President Jin and the Lady
Summary: AU, President Jin has the world in his grasp. But a rare creature eludes his capture. It's a game he's determined to win.
Mr. Sunshine future AU, feat. President Jin of Masters. I'm playing around with pairings, creating a sort of multi-verse by pairing up two characters played by the same actors (Lee ByungHun and Kim TaeRi). It's for fun, and an exercise in creativity. This is only the first pairing, so gear up, friends.
Prologue
The Meeting
President Jin runs his fingers along the edge of the table, marveling at the exquisite taste of his host. He has met many wealthy people, friends and associates during his life, so he's learned to recognize real taste when he sees it. The feeling of wealth is muted and refined, classy and subtle. This person belongs to old money and has been blessed with a golden spoon in his mouth. He feels the ever-present jealousy he's always felt toward the rich, along with genuine admiration. Assemblyman Go Sahong inherited his money, but he's among the few who amassed an even greater fortune through good deeds, investment and smart business choices. He's also incredibly well-respected by everyone and a household name for all that is fair and honest in politics. If Assemblyman Go, affectionately called "Lord Go", joined hands with his company, he'd have twice as many investors. All he needs is to find a way to compel him to invest or become an associate.
Lord Go, however, is proving to be tricky. They'd shared dinner two weeks ago, and it's only due to tradition that the elder had invited him today. President Jin had expected lunch alone to cajole Lord Go, but his daughter-in-law had joined them and had spent the entire afternoon steering the conversation out of his grip with frightening ease. His granddaughter had also joined them, disappointing President Jin. He'd heard tales of her beauty and brains, to the point it was said she was the main inheritor of her grandfather's assets. But so far, all he saw was a heavily made-up young woman with zero taste for fine things. In the sudden silence that befell the table, Lord Go turns to his daughter-in-law.
"And Aeshin?" He asks, speaking up for the first time in hours. President Jin looks up curiously as the lady looks at her watch, and then at Lord Go.
"She should be home soon," the woman replies, "she's finishing her… lessons."
That pause plucks at President Jin's predatory instincts, especially when the young woman introduced as Aesoon seems displeased with the topic. An elderly servant comes in, bowing to those at the table.
"Lady Aeshin has arrived, sir," he announces, stepping aside for a young woman in a black suit over a sheer black dress and silver heels. She's glorious, tossing her wavy black hair over her shoulder as she sweeps with casual grace into the dining room. Unlike Aesoon, this young woman glows with natural beauty; her skin is perfectly smooth, her lips a soft peach color and her darks eyes framed by long lashes. Like her grandfather, there's a muted sense of innate wealth that wreathes her like a second skin, despite her simple clothes. Her gaze slides across the room, before they land on her grandfather. She bows elegantly at both elders, greeting them in a contralto voice so rare in women her age.
"Good afternoon," she says, before she smiles prettily at her cousin. Aesoon nods stiffly, turning back to her meal. Aeshin looks at President Jin, who grins roguishly. She dismisses him with her gaze, looking back at her grandfather and awaiting introduction. President Jin appreciates her fine figure, especially when he notes that her slender arms are more toned than they seem.
"This is my granddaughter, Aeshin," the note of pride in the old man's voice is unmistakable. "Aeshin, this is President Jin Hyunpil of One Network. Greet him."
Aeshin now turns her body to face him and smiles pleasantly. She bows, the picture of a young lady, and says with the perfect pitch of her voice. "I'm Go Aeshin," she introduces herself, "I have heard much about you from my grandfather."As she rises, there's an almost predatory light in her eyes, startling President Jin. There's something threatening in her eyes, enough for the President of One Network to consider pulling out of this idea. Lord Go seemed gullible enough, but his granddaughter has enough wits to consider him a threat. Aeshin says one last thing before she excuses herself to wash up. "You're more handsome than I thought," she says conversationally, drawing a sharp stare from her grandfather. Her aunt easily takes up the conversation again; wholly unbothered by the non sequitur Aeshin had dropped on her way out. Aesoon participates this time, saying the most inane things about fashion and the weather.
President Jin realizes there's something wrong in the water, noticing a little late that he might have thought he was the shark among fishes, only to realize he was the fish among sharks. He'd let his guard down, thinking only Lord Go would be his enemy in this house. The meal ends without him being able to bring up the purpose of his visit, and he'd walked out by the two ladies and the elderly servant. Just as he exits the front doors en route to his car, a vision in white is among the trees and bushes on the driveway. Aeshin herself is walking a footpath that emerges from the side of the house. She's wearing a sheer white, overlarge dress shirt and simple sneakers. Aeshin straightens as she sees him, before smiling and bowing in greeting. He watches her for a moment, before stepping toward her, waving away his driver.
"It was a pleasure meeting you," he says, extending his hand for a handshake.
Her eyes are sharp and intelligent, as thought she can see right through him. She reaches her hand out, clasping his in a strong grip. There are strange calluses on her hands, and she speaks softly. "Did you know? A handshake was originally invented as a way to show someone you were not carrying a weapon." She remarks, looking at their hands, before her eyes slide upwards in a distinctly threatening stare. "Are you holding a weapon, President Jin?"
He smirks. He may not target Lord Go, but this little slip of a girl has captured his attention in a way he'd never thought a woman ever could. "You'll have to see," he challenges. "Meet me again."
She lets go of his hand, but he doesn't let her pull back. Aeshin gives him a considering look before testing his grip. He holds fast. "Two weeks from now, Tuesday, at twelve pm, Hadongkwan." She says simply, and he lets her go. She turns from him and he admires her openly as she walks away. He may not catch Lord Go, but he could certainly try to catch that fine woman.
To be Continued...
So, that's only the beginning. I wrote this entirely on a lark, on a prompt from friends on Twitter. I hope y'all enjoy this fun little spin on characters we know and love.