Memories || Wonu ff

twenty two

Ji Young - Five years later

Despite both of us being busy with our personal lives nowadays, we still keep up with our annual tradition to take a week off and travel to Incheon for mom and Jae Beom's death anniversary. I'm currently taking a semester off due to waiting to get accepted into a program I'm waitlisted for as well as mainly working to save up money, and due to my work's flexibility, I was able to get the week off without any problems. I wish I could say the same for dad this time around, but due to his deadlines and tightly packed schedule social events and book tours, I had no choice but to go to Incheon alone.

He almost did take the week off regardless, however Mr. Wen (his manager) had been facing a lot of pressure due to allowing setbacks for dad for so many years. This year was no exception with such a close deadline--and he had already extended said deadline twice.

Bidding him goodbye with a hug, he tells me to say hello to uncle Cheol and uncle Shua while I pick up the flower arrangements he ordered. He also told me that he explained his situation to grandma and grandpa prior, but to apologize to them anyway as soon as I got there. With all my things packed into the trunk of my car, I then drove over to the florist we always go to.

Entering the store, I see the back of uncle Shua as he's talking to someone I've never seen before, a guy around my age. He's probably a new hire judging from the apron and gloves.

They probably didn't hear me come in, so I cleared my throat to make my presence known to them. Turning their heads, they both look at me for a moment before uncle Shua flashes me a wide smile before walking over to hug me while the new hire went around pruning the plants.

"Ji Young! I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you come in. It's so good to see you again!"

I then return the hug "Good to see you again too, uncle Shua. How are you and uncle Cheol?"

We then pull away as he answers my question "We're doing wonderful, business has been great as ever. Actually, he's in the back maintaining some of our cacti right now! I can go grab him, if you'd like."

"Ah, no. I don't want to interrupt his work." I decline "I'm actually here to pick up an order my dad placed."

He nods, immediately understanding "Ah, that time of year already? Where's your dad then?"

"You know how he is," I let out a sigh "He's behind on finishing up his latest book. Mr. Wen has already extended his deadline twice and he's still not done yet. As much as he wants to come with me, he's putting himself on crunch time."

"Oh, Wonu... That sounds like him." Uncle Shua laughs while shaking his head as he pats my shoulder "Anyway, I'll go grab those flowers for you. I'll be right back ok?"

I gave him a thumbs up as he disappeared into the back, leaving me alone with their new hire. Luckily, he was occupied pruning some of the small trees. While waiting, I decided to busy myself with the flowers in front of me. Soon my eyes landed on a pretty rose and as I reached out to touch it, I was intercepted by the new hire grabbing my wrist. Startled, I whip my head over to him and- oh.

His hair was long; most of it was tied back with his bangs tucked behind his ears- with the exception of a few stray strands falling in front of his dark brown eyes, and his soft pink lips curled up as we continued to stare into each other's eyes. I kept flicking my eyes between him and his hand around my wrist until he noticed.

"Oh! Sorry," He gave me sheepish smile as he retracted his hand from mine "I saw your wrist was about to touch this thorn covered vine right here and I grabbed your arm without thinking."

I then look down to see that he really wasn't kidding, the vine of the plant was super thorny.

"A-ah, thank you..."I mumble out as I kept staring at the vine "I didn't even see it there,  you really saved me from a lot of pain there."