Chapter 118. Reunion

Yonghwa looked away and thankful for the barista who came and placed their cups in front of them. The other man as well remained quiet as if giving him a chance to think it through. What he just learned was surprising for him but they just all matched the snippets of tales she told him before.

“And you know what else?” Joowon spoke again once the barista was out of earshot, “If the arrangement pushed through, it would only take you a minute to see her face— then she would be gone.”

The thought of it was unimaginable but he coughed and forced himself not to think of it because it would no longer happen. To say that it rattled him was an understatement and everything that he said made sense. “I was wrong,” he suddenly spoke looking at the man across him who just smiled. He tried to give him a few seconds to agree but when Joowon remained silent, he decided to speak, “What… what should I do?”

“You grovel,” Joowon said flatly but laughed seeing his expression. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat and replied, “Well, it’s all up to you but if she threaten to leave Korea then you should just let her.”

“What?” He asked appalled.

“Oh, she did threaten you already,” he chuckled.

“I can’t just let them leave,” Yonghwa frowned, “Euna is my daughter.”

“If your only concern is your daughter, then you really must insist for them not to leave. But, if, well, the reason includes my sister… then, you better let her do what she wants.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Take it from me… just say yes. And a lot of groveling would help too,” Joowon grinned then lifted his cup and took a small sip of his coffee.

He couldn’t say anything more to that because it was true. He couldn’t just fault her with a lot of things that she didn’t know especially when it came to Euna’s paternity. Seohyun genuinely didn’t know about it and he would have to accept the reality of their circumstance as well. How often does this kind of coincidence happen would actually be lost to him. Yonghwa was reminded of what his aunt commented some months ago before she even probably found out the truth. She said something about how Seohyun and Euna were delivered to him.

They all didn’t know then the range of its actuality— that it was true farther back.

“By the way, how did you know about the arrangement?”

Joowon stole him away from his musing and it took him a few seconds to realize what he asked. After clearing his throat, Yonghwa casually replied, “My aunt told me. Only she and Umma know and probably my eldest brother and they only found out recently.”

He nodded and asked again, “Do you know why it was called off?”

“My father found out about your firm’s should we say ‘unfavorable’ list of clients,” Yonghwa decided to reveal.

“I see… it can’t be helped.” After a heavy sigh, he continued, “My great grandfather was known as one of the best defense attorney of his time, especially after the war. We carried that image through the years. I wonder why your father only found that out lately... it’s never a secret.”

“I think it was during the Japanese government investigation of your clients.”

“So he doesn’t know the truth about Seohyun at all?” Joowon asked and when he shook his head as a reply, he only looked even more amused, “How about now? What do you think he would do if he finds out?”

“I don’t know… but it doesn’t matter. I live my own life.”

He’d been there before and Yonghwa knew he would have to deal with his father sooner or later. Knowing him, he wouldn’t take this lightly. Hopefully, they have his mother’s ‘protection’ from whatever that may come.

Now, all he needed to do was to win back his woman and his little girl.

~~~~

The moment Mrs. Kim left, she couldn’t do anything more but to follow around her little ball of energy who scampered all over the house. “Aren’t you tired yet?” She called out while Euna pushed her walker around instead of riding in it. Her baby didn’t answer but just bumped on the side table repeatedly which seemed to be rather entertaining for her, if that fits of laughter were an indication.

Seohyun shook her head with a smile and took her phone that just vibrated on the table. She sighed seeing that message preview and realizing who it was from.

“Hi. I was thinking of visiting Euna if that’s okay with you.”

“You can come any time you want. You don’t have to ask me,” she hit send after rereading her answer.

“I’ll drop by later after work then?”

The reply came fast so she did as well, “Okay, see you.”

Seohyun couldn’t help but feel amused by the fact that he was brave enough to return just a couple of hours after he left. Although his reason was Euna, it was good enough for her and wouldn’t even frown about it.  Speaking of, her little one finally left her walker and opted to crawl on the floor to where she was sitting— or so she thought.

Euna rounded the kitchen counter on all fours and peeped at the corner as if she was playing hide-and-seek with her. “Oh, Euna? Where are you?” Seohyun acted as if she couldn’t see her so her baby moved closer to her feet and touched her leg. But she decided to play some more as she faked a cry, “Euna?”

To her surprise, Euna hurriedly hugged her leg whimpering. “Oh, there you are!” She picked her up and showered her with kisses, “I was sad that you left me…”

Her baby smiled putting a finger inside her