Sixteen years later. PRESENT DAY…
Some men are born to be wealthy.
Some men are born to be famous.
Some men are born good-looking.
But some men are born to have it all.
Yang Sejoon was the sole heir of a business empire. His renowned wealth would have been enough to make him a recognizable figure among Asia's elite and most powerful. But his face alone justified his prominence in the elite circle of Seoul's high society. The man was astoundingly HANDSOME.
It would have been fair if Yang Sejoon had a handicap… say, for instance, being fashion-challenged. Or socially awkward. Or even dumb! Unfortunately for those who were critical of the man, Yang Sejoon was tall and dashing. He was fit and naturally athletic as well. Moreover, he was sociable and extremely likable. His impeccable sense of style was often featured on countless front pages of publications and social media posts of fashion influencers. And to top it all… he was sharp-witted and born with a silver tongue that could easily open doors of business opportunities and women's bedrooms.
Today, the modern legend was said to have booked a private business luncheon in an Italian restaurant called Condimenti. As early as an hour before his supposed appointment, the paparazzi had already begun to swarm like flies in front of the establishment. How these reporters had found out that Yang Sejoon was dining there was a mystery. The man was simply the ultimate media sensation. Everything about him was gossip-worthy! Anything he sported, be it an attire or hairstyle, would easily become a trend. Any female who stood within a meter from him would elicit suspicions of an affair that would headline tabloids the very next day. That's why the press seemed to have a special radar just for him and his current whereabouts was easily pin-pointed and broadcasted to the public.
"HE'S COMING!" one of the press photographers yelled after noticing a familiar black and red sports car from a distance.
Two security men in charge of ushering celebrities and VIPs to the fine-dining restaurant emerged from the front door, parting the over-enthusiastic press folks. "Make way—please, move! Give our guest some space—MOVE, MOVE!"
The latest model of the Lamborghini Aventador came to a halt in front of the restaurant. The vehicle's spectacular bodywork gleamed under the sun, screaming a jaw-dropping value of 5.5 billion Korean Won (approximately US$ 4.5 million). The driver's door swung up like a dragon's wing… and out he came, the superstar of Seoul's social stratum.
A gust of wind slightly ruffled his thick, dark, longish hair. He wore an unbuttoned pale pink designer shirt with a navy-blue blazer that fit his lean physique perfectly. His khaki chinos accentuated his long legs and he rocked his Italian loafers without socks.
There was an explosion of camera flashes and frenzied yelling of his name.
"YANG SEJOON!"
"YANG SEJOON—LOOK THIS WAY!"
"TURN THIS WAY, PLEASE!"
"YANG SEJOON—ONE POSE, JUSEYO (PLEASE)!"
The heir of the Yang fortune kept his face averted from the cameras and microphones being shoved near his face. It was hard to gauge his expression with those eyeglasses resting on his aristocratic nose.
He neither scowled nor snapped at the reporters who were invading his personal space. He was used to being chased and photographed.
"DIRECTOR YANG, WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THE RUMORS THAT YOUR COMPANY IS MERGING WITH KOREAN PARCEL INTERNATIONAL?"
"ARE YOU A JUDGE IN THE NEXT MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT? IS IT TRUE?"
"YANG SEJOON, ARE YOU DATING GAO LUNA?"
Without a word, he simply handed his car key to the valet and allowed the guards to part the crowd for him as he made his way to the restaurant's entrance.
"Step back, please… give him space!" The guards tried to block the persistent throng of press reps. "Hey, hey... not too close… MOVE BACK!"
The object of everyone's attention was about to take the steps leading to the glass door of Condimenti when he heard a female reporter's voice rise above the noise.
"DIRECTOR YANG SEJOON— SIR, WE HEARD THAT YOUR AUNT HAS BEEN UNWELL! HOW IS MADAM CHAIRMAN FEELING THESE DAYS?"
The heir and executive director of Yang Logistics Corporation (YLC) halted his steps... and turned. He sought the possible source of that voice from the crowd and she was easy to spot. She was at the front, squeezed between a muscled photographer and a veteran tabloid writer.
The crowd witnessed him slowly remove his sunglasses, revealing chocolate brown eyes that gleamed with forbidden thrills and seductive promises. He made eye-contact with the one who threw the question.
The lady could not believe that out of the dozens of reporters, her simple question was the one that captured Yang Sejoon's attention. Within a split second, she recovered from the shock. She pushed and forced her way to the front, puffed up her ample chest, and spoke with the most confidence that she had ever mustered as a newbie reporter from an entertainment segment of a low-rating news program.
