SECOND & LAST

Jeongguk

<3

I parked my car near the mansion gates and went inside. “mom?” I called out entering the mansion. And right on time, mom came to me.

Jeon Saya (Jeongguk’s mom)

“Jeongguk! I was coming to see if you’ve already arrived. Come on! go to the living room! Your dad is already there waiting for you!” she hastily said, not leaving me any space to talk. “go! go!” she chanted pushing me into the living room.

“I’ll be back with the snacks!” she blurted out excitedly and went away. I stared at her disappearing back in confusion. She had called me saying something urgent had come up and I needed to come home fast. ‘did something happened?’. I thought to myself noticing her extra happy and nervous mood.

Shrugging, I turned around.

A frown painted over my features. Dad was sitting in the living room, an unknown man beside him.

Choi Daniel

My eyes raked over the man, trying to figure out if he was one of my clients or something since I handle the company now and he’s wearing a formal suit.

“Jeongguk!” my dad’s voice pulled my attention away from the man before I could make eye contact with him. “yes?“. I looked at him.

Jeon Kijoon (Jeongguk’s dad)

He was smiling so wide that his cheeks were popping out, which is weird since he always keeps his blank face on. he only smiles when mom’s around. He’s like this emotionless robot around others, even me.

“come! I’ve someone very important you should meet over here. Come” he called me over and I went to him. I bowed to the stranger politely before I sat on the single sofa. I sat straight and looked at dad questioningly. I was literally speaking to him with my eyes. Dad looked at me and gave me even more of a wider smile.

“son! Meet Choi Daniel. My childhood friend. He used to visit us when you were a kid. Do you remember him?” He introduced the man.

sorry dad, I don’t.

I smiled politely, approaching him for a handshake. but I got surprised when Mr. Choi, instead of shaking his hand, pulled me towards him and gave a warm hug. “no need to be so formal son. soon we’re gonna have a father-son bond. so it’s better to be comfortable from now onwards.” Mr. Choi chuckled heartily, patting my back.

confused by the suddenly revealed information, I looked at dad with a frown, telling him to explain what was going on, with my eyes. But all I received was a hesitant smile from him.

" I see that you’ve grown into a fine handsome man. Just like your father.” Mr. Choi chuckled. Dad laughed off the compliment, giving him a playful nudge. And I just sat there awkwardly.

Because, first of all, I don’t remember this man. How can I remember him just because he visited when I was a kid and when I don’t even remember my first day of potty training? Second, they make me feel left out with their weird-ass laughs.

Well, their laughs are nothing compared to the older women’s laughs which sound like witches. I swear to god they give me those creepy chills. Whenever I go to the park nearby my office, some bunch of oldies would be there engaged in their own talks, and then they would break into a fit of laughter. Honestly, though they creep me out, they make me laugh too.

“here’s the tea~” I heard my mom sing-sang. She arrived at the living room, holding a tray of tea and cookies.

She gave dad and Mr. Choi a smile while placing the tray on the coffee table in front of us. “please enjoy these homemade cookies while you chat” she said with a small giggle and disappeared into the kitchen again.

I was fidgeting in my seat, not because I was feeling nervous but because I was getting impatient. What Mr. Choi said had me overthinking. I looked at my lap, my eyebrows furrowed as I made conclusions after conclusions based on his words. The only thing that stuck to my mind was marriage.

No.

This can’t be right. He can’t be giving me off to marriage. To someone that I don’t even know. This mere thought already made me upset.

Come on Jeongguk. Breathe in. breath out. think positive. Don’t be so negative. You’re not getting married. After all, your mom and dad understand what you feel. so it’ll be OK. I’m sure it’s just about the business father-son relationship. Nothing else.

I’m sure that’s it. Yeah.

“Jeongguk?” I looked up at my dad. “what’s wrong, son? You look distressed. Did something happen at the office?” he asked me worriedly. I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile. dad nodded. I briefly glanced at Mr. Choi, who was already looking at me with a fatherly smile.

I shivered. I don’t want that smile. I don’t want a fatherly smile from someone else. I quickly looked down and grabbed a teacup and sipped a bit of the warm tea. I involuntarily closed my eyes at the soothing feeling of the warm drink flowing down my throat. The warm sensation hit my chest making me relaxed.

Good. Now, back to why I’m here. I composed myself, keeping the cup back on the table, and looked at dad.

“dad.” He hummed and looked at me. “what was that you wanted to tell me?” I calmly asked keeping on an expressionless face.

I noticed how dad straightened his posture. He looked nervous, which was evident from the sweats forming on his forehead. “well you see...” he cleared his throat. “we’d planned to merge our companies last year, therefore to do that, as well to maintain a strong bond between the Jeons and Chois, I and Daniel decided that we should get our son and daughter to marry each other.” he finished with an innocent smile while looking at me. My frown deepened hearing the information.

I should’ve expected that. I should’ve gone with my negativity. Positive minds don’t always work for me.

I was feeling more than upset that dad was going to marry me off to some girl I didn’t even know. Moreover, I’m still not over her.

so that doubled my anger towards the marriage topic. “m-marrying? b-but-” before I could protest, he was interrupted by the cheery voice of his mother.

“Kijoon, did you tell him yet?” she asked sitting down beside dad, who nodded curtly. she turned to look at me.

“oh Kookoo! Isn’t that great? Finally, you’ll have someone by your side!” she said cheerfully, with a big smile stretched on her wrinkled face. she was practically glowing with happiness.

My shoulder slumped down, face morphed in shock and disbelief. I furrowed my eyebrows, still taking in dad’s words completely.

I felt hopeless.

But, after seeing how happy and excited mom and dad were, I didn’t have the heart to deny their wish. Maybe I should marry for the sake of my parents.

but on the other hand, I can’t accept the fact I should be marrying. it’s still too early for me, and I want to live on mine and her love. I’d promised myself, that I won’t ever love another woman other than her, even if she’s not here. I will continue to treasure our love. Ever since she has left me, I’d started to despise every single living woman, except my mother of course.

My mind kept telling me to choose my parents but my heart is trying to convince me with my undying love for her.

But, I decided to follow my heart.

straightening my back, I faced the two men who were looking at me. “dad” I softly called out. I also heard dad take in a deep breath. I looked at them in the eye, sitting there nervously but full of determination. “about the marriage, i-” once again my attempt at protesting was cast aside with a new interruption from an unfamiliar voice, making me looked at the entrance of the living room.

“Sorry, I’m late!”