Chapter 32
The sun was setting, painting the sky with soft pinks and oranges as Yi Jung and Ga Eul walked hand in hand from the big mansion. Their small fingers were tightly clasped, as if holding on to a secret only they shared. In front of the house, a shiny red Ferrari waited quietly, gleaming under the porch lights.
Yi Jung's driver quickly opened the car door for him, but Yi Jung didn't get in right away. Instead, he turned around and smiled at Ga Eul.
"It's really fun being with you, Eul," he said softly.
Ga Eul's cheeks turned bright pink, and she smiled shyly. "Me too. I hope you come again soon."
Yi Jung grinned, showing his bright white teeth. "How about we do our homework together every evening after school?"Ga Eul's eyes sparkled. "Even if you're terrible at math?"
"Especially then," Yi Jung teased. "Because then I get to see your cute frustrated face."
Ga Eul stuck out her tongue. "You're just saying that."
"Nope. It's true."
They both laughed, the sound echoing softly in the quiet evening air.
Suddenly, a little breeze blew, and a stray leaf landed on Yi Jung's head. Ga Eul pointed and giggled.
"Looks like you've got a leaf hat now."
Yi Jung shook his head, trying to flick it off, but it stuck stubbornly.
"I'm starting a new fashion trend," he declared.
Ga Eul laughed so hard she almost tripped.
"Okay, Mr. Fashion," she said, "let's get going before you get covered in leaves.Hm... okay. But," she paused, looking up at him through her lashes, "need a hug?"
"I'd love one," he replied.
He opened his arms, and she stepped into his space, the scent of his expensive cologne—sandalwood and citrus—enveloping her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the solid strength of him. For a moment, they were just two kids, oblivious to the billions of dollars and centuries of tradition resting on their shoulders. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek.
The moment was shattered by the low, guttural growl of a different engine.
A black Mercedes-Maybach rounded the corner of the driveway, its headlights cutting through the twilight like twin sabers. The car glided to a halt behind the Ferrari, its dark-tinted windows reflecting nothing but the cold stone of the mansion.
This was the car of a man who didn't drive for pleasure; he drove for conquest.
The rear door opened, and Mr. Lee stepped out. He was the embodiment of old-money power: his charcoal suit was bespoke, his posture impeccable, and his expression usually as unreadable as a locked vault. But as his eyes fell upon the scene—his daughter, the light of his life, wrapped in the arms of a young man he hadn't formally vetted—the vault cracked.
His briefcase almost slipped from his hand. He watched, frozen for a split second, as Ga Eul's lips left Yi Jung's cheek. The air in the driveway suddenly felt ten degrees colder.
"Lee Ga Eul!" his voice rang out, sharp and commanding, echoing off the glass walls of the house.
The couple sprang apart as if struck by lightning. Ga Eul's face went from a soft rose to a ghostly pale in seconds. Yi Jung straightened his blazer, his posture shifting instinctively into a defensive yet respectful stance.
"A...ap...pa..." Ga Eul stammered, her voice small and trembling. "You're... you're back early."
Mr. Lee approached them, his footsteps heavy and rhythmic on the gravel. He didn't look at the Ferrari or the driver; his focus was entirely on the boy standing next to his daughter. He adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of parental protectiveness and corporate scrutiny.
"Who," Mr. Lee began, his voice dropping to a dangerous, authoritative rumble, "in the heavens... is this boy?"
Appa, you're scaring him. Please calm down," Ga Eul whispered quickly.
Mr. Lee rolled his eyes but then cleared his throat and asked more calmly, "Who are you, young man?"
Yi Jung took a deep breath and smiled politely. "Good evening, Sir. My name is Park Yi Jung. My dad is your new business partner."
"Park?" Mr. Lee raised one eyebrow and sighed. "Are your families trying to marry all of you into mine? Seriously?" he said with a small laugh, then held out his hand.
Yi Jung shook his hand, smiling. "How is your sister?"
"She's doing well," Mr. Lee said with a small smile.
Ga Eul looked confused and asked, "What's going on?"
"He's our future brother-in-law. Your brother is engaged to his sister," Mr. Lee explained.
"But I never saw him at the engagement party," Ga Eul said.
"I didn't come. I was sick," Yi Jung said with a small laugh.
"Well, welcome. I see you're leaving now, so take care," Mr. Lee said, walking back into the house.
Ga Eul turned to Yi Jung and gave him another quick kiss on the cheek.
"Good night. Remember to text me when you get home," she said, then ran after her father.
"Appa! Appa! Wait for me!" she called out in Korean.
Yi Jung smiled and got into the car. The driver started the engine, and the red Ferrari slowly drove away from the mansion.
That same evening at Lucy's house after telling a little white lie, Lucy drove them from her room and shut the door firmly, sending them to their rooms.
Inside, Manager Jim called Lee Dae on the phone.
Lee Dae was surprised because it was the new phone he bought, and only his friends and Lucy had the number.
"Who's calling?" Seo Joon asked, lying on his bed while Kim Jo listened carefully.
Lee Dae shrugged and answered, "Hello?"
"Do you really think I can't get your phone number? Seriously?" Manager Jim's voice came through.
"Pig?!" Seo Joon and Kim Jo shouted in surprise, and Manager Jim exploded, "Pig?!"
"Yeah, Kim Jo, have some respect! I'm older than all of you!" Manager Jim yelled.
Kim Jo tried to grab the phone, but Lee Dae dodged him and ran to the bathroom, locking the door.
"I can hear you, Manager Jim. Is there an emergency?" Lee Dae asked.
"Lee Dae, you're the only sensible one among you," Manager Jim said.
Lee Dae sighed.
Manager Jim continued, "A billionaire's son invited the BVS Kings to his birthday party in California. Are you coming?"
"When did we start performing at parties? We do concerts, not parties," Lee Dae replied.
"Well, you have to go because I need money. Besides, it's just a small party. A billionaire wants to celebrate his birthday with you all."
"But—"
"Five hundred million dollars," Manager Jim interrupted.
There was a long pause.
"How do you—"
"Everything is ready. After all, it was Kim Jo who froze, not you or Seo Joon. Get ready. I'll call you soon," Manager Jim said, then yelled before hanging up, "Tell your brothers to stop calling me pig!"
Lee Dae put the phone down and laughed as he opened the door, but stopped when he saw Lucy texting in their group chat.
"The BVS KINGS are invited to a billionaire's birthday in California."
They all looked at each other.
"Cancel it. We're not going," Kim Jo said, hiding under his blanket.
"Lucy will be at school those days. We can risk it," Seo Joon said, smiling.
"And what if she recognizes us? She watches us perform. I don't want to be served a breakup as breakfast," Kim Jo mumbled.
Another message popped up from Lucy.
I have exams next week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Won't be home.
"She said she has tests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The birthday party is Thursday night, and we have to come back Friday night," Lee Dae said.
No one said anything else.
They all went to bed.