Withered - Chapter 23: Chapter 23
You are reading Withered, Chapter 23: Chapter 23. Read more chapters of Withered.
It's been a few days Jeongyeon stop showing up. Although Mina will always nag him to not wasting his time to come every single day after class ended, she finds herself waiting for him. When the guy missed a day, she thought that he was probably busy or tired from college so, he didn't visit her. But, now it's almost a week and she starts to get worried if something happens to him. She looks at her side, witnessing her oldest sister smiling by herself as she plays with her phone.
Maybe something good happens to her. She let out another sigh then glance to the clock that attached to the wall, it's already past visiting hours. So, she concludes that Sana is going to sleep here when usually it's Jeongyeon. "Say Sana-unnie, do you know what happens to Jeongie? I'm worried about him. He hasn't contacted me for a while. What if something bad happens to him?" Mina asks staring at her sister with pleading eyes hoping that she knows anything.
Sana takes her eyes off her phone when her younger sister starts a conversation. Though, she knows exactly what happens to Jeongyeon and why he didn't visit her. "I haven't heard anything from him" She feels bad to lie but she can't say a word. At least not her, she doesn't want to witness or handle Mina when she learns to knows the truth. A mad penguin is a whole lot scarier than any predator, well that what she thought.
Her father already tells them what his plan for Mina and the baby. Though Mrs Myoui disagrees with him, it looks like her father already made up his mind. For her, Sana doesn't really have a say in the matter, she does understand both her mother and her father sides. She decides just to follow the flow and see what happens. But when she thinks more about it, she feels so bad for Jeongyeon knowing that the guy loves Mina and how unfair it is for him. Sana doesn't expect that Jeongyeon going to give up easily and just disappear without a trace.
* * * *
A few days ago.
Jeongyeon was sitting beside Mina who was sleeping soundly. Staring at her, admiring her beauty. He visited Mina again like how he usually did, and after spending time together just talking about random things. He had to do some assignment, so he leaves Mina alone reading her book while he kept with his things. Typing on his laptop and did some research. Once in a while, the girl will feed him grapes but neither of them taking their eyes of what they were doing. It just like that until Jeongyeon sensed no movement from the latter, he peaked and chuckled when she found Mina was already in dreamland.
He held the younger's hands and realized it was cold, he blew gently and rubbing it together, hoping it will make her warmed. He did notice that Mina flinched whenever he touched her but she didn't say anything and just smiling awkwardly afterwards. Since then Jeongyeon never laid a finger on her unless Mina initiated the first move. He only took the opportunity to hold her hands whenever she fell asleep, it was like assurance. That everything is going to be fine. That I'm always here and please rely on me.
His phone suddenly rung and he answered it in a flash, afraid that the sound going to wake the girl. Seeing the caller's name, Jeongyeon left the room and walked himself to the building rooftop.
[Hyung] The other line answered.
"I'm sorry for not contacting you. It's been hectic these days. And I'm burdening you aren't I? Are you fine by yourself?" Jeongyeon asked guiltiness rushed through him that all this time he hadn't called his brother.
[It's okay, Hyung. Besides, I am alive all because of you. Yeah, I'm living just fine in here. Anyways I'm calling to ask about Noona. Do you know where she lives? I want to visit her while staying in America before I leave for Taiwan]
"Yeah, it's better for you to visit her. The last time I talked to her, she was sulking that we rarely called her. I'll text you the address. And just contact me if you need anything okay?"
[Okay~ I have to go now. Call you later hyung]
"Alright" Jeongyeon smiled as he ended the call. He put his phone inside his pocket then a sudden voice calling his name causing him to turn around, revealing Mr Myoui feet away.
"Jeongyeon, I wanna talk about something" Mr Myoui said as he went near. He signalled Jeongyeon to follow him, then settled down on a bench. The latter felt nervous all of the sudden, hoping that there will be no bad news or anything.
"How are you with Mina" Mr Myoui started.
"Umm. We're fine. She's been recovering" Jeongyeon said, compliment himself when he succeeds not stuttering in his words. Mr Myoui nodded then sighing. He looked at Jeongyeon, with that pitiful eyes and grabbed his shoulder.
"I assumed you've heard everything about what happened from Mina. And I've decided to let Mina and Chaeyoung married after she gives birth" Mr Myoui sighed "So, I---"
"You want me to leave the scene. Is that what you were trying to say?" Jeongyeon hissed as he looked away with his already clenched fist. Mr Myoui only hummed as an answer, he did feel sorry for the guy but there was nothing he could do.
"But, why? I will take care of her and I'll treat the child like my own" Jeongyeon reasoned, he was in the edge of his anger. Trying so hard not to shout and kept his voice low and firm.
Mr Myoui froze for a second. That words that left Jeonyeon's mouth seemed very familiar to him. He knew someone who said the exact same thing but at the end of the day, that someone lied.
"I'm sorry" That was all that Mr Myoui had to say. Nothing but sorry. It was not because he didn't trust Jeongyeon but he thinks that Mina and Chaeyoung marriage was the right things to do considering he was the real father. "I'll give you anything you want. A car or house... Just anything" He added.
