◄ One Hour Before ►

“Whoa, their old house is nothing compared to this one!” Miyoon gasped as she looked through the window-shield of her car with her neck craned forward. Although she had a hard time finding the place, she had to admit the view was worth it.

Mrs. Park’s new home was located on top of a hill overseeing the entire city, one of the most beautiful scenes anyone could witness. It was a contemporary model and she figured it must be worth a fortune. Then she recalled Hoya’s profession and made sense of everything. “He must get paid a lot to afford all of this. Everyone must be proud.”

Miyoon felt her racing heart as she pressed her palm over it. She could sense that she was anxious. She tried to calm herself by slowly breathing but it wasn’t helping. “Ah, why am I freaking out?”

She shook her shoulders like a child and was startled when someone knocked on her window. She jumped from her seat and bumped her head against the roof. “Ow,” she winced.

“Miyoon-ah, is that you?” at the sound of the familiar voice, her nerves were calmed. Miyoon’s head swiveled to the side and there she found Mrs. Park wearing an apron and a quizzical look. She let out meek smile before she motioned for her to move back.

Mrs. Park took one step away giving Miyoon enough room to escape the steel and metal contraption. “Why didn’t you come in?”

Miyoon rubbed the back of her neck and let out a nervous chuckle, “I was admiring the house?”

The elder shook her head but with a small smile plastered on. “You like it? I think it’s too flashy. I prefer our old home much more.”

Miyoon blinked at her and scratched her head. “But it’s way better than your old house. It’s bigger and in a better neighborhood.”

Mrs. Park sighed, “That’s what Hoya said when he bought this place as well. You kids nowadays don’t think about the sentimental value of things anymore, do you?”

“A-ani, halmeoni. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant—” she started to feel really bad.

“It’s quite alright, Miyoon. I understand that Hoya just wanted what’s best for us. Why don’t you come in?”

She froze, “Uh is he home yet?”

“Who Hoya? Not yet, he’s still at practice. Why? Are you in that much of a hurry to see him?” Mrs. Park teased.

“Andwae!” she blurted defensively.

“I was only kidding.” The elder stated as she tried to bite back another giggle. “But seriously get inside. That daughter of mine can’t wait to see you.” Without notice, she started journeying her way back to the front door and Miyoon quickly ran after her. And once she stepped into the place, fell even lower.

It was even more spectacular than the exterior.

Her eyes scanned the foyer and she noticed how intricate the details were. Everything looked so European Miyoon thought she was in France. He has better taste than I would have imagined.

“Miyoon!” Mrs. Lee shrieked seconds later.

Her head whipped to the right and she was tackled with a hug. She stumbled back but soon regained her footing. “Mrs. Lee,” Miyoon said.

“Don’t call me that, just say omonim!” Mrs. Lee cooed as she pulled away. Her hands went in and started pinched Miyoon’s cheeks. “Aigoo! Look how much you’ve grown! Three years can seriously make someone beautiful, just— oh my heavens!”

Miyoon couldn’t help but blush. “Komawo omonim.”

“Ah! Kyeopta! You have no idea how much I missed you! I always wanted you to visit back at our old home but omma would always decline and tell me how busy you were.”

“I can hear you!” Mrs. Park called out from the kitchen.

Mrs. Lee’s eyes widened as she huffed. She was more childish than a seven year old. “Well anyways it’s so good to see you after all this time, Miyoon! How have you been?” in her voice there was a lot of enthusiasm, that Miyoon could tell for sure.

“I’ve—”

“Ah! We’ll save that for dinner! Why don’t I show you around the house just so you’re acquainted with everything. Between you and me,” Mrs. Lee paused and checked her surroundings before she leaned in and whispered “I’d love to see you a lot more in the future. It gets so lonely here.”

“It does?” Miyoon asked.

Mrs. Lee nodded and started her tour. “Sometimes I feel like this house is just so empty with the four of us. We need more company!” she cried.

Miyoon looked around and saw that indeed it was empty. Not a single maid or butler around like her house. If halmeoni has a house this big already and a wealthy grandson, why doesn’t she quit? Wouldn’t that be much easier for her? That was definitely going to be a question she was going to ask later.

Then they were passing through the kitchen where Mrs. Park was checking something in the oven.

“Smells great, halmeoni.” Miyoon praised.

Seeing their presence she jumped in front of the food so that they wouldn’t be able to sneak a peek. “What are you guys doing in here, dinner is a surprise.” She announced.

Miyoon and Mrs. Lee scrunched their faces at the same time. They glanced at one another and then began howling in laughter. “What’s so funny?” the eldest of them all inquired.

“Halmeoni, you just got so defensive all of a sudden. How could it not be funny? You act like you’re in some covert mission for the CIA!” Miyoon narrated.

“Geurae, omma! Why are you so jumpy?” Mrs. Lee agreed.

Mrs. Park knitted her brows together. “It’s how I cook on special occasions. Now take Miyoon to see Kwangmin and leave me to my work.”

“Arasso, arasso.” Mrs. Lee surrendered.

“Kwangmin?” Miyoon repeated.

“Oh that is my husband’s first name but for you, you can address him as abeonim as well.” Mrs. Lee declared. “It’s much more comfy and homey unlike samchon or imo. Even better than Mr. and Mrs.”

“But would that be okay?” Miyoon was fine with calling them that way. It was just she wasn’t sure how other people would feel. Namely Hoya.

 “Of course it would be! No one calls us that since Hoya never brings any friends around! That boy! Aigoo, that’s why you must visit often!” Mrs. Lee ordered gleefully.

Miyoon felt sad and empathetic towards the woman. She knew how it felt to be lonely and it wasn’t fun. “I’ll try my best.” She smiled.

“Good! Maybe with you here more, Hoya won’t practice so late and omma won’t work long hours anymore. Sometimes those two drive me nuts.”

Miyoon was confused a bit. Why would he stop practicing late if I came around more? She gave it some thought and frowned. He’d probably come just to kick me out.

“Yeobo, guess who’s here?” Mrs. Lee chimed.

Miyoon noticed they were in a room which looked a lot  like a living room. “You have two living rooms, omonim?” even her house didn’t have that many.

“Ani. The other one you saw was the living room with the large fish tank. This one is the media room. It came with the house and Kwangmin loves watching soccer in here so I guess it came in handy.” She replied.

The young girl nodded and when she scoped the room, she saw Mr. Lee in a wheel chair positioned roughly three yards away from the plasma screen. Her heart clenched. She totally forgot about his condition.

Mrs. Lee gestured her to go on and reluctantly she did. She got on her knees and respectfully bowed. His eyes shifted to her and when her head went back up, Mr. Lee looked away. “Annyonghaeseyo sam— abeonim. I don’t know if you remember me but I’m Wu Miyoon.” There was no answer and she expected that. She stood tall but still smiled. “I was the one who came to your house on Christmas Eve. It’s alright if you don’t remember though, it’s been a while. I’m sorry I didn’t visit much.” She bowed a second time.

She glanced over to Mrs. Lee who gave her a thumbs-up. She pointed at the seat next to her husband signaling Miyoon to take a seat. She nodded and plopped down.

Mr. Lee watched her with his peripheral vision and when he saw how her eyes glowed as she watched the game as well a low grunt came from his throat. It was so low and soft