Echoing Hearts (Meeting You Again) | The Heirs | Choi Young Do

Chapter 5 ♡ I See You

"Ara?" He whispered, looking as if he was unsure if it was actually me. His eyes scanned my features for any sign of answer. Within a minute, he had coached his expression from shock and surprise to a stoic poker face.

I, on the other hand was speechless and that was not what I was known for!

"Annyeong." That was all I could get out with a smile I hoped didn't giveaway my surprise or any other emotions.

I silently looked for any sign that indicated he was happy to see me. I saw none. What was I even expecting?

I had run every possible situation in my head where I might have to meet him again but never here, not this sudden. At a convenience store at late night, what was he doing here? The Choi Young Do I used to know wasn't one to go for anything cheap. Maybe he has changed in these last couple years that I was absent for, I wonder what that says for me.

"What are you doing here?" He finally questioned after staring at me for a good minute, I stared back blankly, quickly composing myself on the outside while inside my head was a storm of thoughts and questions.

"What? You didn't expect to see me again?" His expression seemed to confirm it. Seriously?

"You didn't think I was gone for good did you?" I held his gaze steadily.

As much as I tried to think of an awesome comeback, this was what my brain offered. Better than a sputtering mess I suppose. I will not give him that satisfaction.

He didn't say anything, his expression went from stoic to annoyance, he looked me up and down and turned around abruptly, walking away like nothing happened. Ugh, so he was still a jerk, nice to see that hasn't changed.

"Huh." I scoffed and tried getting back to shopping, so much for all the anxiety I put myself through while dreading this moment. The tension and, I hate to say it, anticipation I have been feeling until now, and at the moment when he suddenly appeared before me was slowly but surely, disappearing.

I picked up a carton of Banana Milk and some tasty looking cup noodles/ramyun and went to the counter to bill them. Never too late for noodles.

I walked back to the hotel, this time my fear of bumping to him much less than it was before, if even there at all. It wasn't worth it to dwell on the past, it's better to move on and that was what I did. Move on.

I decided to share the items I bought with my Dad and Eddie instead of stuffing myself with an unhealthy amount of ramyun this late at night. But I still ended up eating Eddie's share while he went to attend a call, in my defence, the ramen looked really lonely just waiting there. So I helped. Can't blame me for that.

Eddie glared at me when he came back from the call and proceeded to order a brownie and ice cream for dinner when it was so cold outside too that you can't leave the house without a thick jacket and gloves! And dug in without giving me a single bite while making a show of enjoying every bite to which I just shook my head. For being the head of security he sure does act like a child a lot and he tells me that I'm childish. Hmmph.

It was my turn to glare.. and pout and act like an adamant child. He knew I loved ice cream and brownies, that oaf! I stuck my tongue out and turned my head the other way, ignoring him. Meanwhile my Dad was sitting there acting like he was watching a movie, eating his popcorn that he had ordered earlier, looking very entertained.

I huffed and went over to the balcony. The cold air hit me in the face but the view was indeed amazing, Zues Hotels weren't regarded as one of the best for nothing. Tall buildings splattered with lights scattered across the city as far as you could see, looking like small building blocks wrapped with fairy lights from this height. Added with the moon dancing across the clouds, it was beautiful. It was beautiful. To be able to just see the beauty without hearing the hustling and bustling of the traffic down below.I crossed my arms, taking in the peacefulness. These kinds of things always worked easily to calm me down.

Eddie came up behind me, clearing his throat and waiting for me to apologize. Two can play this game! I remained still.

"Come on, seriously? You ate my ramen." He stepped forward to stand next to me, arms folded against his chest.

"You ordered brownies and ice cream and you didn't even give me a single bite, I'm not talking to you." I huffed again, I knew I was being stupid but still, I liked playing like this.

"You know, you're convincing me that you're a two year old child time and time again. I can't even see you as a teen." He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. I turned to see him looking at the view below.

"Granted, I did act like a child too, showing off ice creams but come on! I wasn't about to let you get away with eating my food." He nudged me slightly, which inadvertently made me smile. Damn he knew how to deal with me when I'm upset, or when I'm pretending to be upset like right now. Ugh!

"Yeah, yeah, fine. Whatever. I'm sorry. Goodnight, Eddie" I said and left the balcony and stuck my tongue out as I turned around the corner, he laughed wishing the same. I said goodnight to my Dad and was about to leave for my room when Eddie appeared beside me.

"She's a two year old," he said pointing in my direction.

"And you're five. Come on, now get out. I need my sleep." Dad shooed us both away.

I laughed while Eddie made a face. We bid goodnight to each other and left for our rooms.

Quickly changing into some comfortable pajama, I sunk back onto my bed hoping for a peaceful dream. God was I tired.

I felt sleep pulling me into its depths as my head swam with today's events, especially one that wasn't as pleasant as I'd liked it to be. Choi Young Do.

~~

I woke up quite late and missed breakfast, Dad had of course woke up on time and had already gone to another meeting, this time with Kim Tan's father. I quickly got ready and went to the hotel's restaurant, ordering a hearty vegetarian bibimbap and japchae, with hobak juk for dessert.

Now that I've finished breakfast, I had no idea what to do, Dad will be busy with the meeting, Eddie will be with him and also checking with our Korean branch as the head of security. I flopped down on my bed, my US friends aren't here, I don't even know whether my Korean friends still remember me, judging by Young Do's reaction, they probably won't. But it can't hurt to try and see for myself. But first I had to call Kim Tan.

I got much closer to him than I ever expected to when he was exiled to the US. We hung out often, which then became everyday, surfing together, meeting up for lunch and even went camping together, though he used me as a free tour guide at first.

Quickly fishing my phone from my bag, I dialled his number and waited, he picked up after four rings.

"Yah! Where were you? Why didn't you call me this entire past three months?!" He shouted the moment the call connected.

"Sorry, sorry. Now calm down. Wae? Did you miss me that much? You could have just called me instead."

"Dhega wae, you should call me."

"Seriously? Agh fine. Now tell me, how have you been? What have you been up to?" I asked, excited.

"You don't call me for three months and now I heard your Dad is having a meeting with my father, you didn't even call to tell me that. Did you come with him to Korea or are you still in US?" His words held slight anger and disappointment.

"Mianhae, I came here, I'm staying in Zeus with my Dad and Eddie," I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice either.

"Zeus? Why are staying there? Why not stay in your house? What happened?" His curiosity and concern seemed to cover the anger.

"Renovation and repair, apparently the guy we hired was a careless drunk. I didn't think I'd have to stay at Zeus either. Yah, mianhae for not calling you, I've been quite busy with school and some things, you know I wouldn't do so otherwise."

"Arasso, gwenchana. Are to going to talk everything out on the phone? You came to Korea after 3 years and don't visit me? How can I let that slide? Come to the cafe, I'll accept your apology then. I'll send you the address." I chuckled at his order.

"Hmm, okay then, I'll see you there. Bye."

"Bye."