Twist Of Fate

Chapter 53

His Brooding Anger

It felt like you had just closed your eyes, but the alarm was already ringing, and you let out a groan. You rolled over to the side and grabbed your phone.

It was Friday, and it was Jooyoung’s last day at work. Goodbyes were always so hard. You turned off the alarm and read the clock.

It was seven am. Still so early. It felt like you hadn’t had enough sleep. You were so tired this morning somehow. Then you rolled over and looked out.

You stiffened, because the bed was empty. You reached your hand out and touched Yongguk’s pillow. It was a thing you had gotten used to do.

You did it almost every morning to know if he had been sleeping next to you. His pillow and sheets felt warm. He had just left the bed. You pulled your hand back.

You sat back up and rubbed your eyes tiredly. You got out of bed and stepped into the hall. The light was bright in the hall. You covered your eyes and walked.

Suddenly, you bumped into something that felt hard like bricks. You pulled back, moved your hands down from your eyes and looked out.

“Why are you walking with your eyes closed?” Yongguk asked with furrowed brows as he gazed into your eyes, and you froze.

“I don’t know, I am not ready to wake up yet. I feel like I haven’t slept enough, but I went to bed early, so, I don’t get it, I don’t get myself.” You sighed deeply.

You knew that you sounded like a kid, who was tired of waking up so early. You blinked your eyes a couple of times, trying to wake up completely, but there was still some sleep left in your eyes. You shut your eyes again.

Your eyes widened suddenly, and you were wide awake and fresh. Your feet had been swept off the ground.

His hands gripped your legs and you hung over his back. You behind you at Yongguk’s head, but he walked off.

“What are you doing?” You asked.

You looked out and saw that he was headed to the bathroom. He pushed the door open and planted your feet back on the ground.

“I thought this would make you wake up. Wash your face and come down for breakfast.” He said and before you could reply him, he shut the door and left.

It surely worked. You were wide awake. You stared at the door. How could he just easily do that and pretend like it was nothing? You sighed and decided to wash up.

You sat at the dining table. Today, everything was set at the table, and you didn’t have to prepare anything. You were somewhat surprised.

Yongguk had made toast, there was jam, and different cold cuts on the table. There was fruit and yogurt too.

You grabbed a bowl, poured strawberry yogurt in it, added some peas, strawberries, blueberries, and nuts to it.

“That looks good.” Yongguk ended the silence.

You looked up at him. Somehow, you realized that you had been quiet all this time. Ki Joon was quietly eating some yogurt too. Yongguk was eating toast with some jam on.

Without thinking too much about it, you dipped your spoon in your yoghurt, making sure you got some of the fruits on your spoon, and then you reached your spoon out for him.

“Try some.” You said.

Yongguk stared at you for a second, without doing anything. You blinked your eyes a couple of times, feeling your face heat up, when it actually deigned upon you about what you were doing. Honestly, you hadn’t thought of it. You were about to feed him.

But Yongguk leaned in and took the spoonful of yogurt into his mouth, and he ate it. Your eyes slightly widened, waiting for a response. Your eyes drifted to his full lips, he his lips soft and made a deep sound.

“Should I make it for you?” You asked, ready to get a bowl.

“Kwon?” He said.

You tensed up, fluttered your long lashes, and looked into his eyes. “Um?’” You hummed.

“Why are you so sweet to me?” He asked.

Your cheeks felt warm. Your heart raced. These emotions of yours were getting worse day by day. You fluttered your long lashes.

“If you don’t want some, just say it.” You lowered your eyes, and your lips curved down. You didn’t know what to say to his words.

“I never said no.” He said.

With those words said, you grabbed a bowl, took the yoghurt cardboard, opened it, and poured some into the bowl.

Then you added some strawberries, blueberries, peas, and lastly you sprinkled some nuts on top. Yongguk was looking at you. Then you reached the bowl out to him, and he took it.

“I have a morning shift today, so I can drop Ki Joon off for kindergarten.” You said, and he nodded.

