"Come in". Mr Lee said when Ji Hoo knocked on the door. They both entered
"Have a seat". He gestured to the office sofa while he was seated on the head office chair
"What would you like to be offered Juice or coffee". He asked in a business tone as he stood up to join them
"Juice for me and coffee for the gentleman, sugar free please". Ji Hoo played along also in a business tone as he and his father stared at eachother like business rivals
Jin Woo silently watch the exchange, his eyes moving from both father and son before releasing a desperate sigh. At his reaction both father and son couldn't help but drop their act and chuckle while Jin Woo shook his head with a smile
"Now boys, let's be serious" Mr Lee cleared his throat as his gaze moved between the two lads seated opposite him. To others they might be seen as grown matured men but to him, they'll always be those two little kids fond of playing with toys and troubling their sister. Jin Woo isn't just his friend's son or wife's nephew, He has and will always be seen as his son. He sometimes he can't help but wish that were true. If only the old Jin Woo would eventually resurface, the troublesome Jin Woo who always found his way out of punishment.
"Jin Woo, I heard you went for your last therapist meeting with Jun Sun (Mr Min)"
"It's more like a visit though, we never discussed much". He shrugged
"Yes, I heard. You didn't open up again". Dae So (Mr Lee) sighed
"He told you, didn't he". Jin Woo slightly raised the end of his left brow
"Well he had to". Dae So gave a pointed look to him
"I guess no information about me stays a secret. Not even when I'm with my therapist". He gave a humourless chuckle
"Its because we are all worried". His uncle argued. "You never tell us anything, only keep to yourself and drown yourself in work". He added
"I know that uncle, I know you care so much for me and I'm really grateful for having you all in my life". He calmly said. "But has anyone ever tried to understand why its hard for me to divulge any information? Its like I have no privacy at all. Uncle Jun Sun tells me our discussions will be private yet few hours later, its the opposite. Not to mention almost every conversation I have ends with me either been told to open up or been reminded to open up. I can understand you all really care and I appreciate it but sometimes I prefer if my privacy is given. You all say you want me to move on yet it seems you keep reminding me of the past. All I want is some space from the past, though I know you all don't do it intentionally but in trying to save me, you're slowly killing me". He completed before standing up
"I'm sorry uncle but I need some fresh air. We'll see another time. My regards to aunt". He said then turned towards Ji Hoo. "I'm sorry but I'll be taking the car back". He told him then left
"Oppa, you are going?" Ji Hee who was coming from the kitchen with snacks in her hands gave a quizzical look
"Yes. See you soon". He nodded as he patted her head and left
"Hmm". She replied confused as she watched him leave
*****
"I hate to admit the fact that he's right". Ji Hoo who's hadn't been able to make eye contact with Jin Woo while he was talking due to his guilt said with a sigh. "It did seem like we were forcing him to open up not encouraging him. It does makes us insensitive"
"It's all my fault. I should have tried to understand him. All I wanted was to see him happy and free from the past but instead I kept reminding him of it and also took away his privacy". Dae So shook his head in regret
"You are not the only one at fault dad, we are all guilty. We should have tried to understand him first, not push him to understand our point of view". Ji Hoo said annoyed at himself
"Don't beat yourself too much on it. Its all done now. Atleast we now know our mistakes. Its time to correct them". Dae So calmy said. "You should go now, but say goodbye to your mum. Bye, take care". He added with a forced smile
"Hmm, I will. Bye dad, take care too". He replied returning the smile then left to his parents room to bid his mother goodbye
"Eomma". He quietly called out as he gently knocked on the room door, waited a while then opened it when he heard no reply
Yu Ri who had been going through her phone gallery while reminiscing the past quickly turned it off and dropped it by the bedside drawer, covered herself with the duvet and pretended she's asleep
"Eomma" Ji Hoo called out again as he stepped into the room which was dark, the moonlight as the only source of light. His eyes adjusted to the darkness and he moved his gaze to the bed where his mother's small frame could be seen lying on it, her back facing him
"Are you asleep?". He asked unsure walking towards her. When he received no reply he sighed
"I'm sorry mum. But I can't choose, you and Jin Woo are both important to me. We all wish you'll finally stop treating Jin Woo like he's a criminal when you very well know he's not. He lost more than any of us did, but still he isn't blaming anyone, instead he blames himself. He's suffering alot mum, but he prefers to hide it. I honestly wish he'll open up and be free from the past one day but it seems instead of freeing him we keep choking him unknowingly. Everyone knows he took his behavior from you, so if anyone among us could understand and help him out, it's you mum. After all, in relation you're the closest to him. I know you love and see him as your son, and the only reason you push him away is because he resembles aunt. But mum, shouldn't that be a reason to be grateful, all of aunt's memory isn't lost, her only son is alive. She wouldn't want you living this way, nobody does. So please mum, help him out, give him a chance Eomma.". He finished, looked at her back once again, sighed and then stood up to leave. "I'll be going now. Goodnight mum". He forced a smile then left
Yu Ri who had been lying on the bed, sat up and rested her back on the head board. She stared at the door for a long while when suddenly a tear dropped from her face. She opened her bedside top drawer and brought out a picture of Eun Ah and Jin Woo on his fourth birthday. The little boy was smiling bright as he held his favourite toy -which she had given him- with both hands while his mother hugged him from behind giving him a peck on his cheek
"Biane Eun Ah, Biane Jin Woo. I'm sorry every one. Biane". She kept saying as she hugged her legs crying
*****
"Oppa, are you staying the night". Ji Hee who wasn't able to concentrate on her show immediately stood up and went towards the stairs when she heard footsteps
"Uh, no. Why?"
