"Just like I said sir, it's high time you limit the expansion of your brother's faction in the company." A voice echoed through the phone.
A man in his late thirties, with piercing brown eyes and chiseled features, stared at his phone on the large glass table. His thick, straight eyebrows furrowed slightly but his expression reminded calm. His neatly waxed hair added to his authoritative presence and charisma, amplified by his dashing tailored suit.
"Don't you think it's high time Tae-oh serves in the military?" The voice continued.
"You seem troubled by his existence as well." Amusement played on the man's lips.
The man on the phone laughed nervously. "I wouldn't say that... I'm just saying, very soon the board might recognize Tae-oh's achievements and deem him a better successor."
The man in the suit raised an eyebrow, his deep, masculine voice conveying warmth despite its calm tone. "Aren't I CEO?" He asked with sarcasm lacing his voice.
"You are, but I think that's the more reason why you should be concerned about your brother." The man spoke wisely. "You might never know his intentions towards you, Jae-oh."
"You're right," Jae-oh's gaze shifted to the young man sitted across him. His dark brown almond shaped eyes lazied round the file in his hand. A few strands of his brown hair caressed his face as he looked up to Jae-oh and frowned subtly.
"How about we talk about this later in the evening." Jae-oh smile grew wider causing his brother's brows to furrow. "I have a meeting to attend to right now."
"No problem, I have high expectations for you sir." Jae-oh cut the call just as the young man dropped the file on the table.
"High expectations." He scoffed while Jae-oh chuckled lightly. "Like you both aren't plotting against me."
Jae-oh leaned back in his chair, relaxing into its majesty. His sharp jawline and defined facial structure seemed chiseled under the mid-day light which illuminated from the glass wall behind him.
"You seem to be enjoying this." Tae-oh scoffed and leaned on his chair like a super model. It was a trait that made him stand out even without trying.
"The greedy pig doesn't even know you're done with the military service." Jae-oh chuckled and gently wiped off tears. "Haneul group is sure filled with wolves."
"I'll rather call them street dogs." Tae-oh said with a hint of disgust. "But I'd hand it to Uncle Ji-hoon, he is really persuasive than others. Almost as if I'm his arch nemesis."
Jae-oh laughed out wholeheartedly and wiped his tears, although Tae-oh didn't find it funny, he still had a smile on his face. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, the press is waiting for the branding of X5 pro L."
They both stood up from their seats and made their way out of the office.
The Haneul Group Conference Center buzzed with anticipation. Reporters, investors, and industry experts filled the spacious hall, eager to witness the unveiling of the X5 Pro L. Jae-oh, resplendent in a tailored black tuxedo, stood confidently on stage, surveying the crowd. His piercing brown eyes sparkled with pride as he gazed out at the sea of expectant faces.
Tae-oh, seated in the front row, wore a subtle smile, his dark brown eyes gleaming with admiration for his brother. His messy hair was neatly styled for the occasion, and his tailored suit accentuated his lean physique.
As Jae-oh stepped up to the microphone, a flurry of camera flashes illuminated the room. The soft glow of camera lights cast a warm ambiance, and the gentle hum of videography equipment filled the air. The audience quieted, sensing the conference was about to begin.
Jae-oh adjusted the microphone, his deep voice commanding attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the unveiling of Haneul Group's latest innovation – the X5 Pro L."
The lights dimmed, and the massive screen behind Jae-oh sprang to life, displaying the X5 Pro L logo. The audience erupted into applause as the screen transitioned to a stunning visual showcase of the smartphone's features. Camera shutters clicked rapidly, capturing every moment.
"Our team has worked tirelessly to push the boundaries of technology," Jae-oh declared. "X5 Pro L represents a quantum leap in smartphone design, performance, and artificial intelligence."
Tae-oh's gaze never left Jae-oh's, his eyes shining with pride. He had played a crucial role in designing the X5 Pro L, and Jae-oh's words echoed his own sentiments.
Jae-oh continued, "With its advanced Octa-core processor, 5G connectivity, and AI-driven camera system, X5 Pro L redefines the smartphone experience. But that's not all – it also boasts an eco-friendly design, using sustainable materials and minimizing waste."
The audience applauded again, and Jae-oh smiled, his eyes locking onto Tae-oh's. "I'd like to invite our lead designer, Haneul Tae-oh, to demonstrate X5 Pro L's capabilities."
Tae-oh rose from his seat, his confident stride and charming smile captivating the audience. He joined Jae-oh on stage, exchanging a brief nod.
"Thank you, Jae-oh," Tae-oh said, his voice smooth and assured. "It's an honor to showcase our team's hard work."
