"For the hundredth time Mrs. Kim, who did we come to pick up?" The Butler and driver of the Choi family asked Mrs. Kim. The Head maidservant of the Choi family.
Mrs Kim replied her eyes searching for the person in question. "We're here to pick up the daughter of the Chairman and Chairwoman."
The Butler didn't seem to understand her words as traces of confusion lingered on his face. "The Chairman and Chairwoman have a biological child?"
"No, they adopted her... Silly question. Did you expect the Chairman and Chairwoman to ramble everything about their life to you?" Mrs. Kim shot back in a slightly irritated tone.
"I know that, but I'm surprised they managed to keep their child from the public and that too for a long period. As expected of the High classes; no one knows what they are hiding. Not even family." The Butler said with a sigh.
Mrs. Kim scoffed. "Are you family?"
Ahh??
The Butler looked at the Middle-aged woman clad in a formal attire searching for the child of the reputable Choi family. He noted the fact that she didn't look unfazed by the entire revelation and realized she must've probably known of it all along.
It was plausible. Mrs Kim had been serving the Chois for over twenty six years. She was among those who should know a thing or two about the Chois.
"Speaking of which, how old is this daughter of theirs?" The Butler asked.
Mrs. Kim shot him a glare. "Would you lower your voice? What if people hear us?" She asked back. The irritation in her voice had increased.
The Butler rolled his eyes. Acting like some big shot huh...
"Just tell me already na?" He pressed lowering his voice
"Their daughter is just nineteen years of age." Mrs. Kim replied.
"Ahhh... Nineteen, she should still be in highschool right?" The Butler asked further.
"No. She just graduated from the university."
The Butler's eyes widened in shock. His eyes seemed to fail him. "Eh? G... graduated from the university? Is....is that even possible?"
"Believe it or not. I am not aware of the detail myself... But you're aware of the family you work for are you not?"
The Butler slowly nodded finally processing what he had just heard.
In Korea, the Choi family was the most powerful conglomerate, owning more than eight subsidiaries within the country and operating over five branches in Shanghai and Beijing.
The family's formidable Chairwoman was a renowned economist and Professor. Though officially retired from academia, she remained in control of several key subsidiaries and continued to wield influence as a major sponsor of numerous high schools and universities.
With parents welding such untouchable power, it was plausible if their daughter graduated from the university at the age of nineteen.
Just then, he heard Mrs. Kim's voice. "There..." She seemed to have found her. The Butler looked in the direction she was pointing at and was rendered speechless.
This.. was the hidden daughter of the Choi family?
The daughter in question was dressed in a complete black outfit. Her fiery red hair made her distinct from the crowd. She was holding a black luggage suitcase. She seemed to have seen Mrs. Kim as she walked over.
As she drawed nearer, the Butler could vaguely see the tattoos hidden underneath the headphones she had on her neck.
This was the prodigy child of the Choi family?? Was this some sort of joke??
"Mrs. Kim, Hi .. did Dad send you over? He said he would personally pick me up... I can't believe he bailed on his only daughter."
"Ms. Choi , don't be annoyed, the Chairman suddenly had some important work so he couldn't-" the Butler's words were cut off.
"Yeah, yeah save the trash talk. Where's the car? I'm tired." She had already began walking leaving her luggage with them. Mrs. Kim trailed after her with measured steps.
The Butler watched her figure disappear. "I thought was she an illegitimate child but she's got that shitty attitude of the Chairwoman... She's definitely their child." He muttered pulling her luggage.
****
The trip back to the family house was an awfully silent one. Mrs. Kim remained silent while the Butler couldn't still comprehend the fact the apparent heir of Choi Global Holdings looked like a total gangster.
Choi Aera, the 'gangster' in question, had her headphones on and was currently listening to Jessi's 'What type of X'.
Halfway through, her phone rang. She took a glance at the caller id and picked the call.
"Where did you run of too? I thought we agreed that you'd pick me up?" She said to the receiver. Eun Jisoo.
