Secret Cohabitation Love (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11

“The Chairman is waiting for you.”

The amiable-looking Chief of Staff opened the door to the Chairman’s office as soon as he greeted Tae Ha.

Chairman Kwon often checked on Tae Ha’s well-being under the guise of work reports. Everyone around him knew that the famously devoted husband, having lost his wife and two elder sons, now poured all his affection onto his youngest son.

Tae Ha himself acknowledged the sincerity of those twenty-three years—years his father had spent alone, keeping his wife’s place unfilled and never taking a lover.

Yet that devotion hadn’t always felt comfortable, so Tae Ha did his best within his limits.

He came when summoned and went when told to go, because no matter what others said, his father’s love was genuine and abundant.

“You called for me?”

“Sit down.”

As always, tea was already prepared on the table, its bitter aroma carefully chosen to suit Chairman Kwon’s taste.

“It’s yerba mate. Good for your health.”

Following his father’s suggestion, Tae Ha took two sips of the dark brown tea and set the cup down. Its pleasantly bitter flavor coated his throat and settled in his stomach.

“I see you’ve already started work at the hotel.”

“Yes. I’m receiving general briefings and getting up to speed. The workload is massive, so I’m getting private tutoring sessions from Managing Director Kim and General Manager Won. I’m also scheduled to meet with Harbor Group from the U.S. soon.”

“You’ll be traveling abroad, then.”

“We’re coordinating their arrival dates. They plan to conduct an on-site inspection here before finalizing the franchise agreement.”

“That makes sense.”

“The franchise royalty will be set at the level of Hotel H, the world’s number one global brand.”

“I believe you’ll succeed.”

“And I should probably visit the new hotel construction site in Sokcho as well. The previous president handled things thoroughly, so I haven’t rushed to schedule a visit yet.”

“Right. If your schedule’s too packed, your health will suffer.”

Strangely, Chairman Kwon seemed unusually distracted while listening to the report—unlike his usual self.

“But I don’t think you called me just for a work update. Did you summon me about my vacation plans?”

“A vacation is only a vacation if you enjoy it properly yourself. Just don’t cancel it because you’re busy with work—that’s all I ask.”

Tae Ha sensed hesitation in Chairman Kwon’s expression. His father’s steady gaze felt oddly unfamiliar today.

“Tae Ha.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“You’ll soon be thirty. And I’m no longer young myself.”

“You’re only sixty. Someone who’s sixty-one might take offense at that.”

Tae Ha forced a smile, but he could already guess the direction this conversation was heading—the very milestone his peers had already passed long ago.

“Get married.”

Until recently, Chairman Kwon had gently declined every marriage proposal from political and business circles, insisting Tae Ha was still young and had much to learn.

Yet now—

“Marriage? Is it perhaps to a globally influential family?”

Otherwise, why would he so easily suggest marriage now, rendering all those past proposals meaningless?

“There’s already a girl I’ve chosen for you.”

Tae Ha’s long eyes narrowed instantly.

“So that’s why you turned down all those good matches.”

“I picked her in advance to save you time—you only ever care about work. Did you really think I didn’t know you even turned down Se Young for that reason?”

Se Young, the esteemed daughter of Jaechul Group—the top conglomerate—had been rejected by Tae Ha. Before formal discussions even began, Se Young had approached Tae Ha herself; his firm refusal had spread like wildfire through business circles, prompting Jaechul to seek other prospects.

Tae Ha had only one reason for rejecting her: he didn’t want to waste time on romance.

“Since you’ll marry eventually, think of it as saving time. You’ve always liked efficiency.”

“That’s true.”

“And don’t go snooping around, sending your people to dig up information just because you’re curious.”

“Why not?”

“Because if you reject her outright, it’ll put me in an awkward position.”

Chairman Kwon chuckled, but at the word “reject,” Tae Ha briefly thought of Song Eun Seo.

The one person perfectly suited to that word.

Song Eun Seo? Was this the answer?

It did seem suspicious. Without help, how could she have accessed all that personal information to file the report?

But his father could have managed it.

Perhaps he’d even assumed Song Eun Seo would simply run away if presented as the match—given how extraordinary her conditions were.

Yet Tae Ha quickly dismissed the idea. If Chairman Kwon had really chosen Song Eun Seo, he would have summoned her to Seoul right after his grandmother passed away.

So it couldn’t be her.

Still, he asked—just in case.

“What’s her name?”

“Hmm? Most people ask if she’s pretty first, but you’re oddly different.”

“I just have a feeling she must be. Please tell me her name.”

“I won’t tell you.”

Chairman Kwon grinned mischievously and emptied his teacup completely.

“If I pester you, will you tell me?”

“You’re unusually persistent today. Why are you so fixated on her name instead of her face?”

“I’m just really curious. Even if I don’t know her face, I’d like to get her name on my tongue—so it won’t feel awkward when we meet.”

“She’s from the Yoo family. I’ll tell you her given name later.”

“Yoo?”

“Why that look? You don’t already know someone by that name, do you?”

“Of course not. It’s just the yerba mate—makes me grimace a bit.”

Tae Ha offered a faint smile and added,

“I’m sure you’ve found a suitable match, Father. I don’t mind either way.”

“Yes, exactly. Affection grows naturally over time, and love follows.”

“Was it like that for you, Chairman?”

“For me?”

Chairman Kwon looked back over thirty years.

