1 CHAPTER ONE
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it". A male voice called out in agony and dread. Its owner twisting all around the bed, eyes closed with beads of sweats all over his body as he tightly clutched the bed cover.
"Jin Woo, wake up. It's me Ji Hoo". Another voice could be heard as its owner tried waking the body up.
"No!!". Jin Woo shouted as he shot awake, guilt written all over his face.
"Are you alright"?. Ji Hoo asked worried, pouring him a glass of water by the bed stand.
"Hmm. Sorry for waking you up".
"I doubt you really are, cause if you are, you wouldn't be keeping what happened a secret. Hell even your therapist knows nothing". Ji Hoo said frustrated.
"Its really nothing. I'll be fine".
"Well I really hope so since you've been saying that for years now, yet I see no changes or improvement in your nightmares". Ji Hoo gave him a pointed look.
"Don't do that you remind me of uncle". Jin Woo chuckled trying to change the topic
"You really won't say a thing". Ji Hoo sighed looking defeated.
"There's nothing more to say Ji Hoo, I'm fine". He smiled
"Just know that regardless, we'll always be there for you Jin Woo. At least let Mr Min in on what is going on".
"What a caring son in law you are". Jin Woo said with a raised brow
"Its all my charm. But don't forget I'm always here". Ji Hoo replied with a serious face
"Yes dad. Now go to sleep". Jin Woo playfully rolled his eyes
"Don't roll your eyes at me boy". Ji Hoo imitated his dad making them both chuckle.
Letting out a fake yawn, Jin Woo waved his hands at Ji Hoo as he said "Good night now. Go to sleep".
"Calm down, I'm going, what's the hurry?".
"Sorry, my bad". Jin Woo mock surrendered
"Bye. Good night". Ji Hoo shook his head as he stood up to leave after giving Jin Woo a tap on his shoulder
"More like Good morning. Its 1:00am". Jin Woo smirked.
"Bye". Ji Hoo ignored him and left the room.
Jin Woo stared into space towards the door as Ji Hoo shut it after leaving. With guilt and pain in his heart, he apologized to him and everyone before laying on his bed.
"I wish you'd open up and ask for help". Ji Joo whispered as he stood outside Jin Woo's room door, helplessness and frustration evident in his eyes. Before he turned back and walked to his room opposite Jin Woo's.
******
"You should overcome your fear of driving. I mean some day you'll need to take your girl out on a date in private. And I'm sure you wouldn't want me to be your driver not that I'm complaining though". Ji Hoo said
They were on their way to the office and Ji Hoo was the one driving since Jin Woo has always been scared of driving ever since his parents accident. He also didn't trust anyone as his driver except Ji Hoo, his uncle and their friend, Seo Woo
"Oh wait you'd need to have a girl first". He added with a smirk before chuckling
"I really need to get myself a driver". Jin Woo shook his head making Ji Hoo laugh
"But to be honest, you do need a driver's license". Ji Hoo said before adding. "One that needs to be put to use". When he saw Jin Woo about to argue
"You can't let yourself stay stuck in the past forever Jin Woo. Life has a lot to offer if only you'd come out of your shell ". He said worriedly as he stared at him once he stopped at a red light.
"You don't have to become a motivator to prove your point Ji Hoo". Jin Woo chuckle. "And I don't think I'll ever need to drive myself, I have you, uncle and Seo Woo. Besides you said it already I'd need to have a girl first which we both know is impossible". He added with a smug look
"You really don't want to talk about it?". Ji Hoo asked as he began moving
"Maybe someday". Jin Woo whispered with his eyes closed as he rested his head on the seat head rest
"Alright we're here. Get up". Ji Hoo said parking the car in front of the office building. The guards came to open the door and the valet collected the key.
"Good morning Sir, Good morning Sir". They greeted
"Good morning". Ji Hoo replied cheerfully as always
"Morning". Jin Woo replied stoicly, his normal behaviour with others or at work
"You should try smiling a little". Ji Hoo reprimanded with a sigh as they made their way into the building
"I do smile. Just not unnecessarily". Jin Woo said in a bored tune
"Ahh. You hurt my feelings Jin Woo". Ji Hoo faked hurt while Jin Woo ignored him
"Good morning, Mr Lee, Mr Kim". The receptionist greeted with a proper smile
"Good morning Mary". Ji Hoo replied with a wink making her blush
"Morning Mary". Jin Woo shook his head as he walked past not sparing a glance.
"It stil baffles me how Hye Ri puts up with you without dumping your ass yet". Jin Woo muttered in confusion as the elevators' door closed. The building had three elevators; one for them i.e the company actual owners; the second for the other executives i.e board members and management and important guest; the third for the workers and others i.e delivery men and so on. Then the stairs.
"Its all love dude. And you'll one day understand once you stop locking your brain and heart in work". He winked.
"I'll be going now, see you in 30 minutes". Ji Hoo said once they walked out the elevator before skipping towards his office.
