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Chapter 2 - Fashion Isn't Just for Women

Kim Byeong-ho was born in South Jeolla, South Korea to a French father and Korean mother. When he was only in middle school, he found his passion to design clothing he wished to wear in the future. While at a family party in high school, Byeong-ho's many uncles discovered his passion and offered to make his dream come true. After speaking with multiple artists and working alongside two famous fashion designers, he was able to start his very first clothing line. Not too long after being a junior in college, Byeong-ho started his own company and was offered his first investment from Olivier Rousteing.

Park Dae-jung was born in Seattle, Washington to a British mother and Korean father. When he was sixteen, he and his family moved to Gyeonggi. In high school, his teacher's recommended him to the dean of Korea University School of Art and Design in Seoul. He was accepted fresh out of high school and was able to partner with many small designers in Seoul. When he was twenty-three, Dae-jung founded his own fashion company and based it on Jeju Island. One of his many investments included Alexander McQueen for men's wear.

Lee Young-ho was born in North Jeolla, South Korea, but moved to Seoul when he was only ten. His parents were both French who worked under the iconic fashion designer, Coco Chanel. Young-ho and Byeong-ho both went to the same college and work together on a series of clothing lines together at Byeong-ho's company. When he was twenty-four, Young-ho finally started his own company and was able to start his own clothing line with his parents' help. His first investment was made under Coco Chanel's brand name.

What brought these three men together wasn't the fact that they owned three separate fashion businesses and knew each other through connections. It wasn't due to their friendship they formed over the years. No, it was all their love and devotion they threw into their designs and sales. If not for the parties and ceremonies they were invited to, these three men wouldn't have met and created history together. It was only a matter of time before something great happened to them all yet again.

This month was France's 50th annual fashion month, so Kim Byeong-ho, Park Dae-jung, and Lee Young-ho decided to fly there this year. It was a change of scenery for them all. Spending most of their lives in the same country wasn't doing much for their sales, so this was a great opportunity. Arriving in France was the easy part. Getting out of the airport without being mobbed by fans was a bit more challenging. But, they managed.

"Here, here," Byeong-ho said and opened the car door. "Hurry before we all end up on the front page."

"Yeah, yeah," Young-ho scoffed.

"No one's going to do anything to us. We're too important." Dae-jung laughed and got into the limo. "Let's go. I want to get breakfast before heading in."

"Aren't we going to make sure our bags arrive at the hotel okay?" Byeong-ho asked worriedly.

"No. We both know you want to go to sleep. We're not falling for that trick again, Byeong-ho." Young-ho and Dae-jung laughed. "Anyway, we can rest at the office. Monsieur Délon isn't really expecting us until Saturday."

"That gives us only three days to get used to the time change. I want to sleep. I need sleep."

"Sleep at the office," Young-ho said again. "Hey, Dae-jung, is there a reason as to why you're staring at your phone like that?"

"Yes. Look at this." Dad-jung turned his phone to his friend. "That's literally her seventh fiancé in three years. How can someone claim to fall in love seven times in three years?"

"What's done is done. Now, shut up. I'll try to at least get some type of rest. You both are so annoying."

Yes, the rest of the way to the office was silent. It took awhile due to the large number of designers coming to France for the month. Most of them would be the models, but the rest were either here to be spectators for the new fashion line or designers for the show. Everyone was equally busy and tired. Those coming from all over were going to struggle with the language barrier.

For Young-ho, this was going to be a wonderful and new experience. He had never been to France since his mother stopped taking him for fashion month after moving to South Korea. Speaking French again was going to do him some good. Byeong-ho was worried about getting enough rest to work while Dae-jung was busy catching up on his boss's family affairs.

Traffic was moving slowly. The men grew wary of the wait and began to think of going straight to the hotel for some rest. Yet, they knew if they did just that, they wouldn't get the office they wanted. The office that got them everything they asked for. Monsieur Délon's office.

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"Has Monsieur Délon come in yet?" Young-ho asked as he signed the contracts being presented to him.

"No," Dae-jung said. "He called and said he'd be a little late."

"Why?" Byeong-ho muttered.

"I heard he was out buying a house for his daughter."

Byeong-ho stopped listening at this point. He didn't care for his boss's family affairs.

"Marie?" Young-ho asked.

"No. I don't know her name. No one does. I don't even think her name is in the tabloids or newspaper or anything," Dae-jung exclaimed. "That's how she protects her image and how good her parents look after her."

"So...she's literally their hidden daughter?"

"Sure, sure. Whatever you want to think."

The men thought the day couldn't get any busier. With everyone checking into their rooms and trying to find a good office or studio, everything wasn't checking out. Rooms at the hotels were being taken from tourists. Studios were having to be shared. That meant multiple complaints coming to Monsieur Délon's office. The spare offices were running out for designers to use everyday.

"Monsieur Park, you're needed in the Sales department."

"Me?" Dae-jung pointed to himself. "What for?"

"Monsieur Délon said to call you there. He's on his way here."

"All right, I'm coming."

Dae-jung put away his contracts and followed the secretary out the door. Young-ho shook his head knowing the young man wasn't willing to leave the office without being told to. Byeong-ho got up from his seat and nodded towards the window.

"What?" Young-ho asked.

"Look out here." Byeong-ho pointed. "She's hot. Is that Monsieur Délon's daughter?"

"Could be. I haven't seen any of her pictures. Every picture she's in has her face blurred."

"Well, I can see why. She'd have too many men knocking at her door. I feel bad for her."

"Don't feel bad, hyung. Do not feel bad about anything."