#yixingsnext

[soocouldbemyonlystar]

Chaebols: The Arrangment

Genre: Angst/Fluff

Length: 4.2k

Pairing: Kyungsoo x OC

Summary: They agreed to a marriage that would benefit both families, but that’s if they even make it past the wedding.

Pt2 

             It was a business deal. His wealthy company and her prominent family, joined together to create an advantageous partnership. It wasn’t the first time it had been done and it wouldn’t be the last. Emotions played no part, especially not between Do Kyungsoo and Lee Jae-eun. It was a miracle they were able to fake their way through the ceremony. He even managed a subvert the kiss, placing one on her cheek after they were pronounced man and wife. She succeeded in hiding the wave of annoyance as his lips touched her.

Now they sat an uncomfortable few inches from each other at the reception as the orchestra played a classical something she didn’t recognize. It may as well have been miles. Jae Eun sat quietly remembering the look in his hooded eyes as the Reverend pronounced them. It was one that most would mistake for passion or desire. The kind of look that would make a woman feel flush, like no amount of ice could cool the fire behind those dark chocolate depths. Jae Eun had learned quickly it was contempt, she knew that look well now. When he had taken that step toward her and leaned in, she held her breath thinking he would really kiss her. Instead he turned to the side and pressed his lips to her cheek, declaring he didn’t want to “share their first kiss as husband and wife with everyone.”

But there would be no kiss as man and wife if Kyungsoo had anything to say about it. He had made sure she knew that when they agreed to the marriage. Not only was he against public displays, but for the sake of honesty he had already told her nothing would happen between them because he was in love with someone else. It was one-sided with a friend from college but he had already given his heart. Kyungsoo was part of a large conglomerate family, and the woman was of little standing. In their circle, name and status were everything. Jae-eun was the oldest daughter of a wealthy businessman and a marriage between the two worked out for both families. So much so that it was not difficult for either to accept the match.

Their mothers planned the biggest wedding they could manage in six months. They worked franticly, afraid Kyungsoo would change his mind. He wouldn’t, she knew. In the beginning, she wasn’t sure what he objected to the most, the marriage or marrying her. Now she knew it was her. They were too similar, she wasn’t too proud to admit that. Both were fond of their solitude and didn’t care for the disruption of this marriage, and neither were afraid to be honest about their displeasure. Jae-eun counted her blessings. At least she didn’t have to be embarrassed to be seen in public with him since he wasn’t too old or just plain strange.

Kyungsoo is undeniably handsome, she thought as she watched him lean to the side to hear whatever his best man Kim Jongin was saying. His dark hair was always cut and styled, his skin was a beach beige, even though he rarely had time to spend in the sun. He had beautiful eyes that were large, intense and had a way of drawing you in and holding you there. Jae-eun had always thought the description ‘deep wells’ wasn’t big enough to explain his eyes. They were endless chasms, if you fell in, you would fall forever. His pillowy, heart-shaped lips looked to be as soft as fluffy clouds, and after having them pressed against her cheek earlier, she could confirm that assumption.

They were to take the six months to date and get to know each other. It hadn’t worked out that way. Kyungsoo was immersed in helping his father run their company. Do Kyung Chul was getting ready to retire and Kyungsoo was being groomed to fill his spot. There were many dates rescheduled or cancelled all together. Jae-eun didn’t complain about that. It wasn’t different from growing up with her father and the rest of her life looked to follow the same pattern. She was used to it now. She just used that free time to learn everything she could about him and his business. She utilized her father’s resources to become familiar with everything his company dealt with. When they did manage to keep their dates, they typically sat in silence. In public, they were polite and friendly, they were both raised to be so, but in private they were prone to bicker. Even after six months, Jae-Eun barely knew him.

Two months before the wedding, his mother had come to them.

“I know this is for the benefit of the families and the companies, but I don’t want either of you to live being unhappy. I want my son to be happy. Let’s just end this here.” His mother told them.

“Eomma,” she explained, “We know what we are doing. There are options, but we both choose this. I’ll do everything I can to make him happy.”

