09 | Birthday 2.2

:::

"Move closer, Mister Kwon." Seohyun can be seen standing in front of Kwon-Jung family, with a dslr camera, asking for Yul to move closer more next to his ex-wife. Apparently, she wanted to take a family photo of them. "Yah! Kwon Yoong! You as well! You look like a stranger there!" But these two guys from Chicago wouldn't like to sit closer to the chairman, who was in the middle of them. Although she too doesn't like the idea base on her icy glares, she doesn't mind them and still want to snapped them a family photo. Besides, it's for Yoong's birthday.

As Yoong and his father did move closer, she has this smirk as she continue to instruct.

"Lean your heads a bit close to Ma'am Jessica's head."

Both guys rolled their eyes as they obediently complied.

"Perfect. Now smile the three of you."

Yul smiled, somehow enjoying this instructions from the younger girl. Yoong doesn't feel comfortable. His awkward smiles showed nonethless. Jessica, she just continue glaring to her nurse, doesn't mind complaining anyhow. This must be the weirdest family picture they are doing.

Seohyun sighs, noticing the blonde did not comply. But she couldn't scold her. So she just let her like that and snapped them a photo, all together for the first time.

Click.

"Awesome!" She victoriously exclaimed.

***

Jessica doesn't know how did it happened. It was so fast and she has no time to even react. But here she is right now, currently in the passenger seat, couldn't move nor couldn't speak, because a tall, dark and handsome is unexpectedly driving her home. Supposedly her son, but he seems to have another plan in his mind and he took his father's father, to drive Seohyun with him.

Sigh.

'How did this even happened? He's back without me even knowing it.' She wonders what made her ex-husband to comeback besides it's their son's birthday. 'He did not come to take our son back to Chicago, Is he? Oh no, I hope he's not. I haven't even yet talk properly with my son. Or getting back his heart. Andwae... Andwae...'

"I can't believe that girl is funnier in person." 

Her attention was snapped out when she heard Yul chuckling. Which causes her to looked at him unconsciously.

"I mean, Joohyun. Your personal assistant. She's really such a happy virus. Yoong sure loved her company so much that he's doing the same while she's striking a joke." Yul glances to his ex-wife, flashing a bright smile.

Jessica wanted to reply but the tan guy added more words.

"I apologize. I just couldn't hold it back. It was nice meeting another person. But of course, I'm more than glad seeing you back." came Yul's soft and sincere voice. "It's been... a while. I've heard so much about you."

"I'm always doing fine." Jessica says, not giving Yul a look.

"A lot happened... Your son is growing fast maturely. But sometimes he's childish. Ironically, I'm a proud father."

'He has never change. He's still such a chatty. But has sense every time he speaks.' Jessica unconsciously smiled, hearing Yul's words. He's as if, nothing happened from the past. He probably have moved on? Or he's just giving her company.

"By the way, I thought I would never contact you the last time. I'm so glad you never changed your number. But I'm disappointed you hang up on me." Yul sighed, sharing his thoughts. "How are you doing?"

"I already told-"

"I mean, you and our son? I presume he has never treat you well ever since he went back."

Jessica trailed off as she think of what to say. "I think you've seen it earlier. The way he would avoid my eye contacts."

"Yeah. I need to talk with him about that. It wasn't what I told him before heading here." 

"You said something to him?" Jessica got curious.

"It's just about spending quality time with you while he also works. You know, I have been guilty when I ignored all your calls about Yoong." Yul briefly looked at the blonde, as he focuses on the road. "I thought his comeback would be a good chance to make up all the calls you did. But it's not the way as I imagined. He really couldn't bring himself to you yet. But don't worry, I'll try to convince him." He sighs in disappointment.

"You will just waste your time, Yul."

The mention of his name made Yul secretly smile. It's been years since he last heard it. It feel like they're youngsters again. "How can you... Say so? He's your son. I thought you know him well?"

"Why are you here, though?" Jessica groaned out of a sudden.

Stunned, Yul couldn't answer that instant.

"I have plans and I am doing my best to make it a success. I think you will just ruin this if you're here." Jessica seriously stated while glaring angrily to her ex-husband.

Yul sighs. Although it wasn't new seeing her like that. He knows better than to argue or fight with her sudden change of mood. "I came here to celebrate my son's birthday and thought I... Could help you out with him." so he answered safe, in a soft voice. "I don't mean anything like that, Sica. Can you please relax? There's no reason to rage on."

Jessica shrugs her shoulders. She turned away and faces the window rather. It annoys her suddenly that Yul is so right. She needs help, but she surely wouldn't like her ex-husband helping her.

Sensing the blonde have calmed down, Yul broke his silence again. "Do you want to stop a fast food restaurant?" He meaningfully asks.

"We just had dinner earlier."

"But we never had dessert. Come on, just before going home straight. Just part f welcoming me back."

Jessica rolled back her eyes. She knows where will Yul take her.

