Perfect Possession - Episode 61

With an awkward smile, Jaehoon greeted Director Park, who entered as usual.

 

“I should have come to see you, but I’ve been a bit busy.”

 

“Playing with your son?”

 

“Well, something like that.”

 

“But I think I just saw Chief Han leaving. Were you in the middle of something important?”

 

“No, it’s nothing. How have you been?”

 

“Same as always. Just fishing and living like a bum.”

 

Director Park rarely came to the company unless there was a shareholders’ meeting or an urgent matter. It had already been two years since he stepped down from the company.

 

He must have been very distressed having to constantly reprimand President Park for his frequent mistakes. That’s how much he loved his only son, President Park.

 

In the past, Jaehoon would have thought his unconditional love for the incompetent and irresponsible President Park was foolish. In fact, when he quit working at the company because of President Park, Jaehoon avoided meeting him for a while because he couldn’t understand it.

 

But now, Jaehoon understood Director Park’s feelings a little better. That didn’t mean he would let Tae-yul grow up to be an incompetent person like President Park, though.

 

“I came today to say something that will make you resent me.”

 

“Please, go ahead.”

 

Director Park took a sip of water, looking nervous, then looked at Jaehoon as if he had made up his mind.

 

“Chairman Han is thinking of putting President Park on this European project.”

 

“I see.”

 

Director Park was even more surprised to see Jaehoon’s calm demeanor, showing no signs of surprise. Then he admitted that Jaehoon would have already figured out Chairman Han’s intentions.

 

But even then, Director Park thought Jaehoon was calm because he didn’t know President Park was taking his place.

 

“You’re not surprised.”

 

“Well, I doubt Director Park recommended it. President Park probably saw an easy opportunity and asked Chairman Han for a favor. Surely, his father wouldn’t deliberately push me out and put President Park in that position? He knows how dangerous that is.”

 

He said it like a joke, but Jaehoon’s eyes, which weren’t smiling, made Director Park realize that he knew everything. Director Park’s expression also hardened.

 

“You knew.”

 

“How could I not know what happened at Do-young?”

 

“I had a lot of worries. I know better than anyone how enthusiastic you were about this project. I opposed it at first. I know my son better than anyone. But that kid knelt down and cried.”

 

Jaehoon listened to Director Park without saying a word.

 

“He said he could finish it well now. He said he wanted to contribute to Do-young even a little bit by finishing this project well since he had only caused trouble until now. I know how nonsensical that is. I understand it well as a company person but it doesn’t work that way from a parent’s point of view.”

 

Director Park drank water again and quickly continued.

 

“The Vice President may not understand, but I want to give my incompetent son at least a spoonful of rice.”

 

“Even though that table was set by someone else, you still feel that way?”

 

“That’s a father’s heart.”

 

Jaehoon smiled bitterly. If it were Chairman Han, he probably would have cut off such a son first. If he was an incompetent son who wasn’t helpful to him.

 

“You don’t understand, do you?”

 

“I do.”

 

Jaehoon said honestly. Director Park, who was looking at him with a surprised face, smiled weakly.

 

“I see. You have a son now too.”

 

“It’s not necessarily that. If I had such a son, I would have done anything to make sure my son grew up to be a responsible person. I wouldn’t be so busy just standing by and hiding things. So, don’t compare my son to President Park.”

 

“So, it’s my fault after all.”

 

“I’ll give you a chance. If President Park can finish it well, that will be his ability.”

 

“Re-really?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Only then did Director Park give an apologetic smile and reached out his hand.

 

“Thank you. I’m counting on you.”

 

“Counting on me? Now President Park will have to do everything himself. You can’t say you’re counting on me when you’ve been pushed out of the person in charge position, can you? I’m only human.”

 

Director Park stared intently at Jaehoon. Nothing could be read in his dark eyes, as if they were hidden by dark curtains.

 

He wondered if he was really stepping down willingly or if he was sharpening a different knife.

 

Now that things had turned out this way, Director Park decided that he had no choice but to help President Park finish this project well. He got up from his seat.

 

“Then I’ll take that as a yes and go back now.”

 

“Goodbye.”

 

Jaehoon escorted Director Park to the door as usual. As he left, Jaehoon went to the window and was lost in thought. The forest of buildings seen from the window seemed more spectacular than any natural scenery today.

 

***

 

Seo-yeon had no way of knowing that an emergency board meeting had been called and that Jaehoon was unable to attend. She only guessed that something serious had happened to him when he said he had taken a few days off.

 

Seo-yeon took Tae-yul in his stroller and waited for Jaehoon, being mindful of her expression. No matter how determined she was to become stronger, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the difficult situation Jaehoon was going through.

 

His left cheek must have been bruised by Chairman Han. Just thinking about it made her angry at Chairman Han and unforgiving. On the other hand, her feelings of guilt towards Jaehoon grew.

 

But Seo-yeon straightened her shoulders, shaking off the guilt that kept making her shrink. He would need an encouraging wife more than a wife who blamed herself and felt sorry for him right now.

 

“Tae-yul, is the car fun?”

 

Seo-yeon asked, watching Tae-yul shake his body back and forth while holding the stroller’s safety bar.

 

“Tae-yul car.”

