Seo Minho was now properly dressed.
The Chairman had insisted on them going to his private villa, just so that Minho could change into something proper. And he had already set aside an outfit. Minho changed into it.
It was a navy-blue suit over a crisp white shirt, paired with tailored pants. On his feet, shoes worth thousands, and a gleaming watch that felt more like a shackle than an accessory.
The mirror caught his reflection, but behind it he still saw the walls of his childhood bedroom, the same room where his father had once flogged him senseless for bringing home a single B.
Minho hated visiting his father's place, as it reminded him of several memories that scarred his psyche.
The sting on his skin, the shame drilled into his bones.
After dressing up, he rushed outside, ignoring the several bows of the servants around his father's house.
He slipped into the vehicle, coming face to face with his father's stern countenance.
Seo Woobin seemed slightly less displeased upon scanning Minho's appearance, and he huffed, tearing his gaze from his only son.
The engine roared, carrying them away from the villa's suffocating walls.
~
"I think it is only best your son and my daughter marry."
The words knocked the air right out Minho's chest. His stomach twisted, a sick weight settling inside him as though invisible chains had just snapped shut.
Had his father just suggested he marry?
They were in the office of Ryu Taesik, his father's biggest rival, a man with a blood thirst that Minho feared surpassed his father's.
Ryu Taesik. A man that could bring down an entire empire with a single wave of his hand. The leader of the largest syndicate in south korea.
He was backing them, his arms crossed behind his back as he stared at out of the window of his underground lair. The sheer aura rolling off him in waves made Minho's spine stiffen, and his palms dampened.
Taesik's presence made him feel like a boy again, cornered, waiting for the lash to fall.
Then he turned around, suddenly crushing the lolipop in his mouth. He spat the stick out, eyes shifting to Minho. He used a finger to push back the strand of dark brown hair covering his eye, tucking it behind his ear.
Ryu Taesik had medium length hair, and it was in a man bun half the time.
"And what benefit would this offer me? I am content." His words slithered out, dripping with menace. Woobin cleared his throat, taking off his glasses.
"Your empire is unmatched in force, Taesik. But even you know brute power cannot open every door. My companies hold the contracts, the shipping routes, the construction rights. The law bends for us. With my son and your daughter, your syndicate gains a front no prosecutor can touch, no politician can deny."
For a moment, there was silence. Taesik's dark eyes narrowed, as he pondered upon Seo Woobin's suggestion, but Minho's own thoughts scattered.
What if the man agreed? What if he didn't?
Either way, Minho felt like he was nothing more than a bargaining chip being shuffled across the table.
Then, slowly, Taesik's lips curled. It wasn't a bad idea. His daughter's future would still be secured.
With Woobin's resources tied to his own, the possibilities were nearly endless. And in time, when Woobin's grip slipped, when his empire weakened, nothing would stop Taesik from swallowing it whole, piece by piece.
Woobin had just tossed a gold coin into his lap, without asking for a price.
"I see." Taesik said calmly, his attention redirecting to one of the two men that stood behind Woobin and his son.
"Fetch Dasom. Now." He ordered. The man bowed, and walked out of the office.
"Well," he slurred, plopping himself on his chair, "please have your seats. If we're going to be family, you should make yourself comfortable."
Minho swallowed as he sat, his fingers shaking, his pulse skyrocketing. His father was really going to make him marry Ryu Taesik's daughter? And for mere political purposes?
He had met Dasom maybe once or twice, during one of the few events crime-lords from all over korea attended. And then, she had come across as brash and foul-mouthed, speaking whatever came to her mind. Minho remembered clearly that she had insulted him in the last one.
It was early May, and she had called him "daddy's pretty puppet," earning a ripple of laughter from the room while Minho's jaw clenched. Unfortunately, she wasn't so wrong to call him that.
The door snapped open again, and a feminine perfume filled the air. It smelled like freshly cut roses laced with powdery iris, and there was a whisper of vanilla lingering beneath.
"Yes, father?"
Minho turned around, his gaze landing on the princess of the Baekho Hwe syndicate, although she now looked less like a mob princess and more like someone who could break him across her knee.
Standing at 5'8, Ryu Dasom looked more muscular than the last time he saw her, and to his shock, she had cut her formerly long brown hair.
It was now short and spiky.
Drops of sweat clung to her body, and her chest was rising rather quickly. Was she exercising or something?
When their eyes met, Dasom scrunched her nose.
"What are they doing here, father?" Disdain filled her tone.
Ryu Taesik laughed, a sound that was devoid of humor. "Now that is no way to treat your future husband and his father, is it?"
Dasom's foxlike eyes widened, but before she could refuse or argue, Taesik silenced her with the flick of his palm.
"There shall be no argument from you."
"Yes, father." She lowered her head, clenching her fists by the side.
"It has been decided. Hence forth, you are to attend Daehan University with Minho. Get to know each other. I do not really care if you move in together. Just keep in mind that you will eventually get married. Is that clear, my little butterfly?"
Dasom flinched. He used to call her that when she was growing up, all because of her mother's love for butterflies. It never made sense to Dasom. How such a ruthless and cold man could be an entirely different person when around his wife.
"As you wish, father."
Minho couldn't hide his shock at how simply she bowed her head. He had clung to the foolish hope that she would refuse, that she might spare him.
But she hadn't.
And now, the truth settled in his chest, there was no escape.