Thank you @Wendy for Ko-fi. Will try to update soon:)
Bodyguards are in fact a service job as they deal directly with people. Seniors and classmates were not kids who lived a day or two in social life. They were veterans who had no corner to fall into with their skills. Naturally, all their interpersonal skills were maxed out.
In addition, they were familiar with various special cases. Jun-Kyung has also shared every story that they needed to know so there’d be no surprises. They are people who see chaebol often. Even if someone with a VVIP aura suddenly appears, Jun-Kyung believes there will be no problems.
Five minutes after sending a message to come up, Executive Director Min appeared at the entrance of the bar.
Executive Director Min was wearing a suit that was tightly dressed like armor. The sense of incompatibility created by his appearance and the setting creates an instant yet subtle impact on the entire bar.
As soon as Executive Director Min entered the bar, everyone inside stopped what they were doing and looked at him. The waiter who was serving and even the kitchen staff who was just heading inside with food stopped.
“What is it? What?”
“Hey, what kind of show are they filming here? Event? What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Is he a movie star or an athelete?”
After the intangible wave passed, each table whispered about the identity of Executive Director Min. It was the same with Jun-Kyung’s group. A classmate next to him tapped Jun-Kyung’s arm. A joking question followed.
“It couldn’t be him, is it?”
“Ah, it’s not Ho Jun-Kyung’s style at all. He likes them gentle.”
The other day, while talking about his ideal type, he mentioned a female celebrity with a gentle impression. In fact, he likes women who give off gentle and calm demeanors, someone like his classmate’s wife. But where did that life go? Jun-Kyung couldn’t bear to answer his classmate’s questions, so he smiled vaguely.
Accustomed to stares and whispers, Director Min didn’t care at all and walked straight toward Jun-Kyung.
“Oh my gosh.” A transparent yet powerful astonishment swept through the audience.
They were at a bar who used the entire second floor of the building, but it became a small bar when Executive Director Min came in. There was also an illusion that the ceiling suddenly collapsed by 1 meter. The tall Alpha, overwhelming the crowd, approached the table in an instant. There was a limit to how far they could bend their head to look up while sitting, so Jun-Kyung naturally got up from his seat. “Ahem.”
With the sound of clearing his throat, seniors, classmates, and even the wife stood up one after another.
Jun-Kyung looked back at the party with a question mark. They suddenly unbuttoned their jackets and shook their legs to smooth out the creases of their trousers. It’s not like Director Min is a chairman, but it could maybe be an instinct. Hyun-Seung Min was a person with an outstanding appearance that could also make people uncomfortable.
“Did you wait a long time?”
“Not at all.”
They can wait longer. Considering the atmosphere at the scene, it seemed like it would be okay to wait for another three years. Or maybe it would have been better for Jun-Kyung to just throw away all the seniors and social life and become an outcast. After exchanging light greetings, Jun-Kyung introduced the senior first.
“Say hi. This is senior Lee Gun-Young, the person who called during the day.”
“Hello, my name is Min Hyun-Seung, who will marry Mr. Ho Jun-Kyung here.” Executive Director Min greeted politely and held out his business card.
“Hello.”
Even Jun-Kyung didn’t know that he would hand out a business card. Senior Gun-Young was taken aback and took the business card. Then, hurriedly rummaging through his inside pocket, he took out a business card and handed one to Director Min.
“My name is Lee Gun-Young. I run a security agency.”
Executive Director Min, who politely exchanged greetings, then looked at the other colleagues. Then, Jun-Kyung’s classmates hurriedly took out their business cards. While the untimely card distribution was in full swing, senior Gun-Young carefully looked at Executive Director Min’s business card. Then, he cried out with his eyes.
‘Hey, Jun-Kyung Ho! Hey, you crazy bastard! It’s already crazy that someone who has an interest in women brought an alpha male, but you bring a big guy like this? Screw that, if you’re going to bring him, say something beforehand and bring him!’
‘I’m sorry, hyung. I’m not doing that on purpose…. I told you I couldn’t come to the meeting. You know it’s your own fault telling me to come out, you know? Things are complicated.’
They communicated quickly, blinking their eyes like Morse code. The senior took care of Executive Director Min’s business card while sighing inside. The same was true for other colleagues. There was a telepathic mix of astonishment, shock, and fear.
His colleague’s wife also received a business card, but she was not a bodyguard, so she had no telepathic skills in her eyes and couldn’t even manage her expression.
“Wow, are you Taewon Group’s Executive Director?”
“Yes.”
“It’s so cool. By any chance, is your father the chairman?”
To a half-serious, half-joking question, Executive Director Min answered seriously.
“Yes. My father is the chairman.”
An ice storm hit. The hot drinking party was not enough to cool down, so frost was stuck in places.
“Oh my god. Jun-Kyung, you are capable!”
