"Good morning, Chairman Park"
"Good morning, Chairman Park"
The staffs at Han group HQ greeted with a bow as Leonel walked passed them. He walked into his office, taking a seat, he cross his legs and took a breather. The door opened, and his secretary walked in.
"Good morning, chairman" he greeted with a bow.
"Yes, good morning" Leonel answered "How has work been?"
"Quite well sir. Thank you for asking" he bowed slightly.
"Have you found anything from what I asked?" Leonel demanded.
"No chairman." Secretary Hyung replied. "But sir, there's a competitive company against us. They've been being a large about of stocks in the stock market"
"What?" He was astonished. Who dares compete with Han group? "Which company is this?"
"It's called Emerald. The CEO is also anonymous We only know his stand-in Ceo, Ji Kang woo."
Ji Kang woo..... Sounds familiar.
"Find out anything you can about Emerald's hidden CEO. I want every information."
"Sure sir"
He bowed and left, leaving Leonel in wonder.
*...*.....*.....*.....*.....*....*.....*....*...*.....*.....*....*
"Your majesty, the Prince is here." A guard spoke from outside Leon's grand study.
"Let him in" he said.
"After a few seconds, Zayden walked in. He went on his knees , lowering his eyes and his head.
"Greetings, father" he greeted.
"My son! You have forgotten your father" Leon said while he brought out beers from the fridge.
"I haven't. I thought you needed space" Zayden replied.
"Rise up. Come, let's have a drink together" Zayden got on his feet and walked to the chaise lounge, he sat down.
"Let me pour you a drink today" Leon offered with a smile and poured into two cups.
"Thank you, father" Zayden took the cup, turning his face to the right, he gulped it one go. Then placed it back on the table.
"After a long time, you finally call for me, father" Zayden spoke with a knowing smile "Did something happen?"
"Does anything need to happen before I call for my son?"
"You rarely do it. Not after brother left." He said in a low tone.
Leon exhaled "I'm sorry" he apologized. His tone sounding hurt. "I haven't been a good father to you and Layana."
"It's alright father, you shouldn't blame yourself. It was the situation you found yourself in" Zayden spoke.
"Ah...it was all my fault. I couldn't protect him" he let a painful chuckle, and then gulped down his drink. Zayden stared at him. There he goes again. Blaming himself whenever he had the chance. And it's like almost every hour.
"So.... When do you intend to get married?" Leon asked with a questioning look. The side of his lips was curled up as he stared at his son, waiting for his response.
"Is this why you called me, father" he chuckled lightly.
"Partially" he replied.
"Well, I don't know" he said.
"You're getting really old" Leon said as he nodded slowly.
"I'm as young as ever" Zayden smiled as Leon just chuckled.
"You should bring a wife home soon, Zayden. I'm not growing any younger" he persuaded.
"You still look like my elder brother" he flashed a smile.
"Haha! I guess I'm still young then" Silence reigned for a few seconds, and then Leon broke it. His voice this time was serious.
"I received a message at my desk." he paused, lifting his eyes to Zayden, he stared. "Have you been meeting Ryan?"
The question struck him. Never did he think he would get caught. But he still kept calm.
"No. How can I, when I don't know where he is?" He lied.
"Is it? Then what is this?" He dropped a paper on the table. Zayden looked at it, then back at him. Hesitantly, he took the paper and opened it. It was a note, so he read was written.
'Hello father, it's been a long time...' Zayden looked at Leon, feeling his heart slowly creeping away. He looked back at the paper and continued.
'...How have you been, father? The kingdom must have been too occupying that you couldn't even look for your son. I would just say you forgot me a little. But... That doesn't mean you neglect my siblings and their rights as well. News reaching me that Zayden isn't the crown prince. I would advise you crown him... it's his right anyways. Don't let the hyeanas take what is his, or else...I'll burn the whole demon world. Your son, Ryan.'
Zayden couldn't tell what was brewing inside as he folded the paper. Ryan really wrote the letter. He wasn't joking when he said it.
He looked at Leon who watched him intently "Father, I have no idea of this. I don't know how it got here"
"You know Ryan's whereabouts, don't you?" he demanded.
"I don't know "
"Then how does he know you aren't the crown prince?" he questioned.
"I have no idea" Zayden tried his best not to show he was lying. He couldn't let anyone else know.
"Zayden" Leon called "What exactly are you hiding from me?"
"Nothing father" he answered "I really don't know how this got here"
"I know you're hiding something. Should I ask your sister, then?"
"She knows nothing" he said without any reaction. If Leon should notice his panicked face when he talked of Layana, then the beans would be spilled. He feared Layana might tell if Leon asks her.
"Tell me, son. I know you know his whereabouts. Tell me where he is" Leon pleaded.
"Why should I?" Zayden lifted his eyes to him "Let's assume I know. Why should I tell you?"
"It's been five hundred years. I need to see him"
"Sorry to say father, but you cannot"
"Why?" He demanded.
"Because you shouldn't. The hyeanas are on the lookout."
Leon frowned "What do you mean? You and Ryan are now speaking in parables?"
"Sometimes, you should focus on the hyeanas trying to devour you and your Cubs, rather than giving them access. You meet Ryan, consider him hunted" Zayden said with all seriousness.
"Ryan has been hunted for centuries....."
"Your move would end him"
Leon stared at his son with a raised brow. "So you do know his whereabouts?" He gulped his drink.
"Like I said father, we were just assuming" he gave a tiny smile.
"And in that assumptions, you've been visiting him" he concluded.
"Gosh!" Zayden chuckled lightly to brush it off "if you so much miss him, find your way to his dreams. Why haven't you done that in ages?"
"It's not as easy as you think" Leon said and they stayed quiet for another few seconds. "But tell me son, where is he?"
Zayden's shoulders dropped as he exhaled deeply. "You and I know he's in the human world." He spoke lazily.
"Exactly where he is"
"I don't know. Gosh!" Zayden stood up.
"Where are going?"
"I'll take my leave now" he did a ninety-degree bow and walked towards the door.
"Hey, come back here! I'm not done with you!" But he was already out.
He exhaled painfully. Remembering everything that had happened in the past, he couldn't help but blame himself again. He failed. He failed his only love. Even calling her name hurts. The only piece of her that is left, he couldn't even see. He missed both of them so much. He couldn't keep his promise, and the guilt keeps eating him up.️