Ahn Jiman was sitting, leaning against his chair, next to his desk. His computer was turned on, but he had no attention on his work. His eyes were on the paper that he received that morning. The document on his desk held all his attention now. He lifted the paper again. He kept staring as if he'd make a hole in the paper. It wasn't the product or the leaflet that was bothering him, it was the meeting that had revealed the mess. He couldn't unsee the implications. His ear kept ringing by the words he heard in the meeting.
The product on the leaflet was actually designed by his company. Yet, the papers hadn't crossed his desk. The design team handled the papers to the research team. Because of the research team's procrastination, it got delayed. Before he could even review it, his rival company had already launched the product. The real question was, how did VersaCraft know about the design?
Everything about the product was a carbon copy of EcoFusion's idea. Jiang's stomach churned. Was there a mole inside his company? Who could it be? Were they bribed by Nam Ho Seok, the CEO of VersaCraft? Ho Seok, who had once been his best friend before leaving for the US... Why had he changed? Yes, Ho Seok had reasons to be mad at him, but this?
Jiang pressed his fingers to his temple. What would Ho Seok even gain by stealing from him? Just some bundle of cash? No! There might be more! Even they could've been accused of plagiarism if they started to make the product at the same time, without knowing anything about it.
"If it happened once, it could happen again," Jiang mumbled to himself. His mind spun with worst-case scenarios. What if this wasn't the first time someone leaked information? What if they would go to other companies for their own profit as well?
He sighed deeply. His head started hurting as he kept thinking about it. This company had been built by his father's blood, sweat, and tears. It's his everything. It's more than a domestic success now that EcoFusion has branches overseas. He can't let it all crumble. But, what should he do now? How'd he detect the mole? He couldn't understand anything anymore. He rubbed his forehead with the tip of his fingers to lessen his headache.
At that moment, Ryu Gil, his assistant, entered. He knocked on the door, but Jiang didn't notice as he was too immersed in his thoughts.
"Did you call for me, Mr. CEO?" Ryu bowed slightly, hands clasped together in his usual polite manner.
"Uhm." Jiang stared at him, his intense gaze landed on Ryu, making him fidget as he thought he did something wrong which pissed him off. Ryu gulped, looking away nervously.
After a beat of silence, Jiang spoke. "Are you in touch with anyone at VersaCraft?" His voice was calm, but the tension was clear on his face.
"No, sir! Why?" He was startled by the sudden question as he wasn't present in the meeting room.
"Then, what do you think about this product?" Jiang handed him the leaflet.
"Huh?" Ryu took the paper, confusion clouded on his face.
"Oh, I got one this morning, too. It's VersaCraft's new product, right?"
"Did you know the design was made by our design team?" he asked, not arrogantly, just to be sure if he knew something about it.
"What? When? How…?" Ryu's face paled. His confusion was so genuine, Jiang immediately understood he wasn't involved.
"Forget it." Jiang snatched the paper back and crumpled it in frustration. He stood up, tossing the leaflet into the trash.
"All my meetings are done for the day, right?" Jiang asked, grabbing his coat from the back of his chair.
"There's one more," Ryu replied, sounding hesitant. He kept his voice neutral and didn't let Jiang know that he was irritated as well as upset about the matter.
"There's more?" Jiang was surprised as he thought his work for the day was completed for now.
"Yes, sir. It was arranged by your mother." Ryu kept his eyes down, knowing the last thing his boss wanted was another meeting.
"Ah, right." Jiang let out a soft sigh. It completely slipped his mind.
"Anyway, you can go home now. I'll handle this one." Jiang threw his coat over his shoulder and headed for the door.
"W-would you…" Ryu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more.
"Hm? Did you say something?" Jiang paused and turned with a curious face.
"N-no, sir. Just... t-take care on your way." Ryu bowed formally, choosing not to say what he was going to say.
"You too, Gilbert!" He smiled and left. As soon as he heard his nickname from Jiang, he blushed as his heart started racing. He stared at him with eyes full of admiration until he disappeared from his eyesight.
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Meanwhile, Ma Ri was furiously and attentively typing at her laptop in her neat, sparsely furnished room. The evening light flickered through the window as the lamp illuminated her desk. Suddenly, her mother burst in, causing Ma Ri to jump.
