Chapter 8: Getting Frustrated

Cho Corporation's Meeting Room

"If there are no further questions, then we shall start executing the plan. Meeting Adjourned," Daniel Cho announced before he stood up and left the meeting room.

"Boss, Madam Cho called." Assistant Ahn handed Daniel's phone.

Taking out his phone from his suit pocket, he was about to call his mother when a female employee called his name from behind.

"President Cho..." Director Leah Tan called his attention.

"Yes?" he answered.

"President, there are some design proposals of the landscape plan for the new shopping mall that we are developing. I'd like to go over it with you and listen to your opinion."

"Aren't we doing a bidding for that? Why do I need to go through all of them now?" Daniel asked with a look of annoyance, knowing that going through all those were unnecessary since there was a bidding anyway.

"Yes, President. However, I think that shortlisting the candidates will help us." She insisted.

He could not be bothered by something like this, so without thinking twice, he passed it on to his brother "Have Vice-President Liam Cho go through those with you." he said before walking away from her.

"Vice-President Cho? But... President-"

"I don't have time for that, Director Tan," he answered with a cold expression, walking towards the elevator without even glancing at her.

"I understand, President Cho," answered Director Leah Tan, her mood was instantly spoiled. Feeling dispirited, she reluctantly went back to her office.

Leah Tan has been working for the company right after she graduated six years ago. During that time, it was still Daniel's father who was the CEO and Daniel had just returned from overseas studies.

She had been a fan of him ever since she saw how brilliant this young CEO is. She made an oath to herself that she will also work very hard so that she can one day, stand beside him and earn his affection.

Although Daniel had not given her any special treatment, Leah is still content that she gets to see him every day and is closer to him now as a Director than years ago. She's a very diligent woman and her hard work paid off given that she was promoted quite fast within a short period of time.

Because of her excellent skills, she had earned the approval and admiration of many.

.

When Daniel Cho returned to his office, he immediately returned his mother's phone call. "Mother, why did you call? Did you need something?"

"I don't need a reason to call my son, I just missed you!" Mrs. Cho snarked.

Daniel chuckled, his mom can be cute sometimes, "Sorry, I've been busy since I came back from City H. I'll visit you soon."

Mrs. Cho scoffed at her son's answer, "You're always busy with work! Anyway, have you met Samantha again? I sent you her number a few days ago, didn't you receive it?"

"Yes I did, mother. But I don't think we'll see each other again." Daniel already knew his mother's intentions. Although he was not very much against the idea, he was just too preoccupied to even think about dating.

"What? Why not? Did you guys fight? Don't you like her? Don't you find her pretty?" Mrs. Cho asked relentlessly, she could not believe that her son was unmoved by Samantha.

"No, mother. We did not fight," he answered. Thinking about his mother's question, 'Don't you find her pretty?' — without realizing, the corners of his mouth had curled up when Samantha's face flashed before him. He leaned back on his chair and loosened his tie, "She is very pretty," he added.

Happy with his answer, Mrs. Cho asked further, "Then why are you not doing anything?"

Daniel shook his head and ran a hand on his face as he thought of all the work that piled up on his desk. Glancing on the stack of documents, he sighed, "I'm really busy with company matters, I don't have time to date."

"Nonsense! You promised to think about it, why don't you give it a try?"

"I did think about it, and this is my decision."

"What a shame. Well, if you don't like her... then... I'll my other friend. I heard her daughter just came back from overseas. I'll set a date for you two."

"Mother... please... just," Daniel sighed, "Okay, I do like Samantha. I find her charming but I don't want to chase after her just because you said so."

"Nonsense! Since when do you hesitate when you like something? And this time, it's a woman! It's been a while, Daniel. You haven't dated for a long time. You need to be happy too."

"You really won't stop match-making huh?"

"No."

"Alright, fine. I'll call Samantha for dinner. Just don't go on setting-up dates for me anymore. Let me handle my own life mom."

"That's all I ask. Enjoy your date!"

"We're just going to meet and eat, don't get too excited."

Sighing, the call ended and he contemplated on his next move. After a few minutes of self debate, he picked up his phone and dialed Samantha's number.

"Hello?~"

Upon hearing her voice, he felt a sudden feeling of anticipation making him smile so bright, it was blinding.

"Hello, Samantha... this is Daniel Cho. I'd like to invite you for dinner."

...

Spring Hotel, Private Dining Room 108.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" she asked, her gaze never faltered as she looked at him in the eye.

"What would you like to eat?" he asked.

"I'm not hungry."

"I'll order for you then," Daniel called the waiter and ordered some dishes.

Samantha observed him and she could not help but wonder why she got really nervous when she was on her way to meet him. It wasn't their first meeting so what was she worried about?

