{ 18 }

Jiyong was trying to busy himself with paper works, but his mind just flows to Park Sandara. He doesn’t know why, but somehow, after remembering bits and pieces of memories with her, he feels that there was some kind of connection between him and her.

Yet, he doesn’t actually feel like he likes her in the sense that a man likes a woman. At this point, in between knowing that he lost memory of a girl from his past and trying to regain them back, everything just feels too complicated. There had been times when he spaced out in the middle of an important meeting, and he couldn’t afford to do that. It had only been five years since he was appointed as the president of the Kwon empire, and he couldn’t afford to laze around since his father had worked hard to make Kwon Group of Companies stay on top.

He knows that there were some executives who were out to catch him and nitpick on everything he does or say. That was just how they operate in the business world. It’s a dog eats dog principle out there. That was the reason why Jiyong had earned himself the moniker “dragon.” He was the unforgiving kind. Anyone must make way for Kwon Jiyong, and that was also the way he got a lot of enemies.

That was why Jaejoong was always around him whenever he goes out. Jiyong learned judo for self-defense way back when he was a kid, but there were a lot of things he should busy himself with other than continuously watching his back for enemies trying to strike him.

Most of the people thought that Jaejoong was just a measly bodyguard of Jiyong, but what they do not know was that Jaejoong was the one who helps Jiyong take care of “unofficial” company matters. Taeyeon was around to look for the legal aspects of business, but if there was something Taeyeon couldn’t settle, Jaejoong would help take care of it. They don’t exactly do illegal things since Jaejoong and his men only scare those people off who try to leech money off Jiyong.

Jaejoong had been around Jiyong since he was appointed as the KGC’s CEO, and though the two men were both cold, there had always been a bond between the two of them.

It was already nighttime, and the two men were the only ones left in the company building other than the security guards and some of the cleaning staffs. Taeyeon had gone home a while ago. Jiyong insisted that Jaejoong should also go home, but the latter was stubborn and declared that he will be staying since it was his duty to protect Jiyong. Jiyong said that his official time for work was done, but Jaejoong countered by saying that until Jiyong wasn’t safely tuck at home, his official time would still go on.

“Jaejoong.” Jiyong called.

“Yes, Sir Jiyong?”

“Stop calling me ‘Sir Jiyong’ when we’re the only ones around, hyung.” Jiyong replied with a smile.

“Arasso, Jiyong.”

“Hyung, do you think I’m a jerk?” Jiyong repeated his question to Jaejoong a few nights ago.

Jaejoong looked at him weirdly. “Jiyong, are you high?”

“No, hyung. Take me seriously! Answer honestly, okay?”

“Jiyong, I think you’re a jerk. There. I said it.”

“Why, hyung?”

“Did you drink? Did you do some ninja moves and snuck out to drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniel’s by yourself while I was off to the bathroom?” Jaejoong questioned. There had been times when they talk casually like this, but Jiyong had never asked those strange questions at him.

“No. It’s just… I don’t know anymore.”

The older guy looked at his dongsaeng. He had felt that Jiyong was a bit troubled these days with matters outside the company, but he never asked him because he knows how much Jiyong values his privacy. “What’s wrong, Jiyong?”

“I have Dissociative Amnesia, hyung.” The younger guy confessed. “I recently knew about it.”

“WHAT THE FUCK, MAN?!” Jaejoong yelled. “Amnesia? But… why? You never acted like you had one.”

“Remember Park Sandara? The girl who had strong opinions about me?”

Jaejoong nodded. “Yeah, but what does she have to do with you having an amnesia?”

Jiyong explained everything to Jaejoong, who was only staring at him, dumbfounded. Jaejoong couldn’t believe it. “But if Dr. Shin told Madame Kwon, why didn’t she tell you?”

Jiyong shrugged. “I bet it’s because she doesn’t want to trouble me anymore. Besides, eomeoni had a lot on her plate in those times. Abeoji died, and I had a fatal accident. Even Yuri’s schooling was affected.”

Jaejoong nodded, accepting Jiyong’s reasoning. “Well, maybe. Since Madame Kwon had been more protective of you and Yuri since Mr. Kwon died and you had that stupid accident.”

“Didn’t they find anything weird while investigating?” Jiyong suddenly asked.

“None. If they had, the police would have notified us immediately. I heard that your uncle Mr. Jo Pil Guk even pulled some strings to hasten the investigation. But then, nothing was wrong.” Jaejoong eyed Jiyong carefully. “Why? Do you feel like something’s wrong?”

