Min-Jae's car stopped at the entrance of a tall skyscraper with the Korean letters 제이디 written boldly at the top. Anyone who lived in Seoul knew the building. It was the headquarters of JD Korea, one of the biggest entertainment and media branches in Asia.

The moment he stepped out, workers standing near the entrance bowed immediately.

"Good morning, Director Min-Jae."

"Good morning, sir."

He nodded back casually. He had gotten used to it, but sometimes it still felt strange. Years ago, he was just a trainee struggling to survive. Now people bowed the moment he walked past.

He entered the lobby, stepped into the elevator, and a soft ping later, he was already on the highest floor.

His office.

Calling it an office was an understatement. The space was beautiful — floor-to-ceiling windows, polished marble floors, minimalist furniture, and a view of the entire city. Every time he walked inside, it hit him again that this life was real.

He dropped his jacket on the chair, sat down, and opened the stack of documents waiting for him. Contracts, financial approvals, memos, schedules — the usual things he handled every day.

His assistant walked in. "Sir, these are the documents needing your signature this morning."

Min-Jae nodded. "Leave them."

She placed them on the table gently and stepped back. "Also, sir… you have a meeting with the board of CEOs in an hour."

"Alright. I'll be there."

She left quietly.

For the next thirty minutes, he signed, reviewed, corrected, and approved different documents. The work was heavy, but he was used to it.

When the time reached, he stood, grabbed his phone, and headed to the meeting room.

---

Inside the boardroom, several CEOs stood up immediately as he entered.

"Director Min-Jae," they greeted, bowing.

He nodded. "Good morning."

The meeting wasn't long. It was mostly updates from the music division, the China branch, and the new training centers. They discussed revenue, new auditions, contract renewals, tours, and upcoming projects.

After the meeting ended, he returned to his office and barely sat when his assistant rushed in again.

"Sir, you have to prepare. You're the guest of honor at the cultural award show today."

He blinked. "Today?"

"Yes, sir. The organizers just called. They want you seated in the front row."

He sighed lightly but nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

---

When he arrived at the venue, cameras flashed immediately. Security cleared the path, and as he walked in, people bowed so deeply it almost made him uncomfortable.

"Director-nim."

"Director Min-Jae!"

"Sir, welcome!"

He smiled politely, shaking hands, bowing back gently. Every major figure in the Korean entertainment industry seemed to recognize him. Some greeted with respect. Others with admiration. A few looked at him with envy.

It was overwhelming, but he handled it calmly.

He sat through the event, made a short appearance on stage, took photos, and spoke with a few producers who wanted collaborations with JD Korea.

By the time he left the building, the sun was already setting.

Back in the car, he leaned his head on the seat and released a slow breath. The day was long, but productive.

As the car moved, he stared out the window, watching the city lights pass by.

Sometimes all of this still felt unreal.

He remembered the day he almost lost his contract. He remembered the fear, the pressure, and the nights he cried alone. If Dayo hadn't stepped in, if Dayo hadn't insisted he was meant for something bigger, Min-Jae knew he would not be where he was today.

He smiled weakly.

"Let me call him."

He dialed.

The call rang once, twice—

"Yo! CEO Min-Jae!" Dayo answered, voice full of energy. "You finally remembered me today."

Min-Jae rolled his eyes. "I've been busy, you demon."

Dayo laughed loudly. "Na who send you? Big man!"

"Abeg get out." Min-Jae said in a Korea ish Nigeria pidgin English.

"Your pidgin has improved eh." Dayo said sounding impressed.

Before nko i have a few Nigeria friends over here haha." Min-Jae sais

They both laughed.

"Anyway," Min-Jae said, "I wanted to update you on the movie."

"Oh? How far?"

"They started filming. I went to the set today. The director said the script is amazing. He thinks it'll be a potential blockbuster."

"Good," Dayo replied calmly. "That's what we want."

"Also… people in the movie industry are skeptical. They're saying we dominated music in three years, so now they're mocking us that we can't do the same thing in film."

"Hm," Dayo hummed. "Let them mock. The more they underestimate us, the easier the entry."

Min-Jae shook his head. "Bro… you're really a demon."

"You're just realizing?"

They both laughed again.

"But seriously," Min-Jae continued quietly, "this movie… the studio… everything… sometimes I think about it, and I wonder why me? You could've chosen someone more experienced."

Dayo paused for half a second before answering.

"Because you don't run from hard work. Because you're loyal. Because you care. And because I knew you would grow into this. I told you from the start — you'll be a giant someday."

Min-Jae swallowed.

He looked out the window again, the city lights reflecting on the glass.

"I'm grateful, Dayo," he said softly. "For everything. My life… my career… even Yeobo… everything changed because of you."

"Then don't thank me," Dayo said. "Just keep going. That's all I want."

There was a comfortable silence.

Finally, Min-Jae chuckled. "CEO JD advising CEO Min-Jae… look at life."

"You better respect your boss."

"Abeg shift."

They laughed again.

"Alright," Dayo said. "Call me when you reach home."

"Sure. Later."

He cut the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

The car turned into the long road leading to his mansion.

Min-Jae stared ahead, feeling something warm in his chest.

Life had changed.

And it was still changing.

All because one person believed in him when no one else did.

He smiled to himself.

Tomorrow, he would continue again.

The grind never stopped.

Not for him.

Not for JD.

And not for what they were building together.

A/N: Dear readers please 🙏 spoil this shameless author with Golden ticket and gift.

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