MIS 11

The main house, surrounded by high walls, was quiet, as if cut off from the noisy outside world.

The sprawling mansion, lush garden and abundant sunlight added to the tranquil atmosphere.  

Watching the staff move about in an orderly fashion, it felt like a small kingdom.

“Welcome, Managing Director.”

“Yes.”

Butler Kim, his hair streaked with grey, greeted Tae-jun. He had worked in the main house of the Jeya Group all his life. The two of them walked along the stone path in the garden.

“It’s been a while since you visited the main house, hasn’t it? It’s been over a year. That was before the annex was built.”

Butler Kim asked. Tae-jun, watching the busy staff, replied, “It feels even more crowded today.”

“The chairman and madam have gone to a lot of trouble, since it’s your first visit in a long time.”

“I suppose so.”

Butler Kim’s words were meant for Tae-jun’s visit. But Tae-jun seemed to be thinking of Yoon-woo. When Butler Kim realized his slip of the tongue, he let out an awkward laugh.

“Young master Yoon-woo said he would be late.”

Butler Kim looked at Tae-jun, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. He had known him since childhood, but Tae-jun’s aloofness made all that time seem insignificant.

It made him realize how quickly time had passed as he watched the boy who once carried everyone’s expectations grow into a man vying for the position of the company’s leader.

Tae-jun’s masculine features and strong physique reminded him of his father’s side. But he thought the subtle aura he exuded was more like his maternal side.

The butler remembered Tae-jun’s late mother and slowly shook his head.

‘Growing up in that environment, it’s understandable that he has such an indifferent personality. Sometimes he seems so lonely.’

The butler also remembered Tae-jun’s maternal grandfather, whom he often saw on the news. His maternal grandfather, who was assertive and tenacious, had held the political world in his grip.

Remembering Tae-jun’s maternal grandfather, who still had a commanding presence even in his seventies, he smiled and wondered how far Tae-jun, who was so much like him, would take over the Jeya Group.

“Butler Kim.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have anything to say?”

“Oh, no sir.”

Butler Kim was startled to realize that he had been staring at Tae-jun’s profile with a smile and quickly looked away. Even a brief moment of eye contact was overwhelming.

Only after he had led Tae-jun into the dining room did the butler straighten his stooped shoulders.

5 o’clock sharp.

Tae-jun entered the dining room. Chairman Kang smiled when he saw Tae-jun arriving on time.

“You heartless boy. Would the world end if you came early?”

“Is Tae-jun here?”

Tae-jun’s aunt Mi-jin was also there.

“It’s been a while.”

Tae-jun bowed slightly to the elders and took a seat.

“Our nephew has become even more handsome.”

Mi-jin greeted Tae-jun warmly.

“Tae-jun is so much like his father. Like father, like son.”

“It’s not just his face. He’s just as good at his job as his father.”

Chairman Kang and Mi-jin smiled at Tae-jun.

“Come to think of it, Yoon-woo doesn’t resemble his father at all. And he doesn’t seem to resemble his mother either.”

Eun-hye, who had watched with displeasure as the attention was focused on Tae-jun, spoke up.

“Young lady, what are you trying to say?”

“Excuse me?”

“Are you implying that our Yoon-woo is a child of a second wife?”

Eun-hye fanned herself with her hand, her face flushed.

“Are you saying that Yoon-woo isn’t a son of this family? Why would you say such a thing all of a sudden?”

Mi-jin was dumbfounded.

“What are you talking about, sister? When did I say that? Why are you making such a fuss?”

A cough from Chairman Kang, who cleared his throat in warning, finally put an end to their subtle power struggle. Chairman Kang brought up the subject of the company.

“What about the resort you’re building on Jeju Island?”

“Approval will be granted by the end of this month.”

Eun-hye looked for a way to change the subject.

If the topics on the table were all about the company, there would be no room for Yoon-woo, who would be at the table later.

“Father, Yoon-woo will be a little late. He’s so passionate about his restaurant that he even works on Saturdays.”

“I don’t understand why Yoon-woo runs a restaurant.”

When Chairman Kang expressed his disapproval, Eun-hye was quick to respond.

“It’s a hobby, father.”

“What kind of man has such a hobby?”

“These days, there’s no such thing as a man’s or woman’s hobby. It’s good to gain experience when you’re young. Besides, wouldn’t a restaurant owner suit Yoon-woo?”

“Well, he’s the one who always video calls us, even when he’s abroad.”

“How much he must miss his grandfather to do that while studying abroad.”

Chairman Kang smiled slightly, thinking of Yoon-woo. Yoon-woo was definitely a grandson he couldn’t help but be fond of.

