CHAPTER 3
Jung In's gaze hardened, he did not understand how his father could be considering marriage between them.
His first reaction was to go and ask for an explanation, not yet convinced that what he had discovered was true, he wanted to hear it directly from Jung Suk.
-Wait- Mae Ri stopped him -My father probably doesn't know about this, if he finds out, he will be heartbroken-
Jung In stood in the doorway; she was right, he looked at his watch and remembered that both parents were together at that moment working on the wedding planning.
-All right, I'll wait- His cell phone rang -Hello? Father- He turned to look at her for a few seconds while Jung Suk spoke to him -Yes father, Mae Ri is with me, we're going there now-
She walked up to him and took his arm; Jung In had the exam paper in his hand, he put it in his pocket and they left together.
In the car, heading to Jung Suk's office, the guy drove in silence staring at the road, the girl looked out the window, pensive, sad.
They reached the building, Jung In parked the car outside the entrance, and sat with both hands on the steering wheel, Mae Ri was going to get off and noticed that the boy didn't move from his place.
-Jung In? Are you okay?- The boy didn't answer -Jung In?- She insisted.
-How I can look at my father's face without reproaching him?-
On his face the anger he felt in that moment was clear, he pressed hard on the steering wheel as his eyes filled with tears.
-There must be an explanation; please calm down- Begged the girl.
-Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down?- The boy put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the paper that he had saved -Mae Ri, the DNA test says that we are brother and sister Don't you see? -
With glassy eyes, the girl looked at the paper, Jung In was right. How to be calm? After all that had passed, after falling in love, that paper was a judgment, an awful truth that would forever separate them.
When the director finally managed to calm down, they got out of the car, walked towards the entrance of the building and found Dae Han.
-Dad!-
-Hello my daughter!- He said cheerfully -Son Jung!-
-Father- The manager greeted him with a bow.
-Hyung is waiting in his office-
-But you. Where are you going?- Asked the girl.
-Something came up in the store, I must go immediately- He said his goodbyes quickly to them and left.
With Dae Han absent, there was nothing to stop the boy from facing his father and clarifying everything at once.
Mae Ri was concerned, she knew Jung Suk, she feared that the meeting would turn out bad.
-Kids! You're here!- The man met them with a smile as they crossed the door - Come, sit down- He motioned for them to sit next to him on the chairs in front of his desk.
-We need to refine the details of the wedding- He said happily with a big smile.
-Wedding?- Asked the boy ironically –Are you insane?-
-Why do you speak like this to your father?!- Jung Suk's face changed abruptly.
-Please Jung In- The girl tried to calm him.
-I want to know how you intend to have a marriage between siblings-
-What siblings? What nonsense are you talking about?-
-Nonsense? Is this nonsense to you?- The boy showed the exam paper he had in his hand. Jung Suk took it and stood watching wide-eyed with shock.
-But where did you find this?-
-Ahjussi- Interrupted the girl –It was in a trunk in the attic of your house-
-You, brats dared to snoop in my house?-
-Forgive us, Ahjussi- replied the girl sadly.
-Don't apologize!- Exclaimed Jung In angrily -We have every right to know the truth! I refuse to believe what he said in that diary-
-Did you also read the...- A terrible pain interrupted the man's words.
Nobody knew, Jung Suk had kept to himself the seriousness of the cancer that had afflicted him for years and how it had progressed, he did not have much time left.
-Ahjussi!- The girl got up from her seat -Ahjussi!–
-Father-
Jung Suk fainted, the pain was very strong. They called an ambulance, Mae Ri called Dae Han to tell him that they were taking the boy's father to the emergency room.
The wait seemed eternal, after almost an hour of waiting the attending physician came to explain, the situation was critical, they should expect the worst.
He gave them permission to come inside to see him, one at a time, Jung Suk was still unconscious.
After that, they stayed in the waiting room the rest of the afternoon, the couple did not say a word, they just sat and cuddled. Dae Han kept talking.
-Oh my Hyung! Poor him! Why didn't he tell us that it was so bad?! Poor Hyung- He lamented -His only desire was to see them married. My Lord! Why?- He looked up -Ae Ri , my love, you who are up there, please help him-
Jung In, suddenly stood up, hearing that name reminded him of what was written in the diary of his father. The anger returned to his mind.
-The patient is awake, you can see him- interrupted a nurse.
The girl's father told them to go first, he would stay in the waiting room and look after his Hyung alone.
Mae Ri got up and she walked arm in arm with Jung In, together they entered the room.
