CHAPTER 48

“Hana”

She almost jumps in her seat but breathes out in relief as she sees that it was only Kris, he placed down his glass on the table and takes her hand “Come on” she purses her lips, if he was going to introduce her around once again, her legs will collapse. “Kris, I think I've met everyone already”

He chuckles and takes her hand, gently tugging on it and she stands up “Not that, come on”

She puffs out a breath and follows him, eventually they stop and Kris turns around, he takes both of her hands and places them on his shoulder before his falls on her waist and slowly, they swayed. “Sorry, I never asked someone to dance so I don't know how to ask you” he chuckles.

And the moment hits her as she looks around and sees other people swaying along to the soft music. They were in the middle of the dance floor yet no one else around them seemed to matter. She turned back to him with a surprised look on her face but he only smiled at her.

“Did you greet your dad?” she asks, striking up a conversation.

Kris's face falls blank, he looks elsewhere and sighs “Yeah... the guys are having drinks upstairs later” he drove the subject away and Hana was quick to catch up. She clears and they fall quiet for awhile.

“You look beautiful tonight” he compliments out of the blues.

As expected, her face turns red but she laughs it off; she looks at him “That's a first” he tilts his head to the side and she bites her lower lip, keeping her hands from pinching his cheeks as he actually looked adorable.

“Are you happy?” he asks; blinking her eyes at his question she smiles and nods “I'm always happy”

“Before me?” she chuckles at his question and repeats her previous words.

“What about now?” she softly smiles “Very...”

He was quiet for a while then he breaks his mouth open to speak again “After me?”

And her smile just fades.

“Ladies and gentlemen” the music stops as the female host appears on stage and spoke through the mic. People stopped dancing, everyone turned their attention to the person on stage. He grabbed her hand, suddenly feeling his stomach drop to the ground. “Thank you; Chairman Wu would like to say a few words to you all tonight” she smiles and the Chairman appears on stage, he takes the mic.

He clears his throat before bringing the mic close to his lips.

“Good evening everyone; it has been a long time since I've visited again and I'm thankful that you all came to celebrate with me tonight. I've lived for fifty-five years and I've taken care of Wu Enterprise and Wu Prime for a good thirty six years; I have been married, I have had my highs and lows yet I still stand today”

he pauses and smiles.

“It's very heart warming to have my family celebrate with me tonight especially my children: Yi Fan and Stephanie” he looks at each of his child “I'm most grateful that my son came here tonight; Son, I am proud of you...”

Hana looks at Kris who was frozen in his spot, his face was blank and his eyes were empty. His grip on her hand was tight but not enough to hurt her, all she could so was wonder what was running through his mind.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for the thirty six years that I've been a chairman of Wu Prime, I have experienced both success and failure, I have gained friends and enemies alike, I have experience the wonders and horrors of the business world and tonight, ladies and gentlemen... I say to you, I had a good run and it's time to step down”

And the whole room just seemed to have held their breaths.

Tao almost dropped his glass of wine, Chanyeol suddenly froze and Suho turned his head to the stage “What?” was all he could say.

Lay –who stood with Baekhyun and Luhan- couldn't believe what he had just heard and so could the other two. Baekhyun turned to the two of them “What is he talking about?”

Luhan swallowed hard and spoke “Not sure yet... Lay?”

The latter didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, Xiumin turned to Kyungsoo, he looked as equally surprised “Kyungsoo, did he just...” he trailed off as Kyungsoo raised a hand to stop him.

Kai let out a breath while Chen chuckled turning to him “Wow, how unexpected... don't you think so, Kai?” Sehun walks over to the two and takes a sip of his drink “Chen” he calls

“Hm?”

“I think you've misheard Chairman” Kai tells him. Chen smirks and turns to Sehun with a sigh “Sehun, you heard it too, right?” Kai turns to the both of them. “What exactly did the chairman say, Sehun?”

