He looked so defeated. I can feel his inner struggle.
"But I might leave Namesis and Namdo…" he informed. Whoa. This night just keeps getting crazier. I looked at him in total outraged and confusion.
"There's a 16% percent spinning stock in Namshin, if I can secure that, we'll have the majority share and there won't be a need for Congressman Park's share to secure Jae-yin's chairmanship."
"Are you sacrificing your own company? Are you that desperate?" I was still stunned.
"It's the best option I have given the circumstances. If I don't want them snooping around you…"
"You don't know that. These people behind this, they won't stop just because they are pacified, they wanted to wreak havoc. Why else would they put you in a corner? So, why would you give up Namesis?! That's your life…" I'm angry. I can't be this important to him.
"You're my life now Ara. I can't imagine living any other way…"
I don't know if I have to be moved. But this just seems burdensome to me right now. I don't want to be the reason for all this hasty decision. More so, when I am not even sure how I truly feel about him. I'm just looking at him staring at me. Then a realization hit me.
"If you need 16% shares, that means your family have 35% controlling share right now…which also mean your fiancée's share is 16%, that's 67% where are the other 33%?" He looked at me curious as to where my statement is going.
"My uncle's family have 20% and two others with 7 and 6%. Only my dad knows who the other 2 are, but they seem to always go with my father when it comes to the company's decision." I indicated of borrowing his laptop.
"Namshin has 20M stocks, 16% of that is 3.2M and the value of stocks at Namshin right now is more or less $100, so you needed 320M dollars to secure that 16%. Can you come out with that money within 2 weeks?"
I was blabbering while trying to compute the numbers. I know I'm not knowledgeable in stocks, that's why we are not contemplating on doing it for RTR, but I have at least basic knowledge on business. He seemed amuse looking at me so seriously putting my heart into this, at least he's smiling now.
"You don't have that, don't you? You are just hoping that the 2 other shareholder that had been supporting your father will automatically support you, so you probably just want to buy maximum 8% from your liquidated asset. At least try 10% so you'll just have to convince one of them if it comes to a point." I laid down the numbers.
"This is not the romantic evening I have imagined I would come back to, but haven't we agreed before I left that whatever happens, we'll go through it together?" I felt a little ignored.
"This problem is because of me Ara. It's my family who is causing this. The media controversy can be neutralized but this is another level…" he explained.
"Bullshit. That's just full of crap. I'm sorry, but whatever or whoever cause the problem, is it not still OUR problem?" He is stunned by my sudden raise in voice.
"Don't give me this crap, Jae-woo. Do you think I will have a peace of mind if I just let you handle everything by yourself? Are you trying to act like a noble idiot because you think you're saving me from getting hurt?
"I'm part of US. I won't let you tear down what you've built just because you have a misguided impression of protecting me…" I am getting upset.
"Why else would I open up to you about my life, if I am not ready to share it with you?" I am looking at him intently. His reaction now crestfallen.
"I just don't want you to go through a hard time because of me. I told you I would protect you…" he uttered sadly.
"I'm not going to hold this against you. This is not your doing but disregarding me into problem solving, that is your fault and I will hold you responsible for that. I don't need this kind of protection. This is our battle, so please let me help. I want this to end sooner because I want us to start living our life together…" I stood up to hug him.
"Don't act impulsively by yourself. We said we'll go through this together, and no matter what happen, we'll do it together. I don't want anyone else with me to go through all of this but you…I like you more than you give me credit for." I professed. He let out a sigh.
"I am ready to give up all I have if it means I can protect you against this." He planted his head at my chest.
"Hey, nobody's giving up anything. Stop this nonsense of protecting me already…" I held up his head and looked keenly at his eyes.
"I love you…" he said longingly. And I can finally see the spark back in his eyes.
"You're miserable without me…" I teased.
"I know…" he admits.
"Do you trust me?" I asked. I am ready to make him an offer. He looked curious. He is waiting for what I am about to say.
"You can buy all the spinning stock of Namshin. That would give your family the majority of shares as long as you keep it, if you want to buy the other 2 anonymous shareholders, you can do that as well…
"Nope. Don't tell me what you're about to say…" he interrupted. I know he knows what I'm about to say.
"I'm offering a deal. It's not like I'm giving it for free." I insisted.
"I trust NamEsis. I will buy you out of it, in paper. But you will still own it in practice. I will trust you with it, if you will trust me with this. It's easy for me to come up with that amount to buy all of the 16% shares than for you to liquidate your assets."
"I can't let you involve your company for me…"
"But you'll try to dissolve your company for me?"
"Because I'm the one who cause this problem. It's my choice."
"I'm also making a choice. But don't worry I'm not involving anything or anyone but me."
Now, I got him interested. I told him about my book royalties and my personal asset. We made a plan, that instead of him giving up his Namshin shares, I will buy him out in the guise of being an investor, it would only be between me and him or my lawyer and his lawyer to be clear. His NamEsis share is worth 180M dollars. I am giving him 320M to buy out the spinning stocks of Namshin.
He at least recognized that my solution is far better than his. It's better to be in debt to the woman he loves than be engage to the one he doesn't like. I know I'm also being impulsive in all this, but it's just money. It will be earned, a life with him on the other hand, is a memory that I can never get back.
"So, can we eat now?" I interrupt his thoughts.
"Thank you."
"Between us, there should not be thank yous and sorrys anymore…" I stated.
"Still…thank you…"
"You should know not to let go of me, because we are stronger together, never ever doubt that. I'm hoping that from here on out, we'll never have to try to solve any problems alone, especially those that concern both of us…" I requested.
We finish eating, and he became busy on his phone and on his computer the whole night. I sent an email to my personal lawyer about making a draft for investment and explained to him about the situation. I needed it urgently. Because of jetlag and stress, I went to bed after finishing my updated concept paper.