Yongguk took his first spoonful of his yoghurt, and you glanced at him. He didn’t say anything afterwards. You turned to look at Ki Joon, who was eating his food, quietly, just like his father.

“What will you be doing in nursery today?” You asked Ki Joon.

“I will play with my friends.” He chimed, making you smile.

You reached your hand out and his hair. He took a spoonful of yoghurt, smiling with his mouth full of food. Your heart melted.

“Eat slowly.” You said, and he nodded with a smile.

It was the usual morning routine, after Ki Joon got his shoes on and jacket, he hugged Yongguk tightly at the entrance.

You waited outside at your car for Ki Joon to come. He seemed to be holding onto Yongguk tightly and for a while. You stood still and eyed the son and father.

Then Yongguk squatted to reach Ki Joon’s eyelevel. He reached his hand behind the boy and patted his back gently.

From where you stood, you couldn’t hear what they were talking about nor see Ki Joon’s face as his back was facing you.

Just then, Yongguk looked out and your eyes met. His face was hard. Something was definitely wrong. You hurried to Ki Joon.

“What’s the matter?” You asked as you stopped in front of the two, looking down at them.

Yongguk’s eyes wandered up to yours. “I’m coming along.” He said as he stood up, and you frowned, puzzled.

“But how?” You finally asked.

“Park your car, we are taking mine.” He ordered, and you stared at his face. “I’ll drop you off to your work.” He answered the question which you had in mind, and you nodded.

You went back to your car, opened the door, and got inside it. You started the ignition and drove your car up the lawn.

You wondered about what Ki Joon had told Yongguk, since he wanted to come along. You turned off the ignition and got out.

Ki Joon was already inside Yongguk’s car. He had just closed the door and strode around the car, getting to the driver’s seat, when you grabbed his arm and made him stop.

“What is this about, what did he tell you? You seem angry.” You said and whispered the last sentence.

Yongguk pulled his hand back from the handle. You pulled your hand away, but kept your eyes on him, and he breathed sharply.

“Ki Joon told me that Beom Soo still bullies him.” He said and clenched his jaw.

“He told you that?” You asked, and he nodded. “I thought it had stopped since we haven’t heard anything in a while.” You said.

“So, did I, but apparently not.” He stated, and he clenched his jaw.

“So, what should we do?” You said.

“If the teachers can’t solve this problem, then I will have to have a personal talk with Beom Soo’s father.” He said with a determined look as his eyes bore in yours.

You saw that seriousness in his eyes and knew that he wasn’t joking. He was mad. You pursed your lips, trying not to grin. You hadn’t seen Yongguk act this way, look so angry, but he was trying to hold it in.

“Well, if that’s the plan, then I shall have a little talk with Beom Soo’s mom Minjung.” You said.

Yongguk gazed into your eyes, but then his hand came up and he placed his palm on your cheek. You stiffened, staring into his eyes as your heart made a jump inside your chest.

But then he pulled his hand back as though his palm burned, his expression relaxed, looking hard again. He opened the door and got into the driver’s seat.

“Get in.” He ordered.

Without further discussion, you got inside the car, and the both of you drove off.

Ki Joon had no idea about that you would discuss this matter with the parents. He was just happy to see that you were going along to drop him off.

~❋~

Yongguk parked his car at the Nursery’s parking lot. He breathed in deeply and you glanced his way.

You reached your hand out and grabbed his arm. You felt him stiffen at your touch for a second, but then he turned to look at you.

“Let’s be calm, okay?” You said with a small smile, once he caught your gaze.

His face was hard, and he gave you a certain look that told you to ‘get it together, and ‘I won’t hit anyone’. You smiled wider at his expression and let go of his arm.

“What do you think of me? I don’t hit people.” He said in a low and deep voice.

“Let’s go greet the teachers.” You piped out, ignoring his words.

Just then you glanced out and froze, when you saw Beom Soo and his parents walk past your car and they headed to the nursery.

