***
Two weeks passed. Two weeks filled with introductions, meetings, inspections, and decision-making.
Min felt drained.
He’d met so many people, each one an important piece in Hanje Group. The complexities of the business were starting to catch up to him.
The driver took a speed bump too fast, jerking him to the present. He grabbed at the documents on his lap to keep them from falling.
Young Jae sat beside him in the back of the black limousine talking about their recent project. Young Jae had worked on the merger between Hanje Hospitality and Kai Hotels for months before Min took over. Abe Sung, the Kai Hotel director, had called Young Jae two days ago and insisted on meeting the head of Hanje Group.
“Be firm, but not overly confident. Define the terms of the merger and guarantee the current staff’s positions. This was an important part of the merger-agreement talks. The director was adamant about it.”
Young Jae passed him a black leather folder. Min opened it and studied the details of the merger. He paused when he got to the financial statements. Kai Hotel was smaller in scale compared to Hanje Hospitality. Kai Hotel’s financial health was weak too. They barely made profits.
“Mr. Sung wants to remain in his position.” Min noted when he got to the employee records. “Is that wise?”
“He’s been with Kai Hotel for a long time. He worked his way up to that position and knows everything about the business.”
“You’ve also agreed to keep the entire staff. The numbers don’t support the expense. We have to decrease the staff.”
“This is not the city, Min. There are issues to consider in an area like this. The local population relies on Kai hotel economically. We promised Mr. Sung that we’d keep the staff because they have nowhere else to go. Don’t walk into that office and renege.”
Min closed the file and handed it to Young Jae. “This shouldn’t be a merger. Hanje Hospitality should purchase Kai Hotels. Mr. Sung is using our reputation to save his hotel.”
“Min,” Young Jae said his tone prepping for an argument. Min was starting to differentiate the man’s different tones. This one geared towards a ‘Min, obey without question’ argument. “I cleared this with your father weeks ago. Don’t mess it up.”
Min hated it when Young Jae pulled that one on him. The car turned onto the drive that led up to Kai Hotel’s main entrance. He placed the papers on his lap back into the briefcase between them and snapped it closed.
“I’m not my father, Young Jae. I studied the financial statements you gave me. Kai Hotel will be a very large liability if we merge. The board is approaching this from a managerial standpoint. I don’t think its right.”
“The board is vetting your performance on this deal. Fix it after your official appointment,” Young Jae said as the car came to a stop.
Kai Hotel staff stood waiting at the entrance neatly dressed in burgundy. An older man in a black suit stepped forward as the valet opened Min’s door.
“Min, I’m asking you—,”
He ignored Young Jae and stepped out of the car. The older man greeted Min as he closed the buttons on his suit jacket.
“Mr. Jun Min Ho. I’m Abe Sung, director of Kai Hotels. Welcome.”
Min gave him a short bow of recognition and followed Mr. Sung into the hotel. He inspected the hotel décor discretely as they went to the elevators. Hanje Hospitality adhered to strict codes. Those codes kept all their resorts and hotels at the five-star mark. A critical glance told him Kai Hotel would only garner a three on its current code.
Young Jae caught up with them and held out the folder again. “Mr. Jun, you forgot this in the car.”
Min took the folder to maintain the courtesy Young Jae was showing him. He walked into the elevator after Mr. Sung knowing he wasn’t going to be offering the deal in the folder.
***
“What did you do?” Young Jae demanded the moment they left the hotel hours later.
Min sat quietly acting as though he hadn’t brought down the world with a few words. Damn it, Min was so irritating.
“He was ready to sign.”
“Hanje Group wasn’t.” Min shrugged. “Look, I know this is your project. You’ve worked hard, which is great, but you’re wrong.”
“I’m not wrong. The board is expecting a positive outcome, Min. This is not a game.”
“I never said it was.” Min turned in his seat to look at him.
Min’s dark eyes filled with a fire he hadn’t seen. His black hair fell over his forehead. Pushing it back with an elegant hand, Min narrowed his gaze at him.
