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“I’m just here to congratulate the internship cohort on a successful hackathon project,” my dad replies.
“That’s right, wasn’t your daughter one of the interns chosen for the program? You were always so against giving anyone an unfair advantage and yet here we are. Seems when it’s a personal benefit, you’re singing a different tune,” Chairman Lee says.
“You and I both know that is not what happened,” my dad responds. He turns to me. “Jessica, if you’re finished here, I’ll take you out to dinner to celebrate your summer.”
“She’s not going anywhere, not until I’ve had the chance to introduce myself.” All attention is on the CEO, his voice authoritative, leaving no room for discussion. But his focus is lasered directly at me.
He’s shorter than both his son and daughter. No hair out of place. No wrinkles in his designer suit. Tie perfectly tied. Just enough cologne to scream richness but not too much to overwhelm.
“When you’re not sure if someone likes you or not, Jessica, makesure to lead with a smile. It disarms people,”I hear my mother say to me.
I swallow back my fear. I attempt a smile, but I can’t stop my lips from quivering. I try to straighten my back and lift my chin, but I’m paralyzed in this moment.
Because if he knows who I am, and if he wants to meet me specifically, what else does he know?
Or maybe, just maybe, he has no idea at all. He could be interested in meeting the daughter of someone who works for him. I lift my eyes to his, and just as I’m about to bow in greeting, he says...
“So, you must be Jessica Lee. Or should I call you Lee Yoo-Jin?”
22
elijah
My dad walks right past me without a second glance.
My feet are stuck to the ground and I can’t move. What is he doing here? He’s never shown any interest in his company’s events at this level, and he didn’t announce a trip to the US. But it’s not a coincidence that he’s here at the New York Public Library the same time as the hackathon.
Which means, he must be here for me.
A chill runs down my spine.
My sister regains her composure before I do and rushes up to him. “Annyeounghasaeyo, Chairman Lee,” she says as she bows deeply.
He lets out a slight grunt, barely even acknowledging Hee-Jin. He whispers something to a frazzled man trailing closely behind him. Likely one of his many assistants. But his focus is elsewhere, and as I follow his eyes, I see his target.
Jessica.
My father turns slightly, taking her in from head to toe, before plastering his rehearsed smile on his face.
Jessica straightens her back and lifts her chin, doing her best to put on her armor. She smiles but her lips twitch. She’s terrified.
“So, you must be Jessica Lee. Or should I call you Lee Yoo-Jin?” he says to her. His voice is oddly warm, a kindness I’ve rarely heard from him. My brows furrow together and I feel a trickle of sweat drop down my back.
“Yes, sir, I am Jessica Lee,” she says confidently. She balls her hands into fists behind her back. When I go to take a step forward to confront him, to shield her from him, she flicks her right hand open in my direction, shooing me away from her. Telling me not to come to her rescue.
I obey her wishes, but my stomach twists into a knot. She doesn’t know what he’s capable of.
“I am Lee Jung-Hyun, the CEO of Haneul Corporation. I’ve heard great things about you and what you’ve been doing this summer in the Executive Training Program.” He can’t control the tic in his cheek. My dad may be laying the praise on thick, but I know him well enough to see the tension in his face betraying him. “Seems this project of yours has been quite the success.”
Jessica nods as her face stretches into a small smile.
Don’t fall for it, Jessica.
But there’s this tiny part of me, a part that I hate and don’t understand, that can’t help but hope he’ll look at me. Praise me for my hard work this summer, with that rare glimmer of approval in his eyes. Would he even believe me if I told him what I’ve been up to? I clear my throat to speak...
But my dad shoots a knowing glare in my direction. I’m about to get my ass handed to me, but not now, not in public. Never in public.
“Project ofyours?” Jessica’s father asks, clearly confused.
