Pay With Your Heart
Chapter 1 - Lee Dan-Han

PK CORPORATION BUILDING COMPLEX

6:30 PM

*Knock*Knock

Dan-Han could hear someone knock on his office door, and he was sure that was his secretary, but he ignored it anyway. A frown formed between his brows when he heard that knock again.

"Come in," He said without raising his head while he continued with his work like he hadn't noticed someone walk into his office.

Dan-Han waited for his secretary, Chang-Wok, to say what had brought him, but all he heard was his silence. Slowly he lifted his head to see Secretary Chang-Wok squirming like a scared rodent by the door, with several sweat beads lingering on his face.

Secretary Chang-Wok almost pissed his pant when he felt those cold eyes look at him. He could only wish for the earth to open and swallow him right at that moment. He daily questioned himself how he had landed a job of being the secretary of this man.

"Speak," Dan-Han said, his voice as cold as ice, sending cold shivers down Chang-Wok's spine.

"Si...sir, it... it's the chairman. He told me to inform you that you're late for your....date," Secretary Chang-Wok said with great difficulty. He wouldn't have been this tense had he been instructed to inform President Lee about some work-related stuff. But instead, here he was telling his boss what he hated the most, dates!!!

Why he hated dates, nobody knew. But maybe the devil will. Wait!, wasn't he supposed to be the devil's master?

Secretary Chang-Wok would have been sympathetic towards his boss because his parents kept hounding him with several blind dates this past few weeks, but he wouldn't. Even if he did, he sure can't console him. Because this man was void of emotions, and one would never know if he needed some consolation.

Chang-Wok was lucky to have nonchalant parents for himself. It's one of the perks of hailing from a poor background.

Secretary Chang-Wok almost ran for his life when he saw the stern look in Dan-Han's eyes turn dark and icier.

"Hmm", Dan-Han replied with a single nod before returning to the documents strewn over his desk. If he was angry, no one could tell. His face was simply expressionless. Consistently as stoic as ever.

Lee Dan-Han was the president of the multinational conglomerate PK corporation. He was as handsome as a Greek god. His refined jawline, which God himself has carefully chiselled, and his impeccable sleek dark hair were too good for a man as icly as he was, but he had them anyway. Only if he could smile, then his beauty would reveal the perfection of God's creativity.

Dan-Han has just recently taken the company's reins as the new president since his father's abrupt retirement. His cold and aloof manner sent shivers down the spine of his employees. They all shudder and scamper at the mere sight of him.

His nickname: "Demon king/god of Ice". That was because the temperature around him was always at a freezing point. Gnashing teeth and fidgeting limbs were a constant variable when he was in view.

Utter silence prevailed in the room for a couple of moments. Secretary Chang-Wok deftly slipped Dan-Han's phone onto his desk before scurrying out of the office, while Dan-Han carried on with his work like his secretary hasn't been observing the silent induced punishment he has subconsciously apportioned to him.

Dan-Han leaned back on his chair and slowly massaged his temples when his phone started vibrating on his desk.

A frown appeared between his brows when he noticed it was his mother calling. He sighed as he reluctantly answered the call.

"Hello, mother", He greeted.

"Why haven't you been taking your calls?" Mrs Lee asked with a stern tone, almost as if she was scolding him.

"Been busy", Dan-Han replied

"And now?" She asked.

" Still busy"

"Does your response always have to be monotonous? Can't someone ever have a normal conversation with you without you sounding like you're being forced?" Mrs Lee complained. Even as his mother, she wished she could have some preferential treatment from him. Talking with him would always leave her or anyone else with a throbbing and deadly headache.

Dan-Han shut his eyes close as he listened to his mother hum her favourite hymn. He has heard that line repeatedly, that he was sure it has always popped up in every conversation they've had.

"Hello, Dan-Han, are you still there?" Mrs Lee called out when Dan-Han became too quiet. Not like he wasn't quiet enough.

"Mmm", Dan-Han nodded, pinching the space between his brows.

"Then why are you quiet? Never mind. When are you leaving for your date?" Mrs Lee asked in a happy tone. The thought of Dan-Han going on a date again made her giddy. She couldn't help but feel happy about it. The last dates had all turned out badly, but she was sure this one would be different.

She has been worried he'd never agree to any of these dates again, but surprisingly he had decided on this one after his father's plea.

"Soon", He replied with a sigh. He wishes he could turn it down. He'd rather stay up in his office and bury himself with work than go on another date with those pretentious ladies, who all they've known is to look pretty all their life.

"Dan-Han, you have to be there on time. Don't keep her waiting. I promise she's a good girl. She's not like the others."

"That's what you said the last time," He said indifferently.

"I know, but trust mother this time, okay. This one is good. I promise you. Now run along and have fun," She said with a smile which Dan-Han could swear was literally covering her eyes, even though he couldn't see her.

"And oh Dan-Han, please don't scare her. A smile, perhaps?" Mrs Lee almost chuckled at her own words. She knew that was impossible.

~~~~~~

Welcome to the first chapter of this book. I hope you liked it. If yes, please add to your library and drop a comment. But if not, then also drop a comment. I'd love to improve on it.

You can read my other books-

'When You Are Mine'

'The Wrong Bride'.

Few mistakes might be strewn in here and there. Please don't hesitate to point them out if you replace any.

Kindly drop your opinions and suggestions in the comment or review section. And don't forget to vote. *Muah*