A Done Deal

"So you're telling me that I risked my life for a test that I thought was going to be on paper and that the lady I saved wasn't even in real danger?" Daehuyn asked at the lunch table since he slept through breakfast.

"Pretty much, yeah," Minseo said, stuffing his mouth with eggs.

"You know, your test must be the most intense test given to a guard in this camp," Heechul added, as Daehuyn slightly choked on the rice in his mouth.

"How so?" Daehuyn asked curiously.

"Well, for example, I and Yoonchul and some of the other guys had to run probably 50 laps while answering questions. It was hell on earth, I tell you, hell," Jangho added.

"But what did you do last night, set a whole building on fire? Ya... That's a whole other level. We should call you hero Daehuyn." The guys laughed, teasing Daehuyn. He couldn't say anything because they were actually right and as much as he questioned Yeonseul about it, he wouldn't answer, not to mention that he needed to answer the chairman's offer.

"Hey, guy," Daehuyn asked.

"If the chairman tells you to ask for anything, in other words, if you can dream it, you can receive it, right?" Daehuyn tried to ask for their opinion.

"That is a very specific question, rookie. Did the chairman give you such an offer?" Heechul asked. He had always been the sharpest amongst the three, so it was no new thing.

I was just thinking that after the crazy test last night, I should get a reward. I even saved someone." Daehuyn tried to cover it up.

"You overthink things, Heechul. We know the chairman likes Daehuyn, but I'm sure he would never give him that kind of offer. What if he asks for the whole company?" Minseo joked, but Daehuyn was grateful that he looked at it from that angle.

"I guess so. But, if I were to ask the chairman something, I'd ask him to buy me an island with everything on it; then I'd find me a girl and live the rest of my days in luxury," Heechul said.

"Wow, what a dream, Heechul. Who knew such things pranced around in your mind?" Heechul looked at him with a bored but serious look in his eyes.

"It's not a dream, it's a goal," Heechul answered, and the other guys seemed more interested in the topic now.

"If I could ask the chairman for anything, I'd ask him to buy out a small company in my hometown for me so I could return to Gwangju, and I'd marry whoever my mother chooses for me," Minseo said, fantasizing.

"Aish, you guys are so boring. I'd tell the boss to buy me a condo in a big country and some money to invest in some companies and live my days partying all night," Jangho said with pride.

"I know you're still young, Jangho. I understand why you would think that, but Heechul and I aren't as young as you, and you won't stay young forever, so plan realistic goals," Minseo advised.

"But I told you, mine isn't a dream. I'm working towards it. I've already even scouted land in New Zealand. Another 20 years and I would get to live my dream," Heechul said seriously.

"Fine, Heechul, take me with you if you're still alive then." Minseo laughed, and the two started to argue. Even Jangho joined in.

Daehuyn loved to watch them banter. It made him miss his brothers back at Chamsari. They would argue for days about what they would do when they finally left the mountains. Memories like those are what kept him going on days like this.

But their argument also revealed something to him. Everyone wanted something. There is always one thing that makes people go the extra mile, save more, work more, and dream more. For Heechul, it was a long life of peace, for Minseo it was to reunite with family, and for Jangho it was to enjoy his youth as much as he could, but what did he want? Was it worth working closely with the chairman's daughter?

"What are you guys talking about?" Soyoung asked to come over with her food.

"Yes Seonbae, you're cool, right?" Jangho asked.

"I consider myself a cool unnie, why?"

"Daehuyn asked us a question: if the chairman tells you to ask for anything, what would you ask for?" Soyoung's eyes shifted to Daehuyn, who avoided her eyes while pretending to eat.

"Is that so now, and is this true?" Soyoung asked, still looking at Daehuyn.

"No way, that's crazy talk. He just wanted to be rewarded for his difficult test." Jangho explained, "Well, that's not the point, Seoul. Would you rather live on an island, go back to your hometown, or would you rather move to the big city and live big?" Soyoung smailed.

"I'm definitely going to remake the movie Crazy Rich Asians. Money would definitely look good on me," Soyoung said, and the conversation went on.

Soyoung noticed the occasional glances from Daehuyn but ignored them. He didn't want to answer any questions concerning this. To show that luck was on Deahyun's side, another guard came to look for Daehuyn as per the chairman's orders. Daehuyn left the table, Soyoung staring hard at him as he walked away. He would eventually have to tell her everything.

He made his way to the chairman's office. Daehuyn still hadn't made up his mind, but at least he understood what was at stake and what he had to do. As usual, he waited for the door to be opened before he walked in. The chairman was at his usual spot behind his work desk. Daehuyn bowed and greeted the chairman, who smiled when he saw Daehuyn walk into the office and told Daehuyn to seat while he joined him after.

"How are you, my boy?" The chairman asked

"I'm fine, sir."

"I heard about your test this morning, I was relieved when I woke up and heard you weren't confined to a hospital bed again, I would have had to review my decision, Congratulations dear," the chairman said laughing, Daehuyn also had a feeling that the chairman was a part of his bazaar test.

"Thank you, sir." Daehuyn bowed.

"You're fine boy, yes and after such a big stunt last night, will you accept this watch as a congratulatory gift? If I had called it an apology, you wouldn't accept it like the last time." The chairman gave a hearty chuckle before pushing the black box forward.

Daehuyn looked at the watch on the table and wondered why the chairman offered up the same watch two times. This time he knew the chairman wouldn't take no for an answer. Ever since the night Yeonseul warned him about the chairman, Daehuyn has been extra cautious, even now. He stood up and bowed before taking the watch. The smile on the chairman's face grew so wide that it almost touched his ears.

"That's a good boy…" the chairman commended, "…now, down to business."

Daehuyn looked at the chairman, knowing exactly what he was talking about. The room was dark and warm as usual. One couldn't really know the time of day because of the heavy current the chairman hung in front of the window behind the chairman's seat. Daehuyn began to feel hot just thinking about what the chairman would say to him next.

"I gave you an offer yesterday, Daehuyn, although I understand that you didn't have a lot of time to think about it because of your test, I need an answer." The chairman said seriously, and Daehuyn stalled for a moment. He hadn't thought of the consequences of denying the chairman. He should have shared this with either Soyoung or Yeonseul.

The child slowly looked at the chairman and nodded his head. The chairman smiled and responded, "I need to hear you say it, child."

"I will do as you ask, sir, but I have a condition." The chairman nodded and told him to continue.

"I will be free to do as I please with your daughter." The chairman knotted his brows and immediately after Daehuyn noticed the misunderstanding, he shot up apologizing.

"No, not like that, sir. I mean you'll have to let me punish her no matter what happens…" As Daehuyn explained, the chairman thought about it before standing up to walk to his table.

Then he came back with two papers and pens, setting one each in front of them. The confusion in Daehuyn deepens.

"Let's have this down in writing now, shall we? And to make things interesting, why not add consequences?" Chairman Moon added, Daehuyn was shaken. Did the chairman want him to actually write up a punishment for him? No way.

In silence, they both drafted out their agreements and conditions, which they both reread out loud, agreed, exchanged, and signed. It even went as far as chairman Moon stamping his official seal on both papers. The chairman went back to his table and called one of the guards. He tucked both papers into an envelope and gave it to the guard that came in.

"You'll be sent a copy when he prints those, so now, do we have a deal?" The chairman extended his hand, and Daehuyn shook the hand firmly.

"Deal."