***MoonRT***
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Tic
tac
tic
tac
tic
tac
Look at the clock on the wall and feel increasingly pressured and out of your mind.
Maybe they were feeling the small indecency of madness.
The minutes passed and along with them the sanity of each person trapped inside that room, they were trapped, there was no way to get out of there without deciding what had to be decided.
Are you going to get out of here, sniffing like a mouse?! If so... You will be swallowed by the predator.
After shouting and empty bottles and many cigarettes thrown haphazardly on the floor, they finally realized that an hour had passed so quickly that no one would say that it was a civil conversation or between gentlemen.
Everyone wanted to fight. Pull out nails and feet. Hair and hands. Who cares?!
When it came to money they could transform into real animals and that was all they were.
Animals in a concrete and metal jungle. Running on an asphalt river and flying in an air of smoke.
But of course, there were still those who wouldn't risk much, I offer everything I have at a symbolic price and I just want peace. Yes, there were those people, although they weren't the majority, they were up to their necks in Donghae's scheme and didn't want to lose the small fortune they had accumulated.
Much less wanted to be arrested.
But there were also those who had nothing to do with it and wouldn't accept taking orders from a child, so they did the same tactic that Eunji tried. Use cash.
Sell your share to me and I will pay a higher amount than what Eunji should pay, you will probably do well anyway.
But honestly it was a wasted effort, they wouldn't believe anyone other than Eunji herself. That girl looked like the devil, it was difficult to like her, much less negotiate.
And she was much more likely to say that they wouldn't mess with those who stayed away, those who insisted too much on continuing to bother her would be arrested or could have worse fates than Donghae in the future.
She was like that. Her family was like that.
Those who were afraid of all that vehemently refused, there was no way to deceive Eunji... How can I justify accepting another proposal simply because someone paid better?!
This is no longer about money.
She is proposing that, just, only and solely so that people have some time to flee the country or simply destroy evidence and files.
It wasn't business anymore and it wasn't even close to any benevolence, it was a deal where you'll get out of my way without causing any trouble and I'll do whatever you want from now on.
Nothing more.
The old man near the edge of the huge table wanted to kick, scream and kick. His nerves were frying.
He was almost crushing the chaturo with his hands and swallowing his anger.
A loud and strong sound was present, scaring everyone, old Kim simply punched the glass table.
That commotion was going out of bounds, his daughter had set criteria and even though he was hating it all as much as the others, it was still his daughter.
He won't accept being called the most terrible names.
Nothing happened to the table, but everyone who was shouting finally fell silent, but Doyun's hand now hurt like crazy and he was slightly regretful.
He was no longer old enough to make that kind of exaggeration.
One of the shareholders close to him tried to reassure him. "Mr. Kim, we understand that you want to keep the business within the family, but Miss Eun-ji is too young to assume the presidency and what she is asking is too much... She wants to completely dominate the company."
Doyun pretended he wasn't in pain, he was great at that, he picked up a cigar... The box that was full before now had a little more than half a dozen, they had smoked the equivalent of what they would normally smoke in a few months.
Kim Doyun was angry, very angry.
But at the same time the daughter was being so brilliant that it was difficult not to feel some kind of admiration. The girl knew exactly what she was doing and if he were to define that whole show in a single word it would be 'revenge'.
"I don't care if she's young, she's the only one who can do something, or do you forget that the anonymous tip came from someone?! Who do you think it was?!"
Well, intelligence ran in the family, the other people in that room could barely think clearly since they were drunk and some were even taking drugs.
That day and everything about it had become something to be forgotten.
Silence fell and only the smoke from those who were smoking gave signs of its existence.
He took a deep breath and took a drag on his cigar.
He probably just felt a little better knowing that his daughter wouldn't sink him and the entire fortune of the Kim family, he had many doubts about the girl, but that was the only certainty.
"...Idiots... She knows everything and is ready to turn everyone in here in, she just wants me to accept retirement and also to step aside in case this is a ship that's going to sink... She'll sink alone." Eunji is a selfish, arrogant and proud woman. It's okay to die like the captain and sink with the ship, but she's going to sink trying to sail.
