A man who runs for the future of the country even though he can play and eat for the rest of his life. A man who invests in the future without taking care of his own self-interest.
The most sincere member of the National Assembly who attends the National Assembly even when it rains or snows.
That was Seol Kyung-taek’s title, and it was all true.
“How can he invest in us?”
“The fire moth only jumps when it sees the light. If you don’t give in to authority, why don’t you suggest something that will give you an advantage?”
“For example?”
“Since you want to do politics, why don’t you tell me that you will give me a suitable constituency?”
“Already, the candidates are almost decided. And if he leaves, he will be taken away.”
For Lee Yoo-san, who is aiming for the presidency, winning the general election was very important. It was because the number of sides in the National Assembly made it easier for them to do their work.
“All you have to do is say yes.”
“Are you saying you’re going to break your promise?”
“There is no need for you to break your promise. I am here.”
The corner of Yu-san’s mouth went up.
“You said something you liked for the first time today.”
“Thank you, Senator.”
“Talk to him and let him come to me on his own this time.”
It was only natural that if Lee Yu-san called, the other party would want him too. My pride no longer allowed me to ask for an interview as if I was being dragged around by Kim Jae-gu.
Now that they had known each other, it was Kim Jae-gu’s turn to come anxiously.
“All right.”
Nam Il-seung lowered his head.
***
In the car on the way to the airport.
I laughed when I remembered the meal time with Yu-san.
‘A friend is a friend of someone who freezes to death.’
I wasn’t generous enough to make friends with a 22% trust rating. Even if there were no eyes of trust, since I had already decided to support Seol Kyung-taek, I would not have joined hands with Yu-san.
At least it had the effect of reducing remorse.
“Boss. We have arrived.”
“It’s already arrived.”
It was still early morning in New York. If I flew by plane, I would be able to see my family during the day.
Benjamin Chung followed me to the front of the plane.
“Don’t worry about things in Korea. I’ll work with Seo Kang-jae to handle things well.”
The two of them could be trusted.
“Feel free to use a corporate card for company dinners. I believe that you will handle it well so that there is no gap in your work.”
“Don’t worry.”
“If anything happens, please feel free to contact me.”
“I’ll see you daily and don’t forget to send you a message.”
It was strong.
‘If I leave now, it will take at least a week before I return.’
All tasks to be handled in Korea were distributed to the people in charge. So there was no need to return to Korea for a while.
I was unfamiliar with the fact that New Year’s Eve was celebrated in New York, but I couldn’t help it because Dokgo-jin hadn’t gone to prison yet.
I looked at the staff who came out to see me off.
“(Happy New Year everyone.)”
“(Happy New Year. Boss.)”
I got on the plane with the staff seeing me off. Today, Ricardo Gibson’s younger brother, George Gibson, took over as captain.
“(Thank you for using it. We will take you safely to New York.)”
“(I will leave it up to you.)”
I felt familiar because I saw him often. It was to the point where I thought that if I were to buy a private plane, it would be nice if he would drive it.
‘Should I just buy this plane?’
It was worth thinking about signing a one-year exclusive contract for a private plane. Seeing that they waited whenever needed, it seemed that not many people would use the private jet service.
Arrived in New York with a comfortable flight as always.
I spent a bit of time at customs to bring in rice cakes for the New Year’s hammock, but fortunately I was able to get home before dinner.
“dad!!!”
As soon as I got out of the car, Ha-yeon came running screaming. Then Happy came running, sticking out his tongue.
Seeing that he no longer barked, it seemed that he had been well trained.
“Our Ha-yeon. Dad, did you wait a long time?”
He picked up the child and gave him a hug. It was quite heavy now, so it seemed difficult to hold it for a long time.
‘I need to exercise.’
Father has face. I didn’t want to tremble because it was hard to listen to before I even entered puberty.
Ha-yeon buried her face in the nape of my neck.
“Yes. I missed you a lot.”
stroked the child’s head.
“I came here diligently to celebrate the New Year with our Ha-yeon.”
“hehehe. Exciting.”
My parents watched over us with happy faces.
“How you doing?”
“I’ve been to the shopping center, but I’m not sure what’s so big.”
“I bought new sunglasses.”
My father proudly took out his sunglasses and put them on.
“Your father. Ha-yeon picked it out so he keeps using it at home.”
“I told you that Ha-yeon is cool. Ha Yeon-ah. How is your grandfather?”
“Mm. Cool!”
“Isn’t it? You’re cooler than your dad?”
Hayeon shook her head.
“No. Dad is cooler.”
My mother patted my father’s back with a disappointed expression.
“Ii is also true. I need to ask something comparable.”
“Ouch. Grandpa could be cooler, though.”
“Of course my son is cooler.”
“Kuhmm. I thought you were on my side. Happy is the only one on my side here.”
Happy’s father stroked Happy’s head, and Happy panted and licked his father’s hand. I thought I was lucky to have a dog.
As I entered the house after saying goodbye to my family, Fred Balman quietly approached me.
“(Mr. Balman. How are you?)”
“(Of course. Do you have a little more time than that?)”
“(Is there a problem?)”
“(We’re going to set up a fireworks display tomorrow evening, what do you think?)”
“(Fireworks?)”
“(New York has New Year’s fireworks in Times Square, but there are too many people, so security is difficult.)”
It would be nice to reserve a hotel in advance… It was clear that the seats were already full.
“(I suggest you watch the fireworks on TV instead and set them off in your yard.)”
“(Isn’t it dangerous?)”
“(If you hire a professional, there’s no risk at all.)”