Your eyes quickly drifted to Yongguk and you noticed that he had grabbed onto the steering wheel. His grip was hard. His jaw was clenched.

“Ugh.” He groaned.

“I know, ugh.” You groaned as well and rolled your eyes.

“They annoy me.” He stated.

“I can’t stand those parents.” You let out.

“I agree.” Yongguk breathed sharply.

For once you were on the same page about something. You stared at Yongguk for a moment. He was fuming with anger.

But even though he was so angry and pissed off, you couldn’t help but to smile. His protective-fatherly instincts made you feel all wobbly inside, and giddy like a kid.

You stared at him for a moment, until it dawned upon you that you were zoning out. He had already stepped out of the car and got Ki Joon out. But you were still inside.

You cleared your throat and stepped out of the car. Truthfully, you had no idea about how you should approach Beom Soo’s parents.

You didn’t intend on starting some fight or a drama. You only wanted to discuss the matter, and figure out some solution that would help Beom Soo into not bullying some of the kids.

As you strode off to the nursery, Ki Joon was jumping in front of you, a few feet away, and you glanced up at Yongguk. He was a few steps ahead of you and you hurried up to him.

“Yongguk, you don’t plan on fighting with them, right? On a serious note.” You said.

“Kwon.” He breathed out deeply, and you stared at his face.

He reached his hand down and grabbed the top of your head, making you stop. You looked up at his tall figure with your big brown eyes.

“I don’t fight with people.” He said with a serious look.

“That’s a lie, I saw you punch someone before.” You said.

He frowned for a moment, staring off, trying to recall it, and then his face became hard again, when he seemed to remember that incident from long ago. He didn’t have anything to say to that.

“You look like someone, who is ready to knock someone down.” You said, hiding your smile.

He frowned, looking possibly angrier than before. It was so amusing to see him get worked up over this.

You were only joking. Although it wasn’t the time to joke, but when could you possibly again?

“I won’t.” He said in a clear tone.

“You can’t walk into the nursery with that hard look on your face, you’ll scare the kids.” You said, laughing at his harsh expression.

“Kwon.” His voice was much deeper, alarming, and threatening now.

“I mean it, smile a bit.” You said with an innocent smile.

Then you reached your hands up and pressed the tips of your index fingers on the corners of his lip, curving his mouth upwards, making him smile.

He tried to stare at you with a hard look, but he only looked goofy. You bit on your lower lip, suppressing your laugh.

“There I see that dimple now.” You said with a bright smile as you looked into his dark and sharp eyes.

“Wh- wha-at rr- yyy- dng?” He tried to speak as he stared deeply into your eyes.

“Cute.” You smiled as you looked into his eyes.

“Whhh.” His front teeth flashes instead and he couldn’t say the word.

He had a serious expression. You bit hard onto your bottom lip, trying not to laugh out loud. Then you cupped his cheeks together, making those plump lips of his pucker.

He looked like a child, a cute and innocent one. However, those lips looked too luscious and far from innocent.

Just lean in and kiss him.

“Trying to make you calm down.” You replied and finally pulled your hands down.

Sera, get a grip of yourself. Those are dirty thoughts. Dirty, dirty, dirty!

“By forcing me to smile.” He said and clenched his jaw whilst he rubbed his cheeks.

“Hmm.” You nodded.

“And you called me cute?” He said with a frown.

“Umm.” You cooed.

“I’m. not. cute.” He emphasized each word with a hard expression as his eyes bore in yours, but you smiled, nonetheless. 

“Aren’t you coming?”

The both of you looked out and realized that Ki Joon was waiting at the entrance. You looked back at Yongguk, and he stared into your eyes.

“Don’t hit Beom Soo’s dad.” You said and hurried off before he could reply.

You were only teasing him, but he really thought you were being serious. He was so easy to tease. It was quite fun to back. He is always the one to tease you first.

The three of you entered the nursery and headed to Ki Joon’s closet. The little boy took off his shoes and put his slippers on.

