Not Him

36

Hyunjin came home after quite a night, her last day working at the cafe turned out to be quite tiring. Know what's going on? Kyuhyun returns as he used to be, commands him, nags, and tortures him as usual. Maybe no one can even guess that they are lovers.

Kyuhyun even said, ‘didn't you say you miss my nagging? Then I will grant. You should be happy.’

Hyunjin could not be angry, he continued to protest, but in his heart he felt happy. It's okay, just stay that day. After that, he did not work at the cafe anymore. But, surely their intensity to meet so less and less often. Kyuhyun had promised, they would meet often if there was time.

Actually Hyunjin still wanted to work there, but Kyuhyun refused. He didn't have the heart for the girl. After all, Hyunjin also thought that he should not work there any longer. He is afraid to meet Donghae's grandfather, and if he finds out about his relationship with Kyuhyun. Ouh, he really felt guilty towards the old man. Then how do I tell his family and Donghae about his ‘pura-pura’ relationship with Donghae that has ended?

Hyunjin's phone rang, the girl immediately pressed the button to answer it, “yobosseyo...what's up oppa?” ask the caller.

“oh, tomorrow? I-i can. But.. is this not too fast?” tanya Hyunjin hesitated. A second later he nodded, “well, you're right. Faster better.”

“nde, I'll tell my parents later. See you tomorrow!”

Clik. He turned off his phone.

The girl was worried. To be honest, he was afraid to face this. How will Donghae's parents react? Especially Donghae's grandfather. They wanted Hyunjin and Donghae to get married. But Hyunjin also could not accept it, he did not love Donghae, there was another person who had occupied the most special part of his heart.

“what was that phone from Donghae?”

Hyunjin gasped in shock at the voice of someone who suddenly appeared, turned her head back, and she found her mother smiling at the door of her room.

Hyunjin grunts, “apa oemma eavesdropping?”

“no, oemma just accidentally heard it. Hah, you don't have to hide like that. Oemma was also once young, having felt in love like you.” Her mother teased Hyunjin. The woman immediately left, still smiling to herself.

“oemma!” Hyunjin shouted in annoyance as her mother had already walked away.

___

Hyunjin felt very nervous, repeatedly biting her nails and staring anxiously at the beaming faces of the old men. In a moment, will it ruin their happiness? Ah, he felt so wrong.

“relax.” Donghae who was sitting next to her suddenly had already grasped Hyunjin's hand.

“you're not alone, I'm here. I'll tell them.” Donghae smiled at her. Hyunjin nodded, and smiled back. Now that Hyunjin can be a little calmer, her feelings are always comfortable when she is near Donghae.

“aih, these two of you can't help but show off the affection in front of the parents? You guys make us all envious.” Donghae's mother suddenly said. Hyunjin and Donghae immediately let go of their grasp, turning to each other nervously.

“Are we no less friendly than the young people yeobo?” donghae's father embraces his wife's warm shoulder. Donghae immediately showed a reaction of wanting to vomit, Hyunjin just giggled amusedly looking at him.

They are currently having dinner at a Japanese restaurant, as well as wanting to talk about something at Donghae and Hyunjin's request. The parents looked happy, they thought the two young people were impatient to get the engagement fast, or even get married soon.

“begini, me and Hyunjin want to say something.” Donghae said distracting them. Now all the pairs of eyes on the table were looking seriously at him.

Donghae was silent, hesitant to say so. Donghae glanced at Hyunjin at a glance, the girl shook her head in fear. His mouth spoke silently, saying, ‘let me alone.’ but Donghae smiled thinly while shaking his head. He resumed what he wanted to say earlier. “we have decided, we can not continue this relationship anymore.”

Everyone was silent, their faces looked shocked. Hyunjin lowered her face deeply. He was too afraid to see their reaction.

“why indeed? Oemma thinks your relationship is fine.” Donghae's mother said feeling sad. What happened to those two? Don't they fit in with each other? Thought the woman.

“oemma, we don't love each other.” Donghae said for an excuse. His chest was a little stupefied as he said that. No, that's not his real heart.

“but didn't you say you agreed to this matchmaking?” donghae's mother asked again, letting out her confusion.

Donghae shook his head slowly, he was thinking of finding the best excuse –at least it would not make Hyunjin feel as the most guilty person.

“at first we committed to try it, but it turns out we did not match each other. We already have our own couple. We can't force ourselves.” Donghae finally said. He does not regret lying. As long as it was for Hyunjin's happiness, for her it was the right thing.

Hyunjin turned her back as Donghae said, ‘After all we already have a partner each.’ he glanced towards his parents, who already looked at him full of intimidation. He knew they would be angry because Hyunjin never said anything about it.