-Father, how do you feel?-
-I must explain-
-Ahjussi, don't force yourself, you can explain later- the girl said.
-No Mae Ri, there's no time, you need to know everything so that you can be happy- Jung Suk's voice sounded weak -Ae Ri never knew that I knew the truth, what it says in that paper...- The man made a pause, speaking was hard for him – What is written there it's true, you are my daughter, so my hope is that you will marry with Jung In-
-But father!- Interrupted the boy.
-Son it's not what you think- he continued -Your mother never told anyone the truth- he said looking at the girl -Not even me. When you were born, I visited her and without anyone noticing I took a sample for a DNA test, that was how I learned you were my daughter and not Dae Han's- he paused for breath -I kept silent, Ae Ri looked happy with your father, I didn't feel right to spoil that happiness-
The girl began to mourn, wringing Jung Suk hands in hers.
-Father, what you say proves that Mae Ri and I are siblings. How can you hope for a union between us? This cannot be!-
-Son, listen, the explanation for that is not written in the diary that you found-
The director and the girl looked at each other, they were intrigued. What else did they need to know? What other secret would be revealed?
-During one of the arguments between your mother and I, she was complaining to me about a photograph of Ae Ri that I always had in my wallet, saying that she had sacrificed herself to marry me and I was being unfaithful by having another woman. She couldn't take anymore and confessed this truth: She, like me, didn't want our marriage, she had had a boyfriend and had never stopped seeing him-
-What?!- Exclaimed the boy surprised.
-Ahjussi- The girl said – are you trying to say that Jung In is not...-
-Yes Mae Ri, Jung In is not my biological son-
After those words, Jung Suk fainted again. They called the doctor, after checking him, he said that he had pushed himself too hard talking and had to rest.
The severity of the disease was the same, maybe he could recover enough to see them get married, but the hope was slim.
Maybe the relief of having confessed it all was what gave him enough strength to live and fulfill his dream: Seeing his two children happily together.
The couple decided to move up the wedding, as soon as Jung In's father was better they married. Of course, Dae Han, never knew the truth, Mae Ri knew if her father found out, the despair would prove fatal, he loved his wife too much.
Seo Joon returned her gaze to the window beside her and gave a long sigh.
-And Moo Kyul?- Sandra asked.
-Moo Kyul, hmm, after Mae Ri broke up with him and began her relationship with Jung In, he spoke no more about it- She looked to the other girl –He has had other girls, but as is often the case with him, his relationships do not last more than a month, he has always been the same- she continued -I have never known what he feels about it, he is very reserved-
-A total rock star! -Sandra exclaimed ironically.
-Aha! Hahahaha!- They both laughed -Only because of his rock star attitude, but commercially, Absolute Perfection, his band, has never had much success- the actress continued -Since making the soundtrack for Wonderful Day, the drama produced by Jung In, success has eluded them-
-You've talked to me about Jung In- Sandra paused briefly -by chance, is his last name is Byun?- She asked.
-Yes! Do you know him?!-
-Maybe so, but I'm not sure-
-Noonaaa! -Shouted voiced in unison from outside.
-Oh no! They're supposed to never come around here- Seo Joon lamented holding her head with both hands.
The boys entered the restaurant, Moo Kyul stood outside watching Sandra with contempt. Ri No turned back and grabbed him by the arm, the boy reluctantly came in.
Everyone sat, minus the singer who was standing.
-Are you not going to join us?- asked the actress.
I want to go to my house- He curtly replied -I don't like being here – He said looking straight at Sandra.
-Well, if I'm the problem, I will go- The girl stood up with the intention of leaving.
-We better all go- proposed Seo Joon rising from her seat.
-My hotel is near here- said Sandra –Don't worry, you can stay-
-I'll drive Moo Kyul to his home and then I'll take you to your hotel- Proposed the actress.
-Noona, we're stayed- Said Ri No.
-All right- the girl skittered her eyes to one side- Let's go Moo Kyul….Darksan?-
-Yes, of course, let's go-
-I can go alone!- Said the singer roughly.
-Moo Kyul don't be stubborn, you're sick, let Seo Joon take you to your house- Sandra insisted.
-Look... " Darksan "- He said mockingly- I can take care of myself, I don't need ... - A terrible coughing interrupted the boy's sentence.
-Do you see how sick you are?- Said the girl approaching him. When she reached him, she touched his forehead –You are burning with fever!- She exclaimed.
-Get out ! Don't touch me!- The boy suddenly shouted, shoving Sandra aside.
