The Chairman's Blessing
“Park Maru speaking.”
“Babe, you’re already here?”
“Yeah. Where are you?”
“At home. Where are you?”
“Yeah. Seoul Station.”
“Want me to come pick you up?”
“No need, the roads are jammed. Just tell me the spot, and I’ll head there.”
“But I want to come get you. If you’d called ahead, I could’ve met you at the station.”
“Next time, I will.”
“Come to Dad’s company then. Think you can find it?”
“With a taxi, what’s there to worry about?”
“Okay. I’m heading out now too, so call when you arrive.”
“Got it.”
I hopped in a taxi at Seoul Station and headed straight to the company run by her father. Past rush hour, the roads weren’t as bad as I’d feared. When I got there and called her, she came down soon after. I followed her up to her father’s office. As we passed the neatly uniformed secretarial staff bowing in greeting, the door opened to reveal her father—a robust man exuding the charisma of a group chairman—rising from his seat.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Maru.”
“Come on in. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Have a seat right here first.”
I sat where Lee Hoe-jang, her father the chairman, gestured, and Eun-mi settled beside me.
“Eun-mi!”
“What, Dad?”
“The staff might see and get the wrong idea.”
“Worried they’ll tattle to Mr. Hwang?”
“Still.”
“Pfft, Dad.”
She pouted and moved seats. Moments later, a knock sounded, and a secretary brought in tea. Though we were both secretaries, her demeanor and actions felt worlds apart from us political aides. Once the secretary left and closed the door, Eun-mi slid back beside me with a sly wink, as if her father weren’t watching.
“Have some.”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
“No need to be so formal. I know it’s impolite to speak this way to someone I’m meeting for the first time, but that rascal’s told me plenty, so relax.”
“……”
I hesitated, unsure of his intent or how to respond.
“He and I have no secrets. Get my drift?”
“Pardon?”
“Just think of me as your father.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
“My marriage to Congressman Hwang was a strategic one, not born of love. I’ve done my part for him, and he has no complaints. Now it’s time for her to live her own life. As long as nothing leaks out.”
“Understood, Chairman.”
“Hey now—think of me as your father.”
“Yes, Father.”
It felt absurd, but I couldn’t show it. From my perspective, there was no downside either way. And Eun-mi was undeniably a woman I cherished, so no reason to take offense.
“Time you got yourself a pin too, eh?”
“I’m still not ready.”
“You know as well as I do—in this country, snag a nomination and have enough cash, and the pin’s yours. I’ll back your funds from behind the scenes, so gear up for the next general election. Once you’re in, help me out a bit.”
“Yes, Father. I understand.”
“Anything you need, just tell that rascal.”
“Yes.”
“Can’t linger too long here or the staff might talk. Come to the house for dinner tonight.”
“Yes. I’ll visit this evening.”
I bowed to Chairman Lee and left the office with her, sliding into the passenger seat of her car.
“Where do you wanna go, babe?”
“Treating me like some country bumpkin.”
“We’ve gotta go somewhere.”
“How about we drive out of town for some fresh air?”
“Sounds perfect. Where to?”
“Pull over up ahead. I’ll drive.”
“I’m fine. I drive well.”
“Paju’s a haul—you’ll be beat.”
“An hour tops. No big deal.”
“Makes me uneasy. Let me drive.”
“Fine.”
Once the company was out of sight, we switched seats. I cruised the open freeway toward Heyri Art Village. Who visits a place like this on a weekday morning? Free from prying eyes, she hooked her arm in mine, pressing close as we wandered the quiet village lanes. Her bright voice chattered nonstop.
“How was Dad?”
“Father?”
“Yeah.”
“Not as intimidating as I thought—pretty comfortable, actually. But you told him everything?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Why bring up that?”
“To get you reinstated. Didn’t wanna tell him directly—might’ve seemed weird.”
“Still felt kinda sorry.”
“Nah. He seemed pleased deep down. Truth is, marrying that guy was a necessity for the company. You know it takes power to protect and grow a business. Marriage was the closest path to power.”
“Fair point, but bittersweet. What about your life?”
“I knew Dad’s heart, so I went through with it. No regrets there. We don’t interfere much. You know he has his flings.”
“You knew?”
“Pfft, if I didn’t, I’d be a total fool.”
“And you can still smile about it?”
“That’s our life. Mi-hyang’s husband’s the same.”
“Money doesn’t guarantee happiness.”
“But I get to be with you, so I’m a happy woman.”
We shared so many stories. Her childhood, the conflict with her father over her first love—an artist who died—and the pains behind her cheerful facade. His name had been Maru too, strikingly like me in looks. But his passion for art over ambition made him anathema to her father. I could see why a woman with everything chose a nobody like me.
We left Heyri for Provence Village—not for sightseeing, but for its romantic lunch spot. We took a window table facing each other.
“Here, babe.”
“What’s this?”
“Dad gave it for you.”
She handed me a corporate card and bankbook.
“Don’t need this.”
“You do! If you really want that pin, swallow your pride and take what Dad offers. If it weighs on you, help the company later when it needs it.”
“Even without that, if your father’s company struggles, I’d help—for you.”
“What can you do now? To help Dad, get the pin first and gain power.”
She was right. What could a mere grade-5 congressional secretary do? I could nudge bureaucrats for ordinary folks’ grievances, but for a chaebol like Daesan Group? Even a few pins wouldn’t suffice in Korea’s reality. I took the card and bankbook.
“Tell Father I’ll do my utmost. Thanks later—after I win election.”
“Smart thinking. It’s pocket change for Dad anyway. If it bugs you, think of it as my inheritance spent early.”
Politicians preach clean politics, but that’s just talk. Election funds? Stick to the limits if you’ve got iron will. But daily meals, teas, drinks with people? Where’s that money from? In politics, separating money from power is a pipe dream—you won’t win.
Lunch done, we headed to a hotel in Goyang City. I wouldn’t be in Seoul often, and with her family, trips to Busan weren’t easy. Couldn’t waste a day like this.
The moment we entered the room, her lips crashed into mine.
“Babe~ I missed you so much.”
“You’ve been staring all day.”
“Pfft, not the same.”
“Shower first.”
We stripped and headed to the bathroom side by side. I set the water temperature, washed every inch of her body, soaped her up, then caressed her clean with my hands like lovers’ play. She shivered under my touch but beamed, so I pecked her lips. After rinsing her, I sent her out, quickly showered myself, and joined her in the bedroom. She waited, half-covered by the sheets.