 

Tae-yul said, tapping the stroller. Tae-yul knew exactly what “Let’s go pick up Daddy” meant. Knowing that Jaehoon always came by car, Tae-yul always rode in the stroller when going to the parking lot. He even made car noises, calling it his car.

 

“Vroom, vroom.”

 

When he stuck out his lips and made vroom, vroom sounds, even spitting, it sounded like a real boy’s voice, making Seo-yeon laugh.

 

“Are you driving like Daddy?”

 

“Daddy? Come?”

 

“He’s coming now. Oh, I just heard a car sound. Did you hear it?”

 

Following Seo-yeon, who widened her eyes, Tae-yul rounded his lips, sparkled his eyes, and perked up his ears. As Seo-yeon said, when the sound of a car was heard, Tae-yul called out to Jaehoon loudly.

 

“Daddy? Daddy? Mommy Daddy?”

 

When he heard the car sound, Tae-yul repeatedly called out to Jaehoon and pointed to the parking lot entrance. At that moment, as the parking lot door slid open, Tae-yul jumped up in his stroller. Butler Park, who was waiting with them, quickly grabbed the stroller.

 

“Young Master.”

 

Ms. Kim quickly picked him up and handed him to Seo-yeon.

 

“This kid is dangerous.”

 

Seo-yeon said to Tae-yul and looked at the car coming in. When Jaehoon got out of the car, Hyun-shik followed.

 

“Daddy?”

 

Tae-yul tried to get to Jaehoon, making it increasingly difficult for Seo-yeon to hold him.

 

“This rascal, you’re making Mommy tired.”

 

Jaehoon quickly ran over and picked up Tae-yul. Tae-yul called out to his dad and hugged his neck tightly.

 

“You have no idea. He called you more than ten times.”

 

“Was it that much? I guess a son is always on his father’s side?”

 

Jaehoon smiled, but awkwardly smiled at Seo-yeon’s gaze, which was staring at him intently. Her gaze was on his left cheek. Fortunately, the redness had almost disappeared, so it wasn’t noticeable at first glance.

 

“Why?”

 

“Oh, nothing. But is it really a vacation?”

 

“After playing once, I kept wanting to play. I’ll just play for a bit. Why, do you not like it?”

 

“No. I love it. Chief Jung, thank you for your hard work today.”

 

Seo-yeon greeted Hyun-shik first when he didn’t leave.

 

“Oh, did I not tell you? Chief Jung will be staying in the annex for the time being. Sung-joon too. It’s a vacation, but I still have some work to do. Something like working from home?”

 

“What is it? So, it’s working from home.”

 

“Is it?”

 

Jaehoon said with a smile and looked back at Hyun-shik.

 

“You said you’d go home and pack your bags?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Come over for dinner.”

 

“Yes, Vice President.”

 

Hyun-shik waved at Tae-yul, and Tae-yul, grateful that he finally paid attention to him, said loudly.

 

“Bye-bye.”

 

Tae-yul waved and smiled. The three of them went inside as Hyun-shik returned home to pack his bags.

 

Jaehoon frowned as Tae-yul, who had followed him to the dressing room, opened the neatly organized closet door and rejoiced.

 

“Isn’t this a bit dangerous?”

 

“Who are you talking about? This is all like you. But I’m not worried, not anymore.”

 

Seo-yeon said, loosening Jaehoon’s tie.

 

“Why aren’t you worried? I’m a little worried.”

 

“You didn’t become like this overnight either. You said you used to sort toys by color and organize school supplies by use in drawers since you were little. Still…”

 

Seo-yeon cupped Jaehoon’s left cheek and smiled lovingly.

 

“You grew up well, although you have an unusual possessiveness of your things.”

 

“It’s natural to be possessive of my things.”

 

Jaehoon thought, “This is the woman.”

 

He couldn’t help but feel heavy-hearted as he was about to make a big decision. No matter how petty Chairman Han’s actions were, Jaehoon found it difficult to think about betraying his father and leaving Do-young.

 

But Seo-yeon stroked the cheek that Chairman Han had hit and helped Jaehoon carry his heavy burden. Her eyes were telling Jaehoon this.

 

‘It’s okay. We’re here for you. We’ll always hold your hand.’

 

Jaehoon smiled broadly and hugged Seo-yeon tightly.

 

“It’s dangerous. It’s really dangerous. How could I have met such a woman?”

 

“You saved the country in your past life.”

 

“What? I guess you left your modesty in Jeju Island?”

 

Jaehoon playfully said, rubbing his nose against Seo-yeon’s neck.

 

“It tickles, Jaehoon.”

 

Tae-yul, who was watching his mom and dad play, approached them and tapped Jaehoon’s leg.

 

“Oh, our Tae-yul. Sorry, Tae-yul…”

 

“Nose. Hmm, Tae-yul also nose.”

 

Seo-yeon and Jaehoon looked at Tae-yul, speechless. He must have liked the way Jaehoon tickled Seo-yeon with his nose, so he scrunched up his face and stuck out his nose, then rubbed it against Jaehoon’s leg.

 

The two of them picked up Tae-yul and burst into laughter. Tae-yul, who wanted to copy everything his mom and dad did, rubbed his nose against their cheeks alternately and then tilted his head back and laughed.