Fate

Chapter 167

Mina's P.O.V.
I answered my old phone. "Mina Bilodeau."
Why didn't she use Messenger or something? I'd rather the both of us not to pay for a scolding.

"Hi, mom~"

"Sickenly sweet doesn't suit you, baby. You know that." I got my mom's sharp tongue. I could hear it every time she was upset with me.
"You didn't answer the family on Facebook for wishing you a happy birthday. They've been pestering me because you don't answer your messages either. It's been a few days."

She didn't sound mad, but she carried their feelings in her voice. I finally got home a few days ago. I didn't have Facebook on my phone. I only used it for them. I muted Messenger there because it always dinged at night. The pleasure of a 12h time difference. "You did tell them what I was going through, right?"
It was rhetorical. My cousin Alex wrote to me early on the 24th, late their 23rd right as I had gone into surgery. Byul wrote to her for me at the time. I did tell my mom I was hospitalized. I'm not a monster.
"Obviously, I didn't get to them yet. I'll get to it. I didn't think I had this much catching up to do."

I closed my website, yes. My inbox? Not so much. So many clients inquired about their orders I had shipped before all of this debacle. Nothing went wrong! They just wanted to make sure that when I said 23rd, it was in KST. Which it was. I said so in my email and in my generic automatic response when they sent a message since then. Some regulars asked if I was okay, which was kind of them.
I also had to place an order for things I could have until I could eat anything I wanted. I also would slowly begin taking new orders.
It was a handful given I managed to sit and get out of my seat without assistance two days ago. My mother didn't seem to get it. "You're exaggerating. You've basically had two weeks."

Want me to be honest? "Maybe I didn't want to, maybe I was busy sleeping? Who knows?"

"That's not very polite, Mina."

"I know, that's why I said I'd get to it."

My eyes met with my eonni's. Yes, she was still around. She wasn't stuck to me like glue anymore, but she stayed over twice since I got home. "Girl?"
She motioned at my face. "Is there someone I need to yell at? Is Jake spamming you with videos again?"

At least they couldn't understand each other. "I can do that myself, and it's not him."
His messages were nice distractions.

The confusion in my mom's voice. "You have company? Why didn't you say so?"

"I've had company each time we spoke. It's not a big deal." I took a deep breath as I tried to be more comfortable in my seat.
"I'll write to them, don't worry about that. Oh, and I'm great. Thanks for asking."

Her tone could transcend any language. I hit a nerve. "Don't put it like that! You're making me look bad."
That's what she cared about? How it made her look? "No news is good news with you, is it not?"

Well.. that's how it used to be, but not anymore. If I didn't keep in touch with anyone for a few days, at least one of them would. Depending on who it was, they'd either be caring or chewing me up.
"I guess? If that makes you guys feel better."
Moonbyul sat next to me and handed me something to drink. "I'll call you sometime next week? I have to see how I'll put away what Namjoon bought."

We said our goodbyes and hung up. "If I hadn't read that caller ID, I would've thought it was an angry client."

"I'd rather have that, to be honest. Do you think I'm too distant from my family? Considering the situation, I mean."

Seems playing with my hair became a habit of hers. "You should've let me write them a message if she's pissed at you for it. I had your phone on me unless you asked for it."
After glancing at me, she chuckled. "It's not your fault. I know."