Who Is The One?

Chapter 16

"He was so sweet! Minji do you know what he said? He said 'I haven't officially asked you. Will you be my girlfriend'. Isn't his choice of words great?" I told Minji over the phone.

"Thats so cheesy! Why do you like such things gosh." Minji replied.

"Whatever. As long as the words come from Dujun's mouth, it feels so surreal that I love it..."

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Dujun and I went on a few more dates over the one month. We usually went for meals at different restaurants serving different types of food and of course, we avoided seafood restaurants. I never told Dujun that I agreed being his girlfriend but I guess both of us assumed that our ship was already sailing.

"So where do you want to go today?" Dujun asked while swinging our entwined hands.

I thought for a while. "I'm not sure. What about you?"

"Do you want to explore some vintage bookshops or something?"

"That sounds fun! I love books." I exclaimed.

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We entered a shop which was lighted by light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. The book shelves were wooden and books fully filled each shelf.

The shelves were arranged in a way that they filled the left and right side from the entrance. Directly in front of the entrance was a mahogony table with a dimly lit lamp. A floral arrangement adorned the table. The floor was made of cement.

I loved the smell of fresh books. The shop was exactly the kind of style I liked. Classic and not too modernised. It had a calm feel to it.

I shook Dujun's hand. "I love this place."

Dujun grinned. "Me too."

We looked around. "This shall be our official favourite place. What do you think?"

Dujun pinched my cheek. "Of course Youngji."

I went over to one of the book shelves with Dujun following behind. We were quiet for a while until Dujun asked me something.

"You know, I've been wondering. You haven't said a word about your family when I've talked about mine a few times before."

I was quiet for a moment, frozen in place. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"I just don't want to talk about them. I don't think that would affect our relationship would it?" I forced a smile.

Dujun studied my face for a while and finally grinned. "Okay then. If you say so."

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The sky was dark and the moon had already appeared. I walked leisurely to my doorstep. I unlocked the door and entered.

"I'm home," I cooed.

"Oh Youngji ah. Come over here. Your father's here." Mama called out to me.
My eyes widened. I walked over to them cautiously. 'My father' was smiling as sweetly as he could. I wished I was able to wipe that curve off his lips.

"I thought you were bedridden. Just so you know, we have no need for your visit ." I hissed.

Mama pulled my wrist towards her, gesturing me to sit beside her. She was glaring at me. On her right, Jackson was seated with a glum face. I smirked. At least Jackson held the same perspective as I did.

He coughed out in spasms. I saw a walking cane on his left. He must have struggled to come here. I kept the same glum expression.

"I- I want to apologise for not being able to give you a complete family." His voice was hoarse.

I gritted my teeth. I'm glad you know your mistake.

"I have decided to give you siblings 20% inheritance each. When I-" he paused for a moment. "die, my lawyer will come to you."

"I genuinely beg of you to forgive all my wrong-doings. Please. I have always loved all of you. I don't want to die with regrets."

"Then all the more I wouldn't forgive you. I hope you regret everything until the day you die." Jackson spurted out.

Jackson got up to go upstairs and I followed him. Before the voices from the living room got muffled, I heard Mama saying, "I forgive you."

I rolled my eyes. She's too nice. What Jackson said was true. An apology is insufficient for all the years of misery he put us through. Even that inheritance as a form of compensation was useless. Ties and bonds cannot be mended with wealth.