And just as the other CEOs were going to celebrate for the step down of one of the most powerful men in the competition...

“And I say this because I am confident that my successor will do a much better job than I did. Ladies and gentlemen, effective this evening, I present to you the new Chairman of Wu Prime, my son, pride and honor, Wu Yi Fan”

Hana.

I turned my head, looking at the guy who was standing beside me, holding my hand and it hits me.

The sound of applause, the smiling people around us, the congratulatory remarks people were throwing at our direction; Kris had just been announced as the new Chairman.

“Kris...” I call out his name and he finally turns his head to look at me. Surprise written all over his eyes as he releases my hand and walks to the stage. I don't know what to feel but a smile just makes its way on my lips and I clap my hands along with the rest of the people in the room.

Actually, I feel proud.

“Hana, come on” Kris calls, holding his hand out to me. I bow to Sonya and her husband then walk towards him; “Where are we going?” I ask him as I take his hand. The grand ball room that was once filled, was now slowly beginning to get empty as guests left one by one.

The party was over.

“We have to say goodbye” he said. Oh right... it also meant that we were gonna leave. We approach the... Well, ex. The former chairman of the company; he was talking to some people, perhaps saying goodbye to him aswell seeing as they shook hands and he waved them off.

His father smiled when he saw us approaching and is wear, I've never seen a happier man that Mr. Wu. Upon seeing us though, Kris's aunt rolled her eyes and walked off. Aigo... she really does hate me.

“Ah Kris, leaving?” his father asks. He seems calm. “Yeah...” Kris gives a bow and I follow abruptly “Thank you for the invitation... sir”

Mr. Wu chuckles and places a hand on his son's shoulder “Thank you son, for coming... and congratulations too, I trust the company is in good hands” Kris nods his head with a blank face. We both turn around to leave, his father's hand falling from his shoulder as we do so.

Not even an embrace? Not even halfway into the room, I just suddenly let go of his hand and ran back to his dad. I don't know what am I doing nor do I really know why I'm doing this but I do know that more than anything else, I won't have another chance like this.

“Hana!” I heard Kris call back.

I stopped before a confused father and the next thing I know, I just wrapped my arms around his waist considering his tall figure. I don't know how long it has been but I know that he returned the gesture and even chuckled. As I pulled away, I gave him a bright smile.

“Thank you, sir. I forgot to tell you, Happy Birthday!”

Kris couldn't believe his eyes. Did his girlfriend just do that? Did she just... hug him?

Surprised but quite touched by the action, the aged man chuckled in amusement and patted the young lady's head “Thank you aswell, Hana-ssi... Kris better take care of you” her smile softens.

The way he said, sounded just like her father. Taking one last bow, she turns around and meets Kris halfway, he stood stunned in the middle of the room. He looks back at his father, who simply gives him a smile and wave. He felt little again. Like the little boy who got lost a long time ago.

POP! The cork came flying out and champagne sprinkled out of the bottle, everyone in the room raised their glasses as Tao raised the bottle and poured the clear crisp drink onto everyone's glasses.

“A toast to the new chairman!” Suho raises his glass and gives Kris a bright smile. The newly appointed chairman raised his glass in acknowledgment; he snakes his arm behind Hana's back and pulls her closer to his side “I've got my lucky charm, right here” he gives her a quick wink and she smiles.

Chen chuckles and takes a sip of his drink. He then asks “Shall we appoint the new CEO then?”

Everyone turns to Kris, he sips on the champagne and puts on a thinking face for awhile, he then turns to them and announces “Tomorrow, at a meeting, we'll do it by votes” agreeing to the new big boss, everyone nods their head and continues on with the celebration.

They were all in a club, Kai got a spot for them on the second floor where it was a bit more private. It was one of those expensive spots that you needed to book months before you get your turn but fortunately, for him and the others waiting was not in their options.

The place was packed actually, party-goers here and there. A tuxedo was not probably fitting but everything was unexpected and they could all care less, they could buy out the whole club if they wanted to.

