A chilly silence hung in the air.
“Ah…”
“Uh…”
“Eh…”
Except for Hyunseung, the other three gasped without realizing it.
To think the reason he wouldn’t come to Unice was because of a ‘ban on workplace romance’… It was a reason entirely beyond their wildest imaginations.
Above all else.
Didn’t it mean he had rejected the mountain of contract documents they had painstakingly brought without even looking at them, all for such a petty reason?
Killian was the first to burst out laughing.
Unable to hold it in any longer, the laughter that forced its way through his lips gradually grew louder, spreading to those around him.
After enjoying a good laugh for a brief moment.
“If it’s such a grave reason, we certainly can’t hold on to you any longer. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. CEO?”
Killian asked, looking at Joshua with a sly grin.
Joshua nodded helplessly at his words.
In truth, Joshua couldn’t accept it if that were truly the only reason.
If Hyunseung would just come to Unice as a director or an exclusive composer, it would be no different from gaining a million-strong army.
What did a petty clause like that even matter?
Besides, as the CEO, he could easily abolish such a rule right here and now.
However, the reason he had no choice but to back down was that Hyunseung, too, wouldn’t truly refuse simply because of a ‘ban on workplace romance.’
Though it sounded absurd when he first heard it…
Knowing Hyunseung’s personality, there was no way he would linger on something like that.
Which meant there was a separate, genuine reason why he wouldn’t come.
By now, he knew all too well that forcibly holding on to someone would never lead to a good outcome.
“Then, we will maintain the distribution contract terms with Unice exactly as they were when you were promoting as HS.”
So, he had to settle for this much.
“If you do that, I’d be very grateful.”
Hyunseung flashed a clean, profoundly satisfied smile.
“And…”
As if responding to that smile, Joshua parted his tightly closed lips.
“It is time you take Michelle back with you as well.”
At those words, Michelle and Hyunseung looked at Joshua’s face in surprise at the same time. Killian also raised an eyebrow, finding it unexpected.
Understandably so.
Michelle was an exceptional talent. To the point where, once you took her on as a secretary, you would never want to let her go.
She handled work swiftly and neatly, like a robot that had never made a single mistake.
To give up such a secretary…
“Hmm.”
Hyunseung let out a low groan as he looked back and forth between Michelle and Joshua. It was undeniably an enticing offer.
However, not only did he not need a secretary right away…
He didn’t want to snatch back Michelle now, when she must have done her absolute best by Joshua’s side to help him establish himself as Unice’s CEO.
“I think I’ll pass. I’m no longer a businessman, just a composer. What reason would a composer have to keep a secretary by his side?”
Hyunseung firmly declined the offer, but Joshua retorted as if he had been waiting for it.
“If it’s a world-class composer like you, Hyunseung, that’s a different story.”
Hyunseung grimaced, feeling sheepish at the flattery, but Joshua continued his persuasion without paying it any mind.
“Above all, since you are a composer with a direct distribution contract with Unice Music Group, it’s only right that we provide you with a secretary.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Killian nodded in agreement.
The person in question, Michelle, merely sat there without a change in expression, offering no opinion of her own.
It likely meant she would obediently comply with whatever decision was reached.
Because that was just the kind of person she was.
The type of person who quietly performed only the tasks assigned to her without revealing her personal feelings.
Just then, Joshua gazed steadily at Michelle and continued.
“Did you know that Michelle eats alone every lunch break while listening to the songs you composed every single day, Hyunseung?”
At those words, Michelle flinched and trembled for the first time, visibly shaken, as she looked back and forth between Joshua and Hyunseung.
Soon, a faint blush slowly crept up her cheeks.
Her face looked as if she were asking how on earth he knew that—the face of someone whose firmly guarded, private secret had just been exposed.
“I feel too guilty toward Michelle, so I can’t keep her any longer.”
Joshua looked away from her, turning back to Hyunseung as he added.
“Ah…”
Hyunseung let out a soft exclamation as his eyes met Joshua’s.
It wasn’t out of fluster, but because he remembered what Michelle had once said to him.
“Yes, the only reason I gave up everything and submitted my resume to VINCIS was purely because I loved your music, Mr. CEO.”
Right, that had happened.
To him, who had declared he would step down from the CEO position, Michelle had asked if she wouldn’t be able to listen to his songs anymore.
That had been her very first question.
Someone who had come to him because she loved his music… someone who was truly his person.
“I feel guilty too, so I suppose I have no choice.”
In other words…
“May I take Michelle with me?”
It meant she was someone he had to take responsibility for.
As he said those words, Hyunseung’s eyes met Michelle’s. Michelle wore her usual serene expression.
However, he could tell. Her eyes, at least, were sparkling like a child’s.
“Of course.”
Vincent nodded with a satisfied face.
Just as a heartwarming atmosphere was blossoming.
“Instead, please sign the Unice distribution contract extension…”
With a hunched back, Joshua picked up the documents once more.
After all, business was business.
Though Hyunseung was said to be unaffiliated with VINCIS, he clocked in every day as if he were an employee.
Seeing as he holed up in his personal studio and didn’t come out all day, he seemed to be doing something, but…
“It’s a secret.”
No matter how much he was coaxed with coffee and desserts, he wouldn’t say a word.
