The kiss was hard, almost punishing. It took several moments for her to begin to struggle against him. She was reeling from his words and confusion.
Finally, his anger seemed to burn out, he gentled his mouth and hands. He nipped at her lips, his tongue seeking to taste her, his hands stroking her back.
She finally gathered her strength to push away from him.
Her face burned with anger and confusion. She searched his face and found regret there.
But then she watched as the affection and lust in his eyes cooled, replaced by anger then shuttered to her completely.
He gave her a cold smirk and stepped away from her. A chill settled over her at both the loss of his embrace and the sting of his words.
She drew a breath and quietly asked, “What are you talking about Jin?”
He turned on her then, anger and hurt blazing from him.
“Tell me why you are here. Out with it,” he spat, “I am sure NamJoon sent you to make the news more palatable. Did he think a pretty smile and a tight skirt would distract me from what you are planning?”
Dae was stunned. She had only ever seen Jin treat opponents this way, never her. Even in their fiercest negotiations he would not speak to her this way.
“Jin…” she began, only to be interrupted.
“Hurry up and say it SongDae. My board is waiting to convene the meeting. I will need to prepare my defense and find a way to prevent your takeover. Tell…Me…” Jin said, his voice low and dangerous.
Dae was still struggling with his words. “Jin….why would you think…?”
Again, she was interrupted. “Please, just be honest with me. Do you think I am stupid?” He asked, the hurt edging his voice.
“I saw you Dae. Hell! By now the whole country has seen you arrive from Paris on the company jet, accompanied by your security chief and met by your personal assistant.”
“I especially like the videos of you being welcomed back to the company, all your employees bowing to greet you, being escorted directly to Joon and the board conference call. Well done! He refuses to meet with me or take my calls, by the way. Did he tell you that?”
Jin paused, now drained in his anger.
She stood watching him, weighing her words.
He moved across from her to slump on the edge of his desk, his voice weary and strained.
He avoided looking at her as he continued.
“I was so damn excited to see you step off that plane, so hungry to get a good look at you, to make sure you were ok. I watched the reports of you going into the company and leaving Joon hours later. I was beside myself- excited, thinking…just knowing you would call as soon as you were free.”
He gave a bitter laugh and continued, “I ordered flowers, your favorites,” he said, pointing to a lavish bouquet of hydrangeas and roses thrown into his trash can.
Dae felt a prick of tears as she saw the ruined flowers and the pain on the beloved face staring at her.
“I decided not to have them delivered. I knew you would be at your favorite hotel. I decided I would bring them myself. But….” He pushed away from the desk and stood before her,” you never called. I waited till after 4:00 am. No call.”
She sat silent and still. She felt the tears forming for his hurt and misunderstanding.
He bent and retrieved the flowers from the can and handed them to her, saying “here, this should sum things up for us.”
Dae looked down at the withered flowers, now just empty echoes of the beauty and vibrancy they once were.
Would that truly be their relationship?
Dae was becoming overwhelmed. She knew she had to isolate herself from her personal feelings. Jin was too hurt right now to hear anything she had to say. She swallowed hard and prayed they would find another day for them.
They had to navigate everything into safe waters first, the companies, the project, each other.
“Jin,” she started, “I am so very sorry. There is so much I have to say to you. I fell asleep last night “resting" so I could call you. I came straight over this morning.”
Dae saw emotion flare in his eyes but he turned from her before she could name it.
Jin turned from her, cursing himself for allowing hope to flare. He had to get control of these feelings now, before they cost him everything.
He made no response to her explanation, moving to sit in his desk chair, long legs crossed, armed crossed across his chest. The desk between them added another barrier.
She steadied herself and when she looked at him again, he was facing Kim SongDae.
This face he could contend with. In fact, right now he would like to do nothing more than crush her plans for his company. He gave her a curt nod to continue.
“You are correct. I met with NamJoon and we have come to an agreement,” she paused, drawing a deep breath.
“Our offer is this. This afternoon there will be an announcement that phase 2 of this defense project is ready for implementation. They will announce that the bid is granted to iNovis….” she paused as Jin shifted toward her in his chair, his jaw clenched tightly.
