What's Wrong With Assistant Kang?

13. Loose Threads

Jaehee didn't really know what she got herself into.

She usually wasn't the kind of person to act purely on impulse... No, she was the complete opposite. She calculated, recalculated, considered, worried-

But for some reason that didn't happen today.

All of the sudden she found herself standing right in front of an extremely luxurious mansion; and it wasn't even Jumin's penthouse.

This place... seemed so disconnected from the rest of the world. So intimidating. And apparently it had the same effect on Jumin next to her, who unconsciously squeezed her hand slightly as he hesitantly reached out for the golden doorbell and rang it.

Silently, the two stared at the door of red wood while quickened footsteps could be heard in the background. The quietness was broken as the door was no longer closed shut.

"Jumin," Mr. Chairman acknowledged him with a nod after his many bodyguards stood aside for father and son to make eye contact.

"We need to talk," Jumin quickly noted, sounding concerned.

Mr. Chairman gave him a cocked smirk. "Of course we will, son. Come upstairs to the dining room and you'll get your wish."

The raven-haired man couldn't help but deepen his frown, a growl almost escaping from his lips. "That is exactly what I want to avoid-"

"Jumin..." Jaehee flinched at the new, feminine but mature voice that quietly called out her boss's name. When she was able to discover who the person was, it turned out to be an extremely beautiful woman clearly around Mr. Chairman's age noting the creases on the corners of her eyes.

Her skin was pale and her hair cascaded down on raven black waves that reached her shoulders; as a whole she styled very elegantly and sophisticatedly. Her eyes were really sharp-looking, which really reminded Jaehee of someone...

Jumin stared at the woman in front of them with clear conflict. His silver eyes widened greatly before narrowing again and he uttered a soft reply, "Mother..."

"What the he-" Jaehee (luckily) shrieked inside her head, shocked at the revelation. This lady was Jumin's mother?! No wonder they looked so incredibly similar! They both were supermodels...

"Son..." she finally responded after a doubtful minute. "It's wonderful to see you again after so many years." She slowly walked towards the tall man, much taller than she was herself. "You've grown into a respectable businessman."

She almost allowed her hand to caress Jumin's cheek lovingly, but retreated in fear he might not take it well.

Jumin's eyes were closed tightly, as if attempting to deny the presence of his estranged mother suddenly right in front of his face. He wasn't able to speak or even move.

His mind was becoming an increasing mess of pulled, disarranged threads forming a giant knot that represented all those intense feelings he had bottled up during all his life.

Jumin just couldn't. It was just too much. Too much pain. Too much confusion...

Then he felt a squeeze on his right hand that managed to bring him back to reality. He looked down surprisedly only to realize Jaehee was gazing at him with heartfelt, reassuring eyes.

She was deeply worried about him, and he could feel that through the comfort she gave him while tenderly holding his hand. As if to keep him standing.

He finally got the strength to lift his head and gaze back at his absent mother. The one he never knew. "I have."

He noticed his mother smile slightly for half a second before going back to her stoic expression. Her grey orbs lowered until her eyes were settled on Jaehee Kang's petite, trembling figure.