War || Penthouse

ten

"Jeez..the audition was so long..." Minhyuk yawned.

"I know right~" Jenny pouted and tries to massage Minhyuk's arm.

Meanwhile, A nervous-looking Eunbyeol exited the room.

Fear was evident as she bit her fingernail.

"Eunbyeol, are you okay?" Ha-Hyo questioned.

"Aish...so annoying..." Eunbyeol repeatedly tugged her hair behind her ears.

Seok-kyung just stood there with her arms crossed.

Staring at Ha Eunbyeol.

With a smug.

FLASHBACK

Cheon Seojin's plans obviously backfired.

She tested Bae Ro Na with the hardest song piece.

But guess what?

Ro Na did it.

A mix of shock and awe painted on the students' faces.

"Wah...Bae Ro Na can definitely beat Ha Eunbyeol..." one of the students commented.

"The representative has been chosen. Bae Ro Na shall represent the school."

"Ahh...at least it's better than choosing Ha Eunbyeol..." Seok-kyung clasped her hand together.

"Hyo~ I won the bet!"

Ah shit.

END OF FLASHBACK

It was D-3 before Cheong A's admission ceremony.

DING
Ha-Hyo enters the lift.

She was heading to the 100th floor.

The penthouse.

"Welcome Ms. Goo,"
Joo Dan Tae's helpers bowed and greeted in unison.

This feels uncomfortable...

"You must be Ha-Hyo, right?"
A familiar sweet voice sounded.

The afternoon sun casted a beautiful glow against her face.

Her chocolate brown hair tied up in a messy ponytail.

Her alluring smile...

"Sweetie, why are you crying?"

Ha-Hyo then snapped out of her thoughts.

"O-oh..." she quickly wipe away the falling tears.

"Sorry Ms. Shim you just reminded me of somone..." Ha-Hyo looked down sadly.

Shim Suryeon took Ha-Hyo hands in hers.

"It's okay. And you can just call me Ahjumma."

Though it was a short lived moment, it brought Ha-Hyo so much warmth.

NO PLEASE
A cry resounded from somewhere.

Ha-Hyo and Shim Suryeon looked at each other, puzzled.

It was coming from Joo Dan Tae's study room.

"What's going on?!" Shim Suryeon bursted into the room, with Ha-Hyo following behind.

A crying Seok-kyung was seen kneeling on the floor.

"Appa please! Don't send me away! I can't live without Seok-hoon!"

For the first time, Ha-Hyo saw such a vulnerable side of Seok-kyung.

"There's no way i will leave her! She can't even stand thunder!" Seok-hoon pleaded desperately.

The cruel man sent a slap across Seok-Hoon's face, causing him to fall.

Ha-Hyo gasped in horror.

"You keep disappointing me because of Seok-kyung!"

Seok-hoon was trying his hardest not to break down, but agony and fear could be seen.

The thought of losing his sister.

"Dear, you shouldn't be punishing them this way," Shim Suryeon spoke calmly.

"This is none of your business. It's between me and the kids." Joo Dan Tae spat harshly.

"They are my kids too!"

"You are the one who pushed them too hard. Don't put all the blame on them."

"Please believe me! I will study hard! Will that trophy do?" Seok-kyung begged.

"Dear, please give her another chance..."

"You're coddling such a loser!"

"You're too emotional. I reckon you should spend some time alone."

Shim Suryeon pulled her daughter closer and Ha-Hyo helped Seok-hoon up.

"And i'm not sending Seok-kyung abroad."

"If you insist on sending her, i will go with her."

"What?" Joo Dan Tae scowled.

With that, Shim Suryeon quickly ushered the kids out.

And Joo Dan Tae was shouting hysterically.

"Fucking psycho..."