the penthouse

30 | a dream unfolds.

" that was really good, ji-yoo ! " mark clapped. it was the third time she had played the piano that morning, but it seemed like she was already a proffesional. " i must say, you might get better than me at this. "

he was very happy to see that ji-yoo was doing so well. it was clear that this was her passion, and she wanted to pursue this career for some time. to some extent, mark could see himself in ji-yoo.

it was very hard for him to drop school and focus on his musical career. he was not supported by his parents, and his sister was already married by the time he could ask for her help. but now, it was different.

he was going to be there for ji-yoo. it seemed like both sicheng, and yeri were excited for their daughter to find so much passion in doing all of this. with yeri already knowing that music ran in their family, she was aware that mark was going to step in.

mark was going to help ji-yoo, as much as he could. if she wished to, mark would be able to make her a star. there were going to be people who would call her out for having such an influential family, but ji-yoo will learn how to handle it.

when he found talent, mark could not let go of it. and, from what he could tell, his niece was pure talent. she was born with a talent that mark had never seen before, and mark will figure out a way to show her that going for music is best.

" can we take a break ? i need to call my mom, she probably wonders when i am going to come back home. " ji-yoo asked mark. he nodded at her words, walking away from the piano. " are grandma and grandpa not home ? " she got up.

mark turned around. obviously, both of his parents were home. but, they did not want to come and see how mark was helping ji-yoo out. they were not happy about ji-yoo going for this life, and were surely going to let yeri know that they were against it.

" i do think they are home, somewhere upstairs. i doubt they want to see you though, since they think that you are doing something bad. " mark replied to ji-yoo, who's face dropped. why were they so sad about ji-yoo's wish to play the piano ?

" i will call mom, then. she is probably waiting for me to tell her about my practice. " ji-yoo said, holding up her phone. mark nodded, and turned around. he opened the door to the backyard, and walked out. " wait for me, uncle mark ! "

she ran after mark. when she sat down at one of the white chairs placed next to the door, she saw that mark took out a cigarette. he placed it between his lips, lighting it. ji-yoo looked away, letting out a sigh.

she pressed yeri's contact number. she waited for her mother to pick up her call, but it seemed like yeri was not near her phone. ji-yoo put her phone away, and continued to look at mark. he was also talking to someone, and it seemed like he was very happy with that person.

mark had never smiled that brightly. suddenly, she wondered who he could be talking to. was he seeing anyone ? usually, ji-yoo considered the fact that people were happy to talk to their loved ones. for an amazing example, she thought of her parents.

" yes, i will come back to oslo soon. i need to spend some time here, but i will figure out some things. " mark said a little louder than his other words, which made ji-yoo raise her eyebrow. " i know you want your artist to work with me, but i have some work at home. understand. "

ji-yoo tried to look away. mark had turned around, and was now looking in her direction. it was surely not a relationship anymore, but mark discussing work. why was he smiling that much at first ? maybe it meant nothing.

" no, i need to work with someone. i will come back, as i have just said. i will be in time, until the deadline comes. " mark continued to talk to the other person, " it is family i am working with. i am helping out my niece. she is trying to play the piano. "