Sujin fights the urge to retaliate with the fact that he'd probably only come because her mother paid him with hush-money that doubles his hourly rate with a grunt.
"And this is the thanks I get?! You left us waiting in my office for an hour, Sujin. And I come back home to find out that this is where your priorities lie - dirtying the yard with all your trash, ruining my expensive furniture, wasting your life away with him, and -" Juliette only pauses her rampant address to snatch the plastic bag from Sujin's grasp and peer inside, "Beer. How typical."
Sujin winces. Oh, she's really in for it now.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
The girl can't find it in herself to submit to her mother's will and apologize, so she bites back.
"Don't even try to pretend any of this is 'for me' like you say it is! We all know the real reason you even do any of this is for you. To uphold your reputation - like it'd absolutely kill you to have a daughter that isn't drowning in designer with a big-girl job and an Ivy League diploma. If you'd actually do anything for me, you'd listen! To all the times I've told you that I don't want to live like you do. Or even last week, when I begged you not to schedule this stupid meeting in the first place! I'm tired of feeling like I don't even have a choice in my own life. And it may come as a shock to you, Mom, but I don't care about all of this! Trust funds... and fancy cars... even whatever the Hell it is that he's in charge of!" She glances at the suited man with pursed lips, "No offense."
He lets out an awkward cough, entirely unsure of what to do in the present situation. He straightens his tie - enough to convince Sujin it's an attempt at strangling himself - and warily glances between the two women.
"I'm taking this as my cue to leave." He states, slowly backing away as if it were a bomb in front of him. As he walks away from the backyard, out the door, and back into the comfort of his Rolls Royce, Sujin is certain there's only one thing on his mind: I don't get paid enough for this shit.
And if there weren't already steam practically launching from Juliette's ears in rage before, her daughter's little rant most definitely sealed the deal.
"This was the last straw, Sujin." She seethes, "You hear me?! I've had it with your attitude!"
Sujin stands her ground stubbornly, fists clasped so hard she can feel crescent-moon shaped markings start to carve into her palm.
Juliette spares Heeseung a poisonous glance, "I think it's best you leave, Heeseung. And don't even think about ever setting foot on my property again."
"Leave him out of this-"
"And you, young lady! Upstairs, now! In your father's study and not a whisper out of you until he's home. It's about time you learn your lesson."
"Mom-"
"I said now!"
Sujin sighs, shoulders slumping in defeat. She looks at Heeseung as if to say, 'I'm sorry my mom's a bitch'. He meets her eyes with a sympathetic gaze of his own, the corners of his lips turned downward in an uncharacteristic frown. He collects all his things, awkwardly sliding back into a shirt and making his way out the back gate - but not before giving his best friend a reassuring squeeze of the hand, and a hushed "Good luck," under his breath.
Sujin trudges back into the house and up the stairs without so much as another word.
SAGE'S SPACE! 🗯️
new chapter and a whole lot more angst !!!
#sorry !!! #notreallythough !!!
chapters 2 and 3 are kind of a two-parter... it was meant to be one chapter but i had to split it in half because i'm insane and lose track of word counts 🤒 go on and enjoy the double update though, yall deserve it.
til next time, sage ♡
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