BOM

“Uncle, I’m back. Why aren’t you answering your phone? We need to talk and see each other. Give me a call once you receive this.”

It was already morning and I was walking in the street near to Jiyong’s house when I decided to leave a voicemail for uncle Psy. I couldn’t count how many times I had tried to reach him but he wasn’t answering his phone even the text messages I sent to him last night and earlier this morning. I wondered what he was doing. He didn't get in trouble again, did he? Just the thought of it made me winced. This debt that we had right now was already too much to deal with that if he added one again, I wouldn't hesitate to leave him. 

Not after I punched him in the face. 

Maybe because I was too occupied thinking of uncle and his whereabouts that I didn't notice the door to Jiyong's house was opened until I realized I was already inside and closed it myself.

"I told you to inform me when something like this happens! Why nobody called me?" As I walked in the hallway, I could hear his voice echoing loudly off the high ceiling. I found him in the living room pacing back and forth while talking to someone on the phone. With the way his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched, I could tell that he was frustrated about something. 

As I stood in the corner, I noticed that he was already dressed in his business attire. His white shirt sleeves rolled up to his arms, tucked in under his blue trousers and his black neck tie was still undone. Still oblivious of my presence, I watched him ed a couple of buttons in his shirt and ran his fingers through his hair. The sunlight streaming through the French door directly hitting him didn't even make him less attractive but perfectly handsome. Moving my gaze away from him, I was just planning to go straight to the kitchen and cook breakfast for Miyoung when he happened to pan his attention at my direction and took a double-look at me. Stopping on my track, I could feel my cheeks burning a little at the way he narrowed his eyes and scrutinized me while he talked on the phone. I wasn’t sure whether I should come to him knowing he was occupied and in a bad mood but after a few seconds of awkward stare down at each other, I decided to regard him with a nod which made him frowned before he did the same thing to me.

When I reached the kitchen, I was surprised to see plates of fresh cooked fried rice, bacon, eggs, and sausages on the counter. “I guess I won’t make breakfast today.” I muttered, taking a small bite of crunchy bacon. I noticed the used cooking materials were not yet cleaned so I brought them in the sink, washed and dry them myself. By the time I was done, Jiyong walked through the doorway looking down at the phone in his hand.

Casting a quick glance at me, “Good morning, Park Bom.” He said as he opened the refrigerator and fished out a bottle of water. “How’s your uncle?” closing the fridge, he stood at the opposite side of the counter and sat on the stool.

“Better. He’s okay now.” I said as I marveled at the side view of his sharp jawline while he gulped his water. When he looked at me from the corner of his eye and caught me staring, I quickly diverted my eyes from him and looked down at the food instead. Swallowing, I sat on a stool as I reached for another bacon again and popped it in my mouth. I was going to take another bite when I glanced up at him again and found him opening the drawers as he pulled out a plate, spoon and fork. 

Taking a sit on the stool beside me, he placed the tableware in front of me. "Hungry?” He asked.

A smile played on his lips as he watched me chewed my food. “I should wake Miyoung up now so she can have breakfast.” I said, hopping out of my seat.

“Wait.” When I was about to go, I felt him grabbed the back of my arm stopping me. Looking over my shoulder, “She slept late last night. Let her sleep more and eat your breakfast first.” He said, gesturing at me to take a sit. 

When I settled back, I looked at him as he placed fried rice onto my plate. "You look like you didn't sleep well." I said, observing him and his tired looking eyes. 

Smirking, “I think I got used to sleeping next to you that I had a hard time falling asleep last night. Is this enough?"

"A little more." I muttered, looking down at my own plate. When I glanced back at him, a smile curled up in his lips.

"Is that why you burned all the sausages?" I questioned.

“I didn’t burn it all. There are still eggs and bacons. Now, eat." He said, as he set aside the plate and handed me the spoon and fork.

“I prefer my eggs scrambled. Yours is sunny side up.”

