January , 21 2027 (day)
The Jeong Family Home
All is calm in the Jeong Family house. But, that did not last long. It never does, especially in the Jeong Family House. Especially with those weird brothers. They never stop!! In a manner of seconds, chaos will descend upon this calm and quiet house. And, it's usually caused by one of the four brothers.
"AHHHEHGHGHEHGHEHGHEHGHHHHHH!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Someone screams. "YOU NASTY LITTLE BUG!!!! BE GONE!! BE GONE!! DIE!! DIEE!! DIE!!"
Everybody is awake now. They fling off their blankets, and rush out of their rooms to find Jungwoo waving around a fly swatter. He's dueling a fruit fly that is trying to land on his breakfast. He parries left, then right, making sure to dodge the fly as well.
Everyone is at a loss for words. ⌠This man really is crazy. . . . . .⌡
Sumin sighs inwardly,⌠Why'd I even marry this man?⌡
The duel with the fly goes on for about another minute until Sumin loses it. Marching up to her estranged husband, she takes the fly swatter and kills the bug. Jungwoo looks at his wife gratefully. Then picks up his buttered toast.
"Since the bug's gone, I can eat my toast!" Jungwoo says cheerfully.
The family sighs. ⌠Nothing ever goes right in this house. . . . . . ⌡
Jaehyun rubs his face. "Honey, take Hwayoung to school please? I want to catch another five minutes of sleep before I start getting ready."
"Go get some sleep." YoungMi says as Jaehyun walks back to their bedroom.
"Looks like someone's not feeling it today. " Sujin says.
"Yep. I think he's rather stressed about some proposal that he has to put together for the next product. He's been up all night for two days."
"I think Jaehyun Oppa is the only normal brother," Sujin concludes. "He actually needs sleep unlike the others."
The only reason why the family knows that the other three brothers don't go to sleep is because they frequently wake up because of them. Jaeyoung always talks to himself, and rather loudly too. He thinks he's participating in a debate. Everyone can literally hear his voice from inside their room. Even if the door's shut and locked. JaeSeong on the other hand, plays video games all night long with the volume on his computer all the way up to one hundred. And, Jungwoo. Jungwoo he cleans and mops and what not for a couple hours each night. But, he sings too. And, TERRIBLY! When the Jeong family just wants to catch some Zs, they hear a clash, a bang, a tone deaf voice singing, and a man talking about some historical event. So basically, no one can sleep at the Jeong house. Unless, you have ear plugs of course.
TWO HOURS LATER. . . . . . . . . .
KI Headquarters, Incheon, South Korea
In Jaehyun's office, papers are being thrown left and right. Sujin and Jaehyun are searching for the proposal that Jaehyun had just finished last night. They just arrived at work about an hour ago, but they are already behind schedule. Without the proposal, they won't make it to the meeting between KI Group, Taeyong Manufacturing, and KimLee Tech! Jaehyun and Sujin are desperate for time! If they don't find the proposal within thirty minutes, they won't be able to attend the meeting! This will tarnish KI Group's reputation!
Sujin and Jaehyun continue their frantic searching, pushing piles of papers over, throwing folders out of the way, opening cabinet drawers, and looking through all the papers in the recycle bin. They're about to give up when one of Jaehyun's secretaries walks in. The secretary is shocked to see the once organized and clean office, a mess!
"Sir, the car is waiting outside." The secretary says. "I took the proposal and gave it to Secretary Seo who is waiting in the car."
At the words "took the proposal and gave it to Secretary Seo", the brother and sister pair sigh in relief. They would be able to get to the meeting in time. The two rush down to the parking lot, and get into the black SUV waiting for them. Once in the car, Sujin fixes her hair and Jaehyun adjusts his tie. The two sigh. Exhausted from all the searching they've just done.
"President," Secretary Seo says. "Would you like to review the proposal?"
"Yes. Please give it to me." Jaehyun says tiredly.
The secretary hands the president the proposal, who immediately starts to review it. Jaehyun talks to himself as he reads through the proposal, repeating essential words or phrases he may need to mention at the meeting. For the remainder of the car ride, Jaehyun reviews the proposal while Sujin takes notes.
Once they arrive at the designated meeting place, Sujin and Jaehyun rush in side hoping they won't be late. They enter the lobby where a receptionist greets them.
"Welcome to Hwan Restaurant. How may I help you?" She says politely.
"We have a reservation with Mr. Kim and Mr. Hwang." Jaehyun says hurriedly.
"Oh, they just arrived as well." The receptionist says. " Please follow me. I'll take you to the room."
Sujin and Jaehyun follow the receptionist into a massive room. Inside that massive room, a two men are seated at a table.
"These two have just arrived." The receptionist says. "Enjoy your meal."
After she leaves, Jaehyun greets the men. "Hello, Mr. Kim, Mr. Hwang. We apologize for arriving late."
"Nonsense. Nonsense." One man says. "We just arrived as well. If anyone is late it was me. Come sit. Come sit. We've already ordered if that's fine with you."
"Yes," Jaehyun says as he sits down. "My sister and I are fine with anything."
At the word sister, the two men turn and stare at Sujin. She shifts uncomfortably in her chair. Uneasy with so many eyes watching her.
