'OK, what the fuck?' Rafael thought, seeing the bulging muscles underneath the suit. He wasn't sure if he would leave this place unharmed.
"Ah, Hector's son, a pleasure to meet you," the man said, gesturing for Rafael to sit. Once Rafael sat, the conversation began.
"The pleasure is mine, sir. I have come here to discuss the engagement between me and your granddaughter," Rafael said, his tone polite, but inside, his patience was dwindling.
"So, what about it?" the man asked, confusion evident.
"I wish to cancel it. My father and I have come to a consensus that I have the authority to do so," Rafael replied. It was only a half-truth, but he knew he could negotiate with his father. He'd carefully forged this plan with pinpoint accuracy.
"I've heard your father speak of you. So much dedication for ending the engagement is quite zealous," the man said, tilting his head.
"Quite. If I marry all of them, I would either die on my wedding night or be beheaded the next day," Rafael said, wanting proper peace.
"Don't be so exaggerated. If you love them equally, you can manage it, but I can imagine your laziness," the man sighed.
"Then let's get to the point. I wish to end this engagement and stop the chaos that will erupt if you people continue this farce. I'm willing to offer something on behalf of Atlas as its representative," Rafael said. Just then, Michael entered the room with a tablet containing the conditions.
"I'm willing to open the small arms market to your family and South Korea as a whole, along with a different category of vehicles. The condition is that it's a previous generation by our standards, but still far cheaper than what the current market is selling. Lastly, a shared exception for using guns on South Korean soil, which none of the other chaebol families have—open and concealed carry," Rafael stated. This made the old man think deeply. This deal could better arm his guards, who were currently only equipped with tasers and police batons.
"I refuse," he said in a determined tone, thinking of a long-term benefit that was right in front of him, despite Rafael's great deal.
"Why?" Rafael asked. This simple question made the old man pause for a second, wondering if it was a mistake to refuse, but he couldn't take back his words.
"Because it's my way of repaying you for saving my son and allowing him to see his daughter one last time," he said with a slight smile, hoping to move Rafael.
"I had a hunch. Looking at your face, you match the boy's description. My granddaughter is very grateful for what you did, and I hope in this engagement she can be shielded away from the other boys who want her hand and get the peace she needs," he said, knowing Rafael, the hermit, would keep her by his side, allowing her to live in peace.
"Fine, I will play your games for now, but mark my words, old man, it's going to end whether you like it or not," Rafael said in a cold tone. Michael, with a neutral but vigilant gaze, followed Rafael out.
"I just hope you can cure her," the old man sighed as the two left.
'After all, Atlas has grown, and its medical technologies can cure anything,' he thought, hoping for a hospital to be established. Currently, only a few branch facilities could help with difficult diseases, but not her case. Atlas had made its stance clear, with facilities only on each continent. There was one in the Philippines, but it would be too risky for her to leave Korea to get treated, as enemies would attack her 24/7.
Outside
As Rafael entered the vehicle, he leaned back in his seat and sighed in frustration, ruffling his hair. He looked back at the house, then turned to Michael.
"Michael, are there any laws or loopholes that allow an engagement to secretly end if the partners agree without informing their families?" Rafael asked, deciding to look at the legal side of things since he couldn't defeat it on the family side.
Michael began a rapid search across the internet, looking for any constitutional amendments in South Korea's history. After ten minutes, he found one.
"Yes, there was an amendment decades ago that allows a couple to secretly end their engagement. This part of it was hidden from the public. It requires the couple's fingerprints, a signature from a district judge, and another from the president. The president's signature wouldn't be hard to get, but a district judge would be difficult since the majority of them are under the chaebol families' control and would inform them of the development."
"Search for one who isn't under their control," Rafael replied.
"Yes, sir," Michael said.
"Once you do, arrange a meeting with her," Rafael said as the convoy headed toward his fiancée's building. During the trip, Michael reminded him.
"Sir, you're going to have to leave for your 'visit,' and there's another UN session in about a month and a half, happening at 9 p.m.," he said, sending the project defense pact.
The pact included aspects of NATO and ASEAN, but its main use was to protect Atlas-controlled cities from hostile forces. In turn, Atlas would ensure the flow of each nation's economy without the collapse of the government. This project had been going on for four years and involved other nations that were part of economic alliances. The nations and Atlas itself would pay for the development of their infrastructure, which was a downside but also ensured Atlas's control.
"OK, just give me a list of it and put it on my calendar," Rafael said. Four more armored vehicles followed the convoy, and soon they arrived near the street of his fiancée's building.
Seoul-Yun Department Metropolitan HQ
As the convoy stopped near the building's entrance, it drove up the driveway. A second later, a dozen men in black suits came out and formed a line from the vehicles to the car.
