1 His and Her Ambitions

In the world of business, everyone knows the name of Kang Seojoon. Being a bachelor and a successful CEO at 30 years old, they named him the most handsome man on the planet. Becoming a CEO comes with a price of sacrifice and hard-work. He cares nothing else besides his business empire. 

Seojoon sat in the back seat of a black Mercedes Benz sedan. His chauffeur was his assistant. In his company, he only hires the best of the best. His company, SH Groups, named one of the best companies to work in. Many people got interviewed, but only five people made it in. 

"What's the schedule for today?" Seojoon asked his assistant in a cold tone with no emotions. 

"Sir, you have a meeting scheduled at 10 am and 12 pm. Another two meetings in the afternoon at 2 pm and 4 pm. Your father wants you to go home for dinner. I think he has something important to tell you. I received his call this morning since you never answer your phone." His assistant, Choi Soomin, answered. 

"I don't answer phone calls unless I really have to. It's a waste of energy." Seojoon closed his eyes to rest without thinking about anything else. His only thought would be the expansion of the SH Groups. Since there are different SH Groups branches in all Asia, he wanted to expand that overseas.  In his mind, nothing else mattered as much. 

***

Lee Mari sat in her bedroom like a bird stuck in a cage. Her pale and slender fingers touched the window as she saw children playing outside. Some children played with their parents and some children played with other kids. She understood she differed from them. She's the only daughter of a rich businessman who was successful in everything he does. Mari's father only cared for his own image, held his daughter as a prisoner. She was beautiful, elegant, yet very broken on the inside. What is love, she thought. 

She watched various romantic themed movies and read many books, but she had yet experienced one. One of her closest friends, Ji Ho, was the son of a well-known pianist. Mari grew up with Ji-Ho but she sees him as just a friend and nothing more. She wanted to experience more and experience the feeling of being loved by someone. 

She knew her weapon. Her beauty and elegance. She's very intelligent and diligent in her studies of politics, business and psychology. Even though she was like a broken vase on the inside, she was strong mentally and had perseverance. Nothing could stop her. Not her broken family, nor anyone else. In her mind, not only getting the things but also become someone who will be dangerously addictive.

***

That evening, Seojoon and his family invited Lee Junghoon and Lee Mari to their house for dinner. Seojoon had no intention of getting married. His parents will do anything to get their son to marry. They paid Mari's father a generous sum of money in order to let his daughter marry their son. 

"Seojoon-ah, Mari will be married to you soon. Do you have anything to say?" His mother smiled and touched his son's broad shoulder. He sighed and explained why he didn't want to get married. He only cared for his success, and the word "love" wasn't in his vocabulary. He had a habit of destroying anyone who impedes his success. 

Lee Junghoon chuckled and said, "Your son is very ambitious. I like him quite a lot. Mari, what do you think of your future husband?" 

Mari smiled. She said little, but her action says a lot. Lee Junghoon smiled, "My daughter is probably nervous. Let's have dinner first and later, let the two of them have their own time together." 

Seojoon's father nodded. "Let's eat first. Come on, help yourself." 

***

After dinner, Seojoon's mother and the maid washed the dishes while the fathers went into a room to talk. Seo Joon and Mari sat on the opposite side of the table. He didn't speak a word, but she looked at him and studied him. 

Seo Joon cleared his throat and said, "You heard what I said? I'm not interested in you. Don't expect me to marry you. If you hinder me, prepare yourself." Mari played with her hair and asked, "How would you know if I will hinder you? I'm not interested in business at all." She smiled again and said, "CEO Kang, I don't care what you do but for me, whatever I do. You won't be able to stop me." 

Seo Joon didn't know why but he stared at Mari's red and lustrous lip for a long time. Mari already knew CEO Kang will contact her more in the future. Just as Seo Joon was about to say something, Mari got up and walked with elegance to his side. He expected nothing from her. But he was wrong. Mari's gentle finger brushed his neck, then walked away, saying nothing. Seo Joon suddenly got the chills, but he didn't know why. It felt pleasurable when she did that. He shook his head and reminded himself to focus on his business and not on some random woman.