“Father...” Eun Hye muttered, anxiety weighing her heart. She had totally forgotten about the deal they were to sign with Kwan Seung-ho. “Father, you know he is not a sell out, you saw it yourself. He is—” Eun Hye started before she was caught off by Jung Ju's sudden angry voice. “What are you saying? Why did you think I let him coach my son? Do you think he’s worth being my son’s teacher? look, I don’t give a damn about whatever relationship they had as long as you secured that contract” Jung Ju roared, then took a deep breath. “Father…Seung-ho is hard to convince. But I believe he's trusting us little by little. We need more-” “Time?! You weren’t about to say more time, were you, Seo Eun Hye?” Jung Ju snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I taught you better than that. The more time you spend lazing around, our competitors are drafting more ways to bring us down from the top.” Jung ju sighed heavily, leaving the bed to stand by the window. Light shone bright
“I got home safely yesterday, thanks for asking..” Inn Woo commented sarcastically, bowing to Min-a. A guilty look flashed in Min-a's eyes. “I am sorry, Inn Woo. You look fine and you always do after every hangover, it makes me think that you are just this secret agent who's just good at everything..” Min-a tried being charismatic with him so could forgive him without necessarily asking for forgiveness. “Uhm, if you’d bothered to ask before, you would learn that I never even got to my room, I slept off in my garage, right beside a Blue bike.” Inn Woo shook his head. “Wait a moment..” Min-a paused, getting on his feet again, doing little jumps just to stretch his legs. He came to a halt. “I thought you had a Black bike?” Min-a asked, his face contoured with confusion. “Exactly. I took the wrong bike home. I asked Ji Won to help me call his Club Chauffeur service to ask for the owner so I could exchange it back and take my baby home. She spent a whole night withou
“How may we help you?” Inn Woo asked cheerfully, staring between both of them. He could sense the sibling tension. “Bom, can you give us like five minutes?” Eun Hye asked in a nice voice, calling Inn Woo a nickname that always makes his heart flutter. He didn't need to be told twice after that lovely heartwarming gesture before he took his leave. Inn Woo nodded at Min-a, before trying to give Eun Hye an awkward handshake, which he failed to do because of his shyness. He then whispered to Min-a to bring the food along, pretty sure Eun Hye also heard. When they were alone, the annoyance in Min-a's eyes became even more visible. “What do you want?” He snapped, staring down at her. The sudden coldness in his voice startled Eun Hye. She moved back a little, the hurt in her heart radiating all over her face. “Are you still mad at me because of yesterday? Because I don't even know what the fuck I did to get you this mad in the first place.” Eun Hye sounded
Inn Woo stood by the sidelines, watching the next set play since Min-a was taking forever to talk to his older sister. She did have his one hundred percent love and support since she brought food because that was all that mattered. After at least 15 minutes of switching from foot to foot and watching amateurs play, he decided he had had enough and was starting to get scarily hungry. Tired of waiting, Inn Woo turned around just in time to face Min-a storming towards him with a pissed-off countenance, only to stride angrily past him and across the court towards the locker room area. He stared after him in disbelief before turning around again to see Eun Hye walking off toward the parking lot. The food she brought lay on the bench untouched by any of them. Confused and torn apart, he tried to run after Min-a only to have the ball fly past his face, missing his nose by just a few inches. Inn Woo took that as a sign. “I hear you, universe. The food first.” He ran t
“Oh my,” Ji-ho gasped dramatically. “It's not a fucking date, woman.” Min-a immediately added. “Min-a, you really know how to make a woman feel loved,” Ji-ho muttered sarcastically. “Hmm, as much as I would love to any other day, I can't today. I'm really tired and I don't think I want to deal with another hangover, it might kill me sooner than I'm supposed to.” Ji-ho joked, waiting for Min-a's reply. She heard him sigh, saying “Alright.” His tone sounded disappointed and it tugged at her heart. “But I got some really good weed, and I'm about to prepare dinner. We could eat, drink wine, and smoke weed just like the average American white woman that we are..” Ji-ho teased, causing Min-a to bark out laughter. He found it hard to believe she could also be funny and laid back when she wasn't being loud and an attention narcissist. “Alright, send your address then,” Min-a started his car the instant he got Ji-ho's address. It was deep in the city
The last time Min-a smoked the devil lettuce was sometime three years ago, it wasn't in his best interest but he did it anyway. “Have you ever smoked weed before?” Ji-ho snatched it from his hands, taking one out of the bag and handing it to him, before taking one for herself. “Yeah. But it's been a long time..” Min-a sniffed the blunt, “a really long time.” He added. “Well, when I want to abstain from alcohol, I take weed. I would have been a junkie if weed wasn’t such a problem here.” Ji-ho mumbled the last part as the blunt already sat between her lips, lighting it up. She stood up, took her cat into her bedroom, and closed the door. Usually, she would let him inhale it so he could chill the fuck out a bit. But seeing Min-a here, she couldn't predict if he was going to be an extreme animal lover who would feel she deserved jail for letting a cat inhale weed. Ji-ho dressed up her knee-length shorts, sitting down to start sorting the bag of sea
