Chapter 13

"Ji Eun ah… why did Aboeji call for you?"

Ji Eun was startled to hear Kyu Jong calling out to her as soon as she left his 
dad's office. She wasn't going to tell him about their meeting but her plans 
were foiled the moment she stepped out.

"What are we having for lunch today?"

"What did he speak to you about?"

Kyu Jong wasn't convinced by Ji Eun's smile as he was sure he saw her closing 
the door to his dad's office with a dejected look on her face.

"Nothing much… yah what are you doing?!"

Ji Eun struggled as he took her hand and pulled her into his dad's office once again. 
She bowed apologetically to the father and sighed mentally as she thought of the 
events that would soon unfold.

"Why did you look for her? I told you I won't agree to the arranged marriage"

For the past twenty four years of his life he had been the perfect son his parents
expected him to be. But his marriage wasn't going to be something he'd let them 
intervene with.

The old man was visibly taken aback by his son's sudden retaliation but remained 
firm with his decision.

"Neither would I approve of your relationship"

"You must be kidding me Aboeji… what century are we already living in?"

"It's either the inheritance or the girl. You should know what's the best for yourself"

"There's only one girl I'll marry and Ji Eun's the one"

--- 

"You're still not gonna pick up his calls?"

Hyun Joong asked as he saw Kyu Jong's name flashing on the screen of Ji Eun's 
mobile phone again. Having bumped into each other on the streets they decided 
to have dinner together since neither of them had plans. And he learnt about what 
had just happened.

"It's your support he needs most at this point of time, you know how he's like"

"But… he's gonna lose everything because of me. I can't..."

"Why don't you listen to what he's got to say first? Before you make any decisions..."

Ji Eun looked at the phone which began ringing again. 

Hyun Joong was right. 

Maybe there was something they could work out together…

Flashback
"I'll talk to him again, don't worry about it"

"Can't you see how firm he was with his decision? You'll be losing everything you 
have worked hard for these years. I can't let you do it"

"But that isn't what matters most"

"I don't know. I just… let's not meet for the time being"

"Why are you giving up without even trying?!"

End of Flashback

"Ji Eun ah mianhae, I didn't mean to raise my voice"

"I'm sorry too…"

For thinking that my decision would have been the best for you.

Ji Eun met up with Kyu Jong again at the beach where they often hung out and 
spent the night talking about their future. And they came to an agreement that no 
matter what happened in the end, at least they tried and stood by each other.

"No luck with the interviews?"

"Nope. Must be the old man…"

Kyu Jong sighed as he thought of his dad's words when he decided to leave the company
and family home. He must have sent instructions to his vast contacts in the business
world to make things difficult and make him change his mind to return home. 

But he wasn't going to do so…

"Young Saeng hyung…"

Kneeling down in front of the tombstone, Kyu Jong carefully placed a bouquet of 
flowers on it and looked at the smiling face of Young Saeng.

"I never thought it was going to be this difficult. Tell me what do I do now…"

It has been several months since he left home and bought an apartment of his 
own, and he hasn't had any luck in finding a job. Watching the savings in his 
private bank account deplete wasn't helping either; his main account had been 
frozen by his dad. 

And he didn't like it that Ji Eun has been working long shifts at the cafe she 
recently began work at to help with the bills. 

"Kyu Jong ah..."

"Ahjussi…"

"How have you been?"

Young Saeng's dad patted Kyu Jong on the shoulder upon seeing him at the gates 
of the cemetery. There was something about him that didn't look too good.

"Do you want to work for my company?"

He asked after chatting with Kyu Jong over lunch at a restaurant. He had heard 
about the instructions sent by Kyu Jong's dad, whom he had business relations with. 

But he wasn't at all worried. 

Parents and kids, they do have their disagreements from time to time. But they're 
after all related by blood and it can never be changed. This was something he 
learnt the hard way, after having fallen out with his own son for years until just 
months before his demise.

Kyu Jong however rejected his kind offer, for he feared it might affect their working relations.

"I'll think of something. Come to my office some time next week"

"But Ahjussi…"

"I'll be waiting for you"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-