Contract Boyfriend || n.yuta

43

Sungchan could feel Iseul's tenseness as they stood outside the restaurant. He held his sister's hand which was cold. He wondered what he could do to comfort her or at least lessen the anxiousness she felt. He wasn't like Yuta who knew exactly how to comfort her, but he wanted to do his best.

"Are you really ready? I can tell him we can reschedule it again. He's been very understanding of it anyway." Sungchan suggested.

"I'll definitely meet him this time. I want to close the door on this part of my life." Iseul confidently assured. She could feel Sungchan's grip tighten slightly.

"Your father? Are you okay with speaking about him now?" Her therapist asked. She poured Iseul a cup of tea before leaning back into her chair. "I love your nails by the way. Another creative design."

Without her mom to oppose it, Iseul decided to get therapy and learn how to manage her emotions better. It wasn't easy, but it was something needed for her to be in a better mental state and a better person to those around her.

The emotional outburst she has and mismanaged anger is sure to drain others. It would hurt them and Iseul knew that they don't deserve that.

"Thank you. Yuta helped me design them." Iseul smiled, glancing down "I've been afraid to face him, but I know my inner child would finally get the answers I've desperately wanted."

Iseul's eyes land on the picture frame placed faced down on her therapist's table. It was a picture of the therapist's family. It was her way of being sensitive to Iseul knowing her trauma stemmed from her family.

"Do you think it's right to let him redeem himself?"

They walked in to the restaurant, searching for the room Iseul reserved. She didn't want to meet him at his house, but she did want it to be somewhere private. It was a good thing Daeun found this place.

Sungchan reassured her he would be outside if she needed him. He wanted to give them their privacy, but he wanted to be close enough in case he was needed.

Iseul entered the room and finally came face to face with her father once again. He motioned for her to take a seat across him on the round table.

"You've grown up into a fine young woman."

"Thanks, I raised myself." Iseul smiled. She sat confidently as she observed her father's expression. It was strange to see her father acknowledge her with such a soft gaze.

Does he feel guilty? Ashamed? Curious?

"I'm sorry for the delayed meeting. It was a bit hard to bring myself to finally face you again." Iseul apologized. "Is there anything you want to ask before I start?"

It seemed he had a lot to ask, but he didn't know where to begin. It felt like any question he asked would make him look bad.

"What's your job?" Her father asked. "I remember as a kid you wanted to be a physical trainer."

And the only reason she wanted to be one was because she looked up to her father. Her knowledge in sports and physical training were taught to her and she kept learning while she was the manager of the soccer club.

"I'm an accountant at Qian Accounting Firm, but do external auditing and have a bookkeeping license too. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and I am currently trying to the licensure exam in Japan." Iseul explained.

"It's reassuring to hear you have a stable career right now. Just don't overwork yourself. You might burnout quickly." Her father advised. The smile he had faded upon a sudden realization. "I don't have the right to be proud because I wasn't there to support you."