...
"Zzz!"
The whole room stopped.
A heavy silence overtook the room, broken only by the distant clink of glasses and the discreet dragging of shoes on the marble. The eyes of the powerful executives, conglomerate heirs, influential politicians and even the heroes present were fixed on the scene as if they were witnessing a comet crossing the sky in broad daylight.
"...Did the president's daughter just walk out arm in arm with a boy?"
The question echoed in the minds of more than one guest. Some rubbed their eyes discreetly, doubting their own vision.
Others, more astute reporters, silently regretted not having captured that moment on video or photo, an image that would undoubtedly be worth explosive headlines on the gossip portals and even the business pages.
"Immortal's granddaughter is dating?"
The very title of Nayun's grandfather carried immeasurable weight. The "Immortal" was not only one of South Korea's strongest former heroes, but a living legend, a man whose influence extended far beyond the Association and Guilds, reaching into the corridors of power in Seoul and beyond.
"That's incredible... It'll be worth several headlines tomorrow."
Restrained smiles formed on the faces of those already anticipating the media frenzy that would follow. Social journalists, elite bloggers and even financial market analysts would scrutinize every detail of the appearance. After all, anyone connected to Nayun's family stirred not only passions, but shares in the stock market.
It was then that Yun Seung-Ah, more attentive than the others, frowned.
"That... So the two of them have this kind of relationship."
Her eyes widened with understanding, remembering when she had seen Theo carrying Nayun in his arms last Saturday.
Another man near her also seemed to remember something, and spoke up:
"It's the American cadet who's on a surprising rise in Cube!"
The whisper spread like fire through dry straw.
Yun Seung-Ah's sister held the glass of white wine suspended in the air for a moment. Her eyes were unblinking, fixed on the direction in which Theo had disappeared, still arm in arm with Chae Nayun.
'Ah! So he's the boy who did that show at the museum.'
She remembered it well, after all, that attack by monsters and Djinn had taken its toll on her, not only because she was looking for the perpetuator, but also because she was looking for the person who had helped them.
That sudden commotion in the museum, the chaos interrupted before it spread catastrophically. The quick intervention that turned the tide in favor of those who couldn't protect themselves and discreetly helped Chae Nayun in his fight.
Aileen hadn't liked it at the time. All that trouble, all that had happened just because of this boy.
Of course, she wasn't detracting from the help he had given, even she was sensible enough to admit that he had saved lives, but the fact that he had hidden, that he had let all the problems fall on her shoulders, bothered her deeply.
"Hmph!"
Involuntarily, Aileen had a frown on her face and a little kiss on her lips.
"Eh!?"
Her sister, Yun Seung-Ah, raised an eyebrow at the unusual scene.
Some who saw the scene turned around quickly, looking away so that they wouldn't be caught laughing.
For to them, even though Aileen was one of the most respected and feared figures in South Korea, this scene now reminded them of a child upset at not getting their favorite candy.
Yun Seung-Ah held back his laughter, bringing a cup to his lips to disguise it.
"Unni... He's the one I'm interested in..."
Note: "unnie" (언니) is a Korean term used by women to refer to older women, usually sisters or friends, with connotations of respect and affection. It is the female equivalent of "hyung" (형), used by men to refer to older men, friends and brothers.
Aileen undid her frown and looked at her sister strangely when she heard her speak so sweetly of a cadet.
"Hey! I know you've been stranded for a long time, but he's not even 18 yet."
Yun Seung-Ah was the kind of woman who would make many famous celebrities die of envy, not only for her stunning beauty, but also for her strength, reputation and status.
In her luggage, she carried titles to make anyone want to be in her shoes: sister of one of the most powerful beings in the world, deputy leader of the largest guild in South Korea, and the most popular heroine in the country.
That alone should be enough to make her have the best men at her disposal...
But the reality tends to be disappointing, 27 years old, and no partner, no, no kiss on the mouth to date.
"Puff!"
Yun Seung-Ah, hearing the insanity that came out of his sister's mouth, choked on his wine and spat it out with force, straight into Aileen's face.
"Stop!"
Aileen shouted immediately.
The wine froze in the air, centimeters from her skin. Using her Gift,
"Unni... I... I'm going to get a sweet. Chocolate. The kind you like..."
Sweating more than on a training day, Seung-Ah retreated little by little, trying to escape the danger zone with a shameless grin. Every step was a desperate attempt to keep his life intact.
"H-Haha! Don't worry... I'll help my little sister choose..."
Aileen elegantly got down from the slightly higher chair she was sitting on, straightening her hair with a slight movement of her head and a subtle wiggle of her index finger.
"Comewithme."
The smile on her childish face was purely frightening.
