THE CONTRACT
YOUNG TAE JUN
Upon arriving at the beach, I parked my car beneath one of those trees closer to the beach with less beach sand around.
I just wanted to release some stress and enjoy the sea breeze. I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and sat on one of those lazy chairs near the sea shore, plugged in my ear pods and enjoyed some music, lost in the moment as the gentle sea breeze brush softly down my skin, through my hair and the crashing of waves tides against the sea shore, I got lost in the moment but then…I was startled when I heard the noise of a car glass getting smashed. With my heart racing so fast, I only turned and saw the hind glass of my car shattered into pieces and a few meters away from it stood Hoo Nan, she had her palm covering her mouth as she trembled with a horrified look on her face.
She turned and as soon as our eyes met…she ran off with so much speed that I thought she might collapse the moment she stopped running.
I got closer to the car and it was bad, really bad, the glass was badly broken and the pieces were in the back seat with some spreading on the floor.
I chuckled, running a hand through my already disheveled hair as I watched her ran off, actually Ga In's new beach house was closer to the beach. I watched from the distance as I watched her rushed into one of the rooms without even looking back.
"Tsk….this day just got exciting. Guess who came running into the claws of a tiger and pricked his paw."
This is a chance to get her in my claws and have her begging. There's only one way for me to torture her to my satisfaction.
I pulled out my phone from my side pocket and dialed in Ga In's number and called her.
" He..hel..hello Tae Jun…"
" Ga In-ah, how are you doing?"
"I'm good and your ca…I mean yourself?"
" I'm good it's just that I've got someone smashing my car glass and running off."
" Oh…that…what happened?"
" I have no idea but then kindly tell your friend that I'm taking money to go fix the car's shattered glass."
" Huh?"
"Yeah, she has till 3 o'clock pm to decide whether she's gonna pay or find another way to pay back. I won't be accepting any apology no matter who it is. Have a nice day sweet heart."
" Tae Jun-ah…"
" Don't worry, she already owe me one for me been stood up by her at the ball and now my car's glass. Please let her know. Thank you for passing on the information."
I hanged up with a smirk on my face. This is going to be real fun.
" Who were you talking to?" I heard a voice from a distant away from me…it was Yeon Ah.
" A sweet heart of mine." I replied walking back to my lazy chair.
We been engaged doesn't necessarily mean she should be tagging along wherever I go.
About the engagement, I know it was out of the blues but then both parents from both sides already agreed to it and my view wasn't that important you know.
"For the betterment of the Country." They will say whenever I tried to decline. Gi Tak, Hyang Jun and Ga In weren't happy about it but then the decision had already been made and being the crowned Prince comes along with huge responsibilities. Always think about your subjects first , let their interests come before yours and all these stuffs. They drive me nuts sometimes but then it's my duty and I can't just walk away too.
Yeon Ah has been clinging to me after it was announced, we've been to various photoshoots together, being models for bridal fashion agencies and a lot of things. We are on the cover of almost every magazine. It can be frustrating sometimes.
I made Yeon Ah go ahead as I waited behind and called Ga In to let that trouble maker come to me.
I leaned against the car when I saw her coming with her head lowered, she approached me and greeted politely. Can she be this polite? It's true that some circumstances can bring out some unexpected actions from people.
"Umm… I'm truly sorry for what happened this morning, I didn't mean to do that on purpose. The stone wasn't even meant for your car." She explained and I just stared at her with a smirk creeping at the corner of my lips.
" I'm really sorry for the trouble, I heard what you told Ga In so I came to get the cost for fixing the damage I caused." She added and I handed a sheet of paper to her and she went through.
"Thirteen thousand dollars? When you convert it into Korean currency it will be…." she said with shock gasping as she made the calculation. I made that price up and I am not sure if it's accurate or even more.
" What…is it a golden branded car or something?" she asked looking up at me with a frown.
" it's the latest Rolls-Royce wraith and it's the new model…you destroyed the hind glass…take a look at the mark the stone left on the boot as well." I said pointing to a coiled scratch.
" It wasn't intentional."
" How well can you prove it? First of all who decided to blast me for just asking her "why be so careless" and who also stood me up at the ball!"
"Oh did it really hurt your pride when you got stood up by me?"
"Nonsense!...of course not…don't try to change the subject young lady."
"You were the one who changed it in the first place."
"Ya! Are you going to pay for the damage or not?"
She bit her lower lip thoughtfully and then turned to me.
" See…if I decide to pay for the damage…when you sell me out, it wouldn't even be enough, it's going to take me years before I'm able to pay for the damage." She replied.
" Then let's reach an agreement."
"Huh?"
"Yeah I said let's reach an agreement."
" And what's that agreement of yours?"
"Here sign this contract." I said stretching forth my hand and handing over some papers to her.
" A hundred days contract?" She asked after going through. Yeah, I've had this with me for a long time now, just waiting for her to fall into my trap then, I hit her with it. I am not wicked or mean, she just needs to be put in her place.
" Exactly…so it's either you sign it or you pay for the damages."
