[Inspired by song: Promise - EXO]

Toronto, Canada

Kang Seulgi walked to the living room with a big smile flashed on his face while looking at his phone. His best friend, Son Seungwan, stares at him lazily as he drinks coffee from his mug. Seulgi sit on the couch beside Seungwan and put his phone on the table

“What with that smile?” Seungwan nudging Seulgi arm

“Receive text from Joohyun like usual” Seulgi wiggle his eyebrows

“Baechu that you meet on dating apps?”

“Yup, my pretty Baechu”

“It has been several months since both of you know each other and dating. She never asks you to meet her at all?”

“She does but I said I’m still busy so we will meet before Christmas”

“If I on her place, I will have lot of doubt because never meet my couple in person”

“I don’t know if she ever doubting me” Seulgi shrugs

Seungwan asked again “Em, what about you is the son of her boss, did she know?”

Seulgi shake his head “Nope”

“How will she react if she knows that you’re the next CEO of KS Group?” Seungwan tapping his chin

Seulgi sighs softly “I hope she is not really hard to deal with. I still thinking how I should open up to her”

“Aigoo, you're also weird. Why you not just tell her that you're the son of Kang Siwon and Kwon Yuri?”

“Wan, I told you that I don’t want a girl that loves me just for my money. You see, a lot of girls after me because they know my status. They don't really love me for who I am. I don’t want that to happen”

“What if Joohyun also same as other girl who run after your money?”

“No, Joohyun is different. If she wants a rich man, she will not accept me when I told her that I work as a barista. I believe in her. She is a good woman” Seulgi said confidently

“Okay if you say so. I also hope she is not materialistic. From her face and the way she talk with you, I know that she is a decent woman”

“I know right” Seulgi grinned “Hey, do you book our flight ticket already?”

“Yup, we will depart this Saturday so you can pack your stuff on Thursday”

Seulgi turned his face to Seungwan “Yah, why so early?”

“To avoid you, forget this and that. You don’t want to return here just to get your PS5 or your MacBook, don’t you?”

“Okay” Seulgi nods his head

……………………..

Seoul, South Korea

“Unnie, good morning” Irene greeted by the junior staff at her department

“Good morning, Yerimie”

“Unnie, have you had breakfast already?”

“I just drink a glass of milk at home”

“Let’s go to a café. It still early before office hour” said Yerim

“Sounds good. I will invite Yongsun and Eunbi just in case they not eating yet”

“Alright, I will call Nayeon unnie”

“Okay”

Five girls gather at the café near their office. It is a regular café for staff at K-Global (short form made by the staff) since it is located next to their office building. The café is big and serve lot of delicious foods

“I heard from Moonbyul, the heir of KS Group will arrive in South Korea next week” said Yongsun or her friends call her Solar. Her boyfriend working as general manager at KS Group

“Can’t wait to see our future boss. He must be young and handsome” Nayeon chirped

“His identity is hidden well from the public. I never hear our senior talk about him” said Irene

“You two also never see him, unnie?” Yerim looking at Solar and Irene

“Yup, Manager Lee is older than us but he never met him at all. Mr. Kang and his wife hiding their son”

“Why do they need to hide his identity?” Eunbi curious

Solar says “Maybe for privacy or safety reasons. He is their only son so they must want the best for him. Their older and younger daughter are introduced early than their son so I think they have reason why they not introduce him early”

“You’re right”

……………….

Incheon Airport

“It has been a while since we breathe Korea air” Seulgi showing his idiot smile

“Yeah, since your dad sent us to run his business in Canada and we are not allowed to come back for two years,” said Seungwan as he walked beside Seulgi and pushed his cart. Seulgi also pushing the cart that fill with his suitcases and bags also paper bags

“Hm, we make it within two years and now the business is in peak”

“That’s mean we’re genius” Seungwan said then both of them cackle

“Can’t wait to start working”

Seungwan cleared his throat “Don’t forget Irene noona. Remember that you must explain to her the truth. You will not able to hide it too long since you will start working under the same roof with her”

“I am still thinking about what I must say to her. I will tell her the truth as soon as possible”

“Yeah, you should do it sooner. It would not be nice if she found out the truth herself. You will get into trouble”

“Yea~”

A familiar figure holler as both of them walk out of the main entrance “Oppa~”

“Yah, Kang Sooyoung!” Seulgi open his arms widely as he welcome his younger sister to his embrace

“Oppa, welcome back” Kang Sooyoung or Joy, hugging her brother tightly

“I miss you so much, my baby” Seulgi pepper Joy face with kisses

“Oppa, I’m not a kid anymore” Joy whining as she embrace because her brother still treat her like a toddler

