Continuation.......................

All of them except for Jessica and Kibum surprised to see the serious mood of JP Owen, now following the latter’s lead… Inside the conference room a wide rectangular table could be seen, the four gathered and seated… Kibum seated equally near his grandfather’s side while Heechul and Jessica seated on the side part of the table near Kibum’s location… while the rest standing on the side of the conference area…

JP Owen:        (In a serious tone, he starts talking) First, I would like to thank you for coming over here.
                        Second, I will state the purpose of this meeting…

                                              I wish to retire from handling all of my businesses but not entirely I will still be participating
                                              in the activities acting as a consultant. I believe you all know how many years have I 
                                             devoted my life of managing the entire mega-businesses. Previously, I was really happy
                                             when Jessie was helping co-managing them much more delighted now that Bummie has
                                             been doing it on her behalf.

                       Just so you know, it isn’t 30 % or 50% of the whole business he is handling – he decided to
                       manage 80% of my businesses and left me with just 20% to fully concentrate on.

                                            I was and have been very happy with Bummie’s decision. Kibum decided not to tell you as
                                            he was concerned of how both of you would react to his decision.

                                            Over several months have passed Bummie has shown extremely too outstanding and
                                            remarkable outcome. As a result, I have decided that I will hand-over all of my entire
                                            businesses to Bummie. To prepare him:

1. He needs to stop his high school education now – please inform Mr. Siwon so he can prepare the necessary documents.
2. He will have to be trained by topnotch consultants though I know he thinks alike along with them – it is better for him to learn all the same.
3. He will be required to visit all of my businesses worldwide, meaning “all of them” down to the smallest scale of my businesses.
4. As regards, his college and PH.D. Certificates – he has long have finished all of them. You may ask him – he’s got all of them. I apologize for letting you know just now but Bummie here decided again – not letting you know.
5. Bummie will be confined to stay here in Paris with me for at least a year or more depending on how things go – he will decide accordingly. So that as regards to whether he continuously stays here or not – I will leave the decision to him.
6. Bummie will be the new owner of my entire mega-businesses along with companies where I co-manage and also me, as a member of the Board of Directors – and that totals to at least 500 various businesses worldwide – thus, he will also have to watch over the activities going on as across the board in each business where I am a member, I own 30% of the whole business ratio.
7. The handover will take effect as soon as possible like – next month… in two weeks time from now…
8. Thus, taking the things are heading, I am afraid of Bummie’s life safety so I forbid him to be out in the public more often. However, I don’t wish for him to live a life like mine so I will let him decide how he would like to run his life amidst all of these responsibilities.

              In the process while training would be underway, he will have to temporarily cut his 
              communications and interactions from the others except from all of the people here present.

1. I will ask him to transfer and stays here in Paris by next week.
2. Lastly….YESS!!! I WANT TO ENJOY MY LIFE!!!

So Jessica and Heechul, do you have any objections? I will listen intently…

Jessica:           (taken aback from his father’s statements, chokingly replies) Dad… Bummie is still
                        young… yet the responsibilities you are giving him are way beyond his age… Don’t you
                        think that it is terribly too much?

JP Owen:        (nods) yes, I do agree that he is young… but Jessie dear, you have a gifted child and he
                        thinks far greater than me. When he decides on things I am left agreeing to whatever he
                        says and would be foolish to challenge his decision as he makes a lot of sense. He is so
                        superbly brilliant for a young age.… Do not underestimate Bummie’s brilliancy. I see you in
                        him way back…

                                             He is just like you Jessie but I will be frank and honest that even you will agree; he is far
                                             more brilliant than all of us. These emotions, I am feeling right now, are not at all different
                                             from what I was feeling way back when you were handling my businesses.

                       I am and still pretty amazed how wonderful you have been handling things, Jessie… Same
                       goes with Bummie… 

                     Jessica:           (in almost tears) But Daddy, I don’t care about all of them… My main concern is that you
                                             will take our Bummie away from us… Daddy, just as I wished I can escape my family from
                                             all of these burdens, I am so overwhelmed how it all turned out to be…

Heechul:          (pacifying Jessica) Honey, I guess it can’t be helped…

Jessica:           (in a frustrated tone and now in tears) No hon! I know you will feel sad and lonely without 
                        Bummie around. (Covers her crying face) Daddy, does he really have to? I can’t bear to be
                        without Bummie with me for a week especially months or years. It is going to drive me 
                        insane not seeing him.

