Chapter Text
“Mr. Choi, good morning. I took the liberty of having breakfast and coffee delivered to the executive staff. There is also a meal waiting for you in your office.”
Jeonghan stood at Seungcheol's secretary's desk, dressed in a pair of black slacks and a bright red sweater tucked into his pants. His hair was pulled into a bun at the top of his head, secured by a bejeweled binyeo. His smile was so bright it looked genuine.
“This is for you.” Jeonghan held out a black cup with a golden dragon emblem. “Don't worry, I told them not to make it too sweet, I didn't want you to get overstimulated so early in the day.”
Seungcheol frowned. His mind whirled, trying to find the trap before he fully stepped into it. Many men had tried, and failed, to best him. There was no feasible way he would be fooled by this trust fund brat.
The day he'd agreed to mentor his own mentor's wild son had been a fluke. The day had gone too perfectly. He successfully brokered a merger between a large copper production facility and a real estate conglomerate which would net Yoon Ltd an interest credit exceeding 37% at signing and an additional 27% every year for the next 10 years. That same day, he'd swayed the board to purchase the food manufacturer in Daegu as a means of not only turning a profit but providing affordable produce to the unhoused and orphan community that lacked basic nutrition. It had been a project very near and dear to his heart.
He'd donated his bonus to the same organization anonymously just the day before. He was flying high when he was summoned to Yoon Jaebeom’s office. All of his colleagues had convinced him this was it. He had clawed his way to the top and all that was left was his final reward. The largest office on the top floor and the power that came with it.
Everyone knew the chairman and CEO was getting too old. The writing was on the wall, especially after the old man's wife passed away. The man who Seungcheol had learned not only ruthless tactics but hard earned compassion from had been left broken by his wife’s loss. His three sons, known well even if not often seen, were all he had left - them and the company.
He'd stood in the man's office, ego a little too big. And pride went before the fall.
“Jeonghan will be coming onboard soon to take over. He's too green. He lacks in every sense that matters. I am asking this not just as a founder who wants his legacy to live on, but as a father who failed his son. Will you please help him?”
It was a slap in the face to be asked to become a glorified babysitter to some privileged little asshole who thought the world owed him because his daddy didn't shower him with affection. Fucking chaebols.
“Please Choi. There's no one else I can trust with this. Mentor him. Be his guide. Teach him as I taught you. Report his progress to me. If you feel he's not the man for the job after six months, then we'll go back to the board to decide. Do this for me, Choi, and I will give you your own subsidiary, a dotted line only to me.”
The mere idea was laughable and completely absurd. Still, for his own company, to be able to operate without the bureaucracy of the board - that opportunity was foolish to give up.
Having to deal with Jeonghan sounded so much easier in theory. Seungcheol had never been the man to shy away from a challenge. His stubborn nature and competitiveness refused to allow mediocrity from those around him.
Jeonghan proved to be just as vile as he'd always heard. Childish, spoiled, and lacking the basic human decency and respect for the time and effort of those around him. He sauntered in on his first day reeking of alcohol and cigarette smoke. There was glitter in his hair and smudged ink on the back of his hand. His clothes even bore the brunt of poor after hours decisions. It was pathetic.
He tried. Seungcheol tried harder than he wanted to admit to get Jeonghan to take the company, this position, and even him seriously but to no avail. So, yesterday, he gave up. He would no longer try, he would no longer tolerate. He would report his findings and in 5 months, he would be free from this debacle.
Jeonghan suddenly showing even a modicum of care for this workplace and its staff set alarm bells off in Seungcheol's head.
"That was very… thoughtful of you, Mr. Yoon. If you have a moment, would you come to my office so we can discuss yesterday?"
Jeonghan tilted his head. The ends of his black hair not tucked into the ornate hairpin atop his head curled around his shoulders softly and contrasting the bright red of his sweater. He looked innocent, sweet even. Seungcheol's chest tightened because he had no business admiring this kid in any respect even if it was only superficial. Physical beauty meant nothing if Jeonghan's personality was toxic.
"I hardly think there is much more to say on that subject. In speaking with my father, you told him a great deal that he relayed to me. Thank you for that, by the way. It's always refreshing to hear a stranger detail how undeserving I am of my position."
Seungcheol's fingers squeezed around the coffee cup. "I only reported what I've seen."
"Hmm." Jeonghan leaned back, sitting on the edge of the secretary's desk and sighed. He perched there, crossing one long leg over the other. Seungcheol wondered if it was a trick of the light or if Jeonghan had crossed his legs in deliberate, slow motion. The position drew attention to the deceptively alluring lines of his body - thin shoulders, straight back giving way to the gentlest curve at his slim waist into the flare of his hips… Seungcheol watched Jeonghan grow pensive as he leaned forward, resting his wrist over his knee, the picture of ease. His foot bounced, drawing attention to his heeled boots with glossy red bottoms. He seemed completely in control of this conversation and Seungcheol did not like that at all.
Jeonghan's lips, which Seungcheol only now noticed were tinted the shade of ripe cherries, lifted at the corners. "Alas, I can only inspire to be half the leader you are when I take over this company because it's mine. Like it says on the building. My name shining on that little golden nameplate.” He pointed behind himself to the closed door leading to Seungcheol's office. “It will be CEO Yoon Jeonghan, not interim. Maybe I'll have it resized, bigger is better, right?”
Seungcheol smirked. “You must be mistaken, Mr. Yoon, I have no desire to take over this company."
"Of course not," Jeonghan said with an airy giggle, "that would be downright silly."
They stared at one another, dark eyes swirling with challenge boring into darker ones smoldering with annoyance.
"Mr. Yoon, our first meeting is-"
Jeonghan hopped off the table, wiping imaginary lint from his sweater. "In 20 minutes with Baek Yura from Kamp Industrial regarding the current takeover of Syrio Black, the coal mine. Then at 9:40, we are meeting with the food manufacturer, Lee & Sons, to find out where the fiscal funds are disappearing. At 12, we're breaking for lunch where I imagine my adorable little brother will be waiting for you with a homemade bento box - spoiler alert: he can't cook. Avoid the jjigae at all costs. Should I continue?"
Seungcheol's eyes narrowed at him and his lips pursed in displeasure. "That will be all."
Jeonghan gave him a little salute then stopped and leaned into the older man's shoulder. He blinked at him with mock innocence. "Should I assume I am dismissed? I'd hate for you to tell my father I'm insubordinate as well as stupid and lazy."
"I never said you were stupid."
"My apologies, Mr. Choi. You're correct, you said I was incompetent."
Jeonghan tilted his head again. Seungcheol felt those eyes boring into him, searching for a reaction. Despite himself, he felt his lips twitch into a frown that only deepened when the younger man smirked. He wasn't sure what it meant but it signified that Jeonghan could get a reaction out of him at least and that was unacceptable.
"Well, then, I will see you in 15 minutes, conference room 3." Jeonghan smiled to himself as he walked away, the clack of his boots echoed down the empty hall.
Game on.