DID THE KIMS FORGET THAT THEY'RE RICH OR IS MRS KIM SAVING HER MONEY FOR HER DAUGHTER?

Yesterday the Kims visited Laissez-Parie Wedding Boutique in Hannam Dong. Of course Kim Taehyung and his father were not present. We're not surprised. The people attending were Kim Namjoon and fiance Nam Yejin, Kim Soa and her mother Kim Seohyun.

Dressed to kill, in stunning outfits the Kim family and Yejin arrived at the boutique for their appointment, with Soa sporting her usual serious face, but atleast she's friendly with her future sister. We got a glimpse of the couple and it seems like Namjoon has fallen in love already. He seemed to be all full of dimpled smiles whilst waiting beside Yejin.

Our journalist was permitted access to attend the dress fitting by Mrs Kim and we couldn't be more disappointed. We were hoping for a classy dress from Perci, a well-known designer friend of Kim Taehyung and Kim Soa, but instead Yejin was dressed in Laissez-Parie's 2020 collection. A mix of lace and crystals. Totally old-fashioned.

To say the engaged pair left the boutique happy would be a lie. Even Soa seemed disappointed by the pick. Our journalist says there might be some tension in the family or maybe Seohyun is saving the big guns for her own daughters marriage to Jeon Corp. heir Jeon Jeongguk? We'll never know. Stay tuned as we find more of the wedding tea behind the scenes.

I roll my eyes at the article Jeongguk sent me. Why he has time to be reading fake news online is beyond me. But then again he does consider the media as a making or breaking point for a company.

A week has passed since grandma's visit. As soon as she left, everyone went back to their lives. That consisted of staying away from home till it was dinner time. Taehyung joked that we reminded him of cockroaches crawling back into their corners. Father didn't appreciate his joke too much.

It had also been due time for me to confirm whether or not I would take on the role of CEO. After my talk with Jeongguk and the still unsettling feeling I had about everything, I requested a later meeting. As expected, Father wasn't too happy, but what can he do? He needs me.

Taehyung didn't make a fuss about the CEO thing. When I tried to bring it up, he just politely brushed me off. He wasn't openly avoiding me, but the amount of posts he'd made on Instagram after hanging out with Jimin and Jeongguk, without inviting me, were proof enough that we were not okay. I didn't ask either of them about it because it was pretty clear why I wasn't invited anymore.

Namjoon had started planning his wedding. Mother was constantly around him, reminding him of details he couldn't miss. Yejin would come by the house now and then. She didn't speak much, only making small talk with me. Namjoon explained to me that Mother made her feel uncomfortable at times.

"I'm surprised you haven't answered your father yet." Mother ambles into the kitchen, dressed in an outfit that doesn't match the occasion. It's too much for a meeting with the wedding planner, but knowing Mother, I shouldn't be surprised. She always managed to go overboard with everything.

"I'm surprised you haven't objected his suggestion." I reply, finding it odd that she hasn't made known her feelings on me potentially becoming CEO. The calm demeanour she's been giving off has been worrisome. It's unusual for her to just sit back and watch me become less of the ideal CEO wife she wants me to be. It's strange.

Mother doesn't reply. Her figure quickly dissappears after ordering a few maids around. That's all she ever does. Shout out commands to the house staff. Sometimes I wonder if she would've been the same had Father not been able to keep up our lifestyle.

It's a normal working day for the rest of us. Knowing Mother, she'd probably asked for Father to excuse Namjoon for the day.

"Why are you sitting here all alone?" Taehyung asks, stepping into the kitchen. He's dressed in a full suit. The grey suit looks good on him.

"You're avoiding me. Joon doesn't eat breakfast. Mother is busy and Father already left." I reply, watching as he prepares his breakfast.

It's a rule in the Kim household that Mrs Lee is not to prepare breakfast. Only if Father was flying out of the country, then we'd have breakfast as a family. Other than that, Sundays were the only days she was required to prepare.

"Jeongguk says you're not accepting the post." He answers, ignoring my accusation.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. Don't want you avoiding me for the rest of my life."

-

Nayeon meets me in the parking lot when I arrive at the company. Her usual smile not present, which is a cause for concern. She's never serious unless it's something she knows I won't like.

"Mr Kim has requested your attendance at a meeting with the board. Everyone else has already arrived."

My face falls at her statement. A week must've been too long for the impatient board. Still, my suspicion has not settled. How could they so easily decide that Taehyung was no longer suitable. After all the education they put him through?

Walking in the empty hallways on the top floor, I sigh when I notice that all the surrounding offices are empty aswell. Meaning this is definitely a serious meeting. Even Taehyung's office is empty. His assistant is nowhere in sight.

The boardroom welcomes me with all the faces of grown men and women I managed to avoid most of the time. Their usual perfected smiles are directed at me and soft murmurs of welcome are uttered at my form.

The seat beside Taehyung is occupied by Jimin, who nods toward the empty seat beside Jeongguk. Why he hadn't told me we had a meeting this morning causes me to look at him in confusion.

"Good morning, everyone. Soa, I'm so glad you could join us." Father starts, as if he gave me a choice. I'd rather be looking at wedding venues with Namjoon.

"If everyone's here, we can get started."

-

"Miss Kim, we need an answer." Gloria, the women I dislike the most, says. Her red lipstick stands out like a sore thumb against her pale face. Jimin always used to joke that she reminded him of a ghost when we were younger.

So far the meeting had been all about the differences between myself and Taehyung. Why I am "better" than him. Some of the things I couldn't argue with, but in the overall picture, my brother is the better pick. He's been preparing for this role his whole adult life.

