The rooftop terrace was quiet again after Choi Eun-Young's departure, but Kim Seo-yeon remained, her coffee cooling in her hands. The golden glow of the skyline had deepened into the soft hues of twilight, and the lights of the city below began to flicker to life. She appreciated the calm that came with dusk, a momentary reprieve before the demands of the night inevitably pulled her back into the fray.
Jason Park.
His name lingered in her thoughts more than she cared to admit. Their meeting had been fleeting, but it had left an impression. Seo-yeon was accustomed to reading people in moments, dissecting their mannerisms and motivations with practiced ease. Yet with Jason, she found herself uncertain. There had been something about his presence, his quiet strength, that had defied her initial expectations.
Still, she reminded herself, this was a business arrangement. Her focus had to remain clear: reviving the Kim family's legacy and consolidating the resources needed to secure her company's future. Sentiment had no place here.
As the terrace door opened again, Seo-yeon turned, expecting Eun-Young to have returned with another quip. Instead, it was Kim Hyun-Joo, her aunt, and one of the few people in the family whose opinion she valued.
"I thought I might find you here," Hyun-Joo said, her tone warm yet knowing as she approached. "Still brooding, are we?"
Seo-yeon offered a faint smile, setting her coffee down on the small table beside her. "Just thinking. The day has been… eventful."
Hyun-Joo leaned on the railing, her gaze sweeping across the skyline. "Eventful enough to distract you, perhaps? I heard about your run-in with Jason Park."
Seo-yeon's brow arched slightly. "Word travels fast."
"Of course it does. Especially when it concerns the family's latest gamble," Hyun-Joo replied with a wry smile. "So, what's your assessment of the young Mr. Park?"
Seo-yeon hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "He's… different from what I expected. Calm, composed, and certainly not the liability some in his family make him out to be."
Hyun-Joo chuckled softly. "Well, that's a relief. A liability would be the last thing you need right now." Her tone grew more serious as she turned to face Seo-yeon. "You know, your grandfather wasn't entirely convinced about this arrangement. He believed we should focus on internal growth rather than rely on alliances."
Seo-yeon met her aunt's gaze, her expression unwavering. "Grandfather's concerns are valid, but the situation demands a broader approach. The Parks' resources, their network—it's what we need to regain our foothold. This isn't about sentiment. It's about strategy."
Hyun-Joo nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "And do you think Jason Park shares that perspective? That he's willing to play his role in this?"
"That remains to be seen," Seo-yeon admitted. "But from what little I've observed, he's pragmatic. I believe he understands the stakes as well as I do."
"Good," Hyun-Joo said, placing a hand on Seo-yeon's shoulder. "But remember, Seo-yeon, alliances are delicate. They require more than pragmatism—they require trust, even if only a semblance of it. Keep that in mind as you move forward."
Seo-yeon nodded, her jaw tightening slightly. "Trust is earned, Aunt. And in this case, it will be tested."
Hyun-Joo studied her niece for a moment longer before smiling faintly. "I don't doubt that you'll manage, my dear. You always do."
As her aunt departed, leaving her alone once more, Seo-yeon turned back to the city, her thoughts racing. The days ahead promised challenges she couldn't yet predict, but one thing was certain: she would face them with the same unyielding resolve that had carried her this far.
Jason Park was an unknown variable in her meticulously calculated plans, but she would adapt, as she always did. Their paths were now irrevocably intertwined, and whatever the future held, she would ensure that it unfolded on her terms.
With the first stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky, Seo-yeon allowed herself one last moment of solitude before returning to the ever-turning wheels of her empire.
The Next Day June 12th 1993, of the Eastern States
Jason's early the next morning heard a suddenknock at his door, as he came out of the shower. His hair still dripping wet, as he gently dried it out using atowel.
Knock...Knock...Knock.
" Hold on a moment, I'm coming." He shouted, throwing the towel to the conner of his bed. And grabbing a simple black t-shirt, wearing his body. Before working over to open the door to see who would be knocking at his door so early in the morning.
Opening the door he found a young concierge, dressed in an impeccable suit, offering a polite smile.
"Mr. Park Jason?" the young man greeted him politely with a polished voice.
"Yes," Jason replied, straightening.
"Miss Kim has extended a breakfast invitation and is waiting for you in the private lounge. If you're willing follow me, please."
Jason nodded, his expression neutral, at this an expected invitation by his future wife. It seemed that had also recognized him from yesterday meet on the rooftop terrace. This came at no surprise seeing as they were to be engaged soon in a couple of days.