It was a lie and they knew it. Their marriage was the best option and they were both responsible and filial enough to shoulder that burden. Even given the option to leave, they both elected to stay. But Jae Eun didn’t want to be unhappy either, she would do what she could to make it work.

Jae Eun was brought back to the present as Kyungsoo’s best men piled on stage to toast the groom. As heirs who attended the same private schools since primary, they remained friends despite the constraints of their lives. Though she had attended the same schools as Kyungsoo and the others, she ran in a different group and had very little interaction with any of them. She had been in the band with Chanyeol but they rarely spoke, but Kim Jongdae had several of the same classes and they had been friendly until she was sent to the states to finish high school and attend college.

“Kyungsoo-yah, you’re a married man!” Byun Baekhyun yelled into the mic first.

The guests erupted in laughter. Jae-eun watched Kyungsoo’s heart-shaped lips arch even higher in the first real smile he’d had since the wedding started. Kim Jongin, Kyungsoo’s closest friend, slapped Baekhyun in the back of the head and pulled the mic out of his hands.

“He knows, Hyung, it’s his wedding,” Jongin said, causing another round of laughter.

Jongin continued, “Kyungsoo is like a brother to all of us. We were all friends in one way or another, but you brought us together in your own way, and now you’re giving us a sister. I don’t think I could have picked a better wife for you. Lee Jae Eun, I’m so glad you’re joining our family. Kyungsoo will be a good husband to you, so please take care of him for us.”

Another wave of applause ran over the guests and Kyungsoo turned to Jae-eun smiling. Though a wave of guilt weighed heavy in the pit of her stomach, she painted a happy expression on her face as he slid his hand into hers on the table. It was for show, she knew.

He bowed quickly and handed the mic to his left. Chanyeol took it next, a mischievous smile spread across his face.

“Kyungsoo-yah, tell me this is a dream?” Chanyeol started, “Not only are you the first to get married, but how did you manage to find such a beautiful woman? I want this to be a bad dream so I can wake up and find her for myself.”

Jae-eun laughed, knowing Kyungsoo probably wished the same thing. He released her hand to clap with the crowd and Jae-eun felt cold at the abandonment. They may not like each other, but they were in this together. The warmth of his hand was a comfort to her.  

“I was nervous when Kyungsoo told me he was getting married, to this day I still can’t figure out what would possess her to put up with him. We all attended the same schools but I never knew much about her and once I really got to know Lee Jae-eun, I realized that if any woman in this world could handle Do Kyungsoo, it’s her. Jae-eun-ah, I’ve learned you are just as stubborn and pig-headed as he is. But, also just like him you are intelligent, caring, and compassionate. So, don’t ever give up on our Kyungsoo. I truly believe you will make each other happy for the rest of your lives.”

Jae-eun waved to him happily, Chanyeol was the only one of the eight friends who knew the whole truth about their arrangement, since Kyungsoo had told the others he had kept her a secret for the sake of their privacy. He was a private man, so no one questioned this, besides Chanyeol. Despite this, he seemed to genuinely like her. She had likely seen him and Jongin more in the last six months than she had Kyungsoo and she felt a rapport with him. He was quick witted and funny. In the six months she had known him, she had found him to be sweet, endearing, and loyal.

What a waste of such sweet words, she thought.

One by one the remaining few spoke about meeting Kyungsoo or about the wonderful things he had done for them until Jae-eun thought she would be sick. Her full plate of dinner had yet to be removed, and just the thought of eating as she pretended this was real, made her stomach roll.

Kyungsoo must have noticed her discomfort. He took hold of her arm just above the elbow and pulled her toward him gently. Leaning in, he brought his lips uncomfortably close to her ear in what the guests would interpret as a loving exchange between newlyweds.

“When they are done, we will do our round to thank the guests, then we can make our exit and this will all be over.” His warm breath tickled her ear.

The crowd applauded again and Jae-eun instinctively clapped as she turned and leaned into Kyungsoo’s ear to complete the little show he was putting on.

           “Not soon enough,” she replied.

           Kyungsoo beamed adoringly at her as she backed away, and Jae-eun had a brief thought that Kyungsoo missed his calling as an actor. He was so good he almost had her convinced.

