"Young Chul, how do I look?" Daniel asked, tugging on his tie as he checked himself in the large mirror after his stylist was done dressing him up.
"Of course, president, you look charming as always," Young Chul complimented him with a thumbs up.
Daniel nodded his approval, apparently holding his secretary's words in high esteem. His stylist, who was happy with his response, then packed up his stuff and left the room.
Everyone who worked in close quarters with President Daniel in his home was a male, ranging from the residence staff down to his contracted workers from the outside which was why it hadn't been hard for the media to come up with the conjunction that he was gay.
There was not a single woman around him. To not fall into temptation, one must not create room to be tempted. In one word, you could say that President Daniel was a very careful and prim young man.
And right now, he was preparing for his press conference; Daniel Kang was going to clear the allegation charged unfairly against him.
"President, this is your speech," Young Chul opened a file folder and handed it to him.
Daniel received it from him and went through it, only for his brows to furrow at the end. His eyes formed into angry slits as he glanced up at his secretary,
"What do you mean by I already have a fiancée and wouldn't want this news to bother her? I don't have a fiancée," He wanted an explanation.
"That is the point, President. You don't have a fiancée, but the world would believe you do and would focus on that aspect of the news instead of the negative one,"
Daniel looked at Young Chul with wide eyes, "You want me to lie to the press? To the world? How could you suggest to me this ridiculous thing when you know I'm a righteous man?!"
But Young Chul was quick to explain to him, "It's not exactly a lie, president! You would just have to find a fiancée within the year."
"Forget it! I'm not doing this!" Daniel closed the file loudly and turned the other way.
"President!" Young Chul was flustered, "You have to listen to me. This is for your good and reputation. You already have a bad image for the company and some of the shareholders are fostering intention to pull out."
Daniel turned, trying to understand him, "Didn't we have the evidence to clear my reputation, why do I still need to lie to the public? Why?"
"President, the evidence might clear the fact you're not gay but it doesn't change people's opinion of you and they would rather accept the negative news and think of your effort to clear your name as desperation. However, with the news of your engagement, their curiosity would be overridden by their need for gossip and the other news would be old and forgotten. In one word, we're covering a scandal with a bigger scandal. "
He went on when he saw the president was beginning to consider it, "Moreover, you heard the chairwoman yesterday, if I don't clear this allegation, I'm as good as dead. Also, you promised your grandmother that you would give her a child, this could be the first step even if you don't intend to fulfill it."
Daniel looked at Young Chul as if he had finally lost his mind, "You want me to give grandmother false hope?"
"That's not what I...." Young Chul sighed, trailing off. He then took a deep breath, saying, "Would you prefer the chairwoman cutting you off then?"
"What?"
"You said you want to help this world, right? But do you know, you can't do that in this present age without money. What if the Chairwoman decides to cut you off if you don't fulfill her terms of providing her a great-grandchild? Taking this step would only prove your seriousness and who knows, you might be able to convince her to see from your viewpoint before your mercy period is up," Young Chul tried to convince him.
Daniel didn't say anything because he was thinking hard about his secretary's words and after a few minutes of deep contemplation, he found out that Young Chul's words were indeed true. The chairwoman was not an easy woman to deceive, but the engagement rumors would appease her more than the gay news.
Hence, after a few minutes of silence, Daniel finally gave in, "Fine, let's do it."
Young Chul released a deep sigh of relief, at last, he was going to survive. Hallelujah, praise the lord! He wanted to jump up to the roof in celebration. All night, Young Chul had been awake, thinking of the best way to disperse the rumors until the Idea hit him. Now, he had nothing to worry about.
"President Kang, we should leave, the car is ready," Young Chul happily reminded him of his appointment.
Daniel nodded and followed his gesture, leaving his house. He made his way outside, entered his car, followed behind by Young Chul. They both entered the car and the chauffeur drove off for the press conference.
Daniel was lost in his thoughts on their way, looking out through the window when he caught sight of someone he never expected to see in this lifetime. How was that possible?
"Stop the car!" Daniel shouted so loudly that he startled Young Chul by his side who had no clue what was going on.
"What?"
"I said, stop the car!" Daniel ordered the second time, looking so ferocious to the secretary's bewilderment.
"But president, we are in the middle of the -!"
"Stop the fucking car!" Daniel roared without even noticing the fact that he just cursed. However, the warning produced the desired effect because the driver suddenly stepped on the brake and Daniel ran out of the car before it even stopped properly, nearly stumbling in the process.
"President Kang!" Young Chul screamed, fear etched on his face when he witnessed the president's sudden outburst. What was going on? More than that, he was concerned for his safety. The road was dangerous.