Black Label [EN]: Chapter 139

139. Accompaniment

“Did you call for me, CEO?”

Lee Kang-jun, who had just entered the CEO’s office, asked cautiously.

Jae-seung nodded once and quietly asked back.

“Would you like to sit down for a moment?”

Before heading to France, there was a conversation he needed to have with Lee Kang-jun, so he had called him to the CEO’s office.

After replying with a brief “Yes,” Lee Kang-jun sat on the sofa in a somewhat stiff posture, waiting for Jae-seung to speak.

Meanwhile, Jae-seung was tilting his head slightly, staring intently at Lee Kang-jun.

‘Hmm…’

What should he say? Jae-seung was realizing that Lee Kang-jun’s attitude had subtly changed since their conversation about the contract termination last time.

It felt like he was showing signs of discomfort ever since.

‘Transferring without any issues or conflicts is never a sin.’

He had reminded him of that fact several times, but he didn’t seem to be able to shake off his uneasy feelings easily.

Silence filled the CEO’s office for a moment.

After taking a long breath, Lee Kang-jun asked with difficulty, as if he couldn’t bear the silence any longer.

“Did you have something else to say?”

“Yes. It’s nothing much, just about the contract issue.”

Lee Kang-jun couldn’t hide his bewilderment at Jae-seung’s nonchalant answer, widening his eyes as he asked back.

“Contract issue?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s about the contract, last time…”

Lee Kang-jun tried to continue, but he couldn’t finish his sentence and trailed off.

He didn’t seem to expect Jae-seung, of all people, to go back on something they had already agreed upon.

Then, as if Jae-seung had read Lee Kang-jun’s mind, he naturally continued.

“I’m saying this in case you misunderstand, but I’m definitely not trying to keep you at Wall Flower or anything like that.”

“Yes? Then…?”

“Actually, I think I’ll need a ‘Sub Designer’.”

The moment Lee Kang-jun repeated, “Sub Designer?”

Jae-seung slightly pushed the brown envelope on the table with his fingertips and continued.

“To be precise, I need a reliable sub-designer to watch my back at ‘Diom House,’ where I don’t have any allies. I think you’re the right person for the job, Kang-jun. I’d like to hear what you think.”

Lee Kang-jun, with a blank look on his face, took out a stack of A4 papers from the envelope and began to check the contents.

It was a contract that contained the details of a solo contract with Jae-seung, not with Wall Flower.

“CEO, then…?”

Jae-seung nodded once and said in a calm voice without any inflection.

“Would you like to go to Diom with me?”

As soon as Jae-seung finished speaking, Lee Kang-jun involuntarily let out a short exclamation, “Huh….”

For a designer, having a career at Diom House is an opportunity that cannot be bought even with billions of dollars.

The young CEO sitting in front of him was nonchalantly making a proposal that could completely change a person’s life.

Meanwhile, Jae-seung, regardless of Lee Kang-jun’s reaction, began to list the contract terms.

“I don’t plan to hold you for long. First of all, the sub-designer contract period is exactly half a year. It will expire as soon as this Diom Haute Couture [high fashion design and creation] is finished. Since the workplace is being moved overseas, I plan to give you twice the amount you are currently receiving from the design team.”

“…….”

“As you know, there isn’t much time left until the departure date, so I can’t give you a long time to think about it. Think about it until tomorrow morning and let me know.”

As soon as Jae-seung’s words ended, a heavy silence fell in the room again.

It was because Lee Kang-jun couldn’t answer easily and kept moving his lips.

He had a lot of words swirling in his head, but whenever he tried to say something, it felt like it was getting stuck in his throat.

It was such an attractive offer that it was no exaggeration to say that there was no room for consideration at all.

The premium brand ‘Christian Diom’ was a place he wanted to go to at least once, even without pay, let alone twice the salary he was currently receiving from the design team.

But.

“Thank you very much, but I think it’s too much for me.”

Lee Kang-jun, who had briefly expressed his intention to decline, immediately bowed his head.

At the same time, a dark shadow fell over Jae-seung’s face.

It was because he had never expected Lee Kang-jun to reject his offer.

“Kang-jun. I dare to say that no matter how intense your time in Korea is, it won’t be as beneficial as the six months you’ll spend at Diom.”

After replying with a brief “Yes, I know,” Lee Kang-jun continued in a serious tone.

“But I don’t want to cause trouble to the CEO, of all people, to satisfy my career ambitions.”

Jae-seung, as if he couldn’t understand, asked back, “Cause trouble…?” Lee Kang-jun nodded once and began to continue.

“Considering the reputation you currently have as a designer, I think it would be possible to recruit a new designer who is quite famous in the industry as a sub.”

In fact, it was not just a matter of being without difficulty.

In the best stage of Diom, it was a golden opportunity to build a relationship with the famous designer ‘Lee’ and even receive a series of teachings, wasn’t it?

Rather, new designers would surely flock to him like a pack of jackals smelling the bitter scent of blood.

Then, Jae-seung began to stroke his chin and stare at Lee Kang-jun.

It was an implicit signal to keep talking.

“I think there will be plenty of talented designers who will drop everything and run to you as soon as you send them a love call [an invitation or request].”

“Yes, and?”

“Most of them will be much more talented than me. I don’t think Christian Diom’s Haute Couture is a light opportunity for you either. Since there are better options, I hope you make the best choice.”

Lee Kang-jun, who had poured out his heart in an infinitely polite tone, bowed his head once again.