           “Jae-eun-ah,” shouted Kim Minseok, who was the oldest of the nine friends “We haven’t spent much time together yet, but if Kyungsoo loves you, I’m sure we will too. I look forward to getting to know you and being great friends”

           Jae-eun’s heart burst at this gesture. The innocent and unknowing Minseok, with the smile like a child’s and eyes too pretty to belong to any man, beamed down at her from the stage. She pressed her hand to her heart and nodded to him. Jae-eun thought she would look forward to that as well. She didn’t know most of them personally, but she had done enough research on the people Kyungsoo surrounded himself with. Minseok’s family had questionable business practices, but it was clear Minseok wasn’t involved in it.      

Kyungsoo stood as the group of friends descended from the stage and engulfed him in a hug. Chanyeol held his hand out to Jae-eun. She accepted his hand and he pulled her into the group and Kyungsoo’s arms. There was a moment, however brief it was, where Jae-eun wished it was real. She wished she loved Kyungsoo, who was now her husband, that he loved her and that this was an actual celebration, not solely a party to commemorate their mutual imprisonment. She desperately wanted to be a part of this family that she now belonged to but didn’t really. They all spoke so beautifully about a man who had only ever shown her disdain, not that she’d given him much more. Guilt clawed at her chest. Jae Eun wanted to see in him what his friends saw. Hope, that maybe one day they could be friendly, was a dim flame that kept her going.

Finally, Kyungsoo slipped his arm around her waist and began to lead her around to the groups of family and friends.  “Just a while longer,” he said gently through his fake smile, “and we can go to our separate rooms of our hotel suite and not have to speak until our flight tomorrow.”

She stopped just short of a group and turned to face him. Slipping a finger under the knot of his tie she tugged, just a little too hard, to loosen it. The muscle of his jaw twitched at the motion and she couldn’t help but find a little joy in it. The left side of her top lip arched in pleasure.

Jae-eun batted her eyes and gave him a honey sweet smile, “Jagi, nothing would make me happier.”

He quickly turned away as a guest approached.

“Chairman Ji! I’m so glad you could make it.” He pandered to the older man.

Ji Soon Hee was the chairman of a publishing company that Kyungsoo was in the process of acquiring. Jae-eun knew inviting him to their wedding was a political move. She was familiar with it having grown up in this environment. He was quite handsome for his age and everyone knew he was well aware of it.  

The Chairman had a reputation for being flirty and he tended to favor those who flattered him. Praise and adoration would win his cooperation. From what little of Kyungsoo she knew, he was not fond of this part of his job. She, on the other hand, was raised for this and could set her discomfort aside to accomplish her goals. This was what they married for.

“Chairman, how very nice to meet you.” She bowed curtly.

He nodded in return, “The wedding was just wonderful. And I think you must have a most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen Mr. Do.”

“Thank you, Chairman.” Kyungsoo replied.

“That’s so sweet of you, Chairman. I’ll let you in on a little secret.” She leaned forward as if to whisper in his year, but not quite getting close enough, “I have brains too.”

The chairman gave a hefty chuckle, “I’d like to see those as well.”

“Absolutely,” Jae-eun smiled sweetly, “My husband has spoken so highly of your company and I just had to see about it myself. The financial plan you put into effect a few years ago was ingenious. I was impressed. Your company has shown significant gains each fiscal quarter ever since.”

The man’s eyes lit up. “I created that financial plan! I have received much praise for it! You’ve done your homework, Madam Do!”

“Well, I am my father’s daughter, Chairman. Plus, I know my husband has good taste as well.” Jae-eun smirked.

“You have yourself a smart girl here Mr. Do. A real special girl.” The chairman praised as he clasped her hand in his between both of his.

Kyungsoo turned to him, his cheeks flushing, and bowed his head, “Thank you, Chairman,” he said, keeping his head low to hide his embarrassment. Jae-eun watched as Kyungsoo’s eyes focused on the hand the chairman continued to hold firmly. She gave a quiet gasp as his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her close. Her hand slipped out of the chairman’s grasp.