The demonstration began, showcasing X5 Pro L's seamless integration with smart home devices, virtual reality, and advanced health monitoring. As the presentation concluded, the audience erupted into a standing ovation. Camera flashes burst forth once more, capturing the triumphant moment.
Jae-oh smiled, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you. X5 Pro L will revolutionize the way we live, work, and connect. Haneul Group is proud to bring this innovation to the world."
Tae-oh joined Jae-oh at the podium, beaming with pride.
The reporters surged forward, shouting questions. "Jae-oh, sir! What inspired X5 Pro L's design?" "Will it be available globally?" "What's the pricing strategy?"
Jae-oh and Tae-oh fielded the questions with ease, their confidence and camaraderie evident.
At the same moment in the Wusang Hospital Seoul, the patients are all paying attention to the screen.
"Finally, I can't wait to buy the X5 pro L." A nurse who stood by the reception area jiggled in joy. Yoon-ji snorted and rolled her eyes.
"This is why you never have any money, you waste it on unnecessary things. Didn't you get a phone like half a month ago?" She picked up some files the receptionist handed to her and turned back to the large TV hung on the wall. "To be honest, the haneul group has really sky rocketed in profit. I mean just look at the charts for purchase even though the product isn't out yet."
"I know right, and best of all. The CEO is a hottie." Ji-su, who had spoken earlier on wiggled.
"Will you ever change?" A nurse who seems in her early fourties stood behind the reception slab and handed them some. She had a straight bob haircut and a nice hair parting. "You girls should start getting your acts right, marriage isn't something you delay too much."
"There's no way I'll become you, Aunt Cha." Ji-su mocked.
"Oh please," Aunt Cha scoffed, "I remember saying the same words."
Olivia hurriedly got to the counter, "Please I need a database on this patient." She handed a tab over to Aunt Cha and waited for her to find it.
Yoon-ji glared at Olivia furiously while Ji-su glued her body to Olivia and smiled. "Hey Olivia, have you heard of the newest Haneul group product?"
Olivia shook her head and smiled. "Don't tell me you're planning on getting a new phone?"
Ji-su giggled and nodded gleefully. "You know me too well. I adore being in vogue you know." Aunt Cha handed over another file to Olivia and smiled.
"I know, thank you." She bowed to Aunt Cha and scurried into the hospital hallway.
Ji-su's charismatic smile faltered and she rolled her eyes at Olivia's retreating figure. "She always acts like she's the boss around here."
Yoon-ji snorted at ji-su and picked her file. "Chameleon." She scoffed and headed her way. Ji-su turned to Aunt Cha oblivious to her actions a moment ago.
"Did I do anything wrong?" She asked in an innocent tone. Aunt Cha glared at her in disgust and turned to the screen in front of her. "Oh well, I can't wait to get a new phone."
Ji-su stared at the men who looked dashing behind the screen. Her heart raced at their smiles. "I wish I could be with you." She said in a wanting voice.
Tae-oh and Jae-oh got into their convoy and waved the crowd goodbye. Tae-oh's handsome smile slowly died down as he gently massaged his jaw. "Smiling is stressful." He groaned and loosened his tie.
Jae-oh laughed and rested on the seat. "I was already wondering how long you would keep up with the smile." Tae-oh rolled his eyes at his words and ruffled his hair.
"Why is Haneul so demanding?" His words made Jae-oh laugh even harder. Tae-oh unbuttoned his shirt slightly and sighed heavily before slumping on the car seat.
"What can I say?" Jae-oh smiled and picked an iPad that was in-between the car seats handle. He turned on the iPad and the haneul logo came to light. Once the iPad had fully booted he began working on some documents for a conference tomorrow.
"You seem to enjoy the stress." Tae-oh turned to the window beside him, watching the moving vehicle and skyscrapers of the beautiful Seoul city. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes to rest a little.
"Grandma is returning tomorrow." Tae-oh's eyes flung open and an annoyed look stretched on his face. Jae-oh looked oblivious to his brother's questioning look. "We're having dinner tomorrow, be sure to attend."
Tae-oh groaned and dug his hand into his hair. "Seriously?" He whined. "Can't you just tell her that I'm not in the country at the moment?"
"Wow, what a convenient lie to tell for someone who just attended an international conference." Jae-oh sarcastically grinned.
"You know our blood doesn't mix, I mean I'm pretty sure she'd be glad not seeing me." Tae-oh retorted and rested his head gently as he stared at the car roof. "Haneul is stressful."
"It's your father's name, respect it." Jae-oh feigned a serious voice and gently stroked his brother's hair. "My little cheeky brother." Tae-oh didn't resist neither did he pull away from his brother caring touch. He had a blank expression on his face but his eyes were filled with a glint of sadness.