Everyone was still silent, busy with their own thoughts. Donghae and Hyunjin looked at the oldest person among them, the man just silently said nothing.

“haraboji, please say something.” Donghae. He felt guilty if the man remained silent.

“I can't do anything, if it's your decision. Forgive haraboji for forcing you too. I should have known from the beginning if you didn't want this match. You guys approved this because of haraboji right?” he looked at Hyunjin and Donghae full of regret, the two young men only gave a short nod.

“after this, our family ties will still be intertwined right? Even without a match, we can still be like family. This relationship will not end just like that.” said Donghae sage grandfather. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“ahjussi is right, we can still establish a good relationship without the matchmaking of our children. We can continue this in the next generation. Maybe the grandchildren of our children?” Hyunjin's father tried to melt the atmosphere, making them laugh together.

“gomawo oppa..” whispered Hyunjin softly to Donghae next to her. Donghae only smiled as he nodded lightly.

___

Hyunjin squeezed his palm tightly. The air tonight was so cold, but somehow his hands kept sweating. He looked timidly before him, there sat his father who looked at him sharply. Very rarely did Hyunjin see her father so angry.

He remembered the incident when Hyunjin was in elementary school his father had been called to the school because Hyunjin was caught beating his friend, just because his friend had torn his picture book. Hyunjin was used to being pampered by her father, but it was like seeing someone else in her father, not just her father. And now, that gaze was back again, he again saw the figure of his father who was scary.

‘you owe us an explanation. We finish this at home.’ It was just that sentence that his father had uttered once he got out of the restaurant. He knew his father would be angry and disappointed in him. But Hyunjin was ready for the consequences that awaited him.

The man had not said anything to him since the shocking incident earlier – when Donghae conveyed his astonishing confession to all of them. His father was only silent during the journey home until he got home, but it made him even more sure that his father was really angry..

“you can explain something Hyunjin-ah?” asked his father suddenly, his gaze was so sharp that Hyunjin shrieked to just look back at him.

“about what appa?” the girl asked still while looking down, not daring to look into the eyes of her interlocutor.

“Donghae said you already have a partner. Is that true?”

Hyunjin nodded slowly, “nde, that is indeed true.”

“then why did you never introduce him to us? You want to try hiding it?”

“not so appa, we also haven't been in touch for long. I think now is not the right time.”

“then tell the young man to come here! Appa wants to talk to him.”

“Ye?” Hyunjin turned back in shock at hearing that.

___

“so you actually already know the whereabouts of Kyuhyun?” Hangeng looked at the man in front of her in disbelief. Then all this time why did the man tell him to look for Kyuhyun's whereabouts when he found out?

“I've actually known since you found it. I know you can't be trusted, you've always protected her. So I decided to let you. And it turns out to be true, right? you haven't reported it to me. But I didn't think it turned out you've only seen her lately.” Mr. Cho hooked his fingers, focused both his elbows on the table. That haughty style, now Hangeng is completely certain Kyuhyun's haughty nature is passed down from his father.

“if the problem is. I don't really want to report to you, I just feel sorry for Kyuhyun. She seems happy with her life now.” Hangeng looked down at the floor. He could not see the face of Mr. Cho who might be very angry to hear his words earlier.

But it turns out not, the man just smiled disdainfully. “happily? He would be happier if he returned to his old life. Here he can't suffer.”

Hangeng raised his face, only able to faintly smile. No, Kyuhyun can't be happy. Happiness how do you mean it? Is it because of treasure? Kyuhyun can indeed get anything if he becomes the heir to his family fortune, but will it make him happy? Hangeng knew very well what Kyuhyun wanted, but he was already like a younger brother to Hangeng. Kyuhyun can not be happy if in the bridle, he always wants to be free to determine his own life.

“I'll give you a chance to make up for your mistake about this.” Mr. Cho got up from his seat, then walked towards the window. The man revealed a little curtain that covered the window. He turned to look at Hangeng who was still looking at him wondering what he would command. Oh, I hope it's not crazy. Don't say he wants Hangeng to drag Kyuhyun home. Hurriedly Hangeng brushed it all off from his mind.

“take Kyuhyun to this house.” Hangeng immediately gasped in surprise, how? He couldn't possibly force Kyuhyun to return.

Mr. Cho continued, “tell him, maybe he can remain a doctor-“ yet the man continued, Hangeng has turned his eyes in disbelief.

“-if married to Mr. Jung's daughter. He doesn't need to take over the company, as long as he's married to Yeoram, it will make our company stronger. I don't have to worry about the shareholders targeting the company anymore. You understand Hangeng-sshi?” continue Mr. Cho again.

Hangeng hesitated. Is it possible that Kyuhyun would? but it seems like a difficult choice.

“i will do, sajangnim.”

To Be Continue