"Silence means yes."

"Silence means no, always."

Yul let out a soft chuckle. "Never change, Sica?" But like he had expect, he heard nothing. 

Suddenly, their attention was distracted by a ringing sound. It came from Jessica's shoulder bag. And the latter groggily took it out, just to see her son's caller ID flashing on her screen. She turned her head behind, knowing her son and Seohyun's car is just behind them. "Why is he calling?"

"Yoong?" Yul made a brief look to his ex-wife.

Jessica simply pressed the answer button. "Yoong? Anything wrong, son?" 

[I'm bringing Joohyun somewhere with me. Just go home straight.] With that only, Yoong hang up the call. Jessica raised her brows in puzzlement. Although she heard it right. The sudden decision from her son made her wonder where is he bringing her nurse.

"What did he say?" Yul asks in concern. 

Jessica was about to answer when he receives a message. But coming from her nurse this time.

Nurse Seo: I tried to stop him Ma'am, but he was persistent. Don't worry, we're just going to a nearby mall. I'll keep you up to date later when we get there. Go home safe and sound~ ;) We'll back before you know it.

"Your son must have change of plans." Yul said, the moment he saw his car is going the other way through the side mirror.

"They're going to the mall." Jessica informed.

"Oh, make sense." Yul smiled in amusement. He just keep on going, while searching for a fast food restaurant.

"Wae?" The blonde weirdly looked at her ex-husband. The smile in his face just tells something she couldn't figure.

"I just realized he wants to have more fun or something, without us. Bringing your personal assistant who is close to his age is more fun to be with, rather than with us." Yul explained, sighing afterwards. "He's really growing up."

Jessica just shrug her shoulders. At least, she'll get to know what are they doing later. She'll be satisfied with that.

***

"Do you know how to skate?" Yoong has this brightest smile in his face once they successfully rented the hockey skating rink and apparently helping the younger girl tying her ice skating shoes. "Because if you don't know, you can just wait outside the rink and I'll-Ouch." He didn't able to continue his words when he receives a knock on his head. He looked up and grin, mischievously. 

Seohyun shot the doe-eyed with her infamous glare. "One hour only." As she reminds her again. The reason she has to agree is because, Yoong agreed with her condition; One hour in the mall. 

"Of course. Now come on." Yoong stood up and casually took Seohyun's hand.

"Wait, I can walk by myself, Yoong." Seohyun tried to let go of the doe-eyed's hand but the latter hold her tight.

"Just making sure you won't slip away. Hold me tight." Yoong assured, with a smile. As soon as they entered the rink, he slowly let go of her, and he made a skate away from her. He took the stick from the side and started playing the game.

Seohyun who knows but is not as good as the doe-eyed is skating carefully. She's just in the corner, watching him looks like a professional hockey player. She wonders how and when did he actually started learning such game. But she recalled he was in America for five years. So he probably learned it there. "Hmm, not bad."

Yoong stopped after he scored just to realize his partner is in the corner, quietly skating in the side while watching him. "Hockey is not my favorite sport, but I learned this during my winter two years ago." He pause as he approached her. "Appa enrolled me for six months in this class. Can I be a good hockey player?" 

"I am not into this sport as well. But you do look professional." Seohyun said and almost loses her balance, which causes her to hold into the handle right away. "Unfortunately, I'm not a good skater as you." She shyly admitted.

"Come, hold my hands then." Yoong extended both of his hands.

"We have 45 minutes left." Seohyun once again reminded as she glanced to her wrist watch. She slowly took the doe-eyed boy's hands politely.

"Can you stop checking the time for the sake of this? I'm sure you're not going to have fun if you keep on doing that. I swear you will regret." Yoong stated as a fact, as he slowly guided the younger girl to the center. He chuckled when he sensed she is trembling. "Are you afraid?"

"N-No. I... I just can't help it." Seohyun sheepishly said, smiling awkwardly. She is doing breathing exercise to calm her nerves.

"You do know how to skate, right?"

"Yes. I'm not just really confident yet."

Yoong smiled. "Make sense. I'll let go of you once you are, then." He keep his hand holding firmly in the latter's soft hands.

"What about you. You should play hockey." Seohyun got concern and shy.

"Well, this is fun. Watching you close to me, afraid." Yoong smirked playfully, earning a slap from the latter. He chuckled and swiftly got her hand back. Seohyun did hold him back immediately. "Why not chase me?"  He had another idea in mind.

"Eh? For what?"

Yoong slowly stopped from skating which also causes the younger girl to do the same. "So you can practice on skating and I guess you wouldn't like this..." He did not hesitate it and peck on her cheek. Then he pinches her cheeks so hard before he skates away from her. He merong playfully towards her.

"Yah! What the hell is that again?" Seohyun instinctively chases. But she is slow, aware that she's in her ice skating shoes.

Please Subscribe to read the full chapter