Jeongyeon scoffed, disbelief at how Mr Myoui tried to bribe him. After all, he's just the same as his parents He thought. Jeongyeon planned to forgive them because of Mina but seeing how Mr Myoui acted, it filled him with loathing. He choked up "You don't have to bribe me. I'll leave as you say. Now, I want to be alone"
Mr Myoui wanted to explain that he didn't mean it in that way but just gave up with the thought and muttered a simple sorry before he walked away.
Jeongyeon heaved a long heavy sigh, then closed his eyes, trying to control his mixed emotion. He found it funny how the event turned. I didn't expect that He thought.
* * * *
Mina is more than confused when all her family members gather in her wad room. She thought its Momo turns to stay for the night. Her father stands behind her mother who's sitting on her left side while both her sister are on the couch. No one says anything for a whole minute but just stealing glances at each other.
"What's with everyone?" She asks, wondering what's with the unusual behaviour and that suspicious face expression.
"I've decided to let you get married to Chae after you give birth" Mr Myoui just jump straight to the point. Thinking it's a waste of time beating around the bush.
"W-what! Why is it you who decides? It's my life. No! I don't want to" Mina turns away, breaking eye contact with her father. She's too mad that she doesn't think twice of what she just said to her parents and how disrespectful she is. Though the Myoui expected that how she will react.
Mr. Myoui step closer, his face darkens as she stares deeply at her daughter. Even he himself starts to get tired dealing with headstrong Mina. "I'd always fulfil whatever you wanted. Always agreeing to whatever you said. Always be patient with you. Just this time, is it so hard to listen to your father? Just once, Myoui Mina" His voice are firm, scaring Sana and Momo. They never saw this side of their father.
Mina doesn't know why but her father words hurt her deeply. She starts crying as much as she tried to hold it back but it just escapes. She bit her lips then lay down on her bed, facing her right side as she secretly sobbing, pulling her blanket to her shoulder.
"Mr Son and I bought an apartment for you two. Tomorrow, you'll discharge from the hospital. So, Starting that day, you'll live together with Chae. Let him take care of you, and rely on each other." Mr Myoui adds before he leaves the room.
Mina wants to protest but the amount of anger that she's feeling right now literally could let her do something out of her conscious. So instead, she just let her mouth shut. She wants to cool herself down and forget about the matter for a while as she tries to sleep.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mina opens her eyes and found out that it's already midnight. She keeps praying that Jeongyeon will show up. She misses that guy badly. She stares at the clock, how she wishes time will stop. She doesn't want tomorrow to come.
She sits properly and notices Momo sleeping on the couch. She opens a drawer beside her bed, taking out a familiar bracelet. She let out a sigh as she stares on it.
I hate you
Maybe something good happens to her. She let out another sigh then glance to the clock that attached to the wall, it's already past visiting hours. So, she concludes that Sana is going to sleep here when usually it's Jeongyeon. "Say Sana-unnie, do you know what happens to Jeongie? I'm worried about him. He hasn't contacted me for a while. What if something bad happens to him?" Mina asks staring at her sister with pleading eyes hoping that she knows anything.
Sana takes her eyes off her phone when her younger sister starts a conversation. Though, she knows exactly what happens to Jeongyeon and why he didn't visit her. "I haven't heard anything from him" She feels bad to lie but she can't say a word. At least not her, she doesn't want to witness or handle Mina when she learns to knows the truth. A mad penguin is a whole lot scarier than any predator, well that what she thought.
Her father already tells them what his plan for Mina and the baby. Though Mrs Myoui disagrees with him, it looks like her father already made up his mind. For her, Sana doesn't really have a say in the matter, she does understand both her mother and her father sides. She decides just to follow the flow and see what happens. But when she thinks more about it, she feels so bad for Jeongyeon knowing that the guy loves Mina and how unfair it is for him. Sana doesn't expect that Jeongyeon going to give up easily and just disappear without a trace.
* * * *
A few days ago.
Jeongyeon was sitting beside Mina who was sleeping soundly. Staring at her, admiring her beauty. He visited Mina again like how he usually did, and after spending time together just talking about random things. He had to do some assignment, so he leaves Mina alone reading her book while he kept with his things. Typing on his laptop and did some research. Once in a while, the girl will feed him grapes but neither of them taking their eyes of what they were doing. It just like that until Jeongyeon sensed no movement from the latter, he peaked and chuckled when she found Mina was already in dreamland.
He held the younger's hands and realized it was cold, he blew gently and rubbing it together, hoping it will make her warmed. He did notice that Mina flinched whenever he touched her but she didn't say anything and just smiling awkwardly afterwards. Since then Jeongyeon never laid a finger on her unless Mina initiated the first move. He only took the opportunity to hold her hands whenever she fell asleep, it was like assurance. That everything is going to be fine. That I'm always here and please rely on me.
His phone suddenly rung and he answered it in a flash, afraid that the sound going to wake the girl. Seeing the caller's name, Jeongyeon left the room and walked himself to the building rooftop.
[Hyung] The other line answered.
