[Half a month later]
(The Han Group)
"Congratulations, Mr. Elon.
The deal is confirmed. And congratulations to you too, Taewon,"
Minjoon said with a small smile, shaking hands across the table.
Elon rose from his seat and shook Taewon's hand firmly.
"It's an honor to work with Han Department under Kang Taewon. With this collaboration, the chances of both companies will rise. We'll try to complete our research on the products as soon as possible."
Taewon adjusted his tie with a calm nod. "Take your time if needed, but I won't tolerate mistakes,
Mr. Elon. Make sure everything runs smoothly."
"Yes, of course. Soon our branches will expand into Europe as well,"
Elon replied enthusiastically.
Taewon gave a short nod.
"Good. I'll be taking my leave now. You continue."
As Taewon exited with Minjoon, the latter walked alongside him, flipping through his notes.
"I'll send you the details later today. Please read through them.
The products are ready
we'll discuss them in the next meeting."
"Yes," Taewon replied,
"we'll prepare our departments.
I believe Kang Department is already set too. Also, check for ambassadors
see which onscreen couple in the industry is currently popular."
"I'll check into it,"
Minjoon assured.
"Good. I'm leaving now. Jihyun and I are going to meet my mom and Yumi
they just returned."
"Sure. Go ahead, I'll handle the rest."
(At the Condo)
When Taewon stepped inside, Hana was waiting.
"Sir, I'll take my leave now."
"Mm. We'll be staying overnight at the villa, so don't come in tomorrow. Same for Jin."
"Understood, sir."
She bowed slightly and left.
Jihyun was already coming down the stairs, dressed neatly. Taewon glanced at him and said,
"Ask Jin to load the car. I'll change quickly."
"Okay," Jihyun replied.
Taewon left his phone on the table and went to his room.
After Jin finished loading the luggage into the car, he excused himself as well.
Jihyun came back into the living room and sat down on the couch.
Just then, Taewon's phone buzzed.
At first Jihyun ignored it. But when the ringing came again,
he frowned and reached for it.
"Hello?" he answered reluctantly.
A familiar voice came through the line.
"Taewon, so you're answering my manager's number but not mine?
What did I do to deserve this?
I told you, I won't mess around again.
Can't you at least accept me as your ambassador?
I heard you're searching for one."
Jihyun froze for a moment,
Then his expression hardened.
"Mina. It's me, Jihyun."
There was a brief silence. Then Mina chuckled softly.
"Oh, Jihyun. Even better. You understand me better than anyone else, right?
Please, talk to Taewon for me. Convince him."
Jihyun's lips curved in a sharp, mocking smile.
"Convince him?
Sorry, I won't. I'm not helping you.
Go find someone else to fool around with. And don't even try calling him again."
Before Mina could respond, he cut the line and blocked the number.
"Let's see how you manage now,"
he muttered.
"If you're not mine, you're not his either."
He tossed the phone back on the table with a cold little smirk.
A few minutes later, Taewon came out in a fresh suit. "Let's go."
Jihyun stood without a word, following him outside.
Taewon picked up his phone and pocketed it as they headed into the car.
(On the Road)
The drive was quiet
until Taewon suddenly slowed down.
"Why are we stopping?" Jihyun asked.
"Harin," Taewon replied briefly.
Before Jihyun could react, Harin climbed into the back seat. "Hello."
Jihyun's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you coming with us?"
His voice dripped with irritation.
"Because I always go with him,"
Harin said lightly.
"He's not your driver anymore,"
Jihyun shot back, glaring.
Harin tilted her head with a smug smile. "Driver? Please. He's my cousin, my friend. I never saw him as a driver
it's you who can't see him as anything but."
Jihyun's face burned red, ready to explode, when Taewon caught his hand firmly. "Enough. Harin, stop. Jihyun, don't."
The air remained tense, silence only broken by the hum of the road.
(After an hour)
Jihyun spoke again, arms folded.
"I want to eat. Let's stop somewhere."
"Mom already prepared lunch,"
Taewon said calmly.
"I'll eat that too. But it's still a two-hour drive. At least stop at a CVS and buy me something. I'm starving."
Harin's mocking laugh rang out.
"No wonder you've gotten fat.
Omegas look terrible when they gain weight. You even have a double chin."
Jihyun whipped his head toward her, eyes blazing.
"At least I eat. You look like a malnourished skeleton.
Isn't it natural for an Omega to eat a lot? Right, Taewon?"
Taewon, caught in the middle, gave a short nod. "Yes."
Before another fight broke out, he finally pulled into a CVS.
Jihyun happily filled his basket with snacks as though buying the entire store.
Harin muttered, "You're going to turn into a pig."
Jihyun shot her a glare sharp enough to cut.
Meanwhile,
Taewon quietly picked out a teddy bear. At the counter, Jihyun noticed it.
"Who's that for?"
"For Yumi," Taewon said simply.
"Oh but this white one" Jihyun said,
Taewon nodded picking it.
After Taewon paid for both of their items and they returned to the car.
Harin and Jihyun bickered all the way until they finally arrived at Kang Villa.
(At Kang Villa)
"Taewon-ah!" Mrs. Kang embraced her son warmly.
"Mama missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Mom,"
Taewon said, hugging her back.
Soon after, Yumi bounded forward, grinning ear to ear.
"Oppa, I bought you gifts! And lots of toys!"
Taewon smiled softly.
"I bought you something too.
Go ask the driver to bring it from the car."
Before Jihyun could greet anyone,
Harin brushed past him.
"Aunty, I missed you so much," she said hugging her,
"Me too,harin"
"Oh, yumi, my cutie!" Harin clasped her hand warmly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine."
Just then Yumi threw herself into Jihyun's arms. "Oppa, I missed you!"
"Me too, Yumi,"
Jihyun answered softly, hugging her back.
And he moved toward Mrs kang
"How are you Aunty, "
"I'm fine dear,"
"Oh, good"
Mrs. Kang studied him carefully, then patted his hand.
"Jihyun-ah, you've gotten prettier.
A little more plump too you look even better. Keep eating well and staying healthy.
You'll give us beautiful, healthy grandchildren."
Jihyun blinked in disbelief, forcing a smile.
As he thought,
Aunty, sorry but in your dreams.
Once my mom comes back, I'm leaving forever.
They sat together in the living room for a while.
"Aunty, how's my mom? Is she doing better?" Jihyun asked hesitantly.
"She's improving," Mrs. Kang said gently.
"I visited her often during treatment.
Don't worry, she'll be fine."
Jihyun nodded slowly, relief flickering across his face.
(After dinner)
Jihyun slipped outside alone, staring at the night sky, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Taewon quietly went to his mother's room.