26.3

Amidst a bustling airport lounge, people gathered around a monitor where Chairman Yoon was being interviewed. He admitted to having a daughter with his mistress and declared his intention to take responsibility for them. 

The affair of a chaebol chairman was currently the hottest news.

“How shameless can he get? To openly give an interview about such a thing?”

“If it’s because of love, you know how love can be.”

“Yeah right, love the money. When a chaebol chairman does it, an affair becomes the romance of the century.”

People who watched the news made sarcastic comments. Walking past them towards the VIP lounge, Chaeyoon turned her attention to Seonho.

“What’s going to happen now?”

“A settlement divorce will proceed.”

“Just like that?”

“The romantic hero who chose love has decided to give up everything.”

“Really?”

Chaeyoon looked incredulous.

I thought this was going to be a pretty nasty fight.

“Really. He’s putting on this show to try to keep at least one of the subsidiaries since he can’t just throw them all out.”

“So the interview is all a sham then?”

“The PR team carefully crafted the script for the sake of the group’s image. That way, it would make sense for the mother to become the chairman.”

“Wow.”

Chaeyoon had laid out a strategy for Seonkyung, but she hadn’t expected it to unfold this way.

“I’m so glad my mother is on our side. Isn’t it amazing that she’s thinking of pushing her husband out and becoming president?”

“Hmm, ……that’s true.”

Seonkyung agreed to Chaeyoon not to mention to Seonho that this idea had come from her. Honestly, Chaeyoon had just provided the concept, and the specific execution came from Seongyeong’s own mind, so there was no need to mention it.

“It will take at least a month for my parents’ situation to resolve. In the meantime, I’ll be finishing up my own work, so I’ll have to restrain myself from seeing you even if I miss you.”

Seonho gently stroked Chaeyoon’s hair, looking regretful.

“Don’t we need some distance, too? After your father’s scandal, I’d be afraid of an ensuing scandal involving his sons. Your grandfather shouldn’t have to deal with that yet.”

“My grandfather? Do you think a scandal involving his grandson would shock him? He’s tougher than you think; It’ll just be a nuisance for you.”

“That won’t do. I’m going to be super busy until August.”

Chaeyoon wrapped her arms around herself as if to protect herself.

“Shouldn’t you at least pretend to be a bit disappointed?”

Seonho looked hurt, understandable given they hadn’t had proper time together since that night at the villa amidst the unfolding scandal.

“I am disappointed. I’m worried I might just hug you right here.”

Chaeyoon’s voice softened.

Before they were dating, she didn’t miss him too unbearably, but since they decided to be together, her longing overflowed.

Chaeyoon had missed him terribly during the month and a half she hadn’t seen him, despite her pretense to the contrary, and the thought that she wouldn’t see him for at least a month if she went now made her heartache.

“Really, what am I going to do with you?”

Seonho hugged Chaeyoon right there.

“Hey!”

“Ah, forget it. If they want to take pictures, let them.”

Seonho hugged Chaeyoon tightly, heedless of the surroundings.

“I can’t believe I’m doing with you the very thing I used to curse at while watching movies.”

Chaeyoon buried her face in Seonho’s chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. Actions that once made no sense to her naturally happened when she fell in love.

A month felt incredibly distant.

***

Mid-October. London.

Seonho’s expression was sullen and filled with dissatisfaction as he opened the front door to welcome Seonkyung.

“Why come all the way here? We’re not going to get on the wrong plane!”

Seonho’s reproach didn’t faze Seonkyung, who sarcastically replied.

“I’m afraid you’ll get lost and become an international lost child. Besides, I didn’t come here for you.”

Their glances sparked flames, quite understandably so. Ever since Seonho had come to London, Seonkyung had visited at least once a month.

To see his son? No. The way she’d timed her visits to coincide with Chaeyoon’s days off, it was clear.

Rushing over, Seonho arrived in London in July. But Chaeyoon was busy preparing for the jewelry fair and working on personal commissions until August.

Come September, Chaeyoon was engaged in a jewelry business course, and Seonho started his MBA. With their schedules, finding time to relax together became increasingly difficult. 

They were content just to share the same space, to sleep and wake up together, and to know that they could see each other within a few hours if they wanted to.

Then, when they finally had a chance to spend some sweet time together, Seonkyung would suddenly show up and take Chaeyoon away to shopping, to see musicals, and to pubs.

For Seonho, who had his day with Chaeyoon snatched away, it was infuriating.

“Is it really okay for a new Chairman to leave the company for personal matters? Aren’t you busy?”

“For mental and physical health, appropriate rest is necessary.”

“You know how hard long flights are on the body, right? Mom, you look young but you’re definitely not young.”

“Who are you calling old?”

“Wow, you really talk like an old geezer now that you’ve become a Chairman.”

“What? I thought Britain was the land of gentlemen. How have you become even more ill-mannered?”

While Seonho and Seonkyung were arguing, Chaeyoon emerged from the bathroom.

“Oh my, Chairman, you’re here? That’s early.”

Chaeyoon’s hair was wet, presumably from a shower.

“When will you start calling me ‘mom’ instead of ‘Chairman’?”

Seonkyung narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased.

Generally, Chaeyoon got along well with her. Or perhaps it was Chaeyoon adjusting well. Yet she had steadfastly called her “Chairman” instead of “Mom.”

“But… wouldn’t it be too presumptuous to call you ‘mom’ without having met the honorary chairman first?”

Seonkyung had finished laying the groundwork for their marriage. Given his father’s situation, Seonho preferred a love marriage over an arranged one. As a result, Seonkyung had come to London today to take them back to Korea for the formal meeting.