Trouble in paradise

THE NEXT MORNING

You wake up to clattering noises coming from the kitchen. A delicious aroma greets your nose.

You sharply sit up, stretched and yawned, got out of bed, and took a refreshing shower.

You brush your hair down, wearing it into a polished low ponytail. You donned the brand new glimmering black suit you bought especially for this day.

Heels clinging across the floor, you sail out of the room and headed to the kitchen.

To your greatest surprise, Jiho is behind the kitchen island, wearing a white apron. Dark hair brushed and trimmed to perfection. His porcelain face glows, attentive gaze pinned on the carrot he is chopping.

Whatever is boiling in the pot smells absolutely delicious. You bet it's something good.

"Gong Jiho. Good morning." You approach him, trying to sound respectful, "About last night, I think you were very rude and also, why are you cooking when you should be preparing to report to work?"

He slightly lifted his gaze, shooting you an unreadable glance and turned his focus back on the carrot.

Anger flooded your brain - you take a deep breath, relaxing your nerves.

"Gong Jiho." You speak calmly, "Can you just tell me why exactly you are so upset with me? What exactly have I done that you are treating me in such a manner?"

He cuts you dead.

"Hey, GONG JIHO!!" Even after yelling like a mad person, he still ignores you.

Frustratedly, you launch yourself at him, abruptly spinning him around and in the midst, he cuts his finger and exclaimed sharply as he dropped the knife.

He faces you, eye brows furrowing unhappily, "What is wrong with you?"

You stand your ground, "Good that you are hurt, at least now you will respond to me."

"You…" he jerked his hand way, looks directly into your eyes - his clear voice held repressed fury, "You suffocate me!"

You flinch, feels like hot water was thrown in your face.

His frosty gaze shoots you daggers, "Stop trying so hard to be the center of attention. There are people whose worlds doesn't revolve around you."

You get so frustrated that you started hitting him, pushing and slapping him on the chest, "You are truly an asshole Gong Jiho.

"Stop it!" He warned, "stop it!"

But when you didn't stop, all of a sudden, Jiho curl a hand around your waist as he simultaneously grabs and yanked you over to him, and then he barked, "I said STOP IT!!"

His sudden move got you to pause, still steaming with rage though.

You lock eyes, "You, why do you like hurting me with your words? Do you think I am a pushover?"

You push him violently away, undettered, "I thought we both agreed to do this together but if this is how you are going to treat me, it's better to call this deal off."

You start walking away when he tentatively whisper, "I am sorry."

You abruptly stop on your tracks, slowly wheeling around.

Jiho's head is lowered, tone laced with regret, "I am sorry." He said clearly, now lifting his head to meet your gaze, "These few days, I have done things that I normally wouldn't even think of doing. It just feels too much for me to handle and I feel a bit uncomfortable. And I lash out at you because…"

"You don't like me." You cut him off, "Isn't that right?"

Jiho paused, momentarily stunned, "I …" The right words never made it to his mouth. He gave a sigh of defeat, glancing at his bleeding finger, "You make me feel alive."

You sharply raise your head - clearly surprised by his comment.

He uncharacteristically stutter, "yo …you make.." he pauses, regaining his composure, "With the life I have led, you are like a blessing sent my way and I … Even if you didn't ask me for anything, I would easily give my life to you. That is how important you are to me."

Jiho's never had someone to share his feelings or thoughts with. Telling Ari of his feelings required him to invest all of his courage and confidence.

"There will be times when I might treat you badly but please, I want you to know that I am putting every effort to make this work. I really am. So, I am sorry for my attitude." He apologized.

His sincerity brought a smile to your face. You chuckle, "Well, I think I am already seeing progress. You are apologizing and that is a very good first step. Today, I want you to show the same dedication when you challenge Joon."

He nodded his consent, "Let's eat first."

AT MOON BAY

The shareholders, the executives, and chairman Gong Hangmo, are all seated into the massive company's conference hall at the top floor of the building.

Hangmo is settled at the head of the table, glancing at his wrist watch with every passing minute.

Murmurs across the table fill the empty room.

Gong Joon, seated across the chairman on the left, straightens his blue suit, unexpectedly staggering to his feet to address the audience.

