C H A E Y O U N G
I groaned in pain as I started to wake up. Not only was I experiencing a headache, but Chanyeol's punches were also no joke. I hiss in pain when I accidentally hit my hand with a bruise on my chin. I tiredly sat up and tried to call what had happened last night. I then widened my eyes when I remembered Jennie fetching me at the bar. I don't remember much, but I do remember kissing her, and I don't know if I should be proud or stupid.
I ruffled my hair in frustration, "Aish! Why did I have to be so stupid?" I muttered and scolded myself for forcing on her like that. I turned to my side and saw the other side of the bed wrinkled, which meant she had slept beside me last night. I frown upon realizing that she must have left. Her scent seems to be fading.
Great job, Chaeyoung. You scared her.
I went downstairs and grabbed myself a cup of coffee. While waiting, I noticed a note placed on the table. I grabbed the letter and knew right away that it was from Jennie.
"I'm leaving. Please don't find me."
I crumbled the paper and groaned. "Just great!" I yelled and irritatedly sat on the chair. What other stupid things did I do last night? I immediately ran upstairs and saw the doors where the sticky notes were left open.
She went inside.
I checked my room and stared at it for a while. The first thing she'd see could have been our wedding photo above the headboard and knowing Jennie. She must've been surprised and confused right now. I'm afraid it scared her. She must be thinking about how I lied to her again. The photo album was out of the drawer, she saw that too, and I couldn't help but sigh and sit on the floor.
Did she somehow remember everything?
Even if she did remember, what got me worried was why did she leave? My phone suddenly rang from the bedside cabinet, and I quickly answered the call. I swallowed a lump in my throat when it was Lisa.
"He-"
"Where the fuck are you!?" I distance my phone from my ear to avoid getting deaf from Lisa's loud voice.
"H-Home?"
"What happened last night?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Jennie just booked a flight to New York!" I widen my eyes. She is leaving.
"What!?"
"You've got some explaining to do, Park!"
"I didn't remember much. I knew she fetched me from a bar and drove me back home. Listen, I'll call you later." With that, I hung up and raced to the car to go after Jennie at the airport.
She couldn't leave me, not when she remembered everything. I arrived then and searched for her left and right. Soon enough, I found her in the waiting area. As I walked towards her, I noticed that she looked tired, like she had no proper sleep. She was holding onto her passport and wallet along with her luggage.
As soon as she noticed me. Her face lights up in surprise, replaced by an annoyed expression. Before she could walk away, I grabbed her wrist.
"What are you doing here!?" She asks bitterly as she slaps my arm away from her grip and backs away slowly.
"You are not leaving me," I said too seriously and did not expect what would happen next.
SLAP
I hissed in pain because it was also the cheek Chanyeol punched yesterday. I place a hand on my cheek and stare at her in disbelief.
"You have the nerve to say that to me when you've been lying all this time." She angrily spats, and I winced at the sudden outburst. Trust me. I never wanted to lie to her. The situation was too complicated, and I doubted she could handle it.
"So you did remember," I muttered, and she nodded.
"I remember everything, and that doesn't mean I'm coming back into your life." I sighed at what she said and suddenly felt the energy in my body go away. I'm tired of how we're back at our fight three years ago.
"Love, can't you give me a chance to explain?" I plead, not caring about how pathetic I look in front of her.
She shakes her head, "You know, for once, I don't want to hear anything from you. Have I not given you enough chances before?" I look down, ashamed. "Have you ever thought about fighting for me? for us?" She sobs, and it pained me to see her hurting like this.
"I did, every day," I answered, and she scoffs.
"Then why didn't it feel like you were?"
"Because maybe you had enough of me. How can I when you've lost your happiness whenever you're with me? It pains me to see you hurting; that is the last thing I'd do. No matter how hard I tried, it didn't seem enough, and I blamed myself for having to live that way for us. It pained me when you threw away your wedding ring at me, but it killed me when I couldn't be the reason for your happiness anymore." By this time, I was already crying. I didn't think I'd stand a chance to have her again. She's married, for fuck's sake! "What happened was my fault. But it was also your parents." I added, and she glared at me.
"How dare you put my parents into this mess." She says through gritted teeth, clearly not happy with what I said.
"If you want to leave. Will you please tell me that you don't love me anymore? That way, I'll willingly let you go." I asked, and it took her by surprise to have me saying those words.
It took her a while for her to compose herself. "I don't love you anymore. I hate you." She says, staring at me as if she was sending daggers at me. I smiled bitterly and felt proud of her for saying that truthfully. If you truly love someone, you'd let her say goodbye. You'd let her leave.
