First Love

Chapter 34

"Oppa, we need to have that talk," started Jae.

Yoongi moved forward in his seat, lacing his fingers on his lap. "Is this about your brother? I went to see him while you were in the ICU. Ki Tae hyung filled me in about what happened. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know how you would react. I know what he did. He told me his version of the story and it was still bad. He stole from you."

"That, he did," confirmed Yoongi.

"I just don't want it to be unpleasant with us."

"Jae, you should at least told me what you are going through. To be honest, I don't care much about him if he's out there, doing whatever he is doing. Now, he's not and you are working yourself to the ground because of him."

"I can't just leave him," protested Jae.

"I am not telling you to," replied Yoongi. "You kept on saying he's okay but you never told me he's in a coma."

"I was about to tell you that night. The fire happened before I could," explained Jae, looking forlorn.

Yoongi took her hand in his. "The most terrifying day of my life," commented Yoongi.

"That's not all," announced Jae.

Yoongi braced himself for what was coming. "There's more? What is it?"

Jae took a deep breath to gather her courage. "I need your bank details. The bank's name and your account number."

Yoongi looked at her curiously. "Why?"

"I was not exactly honest with you when I told you the reason I resigned from my job at Big Hit."

"You said you got a lot of song offers," said Yoongi, repeating her answer to him back then.

"That was one of the reasons. Another one is, I... Chin Hwa oppa and I have enough money to pay you back your royalty fee, with interest. You are the last debt on the list."

Yoongi was stunned. He was not expecting that. He stood up and went to the window. It was just overwhelming. "Are you telling me that you are working around the clock because of the crap that your brother did? You pay for his hospital bill, I could accept that. Paying his debt that is not yours to begin with is just too much. Do I look like a loan shark, forcing you to pay?" Yoongi just couldn't control the anger that he was feeling towards Chin Hwa. Wasn't it enough for Chin Hwa to be such an ass to everyone else that he even have to be a bastard to his own sister, making her think that the problem he had was hers too?

"You don't know how much of that went to my expenses in the States," plead Jae.

"He had high taste. Nothing that he used was cheap," stated Yoongi. That was the truth. Ahn Chin Hwa oozes out money wherever he went. "Did he brainwash you to think that way and make you feel responsible too?" accused Yoongi.

"No. He never did that. Please, I've watched your interview for DNA comeback. You didn't even have enough money to eat back then because of him."

The interview was still new. Jungkook was recording a video of Yoongi in his studio and he talked about his journey as an idol. He told Jungkook, he had to choose between spending the money on food and the bus fare. He had to walk for miles if he chose food.

"So that was why you called me that Thursday. You had nothing to do with that yet you're blaming yourself for what he did, is that it?" asked Yoongi.

The first time Chin Hwa showed her his list of debt, she was curious to see Yoongi's name and the sizeable sum that Chin Hwa owed Yoongi. She was furious when she found out the reason why. Jae was crushed when she found out of his struggles when she saw the interview on the day before the fire, knowing it was because of her brother.

"Don't tell me that you didn't hate me back then when Chin Hwa oppa ripped you off," said Jae, feeling a lump in her throat. It was really hard for her to say it, but she didn't doubt that he did.

Yoongi was silent.

"You did," concluded Jae from Yoongi's silence. "I don't blame you. I would hate me too. All sunny and happy when you were suffering. You'd probably think that I am a self-centered spoilt brat."

Yoongi's hand went deep into his pocket. He was definitely not prepared for this.

Jae went to Yoongi, "Please, let my brother and I clear this debt. Most of the money are from his savings account. I only add up what was not enough."

"Again, it was his debt, not yours," said Yoongi stubbornly.

"Please, just take it. You know he's unable to do anything right now."

"That's his problem!" Yoongi couldn't control his rage anymore.

"It is my responsibility to make sure the money gets to you!" Jae didn't know how else to respond. She was hurt and sad at the same time. She knew Chin Hwa would always be a sore topic between two of them, but she needed to get this done and over with. The burden was too heavy for her to carry, especially when it had to do with Yoongi and her brother. She was caught in the cross-fire.

"You are wrong on that count. You are not responsible for that or for what he did. He's a grown man and he knows what he was doing."

"He entrusted me with this."

Yoongi started to curse. Of course, Chin Hwa would do that. Manipulating people to the very end, he thought. Jae was the easiest as she was the closest. "I never cared for the money. Not then, not now. All I needed back then was the recognition that he stole from me! No amount of money in this world is going to get me that back. I'm not going to take the money. If he's hell bent on returning it, he'd better wake up and see me face to face. I'm not going to take it from you."

"It has been nearly 11 months and he's still in coma. Please, let me do this on his behalf," Jae pleaded again.

"After this was done, how long are you planning to keep burning yourself off for him? When are you going to start living for yourself?" asked Yoongi angrily. "I need to get out," Yoongi said suddenly, leaving her as he went to the door.

Jae was heartbroken as she sat heavily on the seat that Yoongi sat on before. She knew it would be difficult, but she didn't expect it to be that tough on her emotionally.