The reality was very harsh and everyone there thought the old man had gone crazy, he wanted to appoint his youngest daughter as president, the girl had barely finished her economics degree and she had never really worked in an administrative position in the company.
Working making and delivering coffee was not a job. They thought.
Do-yun just closed his eyes and loosened his tie, he felt like he was going to die without air, he didn't know if it was the closed windows, the anxiety or the excess smoke. But he was lacking oxygen.
"I don't care, I'll transfer my shares to her and then she should have everything that belongs to the Kims... Adding what's mine and the brothers' it should be something around 45%... It's decided." "But sir..."
Men and women whispered to each other, completely shocked to learn that the little girl was now basically the owner of the company and the empire would only grow, most of the people sitting there would probably do the same and hand everything over to Eunji.
"How much money do you think she'll use to buy our shares of the company?" asked a woman disdainfully in the corner of the room.
Doyun smiled, of course it was his money, he had given her a lot of money to keep quiet in the past. "If you're lucky, your share should be worth a little more than half a dozen gold coins... Madam Kwon."
The woman didn't hide the disgust inside her.
She was one of the remnants of the royal family that suffered a heavy blow just before the Joseon era... The price the queen was sold to barbarians was nothing more and nothing less than six gold coins.
This was a story lost in time, only those who lived within the family would know, they were among the traditional ones who lived inside a hanok and often wore hanbok. Cute.
The woman smiled and fingered her hands on the glass table that at that time was covered in dirt and finger marks. "Six gold coins can be a lot if the girl is good... But I doubt that she is."
Doyun nodded, perhaps her daughter would ruin everything. "Then you will fall along with her."
The woman finally gave up.
She then just pulled the smoke from her cigarette towards herself and filled whatever was inside, perhaps she no longer had lungs. "Yes, it seems so..."
The old man just observed the woman for a few moments and then ignored her, he no longer cared about it, only those with blood like his could destroy him. No one else.
"I'm not asking you to choose her... She's not asking either... She's made her decision and I'm just letting you know that she'll be your new boss... Anyone who doesn't agree will do her a favor, just sell the share they have in the company and anyone who wants to continue working, keep in mind that it will be her way."
Well, there wasn't much more to say after that... The meeting was soon interrupted by a knocking sound, someone was knocking on the door.
"Come in..."
A woman appeared and everyone knew that she was Kim Do-yun's secretary, she briefly opened the door and bowed in respect. "Miss Eun-ji has just arrived from her trip and is already outside waiting to come in."
The man sighed in relief... Worried... Tired. The day was being longer than he expected it to be.
But finally Eunji was back in the country... How long had it been?! Who knows... He can't remember, no matter how hard he tries. "Ask her to come in."
The woman nodded, she knew all the chaos that was happening inside that room and she didn't want to see too much inside that place... She didn't want to know what was going on.
but she knew that there were many people unhappy with all of that.
"Okay."
The door didn't even close and heels could be heard along with the dragging of a suitcase.
Eun-ji barely had time for much, but after finishing the tattoo and having a protective sticker applied, she took a cold shower and put on the formal clothes she had bought exclusively for that day.
Doyun even got out of her chair to welcome her daughter... But there was no familiarity between the two of them.
They were like two strangers and he especially had great affection and love for his daughter, but he wouldn't know how to show it even if he tried hard.
Any attempt would be understood as false and forced. They didn't have any habit of being affectionate and loving.
So let's get down to business.
The young girl walked up to her father and smiled subtly, she didn't care much about the fact that he was her father, now he was the person who would be passing on everything he had to her.
So he was just the person who was president before her.
He stretched out his hands in a formal greeting and finally shook hands.
It was the closest a father and daughter would ever get to family love.
"Mr. Doyun... Long time no see..."
The man changed his behavior drastically upon seeing his daughter, a feeling of guilt covered him and left him coerced, he had never seen his daughter act so serious. It was the first time and probably wouldn't be the last.
