Chapter 20-        The Unavoidable Plan…

       The Crucial Decision…

Point in time:      School’s Midterm

Location:             Somewhere Out There

JP Owen calls for a family meeting including Taeyang and Joonie. Heechul and Jessica wonder what the meeting could be all about – it is pretty rare for her father to request one – it is not that it bothers them however the uneasy feeling is what makes them bumpy. Kibum’s parents are aware of how much JP Owen loves Kibum and the only thing that he would act decisively and with certainty is, if it concerns Kibum.

Heechul:          Honey, do you have any idea what the meeting is all about?

Jessica:           I don’t know really – but my hunch is pretty vivid – I have a feeling it concerns Bummie and
                        to tell you honestly, I am pretty nervous.

Heechul:          I have this feeling too. What do you think?

Jessica:           We will have to wait and see. The meeting is going to be two days from today correct? Did
                        he mention the location?

Heechul:          No not yet, but I believe it is going to be in Paris…

Jessica:           hhhmmm… Honey, we need to talk to Bummie… I wonder if he has an idea… you know
                        sometimes, I feel jealous that Kibum is so much closer to Daddy than to us…

Heechul:          (chuckles) Oh honey, as if you don’t know Daddy – he is just like that. You should know; 
                        Bummie is his only grandson thus, it is only understandable that Daddy would be so
                        attentive of Bummie.

                        Honey you should know that Daddy doesn’t and never control you and you are also the
                        type that doesn’t want to be controlled – I do believe that Bummie is also like that. Never
                        underestimate Bummie – that son of ours is a lot smarter than you think…

Jessica:           (huffs) yeahhh… I guess you are right… thanks for giving peace in my mind… Honey… I
                        just want Bummie to spend a lot of time with us… I can feel where this is going… To be
                        honest, I am going to be so sad…

Heechul:          (comforts Jessica) Honey, trust Daddy ok? He always works for what are best for all of us.
                        (Then hugs Jessica) so just relax… come (holds Jessica’s hands) let’s go to Bummie’s
                        room…

Jessica:           (sighs) okey…  

Heechul and Jessica go to Kibum’s room who is currently busy working on his grandfather’s businesses…

Jessica:           Bummie, may we come in?

Kibum:             Sure Mom, Dad come in please…

Heechul:          Thanks son… We are sorry for bothering you… but can we have a talk…

Kibum:             (sighs) Dad, Mom why are you so polite to me? I am your son – you don’t have to act 
                        indifferently… ayooo…

Jessica:           (whines and hugs Kibum) coz… you know… you are so mature for a very young age.  I
                        don’t know how to act towards you – and your only 16 – my gosh, you should be acting like
                        what a normal teen-ager, I mean like go to parties, hang-out with friends – like that!

                        Look, you are managing half of Owen’s businesses and they are not even medium to big
                        ones – they are huge i.e. Mega-businesses… plus 25 to 30% of mine and Daddy’s too!
                       Ayooo, you are going to grow old so fast Bummie…

                      Heechul:          (looks at Jessica with concern on his face) Honey… relax…

Kibum:             (chuckles at his mom’s who’s going to absurd lengths to prove her point) Mom… you are
                        so funny…he he he… (Looks at his Dad and says) Dad, look who’s talking…

Heechul:          (laughs) ha ha exactly Bummie…. Exactly…

Jessica:           (scoffs at the two) you two stop… (Whines) Bummie, I am just afraid of what’s Daddy’s
                        plan for you… I am afraid he is going to take you away from us…

Kibum:             (hugs Jessica) come on… I am not going somewhere and if I do, you can always see me –
                         it’s like if it happens living in a boarding school, you know…

Jessica:           (in a crying voice) No, sweetie – I won’t allow that. I will object with that idea of yours. We
                        will go wherever you go…

Kibum:             Mom, don’t leave Daddy here. Most of his businesses are here. I can manage on my own
                        – if that would be the case. But we don’t know yet so let’s wait and see…. (Pretends he
                        doesn’t know to avoid hurting his parent’s feelings more)...

