Chapter 10
The outside window is dark. In the past, my parents were strict but affectionate towards me. It changes now because every time I do something applaudable, they won't praise me anymore. They became so busy that they neglected me. It started when I was nine years old. They are mostly abroad and rarely call me. One time I asked my suitor why my parents aren't calling me anymore and she said that because they were busy at work and I need to do better for them to praise me and call me. I waited for years and even for Christmas but they won't come. Same with my sister who studies abroad and leaves me alone. I remember tons of holidays and receiving gifts from Ms. Shin but the name of my parents. It's always obvious that it was her who gave me gifts since my parents don't know what I like.
I bitterly smile remembering it. Even if I bullied and killed people they will ignore it and blame the victim. It's weird that I think of this now when in the past, I only wanted them to care about me.
We reach the big gate of the house. I got out of the car after thanking Mr. Choi for taking me home. I walk to the gate and enter it. I see the guards wearing black suits in the yard. There's a lot of them and at that moment I know that my parents are back. Some guards bow at me, especially those who know me. I saw some new faces and awkwardly greeted me. I ignore them all because I feel uneasy meeting my parents for a long time.
"You're back Miss." A servant welcomed me and got my bag. I nodded to her while I changed my shoes to home slippers.
"Where are they?" I asked and my tired face was showing.
"At the dining room Miss." She retorted and left to deliver my bag to my room. I wanted to take a shower face but once I reached my room. I doubt if I can get down again. I'm tired and I wanted to sleep.
I went straight to the diner. I hear my mom and dad talking and I stop after seeing that there are more people in our house.
I see Yejun in his unemotional face looking at me. I was shocked after seeing him eating at the table with two more people I recognize. Yejun's parents.
"Jia, you're finally back." Said of my father who frowns after seeing my uniform.
"Dear, Jia is busy at school. Don't scold her in front of the visitors." my mother mumbled and looked at me with indifference.
"Come here Jia. Join us for dinner. Our Yejun also just came back from school." Mrs. Lee said and warmly smiled at me.
I greeted them by bowing and I slowly walked to the table. I sat beside my mother across Yejun's seat. The servant hurriedly gave me plates and set my table for a formal dinner. I am not saying anything while the elders are talking nonstop. Yejun is participating in the conversation while I only answered when I was asked.
"Yejun is the representative of his school and we are so proud of him." Mr. Lee said and boasted to his son.
"Ohh, that's good. You are lucky for your son." My father said as he kept praising Yejun.
"Our Jia is also a prodigy. I heard from her sister that she's planning to have a business... I think it's about ... c-rop crafting... Yeah, that one. She has liked art since she was a kid. Haha But I want her to become an architect and have projects in designing buildings. She needs to dream big." My father said and looked at me. I bow my head and eat the steak I can't even chew because of the words I'm hearing with my parents.
I know this also happened in the past and I'm so proud of myself for trying to catch my parents' attention by overpraising my skills with these people. I now realize why Yejun hated my guts and how this conversation is ridiculous. I know I will be scolded later but I won't repeat the same mistakes I did in the past. I was foolish for deceiving myself with delusions. A petty talk of old people. I believe that I got tricked by erroneous affection from my parents.
"That's great! Yejun is also very clever and I can picture them as the future of our country." Mr. Lee said and laughed enthusiastically.
My mother is just smiling looking happy with the conversation while my father is satisfied because of the hint he delicately throws and is caught by Mr. Lee.
Mrs. Lee is awkwardly looking at them and it's obvious that she's not happy with the conversation.
"Then how about we engage them." My shameless father offered it like I was a thing! My brain can't handle the suffocation that I wanted to throw up.
"Dad please stop." I warned him.
I looked at him with cold eyes and an awkward silence followed. We finished dinner but I didn't even get the taste of the food I ate. I'm so ashamed because I was sincerely happy when I heard it before. I was happy when my father emphatically praised me for being great but not meant every single one of it. I am so ashamed! Is this how foolish I am in Yejun's eyes? I can't even lift my head and meet his gaze without feeling embarrassed.
I excused myself after I ate the dinner. I also politely bid goodbye to Yejun's parents and him before I went to my room. After closing the door I collapsed to the ground.
I wanted to cry but there were no tears in my eyes. I felt empty and restless. What kind of person did I become? How foolish I was for believing that father and mother still think of me sincerely? I stood up and went to the bathroom. I showered my empty emotion and quickly finished my bath. I wear a gray cat design pajama and blow my hair. I also used some nutrients for my face since I look like a zombie with no soul of life. But well, I am indeed a zombie because I'm supposedly dead.
I wanted to rest but I couldn't sleep so I went to the balcony of my room. I sat at the rattan chair and took a ukulele. I strummed it little by little and finally, I hummed a song.
I used my phone to record it because I want to post it on my social media along with crafts I made. It will serve as their background music. I stop strumming the guitar when my phone beeps. I checked it and saw a text from my mother.
From Mom
Get down.
Yejun is alone.
Take care of him.
-End-
It was the first text I received from her all these years and the content was about Yejun. I sighed and put down the ukulele and went back inside. I open my closet and get a mint jacket and wear it. I wanted to cover my cat terno pajamas at least for the top.
I go down the stairs and meet the butler. I asked where mom and dad were and he said that they were at the house bar. I nodded and thanked him. I don't know where Yejun is but if I think of his personality and about the past where I followed him near the garden. I haven't met any security in this area and I saw a chair hammock and the back of the cold man I need to take care of tonight. I bitterly smirk with thought.
"Hi." I awkwardly greeted him and sat at the other swings. This was the hammock I used to play with my sister. It feels nostalgic when I sit here.
"I thought you're not going to entertain the guest." Yejun joked and I almost scowled at him.
"I'm sorry for being rude." I said and stared at him.
"You always apologize." He teases and I see a hint of reaction with his eyes.
"Well, because I haven't ever apologized in the past." I mumbled and rested my back on the comfortable hammock. We stayed silent afterward.
"I apologize for my father's behavior earlier. I know that you felt bad when he suggested an engagement between us but you don't have to worry about it because I will refuse and will talk to Dad so he won't think of it in the future again." I told him and met his unemotional gaze.
"Why?" He asked.
"Because you have a girlfriend already." I enthusiastically said to him and was about to tease him but I changed my mind because he looks scary.
"Ooh. Don't worry! I won't tell anyone and I will support both of you." I said after stopping him from responding.
"What are you talking about?." He asked me confused and his frown brows are adding to his handsome face.
"I mean... Aren't you and Penelope together?" I said and covered my mouth after. I don't want to get scolded later.
"She's not my girlfriend and Penelope and I are childhood friends." Yejun said while looking at me with his scary gaze.
"Eh?! But..." I was about to say that Yejun likes her but I changed my mind. His eyes are like daggers that send chills to me.
"We're not together." He said in a firm voice that was full of certainty.
I sigh after a while. Yejun is a coward. I thought he already told Penelope his feelings for them to date! But what's happening now?! I breathe desperately because of my added stress. After all, in the past, they already dated by this timeline.
woosh...
98 days...
23:43:02
End of chapter 10...