Slowly Falling | LK Adaptation

Chapter 34

When Lisa arrived, she brought fruit with her. Jungkook had given her a key, but she decided to knock first.

Jungkook had already told his mother that Lisa was visiting, but his mother gave no reaction that she understood. 

When Lisa knocked, it was Jungkook who opened the front door for her. Lisa smiled at him. Jungkook invited her in, then said to mother Jeon, who was reading on the sofa: "Mom, Lisa came to see you."

Maybe because she was currently reading, but mother Jeon was wearing glasses today. She raised her head from the book, look towards Jungkook and Lisa, then went back to her book.

The book was bought by Somi, who had been worried that her mother would be bored staying home alone. Mother Jeon had never touched it all this time, but today she suddenly became interested. Quite puzzling.

Jungkook helplessly pulled Lisa to sit down on the sofa and said: "I've made lunch. Lisa, you can eat here at noon if you want. Just heat it up."

She nodded. "Alright. You don't need to worry about me, you can go to work."

To be honest, Jungkook didn't want to leave her alone with his mother. He wasn't afraid that Lisa would bully his mother, but that mother Jeon's situation might make her feel wronged. But Lisa was the one who offered to spend some time with his mother. This made him quite happy. Jungkook had also hoped that the relationship between the two could improve.

He looked down at Lisa and faintly smiled. "Alright. If you need anything, just call me."

"Un."

When Jungkook left, mother Jeon was still reading. It seems that she had no intention of taking care of Lisa. Lisa put down the fruits she brought on the table, then asked the older one: "Auntie, do you like strawberries? These strawberries are from Starlight Farm. They were freshly pucked and shipped from the farm just this morning. I'll wash them for you?"

She didn't respond, but Lisa didn't care. She went into the kitchen and found a big bowl to soak the strawberries in. After washing them, she returned to the living room and found that mother Jeon hadn't moved an inch.

She placed the bowl of strawberries on the coffee table, then curiously looked at the book mother Jeon was reading. The title was 'Actor,' written by Park shyun.

Auntie, do you like Park Shyun too? This novel was made into a movie, starring Lee Yerim. Have you seen it?" Mother Jeon was silent.

Lisa pushed the strawberries towards her and said. "Do you want some strawberries? I just tried one, it's sweet."

Perhaps it was the aroma of the strawberries, but mother Jeon finally looked up to glance at the bowl. The berries looked tempting, but in the end, she went back to her book.

Lisa picked up a strawberry, stuffed it into her mouth, and stopped talking.

She wasn't the kind of person who liked talking in the first place. She wouldn't have said so much if it wasn't Jungkook's mother. Ever since she was young, she basically had no friends. She didn't know how to act pleasant. She had actually broken her own record by talking with mother Jeon for so long.

Lisa ate another strawberry and continued to quietly look at mother Jeon.

As for mother Jeon's illness, Jungkook had already explained it to her. After Father Jeon died, her mental state had turned bad. Because Jungkook had been busy dealing with his father's affairs and his own school matters, he couldn't care for his mother. Unexpectedly, mother Jeon was taken advantage of by some people and was cheated into giving up all her savings.

After finding out that she had been cheated, her mental state completely collapsed, and she fell ill. At the time, the family had no money, so in order to pay for her medical expenses, Jungkook had to sell their house.

At first, mother Jeon became paralyzed. She couldn't take care of herself at all. The doctor checked on her several times but said that there were no problems with her bodily functions. Her inaction was most likely caused by psychological reasons. Jungkook had tried to find her a psychological expert, but she refused to communicate with anyone.

In the end, he had to give up the chance to study abroad. He had become too busy with trying to stabilize his family. He had to hire a nanny to take care of mother Jeon's day to day needs.

After more than six months of treatment, though still reluctant to speak, mother Jeon was at least able to slowly walk. For the past three years, Jungkook had unwaveringly continued mother Jeon's treatments, and eventually, she improved.

However, she still refused to go out or talk to them.

Lisa spent the morning in Jungkook's home. Mother Jeon never said a word to her, and Lisa ended up eating all the strawberries she had brought. Seeing the empty bowl in front of her, she turned towards mother Jeon and smiled. "Auntie, do you not like strawberries? I'll bring another fruit with me next time."

She took the empty bowl to the kitchen and rinsed it off. Then she heated up the lunch Jungkook had prepared and placed the dishes on the table. "Auntie, it's time for lunch."

Mother Jeon looked up, her gaze making Lisa a little uncomfortable. After staring at her for a moment, the older woman put down her book, then walked to the dinner table.

Jungkook had cooked taro toady. It was waxy and soft, and Lisa ended up eating quite a few pieces. Opposite her was mother Jeon, who ate her food with an expressionless face. After the two silently finished eating, mother Jeon returned to her room with her book. It seems that she was going to take a nap.

Lisa watched her go. She tied up the table, placed all the dishes in the sink, then took her bag, and left to go home.

She took a deep breath as she sat in her car. She was someone who didn't care for troublesome things. But mother Jeon was someone she had to deal with. Thinking of her illness, Lisa couldn't help but feel a little sad. Jungkook had to take care of both his mother and his sister all these years. It must've been very hard for him.

She took out her phone, wanting to call him. But when she saw the time, she dismissed the idea. It was the lunch rush, Jungkook was probably very busy at this time. Lisa decided to contact him later.

When she left, she didn't go back to Starlight Park, but drove straight home, planning to go take a nap. Strictly speaking, all Lisa did this morning was sit down and eat some strawberries, but....her heart was still somehow exhausted.

As soon as she changed out of her clothes and was ready to lie down, she called Jungkook. She leaned against the headboard of her bed and waited for the call to connect.

"Hey." Jungkook greeted. "Are you still at my house?"

"No, I've gone back home."

"Ah...my mom didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"

"No, she didn't say a word to me."

Jungkook paused, then laughed. She continued: "She spent the whole morning reading. I sat next to her and watched her read. Next time I visit, I think I'll bring my candle-making tools with me."

While mother Jeon read her book, Lisa could make a candle. This way, nobody would be wasting their time.