Chapter 3

“Get in the car Taeyeon! Lady Hwang does not like to be kept waiting!” Yelled a voice.

Leaning his bike against the garage, he quickly hopped into the car. Taeyeon was sitting next to his mother-in-law, while his wife was in the passenger seat. He let out a small sigh and looked out the window. Silently hoping that this meeting will go quickly as possible. 

“Leo, why do you think your mother is asking us over?” 

The middle aged man in the driver seat shrugged his shoulder. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know,” 

“I wonder if the company is going down to the gutters,” grumbled Taeyeon’s mother-in-law. 

“Mother, enough! Don’t say such ridiculous things about the company. Grandpa worked hard to get it where it is now, in his lifetime!” 

Taeyeon could only sit in silence at the family’s bickering. Although he hated family gatherings, he was curious to know what was happening. It was quite unlikely of Lady Hwang to call everyone together at short notice. That old lady wanted at least a two weeks advance notice for all gatherings. 

The drive was silent and thankfully wasn’t long at all. Upon entering the family estate Tiffany’s father Leo had parked the car to the side. The family got out of the car and all collectively took a deep breath before entering the house. Questions and assumptions filled their minds as they made their way inside. 

“Finally! Took you all long enough!” Groaned Walter as he ushered the family into the living room. 

“We weren’t all home when you called the meeting” grumbled Leo as he followed his brother. 

The family were all gathered in the living room. Lady Hwang was seated in her favorite arm chair. The rest of the family were spread out in the room. Some of them on the couches, chairs, and some were just standing. Leo sat in a chair that was near his mother, Leo’s wife sat next to him. While Tiffany and Taeyeon stayed standing next to each other in the corner of the room. 

“Alright, everyone is here. What is the reason for our gathering here tonight?” Walter said impatiently as he paced slightly across the living room. 

Lady Hwang looked around with a curt look. “You know we have gone through some bumps in the road since Jameson’s passing-“ 

“Are we going bankrupt?!” Interrupted Walter as he started to panic. He lived a lavish lifestyle. He can’t imagine what would happen if something happened to their cash flow. 

“Will you just shut up?!” Roared Lady Hwang. 

Walter stopped pacing and slightly shrunk in embarrassment. 

“Anyways, there has been an announcement,” Lady Hwang started off. “Does everyone know the most powerful and influential company there is in Seoul Hills?” 

A young lady in her late twenties answered slightly mockingly, “Hm… I don’t know? 11:11?”

The mention of the 11:11 corporation had made Taeyeon’s ears perk up. He sat up in his seat and began to actually pay attention to the conversation. Maybe he can use something from this to his advantage. Taeyeon began to scan the room to see everyone’s reaction and behaviors. Everyone’s ears too perked up at the mention of 11:11. 

“Young lady, you better watch yourself,” lady Hwang warned before continue in, “There has been an announcement….They have just been acquired by the Kim family of the City!” 

“You called us in for that?!” Walter complained. That’s all?! Who gives a rats if 11:11 has a new owner. They’re still going to be of a better and richer status than them in their lifetime. What does that have anything to do with them? 

A young lad spoke up from the corner of the room. It was the fiance of one of Tiffany’s cousins. “Pardon me Lady Hwang, if I may explain my take on your announcement” 

“Go ahead Yul-shi,” Lady Hwang said. 

Yul was the future son-in-law of Walter. He was currently engaged to Walter’s eldest daughter Jungeum. He came from the Kwon family. The Kwon family were prominent figures in Seoul Hills. It was only right for the Hwang family to make connections with the family. 

Taeyeon could only scoff at the thought. He leaned back against the wall and was eager to hear Yul’s reasoning. 

“A change of ownership for 11:11 group is good. The new owners are going to look into many of its current partnerships and subsidies. It can make cuts and can create a shift in the current state of the established businesses. It can… lets say… knock down the Jung family’s current standing and then rise in others. For an up and coming company like yours, the opportunities from the new ownership can be just around the corner. The Hwang family business must keep a close eye and jump at any opportunity thrown at you” Yul had finished. 

Everyone took in Yul’s words. Taeyeon on the other hand would give him some credit. He was right, he would definitely be looking at the people whom his company partnered with. But if he was to give any opportunities with the Hwang family, he had to be smart about it. His eyes turned to look at his wife. He smiled to himself before thinking, ‘I must use it to my advancement… for her’

Taeyeon’s eyebrows furrowed. His wife looked rather worried, “Is something the matter?” 

Tiffany jumped in surprise and turned to her husband, “Nothing is wrong… I’m just nervous…?” 

