My Lovely Husband || meanie

01. Choice

Mingyu

My legs continue to bounce uncontrollably as nervousness builds up inside me. I clasp my knee in a desperate attempt to stop them from trembling so much. My throat tightens involuntarily as I scan the living room of the main house. It's been a while since I last visited, and it hasn't changed a bit over the past few years. The same dull grey walls and light grey-colored furniture still dominate the space, making me feel exhausted and uneasy every time I come here. The familiarity of the place does nothing to ease my anxiety; instead, it amplifies my discomfort as memories flood back and intertwine with my current nervousness.

And as usual, I didn't volunteer to visit here, I was called back here by none other than my father. But he has never been a father to me as long as I remember, only been the businessman just like to the rest of the world, but I don't mind nor I've ever minded. His secretary has already escorted me here saying he's in an important meeting and I've to wait for half an hour here.

"If he had some so-called important meeting, then why did he even bother calling me here?" I thought, feeling the temptation to lash out at him surge within me. However, I managed to rein in my anger because the last thing I need is to draw any more attention to my simple and happy life.

"Mingyu-ah!" I look up and see Sora, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape, as if frozen in a moment of disbelief. The shock is etched across her beautiful face, and for a second, she seems to be questioning the reality that I am truly standing before her. To be honest, I can't really blame her for the reaction—it's a surprising truth for both of us.

"Why am I not informed that you're coming here?" I can tell she's still chatty as ever. She pulls me in for a hug that I gladly return since she's the only person I'm close to in this household. "Oh my! You've grown into such a handsome young man," she takes me in her arms length, carefully taking me in before nodding to herself with a proud smile, cracking me up in the process.

"Of course I am," I agree with her, smiling as widely as her, the wrinkles around her eyes still look beautiful as ever every time she smiles.

"Hmm, you're my son after all," she nods to herself.

Yeah, she's my mother even though she didn't give me birth. I don't remember how my mother looked like, I've lost her at the age of five. I've only seen pictures of her, she was beautiful, quite reminds me of yellow tulips but except that I know nothing about her. As for Sora, she came into my life at the age of eight.

At first it was hard for me to adapt to the situation, accepting someone else as my father's wife. I would always give her the cold shoulder while everyone around her acted like she's the madam of this house, I was quite rebellious. But things changed when I turned ten, I came to understand the truth behind everything, every act going around this household. Thus, I came to hate this house and the people connected to this household except Sora, my mother, maybe more than a mother.

"Do you have any idea why your dad called you here?" she finally speaks, pouring tea in the cup, her eyes seem more dull than the last time I saw her which was a few months ago. I don't understand why she insists on living here even though I told her to move in my apartment or buy one for herself, but as always she avoids this topic.

"No," I shake my head, taking the cup offered to me. "I don't care what it is about as long as he doesn't interfere in my life."

She nods, sipping on her tea, I follow her suit.

"Sir is waiting for you in his office," the secretary appears from upstairs, his stoned face makes me want to tell him how bad he looks with that frown of his.

"Tell him to wait for him until he finishes his tea," Sora speaks not even lifting her eyes to see his face, but I can see how taken back Mr. Park was, it's hilarious but I don't comment, sipping on my tea just as my mother instructed.

"But, Sir told me bring_"

"But I told you something else, didn't I? Do you not understand what I'm saying?" Sora doesn't even let him finish, it makes me proud that she has started to take things in her hand rather than being a pushover.

"Okay, Madame. I'll let him know," he bows at us, taking his leave.

"I'm proud of you, mom," my words easily slip my lip when I noticed and it is too late to take them back when I see her beautiful honey eyes moisture with teardrop.

"I know, son."

~~

"Kim Mingyu," saying my name without that title wouldn't hurt you is what I want to say but I don't, I would rather waste my energy on painting than him, he's worth nothing to me but the jar where I pour my hatred in. I look into those cold eyes without crumbling, keeping my head high as Sora always said never take your eyes off your opponent.

"I believe you already know how much of a hassle you are," there it goes again, no matter how many times I've corrected it.

"I believe you already aware that this hassle of yours is no longer staying under you nor does use money of yours," I once more correct him, but before he speaks further I cut him in. "And if you want to be seen as petty person, talking about all those money you've wasted when I was living here then go ahead. But don't forget I've offered to pay that money but it was you who didn't take it."

"I believe you know how much I hate people cutting in a conversation," his stern voice doesn't waver me like it did years ago, right now I feel pity at this old man who still thinks without him people are nothing.

"And I believe you know how much I hate being in this house or in front of you," I bark back in the calmest voice I can muster, a breed of sweat trickle down my nape that I'm somehow aware of, but maybe holding my ground in front of him is still as hard as it was that day. But the look of his face satisfies me, it assures me that I'm not crumbling, not yet.

"That homeless bitch is now backing you up," I feel ashamed to know that this is the person who's gene is running inside me, he disgusts me.

"She's my mother. Don't you dare talk shit about her," I slam my fist on the reading table of his that tremors under my fist, it feels good, talking to this piece of shit like this, I feel lighter. I straighten my back, turning on my heel to leave this office or his house as soon as I can.

"Don't turn your back on me, Kim Mingyu!" His voice echoes in the office.

"And what if I do?" I mock turning around, supporting my weight on the big wooden table with both of my hands, hovering over him.

"There are two options for you," he calmly states, opening his drawer, pulling out an file before sliding it to me. "Either sign this and take over The Kim Empire or get married with the person I choose for you."

"And what if I don't do either of them?" I challenge, not knowing what to expect from this cheap cunning bustard from whom I can never run away. He smiles, I know this face, it's the face of the murderer.

"You'll loose your simple life as well as Sora."