"Jin Woo oppa left already". She gestured to the door with a confused look
"Oh, yeah. I know". He nodded
"Is everything alright?". She questioned worried
"Everything is fine. You don't need to worry". He smiled patting her head
"Why do you guys keep lying and patting my head like I'm a child". She shrugged his hand annoyed. He couldn't help but chuckle at her action
"Aren't you cute". He teased her earning him a glare. "I'll be going now, see you again. Bye, take care". He patted her head once again to annoy her then left
"Ya!". She angrily called out at his back but he just gave a small wave not turning back
"They always keep me in the dark". She frowned then went to the sofa and sat on it annoyed.
*****
Dae So who had stayed behind in his office, stood up and went to his office desk. He picked up a photo frame of Jae Hong (Jin Woo's Dad), Jun Sun and him in their early 20's when they were in college. They had their hands around one another's shoulder, smiling at the camera, Jae Hong at the middle.
"Biane Jae Hong, I hurt him the more instead of helping him". He said, guilt evidence in his voice as he stared at the picture.
*****
"Jin Woo, Jin Woo". Ji Hoo called out as he entered the house.
"Jin Woo?". He opened his room door and checked around
"Jin Woo, where are you". He yelled when he didn't see him in his room
"Jin Woo?". He kept yelling when suddenly his phone rang. He ignored it at first but the caller was persistent. Annoyed he picked it but didn't bother to check the caller before yelling "What?"
"Exactly what I wish to ask.". Jin Woo's voice came out
"Jin Woo?". He questioned before checking the caller name
"Jin Woo". He said in disbelief
"Why do you keep saying my name". Jin Woo sighed
"You're home?". Ji Hoo questioned
"Yes"
"Since?"
"Since I left" He replied in a duh tone
"Where are you".
"In the gym"
"Oh, never thought of that".
"Clearly, you didn't. All you did was to keep yelling my name the moment you entered". Jin Woo said amusement lacing his voice
"I was worried, I called the office security, they said you never returned, I came home, looked for you, but I didn't see you. Thought you'd answer back if I yelled but you didn't answer back". He said sheepishly
"And never did the thought of calling me once cross your mind". Ji Hoo could imagine him with a raised eyebrow
"Don't blame me okay. My mind wasn't working well". Ji Hoo said defensively
"I'm not". Jin Woo replied just as the gym door opened and Ji Hoo walked in. The two male stared at each other, Jin Woo was the first to break contact. He stood up from his push up position taking his phone with him and cut the call. He grabbed a towel nearby then turned his attention back to Ji Hoo who was walking towards him and raised a brow
"Why didn't you cut the call since you were coming here". He questioned as he walked towards the treadmill
"Because I didn't want to". Ji Hoo shrugged changing his direction to the treadmill
"Why are you exercising this late".
"Just because". He shrugged
"Are you still angry?"
