"Life or Love"
• Aira's pov •
My heart was a tangled ball of wool, messy and unpretty. I couldn't shrug Hyungwon's attitude earlier, why was he so different than his usual self? he changed from overprotective to mature and understanding. I never saw this side of him, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad.
Yet, there's another thing he indirectly wanted to tell me from his eyes, but he couldn't.
I pulled over at the side of the road and gulped hard at the eerie place, "Why was he here in the first place?"
I pressed the lock button and a soft beep was heard, indicating the car was locked. My only guidance to the cemetery was only dimmed lights. My eyes rapidly moving, searching for Jungkook. I called him for several times but it went straight to voicemail.
"Where are you?" I mumbled to myself until my eyes landed on a masculine figure sitting on a bench, hands covering his hands as his elbows used his thighs for support
I ran to him in relief and kneeled down in front of him, "There you are! God you scared me, Jungkook"
He slowly looked up and his eyes were red and really puffy, nose were sniffling as he finally took notice of my presence. He pulled me into a tight hug
"You're here", he sounded so glad that it made my heart heavy
"I'm here", I finally had the courage to hug him back, but in a more friendlier manner
I helped him stand up and wiped the tears from his tired eyes
"What are you doing here?" I carefully asked as he took a deep breath
"I want to show you something", he held my hand tight and led me deeper into the cemetery
At this point, I was thinking of many possible negative thoughts, but I shrugged it off.
We finally stopped and I realized we were facing a tombstone. I gave Jungkook a confusing look as he scraped the dirt and motioned me to look closer
My eyes scanned the name thoroughly, body suddenly feeling utterly weak and an ocean of sadness washed over me as I gasped. Finally covering my mouth as I realized whose grave was it
"Jungkook...", I looked over to him in shock as he let out a sad chuckle
"It's her"
"Oh god"
• Hyungwon's pov •
I constantly had this bad feelings clouding my mind as I walked deeper into the vip room of the restaurant. I managed to change my clothes into a semi-formal attire, white shirt and black pants. I despised this guy, but the least I can do after dumping his daughter was to respect him and dressed accordingly.
The door slided open, revealing Mr. Han sitting patiently, as if he knew I'd definitely come
"Evening, Hyungwon", Mr. Han calmly greeted as I nodded
"Evening Mr. Han", I returned his greeting and took off my shoes before sitting on the zashiki or pillow as people mostly referred to
"I'm sure you're aware as to why I called you for this lovely dinner", he began to spoke as I nodded
"Yes, I'm very pleased to know how fast the news spread eventhough I only ended the engagement this morning", I can see Mr. Han balling his fists but I couldn't care less
"We live in a modern world, Hyungwon. May I ask you about the reason behind your immature action?"
Immature? Choosing to be happy and leave a forced marriage is immature?
I wanted to curse so badly but I need to keep my attitude in check, "It's fairly simple, Mr. Han. I don't love your daughter and I don't want to suffer all my life letting go of the person I truly, deeply in love with"
He chuckled in a mocking manner before adding, "Love? Nowadays, I'm surprised to see young successful man like you be infatuated with ancient fantasy. Money always win over love"
"Maybe I'm old school, but I'd choose to build my empire again from the ashes with someone I love rather than grow big but suffers"
"So you're saying, you're ready for the rapid decrease in your stock and assets?" he cockily threatened
"Yes, but we both know who's at most disadvantage between the two of our companies", I smirked devilishly as Mr. Han's pupils began to shake vigorously
"I don't get what you mean, Hyungwon", he laughed nervously
Leaning closer with my fingers neatly intertwined with each other, "I don't want to sound rude and disrespectful, but I knew about your real current condition"
"Han company's in the verge of bankruptcy caused by several failing projects and investors leaving, it has been for almost two years. So in order to get back up again, you used your one and only daughter", he was fidgeting so much that it made me pity him
"Your first target was Yoora's first love, Jeon Jungkook. He had a very promising future but he's very slick, he figured out your financial problems in a heartbeat. Then this is where my father came into picture"
"It was true that you and my father was close back in college, but you never contacted him after you graduate. Probably because you think he won't make it, but he did and that's when you saw me. You thought it was the perfect timing and you used 'owning goodwill' to my father as a subtle threat to let Yoora and I be in an arranged marriage. Am I right?"
He was sweating and eyes twitching while eyes shooting daggers at me, "I don't know where did you know that kind of information, but it's not true. My company is doing very well as we speak"
I took out my phone and slide it over to him, the screen showing his ledgers for the last two years, "I really do respect you Mr. Han, but aren't you stooping so low?"
He gulped hard at the sight of the screenshots. I took my phone back and crossed my arms, waiting for his response. He finally slumped his back and sighed deeply, letting out a defeated laugh at the end
"You caught me", he looked up to me, "And that's why you're ending the engagement?"
"Partially, but like I mentioned earlier, I don't love your daughter and she has her free will to find the one she loves too. I'm not sure Yoora knows about your condition but she would be devastated to see her father like this"
"And who are you to lecture me, young man? I'm perfectly aware of what I'm doing", he rubbed his tired face as I took a deep breath
"I believe it's all settled. I won't tell anyone about this, you have my words. Thankyou for-"
"Not so fast, Hyungwon", he sit straight up as I gave him a look
"Do you know what differs you from Jungkook?"
"Why does it matter, Mr. Han-"
"Back then, Jungkook had nothing to lose, he was invincible. That's why I can't get a hold of him, but you, you are one stupid young man"
I clenched my fists, "What do you mean?"
"You", he cynically smirked, "Have a weak point"
He took out a brown envelope and placed it on the table, "You can open it"
I was hesitant at first but I couldn't let him see that. Snatching the envelope away, I greedily opened it and took out what's inside
My eyes stared at the papers widely while fingers slowly trembled. It was Aira's personal information, social media platforms, family and photos of her.
"What the hell are you doing with this?" I angrily muttered, not caring of my informal way of speech
"You see child. I knew you would eventually figured it out, so I had a plan B"
"W-what plan B?"
"If you refuse to marry my daughter, I won't hesitate to end her life", He tapped on Aira's face scarily as goosebumps went through my spine
"You're bluffing, you will go to jail", I defended but it only made him laugh
"I have team of lawyers and people on my side that can do it for me, they won't say a word and for you, you will lose her. The ever-enchanting Baek Aira, the love of your life"
He stood up, fixing his goddamn suit before patting my back, making me flinched
"Do reconsider your options, Hyungwon. I'll be waiting until tomorrow morning"
He left with such an unpleasing atmosphere that I can feel my stomach turnt and body became instantly weak. I tidied Aira's papers and put it inside the envelope, until my hand came in contact with something weird
I gulped hard and took out strands of hair, Aira's hair. I immediately threw it away and tears started to flow out of my eyes, sobbing silently at the possibilty of her being hurt, and most of all, how painful it would be to live in the world without her.
I am still trying to understand
why the universe brings two people together
only to tear them apart.
finally an update! god ive been wanting to publish this chapter for such a long time but i kept on erasing and rewriting to the point i took break from this book😂 but dont worry, im back now and thankyou so so much for the love u guys give for this book, we reached 13k+ views, 1k+ votes which is amazing!
im so grateful and hopefully this chapter fulfilled ur expectations, bye^^