“An engagement…all of a sudden?” Kai asked, feeling so wronged for so many reasons.

Chairman Kim did not even care to glance at him. The former was just flipping the pages of a report that he’s reading. Kai clenched his fists, stopping himself from making a mess right there and then.

“I’m not doing it,” Kai announced after some seconds.

The older man took his glasses off before lifting his face to meet Kai’s glare. He looked unfazed at all – obviously not taking what Kai just said seriously. A not-so-amused smile came to the chairman’s face.

“Remember what you said 4 years ago? I remember hearing the words ‘I’ll do everything that you want’ or along those lines so don’t give me that kind of attitude right now. Know your place in this family and in this company.”

Kai just wanted to scream in anger and frustration. He couldn’t find the words to say. He knows what he said years ago but being used like that is not a part of any agreement. Being engaged with Kira in this kind of situation is like having another part of him buried deep in the ground.

“Just so you know, I’m sacrificing a lot right now so just be thankful. Mirae Enterprise may be going through a lot right now and is losing some of its investors but it’s still one of the promising businesses. Helping it and if luck’s on our side, merging with it, will benefit Royale Group.”

Kai couldn’t believe he’s hearing those words from the chairman. He’s just totally ignoring the fact that Kai’s there to protest against the engagement plan.

“And why are you complaining about the engagement on the first place? I heard that you were close with CEO Jung’s granddaughter. Won’t it be easier for you to accept it? You know her well so it will not be hard for you to live with her,” the chairman pointed out.

Narrowing his eyes, Kai couldn’t help but ask himself where and when did everything started to get so tangled and so ed up.

“You know the consequences of your actions so think before you defy me.”

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“I know. I know and that’s the reason why I can’t do anything,” Kai muttered as he leaned on his couch. He placed his arm on his eyes, covering them from the light. He wanted to drift away – to a place where he could just be alone and a place where he could heal himself because he’s been scarred too deep. He’s already in the brink of breaking and just thinking of what will happen to him and Kira once the engagement’s pushed is making him die little by little inside.

“What did I do so wrong to get punished like this?” he asked, whispering, as a tear fell from his eye.

He’s too tired of holding himself like nothing’s wrong. He’s tired of everything.

He stayed like that for some minutes before he stood and went straight to the shower. If he could just erase everything that happened like how the water rushing down his body erases the traces of his tears, he would jump into the sea even if it still scares him to get near any body of water.

What am I supposed to do now?

He stayed in the shower for more than 30 minutes, doing nothing but stare at the water flowing. Now, he understands why Kyungsoo did what he did. Sometimes, one cannot take everything in and the only release is to surrender and be drowned. The water’s cold and it feels soothing against his skin. He’s still scared but he couldn’t explain why he just wanted to be in the cold water.

It’s so ironic – how can something so soothing be so scary?

Feeling like he would really catch a cold if he stays there for another minute, he grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waist. Water was still dripping from his wet hair when he made his way to the living room just in time to hear his phone ringing.

“Why?” he asked right off the bat when he grabbed his phone.

“The press is waiting at the front gate,” Daniel informed right away.

After the sudden announcement of the planned engagement, everybody’s attention was diverted to the ‘young couple’. Kai did not hide how pissed off he was as a chain of profanities left his lips.

“I think you can use the back gate. We’ll wait for you there,” Daniel stated and Kai could hear Seungwoo asking what the hell is happening on the background.

Sighing, Kai ended the call. He grabbed another towel which was lying on the couch and started drying his hair. Thinking twice, he reached for the remote and turned the TV on and as if it was scripted, the reporter was talking about the ‘surprise’ engagement which took the internet and social media by a storm in just a matter of one night.

“Two names snatched the spotlight yesterday as two of the biggest names in the business world announced the planned engagement of Jung Kira, the granddaughter of CEO Jung of Mirae Enterprise, and Kim Kai, the second son of CEO Kim of Royale Group. Netizens are talking about it in the social media and some even started calling the two the ‘visual couple’ and the ‘surprise couple of the year’.”

Kai’s brows were bristled as he continued staring at the TV.

“After the announcement yesterday, Jung Kira’s and Kim Kai’s names became the most searched in all search engines. Gaining the attention of the public and even businessmen, both companies showed a sudden rise in investments. With the possible merging of the two companies, many are already anticipating the birth of a more powerful name in the business industry.”

Turning the TV off, Kai couldn’t help but scoff. Everything’s going as the chairman wanted it to go and it’s putting Kai in a situation that he never asked for.

Right now, he’s just one of the characters that Chairman Kim needed for his play.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“What is going on?” Kira asked, looking at her grandpa who was lying on the hospital bed. She was holding the old man’s hands. “You never told me about any of this,” she continued, sounding like she really needed to hear some explanations.

