After some 5 or more hours of a hectic flight Eric finds himself in the busy city of Bangkok. They had finally reached Thailand. A private limousine was arranged for all the attendees of the international meet. Does it give you the idea just how grand it had to be?
In the business district of Bangkok stood a tall sky-scraper with around 139 floors as grand as the Burj Khalifa but lesser floors? A big parking space that could easily fit 3 mansions alone not to mention this space was tightly restricted to a few number of VVIPs so the purpose of this thrice as huge space remains of no use.
A business meet with all the billionaires in Asia has got to be huge?
There were a 100's of bodyguards round it out to 2 per head, parking parked with luxurious cars, men dressed in suits. And the expensive vibes that topped everything? PHENOMENAL!
No one over here came for anyone's benefit other than themselves. Which was obvious. The business industry had always been competitive, every other company wanted to crush the other and step over them. To have a title that can allow them to freely look down, not only on the middle class but even on other rich people. Everyone wants to dominate the other, it was all a game of money and fame. Eric was the same in fact he was way worse. He just chose to never participate.. But most importantly, the reason Eric would consider behaving well was that this would be the last chance to redeem himself in front of his father's eyes, he could become a CEO again, he was tired of sitting behind the curtains and doing nothing while his brother takes away everything from him. And only if Eric becomes the soul heir to Jiseok Company he could fulfill his 9 year long wish
The meeting had soon began with people bein seated perfectly on their allotted seats. Some needed to introduce themselves, some where known to the whole industry. The meeting was in a big banquet like hall with a huge rectangle table surrounded with chairs, closed by concrete walls, and the brown vintage furniture that perfectly captured the vibe of the business meeting, a carved within glass see-through door and long glass windows that gave you a view of the outside from the 30th floor.
Thailand,Japan,Korea,China,Russia,Singapore,Vietnam,Philippines, India and businessmen from more than 14 countries in Asia were present there. The media had surrounded the parking space, it was a hot topic for the news channels, the newspapers, the magazines etc. But the security was quite strict you just had to give it to them, only selectively two reporters were allowed entrance to the meet with a special entry pass. The staff, the workers were all especially trained for this meet that happens once every 4 years.
Soon you could see almost everyone was settled. The Chairman of the Bangkok Business Associations gave a signal and the meeting had begun.
"How can one expand his trade to the international markets?"
"How do countries open up their markets for globalization?"
"What benefits does an international affairs-trained businessman provide to his country?"
"Why is it important to be able to trade your services to the world? And how exactly does one gain profit by it?"
"How does a company or service stand out in international platforms?"
"What kind of services does a company offer and how could they overcome the barriers of language?"
"How does a company provide various job opportunities to employers around the world and be able to make successful; the idea of one big co-operation that stands firm in the markets?"
"How do you overcome barriers of increasing and decreasing market values ?"
"What is the secret to a successful international business?"
"What are the resources that one needs to get familiar with in order to broaden their company's field and establish themselves in countries around the world?"
'The presentation that was made today was by the PARK COMPANY. All of the reason why businessmen from across Asia were here at all, was not to just learn about business and make a good treaty with other businessmen but to know the secret tactics that are used by the PARK Company which is Asia's most richest business associations .The topics covered by the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE PARK CO-OPERATION was beyond a common man's knowledge, any person who had climbed the ladder through shady means would never understand the intensity of the information that was revealed, only a wise man like Eric would be able to grasp the broad details of the meeting as well as process the information and create a clear picture in his mind; which is the reason why he was chosen by his father to attend this meeting in the first place. The vast and deep study materials and the way the PARK COMPANY handles their business is perfection. Indeed the reason it is one Big successful Company, it could be pictured well. Although owned by a vicious and cruel old woman, who also as a matter of fact, appears to be the Chairman of the International Business Association and the richest woman in Asia. Everyone wants to know how she managed so far? She must be a genius or really shady, which everyone present here is aware of. But for what we know from today it seems like a normal business company. So either she is a real genius to trick everyone of us or she is actually a genius to make it that big.
The next event of discussion involved the interaction between businessmen and their co-operation with each other, which included speaking for their company's, as the host or chairperson and hearing from other company's; their ideas and thoughts, while reaching out to further collaborations.
The pace of this phase was already set by Eric. His brilliancy in the fields of business was a far fetched talent for any other businessman to reach. Because he had been home schooled he was pretty much taught everything. He was always a bright child ,his proficiency in English was high which allowed him to communicate smoothly and stand out at the meet. Being the youngest there he left a really great impact on other businessmen and impressed the high personas with his brilliant billion dollar ideas. Han Jiseok knew ERIC was fit for this and not his brother JUN. Therefore it could be concluded that he indeed redeemed himself through this opportunity.
Soon the meeting came to an end it carried out for almost 5 hours. With a refreshment break in between, later the dinner was arranged by the Park co-operation.
After everything was sorted out ERIC was tired yet had to brace himself because the Chairman of The Bangkok Associations wanted to have a talk with him and other Korean billionaires namely the Chairman of the Chin Hwa Company and the Chairman of the Song-Gong Company.
They were headed to the personal office of the Chairman for a talk with a cup of coffee.
Sitting at a round table they discussed important matters about how Korea has great potential of attracting tourist and establishing businesses also because of the increasing popularity of South Korean Entertainment, globalization has boosted tremendously.