"So. . . . You must be the one Jaebum always talks about. The younger daughter." A man with a gray suit says.
"Ye-s-s." Sujin says nervously.
The man, Mr. Hwang laughs heartily. "No need to be nervous. We are good friends with your father young lady."
Sujin relaxes, much more comfortable with the friendly atmosphere he has created with that one simple sentence.
⌠If Father trusts them, I can trust them.⌡She reasons.
The food is served, and the group eats their fill. Jaehyun talks to the men about the new proposal. The proposal addresses the issue of reliable transportation chips. The transportation chip is what allows you to use public transportation without paying a fee. Lately, companies have tried to create a chip that works, but since the idea is new, none have accomplished making a working transportation chip. The two men are obviously interested in Jaehyun's approach to the new issue and agree to help him as long as they each get fifteen percent of the profits. Jaehyun shakes their hands and seals the deal.
Although Sujin does not talk much during the lunch meeting, she learns a lot from her brothers conversation with the two chairmen. She learns that she must know all the information of the proposal by heart, and be able to answer difficult questions about the company's goals and about the product. Sujin also learns that a handshake seals the deal, and makes a mental note to practice her handshake. Although Jaehyun's training was not as intensive as the training she had with her other brothers, Sujin felt like she was able to learn more. By observing Jaehyun's conversation, Sujin was able to grasp what a meeting with shareholders or other business partners would look like. She is still making mental notes when the Chairmen check their watches, and realize that they have to leave. Jaehyun and Sujin thank the Chairmen and make sure they get to their cars before leaving.
After the two Chairmen have left, Jaehyun call Secretary Seo, who drives their SUV over to the restaurant entrance. Jaehyun and Sujin get into the car and talk about the upcoming meeting they have to attend with the shareholders of the company. During her conversation with Jaehyun, Sujin feels a tug on her heart. She glances outside the window, but the ache she felt in her heart is gone. Shrugging, Sujin continues to talk with her brother about the upcoming meeting they will attend.
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January 29, 2027 (Friday)
KI Headquarters, Incheon, South Korea
After Jaehyun's non intensive training, Sujin joins the Chairman for a day. Of course, quality time with her dad was something she was looking forward to. Sujin and her father got to spend the day attending meetings with shareholders, and attend any other meetings with the Chief Officers. They enter the meeting room, which is set up like a debate room. Sujin takes the seat next to her father and greets the shareholders next to her. Shareholders continue to flock in and once everyone has been seated, the Chairman begins the meeting.
The meeting is like a furious debate. The shareholders raise their voices and argue on issues that involve the company. The topic that has caused many to fume is the issue of the next CEO. The men continue to go at it for at least thirty minutes before they start to calm down. Once they've settled into their seats again, the Chairman addresses the issue.
"On Sunday," he says. "I will hold a press conference. I've already decided that none of my sons will be the next CEO. I would be more comfortable if my youngest daughter Sujin, took the position. I assure you that she is indeed qualified, and that she won't let us down."
The men all take a good look at the young lady sitting beside the chairman. Their stares bore into her skull. They look at each other and nod.
"I think she'll be a good CEO." One man says.
"Yeah she would be a good CEO," the others echo.
"Then it's decided," the Chairman says. "Sujin will be the new CEO. This meeting is adjourned."
The shareholders gather their things and congratulate Sujin on their way out. Once all the shareholders have left, Sujin runs over and hugs her dad.
"Thanks Dad. You're giving me such an important position in the company, but I haven't even proved to you that I can take such a position."
"Don't worry Sujin-ah. You will undoubtedly be a wonderful CEO and leader of this company. How could I trust your brothers when they have no sense of leadership? So of course, my youngest daughter who is undoubtedly more mature than her brothers will be chosen to be CEO. And, of course, you'll be able to make so many advancements and improvements in your long life."
A long life she will never have. A long life that she will never live.
⌠I've only got a little bit longer.⌡Sujin thinks. ⌠A little bit longer.⌡
She's only got a little bit longer, and hopefully, that is enough time.
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January 31, 2027 (Sunday)
Outside KI Headquarters, Incheon, South Korea
At 12'o clock, KI Group is preparing for a press conference to address the issue of the next CEO. Many reporters are waiting eagerly outside, cameras and notepads ready. The Jeong family arrives, and the brothers, chairman, and Sujin sit at the table prepared for them. Once they are seated, the reporters start the Q & A.
"Why are you deciding to have someone take the position of CEO now? Why didn't someone take office earlier?"
"I took into serious consideration who should be CEO, and after much thought, I decided that none of my sons were suitable for the position." The Chairman says.
"Why do you think your sons aren't suitable for the position?" Another reporter asks.
"Well, my sons had already told me that they didn't wish to be CEO. And, even if they were put in the CEO position, they wouldn't enjoy what they were doing. Every single one of my sons likes the position they have. JaeSeong wouldn't like to be anywhere else but IT. Jungwoo likes Human Resources and the Customer Service Department more than anything else. Jaeyoung likes to handle less important affairs, and Jaehyun is comfortable as president. My other daughter has no plans on working in the company, so only one child is left. My youngest daughter Sujin. Sujin will be the next CEO of KI Group. That's all I have to say, so this press conference will end."