[45]

[45]

the company cafeteria was too quiet that you could here a pin drop. why? simple because the CEO was eating lunch with his dear noona who was glaring dagger at him. the two don't usually eat in the cafeteria but today seemed like an exception. the staff who usually eat there would take big and quick bites of their meals before placing it in the used dishes bin and dashing out. they couldn't enjoy their meals when to superiors who were blood related was eating with them. especially when one of them is in a bad mood.

❝Jeonghoon❞ lianne called the man, Jeonghoon, across her. he hated that he picked a long table that was away from the rest of the staff. ❝what do you think you're doing? ❞

Jeonghoon gracefully wpied the sauce at the corner of his lips. ❝I'm doing the right thing noona❞ he told her, sitting straight on his chair and puffing his chest with pride.

the older woman scoffed and rolled her eyes. ❝the only right you did was bring Seojun back to the company. other than that it's all wrong❞ she then slammed her fork on the table, the sound echoing the silent room. ❝you're digging your own grave here jeonghoon❞

the man flicked away her concern. ❝I'm not and I know it. you'll thank me later on❞

❝the person thanking will be me once they hear about this❞ Lianne reminded the younger before taking out something from behind her. it was a folder that she didn't hesitate to throw onto the table. ❝read it❞

the man stood up and reached for the folder. he opened it and almost dropped it. his jaw went slack as he read its contents. once he finished he slammed it shut before looking at his noona who kept a calm expression. ❝what's this? ❞

❝one of our biggest shareholders and part of the board of executives threatened to pull out❞ the woman replied before chuckling bitterly. ❝do you know how much this could affect our company? and what if SHE hears about this? you won't escape her nagging❞

the man gritted his teeth, tightly gripping on the folder. he couldn't let his plan crumble when it just started. he stood there for a minute more faking a cough and shrugging his shoulders. ❝don't worry. I'll talk with miss lee❞

❝are you sure? ❞ Lianna plopped her elbow on the table and perched her chin on top of it. she licked her lips. ❝miss Lee doesn't welcome anyone that easily much more someone who isn't even the ceo❞

❝noona❞ he growled threatingly. ❝you should know how to talk to your superiors❞

this made his noona snicker before pushing herself up. ❝and you should know how to talk to your elders❞ she then pushed her chair away before moving past it and making her way out of the cafeteria hall.

the man let behind took deep breathes before turning towards the staff who had their heads turned towards him. he glared at them. ❝what are you looking at? back to work! lunch break ends now! ❞

❝sir Choi! ❞ an office worker rapidly knocked the ceo's door while clutching a folder. he had been knocking for a good two minutes and was fighting the urge to call help. he knew the CEO hated when his office would be crowded thus workers only came here one by one. ❝sir! ❞

❝what!? ❞ swinging open the heavy metal door, Jeonghoon greeted the worker with a cold glare. the worker shrinked at his gaze and was hesitant to start talking. he was obviously in a good mood and what he was going to do next would worsen it.

❝m-miss t-tan i-is coming b-back! ❞he squeeked before raising the folder in front of him to shield him from the superior who raised his fist.

Jeonghoon wanted to lash out and curse but he had to held his composure. if miss tan were to hear about this then he's dead meat. ❝where is she right now? ❞

the worker who was on the verge of fainting handed him the folder which was quickly snatched and ripped open. Jeonghoon had his brows furrowed as he read. his gritted his teeth. ❝someone pick her up at the airport❞ he ordered coldly.

❝a-actually s-sir she sent instructions T-to not p-pick her up. s-she said she wouldn't be c-coming to the company b-but does w-warn you❞ the worker stuttered, bringing his arms up to shield himself.

❝what!? ❞ huffing, the superior faced the cowering employee Before clicking his tongue with annoyance. ❝where is she now? ❞

❝on a plane heading here sir❞

🌟

❝what's going on? ❞ Seojun moved out of the way as a janitor with a cleaning cart dashed past him. everyone was in a frezy in cleaning the company. staffs were going in and out of the elevators with papers in hand and running from. one department to another. he even caught his manager running around the place. he turned to Jayden who walked beside him.

❝I'm not sure❞ the older shrugged before grabbing a cleaner and pulling him to the side. ❝hey, what's going on? ❞ he said in a hushed tone.

the worker flicked away Jayden's hold before looking around the place. he motioned them to lean their heads. ❝miss tan is coming❞

Seojun stood straight back, a confused expression on his face. ❝who's this miss tan? ❞

his question eanred surprised look from the two. Jayden wanted to nag at the younger for not knowing while the cleaner was baffled the kid didn't know his superiors.