Yongguk placed Ki Joon’s backpack in his closet. Then the little boy hung his jacket on the rack. He turned around and looked at the two of you- his parents.

“What’s for dinner tonight?” He suddenly asked.

“Umm, I’ll make some side dishes.” You told, and the boy nodded.

“We can’t have pancakes?” He asked.

“Pancakes isn’t something you have for dinner, Ki Joon-ah.” Yongguk explained, and the little boy made a little sulk, but nodded. 

“Alright.” Ki Joon sighed aloud. You laughed and ruffled his hair, making him smile again.

“We can make pancakes tomorrow for breakfast.” You said, and he nodded.

“I told you not to ruin your shoes, look at your slippers, there are holes in them, how did you ruin your shoes?”

You froze, when you heard a mother yell at her child. But you quickly looked down at Ki Joon. You didn’t want him to hear this.

“Ki Joon, lets greet your teachers.” You said, and the boy nodded.

Yongguk stared at you, and you knew by the look on his face that he had heard that voice and knew whom it belonged to. It was Choi Minjung, Beom Soo’s mother and she was scolding her son.

Ki Joon greeted his teachers happily. They smiled upon seeing him, and the pair of you greeted his teachers.

Two little boys rushed up to Ki Joon and began to chatter fast and loud. It was Ki Joon’s friends. Ki Joon was eager to play with them, so he waved goodbye and ran off, making the pair of you laugh.

“Ki Joon has developed a lot socially, since he first began, months ago.” Teacher Soo Jin said.

“We see that at home too, he is talking a lot more, he is less shy around others.” You told.

“Yes, especially our families, the more he sees them, he opens up more.” Yongguk told.

“That’s a good sign. It means that he is becoming comfortable, and he has a lot of trust in you.” The teacher explained, and you nodded.

“Thanks for telling us this, but we have a question.” You said, and you felt Yongguk’s eyes on you.

“Yes, what is it about?” The teacher asked.

“Ki Joon mentioned about this boy, who bullies him, and we just want to know if the matter is being taking care of?” You said.

“I am sorry to hear this, but we do see some conflicts between some of the boys, and we try our best to handle the matter.” The teacher said.

“We’d appreciate it, if we are informed about it, when Ki Joon gets bullied.” Yongguk said in a nonchalant tone.

You looked at him. He was looking at Ki Joon’s teacher with a cool and cold look. You knew that icy cold stare too well, and the teacher frowned.

“Of course, sir. I am sorry that you haven’t been informed about it earlier. It was a mistake on our behalf. I will let the other teachers know that if they see Ki Joon in any situation, they should inform his parents.” The teacher lowered her head.

“We should have been informed of this earlier. Ki Joon isn’t like any other kid of his age, he had gone through a trauma of losing his parents as an infant in a tragic accident, whilst escaping North Korea. We want the best for our boy. We don’t want him to go through more hardships.” Yongguk said in a firm tone.

Instinctively, you reached your hand out and grasped Yongguk’s hand in yours. You could feel how tense he was. You understood his anger. You felt him tug your hand in return.

“We will do our best.” She said.

“I hope so.” Yongguk said and then he nodded.

Yongguk spun around and headed out of the classroom. You hurried after him. You reached up to him quickly, and grabbed his arm, making his steps come to a halt.

“Beom Soo!”

You froze, when you heard Beom Soo’s father raise his voice at his kid. They were still in the hall. Yongguk turned around and looked at you.

“Kwon, don’t stop me.” He said.

“Yongguk, I have to tell you something important.” You said.

“It can wait.” He said, and you saw how his eyes were fuming of anger.

You hadn’t seen this side to Yongguk before. You knew you had joked with him earlier, but now you were seriously wondering about if he would really fight with Beom Soo’s father.

“Yongguk this is-”

“Which father raises his voice at his kid?” Yongguk asked you in a harsh tone.

“No one should, and we need to step out.” You said, and you tugged his arm, pulling him towards you.

“Kwon, pull your hand back.” He ordered, and you shook your head.

“Not here, not now.” You said in a form tone.