“You still my baby girl” Seulgi playfully pinching Joy cheek

Then Joy turn to Seungwan “Seungwan oppa, welcome back”

“Aigoo, you’re grown up now” Seungwan pats Joy head

“Oppa, I’m a big girl now. Stop treating me like a baby. We just met few months ago so don’t exaggerate things”

“You still a baby to us” said Seulgi

“True” Seungwan agree

“Let’s go before you two tease me more” Joy led them to the parking lot where she parked her car

……………………

Kang house

Seulgi and his family eat dinner together. He eats a lot because he misses the foods that his mom and his sister cook. He already have second portion while the others still eating half of the foods on their plate

“Seulgi, are you starving or what?” Mrs. Kang stare at her son weirdly

“Eomma, I missed homemade foods that’s why I eat a lot” Seulgi answer innocently

“Aigoo, this kid”

“Eat a lot, boy” Mr. Kang put more foods to Seulgi plate

“Appa, when will you introduce Seulgi to the public? I have nothing else to wait for, right?” Yoona looking at her dad after they finished their dinner. The others also pay attention to their conversation. Now they already move to living room

“Right now, I am still busy with our investment in Japan. The event has to be postponed for a week or two. I will inform again soon”

“Okay, if the event postpone then I will continue with my travelling schedule” say Yoona

“Me too, I have to go outstation again to visit our flagship store at Jeju” Joy added

“You two can carry on with your schedule”

“Okay appa” said the girls

After that, Seulgi asked “Appa, what should I do while waiting for the event? Shall I go to the office or just stay at home, resting?”

“For now you can rest or hangout with your friends because your identity is still not revealed yet. Besides, if you go to office, there’s nothing you can do”

“Can I visit our company?”

“You can but don’t reveal yourself. It’s better if you not go yet to avoid suspicion”

“Okay appa” Seulgi nods and says “What about Seungwan? Is he starting to get together with me?”

“Yup, you two will start together since he is your private secretary. You two will be assisted by General Manager Moon at the office. He will meet with you when you start working. He already prepare documents that you need to read and will give you briefing about our company” say Mr. Kang

“Noted” Seulgi give thumb up to his dad

Mrs. Kang speak after long silent “Seulgi, your house is ready so if you want to go there, we can go tomorrow”

Seulgi quickly nods his head “Sure, we will go to my house tomorrow”

“Seem like you’re excited to move out” Mrs. Kang glare at her son

Seulgi chuckled, “Eomma, I'm just excited to see my house. You can visit me anytime if you miss me. Our house is just 10 minutes away”

“Yea, I just worry if you forget the way to this house once you move out”

“Ayy, no way will I forget to come here” Seulgi giggle

“You all grown up and this house getting lonely” Mrs. Kang suddenly emotional

“Eomma, Sooyoung and Yoong noona are still here with you. Don’t be emotional” Seulgi, Joy and Yoona hugging their mother

Mrs. Kang pouting “I just can’t believe you all grew up so fast. Now you all are working, have successful careers. Next you will get married and have your own family. It still feel like yesterday I saw three of you run around our house, fighting over toys and sleep together on the floor”

“We will always be your babies no matter how old we are” said Yoona then they tighten their hug on their mother. Mr. Kang watches his wife interact with their children with a warm smile. He’s thankful that his children grow up and become good people. His wife raised them properly. Even though the kids are grown up, they are still close with him and his wife, especially Seulgi since he is the only son in their family. He not hesitant to call himself a proud dad to his children

……………….

[Seulgi and Irene voice call]

Irene: Seulgi-ah~

Seulgi: Yes baby baechu

Irene: What are you doing now?

Seulgi: Laze on my bed and talking to my baby

Irene: Do you eat already? Don’t tell me you skip dinner again

Seulgi: I will not skip dinner today. I eat a lot. Now I feel like gain weight

Irene: That’s good that you eat well. Don’t be skinny. I want to squish your cheeks

Seulgi: You can squish it all you want when we meet

Irene: It has been four months but we not meet yet

Seulgi: Give me a few more days. I will transfer to the café branch at Seoul

Irene: Seriously?!