“I know you hate excuses but…Father was the one who pressed me to urge you to convince Kwan Seung-ho to sign the contract… ” Eun Hye mentioned. Shit…that was another excuse. “-even though! I told him you guys aren't close. He found that hard to believe, he said that he saw the pictures for the magazine and you guys seemed pretty close already. He said that I better insist you do it quickly, before or on Friday. I ran out of ideas. I didn't know what to do.” She carefully slid down the door, resting on her bum. “Can you believe that?” Eun Hye scoffed, “In three days, Father expects us- uhm..me to sign Mr. Kwan like it is going to be some easy fit. You know how he is, he won't budge. I don't know why he wouldn't listen to me, I'm not a miracle worker. Most of the impossible tasks he gave me were carried out thanks to you, Min-a.” Eun Hye suddenly stood to her feet, feeling a renewed energy. She could still do this, they could do this. They have always been a bracing team
“Miss Seo, What are you doing here?” Seung-ho couldn't restrain the disappointment in his voice. He rushed all the way to the door, abandoning the pasta he was making, thinking Min-a had decided to come early. He was now aware of how delusional that sounded. Kwan Seung-ho instead met with Eun Hye in her white business suit and black inner blouse. She had a small cracked smile on her lips as she looked him up and down. He suddenly realized why she was staring at him awkwardly. He still had the baby blue apron. “Oh.., wait a second..” Seung-ho rushed inside to try and keep things in order, only to rush back to the door again, recalling he left her standing outside. “Where are my manners? Please come in.” He ushered her in, speed walking back to the kitchen to turn down the heat on the pasta and beef sauce. He came back to meet her looking around his house with fascination glimmering in her eyes. “But, why are you here?” Seung-ho repeated his question.
“Teacher and student my foot…” Duncan smirked. “I guess Min-a does have a type.” He walked away from the half-done painting to the others on the walls. Some were unhinging, reminding Duncan that he would never fully understand the kid's twisted mind. The most captivating was a dashing play of Red and black. If anyone could portray angst, using nothing but color palettes to depict struggle and elegance, it was Min-a. That was his specialty. He didn't need to paint human beings. As Duncan remembered him saying; “Feeling is not a human quality, feeling is an energy that can be shown through any medium, from sound to silence.” “This boy only grows scarier everyday.” Duncan muttered to himself, leaving the gallery worthy experience behind to finally sit on his bed. The bed dipping didn't even wake Min-a up, he had his long hair sprawled across his face. Duncan was amazed by how lush and long it had become since the last time he saw him a
For most of the ride back to Seo’s Family home, Duncan Laurence and Seo Eun Hye spent it catching up on each other's lives and accomplishments, which included the fact that Eun Hye made it to the CEO status she always dreamed of being as a kid. They got to the mansion somewhere around five in the evening after Duncan made them stop at his favorite ice cream spot around the corner. It had gone through an entire renovation and a lot more ice cream flavors had been added to its serving menus. “I don't know if it's just me but I think Mr. Kwan doesn't really like me..” Duncan still felt unsure because he barely knew the guy. He just met him today and yet, nothing about him felt receptive. It was almost like he was back in the Netherlands again where he was seen as a foreigner just because he had bold Asian genes. “Kwan Seung-ho?” Eun Hye couldn't help but laugh. “If only you witnessed our first few interactions. He is a straightforward person and very b
Duncan chuckled, shaking his head as he racked his mind for memories. “I think I was there when he was born.” He muttered proudly. Seo Eun Hye rolled her eyes at his revelation. She filled in for Duncan, giving Kwan Seung-ho the details she knew he was asking for. “Deon is like our closest buddy while we were growing up. I mean, at one point, I thought Min-a had an infatuation, like a ‘man crush’, or something for Deon because of the way he followed him everywhere..” Eun Hye smiled fondly at the memories of Little Min-a wanting to sit on Duncan’s lap no matter the space around them. And Duncan never once complained or pushed him away. “Man crush?” Seung-ho did not like that choice of phrase at all, it didn't taste good on his tongue. “Yeah..that was a pretty accurate definition.” Duncan nodded. “Min-a was the most adorable kid. He was such a lively little turbo-energy boy.” He reminisced with fondness in his eyes. “He would make us
