Time seems to stretch and contract in strange ways when you're waiting out a media storm. Days blend into nights, and every notification on my phone feels like a potential bomb. But amidst the chaos, I find pockets of peace with Seonho and Jaewook. They're my anchors, keeping me grounded when the world outside feels like it's spinning out of control.
Tonight, I'm meeting Haein and Ara at our favorite little café in Gangnam. It's been too long since we've had a proper catch-up, and I'm bracing myself for their reactions. As I walk in, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wraps around me like a warm hug.
"There she is!" Haein exclaims, standing up to give me a hug. "The queen of scandals herself."
Ara grins, pulling me into a hug as well. "You've been holding out on us, Iseul."
I laugh nervously as we settle into our seats. "Yeah, about that…"
Haein cuts me off with a wave of her hand. "Oh, don't even try to explain. We're just mad you didn't tell us sooner."
Ara nods vigorously. "Seriously, we had to find out from the news like everyone else!"
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words. "I'm sorry," I say earnestly. "I didn't want to drag you both into the mess."
Haein rolls her eyes. "Please, we live for the mess."
Ara leans in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, what's it like? You know … being with two men?"
I can't help but laugh at her bluntness. "It's … complicated," I admit.
Haein raises an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"
"Well," I begin, choosing my words carefully, "it's like trying to balance two very different energies. Seonho is all charm and playfulness, while Jaewook is more thoughtful and introspective."
Ara smirks. "Sounds like you've got the best of both worlds."
"Or the most chaotic," Haein adds with a chuckle.
We all burst into laughter, the tension easing as we fall back into our usual rhythm of teasing and joking.
"You really are the queen of scandals," Haein says between giggles. "First, your solo career takes off in the most dramatic way possible, and now this? You've even managed to scandalize the Korean government!"
Ara nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, who knew you'd become such a trailblazer?"
I shrug, feeling a mix of pride and exhaustion. "I never set out to be controversial; it just sort of happens."
Haein leans back in her chair, sipping her coffee thoughtfully. "Well, whether you meant to or not, you're changing things up around here."
Ara grins. "And we wouldn't have it any other way."
Their support means everything to me, especially now when everything feels so uncertain. We spend the next hour catching up on each other's lives—Haein's new job at a tech startup and Ara's latest art project that's getting rave reviews.
"So," Haein says after a while, her tone turning serious again, "how are you holding up with all this media attention?"
I sigh deeply. "It's been overwhelming, to say the least. But Seonho and Jaewook have been amazing through it all."
Ara tilts her head curiously. "Do you ever worry about how this will affect their careers?"
"All the time," I admit quietly. "But they keep reassuring me that they're in this for the long haul."
Haein reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "We're here for you too, Iseul."
"Always," Ara adds with a warm smile.
Feeling a surge of gratitude for these incredible friends who have stood by me through thick and thin, I squeeze their hands back.
"You guys are the best," I say sincerely.
Haein winks at me playfully. "Don't forget it."
As we finish our coffees and prepare to leave, I feel lighter than I have in days. The storm may still be raging outside, but inside this cozy café with my best friends by my side, I find a sense of calm.
Walking back home through the bustling streets of Gangnam, I replay our conversation in my mind and can't help but smile at how lucky I am to have such supportive people in my life—both old friends like Haein and Ara and new loves like Seonho and Jaewook.
For now, at least, that's enough to keep me going through whatever comes next.
* * *
At home, the energy is usually chaotic but comforting. Seonho's corgis, Bori and Dori, scamper around with Meatball, while Jaewook tries to teach them tricks that they mostly ignore. The apartment feels fuller now, filled with laughter and warmth that I hadn't realized I was missing.
Tonight, I'm sprawled on the couch in the living room, flipping through a magazine while Seonho and Jaewook are busy in the kitchen attempting to cook something that smells suspiciously like it's burning. The corgis are lying at my feet, and Meatball is snoring softly beside me. Everything feels almost perfect until my phone rings.
The name flashing on the screen makes my heart sink—Dad. I know this isn't going to be good. Bracing myself, I answer.
"Hello?"
"Iseul," his voice booms through the speaker, sharp and cold. "What the hell are you doing over there?"
"Dad, I—"
"Don't you dare 'Dad' me," he cuts me off. "I saw the news. Do you have any idea how embarrassed we all are? You've disgraced our family name!"
I swallow hard, feeling a lump forming in my throat. "I didn't mean for things to get this way."
"Didn't mean?" he scoffs. "You're living with two men like some kind of … of… whore! Is this what you left home for? To become a public disgrace?"