Taeyeon raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why would you be nervous? There’s nothing to be nervous about,” 

“Imagine when that opportunity would come. I need to prove something to the family. They seem to always be looking down at me…” 

Her husband couldn’t help but internally sigh and bite his lower lip anxiously. He felt bad. Genuinely felt bad for her. He saw how hard his wife worked at the company. They never congratulated her for her good and successful projects. If she could get a partnership with this big company, maybe her family would give her some more respect. But he also felt bad because they mostly look down on her because she’s married to him. 

Taeyeon smiled and reached out to give Tiffany’s a hand a light squeeze before letting go. “I think that when that opportunity comes, you should jump in on it to prove them wrong. I think luck will be on your side”

Tiffany did feel better upon hearing her husband’s words. He always knew what to say when she was feeling anxious and scared. She felt thankful. She gave him a small smile and said “Thank you for believing in me. It means a lot to me” 

The couple turned back to look at Lady Hwang as she began to talk, “Yul you’re correct. You all must update your portfolios. You never know what will happen next” 

Everyone who worked for the company all nodded their head in agreement. “Okay everyone dismissed” 

As everyone was dismissed, everyone got up from their spots and started to head out. As Taeyeon was walking out, he nearly bumped into one of Tiffany’s cousins. “What where you’re going punk” he spat. 

“Relax, I saw you Siwon” Taeyeon grumbled rolling his eyes. 

“What are you trying to say?” Pushed Siwon. “You calling me fat?” 

Taeyeon scoffed and looked at Siwon up and down. He was fairly good looking, a Hwang by blood but a Choi by last name. He was the favorite amongst the grandchildren as he was the oldest and a boy at that. “Think what you want. But I definitely was not trying to call you fat,” 

Before Siwon could make another comment, Taeyeon had walked away. He was going to make him pay for that nasty attitude he just gave him. That good for nothing cousin-in-law. What was Grandpa Hwang thinking?!

Arriving home from their meeting, everyone went off to their separate ways once more. Taeyeon was left home alone for the rest of the day. What was he going to do today? He thought for a moment and finally decided where he was going to go. Perfect place to go to after that family meeting. 

Calling an Uber, Taeyeon headed to the one and only 11:11 corporation. In the car, Taeyeon looked out the window and let out a sigh. His life was about to change for the better. 

When the car pulled into a halt, he stepped out and looked up at the tall glass skyscraper. It was a modern all glass sky scraper. Taking it all in, he made his way inside. He walking through the doors the lady at the front desk stopped him. 

“Sir! You can’t just walk in here without checking-“ the lady lectured as she ran up to him, only to stop at her tracks when she saw who it was. 

Her professionalism went out the door when she saw who it was. She rolled her eyes and looked at Taeyeon with disgust. “Taeyeon, what are you doing here?” 

“I’m allowed to be here,” Taeyeon said in a matter-of-fact tone. It angered her. 

“Look, we may have been classmates in college, but c’mon… you of all people being allowed here? Looking like that?” She said in a condescending tone pointing to Taeyeon’s jeans, hoodie, t-shirt, and converse outfit. Looked bad for such a high-end company like 11:11 to allow in their building. 

“Jinah… I’m telling you I’m allowed to be here,” 

The girl rolled her eyes. This guy is a clown, she thought. “And I’m the princess of Egypt. C’mon get out of here before I get security on your ” she demanded. 

Taeyeon huffed. “You’re going to play like that?” 

“I’m just doing my job. So get out” 

“Okay then. Let’s play it the hard way” Taeyeon said. His aura had turned cold and his eyes darkened. He pulled out his phone and dialed for Song Seung-Heon. 

“Yes, young master Kim?” 

“Please get Chairman Kim to let me in at this instant. I’m in the lobby with such a rude front desk attendant” he said glaring at Jinah who was staring at him with disbelief. 

Taeyeon and her were staring at each other with an intense glare. Neither of them wanted to back down. 

In a matter of two minutes, a lanky man in a fitted business suit came rushing out the door. “Jinah! What is the meaning of this?!” 

The young lady quickly straightened up and changed her demeanor. She showed poise and professionalism towards the man. “Chairman Kim, my apologies. I was just trying to show my old college mate his way out. He was rather lost and told him he cannot be here. Please excuse us” she said grabbing onto Taeyeon and trying to yank him towards the door. 

Taeyeon pulled his arm back and scoffed. He turned to Chairman Kim and said, “Are you Kim Heechul?” 

Jinah gasped, “Taeyeon! You cannot just call Chairman Kim by his name!” She snapped before turning to the chairman. “I’m sorry for this pathetic man’s manners. Please just be on your way and I’ll get security to him out” she said desperately, hoping to not get into trouble by Taeyeon’s audacity. 

Chairman Kim looked at Taeyeon and then Jinah. “Jinah,” Chairman Kim said sternly.

