He called as promised. "Noona," he whispers through the phone. "Have you listened to the song yet?"
"No, not yet." I put my phone down on my table and pressed the speaker button. "Should I listen to it now?"
"Yes."
I had the USB in hand the whole time. I open my laptop and plugged it in. A folder pops onto the screen containing just one item, Trauma.
With no moments to lose, I click onto it.
His voice surprised me. For someone so bright and cheerful, I didn't expect such a hurt tone with painful lyrics to be his style of music.
"This is another type of confession I guess," Wonwoo says softly. "I don't mean to burden you at all but I'd just like to tell you that right now I'm hurting. I'll be okay though, I know I will. I just need more time."
I wasn't sure how to answer that in a way that I could avoid hurting his feelings. I couldn't ask a question about his 'trauma' either. It felt too personal.
"Just stay by my side, noona," he whispers.
Jeon Wonwoo, you're the type to be dependant, I thought. "Wonwoo, what's the ultimate goal for you here? For you and me, that is."
He sounded happy with the question. "A relationship."
I had to phrase the next question in a way that didn't sound like I was against the idea. But also not too fond of it either. "You know that I'll be leaving the country right?"
It took him a minute to answer. "I won't stop you from chasing your dreams, noona. I'll be here to support you to the very end. As long as you come back to me and only me."
The thing is, I don't want to come back. I love Korea with all my heart but this is not where I want to be. I don't think I can cope knowing that this is where I will end up living for the rest of my life. That's my own trauma.
~
Wonwoo's father was at his usual spot at the dining table. This time he wasn't busy doing something else like working or reading a newspaper. He was waiting.
Wonwoo knew he was in trouble as soon as he walked in.
"You're late. Again."
Wonwoo bows deeply and for a long time. "I'm sorry, father. It won't happen anymore."
His father stands and starts unbuckling his belt. "No it won't."
Wonwoo gulps knowing what is about to come next.
The door opens behind him and in comes Jungkook. He bows deeply at his father. "I'm home." He says unemotionally.
Their father's gaze shifts to the younger son. "Have you eaten?"
Jungkook nods with a small smile.
"Good. Go to bed and rest."
Jungkook eyes the belt folded in half in his father's hand. "If you beat him now he won't be able to trial for the All Star's team in 3 days." With that, he leaves the room.
Wonwoo's hands balls into fists at his sides. There was one person he hated more than his own father and that was his younger brother. He hated the fact that he does music. He hated the fact that he got scouted. He hated the fact that he's famous. He hated the fact that his father allowed him to do music in the first place. He hated him. He hated him. He hated him.
