Chapter Text
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The sun’s just about to set when Seokjin enters his office and sinks in his chair, the cushion seemingly not enough to carry the weight of all his responsibilities, that despite their US and Europe sales increasing under his leadership, there’s still so much more to do and so much more to prove.
It’s been a long day, like everyday, and he wants nothing more than to lay in his bed and bury himself in her warmth.
He loosens the knot of his tie, knowing he’s got no other important meetings for the rest of the evening, and picks up his phone.
She answers after the first ring, and he knows she’s been waiting for him, too.
“Hi, we’re still on for tonight, right?” She asks sweetly on the other line, the longing unmissable in her voice. “I want to wear that pretty dress you got for me.”
“Yeah, we are, and I can’t wait to see you in it,” he hums, already thinking about how good she’d look in that red dress. “But Father asked to have dinner so I’ll have to meet you after. Is that okay?”
“Sure, no problem,” she responds.
“Same place, okay?”
“Okay, I’ll see you, Jin.”
“I’ll see you.”
He hangs up and lets the temporary bliss settle in before it fades, knowing he’s got a few more things to do before that dinner with his father that was asked for last night. It’s not usual for his old man to make a request on such a short notice, and the fact that it was made through their secretaries means it’s business related, not personal.
A few emails sent later, he hears a knock on the door. The man promptly enters as instructed.
“Mr. Kim, your father is on the way here to meet with you,” Yoongi, his secretary, says, his dark locks framing his pale and serious face.
“Now?” Seokjin asks worriedly. “I thought we were on for dinner.”
“ You thought that. I said he wanted to meet you in the evening,” his secretary corrects.
“Hmm, uh, okay. Great, I can tell Seri we can meet for dinner, then.”
“Yeah, you’re gonna wanna do that,” Yoongi says, mostly to himself.
His boss doesn’t seem to have heard, too busy on his phone, completely unaware of how much his life is about to change.
The door opens and in enters the elder Mr. Kim, 3-piece suit still impeccable despite the long day.
“ Father,” Seokjin greets. “I could’ve met you at your office.”
“Yeah, well, I figured you’re gonna wanna be comfortable with what I’m about to talk about,” the older man responds, taking his seat on the couch a few feet away from the desk, motioning for his son to sit across from him.
“Uh, what’s this about?”
“I’ll cut to the chase,” the elder clears his throat. “Your grandparents have spoken with your mother and me and have proposed an arrangement, a marriage arrangement.”
“A, what?” Seokjin pants. “An arranged marriage? Really, in this day and age?”
“More like a marriage of convenience. Their family needs our help and we’ve waited long enough for you to find a good enough partner to marry. I mean, it’s been years,” he huffs in disappointment. “You don’t approve of any of the ones we’ve asked you to go on dates with and you haven’t introduced anyone in the last 5 or so years that we’ve been asking you about it. You’re not getting any younger, and neither are your prospects. You’re our eldest, Seokjin, and the President of this company. It’s expected of you to have a family soon.”
Seokjin turns to Yoongi, his trusted aide, to try and find a way out, but his friend can only sigh in return, not knowing how to get out of this, too.
It’s one thing for his father, the Chairman of Kim Foods, Inc., to pressure him to marry and produce grandchildren, but it’s another for his grandfather to ask for that, one who’s always tried his best to not meddle in the younger Kims’ lives. Seokjin looks up to him more than anyone - more than his father, even, and this is one request that he’d have a hard time turning down.
“Who… who is it, the one they want me to marry?” Seokjin asks, defeated.
“Jung ___,” his father replies.
“Ju— you mean, our Director for Product Development?” Seokjin asks, surprised.
“Yes. Her family is a good friend of ours.”
“Really? I… didn’t know,” Seokjin furrows his brows, knowing he should be aware of who his family has close ties with, but your family wasn’t really on his radar. He doesn’t even think he’s ever heard of your parents, even from you.
“Not many people do, actually. And we wanted to keep it that way, until now. It’s imperative that we get on with this as soon as possible, at least with the announcement of the engagement,” his father stresses.
“Why the rush?” Seokjin crosses his arms.
Clearly, this is too much for one person to decide on, let alone to absorb. There’s a lot at stake, and definitely a lot to lose, but he thinks of you, too, and how you might be feeling.
You’re one of his best employees, having worked your way up as part of the research team and then the product development team, until ultimately being promoted as director not long ago. You have an appreciation for the art of cooking and for food in general, and he’s always admired the way you handle yourself - whether in the boardroom, the lab, or the kitchen.
Clearly you’re passionate and look out for what’s best for the company that his family built, and now you’re going to be part of that family - that is, if he agrees. Or more like, when he agrees.
“It’s a safety issue,” his father shares. “It’s a precaution, but you know how powerful our name is.”
Of course. The Kim name - a badge that Seokjin has proudly worn since he could remember. It’s more than being the representative of the global brand that serves a variety of ready-to-eat Korean food to local and international markets. There’s a long history of nobility and old money that’s become part of their identity, and anybody in any field would know that.
“I don’t have a choice, do I?” Seokjin looks at his father, with a last attempt at pleading through his eyes to let him get out of this, but both men, even Yoongi, know that it’s not in Seokjin’s nature to disobey.
“I’m afraid not, Son. Your sister’s married and Taehyung is engaged. You’re the only one left we could—”
“Offer?” Seokjin finishes.
“That we could present,” his father corrects. “It would mean a lot to your grandparents if you could do this for them. We could’ve found another way but like I said, you haven’t introduced anyone to us in years and they think you aren’t really interested in finding someone so… they found someone for you.”
