The Way for Us | Vincenzo

Chapter 16 - An Act of Parting

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Drowning herself in work for the past month and barely eat properly on top of the stress she had gone through finally took a toll on Chayoung's health. The day after the dinner, Chayoung's body finally begged her to rest. 

It was funny to Chayoung, because when the man that mostly put her under this stress finally called her, she actually fell ill. Her fever was quite high since the night, but fortunately it was nothing serious. She just needed some sleep and to eat properly again.

"Chayoung-a, how's your fever?" Hong Yuchan entered Chayoung's room. He was worried when he found out that his only daughter was coughing from early morning. 

"Appa, I'm okay. I only have a mild headache, I just need some sleep," Chayoung softly said as she watched her father walked up to her, bringing her a bowl of porridge and a cup of warm tea.

"You're a doctor, you of all people should take care of your health," Yuchan  sighed at the sight of his sick daughter laying in bed. Although Yuchan had taken care of Chayoung for all of his life alone, he still couldn't get used to the feeling he felt everytime his daughter was sick.

"I know, I know," she smiled sweetly at her father, "Sorry, Appa."

Hong Yuchan let out a huge sigh. "Finish the porridge and take your medication, I will be home all day. Just yell if you need anything, okay?"

Chayoung nodded, making a salute gesture while laying in bed under her thick blanket. "Yes, sir," she said.

Yuchan shook her head slowly and he was about to lean in to pat Chayoung, but his daughter was quick to stop him. "I might be contagious, six feet apart, Dad," she warned him. Yuchan chuckled at his daughter. "Okay, dr. Hong," he raised his hands and took a step back. "Don't forget to eat that before you sleep. I'll go check in an hour," he warned his daughter before he closed the door behind him.

"He still treat me as a kid," Chayoung mumbled and sat up on her bed. She reached for the tray of food and began to eat the porridge. She smiled at the taste because it reminded her of her childhood memories. Everytime she was sick, her father would stay at home and didn't go to work at all. Hong Yuchan would make abalone porridge for Chayoung, the only dish he could make perfectly and it became Chayoung's favorite dish.

"Mhhm this is so good," Chayoung hummed and continued to eat the bowl of porridge. Although she was sick, it was the weekend. She could sleep all day long and not worry about a thing. Besides, her father would be staying home all day so that made Chayoung even more excited.

Just as Chayoung finished her porridge, her phone rang. 'Annoying Jerk' was popped on her phone screen. Then she remembered the unexpected call she received last night. 

She sighed and placed the bowl back to her nightstand then reached for her pills. She decided to ignore the call as she still didn't know how to deal with him or her feelings upon hearing his voice. She was caught off guard when he called last night and didn't understand why she cried when he finally called. 

Am I that happy?

Chayoung only stared at her phone until the rang ended. 

What about Jihong? He confessed to me. I will just ruin their relationship, Chayoung thought to herself. After the visit to the Cassano Estate last night, Chayoung learned how precious the relationship between Vincenzo and Jihong was. 

"The age difference between Vincenzo and his siblings made him closer to Jihong when they were growing up. The two were inseparable, especially after Jihong's dad passed away. Vincenzo and his cousin were just like twins. I feel like my sister and I gave birth to twins.. haha," Catherine Cassano told Chayoung sometime after the dinner.