"Hmm see you"
"Good morning Sir". Jeong So Ra (Ji Woo's secretary) greeted standing up as she slightly bowed
"Morning". He replied with a tight smile. Honestly she was the only one who ever saw him smile even if lip tightened. "In ten minutes time bring the meeting file and my coffee please". He added before walking off to his office
"Yes Sir". She replied
Walking into his office, he scanned it making sure all was in place before giving a satisfactory nod. He went towards his office chair and hung his coat over it. He walked towards his floor length glass window behind the chair and stood by it, his gaze upon his favourite toy shop as a kid. Memories of the past lurking in his mind. Then he walked towards the right side of his office and his eyes caught the company's logo. A 3D Logo standing separately from the building in proudly spelling the company's name {K-LEEM CO.} .
The building which is now a 15-storey glass building was once a 3-storey brick building. It was founded by his dad, uncle (Mr Lee Dae So) along with his therapist (Mr Min Jun Sun) -who was just a shareholder since his line of study was quite different, they were all best friends. The company started with its main domain being phone gadget making but now has grown to be involved in different sectors like home appliances, fashion industry, food industry, education sector and Medical sector. Though all sectors have their main headquarters in the 15-storey glass building with other branches in Korea and around the world. Not bragging but the company only branched to the sectors of fashion, food and education and began having branches around the world when he and his cousin Ji Hoo took over. They now have a phone gadget branch in USA, fashion branch in Paris, Food branch in China, Nigeria and Italy. And they are about to open a new fashion sector in Indian. Though they do have branches in Korea; 2 phone gadget branches; 1 fashion branch; 5 food branches (2 five star and 3 normal restaurant); 2 educational branches(1 day 1 boarding). They also have plans of going into hotel sector although that is just a proposal.
He was pulled out of his reverie by a knock on the door. "Come in". He said not breaking contact with the logo
"The file and your coffee Sir". So Ra said as she walked in
"Hmm, take it to the table".
"Is everything set for the meeting". He asked finally turning to look at her though his gaze met hers for just a second before it settled on the file.
"Yes, but not all board members have arrived".
"Hmmm. Okay, you can leave".
"Yes".
*********
"I almost died of boredom there. If the meeting had lasted longer by a minute, I would have surely fainted. I'm so hungry". Ji Hoo complained throwing his coat unto Jin Woo's office sofa before settling on the chair in front of Jin Woo who gave him a stern glare.
"Araso, araso. I'm taking it. OCD". He sighed defeated as he lazily got up to pick his coat then gentle folded it before placing it behind his chair
"Happy now?". He fake smiled
"Hmm". Jin Woo replied before getting back to work
"Were you even listening to what I said before?". Ji Hoo raised an eyebrow
"What did you say?". He asked focused on his work
"I'm hungry". Ji Hoo sighed
"You ate four hours ago" Jin Woo pointed out
"If you were listening to me, you'd have heard me mention its because of the meeting which was prolonged by someone". Ji Hoo lifted an accusing brow
"You're always hungry Ji Hoo, Don't find an excuse". Jin Woo raised his head and gave him a 'duh'@ look then returned back to work
"You're right about that though". He agreed thoughtfully
"Don't you have something to do. Like work?". Jin Woo sighed
"I do but I came for something important". He shrugged
"I see". Jin Woo replied uninterested
"Mr Min called". Ji Hoo's voice suddenly became serious -which is unlike him- halting Jin Woo for a bit before he continued with work
"Hmm"
"Why". Ji Hoo asked calmly
"I've been busy". He shrugged
"Jin Woo your health is at concern here"
"Exactly why you should let me take care of it". He sighed
"Okay". Ji Hoo smiled before pressing the intercom earning a look from Jin Woo
"Yes Sir". So Ra's voice rang out
"Please come in". He replied before removing his finger
"Come in". Ji Hoo said when they heard a knock.
"Yes Sir". She slightly bowed as she entered
"What's Mr Kims' schedule for today"
"Signing files sir"
"No lunch meetings"
"No sir"
"Hmmm, you may go". He said with a small wave and his million dollar smile. Only like always she wasn't affected by it. Instead she turned towards Jin Woo asking for his approval
Jin Woo who had been sitting down watching everything with an amused look nodded at her
"Yes Sir". She slightly bowed again before leaving
"Its still beyond me how she resists my charm unlike the others". Ji Hoo said after she left
"Because I personally hired her not you". Jin Woo pointed out
"Humbleness seems to be an attribute you lack". He sneered
"It's called self-pride". Jin Woo corrected with a smirk
"Whatever. I'll be going. Be sure to be ready in an hour". He said standing up
"Why". Jin Woo asked confused
"For a therapist visit to Mr Min. And don't you dare try to squeeze your way out else you'll have to deal with dad". He smirked
"Bye, don't forget. Ah, you're not gonna forget". He chuckle as he quoted a line from one of their favorite childhood cartoon 'Family Guy' before he left, leaving a dumbfounded Jin Woo behind.
"Babo". He muttered with a sigh as he left.
"Heard that". Ji Hoo called out as he stuck his head in, through the office door before finally leaving earning be a chuckle from Jin Woo.