Now that Daniel was in front of her, he kept on delaying and it made her feel unsettled. "President Cho, I'm not sure why you wanted to meet with me. We don't have any common affairs-"

"Are you always this uptight?" he interrupted her with a question.

"Excuse me?"

"Ms. Kim, I invited you for dinner. So I hope that you will enjoy sharing the meal with me tonight. We'll talk about other matters after."

Finding it hard to refuse Daniel Cho, she nodded in agreement. When the food was served, they started to eat in silence. Just like before, the silence between them was not awkward. Instead, they both find it calming.

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With a glass of wine in his hand, Daniel asked, "How was your food?"

"It was really good, thank you." Samantha smiled back, "Do you come here often?"

"Sometimes. I know a lot of good restaurants but this is one of my favorites."

"I see. It's my first time here but I'll definitely come back."

"I'm glad you enjoyed your meal."

"Soo..."

Daniel chuckled, "You're very curious, aren't you?"

"I think I've been pretty obvious about it since I arrived." Samantha lightly chuckled and Daniel felt a flutter in his stomach when she did, "What is this all about?"

"I have a proposal for you and I hope that you will agree to it. This has nothing to do with the company, this is personal."

"Personal? I'm sorry but I'm confused. Can you elaborate?"

Leaning forward, he offered a gentle smile, "I'd like to propose for us to date."

Samantha was bewildered when she heard Daniel's proposal. Did she hear it correctly? "I'm sorry, what now?"

Sure that Samantha heard him, Daniel did not repeat what he said. He picked up his wine and took a sip, waiting for her answer.

Seeing Daniel didn't respond to her question, she asked again, "Why?"

He raised a brow and replied with another question, " Why not?"

"Do you like me?" she asked boldly.

Daniel was caught surprised by her straight-forward question, but he was not about to complain. He actually found it interesting and he chuckled, "What?"

Like what Daniel did earlier, Samantha copied him and kept quiet. Tilting her head to the side, she waited for him to answer.

"Well..." Daniel suddenly found it hard to say it. It was as if the cat got his tongue.

Sensing his hesitation, she urged him to tell her more. "Hmmm... What else are you not telling me?

"Fine." Thinking that it's best to just be honest, he answered truthfully. "You're aware that our parents are trying to set us up." Samantha nodded, recalling their conversation a couple of weeks ago.

"You see, my mom doesn't back down easily. She'll keep setting me up on dates after dates."

"So, why don't you propose this to other women? Why does it have to be me?"

Daniel Cho smiled, "Because our mothers are working together."

"My mom?"

"Yes. Has she not been trying to urge you to date? Besides, If I'm going to be blunt, I'd want to say that you're actually quite... pleasant to be with. That's why I'm proposing this to you."

Samantha tried to think about what he just said and true enough, her mom had been constantly pushing her to go on a date recently.

Just as Daniel said this, Samantha's mother called her.

"Sam, how are you? Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Yes, mom. I've just finished eating."

"What did you eat?"

"Uhm... Roasted Lamb?" Samantha glanced at the man in front of her. He had a sexy devilish smile plastered on his face, she gulped.

"Oh, are you eating out? Who's with you?"

Just like what he said, looks like their mothers were in on it.

"Ahh... Hmmm... I'm having dinner with Daniel Cho, mom."

"Oh Oh, that's good! That's good! Go ahead, I won't bother you anymore. Enjoy your date!"

"It's not a-" Samantha's mom had already hung up the call, "date."

Daniel chuckled as he guessed what her mom had said.

Blushing, Samantha nodded at him. "I'll have to think about it first, I didn't really plan on dating right now."

"It's the same for me, Samantha. I am a busy man but if we both agree on this, I will make time for you."

"I need to think things through. If and I'm saying if... I agree with your proposal, we both have to agree on some terms."

"I'm way ahead of you." Daniel brought up an envelope and handed it over to Samantha.

Laughing lightly, she received the envelope, "What is this? A contract?

"No, I don't want to call it that. Let's just say... it's a paper. After all, it's not a legal document. It's merely a list of things that we should both agree on. You don't have to decide right now, you can sleep on it."

"You really are a businessman, Daniel Cho. You have thought everything through... I'm impressed." she was not bothered by it at all. She actually found him very transparent.

He smirked at her little comment, "I'm a thorough person. So... When shall I hear from you again?"

"I'll let you know in a few days."

"Okay," Both of them stood up at the same time.

Walking around the table, he moved closer to her and whispered to her ear in a low and sexy voice, "I'm an impatient man, don't make me wait too long. I might get... frustrated."

Feeling his hot breath on her ear, she gulped and subconsciously bit her lip when her hair stood on end and a shock of electricity shot through her stomach.

Noticing her reaction, a mischievous grin appeared on his face before he walked away and left the room.

As soon as he left the room, Samantha let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding, "Why is it suddenly so hot in here?" she said as she fanned herself with the envelope.

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