Heartland

~Ten~

Over the next few days and evenings, Tae has been trying to talk to Jin. But Jin has been stubbornly avoiding him.

He had already made up his mind to focus on his practice until his year is up and he can return to Seoul.

It's been easy to avoid him because he's been accepting more and more patients lately. The business is growing and he's finally making a profit.

"Wow Jin-ah, your father would be so proud of you if he could see you now."

"You think so?"

"I'm sure of it."

As they prepare for their next patient, Hobi looks up when the bell rings and sees an older woman walk in.

He smiles brightly and asks, "How may I help you?"

She is looking past him at Jin and says, "I'm here to see my son."

Jin immediately recognizes the voice and turns around.

"Eomma?! What are you doing here?"

"Well, you don't answer your phone or your emails. I figured this was the only way to see my only son."

"What? This young woman is your mother? How is that possible?" Hobi tells him.

Jin turns to give him an, 'Are you kidding?' look.

She turns to smile at him and says, "Thank you young man. I appreciate your assumption. What's your name?"

"My name is Jung Hoseok, but everyone calls me Hobi."

"I see. You're very handsome. Are you and my son dating?"

Hobi laughs and says, "Oh no.. he is just my boss."

"What a shame. I hope you excuse us while I speak with my son in private."

"Of course. I will go down the street to get us some drinks. Is there a preference you have?"

"Drinks? Well, maybe a martini. Or something along those lines."

"Eomma, he means coffee." Jin tells her.

"Oh! Ha-ha.. of course. How silly of me. I guess it's still too early for that. Um, just a black coffee please. With 2 sugars. Thank you."

Hobi bows and goes out of the office.

Once they were alone, Jin asked his mother to sit. They both sat across from each other and took a few moments to look at the other.

"You're looking very thin Jin-ah. Is there a problem with the food here? I could have anything sent to you from Seoul."

"There is nothing wrong with the food here. I eat very well. I think you're just imagining things. I'm at the weight I'm supposed to be. But enough about that, why are you here?"

"I'm your mother. Am I not allowed to visit my son and make sure he is okay?"

"I'm fine. As you can see. But since you're here. What do you think about the changes I've made to the place?"

His mother looks surprised and says, "What makes you think I would know what it looked like before?"

Jin shakes his head and laughs. "Even after all these years, you would still deny your one true love? My real father?"

She keeps her gaze steady on him and then releases a breath. "I guess there's no point in denying it any longer. I did so many things wrong in my life. Keeping you from knowing him while he was alive will always be my biggest regret. I didn't do it maliciously. I was just a young, confused woman who was trying to figure out so many things at once.