The Chairman's Offer

It's been two days now since Daehuyn was discharged from the infirmary. He wasn't given any designated work nor was he on patrol duty. He literally spent every waking hour of the day either working out or studying for his test, which was going to be held the next day.

Daehuyn today, like any other day, was at the gym. He was around the 400th pushup when his phone rang. He picked up the towel nearby to clean up the sweat on his face and hands before picking up the call. Yeonseul's voice came calmly through the phone,

"The chairman wants to see you right now…" And the line seized. It was usual for Yeonseul to be direct with whatever he did or said.

Daehuyn took a shower before returning to his room, changing into fresh clothes, brushing out his black hair into his normal Bob fringe before heading to the main house. Daehuyn was privileged to catch the latest scene of Miss Moon Hana's daily struggle of who was allowed to take her to school and who was not. For some strange reason, after the apology, she had been requesting Daehyun to escort her to school.

Daehyun bowed at the chief before walking in, pretending like Hana wasn't carried away screaming his name. He found his way to the chairman's office. Not needing any help anymore, he bowed at the guards at the door, which they reacted to by slightly nodding their heads. One of them went in to announce Daehyun's, and soon after, he closed the door behind him.

"Hello, Chairman Moon. You sent for me?" Daehyun said, bowing at a 90-degree angle.

"Yes child, do come in," the chairman said, standing up from his seat behind his desk. He sat down on the brown leather sofa and offered Daehyun a seat too.

"Forgive me for not checking up on you when I heard you were in the clinic. I'm sorry about that," Chairman Moon started by apologizing.

Daehyun shot up and bowed again. "No sir, you should not apologize to me. It was my fault for falling sick." Daehyun said.

"No child, I also apologize on my daughter's behalf. I hear she was the reason you were in that condition." Daehyun didn't answer this time and waited for the chairman to continue.

"Seeing that you aren't saying anything, your memory must not have returned."

"I'm sorry, sir."

"It's fine. As a token of my apology, I got you this," Chairman Moon, said, pushing a small black box forward. Daehyun looked at the book before looking back at the chairman. Was this his way of saying this topic should never be spoken of again?

"I couldn't, sir, you nor the young lady did anything wrong, so I humbly decline this kind gesture," Daehyun said softly. The chairman burst into a loud laugh.

"You still sound elegant while rejecting my gift. Fine, I'll keep this, but on one condition," the chairman said, Daehyun sat attentive, waiting to hear what the chairman was going to say.

"You see, as a father, I only want what's best for my children. I don't know if you know this yet, but I had a son once. Well, he's alive, I just don't acknowledge him anymore, so I've put my all into raising my daughter properly," the chairman explained.

"Where am I going with this, you may ask. Well, this isn't the first time Hana has acted out getting other people hurt or in trouble, and those aren't the leadership traits I want in my daughter, but you, you're honest, respectful, modest, and abeyant, all good traits that I would love to see in my daughter one day," the chairman paused.

"So, from this moment on, I want you to not only protect my daughter but train her to be a better person, and when that is done, I will grant you one wish. Anything you want, money? power? freedom? shares? If you can dream it, I can give it to you," the chairman finished.

Daehyun was shocked by the offer. First, watch this impossible task and mouthwatering offer. As far as Daehyun was concerned, Chairman Moon had raised a lunatic and he wasn't about to go crazy for any reason. But one wish. What did he want? Would it make him fulfilled? Money? Power? Daehyun had no idea. The chairman noticed the puzzled look on Daehyun's face and smiled.

"I know this is a lot to take in and it may also seem impossible given how my daughter has behaved with you in the past, so I'll leave you to make a decision. After your final test tomorrow, I'll be waiting for an answer," the chairman said.

"Thank you, sir. I understand your concern, but why me, sir?" Daehyun asked, making Mr. Moon laugh again.

"Look, Daehyun, I've taken a particular interest in you, not just as a businessman but as a person too, and I strongly believe in the teachings Chamsari has to offer, so please, do this old man a favor and help refine his daughter." Daehyun sat stunned when the chairman finished explaining how much faith the chairman had in him.

"I'll try my best, sir."

"Don't rush it; I'll hear your answer tomorrow," the chairman said, excusing Daehyun. He stood up and bowed to the chairman before leaving.

As soon as he walked out of the office, Daehyun met an awkward-looking Soyoung outside, acting every way but normally. Then, when she turned around, she pretended as if she didn't know Daehyun was behind her, to begin with,

"Ah, Kim DaeHyun, you're here?" Soyoung asked, looking around.

"Yes, Seonbae, but what are you doing here?" Daehyun asked.

"Aah, me? Yeah, I was.. was. I was in search of you. Yes, I was looking for you, Daehyun," Soyoung said.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, so, er... How's your... your, yes! studying! Are you ready for tomorrow?" Soyoung said it like it was a believable lie. Daehyun looked at her, contemplating if he should follow along or not. Daehyun sighed before answering.

"Yes, I'm fine, Seonbae."

"Cool. Yeah, so... Wanna grab a coffee?"

"No, but..." Soyoung dragged Daehyun away before he could even fully answer.

She was dragged all the way to the front of the main house, and she was sure no one was watching or listening. She began her interrogation.

"What did he say? Why did the chairman summon you? Is it related to your test, or is it related to the young woman? Or maybe... me?" Soyoung asked.

"Was this why you were eavesdropping in front of the chairman's office?"

"Look Daehyun, what I did, I did it only for you." Soyoung said almost sincerely, then she paused, "…and maybe for me too." Daehyun threw his hands in the air, being done with Soyoung.

"Hey, but you can't blame me. I'm just looking out for myself too."

"Miss Soyoung!" Daehuyn raised his voice a little.

"Ya, Kim Daehuyn, I'm still your senior. You will talk to me with respect," Soyoung snapped back.

"Yes Seonbae," Daehuyn said sarcastically. Soyoung suddenly felt attacked by his words and began to walk away.

"What? Soyoung seonbae---"

"Noona!" Soyoung screams, making Daehuyn make a confused face.

"I promised to take care of you from now on. You can at least give me that respect by calling me Noona," Soyoung said just a distance away, Daehuyn understood how much Soyoung hurt while he was in the infirmary, given that Yeonseul briefed him a little about how she felt.

"If I pass the test tomorrow, you'll treat me to Jajangmyeon," Daehuyn paused. "Noona?"

It was as if Soyoung was going to pass out from joy, the ever-so-serious Daehuyn agreed to call her Noona without her putting up a fight. Maybe it's the time they've spent together these past few days that helped their relationship. The clear sky stood bright with the occasional whispers of the wind. Soyoung tucked her short hair behind her ear with a smile.

"Then you better make sure to pass or you'll be buying me coffee for the next month," Soyoung said, casually walking away.

"Hey-hey! That wasn't the deal," Daehuyn called out, but Soyoung only waved her hand, satisfied with the turn of events.

Daehuyn shook his head at the lady he referred to as an elder sister. She reminded him of the middle-aged woman who took care of him while he was still a kid at Chamsari. She would always take special and extra care of him, unlike the other kids, but now he wondered if that was also influenced by the chairman.

"What were you two yelling about?" Yeonseul walked up to Daehuyn, who was lost in thought.

"She wanted me to call her Noona, and also tried to scam me into buying her coffee for the whole month," Daehuyn said, still looking forward. Yeonseul sighed, placing a hand on Daehuyn's shoulder.

"That is Soyoung for you," Yeonseul said, and Daehuyn nodded.

"Let's go get you something to eat," Daehuyn said as he followed Yeonseul.