❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Chapter 3 : Returning to Familiar Shores

Yeonjun descended the stairs, lugging three suitcases behind him. He was stylishly dressed in a Rick Owens Geometric-Print Lightweight hooded jacket, layered over a black tank top and paired with black shorts that were subtly visible beneath the jacket's hem. The jacket's length fell above his thighs, showcasing his legs. On his feet, he wore pull-on Bogun boots, completing his chic ensemble.

His mother gave him a thorough once-over, taking in every detail of his outfit from head to toe. It had been years since she'd seen her son express his personal style so freely, as his work attire usually consisted of formal suits. Meanwhile, his father sat at the luxurious dining table, sipping his morning coffee, observing the scene with attention.

His father placed his coffee cup on the table and asked, "What's with the suitcases?"

"Yeonjun, you're only going to the hospital to sign some papers for Halmoni and then coming right back home, but with all those suitcases, it looks like you're moving in for a few months! What's going on?" his mom asked, her voice laced with disapproval and concern.

"Eomma, Appa, I know this may come as a surprise to you both, but I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past two days. And I've decided that I'm going to stay in Pohang for a while," Yeonjun said, his expression determined. "I want to make sure that the facilities at the geriatric care center are up to par and that Halmoni is receiving the best possible care. I don't feel right leaving her alone, especially after everything she's done for us. I need to be there to support her and ensure her well-being."

He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I know this means I'll be away from work and the city, but I think this is something I need to do. I'll be able to keep an eye on things and make sure Halmoni is comfortable and happy. I'll make it work, don't worry."

His father's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disapproval, as he gazed at the suitcases and then at Yeonjun. His lips pressed together, forming a thin line, and his eyebrows knitted in a frown, giving away his discontent.

"One month, and then you'll return," his father stated firmly, his voice brooking no argument, as he stood up from the dining table and walked away, disappearing into his in-house office. As a renowned prosecutor and businessman, he was a man who valued his word and expected others to do the same. He wasn't accustomed to being disagreed with, and his son knew that his father's statements were always laced with an unspoken expectation of compliance.

His father's parting words hung in the air, a clear directive that Yeonjun was expected to follow without question. The weight of his father's authority and influence was palpable, and Yeonjun felt the familiar pressure to conform to his father's expectations. He knew that his father's words were not just a suggestion, but a decree, one that he was expected to obey without hesitation.

In that moment, Yeonjun felt the familiar tug of his father's gravitational pull, a force that had shaped his life and decisions for as long as he could remember. His father's office door closed behind him, a physical barrier that seemed to emphasize the emotional distance between them, leaving Yeonjun to ponder the weight of his father's words and the consequences of defying them.

"I'll video call you as soon as I arrive in Pohang, so you can see that I've settled in safely," Yeonjun said, his voice filled with reassurance, as he hugged his mother tightly. "Please take care of yourself, Eomma, and don't worry about me. I'll be fine. And tell Appa that I'll return when the time is right, not just because he's told me to, but because I've made sure that Halmoni is well taken care of and that I've done what I set out to do."

Yeonjun's words were a gentle pushback against his father's earlier directive, a quiet assertion of his independence and determination to follow his own path. He knew that his mother would understand the nuances of his message, and that she would convey the subtleties of his tone to his father, who would likely be waiting to hear that his son had fallen in line with his expectations.