Rivalry Rewritten: Enmity to Intimacy ( Volume: 2)

Thirty Five

The next morning, Wooyoung woke to the sound of San's raised voice from the living room. Still groggy, he slipped out of bed and padded out to find San pacing back and forth, phone pressed to his ear, frustration clear in his voice.

"What do you mean he's too busy?" San demanded, his tone edged with exasperation. "I haven't spoken to him in weeks, and I need to talk to him today."

Wooyoung stood in the doorway, watching with concern as San's face grew more tense with each passing second. Finally, San disconnected the call with a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"What's going on?" Wooyoung asked, approaching San.

San looked up, his expression a mix of frustration and helplessness. "I wanted to talk to Dad today, to try and make things right, but he's being difficult. His assistant keeps saying he's too busy, and he won't even take my calls."

Wooyoung's eyes widened in disbelief. "He hasn't called you at all since you got back? Not even once?"

San shook his head. "Not once. It's like he's completely shut me out."

Wooyoung could feel a surge of anger rising within him. "This is ridiculous. You were out of the country for two weeks, and he can't spare a moment to talk to you?"

San sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I don't know what to do, Wooyoung. I just want to fix this, but he's making it impossible."

Just then, Wooyoung's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw it was his mother calling. He answered the call, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, he told her about the situation with Mr. Choi.

"Mom, San's been trying to talk to Dad, but he's not even taking his calls. It's like he's avoiding him completely," Wooyoung explained, his frustration evident in his voice.

His mother sighed on the other end of the line. "I understand how you feel, Wooyoung. Your father can be very stubborn, especially when he's upset. But we need to find a way to resolve this."

"I know, Mom," Wooyoung replied. "But how? He won't even listen to us."

"Let me talk to him," his mother suggested. "Maybe I can help mediate things. He might be more willing to listen to me."

Wooyoung nodded, though his mother couldn't see him. "Thanks, Mom. I really hope you can get through to him."

After ending the call, Wooyoung turned back to San. "Mom's going to try talking to him. Maybe she can help."

San sighed, looking slightly relieved. "I hope so. I just want to sort this out. For us, for Jiwoo... for everyone."

Wooyoung stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on San's arm. "We'll get through this, San. Together. No matter how stubborn he is, we'll find a way."

San looked into Wooyoung's eyes, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

They settled at the kitchen table, their moods lightening as Jiwoo babbled happily in her high chair. Her innocent laughter and bright eyes brought a much-needed sense of normalcy to the tense atmosphere.

"Look at her," Wooyoung said, smiling as he ruffled Jiwoo's hair. "How can anyone be in a bad mood with this little angel around?"

San chuckled, spooning some mashed fruit onto a small plate for Jiwoo. "She does have a way of making everything better, doesn't she?"

Jiwoo clapped her hands, a gleeful squeal escaping her lips. Wooyoung leaned closer to her, making funny faces that sent her into fits of giggles. San watched them, a soft smile playing on his lips.