The Misunderstood Secret {J.k}

2

I walk into the firm 10 minutes late due to the traffic of Chicago. It gets crazy, not just the traffic but the wonderful individuals that should not have a license to drive. It's like they don't know what merging lanes is! Nor do they have the decency to let people, like myself, in! Angry with myself for being later than 5 minutes, I walk into the firm elevator with a scowl on my face.

"What's wrong with you today?" Asks my long-time friend Johnny. He has been my friend since I came to the states. When I came to the states the only struggle I had was being new to the country. My family really helped me out, setting my home up, providing me with the job at the law firm that brings in the money.

I'm glad that i had an understanding family. From what I hear in America, once teenage daughters get pregnant they are often kicked out without any help. In fact, that is how Sara's family treated her. Johnny was the person next Sara that I had here. He does know everything, the reason I'm here, the reason why Jungkook doesn't know that there's a mini him running around, everything. I trust him with my life.

"Just a rough morning, Johnny. I'll be fine." I look to him a smile.

"Well okay, get to your office. You've had non-stop calls coming in, sounds really important and personal. Do you only have your work phone?" I scrunch my face up in confusion as i dig through my purse to find my home phone. Trying to find anything in my purse is a mission, but once i come to the conclusion that I did indeed leave my home phone at home on the counter, only having my work phone i turn to Johnny.

"Yeah I only have my work phone, What do you mean it sounds important and personal? Do you know who it was that called?" I ask as the elevator door opens at our floor and we exit.

"Now why would I know who it is? It sounded urgent though so just go to your office and call back." He says with a chuckle heading into the direction of his office.

I push open the glass doors into my office and set my purse on the table. I love my office, I used to have just a desk job but as I worked my way up in the firm i quickly got my own office with a bathroom and a seating area. I want to put a bed in here but I'm not trying to get fired or anything rash.

I push the voicemail button as i take of my shoes and prepare to work for the next 4 hours until break. None of them seemed to be too important, just individuals who need a good lawyer like myself to help with their cases. I work multiple different kinds of cases from just custody battles to armed robbery.

"Jin Ae, it's your mother. I've been calling you all morning. I need you to call me back as soon as possible. It's about your father." I snap my head to the phone. Confusion fills my head. I haven't talked to my mother about my father in a very long time. They divorced shortly after I left Korea for just simply falling out of love with each other. My mother says that they grew apart because he was too caught up in his work and didn't show love or affection to her.

I quickly give her a call back to figure out just what exactly is going on. I dial and wait for the ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey mom, I see you called? I just wanted to know whats happening? How is everything going." I ask with uncertainty. I talk with my mother on the daily basis, as she's still, even after 4 years, is excited to be a grandmother.

"Yes, I did call. Are you busy right now? I need you to sit down if I am going to tell you this over the phone." she says in a low voice, almost as if she is protecting me from something.

"Mom, you're scaring me." I say with a laugh. "What's going on?"

"Well, it is about your father. He isn't doing so well, his leukemia is coming back fast and quickly, therefore he is in the hospital." She sniffles as my heart fills with dread.

"Eomma-"

"I think that you should come here and see him Jin Ae. You need to come back home."She says as she starts to cry. I begin to sniffle along with her.

"Eomma, I don't have that kind of money for Minji and I don't want to miss anything. I'll ask for an early pay to see just how much I'd have to pay-" i begin to ramble and sob into the phone.

"Hey, my baby. Don't cry, honey. Just worry about making sure that you and Minji are packed and ready to leave in two days. You can not cry, honey. Finish out your work there so you can come back home. We need you here with a straight head on your shoulders." I nod although she can't see me.

"Okay Eomma. I will call you later." I quickly hang up the phone as I am overcome with more tears. Although my parents are divorced, he is still my father. He helped me with Minji and he's been there for me. He raised me and I need to be there for him at a tough time like now.

After my crying fest comes to a semi close, i straighten myself up in my office bathroom. I have two meetings to attend to and i have to talk to my boss about the emergency leave. I am very nervous to have to go back to Korea. I have no idea what is planned for me or Minji when we arrive in South Korea. It will be his first time in the country and although he is a smart 4 year old, I doubt he knows the concept of death yet and losing his grandfather will really devastate him, even if he hasn't met him in person since he was a tiny baby.

A knock on my office door snaps me out of my thoughts as I scurry to the door. I pinch my cheeks to allow some color to enter them. I take a deep breath and open the door with a smile.

"Did you answer the calls?" asks Johnny.

"Yeah I got to them. It looks like i'll be taking my vacation a little early as Minjoon and I have to fly to Korea." He looks astounded at my remark.

"You're going back to Korea? Why so sudden?"

"My father's not doing well. His leu-leukemia is back and stronger than ever. It's not looking so well from what my mother is saying." I say breathily. His face changes to one of horror and sadness washes over his face.

"Jin Ae..I am so sorry. I send my condolences out to you and your family. If there is anything I can do to help you, please talk to me." he says as he lays his hand over my own, causing me to choke up.

"Thank you so much Johnny. We will pray that everything is okay. But for now, we have to go attend those meetings so I can get to my son." I say with a small smile.

"Let's get a move on then." he says with a small laugh.

Short chapter (1249 Words). Enjoi!