" I can't sign this. I'd rather pay for the damages. I think we're done here so I'll take my leave then." She said turning to leave.
"Then you have until today's week to pay for the damages. I hope we have a deal Ms. Han Hoo Nan."
"What… today's week?"
"Exactly."
"It wasn't even intentional."
"Who knows, what if it was intentional. Besides everyone knows that you hold a grudge against me."
" Fine… I'll pay you back within a week!" She said and walked away.
I smirked as I saw her march towards the beach house, with both arms crossed against my chest…I smirked at myself.
Oh my, I'm gonna get her exactly where I want her.
"How could you do that!" Gi Tak's voice welcomed me immediately I got to the living room.
"What did I do?" I asked him and he chuckled.
"How can you ask her to get you thirteen thousand dollars within a week to fix the damages to your car. Do you even have any idea how much that is in Korean won?"
" Oh that…well she caused a damage that she needs to pay. I just did what any other person would've done if they were in my place. Besides I gave her a second option which she declined." I replied as I crossed my legs and sat comfortably on the chair next to the door.
" You know about her background and she even got this scholarship to attend this school due to her academic excellence. How could you?" Hyang added.
" You two can help her out or….oh I forgot, your credit cards have been frozen till next two weeks. Don't worry she's a strong girl. I think she night even get it before her time is due." I said cackling loudly and they both threw nuts at me.
" Aish…you are unbelievable!" They said with a chorus.
"Yeah yeah…I know." I said with a smile and stood up from the chair and walked to my room.
Oh this is going to be so much more fun than I expected. I took off my shoes and clothes and jumped into the bathtub for some warm bath.
I got ready for lectures the next day and both Hyang and Gi Tak wouldn't even serve me the right portion of food.
"Harh…this wouldn't make me change my mind either." I said as I gulped down the tea they served me in a tiny tea cup and a small slice of bread.
"Besides I'm on a diet." I said to them and laughed as they both glared at me.
I intentionally passed by her class and you should've seen the first years drool over me and when I turned to have a look, she quickly hid behind her bag pack.
"Tae Jun-ah…" I heard someone call my name and it was Yeon Ah.
" Hey…how was your night?" I asked her and she giggled shyly before replying.
" It was amazing." She replied joining me and I slowly slide my right arm around her waist and I felt her trembled a little with her cheeks running flush when she smiled at me. I looked back and my eyes met Hoo Nan's…when did she get out of class? She glared at me and walked ahead.
"Tae-Jun-ah can we talk?" Ga In who was walking with her asked me and I noticed how she glared at Yeon Ah.
" Okay sure…what do you want to talk about?" I asked her.
"Umm can you tell your "fiancé" to excuse us?" She requested and I whispered to Yeon Ah to excuse us.
"Okay she's gone. I'm all ears."
" Don't you get tired of her being all clingy?"
"Ohh…you asked a good question. I do, I'm even tired of it." I said with a sigh.
" Oppa…why don't you reconsider your decision about Hoo Nan…I mean she barely earns anything and now you request for her to pay that huge amount of money. It's so unfair." She said with a sorrowful tone.
" I gave her two options and she decided to go with the first option so I am not responsible for her decision."
" But you know how hard headed she is…she wouldn't want to go with a second option."
" Then it's not my fault that she decided to go with the first one. Don't worry, she'll eventually come up with something. Maybe she has some sources that will get her the money."
" Oppa…"
"Ga In-ah…you know how much I like you but this is her battle so please don't try to come in between because it will be of no use." I said smiling at her and pinching her cheeks playfully.
"Bye…I've got to go." I said waving at her and she frowned at me but I chuckled as I walked ahead and blew kisses at her which she shove her shoulders as if she was shoving off the kisses. She's so cute.
Days went by and I barely saw her on campus, is she avoiding me ?
" Thanks to you I can't get to hang out with my dearie Hoo Nan like first." Gi Tak said to me as he smacked the back of my head.
" Why is it my fault?" I asked as I arched his head underneath my arm.
" She's been going for part time jobs and I heard she has over five part time jobs. I feel bad for her." Hyang replied.
" Ah well…" I said and walked ahead of them.
How can one person have over five part time jobs? How is she copping with it all?
Or was I too harsh on her for giving her just a week?
Oh no…I don't think so, besides I gave her another option but she made the decision herself.
It's no way near my fault right? Or I'm I partly at fault…oh no no…there's no way I'm at fault here.
She will eventually come back and request for the contract. She has just a day to pay right?
I decided to go for a walk near the sea when I saw someone walking towards my direction…as the person got closer, I noticed it was her. I pretended not to have seen her and turned to watch the sea.
" You know you have just a day don't you?" I asked the moment she got closer and she paused.
" You don't need to remind me." She snapped at me and I chuckled.
"You seem confident don't you. Why bother yourself with over five part time jobs when at the end you wouldn't be able to get the amount to pay back."
" That's none of your business." She snapped at me and went on to leave.
"You still a second option though."