"I'm sorry for not contacting you. It's been hectic these days. And I'm burdening you aren't I? Are you fine by yourself?" Jeongyeon asked guiltiness rushed through him that all this time he hadn't called his brother.
[It's okay, Hyung. Besides, I am alive all because of you. Yeah, I'm living just fine in here. Anyways I'm calling to ask about Noona. Do you know where she lives? I want to visit her while staying in America before I leave for Taiwan]
"Yeah, it's better for you to visit her. The last time I talked to her, she was sulking that we rarely called her. I'll text you the address. And just contact me if you need anything okay?"
[Okay~ I have to go now. Call you later hyung]
"Alright" Jeongyeon smiled as he ended the call. He put his phone inside his pocket then a sudden voice calling his name causing him to turn around, revealing Mr Myoui feet away.
"Jeongyeon, I wanna talk about something" Mr Myoui said as he went near. He signalled Jeongyeon to follow him, then settled down on a bench. The latter felt nervous all of the sudden, hoping that there will be no bad news or anything.
"How are you with Mina" Mr Myoui started.
"Umm. We're fine. She's been recovering" Jeongyeon said, compliment himself when he succeeds not stuttering in his words. Mr Myoui nodded then sighing. He looked at Jeongyeon, with that pitiful eyes and grabbed his shoulder.
"I assumed you've heard everything about what happened from Mina. And I've decided to let Mina and Chaeyoung married after she gives birth" Mr Myoui sighed "So, I---"
"You want me to leave the scene. Is that what you were trying to say?" Jeongyeon hissed as he looked away with his already clenched fist. Mr Myoui only hummed as an answer, he did feel sorry for the guy but there was nothing he could do.
"But, why? I will take care of her and I'll treat the child like my own" Jeongyeon reasoned, he was in the edge of his anger. Trying so hard not to shout and kept his voice low and firm.
Mr Myoui froze for a second. That words that left Jeonyeon's mouth seemed very familiar to him. He knew someone who said the exact same thing but at the end of the day, that someone lied.
"I'm sorry" That was all that Mr Myoui had to say. Nothing but sorry. It was not because he didn't trust Jeongyeon but he thinks that Mina and Chaeyoung marriage was the right things to do considering he was the real father. "I'll give you anything you want. A car or house... Just anything" He added.
Jeongyeon scoffed, disbelief at how Mr Myoui tried to bribe him. After all, he's just the same as his parents He thought. Jeongyeon planned to forgive them because of Mina but seeing how Mr Myoui acted, it filled him with loathing. He choked up "You don't have to bribe me. I'll leave as you say. Now, I want to be alone"
Mr Myoui wanted to explain that he didn't mean it in that way but just gave up with the thought and muttered a simple sorry before he walked away.
Jeongyeon heaved a long heavy sigh, then closed his eyes, trying to control his mixed emotion. He found it funny how the event turned. I didn't expect that He thought.
* * * *
Mina is more than confused when all her family members gather in her wad room. She thought its Momo turns to stay for the night. Her father stands behind her mother who's sitting on her left side while both her sister are on the couch. No one says anything for a whole minute but just stealing glances at each other.
"What's with everyone?" She asks, wondering what's with the unusual behaviour and that suspicious face expression.
"I've decided to let you get married to Chae after you give birth" Mr Myoui just jump straight to the point. Thinking it's a waste of time beating around the bush.
"W-what! Why is it you who decides? It's my life. No! I don't want to" Mina turns away, breaking eye contact with her father. She's too mad that she doesn't think twice of what she just said to her parents and how disrespectful she is. Though the Myoui expected that how she will react.
Mr. Myoui step closer, his face darkens as she stares deeply at her daughter. Even he himself starts to get tired dealing with headstrong Mina. "I'd always fulfil whatever you wanted. Always agreeing to whatever you said. Always be patient with you. Just this time, is it so hard to listen to your father? Just once, Myoui Mina" His voice are firm, scaring Sana and Momo. They never saw this side of their father.
Mina doesn't know why but her father words hurt her deeply. She starts crying as much as she tried to hold it back but it just escapes. She bit her lips then lay down on her bed, facing her right side as she secretly sobbing, pulling her blanket to her shoulder.
"Mr Son and I bought an apartment for you two. Tomorrow, you'll discharge from the hospital. So, Starting that day, you'll live together with Chae. Let him take care of you, and rely on each other." Mr Myoui adds before he leaves the room.
Mina wants to protest but the amount of anger that she's feeling right now literally could let her do something out of her conscious. So instead, she just let her mouth shut. She wants to cool herself down and forget about the matter for a while as she tries to sleep.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Mina opens her eyes and found out that it's already midnight. She keeps praying that Jeongyeon will show up. She misses that guy badly. She stares at the clock, how she wishes time will stop. She doesn't want tomorrow to come.
She sits properly and notices Momo sleeping on the couch. She opens a drawer beside her bed, taking out a familiar bracelet. She let out a sigh as she stares on it.
I hate you
End of Withered Chapter 23. Continue reading Chapter 24 or return to Withered book page.