After chatting with the other side of Chaesoo's soon to be "family", he took a short walk to their garden. He always found peace in watching flowers, trees, and basically everything that involves both. The feeling made his chest feel much lighter. As much as he hated to admit it, he had no choice but to accept it. The rest of the his soon to be stepfather were good people. At the very least, "good" yet.
Of course, there are some great people who had no ulterior motives whatsoever but Chaesoo was not a believer to that notion. Everyone has their own façade. He refuses to believe that they were any different. Them being business people just reassured him that they were just those who want to be with someone for their own selfish gain.
Perhaps, his tragic and traumatic past made him this way. Therapy cannot exactly reverse what happened to them, let alone made them forget it all. It helped, but no matter the treatment, it was there. It was still there. The cries, blood, and shattered glass.
'Is it too much to ask my mother not be with him? Does she not want to be with me? Is that why she wants to get married?' Chaesoo smiled. He did not want her to remarry but he is not audacious nor egotistical enough to stop a grand wedding. Even when he was not able to see what has been prepared so far, but their house, chandelier, and demeanor gave enough hint.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
One, two, three, four, five.
"Chaesoo-ah..." Chaeyoung looked at her son, whose attention is directed to the rose bushes. "I want to talk to you."
"Took you long enough to tell me." He said bitterly. "Why did you just tell me now? Why didn't you tell me, I don't know, a couple of months ago!" He ruffled his hair and sighed. "I-I'm sorry I yelled." Chaeyoung tried to reach for Chaesoo's hand but he pulled back like he was disgusted by her touch. "I know how angry you are but, if I told you, I know you wouldn't accept it..."
"So that's your reasoning? I won't accept it? Well, you are not wrong. I'll hate it even." He looked at her. "Even if I would hate it, I will try to like him for you. All I want is for you to be happy. All I've been thinking is how to make our lives better. I want to bond with you. I want us to visit places together."
He stood up. "But you had other things planned..."
"Chaesoo! Please don't take it this way. I want this to be fixed. I want us to be okay." Chaeyoung had tears at the corner of her eyes. "You want us to be okay? Are you delusional? If you were in my place would you accept it so easily? Did you ever stop and think what I wanted? All you ever thought was what you wanted!"
He took her hand off his wrist. "Chaesoo, I'm sorry..." She was crying but Chaesoo did not budge. He was not facing her. He prepared himself to walk away. "It would be best if we wouldn't see each other today or tomorrow."
"Chaesoo! Please, please... I'm sorry, please don't shut me out. Please!"
"Shut you out? Why would I shut you out when you were the one who left and locked the door?" He walked.