Knock knock

Jongin waited in front of his sister’s room, knocking on the door to see if she was still awake. He glanced at his watch, and it already pointed to ten.

“Come in, I didn’t lock the door, Sehun.”

Jongin raised his eyebrow as he thought that he heard a name. He gently pushed the door open and slide inside. “Sehun?” He asked when he caught her looking to his direction with an expression mixed of frown and surprise. Well, Jongin noticed it, but he tried to think of it in a good way.

And yes, he felt so relieved when he saw the girl got up from the bed and ran to him. “Oppa!” Jongin was soon engulfed in a warm hug he didn’t know he would love this much.

“Hello, Lil’ Princess,” Jongin ruffled her hair with a wide smile plastered on his face.

“I didn’t know you came, though? When did you arrive? You should’ve told me, I could pick you up at the airport earlier.” She pouted as she pulled away from the hug but her hand remained circled on his waist.

Jongin only smiled at her affectionately. “That’s okay. I have things to discuss with Junmyeon hyung earlier so I came to his place right away.” He said, pinching her right cheek. “How’s everything going?”

“School has ended, and now I only need to wait for the graduation. I already take care of the university application and all. So, no need to worry. Can I really go to London before the university start, please?” She pleaded as they settled themselves sitting on the bed.

“Well, we can arrange it later. I’m staying for a long period for now, and I actually have things that needed to be discussed with you.”

Aerin turned her head to him, “What is it?” there’s this sparkle on her eyes, signing that she was excited to hear the news. But that somehow made Jongin even more nervous.

“It’s about mom and dad’s testament. We haven’t talked about it so we’re going to do the reading tomorrow with Junmyeon hyung.” Jongin carefully observed her, to see if she would react.

“Ah, is it something about the company?”

“Yeah, most part of it and it’s about… um,” Jongin halted. He really didn’t know if he should do this, but at the same time he realised that he didn’t have choice. No matter how long he delayed, the girl had to know about it. The longer he took, the more dangerous the company’s stance would be. Aerin looked like she was waiting for Jongin to continue, and she started tugging on his arms because Jongin stalled for too long. He took a deep breath before gently holding her hand. “I would like to apologize to you before I tell, because, I don’t know, it might hurt you if you don’t agree with it.”

Aerin frowned, suddenly afraid of what was going to come. “Is it… is it something that I would oppose?”

“Well, I’m not sure, honestly.”

“Oppa, you made me feel anxious.” She pouted, “Can you tell me now when it’s just the two of us?”

“No, Princess. I want you to hear it just like how it was written in the testament, and then we’re going to discuss it.” Jongin patted her cheek gently. “By the way, I was curious, are you expecting Sehun earlier?”

“Ah,” Aerin felt the heat slowly creeping to her cheek. “Yeah. I thought you were him because I ask him to bring me something.” She said before biting her lips nervously. She’s lying.

Jongin only looked at her blankly, but then his lips pulled up a bit. “Wow, indeed, a princess.” Jongin as he got up from the bed, didn’t really think about it. “Okay, then. We’re going to Junmyeon hyung’s place in the morning. Now sleep, it’s late.” He said, earning a nod from the girl before she slid down and Jongin tucked her under the duvet.

“Oh I forgot, I actually have an appointment with Doctor Yoora in the morning.”

“Can we reschedule it? We’re also going for a dinner tomorrow. We can go see her before or after the dinner.”

“I don’t think it’s possible because she’s busy, but it’s okay I’m going to ask her for another day.”

“Okay. Thanks. Good night, Aerin.” Jongin gently patted her head.

“Good night, Oppa.”

“… I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Kim Jongin, my son, to take over the company Kim Corporate: Hospital with all the property it has, absolutely if he survives me.

“I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Kim Aerin, my daughter, to take over the company Kim Corporate: Pharmaceutical with all the property it has, after she turn 21, with a constant assistance from Kim Jongin, absolutely if she survives me.

“As the last request, regarding to the friendly agreement with my best friend, if I fail to convey this message by myself, I do want my daughter, Kim Aerin to accept Byun Baekhyun, the son of Byun Joo Sung and Jang Jae Hee, as her fiancé, and both shall get married after further discussion from both family.

Junmyeon kept reading the paper but Aerin couldn’t even hear anything anymore. The elder’s voice was slowly fading away as things coming in like a wave to her brain. Fiancé, shall get married, Byun Baekhyun. She felt her hand started to sweat so she rubbed it on her skirt. Why? Why it had to be her?

“Hyung,” Jongin nudged the older to stop as he noticed the change with the girl. “Aerin, are you okay?” the brother gently asked her as he put his hand on top of her fidgeting hands.

The girl lifted up her head to look at him. Only then Jongin noticed the tears welling on her eyes, and he felt his heart sinking. It felt even more uncomfortable when he saw her trying to smile as she signing Junmyeon to continue. The older did, as there was only a paragraph left before he finished the reading. He put the documents on his desk, and the three of them were all silent. Aerin was still fidgeting with her fingers while the two older boys were exchanging some meaningful gazes, worried about their little sister.

“Princess,” Jongin kneeled down in front of her and held her hand. She found his eyes which were searching for hers. And she really couldn’t unseen the concern flashing on his face. “Please say something, you’re making me worried.” He whispered, and it made the first tears came rolling down her cheek. Jongin frowned, “Aerin, why are you crying?” Jongin scooted even closer and held her cheek, wiping the tears.

Aerin was conflicted. She was scared. She wanted to tell him that she already had someone she loved. Someone she wanted to be married with in the future, and not now. But at the same time, refusing the marriage would not only oppose her parents’ will, but she was also worried if the improving relationship between her and her brother would be affected, and she definitely didn’t want it.

The girl only shook her head lightly, “I… I was just… I just suddenly remembered Mom and Dad.” and she tried to smile. “I miss them so much.”

Jongin straightened up and pulled the girl into a hug. “I miss them too, very much.” He said as he drew circles on her back.

“So… Am I going to get married with someone I don’t know?”

Jongin noticed the uncertainty in her voice. He loosened the hug before pulling his chair closer to the girl. He took a closer look at the girl to see if she was ready for it. Because again, call him selfish, but there was no good in delaying this any longer. “I really have no idea about it until recently.” Jongin started. “Honestly, I never give much attention to dad’s last will. I already met Mr. Byun, and yes, he and father already set the arranged marriage.”

Aerin chuckled bitterly.

“If I can change it, believe me, I will, Aerin.” Jongin squeezed her hand.

“Do I have a choice?” She asked quietly. Jongin remained silent, he didn’t know. Seeing that the older didn’t seem to answer a