Seulgi: Yup and we can meet anytime. I can’t wait to see you and hold you in my arms

Irene: You make me miss you more

Seulgi: I miss you badly, Hyun

Irene: I love you, bear

Seulgi: I love you too, my baby. You should sleep now. I don’t want you to oversleep tomorrow and your boss scold you for arrive late

Irene: Okay, you also sleep now. You must be tired serving a lot of customers every day. Don’t forget to wear thick clothes when you go out. Temperature getting cold these days

Seulgi: Em…yeah. Goodnight baby Hyun

Irene: Goodnight love

The phone call ends. Seulgi stares at Irene's picture that he set as wallpaper. He unconsciously smile while adoring her

“You’re so pretty. I feel lucky to have you. I hope I will marry you someday and make you the happiest woman alive. I’m sorry for lying. Don’t scold me too much when you find the truth. I can’t bear to be separated from you anymore. I love you so much, Joohyun” after the monologue, Seulgi drift to sleep

……………………

 

Next day, Seulgi and his mother visit his house. He is very happy that finally he has his own house. He built the house with his own savings without help from his parents financially. The house design is his masterpiece with help from an architect and interior designer. Now he satisfied because he able to live his dream house

“Aigoo, my house is so beautiful” Seulgi says proudly after he and his mom tour around the house

“Are you satisfied?” Mrs. Kang looking at her son

“Yup, I’m very satisfied. I still can’t believe that I have my own house”

Mrs. Kang smiled seeing her son happy “Do you need a maid?”

“Em, I think you just asked the maid from our house to come here to do the cleaning. Gardener also from our house so that we don’t need to hire more staff. I want privacy in my house so they just need to come once or twice a week”

“What about your food?”

“I can cook for myself or you can ask Song ahjussi to deliver food here. I will let you know if I need your help to shop grocery just in case I don’t have time to do it”

“Okay then” Mrs. Kang agreed. She caressed Seulgi's hair softly “You’re all grown up now. Now you can do everything by yourself without depending on me or your appa all the time. I’m so proud of you because you can live independently. Even if you do not stay under the same roof with me, I can breathe in relief because I know you can attend yourself. Don’t work yourself too hard. Don’t be sick. If I know you are sick because you skipped meals or overwork, I will not hesitate to bring you back to our house, understand?”

“Yes eomma” Seulgi playfully salute to his mom

“I heard your appa said your former bodyguard will work with you again. Is it true?”

“Yes, I still need their service. I decide to hire them to work with me permanently and appa agree. I will meet their management to talk about that matter”

“Okay, when will you move in?”

“Tomorrow morning. I still want to stay at our house. Besides, Seungwan still busy today so he can’t help me to move my stuff”

“Alright”

………………..

“Good morning, boys” Seulgi greet his bodyguard and Seungwan

“Good morning, sir”

“Welcome back as Seulgi’s team. I’m glad that I successfully recruited all of you to be my bodyguard. From now on, you all are fully under K-Global. As for your work, all of you are not only my bodyguard but as my right-hand men and occasionally my driver, clear?”

“Yes sir” six men in suit answer together

“As for your accommodation, transport, duty roster and other facilities, my secretary will tell you later. Now I want to talk about your special task before I start working at the company. Listen properly” everyone pay full attention to their boss

“I am actually dating a woman but she doesn't know my real job. She only knows that I am Kang Seulgi, the barista at one of the café in Seoul. I need your help to make my plan go smoothly until I tell her my identity. I need some of you to join me at the café while two or three others do undercover at the office”

Seulgi continued “Jaehyun, Sehun, Kai and Jinyoung, both of you will go with me and Seungwan to the café whenever we need a scene at the café. I already contacted Baekhyun hyung, he agreed to use his café. Meanwhile, Jackson, Jeno and Chanyeol will go to the office to watch over her for two days. Find out if someone is disturbing her or flirting with her. Do it at a safe distance. Don’t make her realize that you’re following her, understand?”

“Noted sir”

Seungwan nudged Seulgi side “Seul, you should show them Irene noona picture. How would they know her if they never see her”

Seulgi palms his forehead and laughs lightly. He search for Irene picture on his phone gallery and show to the boys

“This is Irene's picture. Keep that in mind”

The bodyguards can’t help but admire Irene’s beauty. Seulgi quickly pull back his phone before they adore his girlfriend more

“She’s pretty, right?”

