The Blue House

You Need To Calm Down

⚠️ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 ⚠️
***

Bin opens the door to his apartment then steps inside the empty apartment. He is exhausted. He is running on very little sleep these past two weeks, his workout schedule is nonexistent – the only workout he does is with Ye Jin these days – and the conversation in his grandparents' house went as he expected it.

His mother sat as far away from her ex-father in law when Bin arrived at the house. From outside, she seemed poised, sitting ram rod straight. But no shades of make-up could hide her restlessness of being here.

Bin bowed to her and his grandfather before sitting down among them. "Eomeoni, Halabeoji, thank you for meeting me. I have news to share."

His mother still calmly sipped her tea, generally ignoring the conversation around her while his grandfather— curiosity mixed with excitement were evident in his face. His grandfather was the tireless political mind behind his father's winning campaign. He pulled strings from everywhere cementing the path for his son to walk on. The path that President Hyun quickly dismissed because he had other ideas on his mind.

Bin didn't want his grandfather dictated his move on his campaign. Hyun Deok Hwa shouldn't pull any single string for him. For each string he pulled, Bin had to sacrifice his right to choose his own cabinet in exchange for favors.

If Bin wanted to push South Korea to a new height, he surely couldn't do that. He needed to draw his plan from scratches, he needed unique ideas to freshen up the ancient outlook on how to run this country. So much changes happening around the world and South Korea needed to join the forces if they didn't want to be left behind.

"I'm running for presidential election next year." He stated his intention calmly. The teacup clattered loudly as his announcement clearly rattled his mother while his grandfather almost jumped in euphoria.

His grandfather supported him, with a little caveat he didn't expect. He wanted him to run as the forefront of one of the party.

"I heard President Son asked you to join the Democratic Party."

"Yes, and I have respectfully declined his offer."

"What? Bin— that's just— poking them. Beside, your father--"

"I'm not my father, Halabeoji." He glanced at his mother who only sat silently, now her focus solely on him. Her battle was showcased in her eyes. A mixture between worry and— fear.

"Why were you being reckless, why didn't you talk to me first? Democratic party is— the majority party, it will make your life easier."

"I know that. But I also know Democratic Party failed to protect my father. I'm thinking, and it's proven that I am more successful running as independent candidate." He stared his grandfather out. They were both cut from the same cloth, if he was a difficult man, so was Bin.

"Is there any way to change your mind, Bin?" in the midst of his stare down contest with his grandfather, Bin forgot his mother was still there.

"Don't you think this family has given enough to the country?" She muttered, "We gave them your father, he sacrificed everything he owned for this country, wasn't that enough?"

She already had her objection on his choice of career; she could accept anything but a politician. And now, this news. This was her nightmare come true. She didn't want him to run, plain and simple. Bin walked down to her, on his knees, taking her hands on his.

"Eomeoni, I am asking for your understanding. We need to continue Father's legacy. I want people to look at Hyun's name and have something other than his death to talk about." Bin said softly but firmly.