"Merry, why aren't you dressed yet? It's almost time!" Her mother flung the door wide open, startling her even more.
"Uh! I-I'll get ready in a minute!" Seeing her mother, she shut her laptop quickly as if she was doing something illegal.
"Hurry up! What if he's already there? Do you want him to wait? And for goodness's sake, put on some makeup this time!" Her mother's voice was full of urgency as there was only thirty minutes left and time was running out.
"Okay, okay! Don't worry! Now go!" Ma Ri gently pushed her mother out of the room, eager to finish the last few words of her chapter.
After she came out of the room, dressed prettily, her mother fussed over her hair and handed her a beautiful handbag. "Please don't mess up this time! And behave like a girl, not a kid like the last time. You have to win his heart. Not for your sake, but for your dad's sake, hm?" Her mother's words were gentle, despite the stern advice.
"Why do you worry so much? I'm not any kid! And I know how important he is for you guys! So, I'll try my best! Don't worry!" Ma Ri smiled, winking playfully as she slipped on her shoes. But as she left, a wicked smile crept onto her face as her thoughts darkened.
"Marriage, huh? Men think they can get whatever they want, a f**ktoy and a servant rolled into one. I'll make him regret underestimating me, a lady." She smirked as she climbed into the taxi.
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At the restaurant, Ahn Jiang was already seated with his phone in hand. Although his mother told him to change his dress to look stunning, he didn't bother as this date was just to appease her. His thoughts were elsewhere.
At that moment, he saw Ma Ri came inside, looking prettier than earlier. Her eyes darted around, searching for him. Jiang stood up and she approached after noticing him.
"Ah! Hello! You're Mr. Ahn, right? Sorry, I mistook someone else for you earlier!" Ma Ri bowed politely before sitting.
"It's fine. Nice to see you again after all these years, Han. Ma. Ri." Jiang's tone was cold, his eyes studying her intently. As she mentioned earlier, she had once worked for his company, this is why he suspected she might be the mole.
"So, how've you been?" Ma Ri smiled brightly, but Jiang's gaze didn't soften. He only nodded, barely acknowledging her words.
"Do you know how excited I was after hearing your name? I did some research on you on my way here and found out you're the CEO of EcoFusion? Wow! I can't believe it! My dream has come true! I always wanted to meet you, though not like this, but as a secretary and boss, hehe." She laughed, but Jiang remained silent, his mind whirling with suspicion.
At that moment, his phone rang, cutting her off. He raised a hand to stop her from speaking further and took the call. He had his airpod on his ears which Mary didn't notice. After a moment, he looked at her with cold eyes.
"Talk."
"I know why you're doing this," Ma Ri said suddenly, her excitement bubbling over.
"I know you have a partner inside the company, and your parents won't approve of them. That's why you're here, right? To marry me, because you can't be with the person you really love? What a bummer! I know they're old, but they should be open minded! It's the twenty-first century after all! I feel so bad for you! You can't like whoever you want even in this modern day!" She seemed a bit upset.
"Who told you?"
Jiang's expression remained unreadable.
"Huh? Ei! Come on! I used to work at EcoFusion. I know all about you!" She winked at him playfully.
"What do you want?" Jiang narrowed his eyes, looking pissed off for some reason.
"All I want you to help my dad. Also, my dream is gonna be fulfilled because I'd be blessed by seeing you guys all lovey dovey, kyaaa!" Mary acted very cute which made Jiang smile unintentionally, although he wasn't paying attention to her at all.
"Fine. I'll do what you ask. So, you better keep your word and don't let anyone find out about it, am I clear?" His voice held a hard edge.
"Of course! It'll be our little secret." Ma Ri grinned, holding out her pinky for a promise. Jiang stared at it, confused, before reluctantly hooking his pinky around hers.
He took his phone again. After putting it in his pocket, he finally paid attention to her. But before he could understand anything, she said with a beaming smile, "it's settled then! Let's get married!"
"Huh? Wait, what?" Jiang was flabbergasted. He kept staring at the girl in front of him as he was too stunned to speak.