Secret Love

17| change

After refreshing himself with a shower, Jisung began searching for the perfect outfit to wear for his visit to Aunty Lee's place. He carefully selected a simple yet stylish ensemble that complemented his features. To complete his look, he added a touch of subtle makeup and styled his hair with precision.

Feeling confident and refreshed, Jisung made his way downstairs to where his mother was waiting. "I'm heading out to visit Aunty Lee today," he announced, his voice filled with excitement.

His mother smiled warmly and handed him a bag containing the cooking books she had borrowed from Aunty Lee. "Don't forget to return these to her," she reminded him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement.

Jisung took the bag, his fingers wrapping around the handles as he nodded with a smile. "I won't, Mom."

"And make sure to say hi to her from me," his mother instructed, her voice filled with warmth.

Jisung nodded again, his smile deepening. Just as he was about to leave, his mother called out to him once more. "And don't forget to meet Minho. If he's not there today, make sure to catch up with him soon."

Jisung's expression turned slightly introspective, but he nodded nonetheless. With a brief wave, he excused himself and headed out the door, leaving his mother to wonder about the complexities of her son's emotions.

As Jisung stepped onto the familiar grounds of the Lee mansion, a mix of emotions swirled within him. The last time he had set foot here was three years ago, when he had shared a warm lunch with Mrs. Lee and Minho. Memories of that day flooded his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder if his disappearance would have changed the dynamics of their relationship.

As he approached the entrance door, his heart began to pound in his chest. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorbell. The wait felt like an eternity, and when the door finally swung open, Jisung's breath caught in his throat.

He didn't look up immediately, unsure of who would be standing on the other side of the door. But as he sensed a figure in front of him, he slowly lifted his gaze to meet the person's eyes. The warm sunlight danced across Mrs. Lee's face, illuminating her gentle features and kind eyes.

"Jisung!" Mrs. Lee exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and joy. She flung open her arms, and Jisung stepped into her warm embrace. The familiar scent of her perfume enveloped him, transporting him back to a time when life was simpler.

As they hugged, Jisung felt a lump form in his throat. He had missed Mrs. Lee dearly, and the warmth of her embrace was like a balm to his weary soul.

"Where have you been?" Mrs. Lee asked, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "And how are you?" She pulled back, her eyes scanning his face as if searching for any signs of change.

Jisung smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in Mrs. Lee's presence. "I'm good, I came back a week ago," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Mrs. Lee's eyes widened in surprise. "A week! Why didn't you visit me sooner?" She asked, her tone playful, with a hint of mock offense.

As they stood there, chatting and catching up, Jisung realized that half an hour had passed. The warm sunlight had begun to cast a golden glow over the surroundings, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

He remembered the cooking books his mother had asked him to return and rummaged through his bag to retrieve them. "Mrs. Lee," he said, extending his hand with the books. "Mom told me to give you these. These are the cooking books she borrowed from you, and she also asked me to pass along her greetings."

Mrs. Lee laughed as she took the books from Jisung. "Oh, okay...thank you," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Just then, Mrs. Lee's phone rang, and she answered it. "Right now?" she responded to the caller. "Okay," she said before ending the call.