“Mr. Sung wants to level the field with Hanje Hospitality, but the state of his hotel won’t allow it. Kai Hotels can’t hold up to ours. They have done the best to make it seem the same, but I could see the signs.”
“So, you offered to acquire Kai Hotel.”
“I offered Mr. Sung the chance to save his staff, by allowing Hanje Hospitality to purchase Kai Hotel. The logistics shouldn’t matter to him as long as his staff remains intact, right?”
Min looked away from him and stared straight ahead.
“What did you see that made you think this will work?” Young Jae asked curious.
He’d been toying with the idea of turning the merger into an acquisition. It irked that Min had gone ahead and done it without hesitation. Min’s capacity to analyze and execute was enviable.
“Hanje owns four resorts on the island. Kai’s revenue has been decreasing since we came here. This doesn’t make sense because of their strategic location. Their access to national monuments on the Island is better than Hanje’s. They should have the sales but they don’t. Gaining our hospitality stamp would raise their value.”
“Mr. Sung figured if we merge, Kai Hotel’s sales would increase.”
“Our reputation would drive customers to Kai Hotel; he’s getting all the advantage. We weren’t gaining anything in that deal.” Min turned to smile at him. “He wasn’t very pleased when I pointed it out. Anyway, he has three days to make the decision; otherwise, we’ll withdraw our offer.”
“You’re not a light weight after all.” Young Jae praised.
Min turned to him. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the rumors. They call you a lightweight because of how skinny you are. Personally, I think it’s the pretty face.”
“When does the bastard stop with you?” Min demanded his eyes flashing with anger. “I’m tired of your comments. If you have a problem working with me, why don’t you just leave?”
Young Jae was glad for the closed glass partition in the limousine. His urge to shake Min to his senses was turning into the need to kiss him senseless. Seeing that angry flush on Min’s face was so darned arousing. He closed the distance between them and captured Min’s chin with his right hand.
Min gave a protesting gasp. Young Jae ignored and instead kissed Min with all the fervor he could master. He plundered Min’s mouth greedily, exploring the burning hot cavern, driving both of them to a swift passion. He pulled back abruptly when Min started punching his chest.
Young Jae took in Min’s flushed cheeks and swollen lips with satisfaction.
“What was that for?” Min tried for an indignant tone, but he was shaky. The question came out in a whisper. He wiped a hand over his lips and glared.
“Isn’t that the way you thank Shin? I figured I could try it out.”
Min’s eyes sparked with anger, and he smiled. It was so darned easy to bait Min. He was starting to enjoy it a bit too much.
“I hate you.”
“Keep saying that, but we both know you kissed me back.”
His cell phone rang and Young Jae answered the call his gaze lingering on Min’s angry one.
“Young Jae here.”
“Mr. Sung just caved to the demands laid down by Min. He agreed to the acquisition with the promise
that Hanje keeps his staff. What the hell happened, Young Jae?” Jun Yul, Min’s Uncle, demanded into his ear. “We needed that deal to go through to prove Min’s incompetence. The board is now ecstatic with his business acumen. Are you helping him?”
“I had nothing to do with it.” Young Jae’s gaze dropped away from a scowling Min and he stared out the window. “I think our association should end soon.”
“You wish. I own you, Young Jae. Don’t think you can get away from me. I want that lightweight decommissioned. Keep me fully updated on his itinerary. There has to be another opening.”
The line went dead and Young Jae sighed as he returned his phone to his pocket. He slid a glance to a pouting Min. For the first time since he’d started working for Hanje, Young Jae wished that Min would gain strength and power. He didn’t want to cause Min any pain.
***
Chapter Four
“She’s insane.”
Min glared at the slender elegant woman on the screen. How could she go on live television and promise to support striking Hanje factory workers?
Min grabbed the remote and switched the television off just as Young Jae walked into his bedroom.