A knock was heard. And the waitress came in bringing along a gueridon. The most rarest Luwak coffee was served to them.
Eric got a first glance of this waitress. And to his shock it was the annoying woman he met at the airport. The one who came dashing to him dropping coffee on his branded new clothes.
"What is she doing here?" he thought to himself.
He was pretty much unbothered but also curious as to wondering if she is following him around. Eric was watching her steps and her action while paying attention to what the businessmen were speaking the waitress glanced at him for a second, she had to be well aware until now who Eric was. And she probably regrets spoiling his branded suit back at the airport
- She comes to the table and serves the coffee to first the Chairman of (Bangkok Business Association) BBA
- She serves the Song-Gong Company's Chairman Choi Min Seok
- She comes and serves the last man on the table the Chairman of Chin-Hwa Company while her eyes are completely focused on Chin-Hwa's Chairman Han Su Bin (Maybe he's handsome)
Lastly Eric was served, but looking at the coffee it seemed like he was being served milk coffee rather than than the black luwak coffee.
Eric pondered upon the coffee cup for a long time until he decided to take a sip... Eric hated coffee. Everybody at home and work knows this, there is nothing he disliked more than bitter drinks and coffee was something he'd never ever taste again or so he thought but right now at this moment he couldn't complain he had to keep his professionalism and the coffee looked as though it was curated for him keeping his tastes in mind, although that seemed like an exaggeration.
Eric was amazed. He had to stare at the coffee mug for a second to make sure he is in his right mind, the coffee was milky thick... and sweet...like the ideal type of sweet, not extra sweet or barely sweet but just the right amount of sweetness, and it seemed like it was something he had never tasted in his life, the coffee that Eric hated from his guts, tasted magical. And this stranger woman was the one who made this?
"What if it is poisoned?" Eric's paranoid thoughts took a flight, but he shun it away and focused on the end of this long talks. The woman left as soon as she had served it.
The meeting had ended at almost near 11 pm. All of the businessmen where encouraged for a stay of 21 days by the Bangkok Business Associations' Chairman. The stay was at the HYATT HOTEL, Yes! the hotel owned by Park Co-operations chairwoman PARK YUNA.
It was a choice although, if one preferred to stay or not was entirely their decision, as for Eric, in order to extend his friendship with other companies he was asked by his father to take the offer.
After all the formalities were done Eric couldn't wait to take a long nap after this tiring day
He left with his manager, towards the hotel where they were staying.
Eric was too prideful to allow his brain to even think of woman for a second. So he buried the questions he had about her in the sand of his own pride, more like he completely forgot about her in the tiredness of the day.
"Finally I can be away from my family. I am thinking of this 21 day as a vacation. A long awaited one." - he sighed.
A suite was booked especially for him at one of the most elite hotel in entire Bangkok.
PARK HYATT, BANGKOK
The hotel was the grandest hotel around Asia.
"The Park Hyatt of Bangkok looks better than the Park Hyatt back at Seoul." Eric said to his manager he was curious and filled with amusement.
"Beom-Ji ! I am pretty tired, I'll be going directly to bed. I'll have some refreshments in the hotel room"
"Yes Sir they'd have you served at your room itself. I have had a conversation with the hotel manager, Mr. Kang will be your assistant at the hotel, if you need anything at all you can ask him around. And I'll be around too so you can just give me a call and I'll be there in minutes.
Now you should rest, Sir. I'll meet you tomorrow if you please"
"Yep! You can go."
"Let me take you to your room Sir" said Mr. Kang, Eric's assistant at the hotel.
'Taking Eric's luggage bag and his handbag the assistant lead him towards his room.'
The room was big enough for just one person, it was luxurious and offered a platinum service for its special guests .There were tall glass windows from which the view of the Bangkok's city lights could be seen, an LCD T.V screen that was as large as a projector, yellow vintage lamps, and a King sized double bed....well for a single as hell person. Not to mention the glass shower rooms. Overall something that is luxurious even for the rich.
As soon as Eric got in the room he immediately took out some papers from his bag, his laptop and started his pending report file that needed to be completed. Busy in all his work, he had to fill in details about today before he forgets everything. That is the life of a billionaire.
'A knock was heard'
"ROOM SERVICE !!!!" a person yelled from outside.
"Come in !!! The door is open" Eric ordered.
The waiter came in with the gueridon filled with foods of cuisines from all over the world.
Eric was still busy typing something on his laptop.
"Your platinum service offers one of the finest dishes from our hotel. Would you like it served, Sir?" said the waitress (in a fine English accent )
"Yes please."
He lifted his head to take a look where he found the silhouette of a lady
Her skin shined like a glass in the yellow light, her eyes sparkled like a sight more beautiful than the city lights, her lips were plump it had a shade of the lightest pink, her nose were straight it complemented her triangle face structure.
She had her head lowered, dressed in a uniform of the hotel i.e, a black close-fit, full sleeves, a little below the knee-length one piece straight dress, with a china collar, a small maroon apron around the waist belt a maroon bow and hair tied perfectly in a bun.
"Huh?" Eric's eyes remained mesmerized and terrified both at the same time.
'She looked up and glanced at him in reply'
That's when he saw a golden name badge attached to her black dress on the left side of her chest written with bold black ink...