The Shadows of power

15

After changing, Jun emerged from the washroom, and I gasped at the person standing before me. This was no longer the ‘nerd’ I had known; he was far from ugly. He took my hand, still unaware of our joined hands, and we walked outside together. I didn’t question it; I was just as captivated as he seemed.

We made our way to the garden area, a beautiful spot, and settled beneath the shade of a large tree. My curiosity got the better of me, and I said, “Now, explain.”

Jun looked at me and began, “You know, one of my acquaintances studied here, and I love studying a lot. That person suggested that with the looks I have, I might attract a lot of attention, so it’s better if I disguise myself. That’s the reason I used to do it — nothing more.”

“But still,” I replied, “people want to be handsome or beautiful, even after being blessed with such features by God. Here you are, disguising yourself!”

Jun interjected, “You know, I love studying a lot so for that......”

Jin shot back, “First, give me an appropriate excuse, okay? How can studying and love be in the same sentence?”

June sighed at Jin’s statement, but eventually, Jin continued, “After that, we started talking to each other more. We began going on dates, and we were very happy together, to begin with. Then we started dating for real, and we fell in love.”

With a chuckle, Jin added, “That idiot proposed to me by saying, ‘You are the only sine 90 degrees whom I love tan 90 degrees.’”

Jin clarified, “In simple words, he meant you are the only one whom he loves infinitely.”

As our university life continued, there came a day when I met Jun’s father. The man radiated a dark aura, fitting the rich, royal family stereotype. He visited me one day and stated, “So, Jin, you’re the one my son is dating and in love with.” I nodded and replied, “Yes, sir.”

He continued, “I’m his father, and the life Jun is going to lead in the future is nowhere near love or relationships. I’m begging you, please leave him. I don’t want my son to become soft or emotional.”

Everyone was shocked as they listened to Jin’s story. “How can a father say something like that to his own son?” J-Hope questioned incredulously.

Jin responded, “Well, you know, parenting comes in many forms. But I never felt proud to see an elderly person, especially the father of the man I love, on his knees begging me. I never wanted that. So, with teary eyes, I agreed with him. That day, I left Jun and told him never to meet me again.”

“After that, Jun found out about his father and me. He… he forcibly married me by kidnapping me,” Jin admitted, his voice trembling slightly. “But things didn’t go well between us, and eventually, I left him.”

“After pursuing my medical degree and everything, I went to America to further my studies. When I returned to Korea, I began working at the hospital where you came to find me. That day, I was actually having a happy time as the head doctor, but the patients — mostly rich, spoiled brats — didn’t care for their treatment. Instead of focusing on their health, they wanted me to be intimate with them. That was quite disrespectful to my profession as a doctor. I wanted a change of atmosphere in my work, so I agreed to the job offer, and here we are.”

Everyone listened intently to Jin’s story. They noticed how he glossed over details after meeting Jun’s father, only mentioning the forced marriage and how Jun found out about it, but avoiding the specifics. Namjoon clenched his fists, well aware of the true nature of the events that led to their separation.

After talking for a while longer, they decided to go to their rooms to sleep. But Jin, unable to shake the haunting memories of his past, made his way to the terrace. Namjoon, knowing Jin might be there, followed him.

What would happen between them now?