I couldn’t even think of the fireworks for New Year’s Eve.
“(Can you do it tomorrow if I ask now?)”
“(Of course. As long as you pay properly.)”
“(Call me.)”
‘I’ll have to call Elisa too. Everyone likes fireworks, right?’
It seemed pretty cool to have a fireworks display just for us in the large yard.
It’s true because he’s shy
As I was preparing to invite Elisa, Fred Balman approached and talked to me insinuatingly.
“(Mr. Kim. Do you know about the American New Year’s culture?)”
“(I don’t know.)”
“(Unlike Korea, in the US, New Year’s Eve is spent with your lover. It’s better to tell your partner in advance because he or she may be disappointed.)”
“(Thanks for the advice.)”
After hearing it, I thought I should tell Elisha in advance. Now that Ha-yeon is here, it would be difficult to greet the New Year alone with her in the future.
I thought that she, who has no children, was sacrificing a lot to be considerate of me.
‘I’ll have to set aside some time later and go on a trip.’
When Ha-yeon went to school, there would be time to travel alone. If you hire a teacher to manage and educate your child, you will be able to afford it.
But now that I am taking care of my parents, I had to celebrate the New Year with my family the Korean way. Elisha is important, but the most important thing is the family.
It was difficult to prioritize.
I called Elisa.
***
Elisha was sitting alone in her house, lost in thought. A splendid view of the city unfolded outside the window. I saw many people having a good time with their families.
‘(Jaegu. He doesn’t answer the phone. Can I do it?)’
When I asked Lim Han-ul, he said that in Korea, the year-end and New Year holidays are spent with family. Since she was not yet part of Kim Jae-gu’s family, it was burdensome to say that he would spend the year-end together.
Besides, since I have a child, I didn’t want to burden her by contacting her.
‘(Still lonely.)’
It wasn’t easy to make kids a priority when it comes to dating. I kept thinking that I was practicing becoming a mother, but I couldn’t stand the thought that sometimes it would be nice to have a happy time just the two of us.
She was afraid that if she showed off, she would be seen as an uncool woman, so she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
‘(It’s not that I hate Ha-yeon. I’m also very jealous.)’
He repeated to Ha-yeon that Kim Jae-goo was the only father, so he had to be considerate. One day, if she marries Kim Jae-goo, Ha-yeon will become his daughter, so he tried to learn how to love like his own body, even if it wasn’t easy.
She tilted her wine glass and smiled bitterly.
‘(I never thought I would like a man with a baby.)’
It was something they would be proud of if their friends knew about it when they were partying. It was a time when I was overflowing with confidence that I could seduce any man I liked.
She looked at the city through her wine glass. The red-dyed city felt romantic.
‘(Should I contact you or not?)’
From nob le mt l dot com
Jiying. Jiying.
Her cell phone started ringing.
Seeing the caller, she hurriedly answered the phone.
“(Hello. Mr. Jaegu?)”
{(Ms. Elisa. Hello. If you have time at the end of the year, would you like to celebrate the New Year at my house? It’s a place with your family, but if it’s not uncomfortable… I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you in advance.)}
Elisa smiled.
A little clumsy and late, but a man who doesn’t forget himself. I liked this man who had a child, but had never seen him give another woman a glance.
“(Okay. By the way.)”
The sound of swallowing could be heard over the receiver.
“(What should I bring when I get an invitation to welcome the New Year in Korea?)”
Kim Jae-gu laughed in a soft voice. I also liked the low-pitched voice that tickled my ears.
{(Elisa is a gift to me. Please come empty-handed. I will prepare everything.)}
“(Don’t you regret it?)”
{(Not at all. I miss you.)}
I could feel the sincerity in his words.
“(I miss you too. I’ll go play tomorrow afternoon.)”
{(Even having lunch together?)}
“(yes.)”
{(Tell me what menu you want. I’ll prepare anything.)}
Also, I like this guy.
It won’t be an easy road, but I thought that I want to be together in the future.
“(Can you make me salad and ribs?)”
Through an acquaintance, he found out that Kim Jae-gu made and served ribs at a party he could not attend. After that, I thought that I would like to eat his food if I had a chance, but I couldn’t talk about it because I didn’t have enough time to meet him.
{(Okay. I’ll make you delicious ribs.)}
“(I will expect.)”
My heart, which had been empty just before, began to warm up as if it had never been.
***
December 31st. The last day of the year has dawned.
“Dad! How do I like Hanbok?”
“matches well.”
Ha-yeon wanted to welcome the new year wearing a hanbok. There were clothes I bought for Chinese New Year, so I put them on and I really liked them.
“My Ha-yeon. Grandpa will take a picture for you.”
“Please take a nice picture.”
My father pressed the extended shutter at Ha-yeon. My father has been learning diligently by watching photography-related videos on New Tube.
‘I was worried that I would be bored at home, but I’m glad I got a hobby.’
It was nice to see the child posing excitedly and the father passionately taking pictures. My mother seemed to have the same thoughts as me, and she sat in the massage chair and looked at the two of them happily.
“Let’s take a picture of Happy together.”
king! As if Happy understood what she was saying, Ha-yeon came to her side. It was evident that the puppies understood human speech to some extent.
‘ah. It’s peaceful.’
It was a pleasure to spend time comfortably with my family.
As lunchtime approached, the men picked up Elisa and brought her. Thanks to Fred Balman collaborating organically with Triton Green, I only had to give orders to Fred Balman.
Elisa got out of the car with several fairly large shopping bags.