Jayden stood up straight before smacking the back of the younger's head, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

❝ow! what the hell Jay!? ❞ Seojun rubbed the sore spot while glaring at the older who glared back. ❝what was that for? ❞

Jayden opened his mouth in disbelief, having both of his hands on his hips. ❝how can you not know miss tan? she has a big ass statue in the lobby❞

❝wait she's that miss tan❞ Seojun suddenly came to a realization but it didn't last long. ❝so who is she? ❞

Jayden wanted to face-palm at his friend's stupidity but he had a better plan. so without hesitation he hit seojun's face instead. ❝she's the founder of the company seojun❞

Seojun who was busy rubbing his sore face could only pout. ❝so? ❞

❝she's a big deal Seojun! ❞ Jayden cried, ❝she can end your contract with one look! do you know how different this place ran when she was the CEO? ❞

Seojun shook his head no. ❝of course I don't. I don't even remember meeting her even once and I grew up here❞

Jayden scoffed. ❝that's because you would runaway from her whenever she would try to speak to you❞

❝wait❞ Seojun said as he remembered a woman much older than him who had a strong and strict gaze. she always wore a suit and had a poker face whenever you looked at her. ❝not tell she's the person I call a monster as a kid❞

Jayden slapped his own face. as sad as it sounded, yes Seojun did call her a monster but he was a kid at that time. ❝yes Seojun she's the one❞

❝oh cool. I can finally see her❞ the young celebrity cheered but soon grew curious again. ❝then why are you all being fussy? ❞

Jayden wondered if his friend was slow or the information he said was lacking. obviously both but he could also say the former. he turned turned to the cleaner who watcher their entire exchange. ❝why are you all being fussy? ❞ he too didn't know ok.

❝she's in a bad mood and—❞

"hey you, back to work! "

the cleaner looked behind him and found another cleaner who caught him standing with the two celebrities. he sheepishly looked back at them before bowing his head and excusing himself.

Jayden and Seojun who were left behind could shrug at each other. well, there's the reason why the staff of the company were being fussy, the founder is in a bad mood.

❝should we head to the practice room and start practicing? ❞ Seojun suggested which the older nodded his head.

❝let's❞

Jehyun walked inside the busy entertainment company. he wore a heavy black coat with shades and a mask. People didn't pay attention at him as they were scurrying away to meet ends to Pease the founder who was ARRIVING . slipping into a heavily filled elevator, he waited someone to press the button for the ceo's floor.

❝oh, are you a new artist? I haven't seen you here that much❞ the person he guessed belonged to the newspaper department asked him.

❝yeah, the CEO called of me❞ Jehyun lied. he was silently praying that the person would stop talking a leave him be.

the person hummed. ❝well goodluck with that. I heard he's a bad mood not that he isn't every day. keep this between you and me but all of us working here prefer when the founder was the ceo. she's kinder, too bad she gave the position to the current ceo. he's such an ass❞

Jehyun couldn't believe that the worker beside him freely bad mouthed the ceo. then again, every employee would bad mouth their boss one way or another. the ceo also deserved it for being that way to the employees.

the elevator dinged and stopped. the worker from before gave him an encouraging smile before walking out with the rest of the workers. Jehyun came to the conclusion that they were all from the newspaper department.

Jehyun watched the elevator doors close but was stopped when a hand came in between. opening, Jehyun held back a gasp as he watched Junghoon enter and stand a few feet away from him. he cursed in his mind. he should have expected seeing the council president here since his cousin works here. he silently prayed that the older wouldn't figure out it's him.

Junghoon who stood a few feet away from this stranger would occasionally glance at his side to try and catch the stranger moving stiffly. he found the person familiar. there was something about him that told him he was someone he knew.

it took a few minutes when it clicked.

snapping his head towards the Stranger, he quickly turned his body before walking towards the person and slamming him on the elevator wall and standing close in front of him. ❝Jehyun? ❞

❝what do you mean Jehyun? I'm August Lee❞ Jehyun lied. he prayed to the heavens that Junghoon doesn't know his English name. he even had to lower his voice to avoid suspicion.

Junghoon wasn't convinced but he did move a few a feet away from the person to breath. he crossed his arms over his chest. ❝don't even think about lying❞

❝but I'm not! ❞ Jehyun cried with his low voice. ❝I came here to speak with the ceo❞

❝why would you want to speak with my brother? ❞ Junghoon may hate his brother's guts for what he's doing to Seojun he was still (sadly) his relative. he wasn't feeling at eased with the person in front of him.