Her grandfather squeezed her hands lightly, sighing. “I’m sorry that it got into this,” he stated, looking sincerely sorry. Kira saw some of their acquaintances get married through the meeting of their families but she never imagined herself being into one.

“But…somehow…I feel a little relieved that you actually know Chairman Kim’s son. Secretary Seon told me that Kai was that kid you used to hang out with when you were still in high school. You never told me that he is Chairman Kim’s son.”

“That’s because I didn’t know about that,” she replied, earning a confused look from the old man. “He never told me anything about his father.”

Kira’s not lying. Jongin once told her that he just grew up with only his mother by his side. He did not bring up anything about his father so she had no idea that he’s the son of the chairman of Royale Group.

“I heard from Secretary Seon, Mrs. Yoon and Mr. Yoon that he’s a good guy so I did not hesitate when the proposal of uniting Mirae and Royale by a marriage popped up when I met Chairman Kim,” he explained and Kira felt like her heart was being squeezed.

The Jongin that Secretary Seon and Mr. and Mrs. Yoon met four years ago changed so much and Kira couldn’t find a hint of him in Kai.

“I’m too old for all of these things. I want someone to be by your side when you start leading the company.”

“Grandpa,” she called out, whining. “Why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye? Please don’t use that tone on me,” she continued, trying to hold her tears back. The old man gave her a small smile before reaching for her cheek.

“I can’t help it. I’m sorry for making you suffer because of everything that’s happening,” he replied. Kira was aware that people are already pointing fingers at his grandfather because of the issue of corruption of Senator Jo. But Kira, knowing that her grandfather cannot do such thing, made it her goal to clean her grandfather’s name and Mirae Enterprise’s reputation as well.

Her grandfather did not build Mirae just to be a scapegoat by a dirty politician.

“I know Kai’s going to take care of you so I’m relieved,” he mumbled, leaning on the headboard.

Kira just smiled at him, trying to not show the unsure expression on her face.

I’m not sure of that. She told herself. Jongin changed so much.

The path in front of her is not going to be a smooth one but she’s willing to go through the ride if it would mean she could save her grandfather’s company.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“[BREAKING NEWS] ROYALE GROUP AND MIRAE ENTERPRISE, TO BE MORE THAN BUSINESS PARTNERS AS BOTH CAMPS CONFIRM THE PLANNED ENGAGEMENT OF EACH FAMILY’S HEIRS.”

“POSSIBLE MERGING OF ROYALE GROUP AND MIRAE ENTERPRISE WILL MARK THE BIRTH OF A NEW POWERHOUSE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.”

“JUNG KIRA AND KIM KAI GARNER PEOPLE’S ATTENTION AFTER SUDDEN ANNOUNCEMENT OF ENGAGEMENT.”

“INVESTMENTS FOR BOTH MIRAE ENTERPRISE AND ROYALE GROUP HIT THE PEAK FOLLOWING THE CONFIRMATION OF ENGAGEMENT AND POSSIBLE UNIFICATION OF THE TWO COMPANIES.”

“A CELEBRATION IN THE MIDST OF CORRUPTION CONTROVERSY: IS THIS A STRATEGY TO DIVERT THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE?”

Kira stopped scrolling through the chains of headlines and stared at the last one. She clicked on the link a new page popped up. The content was mainly telling the readers of how timely the news of engagement was announced. It was calling the engagement a ‘show’ to let the people forget about the issue involving Senator Jo and Chairman Kim’s possible ‘role’ in that controversy.

She scrolled down to the comment section where people poured their thoughts on what’s happening.

thewar9kokobop: Rich people have their own ways to bury a controversy. I can’t believe people are actually falling for this show. I wonder how these rich people will go with this drama.

rookiewithafiretruck: An engagement all of a sudden? Wow. I better get my popcorn ready.

exotrash_fangirl4ever: I don’t care about any of this. I just want to point out that Kim Kai’s so hot. He looks super y. I wish I’m Jung Kira. I will not complain if I get suddenly engaged to a hottie like Kai.

ohmyexolookingfine: Why are people so salty? We have enough salt in the sea. They look good together that’s why they’re called the ‘visual couple’. Their engagement is a personal matter. Why are these sour reporters always mixing such stuff with politics?

chogiwa88: Poor kids; they’re being used for business matters. Tsk. Tsk.

moanster: Mirae Enterprise is like the damsel in distress. Royale Group is the prince charming to the rescue. These two are re-writing a fairytale. I’ll just wait if this will be a happy ending.

Sighing, Kira turned her phone off. She never imagined she’d be the center of attention. They’re right; the engagement’s agreed upon to save Mirae Enterprise. If it was Jongin that she’s going to be engaged with, she would agree without any hesitation but because it is Kai that she’s going to deal with, she has reservations.

Jongin and Kai are poles apart.

Jongin’s like the warm sunshine while Kai’s like the raging snow.

Kira lifted her face and she noticed a number of reporters and photographers crowding