"How was your trip, Eunji?" He asked, insisting on not letting go of his daughter's hands.
She looked at her father's hands.
He was an old man and perhaps he deserved to rest.
There were marks of time on his skin.
He also seemed a little anxious.
His hands were damp as if he were sweating.
Well, he should think about that first.
She smiled, feeling funny. Are you going to decide to do it now like a good father?! "I would like to sit in my seat. Could you excuse me..."
Eunji smiled, but it was not pretty and Doyun swallowed, a little more nervous than before. Let go of the girl's hands and make room... The main chair is hers. "Please... Go ahead and introduce yourself..."
He said, simply joining the place that now belonged to his daughter. He simply sat in any chair nearby.
Eunji smiled and nodded, putting the suitcase she had in a corner, she had rushed to get there on time, but honestly, everything was a huge mess... Maybe she'll have to burn the clothes she's wearing.
A small detail about Eunji is that she has some traces of OCD due to contamination... Life really seems to have its favorites and she's not one of them apparently.
She had been undergoing treatment for some time, long enough to live a relatively normal life, but the symptoms always seemed worse when she was stressed or immersed in a very dirty place.
That place seemed more like a dump, it was so dirty that you could mistake it for a place to throw garbage.
Well, maybe it wasn't that bad, but that was her view of the facts. A little distorted and a little arrogant... It seems that I'm the cleanest among all of you.
"Ok..." Sit in the chair.
Just like a queen would sit on a throne.
The feeling was good and comfortable, not bad for a recent graduate... The presidency of a multinational company.
Eunji was so bold that she made everyone want to shout for respect. Respect for whom? For whom? You?
My father?!
I take care of my family.
But honestly, what did that matter? She didn't care at all.
"I'm Kim Eun-ji, the new president of Kim's CO. I hope we can work together amicably... Who am I kidding?! Right?! I don't really expect anything from you, I just want you to obey me... I should expect the bare minimum... You've had time to discuss who's going and who's staying, and I want those who agree to sell everything to me to just sign these papers... There are three copies. After signing, please leave and leave your credentials at the front desk... Don't forget to come to the company tomorrow and pick up your belongings, or everything will be burned and destroyed, no matter what it is."
Men and women were foaming at the mouth, they didn't like how that stupid girl was talking to them.
Who dares she be?!
Some lit more cigarettes and smoked shamelessly in front of Eunji and blew the smoke in her direction.
Others took the remaining whiskey and drank it from the bottle itself. They were furious.
Isn't it funny how chaos can really bring out the worst in everyone?!
Make room for a gap and he'll show you what he really is and won't be afraid to show you the ugliest and most horrifying thing he has to offer.
Eunji smiled at all that idiocy, are you animals or what? What do you want to prove by acting like savages?!
But she was also good with alcohol and there were some privileges in being the daughter of the owner... Ex-owner.
She got out of her chair for a moment and walked slowly amidst the lost and hateful looks on her.
There was a huge television in the room that would be used for conference calls, sometimes people needed to talk to each other and the distance couldn't be an obstacle.
But if she moved a little further away she could see that there was a false bottom and there was a bottle full of the best whiskey and two glasses.
Grab the bottle and one of the glasses, put the television in its place.
There was no ice, whiskey without ice was a little... Terrible. But she had already drunk worse things.
Fill enough, just two fingers of liquor and close the bottle. Drink slowly and go back to her place.
The presidency's place.
Honestly, it's not like that whiskey was the best, that's what her father always said: The best whiskey should always be kept where no one can see it, but anyone can find it.
"You guys seem to not understand what I know... I know that there are people here who use Donghae's contacts to supply drugs and to make matters worse, it's for personal use by the whole family... I also know that some of them have very large accounts in Switzerland and are probably rich for the next generations without having to keep working, which if you look at it just with their salaries or inheritances... Well, some are heirs... Even adding all that together it still isn't enough money. How are you going to explain this to the journalists and the police?!"
Eunji didn't need to name names, people knew each other's dirty secrets.
