Within These Shadows || Park Chanyeol/Do Kyungsoo || Book 1

16

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE.
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"Jayline-ah?" An elderly woman said from behind Jay.

Jay turned around to see that it was, in fact, Jeon Min Ah's mother, Choi Hye Rin. The woman looked more radiant than the last time she had seen her; less wrinkles on her face, a brighter smile, a bit tired but very happy.

"Imo!" Jay got up and hugged the older woman. "I'm so happy to see you here, imo."

"Nado, child, nado (me too)." She held Jay by her shoulders to take a good look at her. "Uri Jayline-ah has become even prettier than the last time I saw you. Your face is glowing." She grazed Jay's cheeks adoringly.

"You too, imo. You look much younger, and happier. I'm so glad that you could finally fulfill your dream."

"It's the Buddha's mercy on us, dear. He has always given me and my children the strength to pull through."

"Imo, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Ahn Seung Mae." Jay pointed at her best friend.

"Annyeonghaseyo," Mae stood up to bow before the elderly lady.

"Omo! Annyeonghaseyo! Seung Mae-ssi neun neomu yeppeoyo! (Seung Mae-ssi, you're really pretty!)"

"Ah, gamsahabnida (thank you)." Mae smiled shyly.

"I've heard so many stories of you from Jay-ya that it feels like I already know you." Choi Hye Rin smiled, receiving a shy smile from Mae, in turn.

"And these are Park Chanyeol and Do Kyungsoo. They're in my university." Jay introduced the two boys.

"Annyeonghaseyo!" They both said in unison.

"Ne, annyeonghaseyo. Omo, they're so handsome. Jay-ya are they your and Mae's boyfriends? Which one are you dating? Kyungsoo-ssi?"

Jay laughed sarcastically, "Imo, gwenchanhasaeyo? (Aunty, are you okay?) What are you even saying?"

While Mae and Chanyeol tried to hide their laughter, DO looked uncomfortable. He had a look of utter horror on his face and tried to fix his already fixed collar.

"Wae? (Why?) You guys are young people, about to finish university. This is the prime time for love!"

"Eomma, let's go back into the kitchen. More customers will come. Okay?" Min Ah sensed the awkwardness in the air and tugged her mother, taking her back to the kitchen.

"Jay-ya, come see me after you're done. Okay? I'll be in the kitchen!" She called, while leaving.

"Ne, imo!" Jay said before taking her seat. She let out a loud sigh before digging into her jajangmyeon.

"She's really sweet," Mae smiled, eating her jjamppong.

"She is. She's always been like a mother to me." Jay smiled.

Suddenly the door of the restaurant was kicked open with a loud thud, which grabbed everyone's attention. A young boy stomped in, drunk and fuming.

"Eomma!" He shouted at the top of his voice.

Jay frowned upon seeing the boy; it was Jeon Min Jae, Min Ah's older brother. A million thoughts crossed her mind at that moment; why was he drunk? What had happened? Was he in trouble?

"Eomma! Come out!" He screamed at the top of his voice. "Give me my share of the money now! Palli! (Fast!)"

A worried Choi Hye Rin quickly came out of the kitchen, followed by her daughter. Shock and confusion were evident on her face when she saw her son's state.