“Oh, spotted something... be right back” Kai announces and walks off. Suho rolls his eyes as he saw him approach a female in a little black dress “Casanova” he mumbles. Chanyeol, Sehun and Chen go down to the dance floor after leaving their coats on the leather couch.

The sound of music was louder downstairs compared to where they were because of the glass that gave private seclusion to the party goers that were lucky –or rich- enough to afford the spots.

Hana took a seat as did the rest.

“Honestly, that was unexpected” Baekhyun said, putting down his glass of champagne and grabbed a cherry from the bowl in the middle of the table “Very. I actually thought someone was gonna get fired” Tao chuckles and Hana laughs along “Yeah, me too...”

Kris raises a brow, he turns to her “What do you mean?”

“Oh, um... Kyungsoo told me someone might get fired tonight” she bats her lashes innocently; Kris shoots a look at Kyungsoo –who just shrugged and leaned back on the couch. The little prick lied to me! “She was gonna know anyway” he mumbles in a calm manner.

Of all the members of the committee, Kyungsoo was most calm when he deals with Kris, it was like he could stand in the same room as Kris, sitting down and sipping on a cup of coffee while Kris turns the room upside down and he won't even flinch.

“I wonder why no one did get fired as suspected, though” Lay wonders out loud. Tired of reaching over for some cherries, Baekhyun takes the whole bowl and sets it on his lap, Tao –who sat beside him- shared the cherries; he popped one into his mouth and spoke “So, what happens now?” Tao asks.

“Yeah...” Lay chimes along “I mean, now that your chairman you have to report to the main office”

Kris's face falls blank “And the main office is in China” Xiumin adds. Tao tosses him a cherry which he successfully catches with his mouth. Luhan leans forward and grabs the bottle of champagne to pour himself some more, he looks over at Kris.

Hana gets up from her seat, setting down her glass “I have to go to the bathroom”

Luhan glances at Suho. The latter casually gets up and sets down his own glass “Come on, I'll you there... wouldn't want another brawl” he chuckles, joking about the last time they were in a club. Agreeing to the offer, the two walk off. As soon as they were out of ear shot, Luhan turns back to Kris.

He picks up his once again, filled up glass and leans back in his seat “You know, you can't take her” he finally says.

Kris frowns “And why the not?”

“Just because she's your girlfriend and you don't wanna be apart; Kris, let's be professional... you know that romantic relationships have their limits especially in the business world” Tao points out.

“She's my PA”

“You're gonna cause a controversy and it will do you, the company, us and her, no good” Lay explains but he didn't seem like he was close to agreeing. “And let's say you can under certain circumstances, take her there, do you think she'll say yes?” Xiumin questions

“Yes” he directly replies. A sigh escapes Baekhyun's lips. “Hyung, you know there's still time”

“For what?” Kris asks, staring to get a little agitated. “You can always back down on being chairman and let Chun sit down”

Kris let's out a breath; he found Baekhyun's suggestion to be ridiculous. He has worked far too hard to get the position, this was finally the first phase of his plans on taking away everything from his father yet here they were, suggesting that he gives it up and stay a CEO in order not to move to China.

“No” he firmly answers.

“Then you choose” Kyungsoo spoke “The position you've worked hard for or Kim Hana”

And he just fell quiet.

(LOL, me right now. okay going to sleep)

It's 3:44 AM here in the Philippines, there's a super typhoon and it's freaking cold but I wanted to update you guys so badly. Anyway, the end really is near ~ I think I'll do a sequel as continuation kekeke ~ would you all like that?

I've been receiving comments that critique this story, thank you so much for that! I will promise to keep things interesting and not disappoint you! ^^

As always, thank you for the continuing rising number of subbies, comments and upvotes! I really think I still need improvement but thank you all for encouraging me to try harder and always give it my best! KAMSA! <3

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