Meeting Tae Ha’s mother—his wife, Hong Ji Soo—had been pure coincidence. It hadn’t been an arranged marriage.

“For me, love came first. My love story was quite famous back then—people even suggested making a movie out of it.”

Tae Ha lowered his head and smiled.

He’d heard that movie story dozens of times—it was tiresome—but whenever his father spoke of his mother, his expression turned genuinely romantic. That was why Tae Ha sometimes deliberately brought her up, just to let his father briefly relive those happy memories.

“Tae Ha, since you’re agreeable, I’d like to set a meeting date. When would be good for you?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve been busy lately. It’d be difficult for now—maybe after I’ve gotten settled with the hotel work.”

Tae Ha rose from his seat as he finished speaking.

* * *

Incheon International Airport.

At the steadily filling baggage claim area, Ha Eun easily found her luggage and loaded it onto a cart. It had been exactly two years since she’d last set foot in Korea.

She’d returned briefly after graduating college in the U.S., then gone back to America—making it precisely two years in total.

She hurried toward the spot where Housekeeper Jang was waiting.

Jang Hyun Jung was her adoptive mother—the woman who’d adopted Ha Eun from an orphanage.

They were family—just the two of them. Ha Eun had never met her adoptive father; he’d divorced Hyun Jung long ago. Blood relation or not, their family consisted only of Hyun Jung and Ha Eun.

Her adoptive mother had always felt distant, and since they’d hardly lived together, Ha Eun knew almost nothing about her.

She didn’t even know exactly whom her adoptive mother worked for—only vaguely guessing she served someone in a company or organization.

Hyun Jung occasionally took calls, and “Chairman” had sometimes appeared in those conversations.

Her long study abroad and comfortable life in America had both been sponsored by this Chairman.

Ha Eun had even wondered once:

Could there be something between the Chairman and her adoptive mother?

Of course, that was before. Just days ago, she’d learned her prospective fiancé was the Chairman’s son.

As she pushed her cart, struggling slightly under the weight,

“Hey!”

Someone called out from behind, quickly caught up to her, and blocked her path. The man, tall and strikingly handsome, wore a black corduroy cap shielding his face.

She’d seen plenty of handsome men, but this one—blocking her way—was clearly more captivating than most.

“You dropped this.”

It was a business magazine.

He held out the exact page she’d been reading on the plane, perfectly preserved.

So this man must have been in first class too.

For some reason, that intrigued her, and Ha Eun studied him more intently.

‘My fiancé should at least be this good-looking.’

Thinking of the arranged marriage partner she’d only heard about from Housekeeper Jang, Ha Eun felt equal parts hope and worry.

She’d returned to Korea specifically to meet her betrothed.

“Thank you.”

Ha Eun lifted the corners of her lips into a bright smile.

“So you’re quite interested in economics, I see.”

Was it the magazine’s influence or his own assumption? The man’s eyes lit up as he asked.

“Yes, a little.”

The page she’d opened featured profiles of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Young Global Leaders. Naturally, the most eye-catching face was Kwon Tae Ha of GK Shopping.

Kwon Tae Ha was merely Ha Eun’s dream and idol—she’d bought the magazine for that reason alone, not out of genuine economic interest.

She’d fallen for him instantly upon seeing him for ten brief minutes at a charity gala. Even from afar, his presence had filled the entire venue.

[Who is that guy?] [That’s Kwon Tae Ha, GK’s only son—he’s not interested in women at all. Remember we even made a bet? Whoever gets Kwon Tae Ha to speak to them first wins a limited-edition handbag.]

There’d been no winner that night, but Ha Eun had felt such envy—not just admiration—toward the woman who would eventually marry Kwon Tae Ha.

The man handed her the magazine and immediately turned to leave.

‘Even someone like him would be fine.’

Watching him walk away, Ha Eun sighed with slight disappointment and headed out of the arrivals hall.

She found Housekeeper Jang right away. As always, Jang was slender and impeccably dressed.

“Ha Eun!”

Housekeeper Jang raised her hand high, beaming, then rushed over and pulled Ha Eun into a tight embrace.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. Very well.”

After holding her for a long moment, Housekeeper Jang finally pulled back, scrutinized her from head to toe, and frowned slightly.

“You’ve put on a bit of weight. You must manage your figure properly.”

That confusing blend of expression and tone—criticism disguised as care—was exactly as Ha Eun remembered. It was the same demeanor that had always made her uneasy, driving her to strive tirelessly just to stay in Housekeeper Jang’s good graces.

“It’s bloating. I’ve been so anxious the past few days I couldn’t sleep.”

“I see. Exercise will fix that. I’ll find a Pilates instructor and book sessions soon. Driver?”

At Housekeeper Jang’s nod, the chauffeur beside her stepped forward to take Ha Eun’s cart. Ha Eun looped her arm gently through Housekeeper Jang’s.

“But when do I get to meet him?”

“You mean your future husband?”

“Yes, I’m curious. I was really shocked—I didn’t even know I had someone to marry, and then to learn he’s the son of my sponsor? Why did they choose me?”

“It’s a secret. I’ll tell you later. But you haven’t been dating anyone, right?”

“When would I have time? You always said I must never date and risk gossip if I want to marry a good man—because in our circle, news spreads fast.”

“Good girl, good girl.”

Housekeeper Jang patted the white hand nestled in her arm affectionately.“`