He clenched his jaw, breathed sharply, his eyes were darkened, and he finally retrieved. You sighed of relief, but you held onto his hand and dragged him out of the building.

Once you were outside in the fresh air, you pushed Yongguk against the wall. He stiffened, when he slammed against the wall, becoming hard like granite, his eyes lowered, staring into yours. You stepped closer to him and his eyes were locked with yours.

“I think they are going through something at home, hence Beom Soo told Ki Joon that if parents don’t share a room, they don’t love one another, maybe his parents are getting a divorce. Maybe Beom Soo was hinting to his parents, when he said those words. Beom Soo is acting out because he is a kid and he is helpless.” You breathed out.

Yongguk’s expression changed in the blink of an eye, he looked puzzled for a moment, processing all of your words. The anger seemed to fade away from his eyes.

“I know you want to protect our boy, and Beom Soo too, but we shouldn’t have a discussion with the Choi parents in front of their kid.” You explained.

Yongguk looked up at the clear blue sky, he let out a deep sigh, moved his hands up and slid his fingers through his bangs, pushing his long black hair back. Reason finally hit him, and he seemed to calm down.

“I wasn’t going to fight them, I was only going to tell them off for yelling at their kid.” He said.

“I know, but that would only scare Beom Soo. Imagine being him, seeing two strangers tell his parents off. Beom Soo loves his parents no matter what.” You explained.

Yongguk looked the other way, he bit onto his bottom lip and breathed out deeply.

“Damn it, you are right.” He groaned.

“You get me now?” You asked.

“Yeah, woman, I get your point, thanks for stopping me.” He said as he looked back at you.

“No problem.” You said.

“You are always so rational.” He said.

“Is that a compliment?” You asked.

Your eyes lit up, smiling sweetly at him, and he somehow became tense. His eyes remained locked with yours, and you couldn’t help but to smile.

“Whatever you think.” He replied nonchalantly.

The door to the nursery opened, you looked to your side and saw that the parents walked out. Your eyes drifted back to Yongguk. He clenched his fists. He was holding back.

“I really do want to punch that prick now.” He said.

Your eyes widened at his words.

“No one is fighting.” You said in a firm voice, and then you spun around and hurried up to Mrs. Choi.

The couple were walking beside each other. Just by the distance that was between them, you could tell that they had an argument. You cleared your throat.

“Hello, Mrs. Choi and Mr. Choi, its been a while.” You broke out, and the pair stopped in their track and stared at you.

“Well, if it ain’t Miss. Kwon.” Minjung snickered.

You breathed deeply.

“Have you still not married Ki Joon’s dad, are you still an unmarried couple with a kid? Its such a shame to the society.” She sighed.

“Why are you shaming certain people, are you any better just because you are married?” You asked.

She gasped aloud. You rolled your eyes at her antics. That was all she could do.

“Hey look, don’t talk to my wife like that.” Beom Soo’s father stepped in.

Next thing you knew was that Yongguk stood in front of you, facing Beom Soo’s father.

“Don’t talk to my woman like that.” Yongguk said in a cold and deep tone.

You stared at Yongguk’s back image. His tall height blocked your view from Beom Soo’s father. You stepped to his side to get closer.

However, Yongguk placed his hand on your shoulder, keeping you by his side, and preventing you from moving away from him.

You froze. Just like that. You couldn’t move. It was like your shoes got glued to the concrete ground. Your eyes drifted to his. But he was looking at the man in front of him.

“How can you yell at your kid?” Yongguk asked.

“This is none of your business, he ruined his shoes, he should be taught a lesson.” Minjung said as she stared at Yongguk.

“This isn’t the kids’ fault. Kids ruin their clothes, their shoes, their toys all the time, it’s not their responsibility. Sometimes it happens by mistake, you can’t blame him.” You said.

“And why are you mending in another family’s private matters?” The father asked.

“Because your kid bullies our son, and we want to know why.” Yongguk said.

Minjung gasped aloud, staring at the pair of