Gloria is one of the few female members of the board that despises me. Growing up she'd made it a point to always reprimand me for even setting foot in the company. When I'd been sent to university, she was against it. When I was offered a job after graduation, she was constantly watching my every move waiting for me to mess up. It's no secret that she is team Taehyung. She's always been. Her arguments are valid, but her clear judgment and attitude towards me is not.

Throughout the meeting she's made it a point to get under my skin. Pointing out how I "lash out" in meetings that don't concern me. It's a weak argument, considering the fact that I don't yell and I don't give my opinion on matters aren't my business. Her other points included things such as Jeongguk's "constant presence" in my office. Another lie.

The rest of the board were quick to defend. Judging from their defences, I could easily pick up that most of them wanted me to lead Kim Group. Taehyung's face remained blank, as the professional he is in masking his emotions, but his eyes remained focused on the table. Almost as if everything being said about his leadership was starting to affect the image he had of himself.

"I don't want it." I said. My reply causes many of the board to stare at me with surprise. I assumed they thought I would jump at the opportunity. "Taehyung is more capable and I still have no knowledge on why you suddenly decided he wasn't. Your arguments flatter me, but I'm not interested."

"Miss Kim, have you not listened to anything we've just said?" Seungmin, a man I'd looked up to as a child, speaks in a tone much to loud. It's not necessary in the quiet room. My uncle always had the habit of yelling for no reason.

I want to sigh out and show him a bored expression along with a sarcastic reply, but the hand on my thigh stops me from doing so. He's been quiet the whole meeting, but Jeongguk can easily tell when I'm about to make a sassy remark. Being yelled at has never received a good response from me.

"Uncle, I've heard everything, but as I've stated before, I don't want it. If you don't want Taehyung then advertise the post."

His face falls at my reply. I know they'd never do that. He would rather have our cousin take the role. That's all he's been after ever since he found out Namjoon would be getting married. It's a shame he forgot Taehyung exists and is more than capable to take over. Something tells me he's behind this whole thing.

"If you won't accept the post, we'll have to start looking for new candidates within the family." He replies.

Gloria makes a sound of disagreement. For once, her and I are on the same side.

"Mr Kim Taehyung is capable enough. If you really need Miss Kim to takeover then I suggest them to be partners. They can both run the company."

She says the one thing I was hoping against. Namjoon had mentioned it to me when I asked for his advice. As always my brother took is as an opportunity to diss me by questioning why I even became a suggestion. "You'll scare all our potential investors away with one look from you."

Taehyung's eyes meet mine. There's a certain hope in him that I see. He wants this, even if it means I'm still involved. Knowing how close we are, I know leading together should not be a problem. What he lacks, I can make up for and vice versa.

My eyes meet Father's. He shifts his focus both between Taehyung and I. I know he's more worried that he'd lose the company if either of us disagreed against his suggestion.

"I agree with this. Soa, what do you think?" Taehyung asks, not caring for professionalism.

My eyes scan the room. All the eyes I meet look hopeful. Knowing my cousins, I know that I can't leave the future of Kim Group in their hands.

"I don't think I can do that. I have no interest in-

"I think we need to take a break. Soa needs to think this through." Jeongguk says, pulling me out of my speech. His hand already intertwining with my own beneath the table.

The board members mumble things in agreement, but no one makes the move of leaving the room. Jeongguk, picking up on it, gives my hand a tug. It's a clear sign that we need to talk and he's right. With all eyes on the two of us, we head out the boardroom and toward my office, it being the furthest from the prying eyes.

A sigh leaves my lips once we're in the space. Random thoughts fill my mind on how what I choose could end everything my father has worked hard to build. It could ruin the lifestyle Mother has become so accustomed to. It could mean Taehyung would be arranged within a weeks time. It's something I fear the most. Watching my older brother walk down the aisle with that practiced look of happiness, I can't see Taehyung do the same.

"Hey, calm down." Jeongguk soothes with a hand resting on my face. His brown eyes carry warmth even though I know he's not happy with what's going on. At the end of the day my choice affects him too. "You don't need to give them an answer today."

I pull away, scoffing, "How could neither of you tell me we were meeting this morning? I came completely unprepared-"

"Not the point right now, love."

I know he's not trying to further annoy me. I should be mad at Taehyung for not even mentioning it, seeing as we stay in the same house and considering the issue at hand, that's a major detail. He could've spared me the shock and confusion I'm feeling right now.

"I don't know what to do, Gguk. I'm not buying anything they've been saying. My gut says something is not right." I start, staring into his eyes as if he carries the answers to all the problems in the world. "Taehyung went to university with the both of us, he's received all the training needed. He's never been in any relationships-"

"It doesn't make sense to me either. Are you sure they're not arranging him?" Jeongguk asks.

My mind goes back to the way Seokjin had also caught us all off guard. Namjoon putting up a fight against Father because of it. This situation is oddly as suspicious as that. It's not something I wouldn't accuse my parents of, but they promised not to put Taehyung through it.

"What do you want to do?" Jeongguk pulls me out of my thoughts.

"I don't know."

"Then you don't need to answer today." He speaks, "Don't allow Gloria, Seungmin, Taehyung or your father to pressure you. Just know whatever you choose, even if I don't like it, I love you and you have my full support."

Gloria sends me another round of glares as I enter the boardroom again. Everyone gets back to their seats. Whatever light atmosphere they had going quickly turns serious upon seeing me. Every other day, I'd be happy at the result of my presence, but today it hangs heavy.

I watch as sighs of annoyance go around the room when I make it known that I'd like to think on the idea of being a CEO alongside Taehyung. Knowing that Namjoon still remains CEO on paper eases my mind. It's not like the company is without a leader at the moment.

-

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. What do you think Soa should do?

What are your thoughts so far?