This made Jinah confused. The Chairman was usually an easy-going man and was never stern towards the employees. “Y-Yes?” She stuttered. 

“You must apologize to him immediately,” 

“W-What?” 

“Jinah. You cannot afford to offend someone like him,” the chairman said. 

“W-What? Sir, I think you’re confusing this guy for someone else. He’s nothing but a son-in-law for the Hwang family” 

Taeyeon’s face started to grow cold. His eyes darkened in anger. The Chairman quickly saw this and took a deep breath. “You do not know who you are talking to. Mr. Kim is allowed to be here.” 

Jinah looked at Taeyeon with disbelief and rolled his eyes, “Taeyeon stop with the acting and just tell him you’re not who you say you are” 

Clenching his fist the Chairman pointed a finger at Jinah and yelled, “That is enough! You are fired, pack your belongings and get out of here. Human Resources will call you first thing in the morning!” 

“W-What?!” 

Taeyeon smirked and mockingly said, “You heard him, you’re fired! Bye-bye!” He laughed as he started walking away with Chairman Kim in tow. 

‘What the just happened?!’ Jinah thought as he looked at the retreat back of Kim Taeyeon. What the just happened? D-Did Taeyeon just get through the gates?! D-Did she just get fired because of him?! Payback is going to get him so good that the good-for-nothing kid won’t know what’s coming to him. 

XXXX

“Young Mast-“ 

Taeyeon gave him a stern look and shook his head. “My identity must remain a secret. Let’s talk more in your office,” 

“As you wish Mr. Kim,” Chairman Kim bowed leading him into the elevator and up to the top floor. 

Upon arriving to his office, he offered a seat for Taeyeon. “Mr. Kim, please excuse that lung lady downstairs. I’m sorry to have caused you such inconvenience” 

Taeyeon smiled and nodded, “She’s a pain, glad you fired her. But enough about her, please tell me about yourself and the company. Your name is Heechul right?” 

Nodded his head with a humble smile, Heechul took a seat at the chair across from Taeyeon. “My name is Kim Heechul, I was the chief operating officer prior to stepping into this role. I decided to step up and stay when your family bought the company. Had to make sure someone who knew how the company was run could help keep this place running and to train the newcomers. When the acquisition happened, I didn’t expect you to come here so soon. I was told it would possibly take a few more years until you would appear here” 

The young lad couldn’t help but chuckle and nod his head, “You’re right, I wasn’t really planning on coming here for quite some time,” 

Taeyeon stood up and walked around the office room to look around. “Has Seung-Heon-shi told you anything about my current situation?” 

“Ah yes, you’re currently the live-in son-in-law of the Hwang family. They do not treat you well at all,” Heechul said firmly. 

“Exactly,” The young master stopped walking and he stood in front of the window, looking out at Seoul Hills. He took a deep breath and looked at Heechul. “I need your help,” 

Snapping his head towards the young master, Heechul stood up and walked up to him. “How may I assist you, young master? Do I need to step down from my position? I wouldn’t mind being Chief Operating Officer once again” 

Pursing his lips he shook his head. “We will run this company as co-chairman. You will continue to be the face of the company and will continue running 11:11 for me. Report to me if anyone or anything demands to know of my identity. Big major decisions will go through me. I would like to do some shuffling of partnerships depending on how I see fit” 

Heechul nodded, “Yes Master Kim,” 

“For your loyalty and secrecy, I will triple your salary. Go against me and you’re fresh out of luck. You got me?” Taeyeon said looking at Heechul sternly. 

Heechul’s eyes widened at the mention of the amount of a raise he got. He was already living comfortably with his current salary, but triple?! He quickly stood up straight and bowed trying to keep a straight face. “As you wish young master”

“Young master, would you like to see your office?” 

Taeyeon shook his head, “I will rarely ever stop by here unless I need to settle some matters. I will just take my key card and make sure the security guards know not to stop me” 

“Right away master” 

“One more thing. Hotel De Luna is up for sale. Buy it and let's renovate it. Biddings for interior design and architecture should be posted. If a young Stephanie Hwang from the Hwang Group comes, accept it. That is my wife, and although I highly despise her family, she is worth our respect. Understood?” 

“Understood!” 

Taeyeon grinned, “Good. If you will excuse me, I have some other things I must get going on,” 

The young master stepped out of the office and the workers he passed all bowed towards him. They saw what had happened in the lobby earlier and did not want to offend him. Something about Taeyeon’s aura had changed. He was more confident in his stature and walked with dignity. Despite looking like a common man, he walked with his head high and fierceness in his eyes. It was like a whole new person to those who have criticized him for so long. But he was a new person, he had the money and power. He smirked as he stepped out of the building and onto the streets of Seoul Hills.