“She is impressive, my Jae-eun,” he said as his fingers dug into her hip. “Excuse us Chairman, we have more guests to thank.”

“Of course, we will talk again soon,” the Chairman said, giving Jae-eun another sly smile as he stepped aside.

Kyungsoo and Jae-eun bowed their heads again as they stepped past.

“How did you know about that deal? It’s been kept secret.” He asked when they had a moment between guests.

“You are not the only one groomed from birth to deal with these situations. You had to have known I would consider your company’s dealings.” She smiled and waved to a friend across the room as she explained.

“Are you trying to help me,” his deep, bourbon voice was barely audible, “or hurt me?”

“Why would I try to hurt you?”

“Isn’t that what happens in these situations? A loveless marriage, the wife gets tired of her husband, afraid he’s going to leave her broke so she plots to take his company away from him?” He sneered.

“Do you plan on leaving me broke?” She asked.

“No.”

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem. We don’t have to like each other to make this work. I’m on your side and I’ll do what’s necessary to make us both successful. If you succeed, I succeed, my fate is tied to yours now. Besides, isn’t this why you married me?”

They paused to greet another group of guests.

“Well you certainly got the chairman’s attention.” He snickered in annoyance as they moved on.

She stopped and turned to him. “Careful,” she held his eyes as her fingers came up to replace a wisp of dark hair that had strayed on to his forehead, “someone may hear and think you are actually jealous.”

His eyes narrowed and Jae-eun saw something that looked almost possessive in their darkness. His caught her hand and held it firmly. The warmth of his hand she had longed for only a short while ago, was now a searing heat from anger burning her tender flesh as he pulled her closer. Again, she recognized it as a move to sell the story, to pass his anger as desire. His face was too close, his hot breath on her face, his dark eyes, unlike the rest of him, were glacial. She tried to play along, but the indignation in his handsome features made her skin flush, the sweltering intensity throwing off her equilibrium. Her breath caught in her throat, thick as ash.

“You are my wife, Jae-eun.” He said, the baritone of his voice rumbled in her chest.

She gave a little nervous laugh, “I will do what I think is best for my family and that includes you now. But I am not yours, don’t think to voice a claim on me.”

Suddenly his eyes move past hers, fear flooding the void. Jae-eun turned to find Yoo Mi-sun, one of Kyungsoo’s department heads, who began to back away, her eyes wide, red lips formed an “o.” She had heard everything. The woman shook her head wrapping her arms around the swell of her pregnant belly and started to turn away, but tripped on her own foot and fell hard on her bottom.

“Yoo Mi-sun!” Kyungsoo gasped and rushed to her side.

Jae-eun stepped toward them but the sight of Kyungsoo on his knees attentively looking over this woman stopped her. The room fell silent and time slowed as Jae-eun glanced around the room at the worried and judging faces that focused on Kyungsoo and Mi-sun. Her gaze then stopped on Chanyeol, who watched her with a look of sorrow on his face.

It was at that moment Jae-eun knew without a doubt, this was the woman her new husband was in love with.

Her eyes moved to her mother-in-law, who clung to her husband’s suit, her worried brows furrowed. Jae-eun recognized the woman’s concern was not for Mi-sun’s condition, but because Kyungsoo’s feelings were transparent.

Time sped back up and Jae-eun blinked past the surprise leaping forward.

“Yoo Mi-sun!” she dropped to her knees across from Kyungsoo. “I’m so sorry I didn’t know you were behind me, I should have been paying more attention. Are you okay? Can you stand?”

“I think so.” Mi-sun replied.

Jongin, Chanyeol, and Jongdae moved to help her, taking Mi-sun by the arms and lifting her up. Jae-eun straightened the woman’s dress as Mi-sun’s husband rushed to her side. Kyungsoo was frozen in place, eyes wide, he’d finally realized his mistake.

But Jae-eun was still in control of the situation. She crossed to him. “Jagi,” linking her arm in his, “I must be getting tired, I’m just knocking people down now.”

When he didn’t move she placed her hand on his face and turned it gently to hers, “Jagi, I think I’m ready to go.”

He finally blinked, then nodded.

