Fateful Departure

Chapter 6

"What's your relationship with Shania?" Sunghoon asked. The younger boy contemplated. But after a minute he told Sunghoon "We're friends." that made Sunghoon laughed.

Laughing like a maniac precisely. He never expected that this boy Sunoo would lie. "How come I didn't know you? when are you friends with her?" Sunghoon asked.

Sunoo immediately answered "Probably 5 months ago." Sunghoon immediately connected the dots. It was 5 months ago when Shania went haywire and just decided to distance herself to Sunghoon. This Sunoo guy is probably the reason and he was sure of it.

He asked another question "How did you two meet?" But then Sunoo decided to stay silent. He doesn't want to answer other than the questions earlier. He doesn't want anyone to know about it unless if they were a trusted person.

"Answer me! Sunoo. Answer me!!" Sunghoon said to Sunoo. As Jay and Jake witnessed that, they felt the need to intervene. They stopped Sunghoon from going to far.

"Sunghoon, that's enough. It's his prerogative not to talk. Don't force him." Jake said to him.

While Sunghoon just replied "Nah, I don't believe this guy. Clearly, It was more than a friend. I know it." Sunoo just glared at him for saying that. It's rude to drag him out of the blue while he's still crying but it's totally unacceptable to insinuate someone you don't personally know.

"What are you glaring for? Leave! this instant." Sunghoon responded to Sunoo.

Sunoo grabs his bag and was about to leave when Jake grabs his hand. "Hey, I noticed that you were bringing a bag. Do you have a place to stay?" Sunoo's tears welled up and cascades his face. He responded "No" Jake instantly grabs Sunoo's hands and was about to drag him when Sunghoon asked "Where are you bringing him Jake?"

Jake replied to Sunghoon "He has nowhere to go, So I'll bring him in my condo. Jay stay with Sunghoon right here." Sunghoon couldn't believe what just escalated. His friend just took someone who he clearly despised of.

"Are you seriously going to keep that guy and side with him?" Sunghoon uttered with the most unbelief tone.

"This is not about siding with anyone Sunghoon. You knew that well, I'm siding you always but this one's different. It's called taking accountability. Plus, he has nowhere to go. This isn't up for any discussion. Bye." Jake muttered and drags Sunoo outside Sunghoon's unit while Jay was left with agitated Sunghoon.

"Did you see that, Jay? Why the hell would Jake do that?" Sunghoon asked rhetorically.
But clearly, Jay knew the reason. Jake was deeply guilty about what happened. He knew that dragging this boy without consent and interrogating him without even knowing the full story was sick. As much as Jay wants to talk about it, he understand both sides but clearly, this was not the correct way of approaching it. Sunghoon could've handled it better. His emotions got the best of him.

And even if the assumptions might be true that this is the same guy Shania was talking 5 months ago then they still have no right to judge Sunoo. One thing they can do is to get close with Sunoo and know the truth from him voluntarily. But since, It's Sunghoon's problem. Jay would probably let Sunghoon deal with that matters.

As Jake holds Sunoo's wrist towards the exit. They got in a cab and goes to Jake's condo unit. No words exchanged. Sunoo kept glancing at Jake. He was grateful that Jake helped him. He will probably be in the streets right now if not for Jake. As soon as they arrived at the unit. Jake grabs Sunoo's bag and puts it on the cabinet beside the table.

"Sunoo, I'm really sorry for what happened earlier. My friend didn't mean all of those things. He probably might assumed you of someone that's why he acted like that. But if ever you want to clear those doubts then please do tell Sunghoon." Jake said in a comforting manner. Sunoo felt that Jake is a really good person. A person you can trust. But after what he went through. It's not easy to trust people. It would take so much time and sincerity to prove it.

"Thank you so much Jake. You took me in despite what happened earlier." Sunoo replied. He was really grateful.

Jake responded "No problem, just take a sleep. I'll be at the opposite room. Call me if you need something. We'll talk tomorrow, Okay." Jake said to Sunoo. Assuring him that everything will be okay. He knows that Sunoo is tired. I mean, he was drenched in the rain, has dirty stained shirt, might probably from accident. It does speaks volumes on how badly he got there from the funeral.

Jake leaves the room and Sunoo decided to remove his shirt and pants and changing to a PJ's from his bag. Then he lays down the bed and gets his phone. He got a message from his mother. "Sunoo, we'll probably give you a money next week because your kuya needs it first." Sunoo teared up reading the text. It's clear that they weren't rich but they also wasn't exactly poor. It's just there was a favoritism inside the circle of his family. He just responded a simple okay, and thank you to his mom.

There are many things - a lot to unpack for. Not referring about his luggage but his stories. How Sunoo basically got here, how complicated his situation was and still is right now. The envy in his eyes are clearly evident but fading as his tiredness takes over his body.

---
Morning came, Jake orders a food through grab, because he wasn't necessarily a cook nor do have a talent in the kitchen. After doing that, he took a bath and changes in a comfortable clothes, which is a shirt and a khaki short. The door bell rings, which could only mean one thing. The food is here already. Jake opens the door and pays the guy. After he placed the food in the table, he runs up to the guest room where Sunoo is staying. Jake opens the door slightly just to peek at him wether he's sleeping or not. But Sunoo's still passed out, maybe from the exhaustion yesterday.

Jake just waited for Sunoo to wake up and just settled himself on the couch and browsing his phone until Sunghoon called him. "Hey fucker, how's the feeling of betraying your friend?" Sunghoon snickered on the other line.

Jake knew right away that this is sarcasm and must be dealt with a passive aggressive tone. "Sunghoon, it actually felt good." Jake teased. One thing that they can never do is breaking their friendship just because of a stranger.

"How's he? Did you get anything info from him?" Sunghoon asked. Truthfully, Jake knew right away that questioning Sunoo by himself is invasive and inappropriate. He saw what happened yesterday and to think he would force the young boy to spill his story.... Doesn't sit right with Jake. If anything else, Jake has a plan or a way to get answers from Sunoo without hurting him. And that is to get close.... Not like close to use him but to really befriend him like a real friend. He is up for it. Befriending Sunoo? Totally a good idea. He found the boy charming. But he wasn't fond of the ideas of invading his personal space. That would be a decision for Sunghoon to make.

"Nah, I just left him in the guest room. But please Sunghoon, if you really want to get answers from him. You must get the answers by voluntary decision. You can't just poke around someone's life. I suggest we'll get to know him first. Let's take time to know him first. That might be a good approach to such matters." Jake replied with honesty and conviction. He wasn't sure if Sunghoon would approve this decision but he's hoping he will.

"Okay, but I don't want him near today's last event. Today's the burial and I'm having doubts on that guy." Sunghoon uttered on the line. You can hear in his voice that he made up his mind and that nothing would ever change it.

"What the hell Sunghoon?" Jake replied. He can't believe that his friend would've prohibit someone he doesn't know.

Sunghoon ends up the call, while Jake just massaged his temples. It's giving him headache. How can he explain this to Sunoo, that he cannot attend the burial. One of the most important day for the all of them. Coincidentally, Sunoo came right after the call ended. Jake just hoped he didn't exactly heard the conversation.