“You need to talk to your mother.” Young Jae dropped a bunch of magazines on the bed. “She’s giving interviews to anyone who is willing to talk to her. She’s going to destroy the group’s reputation.”
“I can’t talk to her.” Min refused to look at the magazines and concentrated on cuffing his gray shirt. “I won’t get in between my parents.”
“You won’t be getting between them. Their stability ties into the company image. We can’t afford a scandal. Your father has left for Osaka, which makes you acting head of your family.” Young Jae pulled out a white envelope from his inside jacket pocket and held it out. “Your mother is hosting a gala tonight; you should show up and try talking to her.”
“You are so cold-hearted, Young Jae.” Min took the envelope and threw it on the bed with the magazines. “I’m not getting in between my parents’ non-marriage.”
“I don’t think you have a choice.” Young Jae sighed and closed the distance between them. He placed a gentle hand on Min’s shoulder. “Look, I realize you’re trying to protect your mother, but she’s gone too far.”
Min shrugged Young Jae’s hand off his shoulder and reached for his suit jacket. His day was filled with annoying appointments with the various directors of Hanje Group. He couldn’t imagine adding his mother on to the list.
“Min,” Young Jae prompted when he walked to the desk set by large wide windows. “Your parents’ fights are going to pull you in sooner or later.”
Min scoffed. “That is nothing new. I’ve always thought staying away works best for all of us.”
Min grabbed up his wallet and phone from the desk. “We should get going. Mr. Rio doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“We can’t ignore your mother’s antics. She has to be stopped.”
“She’s a Jun; she can do whatever she pleases,” Min said and hurried out of his bedroom.
A frustrated Young Jae followed him downstairs to the dining room where breakfast waited. Min grabbed up the newspaper hoping if he buried his attention into the daily news, Young Jae might quit.
He gaped when he saw his mother’s smiling face on the front-page promising financial support to striking workers at the Hanje Shoes factory. He folded the newspaper and put it on the table with a sigh.
“We’ll swing by her house before we head to Mr. Rio’s residence. I’ll call ahead,” Young Jae said.
Min looked up and met his gaze. “Are you enjoying this?”
“What?” Young Jae asked sipping his coffee.
Min shook his head and stared into his untouched coffee.
The week had been full of incidences that needed his attention. It started with a Hanje Supermarket manager who’d run away with a day’s worth of sales. On the same day, one of the warehouses owned by Hanje Shopping Malls burned to the ground. Thankfully, no one died in the fire, the malls lost a considerable amount of merchandise. Two days ago, the Hanje Shoes factory workers had gone on strike.
One incident after another, he thought.
They had led to multiple complaints from the Hanje Group board of directors. He’d scheduled a meeting with Mr. Rio this morning to find a way to sort out the complaints.
Min rubbed his left temple and got up from his chair. “Let’s go, we’re wasting time.”
“You should eat something.” Young Jae urged. “Starving yourself won’t fix your problems.”
“I’ll be in the car when you’re done stuffing yourself.”
Min turned on his heel, ready to leave, but Young Jae grabbed his elbow. Angry words at the tip of his tongue, he turned to yell but Young Jae stopped him with a hard punishing kiss.
Min started to push Young Jae away, but the punishing kiss turned soft against his lips. A cajoling demand on his lips, that had him frozen as Young Jae slid gentle fingers into his hair. Young Jae pulled Min closer with his left hand.
Min closed his eyes and sighed as he opened his mouth to allow Young Jae’s seeking tongue. The soft teasing exploration left him breathless and clinging to Young Jae’s upper arms. He buried his face into Young Jae’s shoulder when they broke the kiss. His heart raced a mile a minute.
“You need to keep calm.” Young Jae stroked his hair gently with his right hand. “Things are only going to get worse from here.”
“I suppose you think kissing me is the way to make me calm.” Min tried to step back but Young Jae refused to let him go.
“I kiss you because you annoy me so much. I find it’s the best way to shut you up.” Young Jae tightened his hold, giving him a tight hug. “You’re doing fine, Min.”
