I Knew I Love You

CHAPTER 2: THE MOON

BYUL POV

2 weeks before Leandro died.

I was in a meeting when I receive a call from my dad. He told me to have lunch with him because he was about to ask me something.

My dad is not a showy kind but he's not so stiff and strict either. He's a good father and provider. He never missed a single school program when I was growing up. When my mom passed away when I was in second year college, he became even more focused on me. He said, that time with the one he loves was more important than anything. Even money.

Growing up, I learned that I have a half sister named Lalisa Manoban. I accidentally heard my father talking to her on the phone. I was 15 then. I asked him why Lisa was not with us and he explained everything (I know readrers are curious but I will tell the whole backstory in the later chapters 😉).

Since then I tried to communicate with her more. We became close eventually and when I graduated in college I went to the Philippines to see her for the first time.

And now I'm back. I need to deliver the message that our father asked me to. I'm not sure if this is the right timing but we really need her.

—————
"Uh, Hammy...Byul! Hey, you're spacing out."

"Sorry, Lisa. Ah, anyway, I went here to say my condolences of course. But there's one more thing." I paused. I'm trying to pick the right words.

"So, our dad asked me something. He wanted to tell you this himself but with the passing of uncle Leandro, he knows that you might take this the wrong way." I paused again. I'm trying to search for her eyes, gauging if I will still be alive after delivering the message.

Sending a little nod, I countined. "He wants you to go back to Korea, Lisa. He wants you to manage our new business venture. He recently bought the majority of stocks of Daegu Metropolitan Bank." She did not say anything. She just stared at me as if she wants me to continue and so I did.

"He knows, we know, that you're currently working as the head accountant in your current job. We know that you can be a good COO in our own company, unnie."

I'm kind of scared of her reaction. I really don't want to push her but this is for our father. I know that she did not grew up with us but we're still family. I also know that our father sent her financial support and tried to keep in touch with her specially during special occasions like her birthday and graduation.

She took a deep breath before speaking.

"We just lost my father, I mean my stepfather, but you know what I mean Byul Yi.", she said in a lower, deeper tone.

"I understand unnie. And i will also understand if you say no. But think about it first. Anyway, I'm staying here for 3 days. I can give you that time, so please think about it? Please unnie?" I begged.

With that I stand up and bid my goodbye to auntie Karen and my sister. But before I enter my car, "Lisa Unnie..can you perhaps tour me around this weekend? It's Saturday tomorrow, I assume you have now work? Unless you're a corporate slave like our father befo..."

She cut me off before I can finish.

"I can tour you around. And i'm not a corporate slave like your...our father."

"Okay then, I will pick you up at around 11? Let's have brunch? Auntie, is it okay if Lisa will accompany me tomorrow?"

Auntie Karen nods with a smile on her face. "Of course Byul Yi. Bond with your sister. She also needs to unwind."

"Thank you Auntie." I hugged her. She's closest mother figure to me since I lost my mom.

With that I left the Manoban residence.

—————

LISA POV

"Come in, Byul. I'm almost ready. Do want some water?"

"No, I'm good Unnie. Where's auntie by the way?"

"She went out to take care of some papers regarding dad's funeral and stuff."

"I see. You ready to go?"

—-

We're here at one of the leisure park in the metro. After eating brunch we decided to shop a little and eat some ice cream.

"Ahhhh....i miss this. Remember when I first came here to see you. It was the best graduation gift from dad." I smile, ear to ear.

"I wish dad could come with me back then. But.."

"But he loves his job more than anything in the world."

Don't get me wrong. Our father did not missed any special occasion in my life. He will video call me during my graduations and birthdays. But I do not understand why he cannot just come here and see me. He is extremely rich. It kept me thinking, why he cannot afford to find time to visit me. My mother thought that I'm always fine with me and my father's set-up, but deep inside I kinda wonder why he cannot come to the Philippines and visit me.

But my hopes rise when I heard that Byul is coming to see me a few years back, I expected that our father will come too. I want to see him, for the first time.

But no, he was not there. Byul said he was doing some business related thing and it can be postponed. So, I did not ask anymore. Business is everything for tycoons anyway.

"He's not a corporate slave, Lisa unnie." Byul quitely said while strenly looking at me.

"He really wanted to come that time. He wanted to see you too. You would think that because of his status he could easily go here and talk to you, but life, life is not always good to him."

I could see the sadness in Byul's eyes. And a bit more, hurt perhaps. I'm not sure.

"But it's not my story to tell. I will let him tell you everything if you decided to come home, unnie." She said with pleading eyes.

Two days easily passed but I still not made up my mind. I've been drifting off so I decided to take a vacation leave.

"Lisa, can I come in, honey?"

"Yes mom."

"Hi, is it a good time to talked to you?"

"Of course mom. What is it?"

"I will not beat around the bush, I know that your stress the past days because of your father's request. But I want you to know that whatever that decide, I will be here to support you, like I always do. Like when you came out to me. I will always be your mother and number one supporter." She looked me in the eyes. Her tears threatening to fall.

"I love you Lisa and I'm pretty sure your father too. Jae Im, he may not be here physically, but I know that he loves you. You and Byul Yi. I rarely talk about him but I want you to know that he is a good man."

"Mom, are you trying to say that I accept the offer? I live for thirty years without him, I'm pretty sure I will still live for another thirty without him."

"But he needs you now, sweetheart. He is not the one to ask for favors. So I know, when he does, it is something really important." She held my hand, look me straight in the eyes, and I know. I know, that I just had to.

"Okay mom. I will accept Moon Jae Im's offer."

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