Kibum:             (looks at his grandfather, mom and dad – gets up from his sit and goes towards her mom
                        to comfort her) Mom and Dad, would it be alright with you if you stay here with me in a
                        given year like live with me for six months here in Paris and six months – though in your
                        free time both of you might wish to travel here for a visit – you go back to S. Korea? In this
                        manner, both of you won’t get lonely… What do you think?

Heechul:          That is a great idea, Bummie… We might consider doing it…

Jessica:           (smiles at Bummie’s suggestion but still sad) I am still not satisfied but let’s see Bummie
                        and how about your Auntie and Uncle, Minho and Taeminnie? They love you so much… I
                        don’t know what to say to them…

Kibum:             (sighs) Leave it up to me (and looks at his father) Mom and Dad, I will talk to them in a
                        weeks time. (Looks at his grandfather) Papa, can I go like three weeks after, I mean the 
                        handover is going to be in two months time right? Perhaps you can spare me one to two
                        additional weeks?

JP Owen:        (smiles but sad at the same time watching her daughter cries)  As you wish, Bummie (and
                       walks towards her daughter and hugs her) Jessie, sweetie, you know I love you and 
                       Bummie along with Heechul but I hope you understand my predicament as well. I am really
                       so sorry but I believe the truth speaks for itself… I may be capable but Bummie here is way
                       too better than me – I do not wish for him to tire himself to be travelling back and forth…

Jessica:           (hugs her father back) yeah, daddy I do understand your situation. I was just surprised as
                        regards Bummie’s participations in all of your businesses. I am so proud of him and at the
                        same time as luck would have it, sad… but judging how things are – he really is a
                        marvelous person. Heechul and I could not even imagine how great he is…

                        (detaches from her father and looks at Heechul) Honey, I guess we will have to give up
                        having Bummie handle 20% each of our entire businesses as well.

                        I mean, I can’t take imagine how he will manage to survive handling Dad’s entire
                        businesses what more, if we will still let him participate in managing 20% of our
                        businesses. What do you think?

Heechul:          (nods in agreement) yes, I do agree (looks at JP Owen) though I will be frustrated coz
                        Bummie is really good handling all of them and he will be missed by his staffs. They all
                        love Bummie. I don’t know what to say to them…

Kibum:             (interferes) Oh Mom and Dad… for the 20% managing your businesses is not at all a
                         burden to me – they’re all just easy for me to handle… so don’t need to worry… let things
                         stay just the way they are…

Jessica:           (surprised at Kibum’s statement) are you sure about that sweetie?

Kibum:             (laughs at her mom’s query reaction) Mommy, you are so silly… don’t worry about it…

Jessica and Heechul hug Kibum for his generosity…

Heechul:          (sighs in relief) thanks god Bummie… you don’t know how you saved us… especially me…
                        I don’t now what to do without your advices…

Jessica:           (smiles) me too… Bummie, the staffs under you would have felt so lonely… thanks
                        sweetie…

JP Owen:        (claps and shrieks) OKEY…NOW... LET’S ALL HAVE FUN….

Jessica:           (looks at her dad and stick her tongue out) aakkhhh… Daddy you are so unbearably
                        disgusting…

JP Owen:        (smiles at Jessica) I don’t care Jessie; I am just so happy that I can enjoy my life now and I
                        know your Mom up there is very happy as well…

                        (And looks at everyone in a serious tone) Just for your information… Marie Antoinette, my
                        very beautiful wife – who now looks exactly like Jessie here was all against inheriting their
                        family background lineage and businesses – I mean some of these entire businesses I am
                        managing – from her parents. She was also a very brilliant person and I was never 
                        surprised Jessica and Kibum turn out to be just like her. Jessie dear and dearest Bummie,
                        there is something that you both need to know… Listen…

Chapter 20 Ends here.............