"Never mind, I'm no longer at the Airport. Father sent two ..." She paused and looked at the driver who was new to her
"He sent Mrs. Kim and one other being to pick me up." She said instead.
"I'm going to be so bored. I doubt they are even in the country. You're aware of their routine." She added.
Eun Jisoo said something that made her eyes lit up. "Aren't you guys supposed to be at school?"
"Really? I'm coming over right now." She said and cut the call.
"Hey, pull over. I'm getting off." She said to the Butler who parked immediately. Mrs. Kim turned to look her her. "The Chairman's orders were to bring you home straight away." She said calmly.
Choi Aera scoffed. "He bailed on me but still gave orders? Unbelievable." She muttered. She looked at Mrs. Kim.
"I'm still getting off. Tell him I dropped to see my friends." She said and without waiting to hear what they had to say, she stepped out of the car running in the direction they came from.
The Butler watched from the rearview mirror and tsked. "she's a handful."
"I guess this is the Lord's way of repaying the Chairwoman." He added
"You'd better watch that tongue of yours. Getting fired is the last thing you'd want." Mrs. Kim said sternly.
The Butler ignited the engine swallowing the rest of his words. She's creepy.
What am I saying? Everybody in the Choi family are creepy.
~~~~
Choi Aera took a turn into the alley leading to Seoli Highschool. Her steps halted abruptly. Her chest heaving. "Fuck me... Why did I have to run? They could've just dropped me off." She exhaled sharply crouching down.
"Ahhhh, I need a smoke." She reached into her pants then realized she had no cigarette on her.
She raked her head. "Fuck me..." She muttered silently.
She picked her phone to call Eun Jisoo. At that moment, Choi Aera heard footsteps approaching. She raised her head and caught sight of a person. A male student walking in her direction.
Choi Aera's lips carved upwards into a smile. She cut the call and stood up. "Hey..." She called out
The student looked her way. "W...what?" He asked.
Aera grinned. "Buy me a cigarette."
The student stared at her momentarily stunned. He replied after a while, "I c.. can't"
Is he that sacred he can't help stuttering? Aera mused watching him.
Her eyes slowly darkened. "A shame, I might just have to beat you up." She said. Without giving him time to process, she walked over to where he stood with large strides and grabbed his hand. She shoved him to the wall- her hands on both sides trapping him in between.
"Why?" She asked.
The student's eyes were wide in bewilderment. He blinked severally. "T...that's be.. because they aren't g..good for your h.. health... Your liver... kidney...lungs...could be..become d..damaged....due to it...it also..shortens...your...life span." He replied.
Choi Aera finally realized even though he stuttered, his voice remained calm and clear. Like a gentle breeze on rippling waves.
The light in Aera's eyes flickered.
The student added. "You...cou..could..also..die.."
Aera's eyes gleamed. Was he concerned about me?
She stared at the Student Infront of her unconsciously taking in his facial features.
Light brown hair, doe eyes hidden behind the big rimmed glasses he had on, a well defined pointed nose and...
Aera's felt her heart ba-thump in her chest. Her ears turned a bright shade of red.
"Are... you o..okay?" The student asked.
His magnetic voice compelled Aera's eyes to continue their studying.
He had a well defined pointed nose and...
Why can't I say it?
"I ..I have .. somewhere..to be..." The student said.
"Uh..." Aera's eyes trailed back up to meet his. Immediately their eyes met, it suddenly seemed as though a bird that had been caged for long was set free. Aera's heart fluttered with delight.
She backed away from him. "You..you can go."
She held her chest. Is this some symptom? Am I having heart failure?
She watched his disappearing figure. Her hands covered her lips. Her cheeks flushing crimson.
"I could've kissed him there..." She mumbled.
Could've???!
The realization hit her hard like lightening. She held her head. "Not again! I couldn't have fallen for him right?"
Just then, her phone rang. She picked the call. "Eun Jisoo, what do I do? I think I just got burnt."