“Unwanted but well, you all raised me and sent me to school. I’m bound to pay you back at some point, right?” Seokjin scoffs, though even he knows he doesn’t completely mean it, that’s why he still mumbles an apology right after.
Maybe he brought this upon himself. He’s never shown interest in finding a partner, and his relationship with Seri is one he’s kept a secret for years. It’s ironic that he was afraid they wouldn’t approve of her precisely because she works in their company yet now, he’ll be bound to someone he also works with. He knows this is gonna be messy, and he knows he has to do something about it now.
“Okay, then. When do I need to talk to her?” Seokjin sighs.
“Now,” his father answers. “___ is waiting for you to ask for her.”
“Unbelievable,” Seokjin shakes his head. “Fine, I guess I’ll call her over now, then.”
“Thank you, Son. I’m sorry, but this means a lot to us.”
As his father exits the room with Yoongi who’s been instructed to call for you, Seokjin feels like the walls of his well-kept secret begin to crumble. He doesn’t know how to tell Seri. And he doesn’t know how to tell you.
He just hopes that whatever it is he’s bound to lose, it wouldn’t be too much that he can’t recover from.
**
Yoongi’s head pops in the door and with pursed lips, he lets Seokjin know that you’re right outside, waiting to be called in.
“Let her in,” he says, barely ready to have the conversation that’s going to change everything for him. And for you.
“Hey, Jin. Uh— I mean, Mr. Kim?” You frown. “What’s the proper way to address you at a time like this?”
He chuckles to himself, though he admits not being used to seeing you a little unsure. You’ve always entered the boardroom with confidence, spoken with such passion every time, and looked like you had everything in your life under control. Tonight, you’re a little wary, cautious. And he doesn’t blame you one bit.
“Jin is fine,” he replies, motioning for you to sit on the couch. “This is as personal as it is professional anyway.”
“That’s one way to put it, I guess,” you shyly smile, something he’s not used to as well. “So, uh… I’m guessing your father has spoken to you already.”
“Yeah. How much do you know?”
“Probably more than you do. Did you get to a decision, at least?”
“Sort of. I don’t really have a choice in the matter, as you know,” he sighs.
“I know, and I’m sorry that it has come to this. But you’re free to back out, if you want,” you assure him. “It’s my family that’s gotten into this mess and I don’t wanna drag you in it.”
“ Father said it’s a safety issue that’s why it’s sudden. Is that true?”
“Uh-huh. But I don’t want the details to influence your decision,” you say, not wanting to rattle him with the message your father received about paying his debts that’s now become threatening. You’re the only one of their children still in the country, and just like them, you want to protect your family in whatever means.
“Fine, then what details about the arrangement can you share with me?”
“Announcement through an article this weekend, saying we’ve been in a secret relationship for a year and got engaged a few months ago,” you say, not missing the irony of it all. “The wedding is set in 3 months.”
“Three months?!” He exclaims. “You’re shitting, right?”
“I wish I was but… they want it done before your brother gets married later in the year,” you explain. “Taehyung’s wedding with Hyun-a is going to be extravagant and your parents think that even the preparations would overshadow the less grand one we’ll have so there’s gonna be less questions. I mean, he’s marrying an actress and you’re marrying… me. If you agree, so yeah.”
“So we’re just supposed to pretend we’re in love, that’s it?”
“I mean, it goes with the story they want. But I’m me and you’re you. Everyone knows we get along but we’re not exactly affectionate people, you know? I guess that helps?”
“I guess…. But look, honestly, I’m still in shock,” Seokjin admits. “There’s so much to consider and think about… things we’ll both have to give up and figure out on our own and together.”
“Then tell me, talk to me. Maybe I can help make whatever your decision is a less bitter pill to swallow,” you offer.
“I’m a ball of mess, ___. I’m not about to dump all my problems on you, which frankly involves you.”
“I know, that’s why I’m offering to help. I know it’s not work-related, which we’re good at handling, but if there’s anything I can do to lessen the stress or the pressure, then let me know.”
“Remind me, have you always been this nice?” Seokjin laughs, trying to find humor in such a situation.
“When you’re not challenging my ideas,” you stick your tongue out. “But look, it sucks we’re in this and I’m sorry. But you’re a good man, Kim Seokjin. And I’ll help however I can.”
“Just good?” He arches an eyebrow teasingly.
“Yes,” you playfully roll your eyes. “Taehyung is the better and more handsome brother.”
Seokjin’s face falls immediately and you hold in a laugh.
“Tell me he paid you to say that,” he frowns.
“Sort of. We made a bet and I lost and now I have to say that to people,” you shrug. “And you know your brother, he takes these things seriously.”
Seokjin laughs, imagining his brother cornering you probably during a business event or a post-meeting dinner and drinks, and you, probably arguing with the younger Kim but giving in to shut him up. If there’s a silver lining to this arrangement, it’s that Seokjin at least gets along with you, and that you get along with his family, too.
“So go, shoot. Let’s go through all the biggest pros and cons and figure them out one by one,” you urge him, trying your best to comfort him with your smile.
Seokjin takes a deep breath, knowing he’s gonna have to discuss this with you at some point. It’s unfair to hide it from you, and even if this is arranged and void of love and affection unlike how marriages are supposed to be, he still respects you as a person, and the least he could do is be honest.
“Okay,” he takes a deep breath. “There’s something you need to know.”
“Hmm?”
“I have a girlfriend.”
##