Chairman Kang liked to rank his children according to their work performance and his grandchildren according to their school grades every holiday.

As a result, no one felt comfortable around him.

But Eun-hye and Yoon-woo were different. Unlike Tae-jun, who was indifferent by nature, Eun-hye and Yoon-woo were incredibly affectionate.

“Speaking of Yoon-woo, father.”

A well-prepared Korean meal was placed on the table.

Eun-hye placed a piece of steamed abalone on Chairman Kang’s plate and began, “He’s getting older now. Wouldn’t it be good for him to get to know the company when he settles down in Korea?”

“His own will is important.”

“He will do well. Yoon-woo likes challenges. Just like when he was younger.”

Chairman Kang just took a bite of the abalone without answering.

Eun-hye began to feel anxious.

It was crucial which company and which position Chairman Kang would give Yoon-woo. For Yoon-woo’s future, he had to be involved in the core business of the Jeya Group, just like Tae-jun… She had a secret desire.

There was no reason why her son couldn’t take Tae-jun’s position.

“I have no doubt that you will guide Yoon-woo well, father.”

Eun-hye’s face brightened as Chairman Kang nodded indifferently. Although Chairman Kang saw Tae-jun as his successor, he must have some affection for Yoon-woo as well. Just then, the sliding door opened.

“Grandpa!”

Chairman Kang’s eyes widened as if he witnessed a miraculous reunion.

“Yoon-woo!”

“Did you miss me a lot?”

A smile spread across Chairman Kang’s wrinkled face. Tae-jun also looked towards the door.

It was their first meeting in six years. During that time, the two men had completely ignored each other.

“You rascal, do you like being abroad so much? Enough to not want to come back for so long?”

“I like Korea more, where my family is.”

As Yoon-woo sat down with a grin on his face, his eyes met Tae-jun’s who was sitting across from him.

Their gazes locked intensely in the air. There was caution, hostility and a touch of longing in their eyes.

“Hyung. It’s been a while.”

Tae-jun didn’t react to the greeting. He just stared at Yoon-woo with a blank expression.

Despite the six-year gap, the two men realized that they hadn’t changed at all.

Tae-jun thought that Yoon-woo had finally lost his boyishness and Yoon-woo thought that Tae-jun’s arrogance had remained the same.

Chairman Kang asked, “How’s your restaurant hobby going?”

“It hasn’t even been a week since it opened.”

“Father, Yoon-woo’s restaurant is all the rage among young women these days. Even at my gallery gatherings, people are suggesting that we have our next gathering at Yoon-woo’s restaurant, even though I’ve never bragged about it.”

“Is that so? Stay in Korea for good this time.”

“Of course. I’ll never leave again.”

Eun-hye asked, pleased by Yoon-woo’s firm tone, “Was there a reason for you to leave before?”

“There was.”

“What was it?”

“A youthful indiscretion, I suppose.”

Chairman Kang chuckled at his playful tone and scolded him.

“You rascal, you’re still young!”

“I’m an adult now, Grandpa.”

Chairman Kang’s lips twitched as Yoon-woo smiled brightly.

Now the topic of conversation at the dinner table shifted completely to Yoon-woo. From his culinary training in Paris to his passion for scuba diving, Yoon-woo spoke freely and Eun-hye responded enthusiastically.

Eun-hye glanced at Tae-jun from time to time during the meal. She wanted to show Tae-jun, who was eating in silence, who was welcome in this family and who wasn’t.

When the pleasant dinner came to an end, Tae-jun was the first to get up.

“I’m leaving now.”

“Already? You haven’t seen Yoon-woo for a while. Why don’t you stay longer?”

“I have to go back to the office.”

“Then go ahead.”

When he said he was going to the company, Chairman Kang sent Tae-jun off without saying a word.

“I’ll see Hyung off.”

Yoon-woo followed Tae-jun out.

Silence fell between the two as they walked through the garden after leaving the mansion.

Yoon-woo looked at Tae-jun’s broad shoulders as he walked ahead. Maybe it was because of their long-awaited reunion, but Yoon-woo needed courage to call out to Tae-jun.

“Hyung.”

“….”

“How have you been?”

Tae-jun felt Yoon-woo’s gaze linger on his back, but he ignored it.

“Why are you wary of me?”

The word ‘wary’ immediately provoked Tae-jun. Tae-jun stopped walking and turned around.

“Are you even worth being wary of?”

The pitch black eyes he met were so sharp that Yon-woo’s eyes trembled.

“Is it because of what I said to Mom that day?”

“… .”

“I’ve been thinking about that for six years. Why did Hyung do that to Seo-hee and me?”

Yoon-woo stared at Tae-jun and spoke with trembling lips.