Wusang Hospital
Olivia walked out of the entrance of the hospital, she wore a pair of blue jeans and a green overly sized sweater, a black purse rested gently on her sides. Her slender curves stuck out the sides of the jeans, her ebony hair packed in a ponytail with it's tip forming an afro bun on top.
Passerbys all glanced at her, some with a hint of curiosity and most with awe. Her olive skin basked under the sun.
"It's been two full months," She stretched out her limbs and breath in fresh air that didn't have scents of antiseptic and drugs.
"I know right." Do-hee walked towards her holding a leather bag and purse hung over her flower patterned dress. "I never thought I'd leave this hospital today."
"Tell me about it." Kim walked out casually dressed in a paler color of blue jeans and a baggy white T-shirt. Both stood beside Olivia and breath in fresh air, the relief clearly seen on their faces.
Olivia smiled and took a few steps ahead of them, she turned around and waved them. "See you after the holiday." Do-hee pouted her lips while Kim tilted his head slightly.
"Don't tell me you're going to spend your holiday indoors?" Kim asked in a knowing tone. Olivia shook her head in denial though her innocent features sold her out.
"I've never once been to your home." Do-hee rushed towards her and locked arms with her. "Why don't we throw a party?" She turned to Kim winking at him a few times.
"Yeah, a party." Kim nodded sharply and smiled. "We never did throw you a house welcoming party for you." He added.
"Come on guys," Olivia tried to unlock arms with Do-hee. "I'm fine really. I mean it's been over a year now so I don't think there's a need."
"Are you pushing us away?" Do-hee asked with doey eyes.
"No, the thing is…"
Olivia tried to deny but was easily persuaded by her eyes. "Fine, a welcoming party it is."
"Good, now let's get going. It's evening already. We'll have to go to the supermarket and get some stuffs, right?" She turned to Kim who nodded in approval.
All three walked out of the hospital premises and into the busy streets of Seoul. Olivia had a calm demeanor not trying to pull attention towards herself. Do-hee on the other hand tried her best to make her feel comfortable. Kim walked a step behind them, his eyes never leaving Olivia.
They all entered a super market. Do-hee kept asking Olivia questions and Olivia tried her honest best to answer all of them. "Say Olivia, I have never really tasted an African meal before. How about you make something for us?"
Olivia shook her head a little bit and smiled. "I don't really think you'll enjoy my meals…"
"But I usually hear your siblings saying they miss your meals." Kim stood a breathe away from Olivia, his warm breathe tickling her ears.
Olivia quickly retreated and built distance between them. Do-hee squealed in a way that teased both, while nudging Kim's arms. "You know so much about her don't you Kim?"
Kim smiled moderately and stared at Olivia a little bit sad. "Well, I know just about what she let's me to know."
Do-hee's lips rounded to an O in a grin before turning to Olivia. "Please prepare your local dish for us." She clasped her hand together.
"Fine," Olivia surrendered. "Just one soup okay." Do-hee squealed happily catching the attention of a few people in the section.
They all went scouting for a few items she'd use for the dish. Olivia had picked mostly vegetables and Do-hee scouted out to find drinks. Kim on the other hand just trailed Olivia's every movement.
Once they were done shopping they went to the counter to pay. The sales attendant had his eyes glued to his phone as he paid. "We would like to pay for this please." Do-hee placed the items in front of him. He didn't quite have the zeal to attend to them.
"Alright…" he answered lazily not until his eyes caught sight of a beauty who stood behind Do-hee. He looked entranced by her appearance, so much that he adjusted his posture to look more manly. Kim looked somewhat irritated and annoyed at the lustful glance Olivia was receiving. "Done."
"Hey," the sales attendant turned to Do-hee, "can you hook me up with you friend over there?" Do-hee turned to Olivia and then to the sales attendant, she stared at him irritated and annoyed. "Look, you can take all of this for free."
"Yaegi(fool)." She replied and threw the cash for the items on his face. Olivia tailed behind Do-hee wondering what happened while Kim shot a deadly glare at the sales attendant.
They all boarded a taxi once they were outside the market. Do-hee took pictures of all three of them and engaged in a conversation with Olivia. One that had them laughing.
It was a fifteen minutes drive to Olivia's residence. Do-hee stared in awe at how peaceful and nice the environment looked. "You live here?" She asked.
"Yep, a few blocks from here." Olivia replied and the taxi came to a halt. They alighted and walked down the street. The sounds of singing birds and crickets filled the air, the rustling sound of the leaves in the lovely tree gave a peaceful view to the orange glace of the already setting sun.
"Here we are." Olivia stopped at block 1307, she pulled out her keys from her purse and invited them in. "Come in."
"Thank you." Do-hee smiled. Olivia loved the fact that Do-hee didn't allow her father's attitude towards her weigh her down or change her charisma. Kim bowed slightly after Do-hee and Olivia closed the door behind her. The door beeped as the lock activated.