“No, it’s not.” The moment he grinned flirtatiously, I instantly knew we were differentiating a different kind of thing. Blushing, “This is cooked sunny side up.” I said, sticking with my innocent idea of eggs. A laughed escaped from him then as he mussed my hair. “No wonder you’re only eating the bacon. I’ll remember that next time I make breakfast.” He said, chuckling.

It got silent for a moment in the kitchen as I began eating my breakfast. Normally, I could eat comfortably in front of him but this time, I felt self-conscious with the way he was staring intently at me. "Who were you talking to earlier?" I asked, breaking the silence. 

At my question, I noticed his mouth pressed into a thin hard line. "Seungri." He sighed, frowning. “There is this orphanage I’m funding and it caught a fire last night. The half part of the school got burned.” 

he's funding an orphanage? 

Taking a sip of water, “Did someone get hurt?”

“Fortunately, no one got hurt. But I’m planning to visit the place today.” He paused, “And you will come with me.”

I wasn’t even surprised that he said that. “Do I have a choice?” I muttered, chewing. I looked at him from the corner of my eye and he was smiling cheekily. “No.” He said.

“What time are we going to leave? Miyoung has school today and I have to pick her up by afternoon.” I asked, shoving another bacon and spoonful of rice.

“We’ll be back before her class ends. It’s just a short trip.”

Suddenly, I flinched when he reached out and casually rubbed the corner of my mouth with his thumb. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me. “Rice." he said, giving me a knowing look that said he knew what I thought.

“You could have just told me.” I said, rubbing my mouth with the back of my hand.

Snorting, “You could have just thanked me."

“I’m hungry, let me eat in peace.” 

“Me too." He nodded, looking passively at me.

"Then why don't you eat instead of looking at--"

"But it’s not the food that I want.”

Arching a brow at the sudden interruption, I looked down at my lap as I said, “Don’t you think it’s still too early for that?” I asked, poking his sneaky hand that was my thigh with a fork. I stifle a smile when he took his hand away and laughed. I couldn't believe that he was the same man who was yelling angrily in the living room earlier now that he was acting like this. 

“Alright, I won’t distract you again. Eat more and finish your breakfast.” He said, flashing his wicked grin at me. Just then his phone began to ring. “This might be Seungri.” He muttered, fishing out his cellphone from his pocket. When he answered the call, he stood up and circled the counter as I continued my meal. It wasn’t like I was eavesdropping on him, but his voice was a bit loud that I couldn’t help but hear what he was saying throughout their conversation.

"No, I haven't decided yet. I asked him to give me a week to think about it, Seungri." I heard him say after a short paused. For a moment, I watched him engaged in his conversation before I focused back at my meal. From time to time he would look at me and stand beside me only to silently annoy me by poking a finger to my side in an attempt to tickle me.

"I can't just say yes to a request like that even though his intentions don’t seem to be bad at all. Well, to me at least." The way he sounded cautious made me wonder what they were talking about. I casted a quick glance at him when he walked over the counter and noticed the deep frown on his brows. They might be talking about the hotel or some business stuff. 

 

JIYONG

"By the way, I need you to send someone to check the damage in the orphanage and the cost for its renovations. I want the restoration to start as soon as possible and I am going to visit the place later.”

“You?” Seungri asked on the other line. I could tell that he was surprised based on the sound of his voice. “It has been so long since you went at the orphanage. Are you going to be okay, hyung?”

“Of course.” I said, as I looked at Bom who was standing over the sink immersed in washing the dishes.

“I heard there will be a shooting in the lobby this morning for Dara’s upcoming drama. Make sure there will be no commotion we have other guests staying in the hotel too.” I continued.

“Yes, Hyung. I've already reminded the security department about it.”

As soon as I ended the call, I placed the phone on the counter and took steps forward until I was standing behind Bom. I observed her back for a while as I thought of Mr. Park Jihoon and what we talked about last night. I hadn't decided yet if I would accept his request and I asked him to give me time to think about it.

