Lake House Love

Chapter 2

It's another new day, another new horizons to share. Finally, HyunJae learned to finally accept taking over LCR. Though he has no experience whatsoever, he'll try to learn all the basics of managing the restaurant. EunMi even offered to help him around the kitchen and together they'll try to get along with the staff. He's doing all of this for his father's sake. Deep inside he knows he hadn't been really a good son, and he also made his father upset a lot of times.

Through the years, HyunJae was raised by his father. His mother left them and got married to another man when he was still at the young age of 15. Since then, he learned to hate both his parents. He hated his father for not doing anything nor trying to stop his mother from leaving them and marrying another man. He also hated his mother for not even thinking of her son's future, hadn't she thought that HyunJae needed care and motherly love? She didn't even bothered showing up to his father's burial.

He was only 15 back then and still needed guidance and discipline. What was she even thinking, leaving her family and destroying the strong foundation that was supposed to bond them close altogether. Why didn't his father insist of making her stay instead?If only his mother wasn't unhappy with his father, then maybe she haven't thought of leaving them and sought for another man's love and full attention.

All these years, HyunJae grew rebellious and unloving towards his father. He considers his father as an invisible thing in the house, he doesn't talk nor eat with him. After school until the time he graduated and got himself a decent job up to the time he succeeded in his life and became a computer programmer, he goes out with EunMi and his buddies and only goes home when it's already late at night. He hadn't heard any objections from his father for all his wrong doings, and he don't give a damn about it if his father just keeps silent. For all I care, was always what HyunJae had in mind.

He hadn't been a good son all along, but he only realized it too late. When his father died, HyunJae felt guilty and so empty deep inside. He wanted to blame himself for his father's death. Only by following his father's deathwish to take over the lake house and the restaurant would console him to make it up for his past mistakes. His father's death is almost too painful to bear, he's going to be completely alone for the rest of life now. He can't rely on EunMi to stay by his side forever and comfort him, it's just not fair on her part. The truth is he doesn't feel the same way she does. For him, she's just like his younger sister but he can obviously feel that she treats him lovingly like a boyfriend. She's a very nice girl alright but there's just no spark, he can't feel any kind of chemistry between them. Whatever EunMi feels towards him must put to an end. He can't make her wait forever for nothing, EunMi deserves a better man. And HyunJae knows it's not him.

"Hey! Good morning. What will be your menu for today. It's almost nine, you haven'y prepared yet? I'm starving, I haven't slept all night." HyunJae's friend Vincent Clyde grabbed one of the chairs, leaned profusely, and massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Let me guess, you spent all night with that chick you met at Bern's underground bar." HyunJae served eggs benedict and honey milk tea. He sighed and started arranging the tables and chairs. Any minute now, he'll be opening the cafe.

"What do you want me to do, these women are after me. I'm just doing them a favor." Vincent smiled and started eating. "Wow yummo! I didn't know you could cook this well! I think it's high time you open a branch inside my villa. My customers will love it for sure."

HyunJae gave him a knowing look. He stretched and sat across his now hungry friend. Vincent Clyde and HyunJae were both in the same college along with their other three friends Joey, JPaul, and Bernard. They all took the same degree courses in computer science, and they all thought it'll be their future but they ended up being businessmen. HyunJae finally vowed to his father's food business, the LCR. Bernard or Bern for short owns Gaia, an underground bar with exclusive live band almost every night. Vincent Clyde Zellman manages Stone Ridge Villa Estate complete with amenities, air-conditioned lofts, ktv lounge, pool and spa. Joey-H owns Horseflesh Riding Club, a one of a kind horse ranch and JPaul manages Club Rogue Shooting Range, both clubs are exclusive-for-men-only with strict full VIP privilege to all prestigious, rich, and most sought-after bachelors in Seoul Korea including all five of them who are also members of the exclusive club. Although notoriously playboys, they tend to become serious in terms of their money and their businesses, and they're handling it pretty well.