-Moo Kyul! Enough!- Added Seo Joon -You are very sick, you better go home now, we'll buy medicine on the way-
The rocker had no choice but to do as he was told, he felt really ill, he just pretended to be fine.
Seo Joon stopped the car in front of a pharmacy and Sandra got out to buy the medicine.
-I don't want that woman to go with us- His voice sounded determined.
-Moo Kyul, don't be ungrateful, she just wanted to help-
-She's an intruder! I don't like her!-
The actress shook her head as she put his hand to her face.
-You're never going to change, whenever someone tries to be nice to you, you get like this-
-Ready! I have everything, can we go? - Sandra said as she climbed into the back of the car.
The boy turned to the window and closed his eyes to try to get some rest.
-Moo Kyul we're here- Said the actress when they reached his home -Moo Kyul? MOO KYUL! - She moved him but the boy did not wake. She touched his forehead with a hand -My God! He's burning!-
-Wow! It is worse than before! - Sandra exclaimed putting her hand on the boy's face.
She got out of the car and opened the front door to see him better, he had fainted.
-We'd better get him to a hospital- the actress suggested.
-Seo Joon, wait, tell me the address here - The girl pulled out her cell phone and made a call. After hanging up she asked the other girl to help her to take Moo Kyul inside the house.
Once inside, between the two of them they sat him down on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
-Who did you call?-
-He's a friend of my father's; he is a doctor and is on the way- the girl explained.
-Ooh- the actress nodded with a gesture.
When the doctor arrived, he greeted the girls. Sandra gave him a warm hug, it had been a long time since they had seen each other. He checked the patient, he explained that it was a bronchitis that had not been treated properly and if they followed his instructions, the boy would soon be well.
In addition to the medicine Sandra bought, he left them with another one that was in his bag, with all of that and some good care for the night, the boy will be much better in the morning.
Sandra went outside with the man, after a short conversation they parted ways and she ran back to the house.
-Darksan- The actress had just received a phone call- I have to be at a meeting early tomorrow morning despite it being Sunday- She felt distraught speaking –I don't know what to do, I cannot stay here-
-Don't worry; I can stay- proposed Sandra.
-Really? Don't you have things to do?-
-Seriously, - She nodded smiling- Really do not worry, I'll take care of him-
-I feel bad for you, with how badly you've been treated by this... idiot- The actress looked at the bulge that was the guy in the bed.
-Seo Joon, go calmly, as you said, tomorrow is Sunday-
Concerned and embarrassed to leave the girl alone with that patient who was so particular, Seo Joon left.
Sandra looked for a towel and a container to pour cold water, she sat down with the singer to care for him. She barely managed to get him to swallow the medicine.
The boy looked bad, but the girl, being aware of any change in him, was watching him intently for a few seconds. He was striking, he had beautiful features. Despite appearing to be so tough, he looked frail at that moment, like an unruly but vulnerable child. This brought her a feeling of tenderness, she couldn't stop looking at him.
Hours passed, Sandra was very tired, to resist the lure of sleep, she had prepared several cups of coffee. She looked in the fridge to see if there was something to cook so that her patient could eat when he woke, but it was empty. She thought of going to buy some groceries in the morning.
A few more hours went by, she touched the boy's forehead to check his temperature, the fever was gone. That reassured her, that meant that the medicines and care had worked.
With all the worry, she had not noticed the recording studio that the boy had. She took some time to walk around the place, the guitars hanging on the wall caught her eye, she remembered her home in Boston, she had her "babies" hanging in the same way.
She was so tired that she decided to sit on the small couch in the living room, she took the last sip of coffee that was left, put the cup on the table and closed her eyes with the intent to rest her eyes for a moment, but fell into a deep sleep.
With the mid-morning light, the boy awoke. He was a little dazed, but he felt much better. As he sat on the bed, he saw at his side the container with water and a towel, it was clear that someone had been taking care of him.
He got up expecting to find his friend Seo Joon, but t seeing who was on the couch he was surprised.
His first reaction was to wake the girl abruptly; the intruder had stayed in his home and had scrutinized his stuff for sure, he was furious.
The girl's cell phone rang, it was on the nightstand next to his bed, he hurried to take it, it was Seo Joon. The boy picked up, going to demand why she had left this woman in his house, but the actress explained what had happened, and then hung up.
He was going to wake her, but then stopped and thought a moment: The girl, without having anything to do with him, had called a doctor to examine him, had been looking after him all night and given him the medicine.
He found a blanket and covered her, the girl had fallen asleep just like that, "she must be cold", he thought.
When he placed the blanket over her, he stood watching: That intruder was pretty cute.