It's just simple. Just think of her as a student having an internship in your hotel, Jiyong. And I would really appreciate it if you would keep this a secret and won't tell anyone about this. I remembered what he said.

Sighing, "Why me?"

"Huh?"

I didn't realize I said what I was thinking aloud until Bom turned to look at me. "What did you say?" she muttered, blinking.  

"I said, are you done?" I asked, looking at her lovely face. 

"Yes. I just need to dry the plate." She said, nodding. She looked at me skeptically before she aimed her attention to her task again. 

When she turned her back, my mind then went back to Mr. Park again. If he wanted Dara so much to be trained, then that wouldn't be hard on my part too. I personally knew her and the fact that she was staying in the hotel could make it easier for me too. I could assign her to different departments for a week or two and let her familiarize with it. I could ask Seungri and Daesung to supervise her instead of me.

And then suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

Standing beside Bom, I silently watched her as she immsersed herself doing her chore. She was silently wiping the plate and the utensils with a dish towel while ignoring my presence.

As much as I enjoyed her being with me most of the time and seeing her here every day, I couldn't help but still think of her education. It still didn't make sense to me even after all the talk we had before. She worked in restaurants maybe with a little training like Dara, I could put her in the hotel too but I knew convincing her to do that was going to be the hardest part. We nearly argued over driving her home what more if it was about that? 

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Taking me out of my reverie, I kept my gazed on Bom as she arched her brow at me. "Because you're beautiful." I said, studying her facial features. 

Narrowing her eyes at me, "You think I’m going to believe that excuse? you were obviously distracted." 

"It's not an excuse it's true that you're beautiful." I muttered, chuckling at her. "Are you done?" I asked, wrapping an arm around her waist.  

"Yes, I have to wake up Miyoung now." She said, turning to face me. 

"Now?" I asked, as I leaned closer, cupped her face and left feather light kisses on her cheeks and lips. I couldn’t remember when was the last time I ever felt this way. The effect she had on me whenever she was around and whenever I touched and kissed her was indescribable. Everything about her was perfect but she was the kind of person who based on what I had observed, clearly had no idea about it.

Drawing back, when I stared into her eyes I noticed that she was staring at my mouth instead. And without further ado, I pressed my lips on her kissing her tenderly but possessively. Her lips felt incredibly soft and moist as it moved matching the intensity of mine that the moment our lips touched, I immediately noticed the way she kissed me felt a bit different. If I could describe it, she was more relaxed, responsive and more willing this time.

Thank heavens

To be honest, I wasn't proud of the way I acted when I kissed her for the first time. It was forceful and selfish and even though things ended up good between us since that night, I still couldn't forget about the fact that she once looked at me disgustingly. It didn't make me feel good. But after the night where we almost did the deed and she told me the words, I know you well enough you won't do such a thing to me. I felt like a huge truck had been lifted off my shoulders. 

Tightening my arms around her, I brushed my lips against her jaw and her neck making her squirmed in my arms. She always got ticklish whenever I touched her neck. "You always smell so good." I muttered, moving back to her lips again. When she slightly bit my lower lip, I angled her head a little and slipped my tongue, tasting the inside of . I felt her clutched my shoulders probably for support as I deepened my kiss on her which lasted for quite long until she abruptly pulled back. "We should stop now." She whispered, her voice was half breathless. Burying my face on her neck, even though it was against my will, I planted a couple of shallow kisses on her lips again before I hesitantly pulled away and stared at her unreadable face.

“Are you going to wake up Miyoung, now?” I asked, tucking a hair strand behind her ear. She nodded as she disentangled herself from my arms and stepped back.

“That was really nice.” She suddenly said, surprising me. I thought she looked really charming especially at the way she stood across me with her hands on her sides and her cheeks turning red.  

