"It's a family joke," Seo-yeon quickly explained.
Kwon looked between her and her father for a moment before giving a small nod. He decided not to ask any further questions.
"Well, I should get going. I have an important meeting tomorrow morning."
Seo-yeon's father stood up. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Kwon."
"There's no need to thank me, sir. I only hope we can find a way to handle this situation properly."
"I hope so too."
Kwon picked up his coat and turned towards Yoongi.
"I'll speak with you tomorrow after my meeting with the chairman."
"Alright, hyung."
"And remember what I said. No unnecessary attention, no posting anything online, and don't discuss this with anyone outside the people who already know."
"I understand."
Kwon gave a final nod before leaving.
Yoongi followed him to the entrance and watched as he walked towards his car. After exchanging a few more words, Kwon got inside and drove away.
When Yoongi returned to the living room, Seo-yeon was already preparing to leave with her father.
"Are you ready?" Han Dong-wook asked his daughter.
"Yes, Daddy."
Yoongi picked up her handbag from the sofa and handed it to her.
"Let me drive you home," he offered.
Her father immediately shook his head.
"There's no need. I'm here, and I can take my daughter home."
"Daddy, he only wants to help," Seo-yeon said.
"I know. But I can still take you home myself."
Yoongi smiled politely. "That's fine, sir."
Han Dong-wook nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response.
Before leaving, Seo-yeon turned towards Yoongi.
"Are you going to be alright?"
He smiled. "I should be asking you that."
"I'm fine."
"Don't pretend to be stronger than you feel. I know today wasn't easy for you."
Seo-yeon lowered her eyes briefly. "I just hope everything works out."
"It will. We just have to take things one step at a time."
She nodded.
Yoongi gently held her hand and looked at her.
"I'll call you tomorrow after Kwon hyung speaks with the chairman."
"Okay."
"And please take care of yourself. Don't skip your meals."
A small smile appeared on her face. "I won't."
"Good."
Her father cleared his throat.
"Seo-yeon, are we leaving or should I come back later?"
"Daddy!"
Yoongi chuckled, while Seo-yeon covered her face in embarrassment.
"Alright, alright. I'm coming."
She gave Yoongi one last hug before following her father outside.
He watched them get into the car. Her father started the engine, and Seo-yeon waved at him through the window before they drove away.
Yoongi remained at the entrance for a few seconds.
He knew the following day would be important. The chairman's reaction could determine how the company would handle the situation, and he could only hope things would go well.
---
The following morning, Kwon Dae-sung arrived at the agency shortly before eight.
The building was already becoming busy. Employees moved between offices, some carrying documents while others discussed the day's schedules. A few staff members greeted him as he walked towards his office.
"Good morning, Mr. Kwon."
"Good morning."
He entered his office, placed his briefcase on the desk and removed his coat.
For a moment, he simply stood beside his desk, thinking about the previous day's events.
He had promised Yoongi that he would help, but he also understood that the chairman needed to know what was happening. Keeping such information from the company's leadership would only make matters worse if the news eventually became public.
He sat down, switched on his computer and checked his schedule.
His first appointment wasn't until later that morning.
That gave him enough time to request a meeting with the chairman.
He picked up his office phone and dialled the chairman's secretary.
"Good morning. This is Kwon Dae-sung."
"Good morning, Mr. Kwon."
"I would like to request an audience with the chairman. I have an important matter to discuss with him."
"Certainly. May I know what the meeting concerns?"
"It's a confidential matter involving one of our artists. I would prefer to explain it to him personally."
"Alright, sir. Please hold while I check his schedule."
Kwon placed the phone back against his ear and waited.
After a short while, the secretary returned.
"The chairman has an available slot at eleven this morning. Would that be convenient?"
"Yes, that would be fine."
"I'll inform him that you're coming."
"Thank you."
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair.
Eleven o'clock.
He still had a few hours to prepare himself for the conversation.
---
At eleven, Kwon arrived outside the chairman's office.
The secretary looked up from her computer when she noticed him.
"Mr. Kwon, the chairman is expecting you."
"Thank you."
She stood and opened the door.
"Mr. Kwon is here, sir."
"Let him come in."
Kwon entered and bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Chairman."
"Good morning, Kwon. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, sir."
The chairman returned to the document on his desk and signed it before putting down his pen.
"You requested to see me this morning. Is there a problem?"
"Not exactly a problem, sir, but there is a situation involving one of our artists that I believe you should know about."
The chairman looked up.
"One of our artists?"
"Yes, sir."
"Who?"
"Min Yoongi."
The chairman's expression changed slightly.
"Yoongi? What happened?"
Kwon adjusted himself in his chair.
"It's a personal matter, sir. One that could eventually affect his career and the company if it isn't handled carefully."
The chairman put both hands on his desk.
"You're making this sound rather serious. What exactly is going on?"
Kwon hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Yoongi is expecting a child."
The chairman stared at him.
For several seconds, the office remained silent.
"Excuse me?"
"His partner is pregnant, sir."
The chairman slowly leaned back.
"Are you telling me Min Yoongi is going to become a father?"
"Yes, sir."
He looked away, seemingly trying to process the information.
"How long have you known about this?"
"I only became directly involved recently."
"And Yoongi?"
"He has known about the pregnancy for some time."
The chairman's eyebrows drew together.
"Some time? And he didn't think the company needed to know?"
"From what I understand, he wanted to handle the matter privately before involving anyone else."
The chairman shook his head.
"Does he understand the position he's in? He's not an ordinary young man who can simply announce something like this without considering the consequences."
