Chapter 1

“Sir, are you asking me to work for your company?” I sounded stunned, but actually, I wasn’t.

The moment the founder and owner of ‘Hwang Corporations’ asked for a meeting, did I suspect something like a job offer.

However, for the past days, I’ve been trying to find out, if I would actually accept the job offer if I really got one.

And here it was, the offer. Mr. Hwang looked at me with a smile. He absolutely knew that I had been aware of his offer beforehand.

“Of course I am. You are already a well known lawyer and even though we are in no hurry to find a new one to work for us, would we be crazy not to court you.” He said, nodding in the process while leaning back in his chair.

To be honest, it wouldn’t hurt if I would decline. I had my own company and already worked as a lawyer for my fathers companies and a few others that were well known.

The Hwang Corporation would be a win for me, that was for sure, but I had the feeling that I should decline. The past few years I had been able to forget about my past, at least I told that to myself. Working for his father wouldn’t help my current state of mind. And the state of my heart.

I was surprised as an ‘I’ll think about it, if that’s okay with you?’ slipped passed my lips.

I was getting weak. And deep inside I knew that it was Chansungs fault, even if he wasn’t the one asking to accept the job. He probably didn’t even know I was back in Seoul.

Mr Hwang told me that it was totally fine with him and that he would love to hear a positive feedback from me.

Bowing deeply, telling him that I would contact him in the next few days, I left the office.

Once outside I couldn’t help but to sigh deeply.

Now that I’ve finally found my inner peace, was the past coming after me again.

‘As long as I don’t see him, everything should be fine…’ I thought to myself. Straightening again and pulling at my suit in order to straighten it again.

Even thought I knew I shouldn’t accept, I was honestly thinking about doing just that. The benefits of working for the Hwang family were obvious.

Walking along the hallway I yelped in surprise as I was suddenly pulled into a room where the door opened out of nowhere.

Blinking once the door shut behind me, I was facing the man I had hoped not to see.

Hwang Chansung.

I couldn’t help but raise my brows. To say that I was stunned was an understatement.

I haven’t seen him in years, at least not personally.

He was not the boy I’ve known back than. He was a man now, a very handsome and tall man.

I had to suppress the urge to smile and tell him ‘I’ve told you so’.

The moments I’ve seen him for the first time, did I know he would surpass me when it came to height, even thought I’ve been taller than him back than.

“Is something funny, hyung?” He asked me, his deep voice filling the empty room that was obviously a meeting room.

The way he said ‘hyung’ echoed in my head. He had used to say this word with admiration.

“Not really, why are you asking?” I was sure that he had noticed the hint of a smile.

“I’m not sure. You looked like you wanted to smile, but then you decided not to.” He muttered, stepping back. Only now did I notice that he had held my shoulders.

As soon as his hands were gone I felt the coldness creeping into my body.

He looked sad, just for a split second and I wondered if it was because of me, because I haven’t smiled.

“I was just pleased because I’ve been right. I always told you that you would surpass me in height.” Now I smiled at him. Why I told him the thought I’ve had upon seeing him was beyond me.

“Yeah, both of us changed, right?” He said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“Of course, we have. How long has it been? 10 years?” I asked, trying to sound casual. But my chest was hurting so bad. As if someone was holding my heart in the palm of his hand, chocking it.

“Yes, more than 10 years.” He answered, looking at me with no reaction. “I heard you had an interview with my father? Are you going to accept his offer?” He asked.

He looked so cold, but I knew him. He couldn’t completely hide the curiosity in his voice.

“I told him that I’ll think about it.” I answered honestly, waiting for his reaction.

Would he tell me not to accept it?

“You shouldn’t let such an opportunity slip through your hands, hyung.” He answered, his eyes piercing through me. It was as if he was shouting at me: ‘Don’t let it slip just because of me.’

“I know. But as you know I’m usually the person to think things through first.”

“Not always.” He hummed and I couldn’t help but sigh at that.

“Yes, not always. Sometimes I let my heart decide over my mind.” I admitted. When it came to Chan, I’ve always acted according to my heart.

That one time my mind and heart were in turmoil, was our end. Back than it had felt like the only right decision. But as time passed and years flashed passed me, did I realise that I should’ve listened to my heart that one time as well.

But now it was too late to regret it. I’ve just admitted my mistake from years ago. I couldn’t give him more. He shouldn’t know what had caused me to listen to make that decision. Therefore he would never hear an apology from me. It would make things worse and I was already miserable enough.

“I’ll let him know about my decision in a few days.” I stated, looking into his eyes. “Is there anything else you need, Chan?” I asked, pretty sure that he has said everything that he had wanted to tell me. At least I hoped so, because I wasn’t sure if I could uphold that uncaring side of me any longer.

“No.” He simply stated and for a second I thought to see something similar to regret in his eyes.

“Well, than I wish you a nice day. Maybe we’ll see each other in a few days.” I said, bowed and walked towards the door.

Just when I was about to reach the door, did his voice call out to me.

“Are you really going to leave just like that?” His voice sounded faint and sad. I stopped in my tracks. He was making things really hard for me right now. “I know that you are acting tough right now. Hyung…” He sounded closer now, and the way he called me made my heart flip inside my chest.

It’s been so long since he had called me with this soft voice of his.

Pictures of him lying in my arms flashed past my eyes. Memories of us kissing and laughing together. Memories of touching him and of him touching me.

I turned and looked up. He was standing right behind me, slightly looking down and sorrow was shimmering in his eyes.

I knew I’ve hurt him back than, but I’ve never seen it since I left with no explanation.

But now that I was able to see it, did it break my heart once again.

Raising my hand, slightly touching his lips and then his chest, I smiled.

“It’s good to see you again, Chan. You may have turned into a giant, but you are still the sweet and lovable boy from back than.” And without thinking about it, did I kiss his lips. Soft and gentle, afraid that he would push me away.