“Thank you and good to know I pleased you.” I chuckled, watching her as she looked like she was about to say something else. She was very amusing to stare at that even the slightest body gesture of her could make me wonder.

After a short dead silence, “I’m going to check, Miyoung.” She said.

I eyed her skeptically as she locked eyes with me before she hesitantly turned her back and walked away.

“Bom.” I called when she was about to reach the doorway.

She stopped on her track but she didn’t turn to look at me. I wished she did so I could confirm if I was correct. “I’ll do that to you every morning.”

“Huh?” she said, abruptly turning to look at me. There was a slight emotion that flickered on her face as if I caught her off guard and that made me smile. She wasn’t that hard to read if I paid attention. Tilting my head to the side, “You said it was nice.”

 

"You're coming tomorrow, right?"

Looking up from my plate, I glanced at Miyoung sitting over the table across me. For a second, I had no idea what she was talking about until it suddenly occurred to me. "Your play's tomorrow, right? Of course I’ll come and watch it. You've been practicing that for a long time now, sweetie." 

Chewing and swallowing her food, "Promise?" 

"Promise." I reached for her tiny hand across the table and slightly squeezed it before I resumed eating my breakfast. Just then, Bom came back placing a glass of milk on the table. "Why aren't you sitting and eating with us?" Miyoung asked, looking up at her.  I casted a quick glanced at Bom as she responded, "I've already had my breakfast." 

"Oh." She paused, chewing her lip. "Are you also going to come tomorrow and watch my play?" Though I could see that the question didn't surprise Bom, it somehow surprised me for Miyoung usually never initiated to have conversations with her or with any woman in general. Is she inviting her? It must be because of my presence or our relationship with each other that I noticed Bom was suddenly a little awkward interacting with her. "Do you want me to come and watch you?" She asked, removing the rice stuck on Miyoung's cheek.

"I don't really mind whether you come or not." she responded, turning her attention back to her plate. Bom didn't say anything in return and just watched her for a few seconds before she stealthily glanced at me and looked quickly away. That was the one thing she wasn’t good at for I always ended up catching her. By the time we finished our breakfast, I didn't have any chance to talk to Bom nor had the chance to be alone with her again. She basically busied herself with Miyoung the entire time, bathing and preparing her stuff for school. 

"What is that thing you put on your lips?" 

I was about to knock on Miyoung's room to tell them to hurry a little for they were going to be late but when I happened to overhead her voice, I stopped and stood across the door. Peeking through the slightly opened door, I found the two of them sitting on the floor facing each other. Bom was putting a yellow headband on my daughter's head while miyoung was surprisingly sitting still while looking at her face. "You mean this?" Bom asked, as she pulled out something from her back pocket. I didn't see what it was but Miyoung immediately looked so interested in it. "It's called a lip balm. Do you want me to put some on your lips?" She asked. It was such a rare sight to see how Miyoung nodded sheepishly while looking at her.

A small smile formed on Bom's lips as she said, "Wait, I have another one in my bag it's strawberry flavor."

I watched her as she eagerly rummaged through her sling bag. It was the same bag she left in the hotel once and the same bag she always carried with her all the time. "Part your lips a little." Bom said, as she removed the lid of the lip balm and brushed the thing on her lips.

When they were done, "Hmm, Tastes like strawberry candy." Miyoung muttered, and chewing her lips.

"You're not supposed to eat it though." Bom looked at her amusingly. 

"But it's yummy. Is it gone? put some on me again." Even I had the same expression of surprised as Bom when Miyoung moved closer to her, almost unconsciously sitting on her lap as she excessively pouted her lips.

By the time they finished, "What's the flavor of the other one?" 

"The other one has no flavor. Here, bring this with you." Bom said, as she placed the thing on Miyoung's hand. 

Hesitantly, Miyoung gave it back to her. "But dad told me not to take things that's not mine." 

Hearing what my daughter said made me smile. Good girl­.  

