man in love.

“Tch, Wu Xiazi, you idiot. Who told you to make a promise like that to him?” Hoya hissed under his breath as he slouched further into the couch. He had his arms folded and firmly placed against his chest. He was sporting a frown and his eyebrows were nearly kissing in the middle of his forehead.

Presently, he was located in his media room with his father and a soccer game was playing. Mr. Lee had his eyes glued to the screen however the game did not receive his full attention. While he was pretending to watch the game, he was really focusing somewhere else. More specifically on his son who seemed to be boiling with anger and jealousy. He silently chuckled as his body vibrated along in the gesture.

“Are you trying to test me?” he asked himself rhetorically since Miyoon wasn’t there to actually to answer him. Aish, why am I thinking so much over this? What she does is her business. It’s not like I have any right to tell her what she can and what she can’t do. “This is so frustrating.” Hoya groaned before tousling his hair in agitation.

Aigoo, if you’re jealous just admit it, son. There’s no use in trying to deny your feelings for Miyoon. Mr. Lee smiled as he recalled personally witnessing Hoya lip-locking with Miyoon on the jumbo-screen back at the stadium one or two months ago along with hundreds of other people. He then shook his head slightly still wearing a smile. If only I could start talking, that way I could scold this child of mine for being so slow.

“I’m home!” Mrs. Lee called out from the foyer. Hoya remained unfazed by her arrival while his father glanced over his shoulder, hoping his wife would reprimand their son. “Is nobody home?” she pondered, strolling into the room the two men were sitting in. When she found them, she sighed, making her way to Mr. Lee first. “Yeobo,” she cooed, kissing his forehead. “Are you enjoying the game?”

Instead of nodding or shaking his head as a response, he directed his eyes to Hoya who was obviously fully tangled in his thoughts, not evening realizing his mother had just returned. Mrs. Lee followed his gaze and when she saw Hoya seated with an unpleasant expression smeared all over his face, she was able to guess almost immediately what he was having problems with. Never in her life has Mrs. Lee ever seen her son looking so troubled and distraught like he was at the moment and she figured right off the bat that it had to definitely have something to do with Miyoon. The one and only woman who was able to steal her son’s heart.

Sure, Hoya was upset and aggravated at times especially if it revolved around soccer, but if he was fumbling over that, he would usually work out to get his mind off of things. But since he wasn’t out and about trying to distract himself, she concluded that his current state had nothing to do with his athletic career. She knew what her dearest husband was getting at and she patted his shoulder in understanding. He’s lucky I’m like a lover guru. “Hoya,” she started but all that echoed through the room was the soccer game. He must be really troubled over this.

Mrs. Lee then left her husband’s side and crept up behind Hoya. She shook her head and lightly slapped the back of his head. That snapped him out of his thoughts as he jumped at the sudden abuse. “What the—” as he whirled his head around, he was surprised to find his mother standing there with her hands placed on her hips. He blinked a few times before he swiveled his head right then left. “Omma, when did you get here?” he pondered.

Mrs. Lee blankly stared at him before she thwacked him a second time. “I got here an hour ago and you only realized now?” she growled.

“An hour ago?” Hoya scratched his head while Mr. Lee tried to hold back his grin and maintain his composure, “But I didn’t see you at all. I’m sure of it,”

“B-bo? You didn’t see me? Or you just didn’t want to see me?” she interrogated. Hoya was most certainly caught off guard as he blinked vacantly at his mother. He then shifted his eyes to his father whose face soon betrayed the uncomfortable and not to mention confusing mood. “What? Are you too busy thinking about Miyoon?” she finally scoffed playfully.

His eyes widened as his head snapped back at his mother. “E-eh?” his voice hitched. “I-I wasn’t thinking of her.” He poorly lied. “Where would you get an absurd idea like that from?” he awkwardly cleared his throat as he sat up straighter.

The elder looked over to her husband who gave her a subtle nod, “It’s clearly written all over your face that you’re a love sick puppy.” She sighed as she tsked him.

“A love sick puppy?” he almost shrieked. He slammed both of his palms against the armrests he was planted in between and hauled up to his feet. “Not even close.”

“Oh is this denial I’m seeing?” Mrs. Lee grinned as she nonchalantly crossed her arms in front of her chest. Soon, the rest of her body vibrated with a short snort. “They say that’s the first sign of falling for someone, son. Didn’t you know? Love is pretty contagious.”

“Falling for someone? Love?” Hoya choked out. He then spun around and felt his cheeks getting hot. I didn’t fall for her. I don’t love her. I just like her. He began chewing on his bottom lip while Mrs. Lee got on her toes, trying to sneak in a glimpse of her son’s face. She could tell he was probably bright red as a baboon’s bottom and couldn’t help but giggle. “No I’m not.” He weakly defended.

“Aigoo,” she sighed. “Are you sure that you aren’t falling for our Miyoon? I mean the longer you deny your feelings for her, the more time you provide for your opponent to sweep her off her feet.” Hoya stiffened at the word opponent and he knew already that he did have one of those and perhaps what his mother was sputtering right now was indeed very true. However, he chose not to reveal his concern or his feelings. Mrs. Lee sensed he was being stubborn and shook her head. “Do you feel restless?” she asked.

For a moment, he was confused with her random question, “Huh?” he answered.

“I said do you feel restless?” she repeated.

“Why would I feel restless? I sleep a lot.” He replied; he spun around and raised his brows at her. His mother walked up to him and then bonked his head with her knuckles. “Ouch,” he winced. “Omma, why’d you do that?”

“Just a yes or no. Over the last few days, even weeks maybe. Have you found yourself feeling less tired? Or troubled when it comes to falling asleep?” she rephrased, being much more specific.

He opened his mouth and thought about it some more. Over the last couple of weeks, he was feeling somewhat restless. Sure, he slept but he often had to force himself to. He didn’t know what was causing this sudden problem of minor insomnia but he figured it was either a) the hot weather, even though his room had an air conditioner, or b) the nerves wracking up in his body since finals for the summer cup were only a few weeks away. Little did he know, there was an even bigger factor which contributed to his little issue and his mother was only breathes short from revealing it to him. But first of course, he had to answer her.

“Yes,”