As Rafael's bodyguards came out and formed a perimeter, Graves came out first and looked around vigilantly. Soon, he spoke through the comms, and Rafael came out wearing his usual attire.
A tall female worker came out, wearing business attire with her hair neatly tied in a bun. She bowed respectfully upon seeing Rafael's neutral expression.
"Lady Seo-Yun is expecting you in her office," she said in a neutral and respectful tone. Rafael nodded.
As she gestured for him to follow, Rafael nodded. Only Michael, Graves, and five selected guards who were able to break out of the building followed, while the rest of the guards stationed themselves strategically around the entrance and back entrance to prevent anyone from entering or exiting without their notice.
"So what do you think her attitude will be?" Michael said in a low voice, making sure the secretary didn't hear it.
"I mean, the last time we saw her, she was like an A-rated actor."
"I don't know, but let's hope for the best. She's not the same person," Rafael said in the same low voice. A few seconds later, they heard the elevator ding, and the doors opened wide.
They were on the 28th floor, noticing that this floor was dedicated to administration, with half of the office dedicated only to the CEO.
While walking, he saw her security detail. They wore anti-stabbing armor with steel-plated batons around their waists. He could tell by their posture that they were ready for close-quarters combat.
"They could die in less than five minutes if an armed mercenary team came to eliminate her. The entire security measure would be useless," Michael pointed out, although there was a QRF team from their family's security company. But they were armed and trained like a riot unit.
"I know," Rafael said. They stopped near a large, ornate door. When the secretary pushed the doors wide, Rafael saw a wide table.
Sitting behind the table was a woman with shoulder-length black hair, fair, smooth skin, and dark blue eyes. She was focused on signing documents on her desk and wore a casual but luxurious dark gray tailored suit.
"You're Rafael Villanuva, right?" she asked in a soft tone, one that could make any man fall head over heels. Sadly, Rafael's reaction to that had died years ago after going through psychological training from his mentors, which was enhanced by Atlas scientists who slowly sealed away such emotions. Rafael could now control it at will.
"Yes, nice to meet you," Rafael said with a neutral expression. They locked eyes, and a momentary silence was heard before they shook hands. Soon, Rafael began helping her with her documents, and Seo-Yun gave him a rundown of the work. They soon tackled the large stack of paper.
A silent agreement was made before they began. Both agreed that the paperwork needed to be finished before they talked. While they worked, Michael and Graves looked at each other, confused. One thought struck their minds:
'What the fuck?'
Two Hours Later
The once-large pile of paper was gone. Rafael gazed at the remaining stack, which could be done later or tomorrow.
"Seems like we've completed today's paperwork. So, Rafael, is it?" she asked again to clarify.
"Yes, and you're Seo-Yun, I presume?" Rafael said. The two nodded simultaneously and began their talks.
"Suffice to say, I'm your fiancée," she said, maintaining eye contact while moving her pen around her fingers.
"Yes, and not the only one who's engaged to me," Rafael said bluntly.
"From what I heard, you're considering them—" Before she could finish the sentence,
"Temporary variables for now," Rafael said, finishing her sentence, knowing where this was going.
"Yes, they are just temporary. But what about me? What should you consider?" she asked, resting her chin on her interlocked hands, looking at him.
"The same as the others, Seo-Yun," Rafael said seriously.
"Well, let's not chat here, but on the rooftop," she said and stood up. Rafael followed her to the exit, and the others followed suit.
A Few Minutes Later, Rooftop
On the large helipad, Rafael and Seo-Yun stood a few feet apart, both with relaxed expressions but studying the other.
"Since you wanted to end this engagement, I have a proposal for you," she said, and Rafael raised an eyebrow.
"During your stay here, I want you to help me secure and control the shares and remove anyone who wants my position. Even though I'm an heir, my relatives say otherwise. In truth, my position isn't secure. They have the upper hand due to having the shares my grandfather split, and I cannot risk them taking it and tarnishing my father's legacy. Do this, and I will agree to end the engagement," she said.
"Hmm, interesting. It seems like we both have the same objectives," Rafael said and spoke his own proposal.
"I will help you, but you will also help me create a buffer zone with the other chaebol families to prevent them from interfering in a megaproject that I have for Korea on behalf of Atlas soon," Rafael said, taking a step forward.
"Then let's shake on it and record our agreement," Seo-Yun said. After shaking hands, Rafael had Michael bring a phone, and they recorded their agreement, including the conditions and dates.
"Oh, and let's also meet at a park tomorrow. I will send you the details, and from there, we can plan our next steps," she said, requesting his number. After adding his number, she made it an emergency contact since she had a long list of contacts.
"Sure, let's do that," Rafael replied with a small smirk.
'We'll get along just fine,' both of them shared the same thought.
To be continued