“Let go,” Min said quietly.
Min didn’t want the warmth in Young Jae’s hug. He wanted to cling to the heat he’d found in Shin’s arms instead of this smoldering fire raging between him and Young Jae.
“We shouldn’t be doing this.”
“There is nothing stopping us.” Young Jae ran his hand over Min’s back. “There is no one stopping us.
Min pushed against Young Jae’s chest. He took a step back when Young Jae let go of him.
“Don’t touch me,” Min said keeping his tone hard. “I don’t like it.”
“Who are you lying to, me or you?” Young Jae chuckled. “Your face is flushed, your cock filling from arousal, and your lips are swollen.”
Min glared at him for a moment before he stalked out of the dining room and headed straight for the bathroom to wash his face.
***
Young Jae chuckled when Min hurried out of the dining room. It was fun getting a rise out of Min. He loved how Min’s eyes flashed at him with anger. He couldn’t help imagining the thrilling sight of watching Min’s eyes burn with passion. He turned to look at the newspaper Min had left at the table. His thoughts lingered on Min’s mother and her recent campaign against Hanje Group.
The opposition against Min was immense. Min’s uncle was inciting the factory workers. Young Jae was sure Yul was responsible for the warehouse fire, but he didn’t have proof. As for the board members, Young Jae frowned; Yul was actively lobbying against Min. Five of the ten board members wanted Min removed.
Min was keeping it together but barely.
It was time to pick a side. Young Jae thought as he picked up the newspaper.
***
“Omma,” (Mom)
Min tried to keep his tone as calm as possible.
“Can’t you stop making trouble for Hanje Group? I’ll give you whatever you want. Tell me what you’re after.”
“If you came to push your father’s agenda, you better leave, Min.” Yuna sat back in her armchair and took up a regal stance. “I thought you came to see your mother.”
Min sighed, fighting off irritation hoping a calm demeanor would reach his mother.
&n
bsp; Yuna kept up a slim figure, and thanks to a few visits to her plastic surgeon, she could pass for late thirties instead of the late forties she was. She was always in designer clothes. He’d never seen her dressed casually.
She’d separated from his father when he’d turned ten. She’d left for New York and hadn’t returned until his eighteenth birthday. She’d returned to South Korea with a daughter six years his junior.
Yuna had spent that first year back trying to talk to him. Six years later, and they still hadn’t found common ground. He simply didn’t know what to say to his mother.
Yuna broke the silence first.
“Your sister needs a date for the gala tonight. Will you do it?”
“You mean that crazy girl and me,” Min blurted out.
Min shuddered at the thought of the brat Yuna liked to call his little sister. Technically, Lara was his half-sister. Yuna had left Lara’s father in New York and insisted on giving Lara the Jun name. His father hadn’t protested, but Kang had insisted that Yuna and Lara live on their own.
Min sighed. He tried to stay away from Lara too. As far as he was concerned, Lara was a she-devil disguised as an eighteen-year-old.
“No way,” he said. He had too much to handle. A night out with Lara would send him off the edge.
“Min, she’s your sister.” Yuna insisted. “You should help her enter your social circle. Introduce her to Shin, Jihu and Kaori.”
“They’re abroad,” Min said, glad his friends weren’t in Seoul for the first time since they had flown out.
“Min,” Yuna said. “Please try and get Lara into your social circle.”
“I won’t do it.” Min shook his head hating the thought of letting Lara lose on unsuspecting people. “You’re being unfair. You want something from me, but you can’t promise to let go of the spotlight. It must mean you’re eager to expose Lara’s reputation to the circus you’re running.”
He picked up the newspaper on the coffee table and held it out to her.
“My name is printed beside yours every five sentences in this article. Is that the life you want for Lara?”
“You’re just like your father.” Yuna accused. “Is this how he taught you to treat your elders?”
“Omma,” Min said in irritation. “Why do you do this? If you don’t want to listen to me, don’t get involved with Hanje business. I have to go…I have an appointment in minutes.”