The wife, who had completely different emotions from the bodyguards, did not freeze at all. She was not at all intimidated by Director Min’s extraordinary impression and background but was genuinely impressed as if she had met a celebrity.
Come to think of it, the last time they met, she said she was a fan of an actor who played the role of gangster and was famous for his terrifying impression. Anyway, thanks to that, the atmosphere was relaxed, and Jun-kyung was really grateful.
Even though he didn’t ask, the server brought an extra chair and a new glass.
“Have a seat.”
“You first.” (T/N: omg, it’s an Asian polite fight.)
The senior and Executive Director Min urged each other to sit first. Judging from Director Min’s previous attitude toward Jun-Kyung’s older brother Jun-Hee, he could never have sat down before his senior. It is correct that the senior sits down first, but from the standpoint of the senior, he will not be able to sit comfortably in front of a person like Director Min because of his background as a bodyguard.
“Let’s sit down first, shall we?”
“Yes, it’s hectic standing up.”
The only person who responded to what Jun-Kyung said while looking back at his party was his colleague’s wife. She was the only person to sit down first, and then the men who were hanging around began to sit. Executive Director Min settled next to Jun-Kyung.
Except for his colleague’s wife, everyone is wearing suits. The uniforms worn by bodyguards are usually black. Today was no different. The casual suit Jun-Kyung was wearing was also a dark color, and Executive Director Min was also wearing a very dark gray suit. That is to say, everyone in the party was black. The bodyguards have a good body and a rather strong impression. Of course, the best one is Director Min.
“It’s not an event, it’s a get together for gangsters.”
“But why do gangsters have dinner here?”
“Is that the boss?”
“It seems so.”
The sitting table was so quiet that Jun-Kyung could hear whispers of conversation. The person who was pointed out as the boss seemed to be Executive Director Min.
“Ahem.” Someone coughed in vain. When they have a synchronized dinner, sometimes it is misunderstood as an organization. Still, as they talked, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved.
Today, however, the atmosphere was so solemn that even the server was fiddling with the phone. They felt like they were going to be questioned by police officers. Feeling that, the senior cleared his throat and lifted the beer bottle.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Thank you.”
It really doesn’t suit him, but Executive Director Min sat down casually and politely accepted the glass that the senior held out to him with both hands. Then, he refilled the senior’s glass. After the senior also politely received a glass from him, Director Min turned to the rest of colleagues. Everyone hurriedly emptied their glasses and carefully held them out. The soju glasses were filled in a solemn atmosphere like a mourning house.
When Executive Director Min put down the bottle, everyone noticed. Of course, Executive Director Min looked at the senior. The role of the chair person was still reserved for seniors. Soon after, the senior who finished preparing his mind held up the glass first.
“Congratulations on your marriage!”
“Congratulations!”
It was an ordinary congratulations. Executive Director Min emptied the glass at once. Everyone followed suit.
“Do you like sea snails?” asked the colleague’s wife.
“Yes, I like it.”
The cool answer made the wife’s expression brighten. As if a sea snail snack had reassured the party, the frozen atmosphere was slightly relaxed.
“Honey, let’s order more.”
“Order more. Order more.” Everyone chipped in.
“Hand the menu, please.” Domestic beer and sojus came in along with new side dishes.
In place of Jun-Kyung, who can’t drink alcohol at all, Executive Director Min accepted the seniors’ glasses. He drank cold as they were given, without taking anything out.
Jun-Kyung casually ate cheap side dishes. The awkwardness melted little by little thanks to the efforts to fit in well without spoiling the atmosphere of the meeting. Still, there was no atmosphere for a very comfortable conversation.
A beautiful savior stepped forward whenever the men were creating an awkward atmosphere.
“So who likes who first?”
Jun-Kyung almost wanted to thank his classmate’s wife separately. He was really glad that she’s here today
“I liked him first.” Executive Director Min replied immediately. Then, the fellow colleagues who had been solemn all of a sudden looked at Jun-Kyung with a long, low exclamation.
“Did you propose?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“What do you mean ‘how’?” Director Min did not understand the wife’s question.
“What event did you do? My husband did it at Han River Park. It was so pretty with candles lit at night, but there were so many bugs, so he got scolded.”
“…..”
Executive Director Min, who had been away from the country’s unique love and marriage culture, finally understood her words and looked at Jun-Kyung in silence. He rented an outrageous suite, but not for a proposal.
The actual marriage proposal was made in a hospital with a very businesslike threat. Director Min’s complexion darkened slightly as he recalled that.
“You didn’t?” The quick-witted wife confirmed and gave a final kill.
“I will do it soon.”
“Don’t do it. I didn’t do it, either.”
Why should they propose? And Jun-Kyung didn’t like the fact that Alpha proposed, and of course, the Omega received it again.