“Yes sir” they grin like idiot

“Well, you all can only see but can’t touch” Seulgi said arrogantly “Alright, for the café team, just standby anytime. Jackson and Chanyeol, you two can go to the office tomorrow. Tonight I will give you two further briefing”

“Okay sir”

Seungwan takes over the briefing with the bodyguards while Seulgi listens to them attentively. Sometimes he checks his phone just in case Irene texts him. She said she will text him once she finish meeting with her manager

…………………

Today Seulgi is nervous because he will meet with his girlfriend for the first time after five months dating. Since morning, he is not able to focus on everything he does. All he thinks about is meeting Irene in person. They plan to meet at the café near the company after office hour

Meanwhile, Irene is very excited for the first date. She can’t suppress her smile after Seulgi asked her out last night. She knows she will be shy during their meeting later but the other side of her looks forward to seeing her boyfriend. Her mood is really good today

As soon as the digital clock in their office shows 5 PM, Irene quickly gets ready. She fixes her make-up and dress before leaving the office. Suddenly, nervous feeling taking over the excitement

‘Aigoo, why am I suddenly nervous?’ she thought

She walks leisurely to her car and calms herself before driving to the destination. Seulgi already texted her that he just arrived at the café a few minutes ago. 10 minutes later, she arrived

“Calm down, Bae Joohyun. You’re meeting Seulgi, not his family” she cheer herself up

After making sure her appearance is good, she gets out of the car and heads to the entrance. Once she opens the door, she slowly searches for Seulgi. She looks to the right corner and her eyes capture the familiar monolid eyes that she has loved since the past few months. Seulgi waves his hands then beckons Irene to come to the table. She nervously approaching him

“Hi” Seulgi greet first

“Hi” Irene reply awkwardly

Seulgi pulls the chair for Irene then he sits back on his chair “What do you want to drink?”

“Latte”

“Eat?”

Irene thinks for a few seconds “I don’t know. Have you ordered it already?”

“No, I’m waiting for you so that we can eat together”

“Just order anything but don’t order a lot. I’m not really hungry”

“What about ramen and fried dumplings? I heard they serve octopus ramyun here. I want to try it” Seulgi said

“That sound good too”

“Okay, I will go to the counter” Seulgi goes to the counter to order their food. He come back with a cup of latte that Irene wanted “Latte for Baechu”

“Thank you” Irene smile shyly

Seulgi stares at Irene who takes a sip of her warm latte “So, how’s work?”

“I’m a bit busy today. We are meeting about dinner preparation to welcome our new CEO” Irene answered. The awkwardness slowly faded as Seulgi initiate their talk

“Oh, your company will have a new CEO soon?”

“Yeah, our director said he already at Korea but haven’t join the company yet because president and his daughters still busy”

“The new CEO is a man?” Seulgi acting clueless

“Yup”

“Is he handsome?”

Irene shrugs “I don’t know. No one ever sees him. He is hidden from the public. Even our manager never sees him. That guy is still mysterious”

Seulgi just laughing at Irene remarks “Calm down. You will see him soon”

“What about you? Are you not working today?” Irene turn her attention to Seulgi

“Today is my off-day so I have time to go out with you”

“Is your working time still the same as before?”

“No, now I start working from 9 AM until 7 PM. The café related but management is different”

“Yeah, at least you can rest early. Make sure you not skip your meal” Irene say seriously

“Yes boss” Seulgi show V sign to his girlfriend

“Next time I want to visit that café. I want to taste the coffee that you made”

Seulgi knows this will come so he is not shocked “Okay, I will text you the address. It is not really far from here. Inform me early so I can prepare special coffee for you”

Irene pouted “I want to see you make coffee in front of me. I watch a lot of barista video so I want to watch it live too”

“Alright, I show you how to make coffee”

“Okay!” Irene said excitedly. She doesn't know Seulgi is already nervous to death because he does not expect Irene will request to see him making coffee. He have to make other plan when he go home later

Waiter comes with their food and they start eating. They talk about many topics. Now they are comfortable around each other. Seulgi treats Irene gently so that she is not awkward anymore. She look forward for more date with him

After spending time at the café, Seulgi walks Irene to her car. Suddenly, they feel something on their face

“Omo! First snow!” Irene squeals. It is the first snow of this year and they luckily watch it together “Seulgi let’s make a wish. People said, if we make a wish when we see first snow, our wish will comes true”

“Really?”

“Yes, make your wish quickly”

“Okay” Seulgi obeyed. Both of them clasped their hands together and close their eyes to make a wish

“Done!” Irene said “I hope our wish will comes true”

“Yeah, I hope so. This is first time I see first snow with my girlfriend’

Irene turned her face to Seulgi “You never see it with your ex-girlfriend?”

“Nope, I see it with Seungwan or sometimes I don’t know when weather start snowing” both of them laughing

“We should go home now before it gets cold. Don’t forget to drink warm water when you get home. Don’t catch cold”

“Okay, you also drive carefully. I can’t you back since our route is different” Seulgi fixing Irene jacket hood to cover her from the snow

“It’s okay. You shouldn’t stay outside for too long. You only ride a motorbike. It not safe riding on slippery road” Irene say worriedly

Seulgi move close