章 2: Never forgive you

In Seo-yeon's mini but comfortable restaurant, the tables were, with no doubt, crowded with customers who came to satisfy their hunger or just to buy food and leave with it.

On the block, her restaurant was the only one always filled with customers all day without her knowing exactly why? although her customers always praised her for serving the best meals and compliment her on her respectful nature towards them.

It got to a point, other restaurants nearby became envious of her but she didn't care at all neither did she let it cross her mind, she had a lot more important things to worry about than dig herself up in the envy of others.

"Madame, can I get another bowl of hoeddeok (sweet syrup pancake) please?" A man called out to Seo-yeon who was busy giving orders to her two employees.

"It'll be there in five minutes sir." She heartily responded to the customer who nodded as a sign he got her message.

"More than ever now, a lot of people have grown even more curious about the mysterious lady Stellar industry released her song. It came as a great surprise to the industry that people are now recently asking questions about the lady when the song has been over seven years old. We had a word with the director of the industry who still refuses to disclose who the mysterious lady with the beautiful voice which hasn't found any rival yet is."

Seo-yeon looked up at the TV screen from where she was standing as the news was being displayed, she took a deep breath, unwilling to let herself get distracted by the information being disclosed and immediately continued working.

While serving the man who had ordered some hoeddeok earlier, she grasped his conversation with the other man who was sitting just opposite his table and their discussion was still about the mysterious lady.

Seo-yeon pressed her lips tightly as it didn't make any sense to her, why was everyone suddenly so curious about this so-called mysterious lady, it's already been seven years since her first song was released. It wasn't just so understandable neither could her brain pinpoint any suitable reason.

"The lady's voice is so beautiful and natural." The man had commented, "If she comes back to the Stellar industry some day, I'm sure the industry would go higher than its current position and beat the record of the best selling music industry in Korea."

"You know I envy the owner of the Stellar music industry." The man sitting across from him equally made his own comment while rubbing his chin slightly, "she also owns the Stellar movie industry and do you know the amount of money she makes in a day?"

"If she beats the record of the best selling music industry, the name of her company would linger on the lips of everyone in Korea you know."

Seo-yeon removed her phone from her pocket to look at the time. She was tired of listening to the same topic which was already on everyone's lips since the previous day. She couldn't wait to close for the day which was so unusual of the lady.

"Miss Seo-yeon."

Seo-yeon lazily glanced at the person who suddenly called out to her, fixing her gaze on a pretty-looking young lady who was standing before her in a nice and well ironed suit, it was as if the suit was specially tailored for her, showing her perfect womanly figure.

Seo-yeon could tell it was a very expensive suit with just the look and turned her attention back to the lady. "How may I help you?"

"I am Lawyer Ha-eun." She introduced herself with a firm and professional look on her face, "I'm sure you must be wondering what I'm doing here but I can't go straight to the point now because my co lawyers are not here yet. But we have a very important message for you. I would like it if we could sit down for some question session before my colleagues arrive." The woman flashed her a harmless smile, making Seo-yeon raise her brows questioningly but still she agreed, asking one of her employees to serve the woman a cup of tea.

"Thank you for your kind hospitality Miss Seo-yeon. I'm sure your son is doing fine." Ha-eun smiled but Seo-yeon just cautiously glanced around to see if anyone heard what she just said and thankfully, no one did.

"I don't think you have enough rights to be meddling in my personal affairs. Please go straight to the point and don't keep me waiting." Seo-yeon frowned but the woman's expression didn't change, she still had that professional calmness on her face.

"Miss Seo-yeon. I truly know that no one knows that young master Ji-hoon is your son, but how long do you plan on hiding it from everyone that you have a son?" Ha-eun's question made Seo-yeon clench her fist angrily.

"Miss Ha-eun. Please state your mission here before I call the police. You're here criticizing my choice and I don't see how my choice affects you or anyone."

Seo-yeon gritted her teeth to avoid raising her voice, she couldn't risk drawing too much attention towards the table where they sat and was forced to keep her cool.

"Don't let us take it to that extent Miss Seo-yeon. I'm not here to criticize you." She stated matter of factly, "I'm just asking a pure and harmless question that's all, but if you take it as some sort of criticism then I would stop. Besides, I wasn't sent here for that." Ha-eun replied, sipping her tea gently.

"Ha-eun. Sorry we took so long." Two men dressed in black suits walked into the restaurant and heading towards their table, Seo-yeon looked at them with a questionable gaze. She noticed they equally had the same batch which Ha-eun had on her suit. The batch looked familiar but she couldn't remember exactly where she saw it.

"I won't tell on you this time around. Just have your seat and let's get down to business." Ha-eun said to the two men who sat quietly after bowing gently to Seo-yeon.

"Nice to meet you Miss Seo-yeon. I am Kim Dal. I'm a lawyer from Do-yun company." One of the men politely introduced himself and at the mention of that name, a frown settled on Seo-yeon's lips.

"What does he want again? I signed the damn papers saying I have nothing to do with him again." Seo-yeon half yelled and the three lawyers before her had to brace themselves for what they were sure they would expect next.

"This has nothing to do with your relationship with Mr Lee Do-yun miss. Actually, we're here to inform you that this building is now owned by Mrs Lee, Mr Lee's wife." Ha-eun informed, stretching a black file towards the half confused Seo-yun. "This is a contract she had us draft, if you want to continue being in this building, you must follow everything in the contract accordingly."

Seo-yeon stared at the file which was still stretched out towards her before snatching it from their grip and opening it up to read whatever content was written on it.

The first agreement which she silently read was enough to nearly make eyes fall right from their socket, she would have to pay three million won by the end of the following month to continue being in the building??

"This is absolutely ridiculous! Who does she think she is? Do I look like a fool to pay three million won? Where would I get such an amount by the end of the following month? Just thirty nine day away. Do I look like a money bank or what?" Seo-yeon yelled, drawing the attention she didn't want to draw.

"I'm sure you will agree to something by the time you read all the conditions in the contract." Ha-eun's calmness still remained intact despite sensing the rage which continuously rose inside of Seo-yun. "We will be back in five days for feedback. If you refuse to adhere, you would have to vacate the building by the tenth of the coming month." She explained further. "We will be taking our leave now, Miss Seo-yeon. Have a good day and thanks for your hospitality."

Seo-yeon's fist clenched tightly to the point her knuckles turned white, she watched the three lawyers walk out of the building, she nearly squeezed the file in her hands as she uttered painfully;

"I hate you Do-yun. I would never forgive you for this. Never!"