Started with a Nyeongan | Jirene/Soorene

Behind her smile

"WHAT?!"

Jisoo asked in disbelief. Irene laughed at her reaction. She pinched Jisoo's cheeks then replied,

"Nah. I'm just kidding."

She gazed at Jisoo's brown eyes. She saw a tinge of hurt in her eyes but ignores it thinking that maybe she was just overthinking.

Jisoo carefully removes Irene's hands on her cheeks then avoided her gaze. She forced a smile of relief.

"Oh...you almost got me there for a sec."

When the food they ordered arrived, they ate while watching T.V. The show they watched got interrupted by some news about a celebrity.

"Sandara Park is officially engaged to her co-star!"

The reporter said.

"The two have been dating for a year. So...Sandara-ssi," The reporter interviewed the girl who looked like Jisoo but a bit older. "What are your plans after your wedding? Are you going to continue your acting career?"

Sandara smiled politely then replied in a dreamy tone,

"Actually, I might be starting to build a family of my own. I've always wanted to have a child."

'Yet you abandoned me.'

Jisoo clenched her fist then stood up and went to the balcony. She tried so hard not to show her vulnerable self to Irene.

"Sooya-"

Irene was about to follow her. Suddenly, her mom called so she answered it.

"Sweetie," Mrs.Bae said on the other line. "How are you? And how's Jisoo?"

Apparently, her mom knows Jisoo after asking her husband about her.

"Umm...okay? I guess..." Irene said unsurely "She seems to be in a bad mood."

Mrs.Bae nodded on the other line completely knowing why Jisoo is sad.

"I probably should have told you this sooner.."

Mrs.Bae said making Irene curious.

"Tell me what?"

Irene asked raising her eyebrow. She heard her mother sigh on the other line.

"Jisoo...well...you noticed she's not that close with her dad, right?"

Irene realized that Jisoo had a part time job which she found odd because Jisoo was rich yet why would she work part time. At this point, she realized why Jisoo barely cleans the house or was being lazy at home. Maybe it's because she was exhausted from school and because of her part time job. Yet again, why does she work when her father is rich?

-Flashback-

Jisoo arrived at 7 in the evening. Irene could see how exhausted she was. Good thing, she already cooked for dinner.

"Jisoo? You look exhausted.." Irene said then gave her some water to drink "Did you had a tough activity at school?

Jisoo shook her head then smiled faintly.

"Uh no..We just had lots of customer this time so I had to work extra hard today."

The purple haired replied while stretching her arms.

"Wait...what do you mean?"

Irene asked while resting her hands on her hips.

"I work part time at Mirmo's Arcade. After class, I work there, monday till friday."

Jisoo explained.

"W-what? Why would you work part time?"

The latter asked once again.

"I dont want to rely on Mr.Seunghyun everytime I needed money."

Jisoo said casually then proceeds to turn on her PC. Meanwhile, Irene was definitely confused by what she heard from her.

"Mr.Seunghyun? You mean your dad?"

Jisoo clenched her teeth, her back facing against Irene. She scoffed then replied bitterly,

"He's not my dad."

Before Irene could ask, Jisoo changed the subject then went back to her cheesy persona.

-End of Flashback-

"She said Mr.Seunghyun is not her father."

Irene said in a hushed tone while glancing at the balcony. Jisoo couldn't hear them.

"Did she tell you about her mother?"

Irene answered,

"No. She doesn't really talk about her family that much."

"Sandara is her mother...that famous actress. Her and Seunghyun met at the bar in Gangnam years ago...when they were still young. That time, Sandara was a rising star while Seunghyun was a graduating college student in Harvard. Seunghyun went back to Korea when they had a semestral break. The two met at the bar...both were drunk..and...then something happened..Seunghyun got Sandara pregnant. It was a critical time for Sandara. It could ruin her image and...she doesn't want that. She had ambitions to fullfill. Seunghyun, on the other hand, was afraid."

Mrs.Bae tried to stop her tears from falling. She cant help but feel emotional when she knew about Jisoo's past. Seunghyun opened up to Mr.Bae about this and was regretting for being a bad parent. He's currently trying to fix his relationship with his daughter.

"Sandara lived her life in secret...hiding the fact that she's pregnant. She blames the child for her misery...for being the cause of her career's downfall. As soon as she gave birth to Jisoo, she vowed to erase the fact that she had a child. The child was given to Seunghyun since they made an agreement. Well...Seunghyun asked his parents to take care of the child. They agreed after Seunghyun promised them that he'd handle the company once he graduate. They were glad that Seunghyun chose to handle their business instead of working as an engineer."

Irene listened attentively to her mother's story.

"Sadly, his parents were always busy with their company and were usually away for a business trip leaving Jisoo in the care of their maids. Jisoo grew up without someone loving and caring for her genuinely. And...now...she must've been heart broken when she knew Sandara's engagement."

Irene was beyond speechless. She felt heartbroken the moment she knew all this.

"So...please, sweetie. She may be a lot to handle but...please be patient to her."

Irene took a deep inhale then replied,

"Okay, mom."

"Good. I have to hang up now. My battery's dying. Bye! Love ya, sweetie!"

When the phone call ended, she glanced at the purple haired girl who was intently staring at the starry night.

Now it all make sense to her. Why her eyes radiates sadness despite the smile she showed...Why she always watched Dara's movies or tv series...Irene thought that maybe she was just a huge fan but now she knows the real reason why.

Now she knows why Jisoo doesn't believe in love or what's it like to be loved or just love someone.

She never knew the girl who was always smiling and making her laugh was hiding too much pain.

And just like that...

She had this urge to make her happy and give her the love that she deserves.

***

A.N

So...who do you think will end up together?

What do you think of this chapter/part?