Unconditionally (BOOK 3)

Bonding

When I arrived in front of Yeji's house, I wasn't surprised by its size and appearance. It seems like if you're a Hwang, you're automatically privileged. I was actually relieved by this because it meant that my dad didn't screw his brother out of a lot of money. They seemed to be doing just fine without him.

I followed behind Yeji and Yeonjun into her home, planning on finding a seat right next to my dad.

"Hey." Mrs. Hwang beamed, giving her daughter a hug. "And hello to you too, honey." Then kissed Yeonjun on the cheek. "And you," she smiled at me, "the last time I saw you was when you were a little baby in the hospital."

"Has it really been that long?" Yeonjun was in shock.

"I didn't even know Yeji and I were cousins, what do you think?" I shook my head at him. "But it's nice to see you." I turned back to Yeji's mother and said.

We followed her into another room to find my dad, along with my uncle, sitting on the couch conversing and having a beer together. I'm sure they've talked about everything that's happened over the last twenty years since they haven't spoken.

"Hey, kiddo." My dad smiled once I came into view. "Grab a beer and join us."

"You too." My uncle pointed to Yeonjun. "Honey," he called out to his wife, "can you get the boys some beers?" I could see the contained excitement all over Yeonjun's face. Getting the son treatment from the girlfriend's father is always a big deal. "You've certainly grown up after two decades." He said to me. "How's life been treating you?"

"Pretty good." I nodded, then thanked Mrs. Hwang after she handed me a drink. "I just work every day, nothing too crazy."

"Yeah, your father was telling me you work in a museum. I'd say that's rather impressive. Which one?"

"The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art."

"And you have your own work of art in there too? That's incredible." My dad must've talked about me quite a bit before I got here. I bet he never imagined that one day he'd be bragging about his only son to his brother. "He's very proud." He winked, pointing to my father. "Told me all about it. He also told me about the little holiday plan you've made with my daughter."

"I just thought it would make sense." I shrugged.

"Am I invited?" Yeonjun chimed in, nearly finished with his first beer. He's lucky I'm driving him home, otherwise I would've told him to slow down.

"Don't you have your own family?" I asked him.

"Well, is Felix coming?"

"Yeah."

"Then let me come too." His eyes widened, and then looked to my uncle. "That is, if I'm allowed."

"Of course you're allowed." He smiled. "You've always been like a son to me. I'm so glad you and Yeji are together again after all these years."

"Wait, really?" The genuine shock on Yeonjun's face made me smile.

"Are you kidding?" Mr. Hwang said. "You're the only one who got the whole family Christmas presents every year." Yeonjun bit his lips together, trying to contain his shy smile.

"I still need to meet Felix in a more official way." My dad said to me.

"You'll see him in two days." I nodded.

"How was Australia?"

"Between you and me," I leaned over and whispered, "what a weird country."

"You didn't like it?" He smiled, not expecting my response.