…………………………………..
Chapter Thirty Five : of Hunting A Missing Person
…………………………………..
Grandfather Yoon saw the white Mini Cooper parked outside the house from the window and thought that it was so early for Ji Hoo to be home. It was only 2 o'clock in the afternoon and he usually told him when he comes home. So he got up from his reading chair and went to find his grandson. He found him asleep in his room still wearing the clothes from this morning. He tsk-ed when he saw that Ji Hoo didn't even bother to take off his shoes. So he helped his grandson to settle in bed, took off the shoes and covered him with blanket then closed the curtain so the sun wouldn't disturb his rest. He stroked his grandson's hair lovingly before quietly closing the door.
…………………………………..
So many things were playing at the same time. The noise was overwhelming. The burning car. His cries and the feeling of blood flowing. The cold dirt and rain as he fell down trying to chase his grandfather black car.
Sympathy in her eyes but not love. Never love. Seo Hyun's long flowing hair in his arms. Her silent good bye as she left him alone. Jandi's soft lips. Jandi's warm embrace and kind words. The heavy feeling of when she dropped the ring back to his hand. The hollow feeling as he held her in his arms.
The hard dirt road when Junpyo pushed him out of the car's way. The sound of tires screeching to a stop. His anxiety when he held back and watched her drown hoping for Junpyo to take action. His resignation and bittersweet feeling every time he saw her with him. Then her… laughter and smiles. Of bright sun and all cheerfulness this world could carry. Her cold 'no'.
Too many things were ringing. Images kept playing on top of each other so fast they nauseated him. Someone was shaking him hard. He felt so sick.
Yoon Ji Hoo woke up in gasp. He was breathing hard and his t-shirt damped from cold sweat. His Grandfather was by his bed with a worried face. "Son, are you ok? You were screaming in your sleep…"
He didn't answer and tried to get up. His Grandfather handed him a glass of warm water, which he gratefully took. That was when he noticed that his hand was trembling badly and he had to use both hands to hold the glass.
"Ji Hoo…?"
He couldn't speak. The images and noise were still haunting him. He wanted to tell his worried Grandfather that he was all right but he couldn't. His throat dry and lips heavy. He took a sip of the warm water and felt the bile rose. He dropped the glass ignoring the water spilling on to his bed as he quickly moved his body and emptied his stomach all over the floor. He felt his grandfather warm hands supported him and gently stroked his back. He dry heaved for a while before leaning to his Grandfather's broad shoulder.
Grandfather Yoon's heart broke painfully as he saw his only grandson trembling and visibly trying to hold back whatever it was that disturbed him. Ji Hoo looked up and he saw the raw pain in the two marble eyes so like his mother.
"Oh Son…"
So he did the only a Grandfather could do at times like this. He gathered Ji Hoo's still trembling form into this arm and held him tightly. Repeatedly whispering in his ears that all things are well. Ji Hoo only relaxed and returned the embrace after a long time. When Ji Hoo finally fall asleep in his Grandfather loving embrace, he carefully moved him to other side of the bed and stayed by his side guarding his sleep.
…………………………………..
He was up early in the morning; the sun was not even up yet. He sat on the porch nursing a cup of green tea. After staring blankly at the sky and watched the sunrise, he went to cook the only thing he is good at. Pancake.
His Grandfather walked in right after he finished stacking the pancakes and setting the table. He smiled at him and gestured for his Grandfather to sit. They ate breakfast quietly. He knew his Grandfather was keeping an eye on him. After finishing his breakfast he excused himself to get ready for work.
Ji Hoo only realized that he had lost his phone after he dropped off his Grandfather at the clinic. His entire schedule was in that phone. Having no means to contact his secretary, he pondered for a while before heading back home.
…………………………………..
Woo Bin threw his phone on the desk. Frustrated that Ji Hoo didn't pick up his phone the whole day yesterday and this morning it went to mailbox. He called Jandi and was told that he also didn't show up in the Hospital and was absent for Monday Staff Meeting. He then called Grandfather Yoon and was told that Ji Hoo dropped him off in the clinic this morning. He had sounded worried on the phone and Woo Bin didn't want to tell him that he has not been able to reach Ji Hoo. Then Grandfather Yoon told him that Ji Hoo had a terrible night but acted normal this morning.
