4 Hurry Back!

Sex is the best workout. There's nothing like a good romp to put him in a superb mood. Sejoon felt quite relaxed and at ease. He was not in a hurry at all to return to the office. His sports car was cruising down the boulevard at an average speed when the call from his assistant came through. Sejoon answered the call hands-free through the sophisticated built-in speakerphone in his car.

"Yeoboseyo? (Hello?)"

"Director Yang?" Kang Jae Duk sounded breathless. His voice was raspy and anxious. "Sir, I've been trying to contact you repeatedly! Why weren't you answering your phone? Have you read my messages—"

"Whoa… hold it!" So intense! This poor man, Sejoon thought. Jae Duk was constantly tense like he's forever constipated. He didn't know how to relax one bit. "Jae-D, my man! Loosen up, boy! Seriously, dude, I need to hook you up with someone. You've got to get laid. Calm down and tell me what's going on."

"What time will you return to the office? May I know your ETA, sir?"

"You know my time of arrival?" Sejoon challenged. "Why? Are you my wife?"

"You're late for your 3:30 meeting."

"So?"

"Everyone is here. They're waiting in the conference room."

Sejoon read the time on the dashboard. It's almost 3:45 in the afternoon. The office was ten minutes away. "I'll be there before four," he advised. "Don't worry! Tell the people in the board room to take a coffee break. That's the only thing those executives know how to do right anyway— drink coffee and gossip."

"Sir, you have to rush back."

"Rush back? I've just been through a productive business appointment—"

"I know you did…"

"—and then I had another tiring meeting with the press immediately after that!"

"Yes, sir, but…"

"I've been working non-stop, Jae Duk! I'm doing more work than any of those highly paid executives put together. They have NO RIGHT to complain if and when I arrive late."

"But sir…"

"Tell those demanding sons of bitches to sit their ass down in the conference room and sip their freaking coffee… and WAIT for me!" Sejoon barked. "Don't they dare start the meeting before I get there!"

"They've already started the meeting."

"They did?"

"Yes, sir."

"How dare they begin without me!" Sejoon thumped the steering wheel with his fist.

"Sir, they proceeded because..."

Sejoon did not allow Jae Duk to finish explaining. He was so pissed! "It's not like they can come up with a consensus in that meeting without my input! What's an Executive Committee status meeting without the Director of Operations?"

"They were forced to start without you, sir."

Sejoon saw a yellow light up ahead and slowed down. "Who gave them the go-ahead?"

"Sir..."

"WHAT?!"

"Your aunt—Madam Chairman—is here."

Wait... what??? "F*ck!"

Sejoon stepped on the gas, making the sports car roar as it zoomed forward like a bullet to beat the red light.

*********

(SCREECH!)

Sejoon expertly parked his car in the reserved spot in the basement parking area. He hopped out of his car and sprinted to the VIP elevator that would take him directly to the executive floor of the building.

Come on, come on, come on… hurry up! He repeatedly pushed the button, cursing at the slowness of the elevator's climb. When it finally opened to the penthouse floor, Jae Duk was predictably standing there, holding a hanger with a formal suit for his boss to wear in the meeting.

Sejoon started to walk fast down the hallway while taking off his informal sports jacket. "Why is the Chairman here?"

Jae Duk was right on his heels, keeping up with Sejoon's pace. "The visit was unannounced, sir. She suddenly appeared, saying she'd like to be part of the executive committee's meeting this afternoon. She was looking for you."

"What's her mood?" Sejoon tossed his jacket over his shoulder.

Jae Duk caught the jacket before it landed on the ground. "Not so positive, sir." He slung the jacket over his shoulder and quickly removed the suit from the hanger that he was holding.

"How did she inquire about me?" Sejoon reached to the side and snatched the suit that Jae Duk handed to him. "Did she call me by my name?" He slipped his arms into the sleeves of the suit and tucked his shirt into his pants without breaking a stride. "Or did she refer to me formally—by my title as Director?"

"She asked for 'Director Yang Sejoon', sir."

If the Chairman did not refer to him as her 'undisciplined, irresponsible nephew who needs to be smacked on the head', that meant she's not in a lousy mood. He's safe. Sejoon felt relieved.

Sejoon nodded to the employees who bowed to him while he walked towards the conference room. He paused in front of the door, tugged his sleeves and fixed his collar. With his hand on the handle, he turned to his assistant. "How do I look?"

"Perfectly professional, sir."

"Where did you say I was?"

"I informed them that your business at Condimenti took longer than expected," Jae Dun replied, "and that you were ambushed by the press after the meeting."

That's a smart man! Sejoon tapped Jae Duk's shoulder. "Thank you. I owe you one."

Jae Duk bowed. "You are most…"

Yang Sejoon opened the door and strode into the ring of fire.

"… welcome, sir."

*********

The door subtly shut by itself behind him as Sejoon entered the room. The meeting stopped abruptly when he came in. All eyes turned to him while he sauntered forward unapologetically and with his back straight. His face was calm and did not betray any emotion while he headed for the empty seat at the right-hand side of the Chairman.

"Ah, Director Yang Sejoon!" The presenter looked at his watch and sarcastically added, "I'm glad you could FINALLY join us."

The one who spoke was of equal managerial standing with Sejoon. This man was the senior director of business development whereas Sejoon was the chief of operations. His name was Lee Tae Geon— and he was the son of the incumbent president of the company. Since his dad was about to retire, Tae Geon hadn't exactly kept it a secret that he had set his eyes on the position. He was well-educated, smart, capable and totally ambitious.

Well, too bad. He's not going to score the role, Sejoon thought. Tae Geon's father might be the President but Sejoon's aunt held the highest position in the entire corporation. Taegeonnie might be the general's son... but Sejoon was beloved by the Queen. No contest there. Sejoon knew the Madam Chairman would not allow anybody else but her nephew to be next in line to the throne.

Sejoon approached the chair beside the impeccably dressed woman whose salt and pepper hair was tied neatly in a bun. She stiffly at the head of the table. He bowed in greeting but she merely bobbed her head once without sparing him a glance. Before he could take his place, Sejoon heard a question...

"How is your meeting, Director Yang?" asked Lee Tae Geon smugly.

Sejoon knew he was being grilled on the spot. Lee Tae Geon wanted Sejoon to justify his tardiness with any proof of productivity. This sonofabitch…

"It went well," Sejoon shrugged. He was completely composed when he went on to elaborate. "I single-handedly met with a dozen representatives of our top accounts who were complaining about this year's price increase. After the meeting, not only did the clients end up agreeing to the higher service fees we will impose—they also committed to MY proposed exclusivity of distributorship nationwide. That should guarantee Yang Logistics at least 5% income growth for the second half of the year. After the meeting, I met with the press to put out the gossip that sets fire to suspicions that our business is on a decline. I did that to propagate news that will boost our shareholders' confidence in time for the general meeting next week." He paused and arched a brow. "And you—Director Lee Tae Geon? How's YOUR afternoon?"

Sejoon and Tae Geon had a staredown while the rest of the executive committee cleared their throats and shifted in their seats.

"Sit down," Madam Chairman said. After Sejoon quietly took his seat beside her, she commanded the meeting to continue with one graceful motion of her hand,

Everyone's attention reverted to the charts on the screen as Director Lee Tae Geon resumed his report.

With all eyes on the presenter, it's unlikely that anyone noticed Madam Chairman extend her arm slightly to cover Sejoon's hand with her own. Sejoon did not turn his head to look at her… but he smiled when he felt his aunt give his hand a gentle squeeze.