For a moment, a faint smile appeared on Jae-seung’s lips and then disappeared again.

‘Really, the more you know him, the more genuine he is.’

Reminding himself of the fact that he would have to let go of such a person soon, he felt sick to his stomach again.

Jae-seung took a breath and opened his mouth in a sharp tone.

“Kang-jun.”

Only then did Lee Kang-jun raise his head.

Then, Jae-seung shook his head greatly a few times and began to continue calmly.

“At least for now, I think you should only worry about your own future.”

“Yes…?”

“I’m saying this because I think it’s too early to worry about others. Especially me.”

Then, Lee Kang-jun silently began to look into Jae-seung’s eyes.

Jae-seung’s eyes were too calm and composed.

It was like the surface of a wide lake on a day when not a single breeze blew.

“Yes, that’s right. As you said, Kang-jun, Diom’s Haute Couture is definitely not a light opportunity for me either. Do you think I would have made meaningless choices and decisions swayed by emotions, facing such an opportunity?”

“…….”

“If you can’t trust yourself, trust my judgment.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung stared intently into Lee Kang-jun’s eyes and added again.

“Let’s go together.”

Lee Kang-jun’s eyes began to shake violently.

* * *

Time passed relentlessly again, and the day of departure to France, where he would have to board a plane, dawned.

It was clear that he would not be able to return to Korea for at least a few months, but he did not hold any grand events such as farewell parties.

Everyone had begun to seriously prepare for the next season, so it was ambiguous to arrange a separate meeting.

After arriving at Incheon Airport, Jae-seung moved as carefully as possible.

The same was true when he was cutting his boarding pass and going through the departure procedures.

He wore sunglasses, which had now become something he always had to carry, and pulled his hat down, covering his face with the utmost care.

Thanks to this, no one recognized Jae-seung except for a few airport employees.

The plane that took off from Incheon Airport had been heading non-stop to France, located far away, for a whopping 11 hours.

Right now, Lee Kang-jun was sitting in the seat right next to Jae-seung.

After much deliberation, he had decided to go to Diom as Jae-seung’s sub-designer.

* * *

By the time the two arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris after a long flight.

“Lee, it’s really nice to meet you. My name is Erika Ember from the LVMH Group [Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, a French multinational corporation]. I am honored to be in charge of Lee’s personal secretary while you are in France. If you have any questions or inconveniences, please feel free to tell me at any time.”

A somewhat sharp-looking woman in her 30s, Erika, greeted the two of them happily.

She was wearing an office look that emphasized her figure, and she was wearing high heels.

Thanks to this, every time she moved, the sharp sound of her high heels followed her, as sharp as her impression.

She never stopped talking, even as she hurried towards the outside of the airport.

“It would be best to get some rest today and adjust to the time difference. Tomorrow morning, the CNN STYLE filming team will come to Lee’s penthouse. From that moment on, the documentary filming will begin.”

“Tomorrow already?”

When Jae-seung frowned slightly and asked back, Erika nodded once and replied.

“Yes. And there will be a press conference in the middle of the day. As you have already been informed, you may be asked some harsh questions, so it would be good to prepare yourself. There are quite a few people who feel resentment that an Asian has taken control of Christian Diom.”

“I don’t care at all. In fact, I love those prejudices so much that I can’t help but love them. Those prejudices are necessary for the effect to be even more alive when I give a twist.”

Erika smiled brightly and replied.

“That’s a great idea, isn’t it? Anyway, after the conference, you will visit Diom House.”

“I feel like I’m already nervous just thinking about it. Erika, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course. Please feel free to tell me.”

“First of all, my sub-designer, ‘Kang-jun,’ needs a place to stay. I hope it’s as close to the penthouse as possible.”

After finishing speaking, Jae-seung added, “If you let me know the amount, I will pay it right away.”

Then, Erika shook her head once and replied in a firm tone.

“No. All expenses incurred for Lee’s convenience will be paid by the group.”

“Um? The standard seems quite ambiguous, doesn’t it? Is the expense of providing a place to stay for the sub-designer also an expense for my convenience?”

When Jae-seung asked back as if he was surprised, Erika nodded once and replied.

“To explain it easily and simply, you can just think that the group will bear all the expenses that are questionable.”

After finishing speaking, Erika took a step outside the automatic door installed at the airport entrance and said.

“Let’s get on board first.”

Right in front of the airport entrance, a magnificent limousine vehicle was waiting.

Then, Jae-seung whistled once and immediately got into the back seat.

Lee Kang-jun, who was standing blankly, unable to hide his surprise, was the same.

He quickly regained his senses and followed Jae-seung into the car.

* * *

As soon as they arrived on the Champs-Élysées [a famous avenue in Paris], the limousine stopped.

Lee Kang-jun headed to the hotel where he would be staying until his accommodation was prepared, and Jae-seung headed to the penthouse.

The penthouse was at least twice as large as an apartment in Manhattan.

After filling a circular bathtub that looked more like a ‘Pool’ than a bathtub with hot water, he immediately soaked his body in it.

Beyond the glass wall in front, the night view of Paris came into view at a glance.

Jae-seung enjoyed his half-bath and continued to think about this Diom Haute Couture.

In the meantime, the words that Alexander King had said to him before came to his mind: he had to get used to being treated well.

He didn’t know for sure, but he seemed to be getting used to it now.

The first day in Paris was coming to an end like that.