"What a shame to be you," Seok Jin spat throwing a file on the glass table, "You are fired. Better not show your face in the vicinity of this building." He spoke glaring at the man in front of him, who was trembling in guilt and regret now.

"I'm really sorry, sir. I promise to be loyal this time." He kneeled in front of his boss and joined his hands together, rubbing them pleading uselessly.

Seok Jin turned his back towards his inefficient employee, who was, in fact, no longer an employee. He dialled a number on his phone and instructed the person on the other side to get rid of the now ex-employee in his office. The door of his office opened in no time, revealing a young man decked in a formal blue suit. The young man held the forearm of the begging employee and dragged him out of his boss' chambers.

Seok Jin's forehead creased in stress and disgust. He massaged his forehead when the door opened again, revealing the same young man.

"I've processed his termination letter and will make sure he doesn't repeat anything like this again." The man in the blue suit informed, his hands clasped politely.

Seokjin turned around and hissed in anger, "The harm is done, Hoseok." He glanced up from his screen, "The formulation of our proposed product is in the hands of Eleganza. I bet they've started working on it. We need to think of something to bring PureGlow to a new height."

Hoseok nodded his head, "I've arranged a meeting with Mr. Jeon Ji Sub, this evening. He is the owner of a luxury hospitality chain in Korea, Regalia Hotels and Resorts. If we manage to get an investment from him, we can start working on other problems in no time."

Seok Jin's forehead wrinkles creased further. He sighed tiredly. The formulation his team worked on for so long was sold to the rival company in exchange for a few dollars. He had worked tirelessly day and night on the product which had now gone down the drain. He felt bad for his employees more than himself. The whole situation visibly disheartened them. He had never imagined an employee from his company would turn out to be a mole.

"We really need this investment. I need to make it right no matter how."

Seok Jin sat on his chair disappointed and stressed. Hoseok, who was not just his personal assistant but also a very dear friend, sympathized with him. He was also affected by the act. Seok Jin had always created a healthy environment to work in. He had no idea why an employee would betray the company and him like that.

"Jin," He called out, "It'll be okay. We'll get through it. Take some rest while I prepare for the meeting. You can skim through it when I'm done."

Seok Jin nodded and put his head down, defeated. His shoulders slouched and his head hung low. As much as it hurt to see him like that, Hoseok did not lose himself to the situation and made up his mind to do his best for this meeting.

—

Seok Jin took in a deep breath and dusted his shoulders, looking at himself for the last time before entering the meeting room. Hoseok accompanied him closely behind. All the wrinkles of worry were long gone and Seok Jin stood like the mighty businessman he was. He confidently shook Jeon Ji Sub's hand, giving him an acknowledging smile, which never reached his eyes.

"Good to see you, Mr. Jeon." Seok Jin said and moved to Ji Sub's son, who he knew was working closely with his father and accompanied his father in almost all of his business endeavours. "You too...Mr. Jeon."

Jeon Wonwoo was younger than him by a year but Seok Jin admired his work ethic. His father, not so much. But business is business and as much as he hated to accept it, he was in dire need of this investment.

"You too, Mr. Kim," Wonwoo greeted back with a thin smile.

Seok Jin took a seat and Hoseok stood right adjacent to him. Seok Jin never liked Ji Sub's vibe, Hoseok had tried arranging a meeting with Jeon Wonwoo only but it was not possible since Ji Sub heard about it which made Seok Jin dread a potential term that could cost him a lot. Jeon Ji Sub never made a deal without an extreme term and he knew that very well.

"Fancy meeting you, Mr. Kim," Ji Sub spoke, old age showing in his shaking voice, "Heard you don't do things until utmost necessary. I was rather surprised when your assistant requested a meeting," He glanced at Hoseok with a sly look, "Pleasantly surprised, I must say."

Seok Jin's jaw twitched at his demeaning tone but he didn't let go of the business smile plastered on his face, "I appreciate the acceptance, Mr. Jeon."

Ji Sub let out a soft laugh, "Why not, Mr Kim? So, why do you need me to invest in this business?"

Seok Jin calmed himself down internally and looked him straight in the eye, "We had a situation recently that has caused us some great damage, Mr. Jeon. We are in need of an investment to work on a product better than the last one. Your investment would be used beneficially and we can promise you good dividends once we get back on track."

Ji Sub's sly smirk spread all over his face, crinkling his eyes making his wrinkles visible as day. He flipped the file which had the proposal prepared by Hoseok and was very well arranged indeed.

"Aren't you a bit too ambitious for a company that had a major leak this afternoon? I believe your situation is rather precarious, Mr. Kim." Ji Sub handed the file to his son, Wonwoo, who opened a highlighted page and passed it back to him. "You are promising annual dividends when I'm sure you know very well that we only do quarterly or monthly dividends. That too after one year of testing period. This doesn't look promising enough to promise, no?"

Seok Jin's jaw tightened at the man's twisted attitude. If he could he would've gotten up and left the room but he knew how much he needed this investment. He smiled, not showing an ounce of discomfort on his face. Hoseok gave him a stapled set of documents and he ran his eyes through it swiftly.

"From what I know, you have made exceptions in the history of your investment deals, Mr. Jeon. Very recent one being that for Glimmer. I believe you can make one for us too. PureGlow has been ambitious since the beginning indeed. We believe in pushing boundaries to serve the best."

Ji Sub chuckled nodding his head, "I can make an exception but I have a condition."