And before Seung-Ah could think to protest, Aileen activated her
She couldn't even mumble.
Death, thought Seung-Ah. That's it. Death comes disguised as a little sister.
A little further to the left, Kim Hajin and Kim Suho were watching the scene with indecipherable expressions. Invited by Chae Nayun, the two just stared at each other in absolute silence, not daring to say anything about those two forces of nature they called "sisters".
"Sister business..."
Hajin murmured.
"Yes. Sister business."
Suho agreed, like someone repeating a mantra of self-preservation.
Without saying another word, they each picked up their glass of soda and drank it calmly, pretending that absolutely nothing unusual had just happened.
On the other side, at the right end of the hall, Yoo Yeonha was talking to his mother in a low voice.
Their topic had nothing to do with the two noisy sisters, it was something much more normal. It concerned Yeonha herself...
Yeonha's name was involved, but not just hers. Chae Nayun and Theo were also in on the conversation.
"Ah, yes. You could say that."
Yeonha replied, a little hesitantly.
Jin Yeojung, her mother, had asked her what kind of relationship she had with the two of them, whether they were just classmates or real friends.
After a brief pause, Yeonha answered yes. They were her friends.
"Oh, good."
Her mother smiled with subtle relief.
"I'm glad you're starting to see that side, my child."
Jin Yeojung smiled with restrained pride. She knew her daughter very well, an exceptionally intelligent girl with a sharp mind and impressive strategic vision. In the world of business, Yeonha was practically a prodigy. And her mother, a veteran in the same field for decades, knew how to recognize the value of this.
But at the same time, Yeojung also knew something else: her daughter, for all her qualities, still had a dangerous tendency to see the people around her as pieces on a board. Like investment opportunities.
Of course, that didn't make her a despicable person. On the contrary, Yeonha treated everyone under her leadership with the utmost respect, dignity and attention. But the fact was that, for her, everything began and ended with logic and control.
And friendships, well, friendships don't always follow logic.
That's why hearing her say that she had friends made her mother let out a little sigh of contentment.
Because, deep down, Jin Yeojung knew: if it was just about friendship, everything would be fine, since there was someone, anyone who could be understood that way.
Shin Jonghak.
She knew the story well. She knew that, however much her daughter tried to hide it, there were feelings there. And the most painful thing was that, even with everything Yeonha had to offer, that boy never gave her a chance to recognize her.
'...I hope you find someone better for you, my child...'
Yeojung thought, looking at Yeonha with a silent gaze.
'I hope that by making friends with these two, you can finally forget Jonghak.'
She didn't say anything. She just kept smiling, in the calm, elegant way of someone who carries a lot of worries, but knows that there are things that only time, and the heart, can solve.
"I see... So, daughter, tell me how you got close to them."
Her mother already had an idea about Chae Nayun, after all, Nayun and her daughter were part of very prestigious families, now she was curious about the boy who seemed to be Nayun's boyfriend...
Yeonha sighed and began to speak, without even trying to refuse.
Meanwhile, in another room of the house, Theo was sitting on a comfortable sofa, chatting quietly with Chae Jinyoon. The young heir to the Chae family looked much better than last week, when he was still recovering from his coma. The color had returned to his face, and his tone of voice already carried more firmness.
It was then that Nayun reappeared in the room, drying her hands with a small handkerchief.
"Finished! Oppa. I'm going to take Theo to see Dad and Grandpa now. They must be tired of waiting."
She looked directly at Theo and smiled in a natural way, beckoning him to enter the room together.
"Right."
Jinyoon nodded with a slight smile.
"Good luck to you both."
"Thanks, brother-in-law!"
"Thanks oppa!"
Theo got up quietly and went to Nayun's side. Then he stepped forward, opened the door and let his girlfriend in first. Soon after, he went in too.
"Click!"
The sound of the door closing behind him echoed softly, drowning out the murmur from the rest of the house.
Lifting his gaze, Theo stared ahead, more precisely at the two figures waiting for him.
One of them was sitting in an imposing armchair, behind a perfectly polished dark wood table that exuded authority. The other man stood to the side, arms crossed, conveying an air of restrained firmness.
Father and Son.
They both watched him in silence.
'Heh! I see things are going to be easier than I thought... I guess a talented cadet really does make a difference.'
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+1,800 Words...
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Note: Doubt! The one who is Chae Joochul's son is Chae Shinhyuk, right?
I don't remember correctly, when I went to look at the wiki of the work, it shows that Chae Nayun and Jinyoon's mother is also Chae Joochul's daughter, so I was... What the fuck? There's incest*... I know it must be an error, so I'm in doubt... Thanks in advance.