Just as I promised here is the second installment. Based on Dongwan’s fic this just might turn out into a short fic instead of a One Shot which is actually my original intention. I’m already on my second chapter and I have yet to decide whether I should add another. Please help me decide by giving feedbacks so I will know if I should another chapter or two for the reader to understand Eric’s character more. I will be posting them in installments too.
Chapter I
She walked the length of the corridor towards her husband’s office, unmindful of the eyes that were following her every move. Her husband’s employees rarely see her in his office that her mere presence here today is a reason enough for curiosity. She knew they would be more curious now if they ever find out the reason for her visit. For this is not a social visit, she came to the General Headquarters of the LKD Group to ask her husband for divorce.
She knew they should have done it a long time ago. Then things would have been easier and not as complicated. She knew they would eventually end up divorcing each other the moment they said their “I do’s”. It was an arranged marriage, arranged by parents who thought that their union would strengthen the influence of each family. It served its purpose yes, but it also led to her and Kwan Dae’s estrangement from their respective parents. He rebelled, had an affair left and right and siring illegitimate sons in the process, how many she no longer care to count. She on the other hand stopped sleeping with him the moment she found out she was pregnant; it was a deal she made with him the day before they got married. She will give him an heir, and then they are free to live life the way they saw fit. Sure she had her affairs, but unlike Kwan Dae who flaunts them, she at least was very discreet, careful to protect her reputation.
To many people she was the long suffering wife of Lee Kwan Dae, a martyr who tolerated her husband’s infidelity and welcomed his bastard sons by other women into their house. Little did they know that she only tolerated them because Kwan Dae would not have it any other way. He may not win husband of the year award, but he at least tries to be a good father to his sons. Secretly she pitied them. At least Eric has her, and despite her lack of feeling for his father, she loves her son very much. Too much actually that she allowed this farce they called a marriage to go on because she did not want him to suffer the stigma of coming from a broken family.
Then Walter happened. He was a diplomat she met in the many social functions she attends. Handsome, witty and intelligent, he did not only catch her eyes but also her heart. He was very different from all the other lovers she ever had, for one is that he is not married. He offered her his heart and friendship, said he wanted to marry her, something her other lovers could never give her. He was willing to give her everything he could offer; his only condition is that he does not want Eric in the equation. He does not want any kids of his own either. This hurt her a lot and she was ready to give up on this chance of happiness if he didn’t offer her an alternative. So long as Eric will not live them on a permanent basis, she will be free to see him anytime and Eric is welcome to visit them anytime.
She did not wait for Lee Kwan Dae’s secretary to show her in his office. He was alone and seems to be caught up in his own world. She knocked loudly on his table.
“I thought the lawyers are already here?”
“I asked them to come a little later; I wanted to talk to you”
“I don’t think there is anything to talk about”
“Would you like some tea?”
“Water would be fine”
After calling his secretary to ask her to bring them some refreshments, Lee Kwan Dae ushered his soon to be estranged wife into his private conference room.
“Please make yourself comfortable. They will be here in a couple of minutes”
“I did not come here to exchange pleasantries Kwan Dae”
Kwan Dae did not say anything he seemed to be deep in his thoughts. Cho was left with no choice but to just wait till Kwan Dae decides to speak. Trying not to appear bored she pretended to look at a large painting that was dominating one of the walls in the room.
“I’m sorry”
She was surprised by his words; Kwan Dae never apologizes for anything and to anyone.
“Excuse me, did I hear that right?”
“I said I’m sorry….”
“Don’t you think it’s too late for that now!”
“I’m sorry if I cannot give you the happiness Walter could”
She did not know what to say to this.
“I guess I…..I should say the same”
“It was a stupid mistake…yes….just a stupid mistake”
“Yes just a stupid mistake”
Cho could not believe she was having this conversation with her husband. They never talk like this. In fact they don’t talk to each other unless it has anything to do with Eric.
‘Kwan Dae…”
“Yes….”
“Walter said he can visit anytime he wants…..and I hope you don’t mind if I….”
“You’re free to see him anytime….”
“Promise me you’ll take care of him……I don’t want to hear any of your mistress laying their finger on my son…”
“Cho….you don’t need to tell me that”
“Yes, I know that”
“Cho can I ask you a favor…”
“Yes…anything”
“Can you talk to Eric….tell him….tell him it’s not his fault we are divorcing… that Junjin and Minwoo has nothing to do with this…with us”
“I’ll do that, I know he will understand”
They shared a few minutes of uneasy silence before Cho spoke again.
“So Minwoo is yours too?”
“The DNA tests arrived this morning, all positive”
“He seemed to be a nice boy, do you think his mother wouldn’t…..”
“She better not…unless she want to end up in jail”
“She did all those to him?”
“Yes, I sent people to investigate and check out his story. They all said his telling the truth.”
“I’m glad he found you.”
“I’m not sure that is something to be glad about”
“Do not be too hard on yourself.”
“If I didn’t sired any of them they wouldn’t have to suffer all this pain”
At that instance, their respective lawyers arrive. It only took five minutes before the marriage which changed them forever was over. Their both free now to pursue the happiness that has eluded them as a couple. The only question left to answer is whether Eric, the fruit of their unhappy union would also find the happiness they both want to give but was unable to give him.
Chapter II
She found him in his room, playing games on his computer again. It took a while before he noticed that she was there. Without a word he stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
“Are you busy son?”
“Just playing. You did it did you?”
Before answering she took hold of his hand and looked into his eyes.
“It’s all for the best”
“If that’s what you say”
He was about to go back to his computer games but his mother stopped him.
“Sit with me for a while”
Eric did as he was told.
“I know this is confusing to you, that you probably hate me and your Dad right now. Someday you will understand why”
Still he did not say anything.
“Not because were divorcing it means your also going to lose us.”
“Walter don’t like me”
“Honey it’s not that he doesn’t like you, it’s just that the possibility and responsibility of being a father scares him”
“Then why are you marrying him?”
“I don’t know….maybe because he can make me laugh….make me happy”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes. But I love you more….but”
“You want to be happy too….”
“I’m sorry….but yes….”
“You were never happy with Dad?”
Cho couldn’t answer her son. She could only nod her head.
“Is Dad going to get married too?”
“I don’t know?” Cho cannot stop her tears from flowing now, seeing her son look so lost.
“Honey I want you to look at me….me and your father….we love…we love you…we love you very much…but we can never make each other happy”
“Is that boy coming to live here now?”
Cho was surprised with the change in subject.
“You mean… Minwoo…yes, they gave him a DNA test and it came back positive”
“So I have 3 brothers now”
“Four…you forgot Hyesung”
“Yeah…I forgot about him”
“You’re not mad at your father are you?”
“I don’t know….”
“Honey…. Look at me….your father made a lot of mistakes…..maybe he made a mistake by giving you so many brothers all having different mothers…..but your father love you….he loves all of you….that’s why his letting them live here…..their mother cannot take care of them “
“You can take care of me…you always took care of me….then why…”
“We had this conversation before…maybe someday you can come and live with me…….…when Walter changes his mind”
Eric did not answer, but instead went back to playing on his computer. Cho can’t think of anything to say anymore. She knew she has hurt Eric by leaving, but she also knew that she does not belong in this house. This house is home to her son but not to her.
She left the room without looking back at her son. If only she did she would have seen him silently crying.
THE END
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