Secrets That Remain: The Untold [Book 1]

Chapter 13: Secret-Keeper and Butterflies

They requested me to keep it a secret, well, what else do they expect me to do? Rat out my brothers who stood up for me because I am a naïve, self-righteous 14-year-old brat who can only see things black-white. Oppa is looking at me with pleading eyes, eyes that are begging me to take his side, eyes that are making me feel guilty. If it wasn't for me, these guys wouldn't have taken such a big step, a step that can probably ruin their life forever. As I can no longer take in the guilt, I shy away my eyes, breaking our eye contact. When I look back his way, his eyes were staring down at the ground and he looks crestfallen. Holy Lord, I think I did the wrong thing again. Omma, who is by my right side looks at me with concern.

"You okay?" She whispers oh-so-gently, her words embracing me like a gentle breeze on a hot summer night.

I nod. Taking in a deep breath, I said, "Obviously, it's a secret. I don't know what kind of person I am in Oppa's eyes," I taunt his, now smiling face which made me smile in return, "but everyone else can expect a sealed mouth from me. No soul will know what went down that day."

Oppa, who is over the 9th cloud, hugs me tightly, almost cutting off my blood circulation. Stabbing him with my fists, I somehow manage to survive his love attack. This dude is dangerous.

"Okay, now stop it. It is past our dinner time, so care to have one now," Omma said with a smirk.

"Let go," I slap Oppa with my fist.

"You are so adorable," Oppa said as he pulls my hair playfully.

"Om—" I tried to shout but then Maddie Oppa pulled my hair too.

"I know, right" he later adds and they both giggle.

"Omma, they are pulling my hair," I cry to Omma,

"Boys!" she scolds them as she pampers me, gently adjusting my hair. They apologize but Omma has already promised to give me a portion of their servings. I chortle, serves them right.

We settle down in our respective seats and join hands to thank the food we are receiving on our plates. Rice, kimchi jjigae, sigumchi namul, pickled cucumber blesses my plate and soul; yum, today's dinner looks fantastic.

"Um... sorry kids. I was kinda busy today so... that's why I just reheated some leftovers. The rice is fresh though," she said with a sheepish expression on her face. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, we are fa—oh, she is shy because Maddie Oppa is here. She doesn't want to feed him that. I guess Maddie Oppa caught on to it as he clears his throat out of nowhere.

"It's okay. I heard Asian food gets more flavorful with time plus I am grateful that you are at least offering me some when my own family doesn't give a shit if I am eating or starving." He laughs.

"Huh?" Instead of laughing, Omma asks with concern irk on her face,

"Just kidding," he laughs hysterically. Omma awkwardly laughs at his weird sense of humor.