Wonwoo, who had been jotting down important notes and highlighting the documents all this time, shifted on his seat uncomfortably and it didn't go unnoticed by Seok Jin. A wave of nervousness and dread washed over him. He clenched his jaw and motioned him to continue.

"Marry my daughter."

Wonwoo whipped his head in his father's direction, appalled at his words. Seok Jin took his time to come to terms with what he just heard. It was ridiculous. It had to be.

"Dad?"

Ji Sub shot him a glare, "No."

Seok Jin furrowed his eyebrows at the preposterous demand. He was in disbelief and looked at him with a questioning expression, "Excuse me?"

Ji Sub relaxed his face, wrinkles fading a little, "Marry my daughter and I'll make the exception for you. You can also take up to two years to pay the dividends. I'll invest more amount for the same percentage of equity. What do you think?"

Even Hoseok was shocked at such a proposition. This was the first time he had heard this during a business meeting. Seok Jin had heard of such deals before but this happening to him in real time was absolutely jarring. He was taken aback by such a condition. He gained back his composure and smiled, in an attempt to hide the glare that was making its way onto his face, "My business decisions are based on professional merits and goals, not personal alliances, Mr. Jeon. What you're proposing does not make sense to me in any way. PureGlow will succeed based on its innovation and quality, not on the back of a personal arrangement. If you're interested in a genuine business partnership, I'm happy to continue our discussions. But my personal life is not a bargaining chip."

"Very well, Mr. Kim, but I'm quite disappointed at your decision." Ji Sub spoke in a dismissive tone, "Think about it. Take your time. This alliance will benefit both of us. You'll get an amazing investment deal and I..."

"Will get backing of Kim Group." Seok Jin completed his sentence midway.

Ji Sub smiled and glanced at Wonwoo, "Look? He's smart. Perfect for your sister." Wonwoo could only shake his head in denial. He was upset over how his sister was being used as a bargain to seal a business deal and not being thought of as a breathing live human.

Seok Jin was no stranger to the influence of his father's widespread business which included a plethora of sub-business lines ranging from fashion and jewellery lines to vehicles and food chains. He did not want to use his father's influence so he worked for a separate line, PureGlow, a skincare line and built the brand it is known as presently. But he also could not escape the truth that being the elder son, he was the heir to the Kim Group. He had tried his best not to use his father's money in his business except in the initial phase of his company. He did not want to do it anymore and that is exactly why he was tolerating a man like Ji Sub in the same room as him.

"What's your decision, Mr. Kim?"

Seok Jin knew Ji Sub wouldn't bother coming to a meeting without a reason and his fear was coming true in every sense. He had proposed an absurd condition as a seal to the deal. As much as he hated Ji Sub he could not deny that partnering with him offers an opportunity for PureGlow to be featured in luxury hotels, spas, and resorts, creating an exclusive brand image and reaching affluent customers directly. The financial stability and substantial resources would ensure that the investment would be reliable and sufficient to cover the costs of restarting the project from scratch.

Ji Sub might be a terrible person but he is a terrific businessman and his guarantee in business is like no other. Not to mention the vast network in the luxury market, including connections to international markets that PureGlow has yet to penetrate. His influence and relationships with key players in the beauty and hospitality industries can open doors to new distribution channels and collaborations, accelerating PureGlow's growth.

—

"That was one hell of a painful meeting I've ever experienced in my work," Hoseok commented as he took a seat on the chair opposite to Seok Jin's. Seok Jin had been silent ever since he left the meeting room. He was deep in thought and Hoseok was trying to talk to him but he just won't utter a syllable.

Suddenly he dialled a number and after a few rings a heavy old voice greeted him from the other side.

"Hello, dad."

"My son!" Chirped the man from the other side, "How was your day?"

Seok Jin sucked in a deep breath before speaking, "I'm getting married."

It was silent before a screech was heard making Seok Jin put the phone at a distance from his ear.

"He's what?!"

"Calm down, mom. I'll explain everything."

"You did not tell me you had a girlfriend! I feel so betrayed by you, Kim Seok Jin!"

Seok Jin shook his head and played with the paperweight kept on his table while his mother rambled about how she was upset over him not making them meet his would-be wife and informing them after he made the decision.

"I'll come home by seven and explain everything, for now, bye."

"You're getting a what now?!"

The new voice made him flinch in his chair. Seok Jin facepalmed when he looked at his co-founder and friend, leaning on his table, very much in disbelief.

"Namjoon..." He mumbled, "When did you return from the business trip?"

"Just now. Came to know about the leak thing so took the first flight." He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, "And the first thing I hear is that you're getting married. Make it make sense, Jin!"

"Oh my god, I'm tired. Hobi!" He looked at Hoseok who was busy rustling through some paperwork near his cupboard, "Do the job."

He tilted his head confused and lowered his glasses, "I am?"

"Please get this guy out of my office."

Namjoon looked at him offended and gasped, "Tch tch look at you! So bad!" He looked at Hoseok, "Hobi, we gotta go and you need to explain to me the whole damn fiasco that took place while I way away."

Hoseok shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever. Let's go. And you," He turned to Seokjin, "Go home now. I'll take on from now and Joon's here too. Take rest, Jin."

"Correct. You've got a marriage to get to."

Namjoon winked satisfactorily after he successfully annoyed Seok Jin, who just huffed and buried his head in the paperwork.

"That workaholic..." He mumbled before leaving the room with Hoseok.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Author's note: I hope that wasn't bad. I haven't written in years so it'll take me some time to get back on track. Thank you for reading. Have a great day/night! <3