Now Song Woo Bin is officially worried out of his mind. He grabbed his car key and told his secretary that he'd be out of the office and to not contact him unless it's super emergency. He has some hunting to do.
He drove to the Yoon Residence. The usually absent maids were cleaning the house. From one of them he found out that Ji Hoo had come back and took his fishing equipment then left. So he once again called Grandfather Yoon to find out where they usually go to fishing.
Woo Bin drove full speed to the address he got. 45 minutes drive and 15 minutes searching later he finally found Yoon Ji Hoo sitting on the fishing dock reading. He approached him and tiredly sat down on the empty seat by his side. Ji Hoo looked up from his book for two seconds and commented that Woo Bin's full suit clashed with the scenery then continued reading.
He looked at his best friend with disbelief and then couldn't help but laughed out loud. Only Yoon Ji Hoo dared to pull this missing trick then complained that his suit clashed with the scenery. Although he had to admit, he did look odd there with his full suit. He looked like sales man, although his Zegna suit would scream otherwise.
…………………………………..
After caching three fishes, reading one book, spending two hours and saying not even one word later, Ji Hoo got up and stretched. Woo Bin opened his eyes having fallen asleep and bored out of his mind.
He followed the silent Ji Hoo to the nearby hut where apparently they can order for the fishes to be cooked. So he joined his friend for lunch. Great fishes and cooked so well. Too bad his companion has not even said one word but he didn't mind, he's used to this silent Ji Hoo who likes to appear once in a while. After lunch, he helped Ji Hoo to pack the fishing equipment. When they were storing the stuff in the car, Ji Hoo finally said his first word for the day.
"Thank you… for coming."
Woo Bin only looked at his friend who was not looking at him at all. "You're most welcome." He smiled. He decided to ditch his car there and send someone to pick it up later. He got into Ji Hoo's car and they drove back to the city.
"Do I worry you that much?"
"Huh?"
"You ditched your lotus there."
"Oh that. It's ok. I have asked someone to pick it up now."
Ji Hoo looked at his friend strangely but decided not to comment and focused his attention at the winding road. They were silent for quite some time before Woo Bin finally breached the issue.
"Are you ok?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I meant."
"I saw you with her in the car yesterday."
Woo Bin blinked not digesting for a second then turned to look at his friend. Surprise was all over his face. But before he say anything else, Ji Hoo cut him and said that it was all right. He wasn't accusing him of anything; he was just stating the fact. Still Woo Bin felt the necessity to explain. So he told him of how he bumped into Jae Kyung who was crying and he didn't know what to do so he brought her to Jandi. He conveniently left out all about the conversation they had with her.
…………………………………..
Ji Hoo didn't realize how much what he saw bothered him until he heard the explanation and inwardly felt slightly better. He indeed is very clumsy when it comes to communication and relationship. He is a very awkward man.
His white Mini Cooper stopped in front of Woo Bin's office tower. Before he got off, he held Ji Hoo's shoulder so that his friend would look at him.
"So?"
Ji Hoo sighed. When Woo Bin wants answer he will get it. "I'm feeling like a fool now wishing for something that I might never have. Apparently I haven't learned my lesson yet."
Then it was Woo Bin who sighed. "We WILL have lunch on Wednesday. You hear me?"
"Bossy."
"I WILL pick you up." He closed the door.
Ji Hoo drove off without answering his friend, knowing full well whatever his opinion is will not be heard anyway. Woo Bin gets this way once in a while; most of the time was when Ji Hoo's psychological condition worries him.
Sometimes he thinks that Woo Bin is like the parent he never had. Although he felt bad to make his friends so worried for him and it absolutely annoyed that they sometimes treated him like some mental patient but deep down he appreciates his friends' love and attention for him. He is not and will not blame anyone for his background after all nobody has perfect family and life story. He has accepted his a long time ago.
…………………………………..