“Well, now that I think about it carefully, something had been off. I remember that I was going somewhere to meet someone, but I don’t remember getting in the car and driving around. All I know was that I’m feeling sleepy and I was already a meter away from the cliff. I panicked and when I tried to stop the car, I was already falling.” Jiyong explained in detail.

Jaejoong got curious, but he let his rational side win. “Maybe it was just because the accident affected your head. Didn’t you say that you even have this whatever amnesia? You even forgot your girlfriend.”

Jiyong didn’t say anything, but he didn’t pursue the matter further. He just reminded Jaejoong not to tell anyone about him getting a treatment for his amnesia. If that fact goes out, it might affect the company’s status.

“But what did Ms. Park say, Jiyong? Did she agree to help you?”

“Yeah. We went to the university last time and to the park where we used to always meet.” Jiyong sighed. “I don’t know, hyung, I feel bad for her. Guilty, I think.”

“Why?”

“Because I left her hanging. You know me, hyung. I even told you that from my memory, Park Sandara was the only girl I dated when I was studying, right?” Jaejoong nodded. “And now I only go out with women to take care of my needs as a man, but I never acted like a jerk to them. I don’t just leave them hanging. At least I tell them that I won’t be around anymore the next day.”

“Jiyong, you can’t exactly tell me that you didn’t act like a jerk. Just the fact that you only go out with those women to satisfy yourself and then be gone the morning after is an act of being a jerk. Maybe you’re doing that unintentionally, but those women don’t know that.” Jaejoong clarified. “And that’s what makes you a jerk.”

“But what I did to Sandara makes me an even bigger jerk, neh? Since I didn’t even tell her I was leaving…”

Jaejoong stared at the blinking city lights in Seoul below them. “I can’t exactly blame you for that. You didn’t even remember that you left her behind, Jiyong.”

“But I can’t deny the fact that I have hurt her.” Jiyong’s voice was now pained.

Jaejoong sighed. “Jiyong, it was done. It already happened, and no matter how much you mope around, the fact that you cannot change the past events was evident. Just make it up to her, but not to the point that she might mislead your actions to something else.”

“Okay, maybe I’ll just do that.” Jiyong smiled at Jaejoong. “Thanks, hyung.”

--

“I demand to see Kwon Jiyong.” Bom’s voice boomed as she tried to scare Taeyeon away with her menacing looks.

Sure enough, the petite secretary was kind of scared, but she was more scared of Mr. Kwon’s wrath as soon as she let this woman in his office without an official appointment. Mr. Kwon was never the forgiving type of person, and Taeyeon was already the seventh secretary of Kwon Jiyong ever since he started to handle the company. Mr. Kwon was rather picky, moody and meticulous, but the pay was real good and Taeyeon wouldn’t want to lose her job. That was why she was really scared out of her wits when a woman from the last time just ran and opened the office door of Mr. Kwon. Taeyeon thought that she was going to get fired for sure, but fortunately, her job was secured.

“No, miss, I absolutely cannot help you with that. Mr. Kwon Jiyong is a busy person, and not just any one could barge in to meet him. If you really want to, you could make an appointment with him, but his schedule is full up until next month.” Taeyeon tried to explain rationally, but it seems like the woman in front of her wasn’t getting what she was trying to say.

“I am Kwon “The Jerk” Jiyong’s friend, okay?” Bom said, irritated. “Ask him first before stopping me.”

Taeyeon sighed in defeat. She feels like the woman was ready to clobber her with anything if she doesn’t do what the woman wants. It’s better to lose my job than to get hospitalized, Taeyeon settled. “Okay, fine. What’s your name?”

“Park Bom.” The woman answered smugly.

Sighing, Taeyeon clicked the intercom. “Mr. Kwon? There was a woman named Park Bom looking for you. She says you’re her friend?”

“YAH, I really am his friend!” Bom said when she heard that Taeyeon’s voice was still full of doubts.

“Park Bom?” The voice, whom Bom hadn’t heard for a very long time, asked.

“Yes, Mr. Kwon.” Taeyeon answered, feeling regretful that this scary woman even talked her into asking Mr. Kwon himself.

“YAH, KWON JIYONG!” Bom yelled. “You asshole!”

Taeyeon was beyond surprised when the woman started yelling profanities through the intercom. After a full minute of cursing at her boss in rapid speed, Park Bom looked satisfied with herself… for now.

“Mr. Kw– Mr. Kwon, I apologize for tha–” Taeyeon stuttered, not knowing what to say for the woman’s impossible behavior.

“It’s fine, Taeyeon. Let her in.” Kwon Jiyong answered to the surprise of Kim Taeyeon.

“Understood, Mr. Kwon.”

The woman looked smugly at her once again before making her way inside Mr. Kwon’s office. Taeyeon could only look incredulously.