"It’s okay, I'm giving it to you. It's yours now."  

"Really?" She muttered, glancing up at her.

"Yes. Here, I’ll put it in your pouch bag so you won't misplace it." Bom responded, placing the thing inside Miyoung's bag. Not wanting to disturb them, I took a step back and retreated from the door. I wasn’t that far yet when I heard their faint voices again that made me abruptly stopped on my track and froze. 

"Thank You, Bom unnie." 

"Why you're welcome, Miyoung." 

BOM

"What's funny?" 

Jiyong was smiling ear to ear when I happened to look at the driver's seat. His two hands were both on the steering wheel but he looked at me quickly from the corner of his eye as he said, "nothing." For the nth time.

Looking suspiciously at him, "You've been grinning like an idiot since we drop Miyoung at school a while ago."  

"Hmm really?" He muttered, chuckling. 

"What's funny?" I asked, again. 

When he didn't speak and just shrugged, I gave up and just leaned my back against my seat. We were nearing at the bus station anyway so I didn't press him with it. "Are you sure you don't want me to drive you back home?" He asked. 

"You know, I’m not a kid that needs to be fetch all the time." 

"I'm just asking."

"You already asked that same question earlier."

When the car halted at the corner of the street, he shot me a glare before he helped me unbuckled my seatbelt and said, “You and your temper. Why do you always have to argue with me when things are going well? I'll meet you at the parking lot of the hotel later, okay?" 

"Okay." I said, nodding in return and ignoring his question. After removing my seatbelt, I double checked my things and quickly glanced at him. "See you later." I muttered before I turned and grabbed a hold of the door latch. When it didn't open, I stopped and glanced back at him. "The door." 

"You're forgetting something." 

"No, I’m not." I responded, as I looked inside my bag and checked my notebook, phone and wallet again. 

"Yes, you are." he insisted.

When I heard the sound of honks behind us, I looked over my shoulder and saw the cars slowly lining up. "I have my bag and my stuff, the door Ji--"

"You didn't kiss me."

Surprised at him, "This is not the right time and place for that and besides, didn't you already--"

"Do it."

"You're causing a traffic." I said, eyeing him.

"Who cares, Bom." He didn't look like he was going to let this matter go based on how he just shrugged and looked at the rearview mirror. Reluctantly, I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek.

"There. Happy? open the door."

"Am I your friend? Not there. And don't make it seem like it's a task, Bom. I know you like it too." he said, smirking at me. I could feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment as I looked incredulously him, "You're unbelievable." 

"Do. It. Again." he said, emphasizing each words as he stared at me. "Properly this time." he added.

The continuous honking behind us was stressing me out that without even retorting, I pulled him by his tie and lightly pressed my lips against his. I felt him smiled victoriously and when I heard the sound of door being unlocked afterwards, I immediately pulled away feeling a little weird with the attention I was getting from him all the time. "Call or message me when you reach home." He said, tucking a hairstrand behind my ear. I stared into his searching eyes before I nodded at him.

"Don't forget." He reminded.

 

When I reached the house, I immediately did all the pending housework. I started cleaning the living room by vacuuming the carpet and dusting the furniture, followed by the study area, the kitchen and the dining room. When I walked upstairs, the first thing that came into my mind was Jiyong's bedroom. I still remember the only rule he told me about and that was not to enter his private space. Now as I stood across the door, I suddenly wondered if that rule still applied. I had been inside once when I made a coffee for him but I couldn't remember what was his bedroom looked like nor observed anything weird inside. I could just remember him shirtless and me being caught and teased for staring at his body. The thought of it made me smile. Who knew back then that we were going to end up like this?  