"I see. I wish you happiness then. " I say, and before I can walk away. "Please don't blame Sooyoung for what she's done for you." I smiled again and gathered all the courage I had left to leave.
Let us stop hurting our hearts like this.
Let us give up on this fight.
~~~
"You're letting her go just like that?" Chanyeol asks. We were in the cafe just across from the company.
"It's for the best." After an exhausting day, I sighed and took a sip of the coffee we had ordered. "This is for her to decide."
He nods, yet still, I can see the worry written across his face like he always does for me. "Speaking of deciding. I've decided to quit the company." I almost choked on my drink when he said that. Chanyeol sighs. "I know the company needs me, but you know I was never interested in business. So I'm going to quit, not let my parents ruined my life again."
I smiled. I can see how he was willing to make things right again after everything he's been through. "Do you have Sooyoung's number?" I ask suddenly, and I can see Chanyeol widen his eyes when he hears her name.
"Y-Yeah, why?"
"Need to make a call to her. Will you give me her number?"
"Of course,"
Once I got Sooyoung's number. I excused myself from Chanyeol to make a call. A few seconds later, she answered, and I swallowed hard before speaking.
"Hello?"
"Is this Sooyoung Park?"
"Yes, may I ask who this is?"
I can't believe it. I'm talking to Sooyoung Park. Who owns the feelings of the one I love. I smiled bitterly at the thought and tried to avoid thinking about it.
"Hi, this is Chaeyoung...Park." I replied, and I felt the other line going silent. "Je-Ruby Jane will be flying to New York today," I informed her, and I could tell she didn't know based on her silence once again.
"Why hasn't she told me?"
"Sooyoung, I have a favor to ask,"
"O-Of course,"
"Please take care of her. You're the only person who can. And please tell her not to worry anymore, and I'll be fine."
"Wait, what are you talking about?"
"Goodbye, it was nice getting to talk with you," I say and end the call, not wanting to hear her reply anymore.
~~~
After the meet-up with Chanyeol, I didn't bother to visit Lisa and the guys. So I decided to visit the mansion. It was the perfect timing since Chanyeol told me Father would attend the meeting with him. So I immediately went to visit my beloved Mother.
I got inside the mansion and saw her in the kitchen, cooking. She loves to cook, and I always see her learning new recipes or cooks whenever she feels like it. Unlike my ruthless Father, my Mother was an angel. I love her and no one else. I hate that she has to live under my Father's rules. She can't help me whenever I receive punishments or how he controls my life. She didn't want that. But what can she do? My Father is a man who is willing to torture if someone does not meet his standards or what he wants.
I was interrupted from my thoughts when my Mother noticed me. "Chaeyoung, What are you doing here?" She asks, happy yet afraid because Father might see me here or come home any minute.
I ignored her question as I went near her to tuck a strand of her from her face. "Beautiful as always," I smiled, and all she could do was look at me confused, yet I saw happiness in her eyes. We went to the living and did some catching up.
She cups my cheek, and I can't help but tear up. I miss her so much. Her hugs, her voice, everything. I was closest to my Mother, but we rarely bonded ever since my Father decided to 'train' me. "What are you doing here, Chaeyoung-ah?" She asks again. Her voice trembled in fear, and it pained me to make her feel this way.
"I miss you," I said and lay my head on her lap. I exhaled deeply when I felt her fingers softly brushing my hair while her other hand held my arm. My Mother's warmth is all I need to help me ease my mind for a bit.
"How are you?" She asked, and I closed my eyes. I was making every second count with her.
"Exhausted," I truthfully said and felt her hold tightened. "Sooner or later, Father will know I'm here in Seoul. I came to visit because this might be my only chance of seeing you again. Knowing Father, we still have unfinished business to settle between us." I explain, and she looks at me worriedly.
"Then why don't you go back to Jeju?"
I smiled at how she truly cared for me and how painful it was for her to see her daughter going through things because of a man she once loved. Mother lost her love for Father when he knew his real intentions when he married her. Someone who could take over his company.
"I have something to take care of first," I say, and she smiles sadly. "I love you," I added, and her tears couldn't hold it anymore. She cried.
"I love you too. Please take care of yourself." She says, and I hold back the tears threatening to fall.
"Don't worry. I will."
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Okay, first things first 😅😅😅 I apologize because I have published the wrong chapter 18. Yeah, I know it's complicated, but both chapters have some changes. I hope you guys understand why my drafts are pretty messy, but it's a way for me to keep on track and understand something at some point.
I'll update another chapter if the votes reach ten, hehe, before the day ends. 😎🤔
Also, if I can't update, my best friend killed me. Blame it all on lexis 🥺