After Duncan Laurence’s mother's death, he moved back with his father to The Netherlands where his father worked and lived with their extended family. His mother, Kim Haera, was best friends with Jin Eun Min, Min-a, and Eun Hye’s mother. As devastating as her death was for little Duncan, it didn't stop him from chasing his dream in Architecture for it was all he could remember doing as a kid. Drawing was the similar ground that brought him and Min-a closer despite their age gap of 4 years. He was the first to recognize Min-a's artistic skills and so he got him his first set of canvas and paintbrush on his 10th birthday. Min-a, unlike other kids, didn't start art by drawing their favorite cartoon character or a friend, he started by drawing shades of different lighting because he wanted to see how it made him feel. That was Duncan's confirmation that Min-a was a special kid. His views still hadn't changed about him as he sat on the waiting bench fo
“I kept screaming “Haneul” while he jerked in my arms, convulsing. He said something like “Sorry, Mother.” before he lost consciousness. But after he woke up, he said he didn't remember anything, so we never talked about it. I think the name always triggers him after he does something he knows he shouldn't.” Eun Hye finally met his eyes with her teary ones. Seung-ho pulled his hands away from Eun Hye’s. This information only made him feel worse. “Mr. Kwan.” Eun Hye was about to warn him not to let Min-a know about this when her phone vibration disrupted her. Thinking it was Min-a, she picked it up fast. “Min-a?” Eun Hye called out in excitement. “No, Deon. I have been at the Seoul airport for 2 hrs now. Weren't you supposed to pick me up?” Duncan sounded stressed. His plane had been delayed for a whole 24 hours and still, his designated chauffeur was not on time. “Oh shit, I’m so sorry., Deon. It was actually Min-a, who was supposed to come g
“Miss Seo, What are you doing here?” Seung-ho couldn't restrain the disappointment in his voice. He rushed all the way to the door, abandoning the pasta he was making, thinking Min-a had decided to come early. He was now aware of how delusional that sounded. Kwan Seung-ho instead met with Eun Hye in her white business suit and black inner blouse. She had a small cracked smile on her lips as she looked him up and down. He suddenly realized why she was staring at him awkwardly. He still had the baby blue apron. “Oh.., wait a second..” Seung-ho rushed inside to try and keep things in order, only to rush back to the door again, recalling he left her standing outside. “Where are my manners? Please come in.” He ushered her in, speed walking back to the kitchen to turn down the heat on the pasta and beef sauce. He came back to meet her looking around his house with fascination glimmering in her eyes. “But, why are you here?” Seung-ho repeated his question.
“I know you hate excuses but…Father was the one who pressed me to urge you to convince Kwan Seung-ho to sign the contract… ” Eun Hye mentioned. Shit…that was another excuse. “-even though! I told him you guys aren't close. He found that hard to believe, he said that he saw the pictures for the magazine and you guys seemed pretty close already. He said that I better insist you do it quickly, before or on Friday. I ran out of ideas. I didn't know what to do.” She carefully slid down the door, resting on her bum. “Can you believe that?” Eun Hye scoffed, “In three days, Father expects us- uhm..me to sign Mr. Kwan like it is going to be some easy fit. You know how he is, he won't budge. I don't know why he wouldn't listen to me, I'm not a miracle worker. Most of the impossible tasks he gave me were carried out thanks to you, Min-a.” Eun Hye suddenly stood to her feet, feeling a renewed energy. She could still do this, they could do this. They have always been a bracing team
The last time Min-a smoked the devil lettuce was sometime three years ago, it wasn't in his best interest but he did it anyway. “Have you ever smoked weed before?” Ji-ho snatched it from his hands, taking one out of the bag and handing it to him, before taking one for herself. “Yeah. But it's been a long time..” Min-a sniffed the blunt, “a really long time.” He added. “Well, when I want to abstain from alcohol, I take weed. I would have been a junkie if weed wasn’t such a problem here.” Ji-ho mumbled the last part as the blunt already sat between her lips, lighting it up. She stood up, took her cat into her bedroom, and closed the door. Usually, she would let him inhale it so he could chill the fuck out a bit. But seeing Min-a here, she couldn't predict if he was going to be an extreme animal lover who would feel she deserved jail for letting a cat inhale weed. Ji-ho dressed up her knee-length shorts, sitting down to start sorting the bag of sea
“Oh my,” Ji-ho gasped dramatically. “It's not a fucking date, woman.” Min-a immediately added. “Min-a, you really know how to make a woman feel loved,” Ji-ho muttered sarcastically. “Hmm, as much as I would love to any other day, I can't today. I'm really tired and I don't think I want to deal with another hangover, it might kill me sooner than I'm supposed to.” Ji-ho joked, waiting for Min-a's reply. She heard him sigh, saying “Alright.” His tone sounded disappointed and it tugged at her heart. “But I got some really good weed, and I'm about to prepare dinner. We could eat, drink wine, and smoke weed just like the average American white woman that we are..” Ji-ho teased, causing Min-a to bark out laughter. He found it hard to believe she could also be funny and laid back when she wasn't being loud and an attention narcissist. “Alright, send your address then,” Min-a started his car the instant he got Ji-ho's address. It was deep in the city