**Hi Guys, this is only a repost of chapter 23. I heard there could be some people who could not see some parts of chapter 23.

Chapter 23

06:22PM, Gangnam

Sulli and Minho were walking hand in hand in the streets of Gangnam.

“I’m glad to know that it was a good conversation with your Dad.” Said Sulli. “Next time, let’s go visit him again. Let’s bring him things to read.”

Minho nodded.

“So… what are the plans now?” asked Sulli.

“The stock prices of Empire went down due to the issues with my Dad and Siwon. I have to fix it. It will take months or even years to bring the prices back on top shape, but I will work it out. I promised to take care of the company, right?” asked Minho.

Sulli nodded.

“That means you’re going to be really busy the next years.” Said Sulli.

Minho sighed.

“I will try to speed it up as much as I can.” Said Minho.

“Do you need my help in Empire? Asked Sulli.

“If you’re by my side, that would give me energy every day.” Said Minho.

“If you go home every day, you’ll see me every day.” Said Sulli. “What I’m saying is… do you still need me to work for Empire?”

“Hmm… do you want to?” asked Minho.

“Isn’t that going to be awkward? I am not yet fit to get a manager position and yet I can no longer work at my old position because everyone knows who I am by now.” Said Sulli.

True. Sulli is making sense.

“Then, you can work with me. I’ll make you a position.” Said Minho.

Sulli shook her head.

“That’s unnecessary.” Said Sulli. “I had been thinking about it and… I want to try and apply work in another company, a company that is not related with Empire.”

“Why do you want to do that?” asked Minho.

“I just… feel bad that I wasn’t able to get promoted in Empire through my hard work. I immediately became the owner just like that when I was already decided to work hard and achieve the promotion with my skills.” Said Sulli. “That is why I want to work in an environment where I can be a normal employee, work hard like everyone else, get promoted to a team leader position and then to a manager position and then to an executive. I want to do it step by step and prove myself that indeed I have the skills and capability to make it on top.”

Sulli wrapped her arm around Minho’s.

“I want to be like you.” Said Sulli.

“It’s going to be hard work.” Said Minho.

“I want to work hard. You will work hard for Empire and I will work hard for that new company.” Said Sulli.

“If we both get busy, what if we don’t get to talk that much anymore?” asked Minho.

“Let’s assign a date night every week to make sure we won’t be too busy. And let’s make sure we don’t work on weekends.” Said Sulli.

“You really want to work huh?” asked Minho.

Sulli nodded with determination. Sulli can just be a housewife… she can stop working and just rely on Minho. But her fighter spirit is burning and Minho can’t be the one to put the fire off. This side of Sulli is also one of the things that Minho found interesting in his wife even before they got married. She can do things if she’s motivated and focused. How can he just keep her at home?

“All right. But let’s try to go home every night ok? Even if there are overtimes, let’s try to still sleep together every night.” Said Minho.

Sulli nodded with a wide smile.

“Yes, of course. I don’t think I can ever sleep well without you anyway.” Said Sulli

Minho made a satisfied nod.

“Let’s go home, Mom said she’s cooking dinner for us.” Said Minho.

“All right!”

-------------------------

Two years later

10:03AM, Gangnam

Sulli sighed.

Minho forgot it. He has never forgotten their anniversary. He has really good memories on dates and events. So why did he forget their anniversary yesterday?

“Tsk! He’s getting on my nerves.” Said Sulli

“The Director?” asked a woman sitting in front of Sulli.

“huh?” asked Sulli.

“Are you getting irritated with his last minute requests?” asked the woman.

Sulli shook her head.

“The last minute changes were necessary so it’s beyond the Director’s control, Vic. I just don’t like it that I have to work over time tonight just to do all of the requests.” Said Sulli.

“Right…” said Vic. “You weren’t able to celebrate your anniversary yet with your husband. Now you even have to work overtime.”

Sulli nodded.

Celebrate their anniversary? Minho doesn’t even remember it.

“Just think of it in a good way, Sulli.” Said Vic. “Everyone knows you’re going to be promoted soon, maybe that’s why the Director is giving you the big projects. I heard our company has a new contract with Empire, there will be a new project manager position that will open, you are the best candidate to fill that position. You will be an executive soon.”

Sulli smiled.  That’s a good theory, but a theory that will not happen.

“Sulli, the Director is looking for you.” Said another woman.

“I hope it’s not another request.” Said Vic. “Good luck.”

Sulli nodded and then she went to the Director’s office.

“Take a seat.” Said the Director.

Sulli sat across the Director.

“Ms. Choi, are you sure you really do not want to accept the position I was offering you? It’s a big promotion. You will be an executive. I thought that was your aim from the start? When we hired you, your experience from Empire helped the company a lot. I think you’re really suited for the position. That is why I am persuading you to accept it.” Said the Director.

Sulli took a deep breath.

“Director, I really can’t accept the position.” Said Sulli. “Because it would be a big conflict of interest.”

“What do you mean?” asked the Director.

This is hard. Sulli tried to work away from Empire so that she can establish her own career, but now that Empire has made a contract with Finest Company, Sulli will have to reveal the things she wanted to hide.

“I’m an Empire shareholder.” Said Sulli.

“Share…holder?” asked the Director.

Sulli nodded.

The Director faked a cough.

 “If you’re just a preferred share holder maybe it won’t be an issue.” Said the Director.

“I… have quite a number of shares, Director. I assure you that letting me work with Empire is going to be an issue for Finest.” Said Sulli.

“Give me an idea. Help me understand, how much share are we talking about? You can just give an estimate. If it’s too little, it won’t be a problem.” Said the Director.

Estimate? This time, she really has to be straight forward.

“Do you know David Choi?” asked Sulli

“Oh you mean the owner of Empire who has already died?” asked the Director.

“He’s my father. All his shares went to me.” Said Sulli.

The Director’s eyes widened.

“Do you know Edward Choi?” asked Sulli.

 “Yes. The co-owner.”

“Edward Choi’s shares was split between his two sons. One of his son even got additional shares on top of Edward’s. That son is now the CEO of Empire, that CEO is my husband.” Said Sulli.

The Director gulped.

“I did not want to reveal this to you. I wanted to work here peacefully away from Empire because I want to prove myself that I have skills and that I have the ability to succeed in the corporate ladder on my own. But this happened, so I had no choice but to tell you.” Said Sulli.

The Director is stunned beyond words.

“I just met the CEO of Empire this morning. Are you saying he’s your husband?” asked the Director.

Sulli nodded.

Sulli took her wallet and showed it to the CEO. Her wallet had a picture of her and Minho together on the night of their simple wedding at a small church.

“This is indeed Empire’s CEO.” Said the Director. “But how… I mean…”

Sulli’s phone rang. Sulli took a peek.