Chapter 43 Brina

"Brina, she... hasn't been the same after that incident." Bernard picks up the photo frame from his desk.

"She was once very cheerful, playful and outgoing. But after that incident, she became depressed, quiet and she has nightmares all the time, only with one exception, when you were being mentioned."

Bernard stands up from his seat and gives Ji Hoon a very sincere look.

"After we seperated a year ago, we got her therapist, we treated her with love, we tried a lot of things but none of them worked. But one day I heard a song from her room, and that was the first smile I had seen on her face in a few months, a real, real smile. I found it was your music." He smiles at Ji Hoon.

"Ever since that day, in order for to sleep peacefully, she needs to plays your songs on repeat for the whole night, eventually, it became a habit for the whole family, even I feel uncomfortable if don't listen to your music before going to bed. Hahaha!"

...

"So, you have actually saved Brina twice, I thank you." He then bows his head.

"Please, lift your head, I'm just happy that I'm able to help." Ji Hoon quickly stops him from bowing.

"I learnt one valuable lesson from that incident. Money can definitely buy you most things you want in life, but if you are not there to spend it, what's the point of having it? So I decided to focus more on my family, I spend more with them now, and honestly, I feel really... relaxed."

"Good for you, I'm happy for you, uncle."

"About that request I mentioned earlier, when you go back to Colrea, I want you to bring Brina with you."

"What?!"

"If you are worried about the language problem, she learnt all of that when she knew you are a Colrean, so there's no problem at all."

"I don't mean that-"

"What? You don't like my daughter?"

"No-"

"Then what's the problem? I know you have other girlfriends, and Emmy outside is one of them. But at this point, I just want Brina to be happy, and you are the only man in this world I would entrust her to." He hold Ji Hoon's hand firmly.

"Please, Jay."

"F-fine, but don't you think we should slowly get to know each other more?"

"Oh! You will have plenty of time to do that when she is in Colrea with you. Now if everything is settled, go bring Calvin in."

...

Ji Hoon finds Calvin with the others in the cellar, observing all kinds of wine and other stuffs. Brina looks at Ji Hoon worriedly, but he just tries to avoid her gaze.

He quickly pulls Calvin away from the group, and on the way back to the study, he talks to him about the discussion he had with Uncle Bernard and they stop right in front of the door.

"Before I step in this room, I always wonder why go through all that just to help me? This doesn't really concern you that much."

"Because I think the world needs superheroes, and I believe there's no way we would lose money making superheroes movie."

"So it's just the same for you? Profit profit profit."

"No, it's because I love superheroes as much as you do."

'I even died watching it's trailer' Ji Hoon secretly thought to himself.

"I've seen this look long time ago, when me and my colleague were all passionate doing our dream job. Drawing superheroes, making superheroes movies, selling superheroes merchandise... those were the days..."

...

"Let's do this Jay, let's go shake the world."

"You got it."

They shake their hands.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh, took you long enough, I assume you've talked to him about what we discussed just now?"

"I did."

"So, what's your decision?"

"We will accept the conditions."

"Good. There's one thing I wanna add though, Calvin will be the president of the studio, while Jay and Brina will be the vice president. Don't worry about her, she is very capable, she is my daughter afterall."

"I don't see any problem with that, in fact, I'm gonna need all the help I can get."

"Okay, now we should talk about the plan for your next project."

...

After about 30 mins, three of them come out from the room.

"Wanna go have a drink?" Bernard invites them.

"Sure, sounds good! I really wanted have a taste of the wine when I saw them in the cellar." Calvin accepts the invitation immediately.

"I'm gonna pass on that. I'm gonna go check up on Emmy."

...

He finds Mrs. Lavinia, Brina and Emmy chatting happily in the vineyard. Emmy is the first to spot him.

"Hey Ji Hoon, how did it go?"

"Really well, fortunately."

"Thank goodness..."

"Well, since Jay is here, I'm gonna leave you three youngsters alone. I'm gonna go back to the mansion and rest, have fun~!" Mrs. Lavinia left them hurriedly without giving them to say anything.

"Why is she in such a rush?"

"Probably wanna ask Uncle Bernard about the details of the discussion we made personally."

"Tell us about it too!"

"Well..." Ji Hoon uses 10 mins to summarize the discussion.

"So you mean I'm gonna go to Colrea with you?" Brina asks with sparkling eyes.

"If you don't want to, you can always st-"

"That's freaking awesome!!! You don't know how long I've waited for this moment!" Brina hugs Ji Hoon tightly.

"Sorry I got too excited..." She looks at Emmy apologetically.

"After that incident, I felt like my whole world was filled with darkness, I felt scared when I'm in a big crowd, and even worse when I'm alone." Brina starts sobbing, Emmy consoles by hugging her from the back.

"Things got better when one day I found out that you are actually a singer, I started listening to your songs, and it calms my heart. That's when I know, you are the one guy that's keeping me sane right now, you are the only light in my world." She looks at Ji Hoon while her face is soaked with tears.

"There's one thing I wanna comfirm myself..."

"What is it?"

"Why did you lie about slipping? I might be scared at that time, but I wasn't blind, I know you did that to block the bullet for me. Why lie?"

Hearing that, Emmy raises one of eyebrows and looks at Ji Hoon.

"Because I didn't want to burden you any further, you have been through a lot that night, I don't want you to feel guilty about it. What's more, I was fine."

"That didn't help at all. I told my parents I had nightmares about that night, but actually I lied. I was having nightmare about you blocking the bullet for me and dying in front of me."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

"I felt relieved now that I heard it from you directly, I never had the chance to say it so, thank you Jay, thank you for saving me."

"This is all very moving and all but I would prefer you never risk your own life like that again, but you are not gonna listen are you?" Emmy speaks suddenly.

Ji Hoon doesn't reply to her and just shows her a smile.

*sigh

"Let's go back, I'm so tired."

"Can we sleep together Emmy?" Brina asks Emmy.

"Sure!"

"Erm, I'll go sleep at the other guest's room."

"No, she needs you tonight, so stay with us."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------