"Umma, why you suddenly call me here?" Irene ask when her mother call her to her office
"I have something to talk with you" Mrs. Kim said
"What is it umma?"
"Wait for appa, he's on the way here"
"Wow, is it that urgent until appa also come here?" Irene joke
"Sort of, wait for a while"
"Ok"
10 minutes later, Mr. Kim show up at the door and he join his wife and his daughter
"Sorry I'm late" Mr. Kim said
"It's ok" Mrs. Kim wink to her husband
"What you going to talk umma?" Irene asked curiously
Mr. Kim cleared his throat "Actually appa and umma have something really important want to tell you"
"Ok, what is it?"
"You remember my old friend Mr. Son Ilwon?"
"Yes" Irene nods
"He plan to set you up with his son"
"WHAT? You mean arrange marriage?!" Irene unconsciously shouting
"Yes" Mr. Kim said
"Appa, this is insane. Are you agreed with him?"
"We not answer him yet because it was your future and we want to plan it carefully"
"What if I reject it?"
Mr. and Mrs. Kim look at each other but their expression unreadable "No comment but we're happy if we accept it"
Irene massaged her temple and sighs "Let me think about it first"
"Ok"
"I go now umma, appa"
"Ok" the elder said and leave
"Do you think she'll accept it?" Mr. Kim asked his wife
"I don't know but from her face, it'll be no" Mrs. Kim said
"But I like that guy for him" said Mr. Kim
"Let her think first"
.........................
Kim sibling hangouts with SNSD members at park since the girls still in holiday session, Chansung, Sooyoung and Krystal also join them because it is weekend. When they stop at ice cream shop, Taeyeon noticed his younger sister not active as usual. She quieter or look not interested at whatever they talk about or what they do. She just tailing behind or sit on the bench. Taeyeon nudging his twin and secretly pointed at quiet Irene, Hyoyeon shrugged his shoulder as signal that he knows nothing. Then Hyoyeon kick Seohyun leg softly and the idol look at him immediately with sharp glare. Hyoyeon also do the same as Taeyeon and Seohyun also look clueless. Hyoyeon signal Seohyun to ask their sister
"Juhyun-ah, are you ok?" Seohyun caressed Irene shoulder
"I'm ok unnie" Irene said while poking her ice cream with plastic spoon
"Why you look not enough energy?" Taeyeon asked
"I'm not in mood"
"Want more ice cream to chill you?" Hyoyeon tease his sister
"It's not funny oppa and I don't want to hear any joke now" Irene stand up from her seat and everyone look at her
"Where are you going?" Seohyun asked
"Meet me at penthouse soon as possible" Irene said then leave without waiting for any respond
"What wrong with her?" Hyoyeon asked
"Isn't it you who suppose to know since you're at home with her" Taeyeon said
"She's ok that why I'm clueless now"
"What about at dining table?" asked Sooyoung "Usually she's talkative"
"She not really talking these days but it not rare because she's not always talk if she's tired or really hungry"
"Hm, it's so strange"
"Oppa, I think something goes really wrong. Let go now" Seohyun suddenly feel something wrong with her sister
"Ok, let go" with that everyone dismiss. Taeyeon, Seohyun and Hyoyeon go to their penthouse
When they arrive there, they saw Irene curl on the couch and close her eyes. Seohyun sit on the couch beside her and tapped her shoulder
"Juhyun"
Irene opened her eyes and sit properly "Unnie"
"Yea"
"Juhyunie, what happen to you?" Hyoyeon asked worriedly
"Oppa, unnie I have something disturbing my mind"
"What is it?" asked Taeyeon
"Actually..." Irene tell everything that her parent said to her few days ago
"So that means they still not agree with that plan?" Seohyun asked
"I not sure unnie, you know appa said he'll be happy if I agree to marry that guy" Irene sighs
"Have you decides anything yet?" Taeyeon asked
"No oppa, I still in dilemma now. To be honest, I like someone now" Irene confess make her older siblings look at her in disbelieve
"Are-are you serious?" Hyoyeon grin
"Yes oppa"
"Wow, our sister grown up now" Taeyeon and Hyoyeon clap their hands
"Is that someone who we know?" Seohyun asked excitedly
"Sort of"
"Wow, who is that?"
"You'll know when times come"
"Did your crush know about your feeling?" Hyoyeon asked
"No, I never tell"
"Better make it quick. Don't be like Hyoyeon oppa" Seohyun joke makes everyone laughed
"Don't sad anymore, ok? Whatever happen unnie and oppa always here for you" Seohyun wrapped her arm around Irene shoulder
"Seohyun is right, if you have problem just tell us. Don't keep it before. We're worried sick" Taeyeon said
"Thanks unnie, oppa"
"Let spend our night here, it's been awhile since we sleep here" Hyoyeon suggest
"That's good idea" Taeyeon agree and so does their sister
............................
Krystal and Irene do their work together at photographer office. Irene still bugged by the arrange marriage plan and she not focus to her work. Notice her officemate look in trouble, Krystal plan to ask her
"Hey, are you ok?"
"Em yeah, I'm ok" Irene nods slightly
"But you not focus with your work. Seem like something bothering you"
"You notice it?" Irene looks at the girl in front of her
"Yes, since our gathering with unnie and oppa last weekend"
Irene lean her back against the chair "Actually appa friend want to set me up with his son"
"Wow, that great" Krystal smile and Irene rolled her eyes
"What great with that? It's disgusting"
"Hey, that means they like you so much until they want to have you in their family"
"No such thing" Irene groans
"So that's mean you against it?"
"Definitely but I'm not brave enough to tell appa and umma"
"Aigoo, cheer up Irene Kim. You're not weak person, why you suddenly act like this? Usually you always confident when you want to do something"
"But this time I'm not confident"
"You don't want to hurt them, no?" Krystal stares at Irene
"Yes"
"That's the problem and now you hurting yourself then getting worse when you said you agree with them"
"What if appa and umma mad at me or don't want me anymore?" Irene pout
"You can stay with me and my family then" Krystal giggles "I'm kidding. Which parents want to throw out their children especially good parents like yours? Just talk with them and tell your decision. I trust that they will understand you"
"What if they don't want to listen?"
"They will listen, don't worry"
"Em, what if they ignore me?"
"It just for few days if it happens then after that everything will back to basic"
"What if they label me as disobey daughter and my family shame on me?"
"Stop asking your nonsense question. Things not going to be bad like you think. You just over thinking" Krystal said irritatingly
"Don't mad" Irene pout and look to her laps
"Aigoo" Krystal took out something from her bag and motion Irene to follow her to coffee table "This mom packed for us. Eat it to your relieve your stress a bit" Krystal give a container that contain Irene favorite food and a smile painted at the younger Kim face
"Thanks for this"
"No problem" Krystal also smile
"Why you not join me?" Irene notice Krystal not eat yet
"You can have it all"
"No, your mom pack for us so you have to eat this"
"It's ok, I'm not hungry yet"
"You have to eat this" Irene scoop the food to feed Krystal "Come on"
"Ok" Krystal gives in and joins Irene eating
..................
A/N Happy New Year everyone
Enjoy!!
With love, HTJ