unrivaled

Jin had given up on staying at his home.  He had clothes brought over and basically lived in his office.

He and JK shifted through pages of logs and reports every night.  He worked himself to exhaustion. 

On the rare night he remembered his dream it was always the same.  Dae would be wondering in the dark, shrouded by fog.  She would turn when she heard him calling, but he could never reach her. 

Progress in the investigation was excruciatingly slow.  Tae and JK shared the few small incidents as they found them.  They all grew more tense and frustrated.

Jin had an unpleasant family dinner of his own where his father demanded answers he did not have.

He had sent a car for Jin late one afternoon, a command not an invitation, to join him at a downtown restaurant. 

The room was private and security had scanned it before and stood outside as Jin entered.

His father waited until the meal was served to state his real purpose.

“SeokJin, I am concerned over your failure to lead in this security issue. It cannot become a scandal,” he began.
“At one time I thought you were ready to truly lead this company.  How wrong I was.”

Jin sat emotionless as his father's words rolled off him.

“I am furious I had to learn of this issue from a press conference.”  The disgust of his face made Jin flush with shame.

“You cousin has called your grandfather several times.  It is evident he is preparing to step in at the smallest sign of weakness,”  he warned.

Jin clenched his jaw at the mention of his greedy, grasping cousin.  He would ruin the company in six months If he was put in charge.  Surely his grandfather understood that.

“SeokJin,” his father said in a quieter voice, “I am also concerned about your reported involvement with Kim SongDae.”

Of course, that would not have escaped his father's notice.

“There can be no hint of involvement there, real or imagined. It simply will not do.  Her father and I have spoken and are in agreement,” he commanded.

Jin felt his temper rise at the thought of his father discussing his relationship with SongDae with anyone, especially her father.

“Father,” Jin finally spoke, “with respect, my personal relationships are just that, personal.  There is no need for you to discuss them with anyone.  When the time is right, I will come to you and you will be the first to know my plans.  Until then,” he paused, pushing past polite boundaries,
”SongDae is NOT a topic of discussion for you.”

Jin watched as his father grew still and glanced at him coldly.

It was an attitude he knew well and had never been able to best, yet. 

This time would be the first, this was too important to him.

“SoekJin.  It is clear to me you are too emotional about this topic.  You will obey me in this.  You will focus on the best interests of this company.  To that end I have also spoken to CEO Choi.  We will be moving forward with the plan for an attachment with that family.  You will focus on Alex now.  She will make sure of that.  That will settle any problem with the Kim girl,” he finished.

Confident his demands would be met, the older man relaxed and began to eat.

For the first time in his life, Jin openly defied his father.

He stood, throwing his linen napkin down on the table, and looked his father square in the eye.

“Like hell I will.  Keep Alex away from me or there WILL be a scandal.  And hear me clearly…” Jin paused, leaning closer so his father could not mistake his words, “ there is no “problem with the Kim girl".  I will not be moved on this.”

With that Jin turned and stalked out of the room, his fury tightly in check.

His father sat looking at the door Jin had left standing open

He shook his head and returned to his meal.  That boy had always been too much like his mother.  He would learn this lesson the hard way.