"Hey" she called out to him making him halt his steps. 'How did I get entangled with such a woman like this.' he thought to himself and turned around with a sharp glare directed at her. "What is it now?" He barked.
She rose from her seat and approached him, taking her time as she seductively moved her hips here and there as she walked. "Hey what's with that expression?, If you don't want any scandalous news by tomorrow then you shouldn't forget your tie with a young hot lady."
Yo-han glanced at his neck only to find his tie missing. He facepalmed himself as he couldn't believe that he lost his tie to this vicious and devilish seductress of a lady. He glance up only to find Chae Ah-Rong in front of him with his tie in her hands. "Let me help you with this." She said as she put it around his neck and helped him knot it.
"That's alright, now hands off me and jerk off." He said as soon as she finished the knot. He then turned around not giving any thought to her smirking face. He just walked out of the room shaking his head at her perverseness.
Yo-Han stepped into the regular area of the strip club then turned to Chang-min who already approached once former stepped out. "Chang-min, you should head home now, I have somewhere else to be."
They both exited the club and Yo-han took his seat at the driver's side. "Hey Nina, take me to my girlfriend's home" He instructed the AI Chauffeur and the car sped off after a short second of calculating routes. Yo-Han exited the scene without caring about how the stranded young Chang-min will get home.
_
Choi family home.
Yo-Han's car parked in front of the villa and he slowly peeked out of the car to scrutinize the house and it's surroundings well. He was confused and he thought within himself as he tried to understand what might have gone wrong. 'What's wrong with me?, Why did I drive over here when I promised to visit Yeo-Na at home? Is the navigation system broken or what, is it giving wrong directions?'
"Nina, take me to my girlfriend's house." He said to the AI Chauffeur who replied, "Okay,... Calculating shortest route to your destination... Here you go, you are already at the requested destination." He hissed as he inserted the car key in the ignition, ready to put the car in motion. Just then he heard a knock on the window at the passenger side causing him to turn around to see Choi Dae-Jung standing there, smiling and waving at him.
Seeing the young man's smile subconsciously gave way for a broad smile to find its way up Yo-Han's face. Yo-han got out of the car that moment and walked up to Dae-Jung. Before he even managed two steps, "Brother!!!", the boy exclaimed as he came flying into Yo-Han's arms which caught the latter off guard. He staggered and only barely managed to balance himself and prevent a fall.
"Brother! You're finally back and you didn't even say." The boy accused Yo-Han as he released his hold on Yo-Han and stepped back a bit to have a nice view of his "long-missed" older brother.
Yo-han smiled as he watched Dae-Jung becoming playful in front of him, it has always being the case, the young boy only lets his guard down whenever with him, otherwise he was always reserved and not relating to people. Yo-Han's smile broadened as he watched with admiration the happiness glinting in the boys eyeballs. He rubbed Dae-Jung's head as he said. " I know, ehn, I am sorry I didn't tell you beforehand. Also, I forgot to get you something from abroad but I surely will make it up to you."
"I am not a kid, you didn't have to get me something, afterall I overheard your girlfriend telling my mom about what happened to you in Country P. You couldn't have had the chance to get me anything even if I wanted. By the way, are you not coming in, I can't stand here for long, everyone will be expecting me already, I am especially late today, I had something to do after school and I could not tell them about it." Dae-Jung stopped. His expression changed to that of a pleading puppy before he continued, "I am actually in trouble, can you cover for me?, I mean Ehm, I came to see you when you returned so you brought me home when you realized how late it is. Thank you brother" he thanked in advance as he turned to walk in.
Yo-han chuckled and then said, "Actually, I was just leaving, tell your mom I had a nice meal."
Dae-Jung freezed his steps and slowly turned around to Yo-Han who had a serious face. " Really?, Then I am actually dead." He was about to fret when Yo-han chuckled and assured, "I am kidding, but what could he the reason why you had to come home this late... Did you possibly go on a date?" Yo-han asked with a raised eyebrow, he chuckled again when the little man blushed before him.
"Let's go, I got your back", Yo-Han assured Dae-Jung and went in with him.
Just as Dae-Jung said earlier, the Choi elders where already planning his death.
"Unni[1], just calm down the little man must have a reason to be this late." Choi Sun-Jung, the last daughter of the Choi family said to Choi Min-Ji who was pacing up and down waiting for her son. She suddenly stopped, ignoring Choi Sun-Jung and walked over to the driver and bodyguard that were supposed to take care of Dae-Jung whenever he wasn't home. She glared furiously at the two men as she angrily questioned them. " You two, are you telling me a Sixteen years old lad got away under your watch?!!!, you have only one job, take him to school and return him home to me, is that too difficult for you to do?"
