Beach Days [JaeSeong]

Chapter Seventeen

When I get downstairs Aeri is walking around nervously.
- Good morning.
- Oh, Jaeyoon! Good morning! Did you sleep well?
- Couldn't have slept better.
I smile at her.
- Really?? - she seems a little surprised by it. - Is Inseong awake?
- Yes, he's just using the bathroom.
- Oh great. I'll put the breakfast on the table for you two.
- Have you eaten?
- Yes, yes. I ate with my husband.
The mood gets a little weird with the mention of him.
- He's not here then.
- No, he had another meeting. He thought it would be better if he left early.
- I see.
We stay in silence until Inseong arrives.
- Morning, omma.
- Good morning. Why don't you eat and after you finish we have a chat? I'll be on the living room. Breakfast is already on the table.
- Ok.
After Aeri left Inseong looks at me like he's asking what happened.
- She said your dad left early for a meeting. I think she's worried about what happened yesterday.
- Oh. Ok. Let's just eat then. This looks great.

After we finish eating we go to the living room. Aeri seems confused on what to do when I come along. I whisper to Inseong:
- I think I should leave, she doesn't seem to want me here.
- I don't care, you're staying. - He sits on the couch and makes me sit by his side. - So, mom... What do you want to talk about?
- Are you sure Jaeyoon should stay for this?
- Yes.
- Fine. So here's the thing. Your dad told me what happened yesterday and he's quite mad about it. You know him. But I want to hear what you have to say before jumping into any conclusion.
- What do you want to know?
- Why you don't want to go to this university. Is it because it's too far? - She said the last word looking at me. Inseong takes a deep breath before replying.
- I always hated the idea of studying law. I always hated the idea of working with dad. "Taking care of our company" like he says. I don't think I could hate this idea more than I do. But dad seemed to think this is why I was born. Simply to take care of his company.
- So... Your decision has nothing to do with Jaeyoon?
- Of course it has. If wasn't for him I could consider being unhappy and studying what dad wants me to. I wouldn't have said the things I said yesterday if I didn't know Jaeyoon. The idea of leaving him scares me more than dad does.
I look at Inseong and then to the ground. I can't look at Aeri or anything else to be honest. I feel flattered but also feel like it's all my fault. I know he would hate going to law university but I also know he would never confront his father. This is my fault. His family is going to a crisis because of me. Aeri sighs loud enough for me to hear and says:
- I understand. I do. But you have to understand that you can't just depend on us for the rest of your life. You need to study, you know you do. This will disappoint your dad but I agree with you. I don't think you should be doing something just because he wants you to. But... I'll talk to him with one condition.
- Yes, of course! What is it?
- You need a plan. You have until dinner to decide what you want. We need to tell your dad that you have a plan of your own and you don't want to follow his.
- Ok...
- One last thing. I don't think it would be a good idea for Jaeyoon to stay for dinner.
Inseong looks at me sadly and I smile weakly at him before replying.
- It's ok.
His mom then says:
- Jaeyoon, honey, look at me. - I look at her shyly and she continues - I can see what your doing. I want you to know that I don't blame you. And you shouldn't blame yourself either.
- Thank you. - I manage to mumble.
- Now you both can go take a walk. I know Inseong likes to walk when he has something to think about.
- Thanks, omma. - he says before hugging her.
- It's ok, dear. Now go. I'll be waiting both of you for lunch.