By the time I finished everything, I was already tired and covered in sweat. Sitting down on the sofa with a cold glass of orange juice in my hand, I grabbed the remote control on the mini table and the TV. As I flipped through the channel, I happened to see a news about Dara Park and her new drama. I didn't pay attention to it as I changed the channel only to see her again in a commercial this time. Nonchalantly, I pressed the button again and amusedly eyed the TV screen when her face showed up for the third time. This time she was being interviewed in some talk show.  "Amazing." I muttered sardonically to myself. I was about to flip the channel again when I noticed something on her. She was wearing a white low neck blouse that showed the familiar necklace wrapped around her neck. Squinting my eyes, I looked at the pendant carefully and scoffed when I noticed that it was indeed the star necklace I had given to her when we were young. Drinking my juice, I changed the channel again and almost sprayed it at the newly vacuumed carpet when I happened to see the news again about her and Jiyong. This time though it was about them confirming they weren't dating.

 "What the hell is wrong with the TV stations today." I muttered.

As I was changing the channels again and again, I happened to notice the DVD rack behind the Television. Curious, I stood up and walked towards it hoping to find some good movie to watch. As I checked through it, I saw one thing that caught my interest. There was a CD case that had no cover but had a label in it that said, "disc 1."

Opening the case, I placed the CD onto the DVD player as I changed the TV setting and pressed the play button. When I sat back on the sofa, the video suddenly opened up with a beautiful woman I hadn't seen before. 

"Hi, my love." she smiled, waving at the camera before covering her face with her hands when the camera zoomed in. "Stop that." I heard a familiar laughed at the background and I realized it was Jiyong filming her. The lights were dimmed but I recognized the place. They were in the same living room and she was on the same sofa i was sitting in. She was wearing a white sleeveless top and her long black hair, framing her beautiful small face. Looking at her felt like seeing Miyoung's future for they really resembled each other. 

"It's already 12 o'clock why are you still awake and why did you wake me up?" Jiyong asked.

Smiling, "I need you to drive me at the chicken restaurant."

"Again? You just had that last night."

"That was last night and this is now. Me and this little one are craving for it." 

I felt my mouth slightly parted when the video focused on her belly. She was pregnant with Miyoung. It wasn't that big yet but there was a visible bump in her stomach.

Chuckling, "okay, beautiful. But do you have any last message?" 

She thought for a moment, biting her lower lip before she looked up at him smiling and said, "I love you so much and you are the best thing that ever happened in my life." 

There was a silence that transpired between them and when her gaze moved up, I knew that she was directly looking at his eyes. There was a hint of sadness and love that showed in her eyes and it strangely made me sad. I had no idea what happened between them or why she passed away but seeing this made me feel like they knew it. They were aware of what was waiting for them.

"I Love you." He said. 

Suddenly, the camera shifted. It was as if he placed it at some stand that captured his pregnant wife sitting on the sofa and Jiyong who suddenly appeared and sat beside her. He looked the same as if he didn't age. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans.

"how are we going to end this video?" He asked, placing a hand on her belly before he kissed her affectionately on her lips.

"You know, if I’m not pregnant we can end this by doing some rated R video."  She responded, grinning. 

Jiyong laughed at her then. "Let's end this video now, shall we? So we can go the chicken restaurant." 

"Okay." She giggled as she sat on his lap. 

"What is your name, beautiful?" 

"Han Ga In." 

"And your crime is?" He grinned. 

"Hmmm. . .theft?" 

"Really? That's bad. And what did you steal?" 

"I stole kwon Jiyong's heart." She chuckled, kissing him. 

Watching them made me feel uncomfortable. It was like I was intruding their privacy but a part of me didn't want to stop watching it. The way they looked at each other's eyes were enough to tell me how much they cared for each other, how much they were cherishing their time together at that exact moment. The way Jiyong held her possessively in his arms and kissed her. I could feel my chest and my throat tightening but I knew that it wasn't coming from jealousy or any bitter feelings. I felt sympathy for them. For Jiyong who lost her. For their relationship that ended. And perhaps, i felt a little envy.

Envy for the closure they had while i, on the other hand, had none.