" I will never sign that contact. I won't allow you to boss me around and become your slave for the next hundred days. Never!" She fumed and walked away.
"You never give up." I said more to myself as I watch her walk away angrily towards her dormitory.
Let's wait and see if you'll get the amount…you'll come back and request for the contract.
FINAL DAY OF PAYMENT
"So are you seriously going to take that money?" Hyang asked me and I nodded as I sat in my car and drove off. I parked in front of her dormitory and asked a girl passing by to call for her.
I heard my phone ring a few minutes after sending the girl, it was an unknown number.
" Hello?"
"Yeah…please is this Prince Tae Jun?"
"Yeah, it's me…who am I talking to please?"
" Oh it's me…Hoo…"
"Han Hoo Nan?"
"Yeah it's me…Actually I called to ask a question."
"I'm in front of your dormitory…I'm waiting for my payment but then ask your question."
" Umm…this is really hard but then…umm is option two still available?"
I smirked upon hearing that question… I got her right where I wanted her.
"Oh yeah, it's still available but then I'm taking my payment."
"If it's not too late…can I go with the option two?"
" Umm you told me you would never go with the second option no matt…"
"Yeah I know I did but then I was wrong. Please let me go with the second option…please."
"Oh…okay…but then you'll need to sign the contract."
"Did you bring it along?"
" I did."
"Then I'll be right there, please wait for me." She said and hanged up.
Oh my, this is going to be exciting… no one wins against me Han Hoo Nan…I told you, you will eventually come crawling for the contract. I tried my best and hide the smile on my face and straightened up as she got out the dorm and came to me.
" Here's the contract." I said handing it over to her and she took it from me quicker than expected.
She flipped through and brought out a pen from her side pocket and chewed on her lower lip before signing.
"Here… I'm done." She said handing it over. I went through it with so much pride and I had my smirk on.
" Remember if you go against any of the rules, you're going to go through another hundred days."
" Yeah I read through it and I know."
"Okay then we have a deal." I stretched my hand for a handshake but then she spat into her palm and was about to shake my hand with it when I pulled away.
" So when does the contract start?" she asked and I grinned at her.
" Today."
"Today?"
"Yes, see it's written here very clearly (showed her the rule) hop in we need to go somewhere." I said to her and she gulped.
"Huh?"
"Will you question your master when he oders you?"
"Aish…damn it." She cursed with clenched teeth as she walk over to the other side of the car and sat inside.
I got inside and drove straight to the castle.
" We're here…now come out and let's go." I ordered and she groaned before coming out of the car and slammed the door loudly.
The workers kept bowing to me as I walked past them and they kept looking at Hoo Nan.
" Your Majesty, please Prince Tae Jun is here to see you." The head maid announced.
"Let him in." I heard my mom reply. I asked Hoo Nan to stay behind and I walked into her chambers, she hugged me with a smile, she offered me a seat
"How have you been my baby?"
" I'm fine mother. How is my sweet mother doing?"
" Oh dear, I'm doing great. What brings you here this morning?"
"Well mom, remember I once told you I would love to have my own personal maid if possible and then you and Dad agreed to it?"
"Oh how could I ever forget…Is that why you came over?"
" Something like that. I would like to introduce someone to you…someone I would like to be my helping hand both at school and at the castle."
"Really…I would like to see who she is."
"Come in Hoo Nan." I ordered and she came walking into my mother's chamber with her head low.
"Greetings my Queen." She said with courtesy and I was marveled.
"Wow…she sure has manners. I would like to have a look at your face my dear." Mom said to her.
" I'm honored my Queen, but how can I lift up my head in front of the Queen."
"Do not worry dear, it isn't a crime. I would love to have a look at my son's helping hand and personal maid."
She slowly lifted up her head and avoided eye contact with mother as she looked up.
" Wow, such a beauty. What's your name dear?"
" Han Hoo Nan my Queen." She replied politely.
" Such a beautiful name for a very beautiful young woman. I hope you wouldn't be bother being his helping hand."
"Not at all my Queen. It's an honor to get to be the crowned Prince's personal maid and I promise to do everything in my power to please him and abide by his orders and rules."
" Wow. I'm really impressed." Mom said to her as she smiled at me and I smiled back.
"We will let her go through series of tests and see if she's fit enough to serve you dear. I'll let Madam Cheong Jo take her through the tests and then we will come to a decision."
" Okay mother. I'll bring her early tomorrow morning for the test then."
"Okay son. "
" We will take our leave now mother."
"Take care son…and you too Hoo Nan."
" I will my Queen. Thank you." Hoo Nan replied with courtesy.
We left for campus and she stormed out of my car the moment I pulled over in front of her dorm.
" Will see you tomorrow. You heard the Queen, you'll have to go through series of tests." I said to her and she glared at me.
" I hope I fail them all so I don't end up being your maid." She snapped at me.
" Then you'll have to pay for the damages then." I said with a chuckle and she groaned and stormed into the dorm, pushing anyone in her way aside.
Oh this is going to be exciting.