"Yes, sir. He understands that."
"Then why was I not informed earlier?"
"I believe he was afraid of how the situation would affect his career."
The chairman remained quiet for a moment.
"Who is the woman?"
"Her name is Han Seo-yeon. She's twenty-seven years old. She previously worked for an event planning company."
"Is she an entertainer?"
"No, sir. She isn't involved in the entertainment industry."
"How did they meet?"
Kwon explained what he knew about their relationship and how they had become involved. He also explained that Seo-yeon had been trying to avoid Yoongi for several months because she was afraid her pregnancy would damage his career.
The chairman listened without interrupting.
"Have you met her personally?" he asked when Kwon finished.
"Yes, sir. I met with both of them yesterday."
"And what was your impression?"
Kwon took a moment to consider his answer.
"She's a quiet and respectful young woman. I asked her several questions about her intentions, her past and what she expected from Yoongi. She answered everything honestly."
"What does she want from him?"
"She wants him to be present in the lives of their children. She isn't asking for money or publicity, and she made it clear that she doesn't expect him to marry her."
The chairman looked at him.
"She said that?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what does Yoongi want?"
"He wants to take responsibility. He wants to be involved in his children's lives and support their mother."
The chairman sighed and stood up.
He walked towards the window, looking down at the busy street below.
"This is a complicated situation, Kwon."
"I understand, sir."
"Do you know how quickly something like this can spread? One photograph, one careless conversation, one employee saying the wrong thing, and suddenly the entire country is discussing his private life."
"That's why I wanted to bring it to your attention before anything happens."
The chairman turned around.
"Does anyone else in the company know?"
"Only a few people who are directly involved."
"What about the other members?"
Kwon paused.
"I'm not certain how much they know."
The chairman returned to his desk.
"I want you to find out exactly who is aware of this situation. We cannot afford unnecessary leaks."
"Understood."
"And what about the woman's family?"
"I met her father yesterday. He accompanied her to the meeting."
The chairman raised an eyebrow.
"Her father?"
"Yes. He wanted to be present during our conversation."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the chairman gave a faint, almost amused smile.
"I suppose that's understandable."
"He was protective of her, sir. But he was also respectful throughout the meeting."
The chairman nodded slowly.
He picked up a pen and turned it between his fingers.
"Listen, Kwon. I don't want this information leaving the people who already know about it."
"Yes, sir."
"At least not for now."
Kwon waited for him to continue.
"The company needs time to consider everything. We need to understand the situation properly, discuss the possible consequences and prepare ourselves for whatever may happen."
"Of course."
"This is not the right time to make an announcement. We cannot simply disclose something this sensitive without knowing how it will affect Yoongi, the group and the company."
"I agree, sir."
The chairman placed the pen down.
"For now, everything must remain private. No public statements, no interviews and no discussions with the press. I don't want anyone making decisions without consulting the company first."
"I'll make sure of that."
"Also, ensure that the woman's privacy is respected. Whatever happens between her and Yoongi, she shouldn't become a target of unnecessary attention."
Kwon nodded.
"Understood."
The chairman paused before speaking again.
"Have you spoken to Yoongi about the possibility of public backlash?"
"Yes, sir. He understands that there may be negative reactions, but he has made his decision."
"And what decision is that?"
"He intends to take responsibility for his children, regardless of the consequences."
The chairman stared at him for a moment before releasing a quiet sigh.
"At least he understands that much."
He returned to his chair.
"Give me some time to consider this. I will speak with the necessary people, and we will decide how to proceed. Until then, I want everything kept confidential."
"Understood, Chairman."
Kwon stood and bowed.
"Thank you for your time, sir."
"One more thing, Kwon."
He stopped.
"Make sure Yoongi understands that keeping this private for now doesn't mean the company intends to ignore the situation. We simply need to handle it properly."
"I'll speak with him."
"Good. You may go."
Kwon bowed once more and left the office.
---
Back in his office, Kwon sat down and loosened his tie.
The meeting had gone better than he had expected, although the chairman's decision meant they would have to remain cautious.
He picked up his phone and searched for Yoongi's contact.
After a moment, he pressed the call button.
Yoongi answered shortly afterwards.
"Hyung?"
"Are you busy?"
"Not really. Is everything alright?"
"I just finished meeting with the chairman."
Yoongi immediately became attentive.
"What happened?"
"The chairman knows about the pregnancy now."
There was a brief silence.
"And?"
"He was surprised, and naturally, he had several questions. But I explained everything to him."
"Did he say anything about Seo-yeon?"
"He asked about her. I told him about our meeting yesterday and explained what she wants."
Yoongi waited.
"What did he decide?"
"For now, he wants the situation to remain private."
Yoongi lowered his eyes.
"Private?"
"Yes. He believes this isn't the right time to make any public announcement. The company needs time to prepare and consider how everything should be handled."
"So he hasn't rejected it?"
"No, he hasn't. But he hasn't given his final approval for anything either."
Yoongi released a breath he hadn't realised he was holding.
"Alright."
"Listen, Yoongi. I know you want to take responsibility, and I respect that. But you need to be patient. Don't do anything that could attract unnecessary attention."
"I understand, hyung."
"I'll keep you updated as things develop."
"Thank you for speaking with him."
"Just focus on yourself and make sure Seo-yeon is doing well."
"I will."
Kwon ended the call and placed his phone on the desk.
Meanwhile, Yoongi remained seated, staring at the screen.
The chairman knew.
For now, that was enough. At least they were no longer carrying the entire burden without the company's knowledge.