"I never said I was Ji Hoo. I only said I needed some space". He sighed as he held the treadmill's handle
"I'm sorry. For those moments I made you feel suffocated and reminded you of the past unknowingly". Ji Hoo hang his head in guilt
"You don't need to be sorry Ji Hoo, neither you, uncle or anyone. I'm not angry and I totally understand". He sighed staring at him. "Lift your head up Ji Hoo, playing guilt doesn't fit you". He shook his head with a small smile then climbed the treadmill
"I wasn't playing guilt. Can't you allow a guy some moments of remorse". Ji Hoo rolled his eyes but he just chuckled and put on the treadmill
"So you really aren't angry?". Ji Hoo asked again as he walked closer to him
"Never was". He affirmed
"I can't believe I was worried for nothing". He dramatically sighed resting his hands on the treadmill
"Well technically you weren't. I'm not nothing, I'm Jin Woo". He smirked. Ji Hoo stared blankly at him for a while before suddenly smirking. Before Jin Woo could comprehend, Ji Hoo suddenly pressed the highest speed button resulting in him losing his balance and almost falling before he gained composure
"What the hell man". He yelled as he switched the treadmill off
"Sweet revenge". Ji Hoo grinned then walked away towards the door. "Ah, breakfast is on you". He turned back and said as he held the door handle
"Its had always been on me". Jin Woo gave a pointed look
"I do help". He retorted
"Of course". Jin Woo agreed, he was about gloating when Jin Woo added. "With eating it all and complaining about how I have a bad eating habit"
"Well someone has to do that". He whisper yelled. "Eating isn't an easy job". He mumbled before leaving loudly shutting the door
Jin Woo couldn't help but shake his head with a smile then continued with his exercise
*****
It was six in the morning and Jin Woo was already in the kitchen making them breakfast in his suit without the jacket. Even though they do have a maid who takes care of the house and cooks for them, most times Jin Woo prefers practicing his cutlery skills leaving her with just cleaning
Ji Hoo appeared in the kitchen, went behind Jin Woo and stuck his head sideways. "Hey dear brother". He grinned
"Good morning". Jin Woo replied blankly
"What are you making". He asked staring in to the bowl in which Jin Woo was mixing things
"Breakfast". Jin Woo replied in a dull tone
"Sassy much". He rolled his eyes then went to the kitchen shelve to get himself some snacks after which he went to sit comfortably on one of the chair opposite Jin Woo by the kitchen counter
"Can you please stop". Jin Woo calmly said after a while as he put down what he was doing and gave Ji Hoo -who was intentionally munching loudly on the chips- a blank stare. Noting his annoyance Ji Hoo grinned and munched loudly once more on a mouthful of chip
Jin Woo sighed at his childishness before warning him. "If you don't eat properly. I assure you, you won't have the tinniest of bite from what I'm making". He gave a pointed look then raised a brow as if daring him to challenge
Ji Hoo stared in horror then narrowed his eyes, he then backed down and sighed. "You're so mean"
Jin Woo smirked proudly then discreetly inserted ear buds to avoid anymore conversation
Ji Hoo who didn't noticed his action and wanted to annoy him the more started questioning him
"What are you making"
"When will you be done, I'm hungry"
"I think I'm dying of hunger"
"Is it done yet". He whined when he saw nothing was wasn't getting to him. He decided to be quite and just watch him with narrowed eyes as he almost silently munches on his chips
"Hmmmm, what is that nice aroma". He said when the food was in the pot on the cooker
"It is making me more hungry. When will it be done. Its been about 5 hours already". He whined staring dreamily at the pot
"Ahhhh, finally its done!". He exclaimed happily as Jin Woo brought down the pot to the kitchen counter
"Yes finally". He grinned as Jin Woo dished it onto the eating bowls
"Don't touch anything, first take them to the dinning table". Jin Woo smacked his hand as he tried to have a bite
"Just a little bite". He pouted
"To the table". Jin Woo gave a blank stare
"Arasso, meanie". He sighed then took the bowls to the dinning table which was right in front of the kitchen counter but steps away
Jin Woo removed the ear buds after he left with a satisfaction smile and then put away his apron. He took the remaining two bowls along with plates, chopsticks and spoon arranged on a tray then headed towards the dinning table where he could see Ji Hoo seated as he dreamily stares at the bowls of food in his front. He shook his head then placed down the bowls he brought. He ignored Ji Hoo and processed to arrange the bowls, plates, chopsticks and spoon they'd use.
He put the tray on one end of the table then flicked Ji Hoo on his forehead
"Ouch". Ji Hoo whined rubbing his forehead
"Go and bring two bottled water from the kitchen fridge". He said ignoring his whining
"Why water, can't we gave beer". He wiggled his brows
Jin Woo raised a brow at his suggestion. "Its a work day morning and we have a meeting at 9:00"
"Oh, right. I hate work". He sighed
"That much is obvious, now the water please". Jin Woo stared pointedly
"Arasso, I'm going. You're only older with month yet you act like you're older with years". He muttered complaining as he walked towards the kitchen
"Here you go. Now can we eat". He fake smiled as he dropped the pair of bottled water and sat down
"I thought you've eaten. Given how you were staring at the food"
"It's called appreciation for good things. I was appreciating it". He grinned before beginning to eat
Jin Woo only shook his head then also began eating
"Hmmm, just perfect. Thinking about it, since you won't ever find a girl, why don't you live with Hye Ri and I and become our cook. I'll even pay you"
"I'm not interested, I have better things to do than live within you both midst"
"Aish, you lost your chance. Don't regret it later". Ji Hoo shrugged and they continued eating