"Welcome to my humble abode." She said as they stepped into a spacious living room. The curtains and rugs were white with a few touches of green here and there. There was a glass table at the center of the rug surrounded by two emerald velvet couches. Opposite the furnitures was a big TV screen standing on a glass TV stand having two white pots with green plants in it on both sides and a potrait of Jesus Christ at the top.
"Talk about taste." Do-hee gaped at the unique and intriguing design. Walking past the living room, there was a glass wall that led to the kitchen. There was a moderate sized island at the center of the kitchen with shelves hung on the wall, and the chimney guards in between the shelves. "You must come from a really rich family." Do-hee squealed.
"Not really," Olivia waved her hands to the island, Do-hee nodded slowly and dropped the items. "Well, time to get cooking."
"What should I do?" Do-hee smiled brightly like a child about to try out a new adventure. Olivia pointed at the aprons hung on the wall and smiled.
Kim walked in a few minutes later, he smiled at how good Olivia looked in an apron. "Can help also?" He asked.
"Yep, there's a lot to do." Do-hee handed over an apron to him as well. He raised it up and chuckled. 'Green'
They all helped in washing the vegetables, cutting them and also seasoning the meat. All three enjoyed the company, most especially Olivia. It was her first time having her friends over, she wasn't sure about at first but seeing as how she was having as much fun as them it made her really happy. She wondered why she hadn't invited them over a long time ago.
They carefully set the food on the glass table and sat on the rug. Do-hee hummed as she inhaled the aroma of the meal served. Olivia smiled warmly and placed the of soup in the center.
"This smells really good." Kim complimented as he sat beside Do-hee. Olivia bowed slightly and walked to the TV. She tuned to a Korean TV station but was quickly scolded by Do-hee.
"Nope, I don't want to watch this." She said. "I want to watch some African movies." Olivia couldn't contain her laughter.
"Are you sure about it?" She turned to them and laughed at their approving faces. "You might regret it you know."
"It doesn't matter." Kim replied and nodded slowly. "We'd love to watch it."
"Fine." Olivia hummed and then whispered under her breath. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
AN HOUR LATER
"How dare you? (Slaps)" 'a woman in the movie slaps another woman.'
Do-hee and Kim are laser glued to the movie they are watching. Olivia walks in from the kitchen after returning all the plates.
"Are you crazy?" 'The slapped woman begins to fight the other woman '
"Are you guys enjoying the movie?" Both nod in agreement. Olivia shook her head and walked over to her room. She takes her bath and freshen up. She walks out wearing a sea green pajama, her hair barely dry and all shrinked in. Kim turns to her and looks dumbfounded.
The movie has finally ended and both were drinking some soft drinks bought earlier on.
"Look at the time, ten minutes past eleven." Do-hee frowned and then turned to Olivia. "Can we spend a night here?"
Olivia nodded without hesitation. "It's late anyway."
"Thank you." Olivia walks back into her room and gets some spare blankets and clothes. Do-hee nudges Kim after she leaves,"You owe me one." They both fist pump and nod.
Olivia came back right after with the blankets and some spare clothes. "I don't really know if they'd size you though, but they are really big on me." She hands a purple top over to Kim, there's a bit of a feeling that spread between their slight finger tip which touch.
"Thank you."
"Come on go freshen up, Do-hee can use my bathroom and Kim, you can use the guest bathroom." Olivia points in the direction where both need to go.
Once they had gone to freshen up, she takes her time to arrange and clean up the place. She also removes the glass table on the rug and sets it aside. She smiled as she remembered the times her childhood bestie and her elder sister would spend the entire night playing around in her room.
"You're really fast when it comes to chores." Kim leaned on the wall and smiled warmly, the purple shirt fitted him perfectly. He stared at Olivia with warmth in his eyes. Olivia smiled and shook her head.
"Not really," She replied and spread a huge white bed sheet on the floor.
"Wow, this is so nice." Do-hee walked in right after, her brown hair was packed up in a loose ponytail, wearing a blue night gown that reaches her knee.
"Come on, let's sleep." Olivia hands over some blankets to them and heads over to lay down. Once all were laying she turned off the switch and laid down as well.
A smile creeped up her face, she felt good today. It has been a while since she hung out with friends and spending time with the two friends she had in Korea made her glad. Just as she was drifting off to sleep she felt Do-hee creep up to her and cling to her body.
"Goodnight Olivia." Kim said before closing his eyes.
"Goodnight Kim." Olivia replied and turned to Do-hee.
"Goodnight Olivia." Do-hee mumbled with a drowsy voice.
"Goodnight Do-hee." Olivia replied and closed her eyes.'Life isn't as unfair as many thought.' She thought.