Even if the opponent is Executive Director Min Hyun-seung? Ha, he might land on the roof of a cruise ship on the Han River with a helicopter full of balloons and use the six buildings lined up along the river to say ‘Will you marry me?’ Just imagining that gives Jun-Kyung goosebumps.
“It’ will be a memory though.”
“We already live together.”
The atmosphere changed once again at Jun-Kyung’s answers. While the party froze, Jun-Kyung squeezed Executive Director Min’s hand. He expressed desperate refusal with his eyes. Recognizing the signal, Executive Director Min slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
“Cohabitating?”
“Yes.”
What’s the big deal about living together when he’s already pregnant? As long as Hyun-Seung Min was revealed, there was nothing to hold back for Jun-Kyung. Shock and fear were the responsibility of his seniors and classmates. The fun belongs to his colleague’s wife.
Thanks to her inquisitive nature, the conversation came and went. Jun-Kyung invited them, without much difficulty, announcing the date and place of the wedding. He decided to give the wedding invitation separately when it came out.
As the drinking party goes on, a barrage of questions began as everyone starts to feel more comfortable. As a man obsessed with seniority, the conversation started with age and the school year. While weighing each other up and down, Jun-Kyung noticed that Executive Director Min’s age and graduated class year did not match.
“Did you have to re-take the exam?”
“It wasn’t that. I took a year off due to personal circumstances when I was in elementary school.”
It was the first time Jun-Kyung has heard. No one dares to ask the Executive Director Min even though he smiles. His seniors were graduates of the Security Department with advanced training in examining VIP sentiment.
“You must’ve study abroad. They send kids early these days.” The colleague’s wife classifies the reason. Executive Director Min did not deny it.
Jun-Kyung hadn’t heard of him studying abroad. In fact, he didn’t know about Director Min’s childhood at all. He hadn’t even wondered until now and regretted it a little. Since they were about to get married now, Jun-Kyung needed to know a bit more about it. He previously learned that Director Min hated water. They needed to learn a bit more about each other since it was obvious that they weren’t dating.
Contrary to Jun-Kyung’s concerns, the drinking party ended well. Except for Jun-Kyung, who usually doesn’t enjoy drinking, everyone likes to drink. Since there is the wife of a colleague and Executive Director Min, everyone refrained from drinking too much. Thanks to a senior who was generous to his juniors, they didn’t have a second round.
The senior greeted them pleasantly, “Thank you for the meal.”
The bills were, of course, paid by Executive Director Min. As they exited the building, the classmates shook hands with Executive Director Min as thank you. Executive Director Min also politely returns the handshake, “I will treat you properly the next time I give a wedding invitation. Please come.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Will you be treating as a married couple?” The colleague’s wife asked a surprise question. Executive Director Min glanced at Jun-Kyung for a bit and then affirmed.
“It’s properly better to do that, right?”
“Great! I will let others know.”
There is a chat room between the wives of the colleagues. Will Director Min be added to that group? Jun-Kyung was genuinely curious.
The drinking party was over and everyone either called an assistant driver or took a taxi and scattered one by one. The couple were in a taxi group, and just before getting on, the classmate’s wife congratulated them once again and greeted them warmly. Really, she deserves a special greeting.
Executive Director Min and Jun-Kyung walked a little bit toward the other main road. There, the driver was waiting. Although Jun-Kyung’s seniors and colleagues were familiar with bodyguard protocols, they were all on the side of giving, not the side on the receiving end. Jun-Kyung didn’t want to be seen on the receiving end in front of them. It was a clear way to draw a line between them. Director Min also respected Jun-Kyung’s opinion.
Director Min, sitting in the back seat side by side with Jun-Kyung, was checking the phone call he couldn’t confirm while drinking. He might have an important or time-sensitive contact, but he never took out his cell phone while drinking. Instead, he fully focused on Jun-Kyung and Jun-Kyung’s acquaintances.
“The side sea snails dishes didn’t taste that good.”
It was good for a bar snack, but it was not tasty for Jun-kyung who is used to madam’s food. The taste was also bad for Executive Director Min, who has culinary skills comparable to madam. The seasoning was too sour and spicy, and the shells were tough. Nevertheless, it may be because the alcohol was bland that they ate it well somehow.
Without creating a sense of boundaries, Director Min treated Jun-Kyung’s senior as if they were his seniors and were kind to them. No colleagues crossed the boundaries, but Executive Director Min didn’t draw the line in the first place. From Jun-Kyung’s point of view, Executive Director Min was constantly trying to relieve his natural hard expression. Jun-Kyung was very grateful in that regard.
‘I didn’t really expect it to turn out this well.’
Executive Director Min was a much nicer person than he thought. Wouldn’t he be very lucky to marry him?
The night view of the city flashed past the window. However, what caught Jun-Kyung’s attention was not the glamorous city view but the reflection of his spouse in the black car window.