Hearts in Opposition | Park Jongseong

Chapter 11

Author's POV

The moment Jieun woke up, she immediately joined Chaehyun and Gaeul, who are now inside the dining room, eating breakfast.

"Oh! There you are!", Gaeul said with a smile as Jieun sat on the opposite side of Chaehyun.
"So? What's the tea?", Jieun asked Gaeul.
"Well.. he asked me if he could court me..", she said as Chaehyun and Jieun gasped in excitement.
"Really?!", Chaehyun and Jieun said in unison.
"Yeah!", Gaeul said.
"So what did you say?", Jieun asked.
"I said yes! I mean.. he's not that bad as I thought he would be, so.. why don't I try and give him a chance, right?", Gaeul said.
"You're right! Sunghoon's a very nice guy!", Jieun said.
"And not to mention.. also a gentleman!", Chaehyun said.
"By the way.. what did you and Jay talk about last night?", Gaeul asked Jieun.
"Well.. a few days ago.. umm.. he confessed to me..", she said.
"About his feelings?", Chaehyun said.
"Yeah.. and well.. he also told me the reason why he bullied me back then..", Jieun said.
"I hope it's not stupid..", Gaeul said.
"Actually it is..", Jieun said as they gasped in shock.
"What the?! Why?!", Gaeul said.
"Well.. he kinda find it normal and cool to tease me back then, but growing up, that's where he realized how childish his actions were..", Jieun said as she sighed.
"Some people would sometimes have a delay on the process of maturing as a person I guess?", Chaehyun said.
"What happened after that? Did he further tell you anymore details?", Gaeul asked.
"Yeah! He told me about his broken family. His mom left him at a very young age but he didn't specify why, so growing up, he never really experienced to love of a father because of how toxic and abusive his dad was..", Jieun said.
"What—", Gaeul said as she gasped in shock.
"How toxic and abusive is his dad?", Chaehyun asked Jieun.
"Well his dad has very high expectations from him like.. one wrong move and he's going to receive a brutal punishment. His dad wants him to be perfect, and doesn't want him to make mistakes.", Jieun said.
"Damn! Now I feel bad for quickly judging him in the first place!", Chaehyun said.
"His dad doesn't deserve a son like him. I mean.. Jay may be a pain in the ass back then but now.. he's a good guy, doing everything he can to correct his mistakes!", Gaeul said.
"I just hope that there's a way that they could fix their relationship as a family someday..", Jieun said.

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Jieun's POV

After eating breakfast, I immediately thought of video-calling my dad, so I immediately went back inside the guest's bedroom, took out my Ipad as I used the desk for a while to call my dad. A few seconds later, he immediately answered the call.

"Hey dad!", I said.
"Hi sweetie! How are you?", he asked me.
"Doing great as always! I hope you're safe there, dad!", I said.
"I am, don't worry! By the way... how are you doing at Chaehyun's place?", he asked me.
"I'm doing great! And I'm glad both Chaehyun and Gaeul, along with Chaehyun's mom, are here to help me cope with my separation anxiety, since you won't be here for a while..", I said.
"That's good to hear! By the way.. how's school? Is your ex bothering you?", he said.
"Umm.. yeah..", I said.
"That guy never learned his lesson, I guess?", he said with a sigh.
"Yeah! I told him to stop bothering me but I guess he won't leave me alone, and thank goodness Jay is there to protect and back me up from him..", I said.
"You know.. I like that guy..", he said.
"Who? Jay?", I asked.
"Yeah! He's very respectful and kind. I don't even have a problem if you date him though..", he said.

Damn! Should I tell him the truth? I thought to myself as I couldn't help but anxiously thought about telling my dad about Jay's recent confession.

"Umm.. dad.. speaking of Jay.. I have to tell you something..", I said.
"What is it?", he asked.
"Umm.. a few days ago... he confessed about having feelings for me..". I nervously said.
"Really? What did you do then?", he asked.
"Well.. I didn't say if I want to enter in a relationship or not. These past few days, I've been fighting the urge of not believing that he's changed but.. I guess he continuously proves me wrong that he's no longer the bully I used to know..", I said.
"Are you in love with him?", he asked.
"I.. I don't know dad! My mind is telling me not take the risk in fear of going through the same thing again yet at the same, my heart is telling me to just let myself fall in love..", I said.
"Just follow what your heart wants, sweetie. If you feel that the outcome will be good, go for it! Try to get to know him deeply, try to know what are his strengths and weaknesses, and.. try to find out if he is capable of hurting you..", he told me
"I know that Jay's not capable of hurting me but.. I'll try dad..", I said.
"I may be strict when it comes to you, dating guys but.. I trust you with your choices, sweetie!", he said.
"Thanks dad!", I said.
"I guess I have to go now, sweetie! Clock's about to hit 12, and I still have work tomorrow!", he said.
"Oh, I see! Sleep well, dad! I love you!", I told him.
"I love you too!", he said as I ended the call.