DEAR L

Going Back

JENNIE

D: Jennie, you have to come back here. I already allowed you to take up that shitty cooking course of yours. Now that you're done, go back and lead the company. I told you, just do cooking as your hobby. You will not have a great future with that. This is the life for you, Jen. Please do not be stubborn.

I just closed my eyes listening to my Dad over the phone. I never want that position he's giving me in our company. I want to work on my own. I want to have the job that I love and not just to become a shadow of him.

Why don't he let V handle it. My twin is the one who just graduated business here and it's not really my line. I love to cook. And I believe that I will excel on this if he'll just help me build my own restaurant.

J: Dad, I'm arriving next day after tomorrow. As if I have a choice not to go back there. You already got me a ticket right away. Can we just please talk about this when I get there? Dad, I hope you will understand. The TV Network is not really for me. Trust V on that. He's an ace when he was studying. I know he can do that.

D: Jen, please. Listen to me. You and V will work on my company. Period.

I did not argue anymore. I really do not like arguing. I want peace in life. I don't even talk at all.

Well, I was raised by my parents who just followed all their rules for me. But I am just thankful that my Mom talked to my Dad about me going to the US to study culinary. My Dad was so mad at me that time but he eventually accepted it. I told them that I really want to be a Chef. I want to explore fusion cuisines and make my own version. I would even love to re-create and experiment my own.

Now, I am going back to Korea. I missed my friends there. I didn't usually got a lot here in the US because I'm the type of person who just wants to be at home, read books, listen to music, have my afternoon coffee or bond with the tub and soak my body on hot water. Yes, an introvert.

My friends see me as the silent one who just smile at them all the time. I just don't feel like talking. Not just to be safe, I just don't really like speaking a lot. Most of the time, I want to be alone. I watch movies alone in the cinema, eat inside a restaurant just by myself and I even travel to places without worrying for someone.

Don't you now that I felt how free I am when I moved in here in the US to study? Jesus! I feel like I'm a bird who flew out from my cage. My parents were too strict as we grow up. They led our ways. They would even guard our manners in all aspects in our lives, even how I dress! I was really sad leaving my twin brother alone with them in Korea. We were so close. We are each other's best friend. But I really have to take a step to study food making because it's really my passion.

Arriving in Korea while looking how progressive this country has become, I got reminded of my high school friends when I saw the billboard of my best friend Rosé. She is really now a star! I love listening to her songs. We still do communicate. She actually asked me to go out with her some of our friends this week and have fun. V really likes her. But you know, my Dad is so picky even when it comes to our love life. So, my father told V not to date a celebrity as it might rash his name in the industry especially that Rosé is a product of his rival TV network.

My love life.

I don't have. Well, I got suitors in the US but I really am not interested. I don't know. Maybe it's not yet time because I didn't feel anything towards them. And maybe, I still need to put more time for myself. I am just 20 and young. If it comes then it comes! And yes, I have no boyfriend since birth. Never interested with boys. With girls? I don't know yet. But I appreciate beautiful women more than handsome men.