“….And KimCom jointly. There will be a press release that the current project is on target and both companies will be actively engaged in this new phase. NamJoon has drafted a statement that any rumors of takeover bids are unfounded and that he determined he would not be able to go forward on these projects without KimCom…..specifically under the leadership of Kim SeokJin.”
She stopped and waited as Jin absorbed the information. He stared hard into her face. She was withholding information from him. He knew her too well.
“The rest Dae, what is it? You are keeping something from me. Something you know I will find objectionable, “he stopped a minute and turned on her.
“Are you doing this just for the contract?” he asked, still suspicious of the offer.” Two months from now I will be forced to step down quietly and allow Joon to take over?”
Then he paled as he thought of the other possibility. “Or…will I be forced out and you be given my company to run so NamJoon can rest easy at iNovis?”
A dull flush crept up Dae's face. He had always been too sharp to outmaneuver.
She felt shame wash over her. Both those scenarios had been alternatives Joon had been pondering. She had to use all her skills to dissuade him. In the end only her sacrifice had made the current solution possible.
However, now was not the time for Jin to have that information. She had to convince him to sign this deal.
Jin watched her face as he confronted her. Damn it, he was right. He knew it was true. It was the most logical way for them to address this.
Still, he saw more in Dae's face. She was not plotting to harm him. He felt an inkling of regret at ever thinking she would.
What in the hell was he doing? He had to tuck those personal feelings away and save his company. Then, he vowed, he would have the truth from her, and she would hear the truth from him.
He shook his head to clear it and focused on her again.
“The catch Dae. If it's too good to be true, it usually is.” He challenged.
Standing, she walked to look out the window. It was easier to hide from him this way.
“No catch Jin. YoonGi will have the papers drafted by now. You can review them and see I am telling the truth. You can add any terms you want. NamJoon is committed to this partnership.”
“Jimin,” she heard him practically growl when he heard the name. She smiled a sad smile. She should be happy he was still jealous. It was a bittersweet victory.
”Jimin,” she started again, has drafted all the statements. He is ready to work with you on the one for your board if you like. They will be reassured once the new contract is signed and so will the public. Your brand rankings should rise immediately.”
She blinked back tears before turning to face him.
“Jin…..please trust me.” She whispered.
He nodded, letting her think he was satisfied. He would find the rest soon enough.
“Now what Dae?” he asked, his voice pitched soft and low.
She deliberately pretended to misunderstand him.
“Now, you sign the papers and save your company!” she said with forced brightness.
She had to get away from him before she crumbled.
Jin could see she was trying to escape. Why? What was she still hiding?
Her phone chimed and she stepped away.
“I am sorry Jin. I have to leave to go to my parents. I have not seen them since I have been here.” She explained.
“Does your father know about this?” he asked.
“Yes. We set everything out for him. He agreed to it all,” she answered.
Actually, her father was thrilled with the way the agreement had worked out. Dae would work through that later.
Jin was trying to think of a way to convince her to stay, short of dragging her onto his lap and kissing her senseless. He could tell her guard was firmly in place so that was out.
She was moving toward the door and he was moving to intercept her when his intercom buzzed.
With an irritated sigh he paused to listen.
“Mr. Kim. The Chairman of the board is here insisting that he talk with you.”
Jin dropped his head and Dae smiled, her first real smile today.
“Perfect timing. Now he will know we are working on good terms. You can set a meeting for late tomorrow. You should have the papers signed by then.” She encouraged.
Jin smiled at her. She was right. She was always right damn it!!
Suddenly serious, he took her hand as she reached for the door.
He traced small circles on her palm with his thumb.
“Dae, I am sorry….” He began.
She placed her fingers against his lips, stopping him. She held her breath, hurting so badly to stand this close to him and not sink into his arms.
Now, she had to do this now.
“Jin, baby, “he watched her blink back tears, “ I am so ….sorry.”
With that she was gone, leaving him to wonder if he imagined the break in her voice.
Dae made the trip to her parents in a daze.
She welcomed the numb. It would help her through the next seventy-two hours.