❝because miss tan told me so❞ it honestly surprised Jehyun when he learned that Junghoon had an older brother, much more the CEO and the person behind this problem. he knew Junghoon was growing suspicious with him thus he got out a letter than Jin handed to him in case someone would ask proof. ❝here. read this❞

Junghoon glared at him before snatching the letter and reading it. his suspicion lessened but he wasn't overly convinced. he pushed the letter on the stranger's chest. ❝she did send you but why you and not her? ❞

Jehyun shrugged nonchalantly. ❝I only follow orders. not question them❞

the answer made Junghoon chuckle. putting his hands into his pockets, the older smirked as the elevator dinged again, this time it was Junghoon's turn to go out. turning around he didn't forget to say something to the stranger. ❝I wish you luck August Lee. my brother isn't someone you can mess with easily. in fact, it takes more that blackmail to bring him down❞ he then stepped out of the elevator and started walking to what seemed for Jehyun an endless hallway of doors. but he suddenly stopped when the elevator was about to close. turning half of his body around, he showed a cheeky grin. ❝good luck Hyun! ❞

Jehyun watched with his mouth open as Junghoon saw right through him. the last thing he saw before the elevator doors fully closed was the older turning again and walking away with his footsteps echoing the hall. it made him shiver as he realised that other people could have identified him.

no that can't be, he thought and tried to encourage himself. he had five more floors before reaching the ceo's floor.

the sound of the elevator doors jolted jeonghoon's secretary awake from his sound sleep. he walked up to Jehyun and tried to stop the younger. the ceo specifically asked him to stop any unwanted visitors from entering his office. ❝I'm sorry sir but you have to leave. the ceo is not here ri—❞

❝don't lie to me❞ Jehyun interrupted, walking past the secretary who stood in front of him. as he went near to open the metal doors, the same secretary went in front of him and spread his arms and legs with his back against the cold metal door. ❝get out of the way❞ he ordered but got a no.

❝I'm sorry sir but the ceo has asked—❞ again the secretary was cut off with jehyun shoving him to the side.

Jehyun didn't plan on being harsh at the adult but he HAD to talk with the ceo. since the secretary was still trying to get up, he took the chance to twist the door handle and push it open. he quickly closed it behind him as the secretary scrambled to grab his coat.

inside, he watched as the busy ceo failed to notice his presence. he wanted to scoff. the man looked so mighty back in the park but looked like he was on the verge of breaking while reading and signing some papers behind his desk. he took his time to approach him.

❝Choi Jeonghoon❞ he called which made the adult who looked up at him with a tight jaw. ❝Acting ceo of C9 entertainment❞ he then stopped in front of him before pulling something out of his coat pocket. looking at it for a good second, he threw it at the pile of papers in front of the adult. ❝and fa—❞

❝what do you want? ❞the ceo coldly interrupted, slamming down the pen he used and glared at the teen in front of him. ❝if you think having the founder—❞

❝do you think the founder has something to do with this❞ Jehyun mocked questionably . ❝the founder has nothing to do with this ❞

Jeonghoon mocked a chuckle before standing up from his seat and he straightened his suit. ❝you don't scare me Lee. even if your mother would pull out, I'll still be able to get someone to back up right away❞

Jehyun fakely smiled sweetly at him. ❝how are you so sure?❞ he drew random figures on the table. ❝every investor in this city is hesitant in joining C9 entertainment ever since you took over. they don't trust you the way they trust the founder and that must be the reason why your forcing everything on Seojun. you have a superiority problem❞ he then used the finger he traced and pointed at the man. ❝no wonder they hate you❞

the ceo raised a brow ❝what are you—❞

❝don't even try to hide it mister Choi. I already know about it❞

a few hours ago....

Jehyun picked up the coat Chen picked for him from Jin's closet. the five friends were once again at Jin's house helping ready Jehyun who planned on talking with the ceo.

❝are you sure about this? ❞ Jin asked worriedly. ❝I don't even know him that well Hyun but I heard that he's trouble❞

❝can't we go with you? ❞ hiro asked, leaning on Jin bedpost with a deep frown. ❝it's not safe to go alone❞

❝I agree with hiro❞ Joshua piped in. he gave the youngest a hesitant look. ❝why don't we—❞

❝guys! ❞ Chen sighed loudly while fixing the coat that Jehyun now wore. ❝let Jehyun do it himself. if we all go together then it's more obvious and would cause more trouble. the founder is coming back—❞

❝which is surprising! ❞ Jin commented.

❝yes—and we should take this chance to go with the play. they won't bother jehyun entering, especially with all the fuss they're going to make in cleaning the building❞ Chen patted jehyun's shoulder. ❝so go for it hyun❞

❝and if you get caught? ❞ Joshua asked.

❝then we'll bail him out with Jin! ❞