watch, with his brown sunglasses. And an always shining glassy skin. Afterall Eric never misses his skin care not to mention how he is always been up-to-date with all the latest fashion trends.'
Eric Jiseok is ready to attend the 'INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EXCHANGE' board meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. One of the most elite meeting for rich businessmen from around the world.
.
.
'Eric arrives at the 'SEOUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT' in his Navy Blue Porsche 911 GT3 With black cars surrounding him and 4 to 5 bodyguards twice the size of a normal human covering one man up'. While Eric and his manager Beom-ji enter the airport hall.
.
.
Eric's P.O.V
Entering the crowded airport. And being stared by literally everyone.
Just simply annoying.
Like I couldn't hear them whispering into each others ears.
"Isn't he that billionaires son"
"Jiseok Company's CEO"
"Yes the one who always appears in the covers of magazines"
"Aahh He's so hot "
"But why is he here?"
"Maybe Jiseok got bankrupt?"
"Ahh..look at his attitude"
"Oh my god... he's so sexy"
.
.
"Beom-ji I told you I won't be here. I'll make you pay for this"
I said glaring at my manager in annoyance.
I hate being in public places. Between ill dressed, low-life people. Their stench. Carrying bunks of loads, all the hustle of the middle-class. Ahh....disgusting!
"Yes Mr. Jiseok! We just arrived at the Airport. Yes!..." While my manger was talking to my father.
I was completely consumed by how annoyed I am right now. My brain wouldn't think of anything else.
---------------------------
Eric was out of touch with his surroundings not to mention he might even be spacing out.
Although flying from business class wasn't that bad until....
A person in a black hood dashes accidently into Eric... holding a cup of God knows what....spiling it all over him.
Eric was stunned and super angry. Imagine spoiling an arrogant billionaires branded new clothes when he is just about to attend a really important International meeting. Plus he's late. Scary.
"Sorry" the person said in a hush looking down, While lifting up her head she removed the hood that was covering her face.
She was a beautiful tall young woman with long black wavy hair middle parted and tied low. With dark brown eyes shinning. Asian toned skin. With mono-lids. Lips thin and pink. Wearing absolutely no make-up if that really matters .Dressed in a white polo t-shirt with black jeans and a black hoodie. A normal middle class woman you could say.
"Aaa... I am really sorry, it was a mistake"
DON'T PEOPLE WATCH WHERE THEY ARE GOING...COFFEE ON MY BRANDED CLOTHES... HOW DARE YOU...
"Uhmm sir its actually hot chocolate not coffee." the woman replies.
"Ha?" ...... "Unbelievable"
"I said I am sorry" She replied.
"Do you think your apology would make this stain go away?"
"What am I supposed to do now that it has already happened, should I go back in time?" she questioned mockingly. It seemed more of a pity than an apology.
"You need to pay for it...you have to pay for it with your life...but you still wouldn't be able to ....Do you understand? that's how expensive this is."
Eric yelled at the woman in anger.
" Well excuse me but who do you even think you are ? Didn't I already apologize, do you want me to come and change your clothes?.. and if you are really rich why don't you buy another pair yourself...or you can't afford it??" She replied getting to each of his nerves.
'Is she trying to overpower me with this statement whereas she is the one at fault?.' Eric thought
"Beom-ji Order another pair for me right now!!" He said.
Turning back to the crazy woman Eric replied.
"What's the matter with you. It was your fault and now you raise your voice against me, you should at least feel sorry for what you have done!"
"WELL I AM SORRY?"
"IT DOES NOT EVEN SEEM GENUINE!"
A big argument was fueled. And they both were almost against each others face while Eric's manager was off in a second to buy him another pair of the same clothes.
"Oh...how greedy you are.....its just the matter of the money right ? I will pay you. Okay! I will pay it all. In fact I will pay you doub...." Just before she could complete her sentence a man appeared in front of them and stopped the woman from arguing with Eric.
"Ah.... I am really sorry... My daughter is a little short-tempered. She always picks fights with everyone. Please forgive her, she doesn't know who you are. We are terribly sorry for this behavior please give us a chance to redeem ourselves"
He was the father of the woman as it seemed. A pale old man with shabby old clothes.
He went near the woman's ear and whispered her something.
"Huhh! I don't want to bother myself anymore, Beom-ji take care of the rest." Eric demanded.
"You look a little intelligent please control your crazy daughter" Eric replied to him.
As the woman looked at Eric in pure rage. The matter was somehow settled.
"Beom-ji ! What's the time?"
"9.23 am Sir"
"Excuse me Sir ! we don't really want to have to owe you so let us both know if we can do something" the old man interrupted.
"Huh! Not you, but your daughter certainly needs to be disciplined" Eric replied in a jest
"Hmm.. Beom-ji take the phone number of this old man and let them go for now"
Eric quickly went of to the restroom to change as it was already late for the meeting
The woman still observing at Eric left with her father.
Later Eric went through the security check got his boarding pass, and his manager checked-in his luggage; a small handbag and a suitcase. And then headed to the boarding gate for the further boarding process. They entered the Jet Bridge and went directly to the First-class cabin. Where Eric had a special welcome by the air hostesses. Even the pilot of the airplane seemed to have known that the CEO of Jiseok is here, he had sent his greetings to him.
Along the time from checking in his luggage to passing through the Jet Bridge, Eric saw the black-hooded woman many times but he never took a notice at all; she had her head lowered, asking something and giving a ear to the old man(his father) who was continuously whispering something to her ,apparently she was even in the same flight as Eric's which was headed to Bangkok but probably in the local economy-class.
~The Day I met her was supposed to be the end of my world~