"Sir, my name is Park Young Hee from Star Focus!" She realized she was yelling. She was so nervous and starstruck. Up close, the man was not as good-looking as she had expected. Yang Sejoon was way hotter and more attractive than anything that was written about him! She mentally commanded herself to modulate her voice. "It was reported that the beloved Chairman of YLC has recently been in and out of the hospital. Can you give us an update on her health?"
"My aunt has been visiting the hospital but not because of any illness," Yang Sejoon said to the female reporter in a cultured voice that could charm a rattlesnake to submission. "She was due for her annual check-up... that's the only reason."
It was common knowledge that it was his aunt, the mighty female founder of YLC, who raised Yang Sejoon. The two were known to be very close. While the heir was a notorious playboy who had callously played around with many poor hopefuls of the opposite sex, there was only one female whom he was truly and absolutely devoted to. It was none other than her aunt.
The newbie reporter planned to wring this opportunity for all its worth. She quickly followed up with another question, "Does this mean that Madame Chairman Yang Sora is well enough to lead the next shareholders meeting and officially announce you as the next President of YLC?"
Yang Sejoon glanced at the ID pinned on the pocket of her jacket and gave a quick but sweeping assessment of her pretty face. He caught her intention to pull a fast one on him and get a scoop but he did not snub or not embarrass her in any way. He simply evaded the question by saying, "The chairman remains healthy and strong. To the corporate citizens of YLC, that is the best news of all. And to me, personally… that is the only thing that matters." His smile was said to be lethal. And his charms— deadly! He served them to her with full potency when he added, "Thank you for asking about my aunt's well-being. That was very kind of you."
With that, he indulged the press with a three-second grace period to photograph him. Posing on the steps of the restaurant, he looked like the poster boy of success. A modern-day fairytale prince. With the midday sun kissing his tanned skin, he blinded the spectators with a splendid smile that launched a thousand scandals and catfights.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
And then it was over.
Yang Sejoon entered the restaurant. Waiting by the door was his assistant. The man's name was Kang Jae Duk. Personally selected by the Madam Chairman herself to take care of Sejoon's professional and personal needs—Jae Duk was razor-sharp, super capable and fiercely loyal.
Jae Duk bowed before speaking formally to his superior about the set-up of today's meeting. "Director Yang, everything is ready. The attendees have all arrived and are waiting for you in the banquet room."
"Jae Duk."
"Yes, sir?"
"I have something important for you to do." Sejoon leaned over and gave an order for his assistant's ear alone.
The very efficient male assistant gave a firm nod. "Consider it done, sir."
Yang Sejoon proceeded to enter the restaurant while Kang Jae Duk made his exit.
The executive assistant hurried down the steps and swiftly scanned the gathering of press representatives and photographers near the sidewalk. He was able to identify one lady reporter who came solo.
"Park Yong Hee?"
The lady walked over to the man in a suit. "Yeh?"
"My boss would like to meet you after an hour."
The female reporter frowned. She mistook Jae Duk for a head waiter of Condimenti. "Excuse me, I'm not applying as a waitress. I already have a job. If you must know... I'm a reporter."
Jae Duk smiled. The girl was in her early twenties. She was petite but very curvy and appealing. "I am not an employee of the restaurant. I'm not recruiting you to be a waitress." He checked the immediate vicinity to make sure nobody was within hearing distance before he continued. "My boss—Yang Se Joon—would like to grant you an interview."
The girl was stunned. "YANG SEJ—"
"Not too loud, please."
"Yang Sejoon… is willing to be interviewed by ME?"
"Yes, Miss. But only if you're willing to do so in private."
"OHMYGOD! Of course! I'll give everything to have a private audience with him…"
Wish granted, Jae Duk thought. He will have your EVERYTHING by this afternoon.
Jae Duk glanced at his wristwatch. "Meet him at the back of the restaurant at two o'clock."
"I will! For sure! Oh, thank you… thank you so much!"
She was hyperventilating with excitement, the poor girl.
Jae Duk left her and returned to the restaurant.
Inside the banquet room, Director Yang Sejoon had already taken the head seat at the end of the table. Their eyes met from where Jae Duk was standing near the door.
Jae Duk gave a subtle nod, implying that the mission was accomplished. He saw a tiny smile form in his boss's lips.
Yang Sejoon's weakness was women.
Women... women.. women.
He knew he could have anyone he wanted… and he was never proven wrong. The carefree bachelor had indulged in so many reckless affairs that Jae Duk had already lost count. The playboy heir had no regard for the trail of scandals, devastation and broken dreams that resulted from his womanizing.
Blessed with everything that the luckiest men on earth could ever wish for, this Prince had only one thing missing...
A heart.