She would like him done here on research, on who he was upon finding out who Park family's intended to engage her with in this arrange marriage. She had likely done a much deeper background check on him than he could ever do. With all the resources she had it likely wasn't difficult to figure his relationship with the Park Family.
Jason followed the man through the sprawling lobby. The scent of luxury—subtle perfumes, polished wood, and fresh flowers—filled his senses as they walked.
The morning air was crisp, but Jason Park barely noticed it as he stepped into the private lounge. His meeting with Kim Seo-yeon loomed large in his mind. The concierge's parting words hung in the silence as Jason was left alone with the woman who would soon become his wife—not by choice, but by circumstance.
Kim Seo-yeon's presence was undeniable. Standing by the expansive windows with the city sprawling beneath her, she radiated authority. Her crimson blazer caught the soft morning light, a stark contrast to the neutral tones of the lounge. Jason took a moment to study her—calculated, commanding, and utterly unapologetic in her demeanor.
She turned to face him, her dark eyes locking onto his. "Jason Park," she began, her voice as polished and precise as the room around them. "We meet again, and this time, under more formal circumstances."
Jason offered a polite nod, his face neutral. "Miss Kim. Thank you for the invitation."
She arched a brow, as if amused by his formality. "You're punctual. I appreciate that."
Jason's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "Old habits from working for myself. I imagine punctuality is something you value highly."
Her gaze sharpened slightly, a flicker of intrigue crossing her features. "Indeed. It says a great deal about a person." She gestured toward the seating area. "Shall we begin?"
Negotiations Begin
Jason followed her to the seating area, the rich leather of the chairs whispering softly as they sat. A waiter appeared, pouring tea into delicate porcelain cups before retreating silently. Seo-yeon picked up her cup with the grace of someone who had been trained for such moments her entire life. Jason, however, let his cup sit untouched, focusing instead on the woman before him.
"Let's not waste time," Seo-yeon began, setting her cup down after a measured sip. "This engagement is a merger as much as it is a contract. The question is whether you understand what that entails."
Jason leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but assertive. "I understand perfectly. This is about two families consolidating power. Yours to maintain your dominance, and mine...well, they hope to reclaim something of theirs through me."
Seo-yeon's lips curved slightly, a faint hint of approval in her otherwise impassive expression. "At least you're not naive. That simplifies things."
Jason inclined his head. "I'm not here to play the fool, Miss Kim. I've carved out a life for myself outside the Park family's shadow, and I intend to keep it that way. This arrangement won't change that."
Seo-yeon studied him for a long moment, her dark eyes betraying nothing. Then, she nodded. "Good. I wouldn't respect you if you intended to be a pawn. But understand this, Jason: independence is valuable, but so is alignment. If we're to make this work, we'll need to find common ground."
Jason crossed his arms, leaning slightly forward. "I have no intention of being difficult, but I won't compromise my principles or my goals. If we can agree to that, I think we'll get along just fine."
A Mutually Strategic Alliance
For the next hour, the two laid the groundwork for their partnership. Seo-yeon laid out her expectations clearly: public appearances would need to be seamless, the engagement party a carefully curated event. Jason listened, occasionally offering his input, but largely letting her take the lead. It was clear she was in her element, and for now, he was content to observe her strategy.
As the conversation shifted to more personal matters, Seo-yeon tilted her head slightly, regarding him with a mix of curiosity and calculation. "You're different from what I expected," she said finally.
Jason raised a brow. "Different how?"
Seo-yeon's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "The Park family spoke of you as if you were an outsider. I imagined someone less composed. Less...refined."
Jason chuckled dryly. "I've learned to adapt. Being underestimated has its advantages."
She nodded, as if filing that information away for later. "A sentiment I understand well."
The First Test
As they finalized their discussion, Seo-yeon stood, her movements as deliberate as they had been when she first greeted him. "This engagement will test both of us, Jason," she said, her tone serious. "But if you're as capable as you appear, we might just succeed in making it work."
Jason rose as well, meeting her gaze directly. "I don't doubt that we will. But success will depend on mutual respect and understanding, Miss Kim. Not just appearances."
For the first time, a genuine smile tugged at Seo-yeon's lips, fleeting but real. "You surprise me, Jason Park. Perhaps this won't be as tedious as I feared."
As she turned to leave, Jason couldn't help but feel a flicker of respect for her. She was formidable, yes, but also refreshingly straightforward. This wasn't going to be easy, but for the first time, he felt a sense of clarity about what lay ahead.
And as he left the lounge, he resolved to meet her strength with his own. Whatever challenges this alliance brought, he would face them head-on—and on his terms.