In My Heart ForeverㅣGOT7 Youngjae

Chapter 7

Asking the police of their whereabouts in Mokpo could be a suicide for her since she was sought by the police back in Namwon for gambling and fraud. She managed to escape from the hands of the police two weeks ago, with an alibi of going to the restroom. And only last week, she had given the information from a gambler friend, that he has seen her daughter in Mokpo.

That was good news for her, now that she had a clue of where they had gone she can get her revenge after all the troubles she had gone through when they left. She thought Wonhye was a selfish bitch for running the remaining money away.

Oh, her beloved money.

As desperate as she could be, she pretended to be a worried mother while asking some random people if they have seen them. When most ignored and just walked past her, one man approached her and helped.

However, she failed to see her there and unfortunately got dragged out of the building. She was pushed and fell on her buttocks with a thud, "You assholes!" she screamed.

"Oh, shut up you bitch! Don't ever come back here!"

"If you dare, we won't hesitate to call the police!"

By just a mention of the police frightened her, she scrambled up in her feet and walked away but not without a few last words of threat to the people.

.

The grandmother was happy to bring her the news that Misook had already contacted her grandparents; and surprisingly they were closer than they think. Who could actually think that Jinpyo and the old couple were sharing the same doctor in California?

Misook also had good news for them, taking the phone with her as they talked through video call; she showed them that Jinpyo could now somehow talk and move his upper body. His language development was rather slow but as per the doctor, he was positive that he could be well in a few months time.

"Yeobo, look our Youngjae," she said. Jinpyo's lips were tugged into a small smile.

Youngjae was still quite distant but he smiled when he was called and he stayed at the background the whole time, just listening to the conversation.

"Well, about your grandparents, dear," Misook started, telling Wonhye that her grandfather was and he was immediately sent to the hospital a half an hour ago. "He is currently in the ICU, while your grandmother was assisted by some nurses due to hypertension."

Although she has yet to know them well, she was worried about them despite the fact that they cut off any means of communication with their father. They must have been really disappointed in him back then. Because of all options to choose, they ran away instead of proving them their love for each other. But she cannot change what all happened, can she?

"Maybe it's better if you go see them in California," Sunhwa suggested, knowing it would be best for them. Wonhye would be away from her wicked stepmother and be reunited with her grandparents. "I'm sure, Chulmin and Nabi will be delighted to see you even help them recover!"

"That's right. If it's about the finances, we could handle them for you."

"Thank you very much, Eommonim. I don't exactly know how I could repay you for all the kindness."

"Dear, you may not know but I owe you a lot. This is the very least I could do for you."

As perplexed as she was, the mother didn't elaborate more what she must have done towards them that taking them in and helping them to fly to California were the very least they could do for her.

.

Ever since the almost encounter with her stepmother, Youngjae would obliged himself to send and fetch Wonhye from school and walk her towards the convenience store. Youngjae never felt bothered as he was actually enjoying and cherishing every time they were together.

One perspective he has back then is to never get so attached to one person, especially if he knew their relationship won't last for long.

He's been there, he's done that.

But what was happening now? He became too attached to this country girl who had easily broken the walls he built. Wonhye became his anchor when he thought he disappointed and hurt everyone. She brought back the happiness in him little by little. And maybe, those were one of the many reasons why he let her come in.

Taking his time walking, looking around the quite busy streets of Mokpo but of course, it wasn't like in Seoul. It's just rush hour at its peak, people were starting to go home.

He walk passed a bus stop but his eyes caught something really intriguing, so he turned his heel and walked back towards it. There he saw the picture of a woman sought by the police; and she wasn't just any other woman, she was the woman who Wonhye despised a lot.

He pulled the post off and folded it to stuff it in his pocket before he resumed walking his way towards the convenience store.

While waiting for the signal to change to cross the street, Youngjae furrowed his brows when his eyes caught something.

Fuck, he cussed in his mind.

The witched had found where she worked at, and the damn crosswalk signal was still on stop. Seconds ticked so slowly for him but when the signage for crossing flashed, he dashed across the road.

He pushed the woman away from her with great force that she fell flat on her face, breaking her nose. As she checked her nose which started to bleed, Youngjae took this opportunity to drag her away from the store.

He pulled her towards an alley to hide until they saw her figure looking desperately for them. They moved further away from the twilight and from her sight as much as possible. The position was very familiar for both of them but this time. They exchanged their own gases due to the proximity, but it doesn't matter right now. They have to hide from the witch and arrive home safe. Yeah, sounds like a plan.

Fortunately, they have arrived home safe, with Youngjae looking around just to make sure they weren't followed. That would be the very last thing to happen in his presence.

Wonhye asked of Youngjae to keep what happened today between them for now. And he didn't want to tell her what he had found without even finding more information about it, so he kept silent.

But Joohyun, who was cuddling with her in the living room as they watched some variety show that night, discovered the faint purplish bruise on her wrist, "Noona, what's this? Did you color on your skin?"

She laughed at his funny comment but nodded anyway, "I did," as she pulled the sleeves of her sweatshirt down to hide it because if Sunhwa did see it too, that'll make her worry.

When she noticed the young boy yawning already, she suggested going to bed already and he didn't protest unlike some other days. He must have been tired from playing with some neighbors' sons the whole day.

She craned her head towards the door, seeing Youngjae standing there. "Yes?"

He gestured for her to follow him towards his room. He patted the space beside him and moved to open his laptop, moving his finger on its touchpad then inputting his password right after.

Wonhye waited patiently, looking at its screen until she saw a woman from a news article that somehow resembled her stepmother—damn, even that word is so disgusting to say or even hear.

Her eyes skimmed through it before she looked at the piece of paper which he placed beside her. Her eyes widened, "It's really her." She nodded, realizing, "So that's why she was as desperate looking for me," she scorned, "As if I am going to help her, which will never happen."

He noticed her hand turned into a fist, crumpling the paper in the process. He placed his hand over hers as he smiled, trying to find his voice from within. His mouth was slightly opened, a whisper that was almost a mumble, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."