He cleared his throat, "Fathe… I mean, chairman, the executives and all the members of Moon Bay company. We have spared over fifteen minutes waiting for someone who is clearly not ready to appear. It is already disrespectful to not show up before time and now he is making us wait? Moon Bay company is all about manners and values, without them, one cannot call himself a part of us."

"Exactly!" The executives nodded in unison.

Chairman Hangmo sighed, glancing at his wrist watch one last time, "Fine. We will wait no longer. As we all know, this meeting is held to announce the new CEO of Moon Bay and as we all already know, the only reliable candidate we have is Gong Joon. His dedication to his work and commitment to the company proves that he is more than capable to run this company."

A victorious grin appeared on Joon's face as he further raise his head high.

Hangmo continues, "Keeping all that in mind, I think it's safe to say Gong Joon should be the next CEO of Moon Bay. But, if there's anyone in opposal, they should come forward."

The crowd exchanged glances, each shaking their heads. One of the executives speaks, "I think everyone is in support of this…"

"I don't." Jiho's voice echoed through the room as the doors fly open and he swaggered in like a model. His polished hair style, well tailored black suit, redolent cologne, made everyone glance over as he advanced into the room.

Joon's smile faded into a murderous glare. Jiho couldn't care any less as he made his way to the front of the room.

He faces the audience, giving them a respectful bow and rose with a stern expression, "My name is Gong Jiho, and I am against Gong Joon, my older brother, becoming the CEO of this company."

"Why is that so?" An executive asked.

Jiho shoots her a glance, "Because I want to run for the position too."

Instantly, the room fills with shocked gasps.

"Hence, I am openly challenging Gong Joon for the position of CEO!" Jiho repeated.

Gong Joon scoffed, "What a joke. How can a man who never worked in this company challenge ME to become the CEO? You must be daydreaming but this isn't a drama, this is real life. I suggest you go and keep enjoying your honeymoon, nobody is interested in having you here." Joon mocked.

"I think my husband has every right to become the CEO." You said, heels clinging across the floor as you strut into the room.

Heads turned around, all eyes on you.

You get to where Jiho stands, turned to the crowd, gave them a deep bow, gave the chairman a bow and rose with a practiced smile, "Hello everyone, my name is Kang Ari, I believe you all know who I am. Gong Jiho is my husband and I am here to support him. My husband has every right to run for this position because he is the second son of the Gong family and also…"

You turn to Joon, giving him a sly look, "My husband owns sixty percent of the company shares which I just transferred to him this morning."

Gong Joon gritted his teeth, fists folded, "Just because he owns sixty percent of the shares doesn't mean he can just come and take over this company."

"Yes, he can, and he will." You smirked, turning to the chairman who is idly seated and listening to your arguments, "As per the rules of this company, the person with most shares automatically becomes the CEO."

Joon tensed, "But how can we trust a man who has never worked in any company to run such a massive enterprise? We can easily pay him for his shares."

"But money is not my problem." Jiho added, "I want to be the CEO."

"But…"

"That's enough." Hangmo interrupted Joon. "I have heard both of your claims. One has the skills while the other has the most shares and both wants to be the CEO. It is interesting so let's spice things up. You both have one year to prove you deserve the position. We will give the two of you the 'Seoul cares' project. And whoever presents the best result will become the CEO. That is it! Play… it …fair." Hangmo warned.

Joon hissed under his breath. He had no choice but to nod his consent. Jiho also did the same.

"This meeting is adjourned." Hangmo announced, gets to his feet, shoots Joon an unreadable glance and majestically leaves the room. The other shareholders and executives also leave with pale faces.

Fuming, Gong Joon growled, "You stole my fiancé from me and now you are here to take my CEO position? That is impossible. I will never let that happen. With or without Ari's shares, I will fulfill my dream and also…" he turned to you. His icy glare shooting you knives, "Do you think all this will make you better? No, you are still the same naive little bitch desperate for my attention."

At the blink of an eye, you stand before him and swung your arm, slapping Joon hard across the face.

Shocked, he stares you down, hand placed on his left cheek.

You hold his gaze, "I swear, I will completely destroy you Gong Joon."