Little by little, one by one, they signed those papers. "I even changed my mind... Get your things today, tomorrow I must throw any trace of you in the trash."
Her voice was hoarse and firm, she didn't raise her voice and everyone seemed to feel their bodies paralyze with her presence. That girl looked like the devil.
She really caused sensations. Be it fear or hatred.
Eunji continued to drink the whiskey slowly and at one point she had drunk a third of the bottle.
Luckily she wasn't drunk, or she could have gotten into trouble.
She could drink an entire bottle of it, it's amazing how traumas could give you super powers like drinking so much alcohol that it doesn't even tickle your body.
A few men dared to look at her, the rest had already left after signing, covered in shame they didn't want to say anything, much less say goodbye. There was no reason for such a thing.
But only one person had any kind of courage to look her directly in the eyes and greet her. "Welcome, Miss Kim."
The young woman just smiled with satisfaction, for her that was already a great start.
Raise her glass and offer some of the great whiskey. "Would you like some, Mrs. Kwon?"
"I'll pass... It's late and I have things to do... The sooner the media finds out about the scandal involving Donghae the better."
Eunji nodded, she thought so too.
The meeting had finally ended and there were no more objections to Kim Eun-ji taking over the position that had once belonged to her father.
The remaining people were either too scared to do so or were as crazy as she was.
The room that had previously been filled with people in ties and bad looks was now just father and daughter. Kim Do-yun walked over to the television, moved it aside and picked up the remaining glass, sat down next to his daughter and poured himself a drink.
"When did you find out there was a hidden drink there?"
Eunji smiled and just drank a little of her drink, wondering if she should really say how she found out. "It doesn't seem important..."
Doyun insisted, just say it, what do you know so much about, say it! "... I don't remember well, but I was young and I saw you arguing with a man, he seemed to be in pain and the floor was all red... But I noticed there was a broken bottle being placed there..."
She pointed to the television and smiled. "Exactly there."
Eunji didn't want to talk in detail about how she saw her father killing a man with a broken wine bottle. The old man abused more people than he could and he particularly loved exchanging favors, when he didn't get what he wanted he got rid of the problem. She still remembered all the mess it made, the blood mixing with the red wine, but it didn't mean much at the time.
At that time she still trusted her brothers and told Nari what she saw and she just said that he was a bad man and that angels sometimes punish bad people.
She remembered it perfectly. "Dad didn't do anything wrong, don't worry."
The man who was curious before remained silent and just nodded, she was right not to give details.
"It really doesn't seem important... Maybe it was a dream... Or when you came to the company to play with your brothers."
Eunji smiled and pretended to agree.
"Yes, that must be it..."
"Well, what are the conditions of your return?" The meeting was over, but there was still a lot to be negotiated.
"What we agreed on before is that I want a house just for me and the entire building at symbolic prices in case I want to buy it in the future... In addition to no interference in my work, not yours or my mother's or anyone else's... I'm doing this for myself and if it doesn't work out, I accept my failure."
He agreed, he could give her the entire building, but she wanted to buy it, so buy it.
"Okay, stay in one of our hotels while your new apartment isn't ready... Do you intend to expand your business? Don't you want to get involved in anything other than real estate? You could invest in technology, you could do better than here."
He felt anxious and played with the rings on his hand to try to ease the tension. Eunji was very serious and sometimes she barely seemed like the child he raised.
"No, leave that for the future and if one day I decide to venture out like this, we'll be competitors... There will be no partnership between the Kims."
She finally stood up and walked slowly to the large window that lit up the room. It was possible to see the entire city center in its landscape. She took a deep breath as if she were finally spreading her own wings inside the cage.
"One day this will really... Really be mine."
It still wasn't enough for her to fly, but she could at least move briefly.
She moved away from the huge window and finally picked up her suitcase. "I have nothing else to do here..."
He, a little dissatisfied, just gave one last warning.
"Your mother is waiting for you at home... Besides, you start work tomorrow."
"Okay."
The door finally opened and the girl left without even looking back.
This wasn't the reunion of old Kim's dreams, but what could he do?
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***MoonRT***