"Is he....Is he my.....father ?" she stuttered. "Who?" So-hyeon asked, as she scrutinized her face. She wasn't expecting this all of a sudden.
"Is.... uncle Do-hyun....my father?" She asked again "Please do not lie to me"
So-hyeon was at loss of words. How did she find out? Now she's forced to tell and break a promise she made. But she can't keep lying to the girl. Even if not now, someday she'll find out.
"I'm getting impatient, aunt" Arianna pulled her out of her thoughts. All the while her eyes were on the floor. "Is he or is he not" she asked, this time looking straight into her eyes. She doesn't want to believe if it's ever true. But she's curious to know. So-hyeon took a breather before replying to her.
"He is. Baek Do-hyun is your father"
Tears streamed down Arianna's face, her face turning red immediately and she felt suffocated. How can this be true? She staggered backwards, unable to hold the pain she was feeling inside.
"I'm sorry you had to find out like this" So-hyeon said "I couldn't tell you because your mother maid me promise" she tried to make her understand.
Without a word, Arianna stormed out of the restaurant. She needed a place to cry her eyes out, so she went to a karaoke where no one would hear her cries because of the music played in the background.
*...*.....*.....*...*...*...*...*...*...*
Ryan stepped down from the car, and looked at the house in front of him. His face carrying that cold expression and gaze. His hands were crossed behind his back and clenched into fists.
"Young master" Leonel called "...this way please." He gestured for him to walk further. Ryan walked ahead through the gates with Leonel following behind him, they stopped at the door.
* Ding Dong*
Leonel rang the doorbell. Without wasting much time, Do-hyun opened the door, as he had been awaiting them. A wide grin on his face.
"Mr. Han, Chairman Park, you're welcome" he greeted with a bow "Please, do come inside"
"Sure" Leonel said "Young master..." he gestured for Ryan go inside. Ryan looked at him for a second before walking inside. He really didn't like the idea of come here.
"Have a seat please" Do-hyun ushered.
Ryan sat on the couch, spread his arms and crossed his legs in a more intimidating manner. He sat like a King on his throne. Giving off his noble aura. Yoo Na walked in with tray of coffee and served, she bowed.
"Please drink this Mr.Han and Chairman Park" she said.
"Thank you" Leonel said. He picked a cup and gave Ryan which he took hesitantly, after which he took one for himself and sat back on the couch.
"We're really grateful to have you in our home to discuss business, Mr.Han" Do-hyun said with a bright smile, but Ryan was quiet. And his silence was.... frightening. Everyone have heard about the CEO of Han group, though most have never seen him, they know he's cold and terrifying. One snap of his finger and a whole company would go down.
The room was tense and too hot. Ryan kept sipping the coffee but no was talking as they didn't know which words to use to avoid getting on his bad side. His face and sharp lowered gaze sent chills down their spines. The way he even drank was so intimidating, making them feel like people with the lowest class in the country.
"Are you going to sit mute and watch me drink or you talk about the main reason why I am here?" Ryan spoke slowly, sternly and frighteningly, causing them to shudder a bit. Beads of sweat could be seen on both Do-hyun and Yoo Na's forehead, but they tried to keep calm to avoid trouble.
Clearing his throat, Do-hyun began "Mr.Han, we wanted to ask for funds from your company to build a company, Doshin, since we don't have enough funds. And I'm afraid other companies have refused to give this funds to us" he said.
Even with eyes lowered, he could feel Ryan's deep gaze on him which made his heart race. Why is he even scared of a young man who should be in his early or middle twenties? If not that he needed the money, he wouldn't have acted like this.
Ryan kept gazing at him and he gulped hardly.
"So...you want me to invest in this.... 'Doshin', am I right?" He spoke calmly
"Y-Yes, Mr. Han" Do-hyun replied.
"Hmm. Interesting" Ryan said "It would be nice investing in a growing company, don't you think, Chairman Park?" he smirked.
"Yes, young master " Leonel replied.
"So...what do I get in return for investing in Doshin?" Ryan asked
What?! He was going to ask for something in return? Why didn't he think about this? Now what if he can't give anything?
"Just name anything, Mr. Han" Do-hyun ended up saying.
Ryan tilted his head to the side "Anything?" he asked with a smile
"Yes. We'll be sure to give it to you" Do-hyun said
Ryan placed his index and thumb on his chin, as though in deep thoughts, but then his eyes fell on something. And with his high senses, he was able to see it clearly even when it's afar. He stood up from the couch slowly, hands crossed behind his back, and in slow steps, he walked to a picture hanging on the wall. It contained the whole family, with a girl standing at one corner like she was never part of it. He stared.
"What is he doing?" Yoo Na asked in a whisper.
"If I were you I'd shut up " Leonel spoke without sparing them a glance.
Ryan tilted his head to the left and then to the right, his deep gaze on that particular girl who seemed left out. He recognises this person. With a smirk, he turned to them, hands still behind him.
"I want her" he said.
"Pardon?" Both Yoo Na and Do-hyun said in unison, eyes widened in shock. For a moment they thought he was asking of Rosalie.
"You want me to invest in Doshin and I want in return is her" he clarified, pointing at Arianna. Their hearts came down a bit.