Chapter Text
Jeonghan crossed his legs, shifting in his discomfort because fuck Choi Seungcheol.
Fuck his fucking arms. And his ass. And his smile. And his big eyes. And his broad back. And his dimples. And, and, and…
"Mr. Yoon, are you with us?" And his deep voice.
Jeonghan nodded weakly.
Never mind that for the last 20 minutes, he had heard nothing of the presentation, or that his thoughts had been solely focused on being defiled on this ridiculously large table, against the refreshment table at the back. Or into the podium where the object of Jeonghan's dirty thoughts stood, glowering at him.
Seungcheol raised an annoyed eyebrow. And Jeonghan felt his belly tighten. Yeah, fuck that eyebrow, too.
Around him, people stared. The large meeting room was filled with those who mattered in the company - vice presidents, directors, chief officers. Jeonghan didn't know their names, he knew he should though. The only name he was certain of in this room was the interim CEO, previous COO, Choi Seungcheol.
Jeonghan was merely here to learn.
And no matter how hard he tried to do so, his teacher, his mentor, was his biggest distraction. Because from the moment they met, Jeonghan was certain that they would be amazing together.
Choi Seungcheol was fifteen years his senior. He wore tailored suits, polished shoes, and his hair was always slicked back without a strand out of place. His presence was domineering, commanding. He demanded greatness from those around him. He took calculated risks. He made informed decisions. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it.
Seungcheol walked into every room and owned it immediately.
And Jeonghan couldn't wait to be owned… in Seungcheol's office… in the lobby… in the elevator. Anywhere. Literally, anywhere. Jeonghan would take it and say thank you.
The room was still quietly watching Jeonghan. Seungcheol scowled at him and flexed his jaw in annoyance.
He wondered if Seungcheol knew the choke hold he had on Jeonghan. Then he wished Seungcheol would wrap his big hands around his throat and…
"Mr. Yoon, focus!"
Jeonghan bit back embarrassment and the spasm he felt in his groin. His gaze focused and he leaned forward in his seat and nodded, eyes fixed on the presentation. He waved a dismissive hand to imply the meeting continue.
"Kind of you to pay attention," Seungcheol quipped snidely. He turned back to the room at large and returned to his meeting. "Gentlemen, as we quickly nearing the end of the fiscal year, our ROI is promising but not nearly where it needs to be. We are in the home stretch and if each and every one of you in the room did your jobs, our revenues would reflect that. As it stands now, don't expect a bonus if I don't see returns. Meeting adjourned."
Jeonghan stayed in his seat as the room emptied. He'd heard the grumbles, angry comments about the interim CEO and a few laughing at him for even being there. 'Daddy's princess,' someone mocked.
"Mr. Yoon," Seungcheol called once they were alone. "Let's go. We have several more meetings to attend this morning. You need to pay attention. I don't care if you speak, frankly, I'd prefer if you didn't. However, I will say this only once: never wave your hand at me like you're anyone to dismiss me. I am not someone who is beneath you. You will treat me with respect; not only for my current position but as a person. Do I make myself clear?"
Jeonghan stood on shaky legs and nodded. Oh, the next few months were going to be absolute torture.
"Is that clear, Mr. Yoon? I expect you to answer when I ask you a question."
Jeonghan swallowed the lump in his throat and bit his lip. "Yes, sir."
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When Jeonghan's father had taken ill, he'd asked Seungcheol to fill his role as CEO until his eldest son was ready. Yoon Senior had also asked Seungcheol to allow his son to shadow the interim CEO and mentor him on the job. The primary reason being Choi Seungcheol was an exemplary employee who had meticulously climbed the ranks until he was VP of Operations and Finances and naturally, a perfect fit when the previous Chief Operating Officer retired. The next step for someone with his grit was CEO. The diligent man was no-nonsense. He didn't have time for games or tomfoolery. Yoon Senior knew that this man, a textbook workaholic in his mid thirties, would not allow anything but perfection from his wildest child.
Despite being the eldest, Yoon Jeonghan lacked responsibility and drive. As a child, he appeared kind yet rowdy, as boys in their youth are. He was quick to play the mastermind behind the scenes, never the leader or poster boy. He had a wicked sense of humor though always managed to get by with a smile and a well timed compliment.
Yoon Senior knew he underestimated his son when the boy took off for the Maldives for a month, came back with a tan and a vintage Rolex, all while at the age of 16 and meant to be at boarding school. The school hadn't once noticed his absence despite the boasting the strictest attendance and royal class security. He'd simply giggled when his father demanded to know how he left. He offered his father the watch in recompense.
Jeonghan was reckless and made it his life's ambition to excel at nothing, especially anything his father required of him.
Jeonghan loved to frequent nightclubs in Singapore and yacht parties in the south of France. He flew to Bali with his best friend Joshua Hong at least once a quarter. He also had a never-ending pile of parking tickets and several arrests on his record all carefully hidden from society and expunged at a high won.
To top it off, he spent an astronomical amount of money on clothing and opulence. Designer pieces off runways, sample sizes because obviously. Entire show rooms to furnish homes no one ever step foot in. Diamond cuff links, platinum rings, and rare gem necklaces; golden anklets and pieces that were once part of some monarchy's vault.
The caveat in Jeonghan's outlandish lifestyle was that at the tender age of twenty-three, having only just completed his studies, begrudgingly graduating from university early with a degree in corporate law, he had no money of his own. Everything he owned was listed in his father's name.
The beautiful Porsche he drove. The ten room penthouse he unwilling had to share with his younger brothers. Even his collection of Birkins his late mother had left to him were technically his father's.
And because his name was forever tied to his father's in the annuals of life, there wasn't much Jeonghan could do by means of actual work without any employer fixating in his surname and then word getting back to his father.
He was treasured and caged in that way.
Daddy dearest had made things clear to Jeonghan and his much less rambunctious brothers: behave, and you will inherent the world.
Jeonghan had ignored the first point.
Behaving was overrated.
He just wanted the world.