Forbidden 》 jung jaehyun

II

The older man looked at me with his sharp black eyes. His finger lifts one by one and slams back to the table. Meanwhile, his other hand holds a silver cane that I assumed helps him walk.

 The luminous color makes the cane shines brightly inside the dull room. It looks very beautiful yet very intimidating. You don't know what has the cane done to me. You don't know how many times the cane touched my skin, harshly.

"Haeyeong" his voice vibrated. I quickly fixed my eyes to him. I hid my shaking hands under the table, not wanting him to know. It was dead silence for a good minute before he hands me a paper.

He pointed out a word in the paper. It said "Ji Chansol." I looked at him confused."It's your new name." He answered. My eyes went bigger. I pointed back the name. "This? My new name?" I asked confusedly. He simply nodded.

"But father, I already have one!" My voice raised. "And I like my real name better." I continued. Father didn't seem to buy my word and slammed his hands on the table. "Quiet!" he exclaimed.

"Don't you see? I'm tired of having you in my life. You've ruined my life, Haeyeong! Everything about you is very mysterious, twisted, weird, and it scares me!" He holds my face while he yelled at me. I tried to lean back but he kept pulling my body forward. 

"Father, please let me-" I begged him. "No! Stop! You listen to me, Demon!" he stares at me intensely. " Don't ever call me father. I am not the father of a disgusting demon like you! Now, get ready to leave because you're no longer welcome here." He let go of my face and moved back.

"Tomorrow morning, bring your stuff, and we're going." He fixed his watch and head to the door. I looked down feeling guilty about everything. My heart was broken to pieces, but I can't blame anyone. "Look at the bright side, Chansol. You can still keep your surname." He grinned and slammed the door. "It's Haeyeong." I silently whispered. 

I wiped my teary eyes and stood up. The air felt very cold, it pierced through my bone. The dull room really fits my situation, I started to cry in misery. I keep sobbing until someone knocked at the door.

"Um...Haeyeong?" a black silhouette popped out.

"God, it's dark in here." he reached for the switch and the light turns on revealing a gold-haired guy. I looked away trying to avoid his stare. 

"I'm very sorry, Haeyeong." His gaze softened. 

"It's Chansol" I said coldly. 

"F-Father, he..." I tried to form a word, but I kept stuttering. "He hates me, doesn't he?" I looked at Haechan who is now sitting next to me. I was hoping for an answer, but he didn't say a word. He didn't even dare to look at my eyes. 

I grabbed both of his hands, making him facing me. Tears started flowing down to my cheeks. I can't help but feel really sorry for this little boy. "I-I'm sorry, Haechan. I'm sorry I can't be the sister you wanted." My hands started to tremble. 

"Y-you always have to deal with my life because I can't do anything right..." I sniffed. "But I swear, you'll be very happy once I leave this place."

"I promise I will never in my life forget you. I'll pray for you every single night, hoping nothing but the best for you." My face formed a smile. A heart-broken smile. "But, please..." I paused. Our eyes were now facing each other. I looked at the boy shining brown eyes. I envied those eyes very much. It looked very elegant and beautiful. If there's only a way I could stare it more longer.

"But please remember, that there was once a girl named Haeyeong." I finished. 

He hugged me very tightly. It was the warmest hug I could ever ask. I returned the hug while stroking his hair sometimes. "You'll always be the stupid, undependable, and annoying  Haeyeong for me." He whispered below my ear.

"Haeyeong!" a little girl entered the room followed by two boys that seem were catching their breath. "You're leaving?!" the little one asked.

"I'm sorry, Haewon. I promise I'll come back." I reassured her.

"Is it because of that big fat old guy?" The green-haired guy spoke.

"It's father, Chenle." the younger one corrected him.

"I don't care about that burrito looking guy, all I care now is Haeyeong!" His face looks pissed.

"Chenle, Jisung, it's okay. It's the best decision me and father can make." I lifted Haewon up. Now she's sitting on my shoulder.

"When will you leave?" Haechan asked. Everyone's eyes were looking at me, waiting for my respond. 

"I'm not sure.