Heechul:          Bummie, I will support whatever decision you will make. I am happy at the same time
                        sad… you know…

Jessica:           Precisely… But I know what this meeting is all about…

Heechul:          Say, Bummie do you know where the meeting is going to be?

Kibum:             In Paris…

Heechul:          Yeah, my hunch too… So everyone we need to get ready… we will have to leave
                        tomorrow… Thanks for your time Bummie… have a good rest…

Jessica:           (Kisses Kibum) Bye sweetie… enough of these works – it is not going to end, you know…
                        take it easy...

Kibum:             (Hugs Heechul and Jessica) Thanks Mom and Dad, I love you both so much and you know
                        that… I will be fine so please do not worry…

Jessica:           (smiles) we know Bummie…

The following day, the three of them left as requested for Paris.  Inside the plane, the atmosphere is a bit cacophonously quiet. Jessica lies on Heechul shoulders looking at Kibum intently while continuously squeezing Heechul’s hands. Kibum notices her mom looking at him smiles gently and reassures her that everything is just going to be alright.

To create a happier mood, Kibum gets a small pillow and throws it to her mom’s direction. Surprised by Kibum’s mischievous act, Jessica retaliates throwing a bigger pillow and smiles. Heechul watches in delight completely enthralled by the two’s pillow fighting and says to himself,

“Bummie, If you could have been a girl, things could have been different I suppose - you might could have had a normal easy life. We apologize for imposing things to you at a very early age – my only purpose has been to inspire you with sufficient knowledge. I have never imagined you’d turn out way giftedly superior to me especially greater than your Mom.

But you never let it show; always humble and kind. In spite of your age, you have shown tremendous achievements – but you simply choose to take no notice of how effectively and extremely successful you are.

 I can not possibly even comprehend and up to now envision how you manage things – it is really funny to even think that I am your number one fan. We are so lucky to have you for a child (looking at Kibum admiringly) – I do admire your firmness and maturity” involuntarily he says,

Heechul:          Bummie, just so you know – I will support whatever choice you decide in your life, now or
                        in the future… I know this sounds cliché but your Mom and I are emancipating you from
                        our control – hhmm control is a bit harsh for a word, what I mean is, we would like to grant
                        you full command of your life…

Kibum:             (smiles at Heechul’s sudden outburst) Thanks Daddy, but you really don’t have to say that. 
                        I never felt that you and Mom have shown demonstration of so called-power over me.
                        What you have been showing me is love and freedom to think for myself and I greatly 
                        appreciate that… I will always appreciate both of you constantly checking up on me – who
                        knows, I might get off tangent in the process. Nevertheless, Daddy – I am greatly delighted
                        with what you have stated. Thanks again Daddy.

Jessica:           I know you are going someplace, another generation creating a milestone of your own and
                        building upon the accomplishments of the continuing ones, destined for greatness or
                        prominence. I truly admire your progression of initiation; opening up and acceptance of
                        who you really are, and what you come here to do, which are quite difficult and
                        overwhelming tasks. 

                        But, you know what Bummie? I firmly believe that if you constantly assimilate the best
                        ways of life we come across before us and continue the development in our way of 
                        thinking, every trial along the way, all interactive frustration can be conquered with a good
                        judgment of providence and vision. I completely positively trust your opinions and no
                        matter decisions you make good or bad – you will overcome them. I love you sweetie…

 Kibum:            Thanks Mommy – both of you never fail to amaze me. I really admire you both – just so
                        you also know… Thanks really for casting my guilt burden coz I was a bit heavily laden you 
                        know…

Jessica:           (hugs Kibum) Yap, we can see it in your eyes – we know the feeling so that we just can’t
                        leave you bearing alone with those emotions.

Heechul:          Thought we didn’t know all along… (Hugs Kibum too) Your Mom and I have been secretly 
                         watching and observing you Bummie…and the way you have been handling those
                         pressures – we really admire you…

Kibum:             Thanks Mom and Dad… simply the best parents I could ever have… (Smiles gladly)

Page 1 Ends here for Chapter 20......................