His words hit like a sledgehammer, each one heavier than the last. I open my mouth to respond but find myself at a loss for words.
"You've shamed us all," he continues relentlessly.
Tears prick at my eyes, and I try to hold back a sob when suddenly, the phone is plucked from my hand.
"What—" I look up to see Jaewook standing there, his face a mask of calm determination. Seonho is right behind him, his expression equally resolute.
Jaewook lifts the phone to his ear before I can protest.
"Mr. Kwon," he says evenly, his voice carrying an edge of steel. "This is Jaewook."
There's a brief pause as my father undoubtedly processes who Jaewook is.
"I don't care what you think of Iseul or us," Jaewook continues without waiting for a response. "But know this: Seonho and I love her deeply and are here for her in ways you've failed to be."
My eyes widen in shock as Jaewook's words sink in.
"And if fulfilling your role as family means protecting her from people like you," he says firmly, "then so be it."
There's another pause before Jaewook hands the phone to Seonho, who takes it without hesitation.
"Mr. Kwon," Seonho says coolly, his voice as smooth as silk but carrying an edge that could cut through steel. "You're not welcome in Iseul's life if all you bring is pain and judgment."
My father's voice blares through the speaker again, a cacophony of anger and righteousness that echoes through the room, but this time it's met with absolute silence on our end. Seonho's words hang in the air like a gauntlet thrown down, a challenge that my father, with all his bluster, cannot simply ignore. I glance at Jaewook, who stands beside Seonho, his expression calm and composed, yet his eyes are sharp, ready to back up his words with action if necessary. The tension is palpable, a live wire crackling between us and the phone.
Woooyung takes the phone back from Seonho and says with icy calm. "If that's all, feel free to never call here again. There's no place for you in Iseul's life anymore if you're going to speak to her that way. Rest assured, we'll make sure she has all the love she never got from you. I'd like to say it's been nice to speak with you, but it hasn't. I hope we don't speak again."
Jaewook hangs up the phone and hands it back to me. I stare at it, still processing the exchange. The weight of my father's words clings to me like a suffocating fog, but Jaewook's actions are a lifeline.
"Iseul," Jaewook says softly, pulling me into his arms. His embrace is warm and solid, grounding me in the present moment. Seonho joins us, wrapping his arms around both of us, creating a cocoon of safety and love.
"You're not alone," Seonho murmurs into my hair. "We're your family now."
The words sink in slowly, like rain seeping into parched earth. Family. It's a concept that has always felt fractured and conditional for me. But here, in this moment, it feels real.
"How permanent can this be?" I whisper, voicing the fear that gnaws at me.
Jaewook pulls back slightly to look into my eyes. "As permanent as you want it to be," he says firmly.
Seonho nods in agreement. "We don't need to be married to know we love you," he adds. "And we don't want any woman but you ever again."
I search their faces for any hint of doubt, but find none. Their eyes are filled with unwavering resolve and love. The realization hits me like a tidal wave—I am truly loved and accepted by these two incredible men.
Tears well up in my eyes, but this time they're not from sadness or frustration. They're tears of relief and gratitude.
"Thank you," I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with emotion.
Jaewook wipes away a tear that escapes down my cheek. "No need to thank us," he says gently. "We're here because we want to be."
Seonho presses a kiss to my forehead. "You've given us so much, Iseul. Let us give back to you."
I nod, unable to speak as the emotions swirl within me. We stay like that for what feels like an eternity, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in our shared connection.
Eventually, we move to the couch; the dogs sensing the shift in energy and snuggling close to us. Bori and Dori lie at our feet while Meatball climbs onto my lap, his small body warm and comforting.
We sit in silence for a while, the only sounds being the soft breathing of our dogs and the occasional rustle of fabric as we shift positions.
"Do you really think we can make this work?" I ask finally, breaking the silence.
"We know we can," Jaewook replies without hesitation.
Seonho nods in agreement. "We've faced challenges before, and we'll face them again together."
Their confidence is infectious, and I feel a renewed sense of hope blossoming within me.
"We'll figure it out," Jaewook continues. "One step at a time."
I lean back against the couch cushions, feeling lighter than I have in years. The future may be uncertain, but with Seonho and Jaewook by my side, I know I can face whatever comes our way.
The night stretches on as we talk about everything and nothing—our hopes, our fears, our dreams for the future. Each word spoken strengthens our bond, weaving an unbreakable tapestry of love and trust.
As the first light of dawn begins to filter through the curtains, I realize just how much my life has changed since meeting Seonho and Jaewook. They've shown me what it means to be truly loved and accepted for who I am.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be—surrounded by love, embraced by family.