Hidden Agendas

Seo-yeon was standing on the balcony of her apartment at night and the light of the city resembled stars. The stinking politics that were the order of the day in the past weeks was not anything new to the spectators. She had fairly succeeded in her relationship with Joon-woo, but the words of her father about the risk in the construction of trust remained ringing in her ears. The message from Joon-woo lingered on her phone screen:

"I liked the idea of how the members formed a good working relation or a workforce as they all were dubbed to work as a team. Let's finish this".

The next morning, Seo-yeon received a call from Min-ji requesting to schedule the appointment for the next day at 4 PM.

-"We have to talk. I have discovered something".

"Where?" Seo-yeon uttered, her heart racing.

"At our usual cafe"

Seo-yeon nodded her head and immediately dressed up. She got to the cafe rather early, she looked around for anyone she might know. Min-ji came soon after beside her, looking rather stressed.

"What is happening?" asked Seo-yeon and she looked surprised when Min-ji sat next to her.

Min-ji pushed a folder across the table to her. "I searched for some information on Joon-woo. You should check this".

Seo-yeon opened the folder and started looking at the papers which were all files of the company. She looked completely shocked, her eyes opened wide. Joon-woo had also been filling the power vacuum similar to Hyun-soo but he was a lot more cruel. He was completely deceiving Seo-yeon and had plans to take control of both the businesses of Hyun-soo as well as Seo-yeon.

"It cannot be," Seo-yeon said in disbelief with her head spinning.

"I'm afraid it is," Min-ji replied softly. "He has been using both of you, and he wants to eliminate you once and for all when Hyun-soo is out of the picture. "

Seo-yeon started shaking and closed the folder in front of her. "We need to confront him" Then they realize, we must be clever "We must challenge him to a duel".

Min-ji nodded. "What's the plan?"

"We accumulate more information and then we trap him. He cannot know that we are on him until we are ready with all the evidence.

Days passed It seemed like Seo-yeon and Min-ji were trying their best to discover more aspects and agenda that Joon-woo was hiding. His appointments were monitored, phone calls tapped and his convoluted plot was followed to the letter. The more they investigated, the further it was revealed that Joon-woo was the more dangerous enemy of the two, Hyun-soo.

One evening, Seo-yeon received a message from Joon-woo: Care for dinner at my house? It is now high time we reasoned about the next step.

Seo-yeon nodded, thinking that this could be the time when she could possibly confront him. She went to the penthouse which was again brightly lit introducing cool city lights shining through the large glasses spanning from the floor to ceiling.

"Seo-yeon", Joon-woo said affectionately. "I'm glad you could make it."

Seo-yeon nodded, although she could not help but smile bitterly and say: "Of course. What issue would you like to talk about?"

Joon-woo opened the wine and poured both of them a glass. "I was considering our plans for the next steps: Hyun-soo is intensively searching for evidence, and we must act faster. "

Seo-yeon simply nodded to her and took a sip of the wine that she was holding.

"Indeed there is. But before we proceed, there is a point I would like us to get clear about".

Joon-woo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"

Seo-yeon closed her eyes for a moment, then inhaled and let the air out in a slow exhale.

"You have been planning it right isn't it, Joon-woo, you have been playing along using me to attack Hyun-soos strength and build your own''

Joon-woo's expression darkened. That is not a question that can be answered and here is why – "Where did you hear that?"

"It doesn't matter," Seo-yeon said, Seo-yeon replied, her voice firm.

"I have the proof here for what you've been doing to me." She leaned closer to Joon-woo's face "You have been feeding both sides and intended to eliminate me once Hyun-soo was out of the picture"

Joon-woo placed his glass on the table and the pleasant look that previously warmed his face was replaced by hostility. "What are you going to do about it, with such data so much at your fingertips?"

"We're going to expose you" Seo-yeon replied. "I have all the things I need to take you down".

Joon-woo laughed, a sound Seo-yeon felt was sinister and it produced a shiver that ran down the spine. This feat he said could be easily achieved adding that he has been outsmarting me this entire time.

Seo-yeon stood her ground. "You don't know me that well, Joon-woo, I will never let you tear everything apart that my father has worked for. "

Joon-woo's eyes narrowed. "You are choosing the wrong road, Seo-yeon," Joon-woo warned her quietly, "But if it is what you want – a fight – then you will have one".

Seo-yeon slowly nodded and without another word turned and left the penthouse; she could feel her heart thumping. This was the man she had just announced that she was at war with; this was one of the most dangerous men she had ever met if not the most destructive and yet she was very resolute.

After getting back to her apartment, she dialed Min-ji. "It's done, The man now knows we are on to him."

"Are you okay?" Min-ji inquired cautiously, It is so clearly shown through her voice.

"I will be," Seo-yeon said. "The pace has been set. It is time to get the final portions of the proof and step into the public eye."

Seo-yeon slammed down the phone and nervously clenched her fists. She knew the tricks and had been used as a pawn for a long time; she just had to stand up and take charge. It was about time for her to stand up for herself, for her family, for her company, and for her future where there were such bad intentions from Joon-woo. The sphere of deception was coming closer and closer around Seo-yeon, but she was no longer a passive piece in this game. Yes, she was ready to be the queen.