"Min-Ji calm down, don't get too worked up. You still need your strength for work tomorrow. Dae-Jung will return it's not too late, it's just few minutes to eight." Madam Choi said, she tries to calm Min-Ji down but she failed as Director Choi cut in. "You don't understand Min-Ji's worries do you?, The little boy is all Mit-Eum left behind and no one, not even a single outsider has to know about his existence. Do you think the Lee family will spare him if they find out about him?, They are everywhere and keeping an eye out for whatever may want to surface as a threat to them. Even if we are not posing a threat, they would think otherwise."
Madam Choi slowly withdrew to her seat as she heard Choi Mu-Young's explanation. She definitely has no temper nor will to argue or say more. It's who she is, never raising her voice, neither talking back but always looking for peace and calmness.
Dan-Bi who sat beside her didn't even bother herself about what's going on, she was practically lost in thought. It was practically what she does every time, she resigned to her world and doesn't relate with anyone. In fact she shouldn't be here if not the old man ordered that she must be here since it's a pressing issue. All she does is to go to work, shout at her workers and scold them badly. Abuse anyone that offends her and even gets physical. This week alone she'd slapped, yelled at and berate almost everyone in the administrative office at work. Whenever she's home, she is always inside her room or keeping Nana's company. She only accommodates Dae-Jung, Min-Ji and her Nana and no one else.
At the moment, all she had in mind was how to take back what used to be hers. She was still in thoughts when the Butler came to announce Yo-han and Dae-Jung's arrival.
She jerked forward on her seat the moment she heard Yo-Han's name. She immediately sat up properly, anticipating his arrival. Longing to see his handsome face again tonight. ' He must be here to see me, yes he is here to see me.' her usual arrogant and aloof demeanor changed immediately, as if the switch to her gentle and cute personality had been clicked.
Yo-Han marched in with Dae-Jung hiding behind him. "Good evening Sir, Madam Choi how have you been?, aunty Min-Ji, good evening." He bowed respectfully to them and turned to Dan-Bi and Sun-Jung and only acknowledge them with a "Hi". Before refocusing on Min-Ji who had dragged Dae-Jung out from behind him, holding him by his ear.
"Where have you been?, Why do you leave without asking for permission, what has gotten into you,..." Min-Ji bombarded him with question, continually hitting the fella. Even Choi Mu-Young was ready to raise his stick to discipline the young fella.
Yo-han immediately turned to Choi Mu-Young and with an apologetic look on his face he pleaded, " Forgive me Sir, it's all my fault that Dae-Jung stayed out late. He came to me the moment he realized I am back from my business trip and it is I who didn't think it was too late for him, arriving at this time." This plea caused Min-Ji to halt her actions, even the old man's expression softened a bit. Yo-han continued and said, "I also apologise that I didn't call to inform you all about this. I won't make that mistake anymore." He concluded and bowed humbly again.
Not until then did the old couple calmed down and stopped worrying. Even Min-Ji's frowning face immediately transformed and a smile replaced it as she replied Yo-Han, "So it was like that, you don't have to apologise, You are his only brother, I understand why he would act rashly like that." She then turned to the boy, "You could have just said that to avoid misunderstandings like this. The caretakers know you have the freedom to meet your Hyeong[1] whenever you want, why runaway from them."
The boy immediately turned sober, a fake type of sober and an apologetic look took over his expression. "I'm sorry, I made you worried mom, I won't do that anymore." He said. Min-Ji dispersed his plea since she already forgave him, she dragged him along with her, saying, "Get over here, Dinner is getting cold."
Yo-Han's happiness could not be contained as he watched the harmonious mother and son, a replica of Min Ju-Eun and himself. His eyes followed after Dae-Jung until it fell on Dan-bi who had been staring at him expectantly hoping he would at least give her his attention. Didn't he come here because of her, didn't he have something to say?
Both of their eyes met and a light of hope glistened in Dan-bi's eyes waiting to hear whatever Yo-han came to tell her only to be disappointed when Yo-han immediately took away his gaze and turned to the old parent. He paid his respect and left immediately afterwards.
Madam Choi was sensitive enough to have seen what happened. She knew what must have been going on in Dan-Bi's mind and she herself felt a pang of pain for her daughter's grief.
What more can she do but pray that whatever is wrong with Cupid, he would get himself fixed and find something to do about her daughter's brokenheart.
1 - A male's respected elder brother.