Grown With Love

Slowly, it ease

It was such an awkward situation where he drove her back to her house but with Hyunsik at his sides. He took glances at Joy from the front mirror and were smiling from time to time as he realised how fascinating her look as her eyes wandering about the view.

" Oppa, there .. there. " Sungjae was startled a bit when suddenly Joy shrieking as she patted Hyunsik's arm, making both of them to look to where she pointed at. Smiles eventually formed on his face as he realised what makes the girl so excited. " That's our school. " " Woah, it's quite big. " " Aaah, I miss this school. I couldn't do the graduation over here though. "

" Yeah, it felt so wrong when you're not there. "

Sungjae were unconsciously mumbled all by himself making Hyunsik who sat next to him to smile but sadly, his words wasn't be heard by Joy.

They reached her house soon than they thought and as Sungjae were about to help her with her luggage, he accidentally held her hand that was gripping on the handle making both of them to look at each other in embarrassed. " I'll do it. You can go in. " He, even though stuttering, managed to said it to her. She nodded before cutely ran towards her father who already waiting for her at the door.

He noticed that Hyunsik were standing next to him as he also taken care of his own luggage. " So you'll be staying here ? " Asks Sungjae with a stern in his voice, slightly uncomfortable with Joy's idea of making this guy to stay with her.

" I wasn't going to but Joy insists. " " I see. " " But if you are uncomfortable, then I'll just head to the hotel tonight. " " What ? No, that's not what I mean. I'm just asking. You can stay wherever you like. It's nothing to do with me. Why would I feel uncomfortable with it ? "

Hyunsik almost let out a laughter in front of him seeing how Sungjae struggles  to make himself appear calm. " I'm sure you do. "

They head in, including Sungjae who was being dragged by Mr Park since he at first want to leave but was stops by Joy's father. " Son, you can go after some tea. Let's join us first. "

" Son ? " Joy asks in dumbfounded looking at how close Sungjae is with her father.

" Yeah, when you're away, Sungjae is the one who keep me company. And I've always want a son, and he doesn't seem to mind it. "

It somehow making Joy's heart to feel at ease knowing her father has been taken care of and not just by anybody but Sungjae himself. She never thought he will do that for her and she really feel thankful for that.

They were having a good talk until Joy blurted out what might her dad want to ask the most. " Dad, mom is fine over there. " " Really ? Glad she do. " " How's your work Sooyoung ? "

She heaved a sigh when her dad out of sudden change the topic, probably trying not to make him remind about her mom.

" Being an editor is quite fun but tiring at the same time. "
" She lied. She love her job since these designers will always gave her things from their brand. "
" Haha, well it's true. "

" So Hyunsik right ? " " Yes sir. " " How long have you been knowing Sooyoung ? " " Almost 5 years I believe. " " So you guys must be in a serious relationship now right ? "

Mr Park asked in a serious tone making both Hyunsik and Joy to laugh at his sudden dad mode. " Owh, you must get us wrong Mr Park. I'm just her close friend and nothing more. " " Are you telling me the truth because why would Joy bring a guy here if you're not her boyfriend. "

" Dad, seriously ? Were you watching drama too much ? Oppa is just a friend to me and I don't think it's wrong to bring a good friend of mine here. I just want to let you know that I'm really living well there dad. Stop asking such questions, you're embarrassing me. " " I'm just making sure. "

Her dad then turn to look at Sungjae with a knowing look making the lad to be in dumbfounded. He then quickly drink his tea, making him coughing a little bit since the tea is still hot. " Are you alright ? "

Joy who seems worried about him, quickly went to his side to pat his back while handling him a tissue to wipe his mouth. " I'm ok. Thanks. "

When Joy realised what just she did, she hurriedly went back to her place making Hyunsik and Mr Park to look at her in smiles.

" I should leave now, abeonim. I've got something to be done. " " Alright, do come over again son. Let's have some drinks later. " " Aah, yey .. "

He is steps away from his car when he felt someone had been following him from behind, and when he turned, he realised that it was Joy, who had a shy smiles on her face. " No need to send me off. " " It's fine. "

He then lean his body on his car, with him facing her, making the girl to be in more nervous. They didn't say a word and he just stared at her face for a moment until she broke his gaze.

" Why are you staring ? "
" Come closer. "

He didn't know where does he got the courage to say those words but he already did. She obeyed but stood few steps away from him, making sure that there's still gap between them.

" You've become pretty ... "

She was fluttered with his words and it shown with the way she smiles. " Omo, why are you like this. "

" But still looks like a fish to me. " " Yahh ! "

Sungjae lets out a big laugh after that, seeing the Joy that he known were still the same and he glad when she do.

" I'm a hot Joy now. "
" Yeah right. Fish. "
" Whatever, I'm going in. "

She was about to turn away when he suddenly held her arms, before pulled her body towards him and embraced her. Her hand were stiff at the sides, eyes bulging and heart beat races wildly when she felt his arms around her waist. " I miss you Sooyoung. I'm so happy when you're here. "

She felt warm when she heard that, and felt really glad that their awkwardness wasn't going on for long. " Sungjae-ah ... " " Can you just hug me ? " Said Sungjae as giggles could be heard from him since he felt Joy were getting stiff.

" Arasso. Aigoo you're like a kid. "
" Eomma. " And he played along making both of them to laughed at it.