Kyungsoo leaned around, “Yoo Mi-sun-ssi, are you okay?” He spoke more formally trying to create a distance between them.

She nodded.

Kyungsoo turned back to their guests, “I apologize for the disruption. My wife is exhausted, as can be expected. I think we are ready to call it a night. Please stay and enjoy yourselves. The bar is open until 2a.m. and we have designated drivers and taxis on stand-by. We would like to thank you all for sharing this special day with us.”

The guests clapped again, raining down congrats and praises as Kyungsoo wrapped his arm around Jae-eun’s waist. She could feel the stress melt away, it was almost over. She found her mother-in-law’s eyes and nodded to her, attempting to put her at ease. Then from somewhere in the crowd came the dreaded word.

“Kiss!”

Others soon chimed in until the whole room was chanting “Kiss, kiss, kiss.” Jae-eun’s face flushed and she shook her head, her hand vigorously waving off the request.

Kyungsoo’s arm disappeared from her hip and he placed his hands on either arm turning her to face him. She watched him, wide eyed, as he cupped her face gently. Reality set in and Jae-eun took a deep breath as he leaned forward. She closed her eyes and pretended. She pretended this was what they both wanted, that they were happy. She pretended the swirling sea of sadness wasn’t threatening to drag her under. Eventually, she would get used to this life. She would submerge herself in the things that made her happy and be the partner Kyungsoo needed. But right now, Jae Eun felt the weight of their decisions crushing, suffocating, and ripping her apart. So, she pretended the feel of his hands tenderly caressing her face made her heart beat faster and the softness of his lips made her shiver at the promise of what would come later.

And when the room erupted in applause, Jae-eun knew they had been successful in taking the attention away from Mi-sun.  

Kyungsoo waved off the cheers and whistles. His eyes turned down and his cheeks turned rosy. Jae-eun realized it was as difficult for him to hide his embarrassment as it was for her.

The crowd followed them out to the drive where the limo waited. They climbed in rolling down the window to wave happily at everyone, but as the limo drove off silence fell between them. At the hotel, he helped her out of the limo and with one hand in the pocket of his slacks and the other with fingers threaded in hers, he led them through the lobby and to the elevators. Once inside, Jae-eun pulled her hand free and removed her heels, though she had spent most of her life in heels, her feet had been killing her.

Kyungsoo took them from her quietly and slid his hand back into hers. She didn’t know why he insisted on holding her hand, there was no one to witness the act, but he held it firmly. So, Jae-eun held on to her pretend feelings for just a little longer. They walked like this down the hall only letting go when Kyungsoo opened the door.

Inside the grand hotel suite, he sat her heels on an end table and turned to her uncomfortably. Neither knew what to do next. This wouldn’t be a traditional wedding night. Kyungsoo had intentionally reserved the largest suit with two rooms, one on either side of the living space. It wasn’t suspicious since they were both from money and were expected to get the best. Jae-eun knew it was better to part, but the things unspoken between them still lingered, thick in the air.

After several moments of silence, Jae-eun spoke, “I get it. I really do. And you can love whomever you want. But my family put their faith in you. I put my faith in you. So, the only thing I request of you is that when we are in public, she doesn’t exist. I refuse to be made to look like a fool again. Can you manage that?”

“Yes, Jae-eun.”

“Then, goodnight Kyungsoo.”

He bowed his head as he shoved both of his hands in his pockets.

She turned from him, walking to her separate room in the silence that would be the rest of their lives and shut the door behind her. It was what he wanted, both in their separate rooms, not talking to each other. Jae-eun waited, unbearably long (why was he standing there for so long?) as her heart pounded, until she could hear Kyungsoo’s footsteps fading across the marble floor and his room door shut. She took the few steps to the bed and laid back, staring at the ceiling, through the ceiling, into oblivion. Nothingness. That was what she felt, numb.

I made the right choice. It could be worse, so much worse. Somehow the words didn’t sink in. She pulled the pillow to her chest and held it tight, curling over onto her side. Then, she took a deep breath and let it all come crashing down. In the morning, she would pick herself up, be herself, be a wife, be what was needed. But just for tonight, she cried herself to sleep.