Chapter 10: Decisions

It was one of the hardest week Minho had to go through. Work is as busy as it can be. But the hardest part was settling everything on his personal life, which is now invaded by business too. Belle left for the US a few days ago. Though Minho knows he should personally see Di, he can’t afford giving himself a reason to change his mind. He has made a decision and though he knows he will regret it later, he can’t let SkyRock fall.

It was 2 sleepless nights since he broke up with Di. Di has been trying to call him. But he can’t talk to her. He needs to focus.

Samuel knows he’s been giving too much time for Minho to think, but he can’t rush things. Minho has to learn to decide on his own. And although he knows something is wrong with Sulli the past days, she just kept quiet and would not tell him what is wrong. And so Samuel is glad when he heard his secretary calling this morning to tell him that Minho has finally asked for a schedule with him. He had to give the first slot of the day even if he knows her secretary will need to work overtime just to reschedule all his appointments for the next 2 months.

Minho came in early. There is no time to waste.

“I didn’t know how hard the decision is for you, but 3 weeks was a really long time to give a Yes or No answer” said Samuel

“I apologize for just coming now.  I know the decision is long overdue, but I needed to settle some things first. I want to make sure everything is in order before telling you my decision.” Said Minho “I…I really think that SkyRock is my father’s most precious treasure.  And I won’t let it fall apart. What I mean to say is…I am accepting the condition you are asking for. I will be your niece’s fiancé.” Said Minho

“Good, I am glad to hear that. But let me tell you that my most precious treasure is not FlyAir…but Sulli. Take care of her because I am sure she’ll take good care of you.” Said Samuel

Minho knows how important Sulli is to Samuel. He can only hope that this decision  is for the good.

“Let’s meet for dinner later. I’ll ask Sulli to come.” Said Samuel

Minho’s heart start beating faster than usual. He hasn’t seen Sulli in more than a week. The last time he saw her was when she gave him the resignation letter. And he was so furious then. What will she say once she knows that the engagement is a “Go”?

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Sulli doesn’t want to go to the dinner. But her Uncle said she has to. Sulli has refrained from anything social. She doesn’t go out that much the past week and even declined calls from Luna and Victoria. She exhausted her energy on working out and learning to cook from home. She just wanted some peace and quiet for a while. So when Uncle Sam asked her to meet him out for dinner. She said No. But he told her that it’s been a long time since they got out for dinner and he misses her company as if they don’t live in the same house.

Sulli dressed up a little more elegantly than usual. Her Uncle usually chooses a fancy restaurant for their dinner dates. It was her Uncle’s favorite restaurant and she already knows the table that the restaurant would always give her Uncle. In no time, so found her Uncle already waiting for her. But to her surprise, Minho is also there on the table chatting with her Uncle. She wanted to back out, she already took a step back, but Uncle Sam saw her.

“Hey Sulli, you’re here.” Said Uncle Sam

“I didn’t know we have company.” Said Sulli awkwardly

Uncle Sam asked Sulli to sit beside Minho across him. Though Sulli doesn’t want to, there was no other chair and so she had to oblige.

Minho is looking really elegant tonight. As usual, he would always get the attention of women. All the women who passed by their table would either smile at him or would look at him.

Minho has been impatient the whole time Sulli wasn’t there yet. And when Sulli arrived, he was mesmerized. She looked a bit thinner, but she looked really beautiful in her dress. He doesn’t know why he didn’t notice before, but her exposed collarbone really looked y. And when she sat beside him, he can smell her perfume as if inviting him to get closer.  He breathe deeply hoping that none of what he was thinking showed on his face.

“I didn’t tell you he’ll be here because I wanted to surprise you.” Said Samuel

Everyone ordered food and ate quietly. Samuel will sometimes open a topic of conversation but Sulli will just answer with a few words or phrase. Minho would usually really try to prolong the discussion but it will just end up a  conversation between him and Samuel.

“What do you think of the food?” asked Samuel

“It’s really good. This is the first time I tried this place.” Said Minho

“And Sulli?” asked Uncle Sam

“Same as usual.” Said Sulli

“Good…Sulli there’s a reason why I wanted to have dinner with both you and Minho.” Said Sam

And this is what Sulli is waiting for. She knows something is up the moment she saw Minho earlier.

“Minho and I talked this morning. And Minho came to a decision to accept the condition I set for the contract he needs from FlyAir.” Said Samuel “He will be your Fiance.” Said Sam

Minho saw the crease between Sulli’s brows and knows she is confused.

“No.” said Sulli “There won’t be an engagement, Uncle. That will not happen.” Said Sulli

Though this is a scene Minho saw as a possibility, Sulli’s reaction still squeezed his heart a bit painfully. Shouldn’t she be happy? She said she likes him right?

“I think we have to talk, Sulli.” Said Minho “There are things that you need to hear from me.” Said Minho

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Samuel left Minho and Sulli to talk. They went to a coffee shop. Sulli’s mind is going to blow. What is Minho thinking? Why did he say Yes to her Uncle when he doesn’t want to marry her?

Sulli has been looking at Minho with that confused eyes of hers and Minho can’t take the scrutiny anymore.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to talk to you first before I talked to your Uncle.” Said Minho

“ I don’t understand you, Oppa.” Said Sulli “I know SkyRock is your priority, but  you clearly told me you can’t marry me. So what is this about telling my Uncle that you will?” said Sulli

Minho doesn’t know how to explain everything because he himself is also confused.

“2,000” said Minho

“2,000?” asked Sulli

“That’s the rough estimate of how many employees SkyRock has…That’s also the estimate of the families that will suffer if SkyRock falls.” Said Minho

“So you’re going to marry me even if you don’t like me? Even if you can’t be with the person you love?” asked Sulli

“Yes…for now.” Said Minho “I will use the time of the engagement preparations to convince your Uncle to sign the contract. I will reevaluate all the options and look for a way to improve the contract. But I need time to do that. And your Uncle would’ve said No straight ahead if I didn’t say yes for the engagement. “ said Minho

“So you are u