“Come on, haven’t I fed you enough bribes by now? Isn’t it about time you told me?”
Kim Woohyun, who had come to the studio with his hands full of desserts and coffee, whined in complaint.
“I said, it’s a secret.”
Yet, Hyunseung shot back with a resolute tone.
At that, Kim Woohyun changed his tactics, setting the desserts and coffee down on the table. Slipping his hand into his inner coat pocket with a rustle, he spoke with a meaningful look.
“Then I guess I’ll have to keep a secret from you, too.”
“You’re being childish.”
“Did you ever stop to think that you’re the one making me act childish?”
“No, not once.”
“Anyway, aren’t you curious about what secret I have?”
“No, not at all.”
Of course, Woohyun had long known he could never beat Hyunseung in a battle of words, but this was simply too much.
“Aren’t you being a bit too indifferent?”
In the end, Kim Woohyun seemed to have pouted, scolding Hyunseung in a sulky voice even as he pulled out whatever was in his inner pocket.
“It’s because I know you’ll end up telling me everything anyway.”
Seeing that, Hyunseung chuckled and replied.
“You know me too well.”
“If not me, who else would appreciate your true colors, Director Kim?”
“Always so quick with your tongue.”
Kim Woohyun shook his head at Hyunseung’s sly attitude, but only for a moment.
“Well, there’s actually someone who knows me better than you do now, you know?”
“Ah, right. You mean the woman who marks the beginning of your happiness?”
“Yeah, that’s right. But from now on, you have to call her Sister-in-law.”
With that, he handed over the crisp white envelope in his hand and added:
“The wedding was delayed because of you, so make sure you pay a hefty congratulatory gift.”
It was a wedding invitation. The moment the invitations came out, Kim Woohyun had come straight to Hyunseung before anyone else.
Of course, carrying coffee and desserts his wife had made with her own hands.
“Oh.”
Hyunseung let out an intrigued exclamation as he checked the invitation.
“Hmm? You’re holding it in Korea?”
Seeing that the wedding venue was in Korea, not the United States, he asked back.
“Naturally. There’s no culture of monetary wedding gifts in America. Holding it in Korea is the only way a lot of cash comes rolling in.”
“Man, you really are relentless, aren’t you?”
“Hey kid, wait until you become a real husband and the head of a household. See if you can afford not to live relentlessly.”
At those words, Hyunseung muttered softly, “A husband, huh…”
For some reason, it felt foreign to him.
Right.
He had only ever called Kim Woohyun Manager, Director, or Mom.
He had never once imagined him becoming someone’s husband.
Of course, it was natural.
Yet, it felt a little unfamiliar, and it made him wonder what kind of gift he should prepare.
Just then, Kim Woohyun looked at Hyunseung and asked casually.
“So, do you have any thoughts on getting married?”
“I mean, sure I do.”
“Really? Around when are you thinking?”
He asked back in excitement. In truth, on one hand, he had worried that Hyunseung might never be able to get married.
Deep down.
Though he was a warm-hearted kid who treated his family with utmost devotion both materially and emotionally, it was hard not to harbor needless worries that he might end up living alone, given his personality.
Ah.
He had wondered if he would have to look after this precious troublemaker for the rest of his life, but if a woman appeared by Hyunseung’s side to take good care of him, he was more than ready to let him go with a peaceful mind.
No.
He was ready to bow down in gratitude. Pleading that returns were strictly prohibited.
While Kim Woohyun was getting excited all on his own,
“Well, when the time is right for both of us, we’ll do it.”
Hyunseung answered in a dry tone, pouring cold water over his excitement.
“Why are your answers always so lukewarm—”
Wait a minute.
“When you say ‘when the time is right for both of us,’ does that mean you already have someone?”
Kim Woohyun sprang up from his seat, asking in sheer excitement.
Of course.
Hyunseung wasn’t the type to play along.
“Please stop spitting on my dessert and coffee, and just leave now.”
“Please, just answer me!”
“Before I decide to skip your wedding altogether, let alone give a gift, please get out.”
“You wicked jerk!”
In the end, Kim Woohyun was kicked out once again today without getting a single answer he wanted.
Knock, knock, knock.
A steady yet crisp knock echoed from beyond the studio door. It was a sound he hadn’t heard in a long time.
“Come in.”
The moment Hyunseung gave permission, the door opened and Michelle walked in.
Even though it was her first day back at VINCIS, she wore the exact same composed, picture-perfect expression as she had when they first met.
She really never changes.
Thinking that, he gestured for Michelle to come closer.
“Please deliver the contract and the USB to Unice today.”
Man, just how relentlessly was he trying to squeeze out congratulatory money to invite Michelle, who had no reason to go to Korea?
Honestly.
He was truly something else.
“If you’re thinking of going, let’s fly together on my private jet.”
“Ah, yes. I will do that.”
“By the way, are you married, Michelle?”
“I am still single.”
At her answer, Hyunseung nodded, thinking he had learned another new piece of information, when—
“Though I believe I will be catching the bouquet at Director Kim Woohyun’s wedding this time.”
“Excuse me?”
“I heard there is a tradition like that? That if you catch the bride’s bouquet, you inherit that good fortune and get married.”
At Michelle’s words, his neck stiffened completely rigid.
Apparently.
As long as the hiatus had been, quite a few changes had taken place.
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