Chapter 2-SACRIFICIAL LAMBS

CHAPTER 2

Lamb to the Slaughter

The meeting with the Elders did not go well and made an already angry Andy more furious. He found it preposterous of them to assume that just because he agreed to the marriage means that he would agree to assume his abandoned position as a Guardian. He even found it more infuriating when they all looked to his father and demanded that he control him. Andy walked out, not caring if they would open fire at each after he leave the meeting hall.

He wanted to go back to his hotel and sleep but he knew that he would not be able to get any shuteye at the state he is in, so instead he took the car he borrowed from his brother for a spin around town hoping that the cool air would calm his nerves and clear his mind.

Traffic was light for a Friday night. The wedding is supposed to take place that Sunday and Andy has a mind to drive straight to the airport and abandon the lot of them to their big ego’s and never ending infighting.

Ring…..Ring…ringggggg……

“Hello” He said curtly.

“Where the hell are you?” It was Minwoo, obviously not pleased with the way he walked out of the Council of Elders meeting.

“Thinking of running your car towards the Han River”

“Pabo!”

“Dad called you?”

“Yes, and he is not very happy with you right now!”

“Don’t worry I feel the same!”

“Were at The Blue Lagoon”

“Hyung I’m really tired right now, can’t this wait”

“I’m afraid not!”

With that, his brother cut off the line.
He stepped on the accelerator not caring whether he hit something.

The Blue Lagoon is one of the classier establishments in downtown Seoul. Sure, it is still a girlie bar, but its clientele boast of a who’s who of society. Their girls are also a little bit classier than the other bars around town, the food is more decent and so is their list of vintage wines. Minwoo took him there the first night he arrived back in Seoul. Somehow, the gesture was lost in him because he asked to go back to his hotel room 30 minutes after they arrive. He claimed fatigue but truth be told his senses despite his tiredness is being assaulted by conflicting emotions of all the people that is in close proximity to him.

Andy did not immediately step out of the car the moment he arrived. It is a Friday night and he is quiet sure that despite the steep price people need to pay to be able to enter the place, the place would still be crowded.

So many thoughts are racing on his mind, all at the same time and it did not help that conflicting emotions people close by are assaulting him all over. He can feel small beads of perspiration forming at his nape and forehead. His heart beating faster by the second, Andy made a feeble attempt to get a hold of himself by breathing deeply.

A tap at the car window finally caught his attention.

“Welcome to the Blue Lagoon Mr. Lee”

Opening the car door, the cold night air washed over Andy’s damp skin, which calmed him down a little.

Just as he expected the bar is full to capacity. Andy made a feeble attempt to shut off his senses and concentrate on the loud music. Because of the crowd, it took them a couple of minutes before they reach the bar. The burly man led him to a side door guarded by a pair of equally burly men who immediately opened the door for them upon seeing his escort. The room they entered is small. On one wall is a big screen where smaller screens are showing various locations within the bar. There are three other people watching the monitors. It is the security room, but his companion did not even stop to look at the monitors, instead he led Andy to another door, which led to a long corridor. It was lit dimly and you could barely hear the noise of the crowd partying their Friday nights away.

IT was not long before they turned another corner and entered another corridor, which led to a series of stairs. The stairs led to another corridor, with one side lined by a solid looking metal wall while the other side is lined with what Andy assumed to be bulletproof glass panels. They are now on the third floor of the bar and they could actually see the whole bar crowded with people from where they are. However, they did not stop to watch the crowd on the dance floor. Instead, they continued walking until they reached another set of solid looking metal doors. The burly man who is escorting him spoke a series of number while looking at small screen. Andy immediately recognized the voice and retina recognition software developed by his company.

The metal doors opened to a small room. It doesn’t have much of a furniture except for a bar in one corner, two comfy sofa and matching center table. A large flat screen TV dominates one wall. You can hear soft music but its source is nowhere to be found.

Five men are huddled in front of the TV, each one nursing a small glass of vodka.

“What took you so long?” It was Minwoo. Today he looks resplendent in a white suit.

“I took the longer route!” Andy said in a matching tone.

“Sit down!” It was Eric. He is the only son of Mr. Mun from his first marriage. Lean, muscular and with good looks to match, people assume that Eric is the typical rich playboy who wastes his time playing with his expensive toys while chasing anything that wears a skirt. Few would suspect that under the silent demeanor is a highly skilled expert shooter and swordsman.

Andy sat down and accepted the glass of martini that Hyesung silently handed him. He is as tall as Eric but much leaner. He has a small face with soft almost feminine features. This belies the fact that he is a 5^th Dan Blackbelt Master in Taekwondo and an expert shooter like Eric.

“How’s business doing President Lee?” Dongwan asked him in an attempt to clear the tension in the air. He is almost as tall as Andy is and is only a few months younger than Minwoo. But despite that, he possesses an air of maturity far beyond his real age. Like Hyesung he is also skilled in the art of Taekwondo and is also a good swordsman.

“Ok I guess!” Andy said this just so not to appear rude in front of his friends.

“How bad is it?” This time its Junjin’s turn to ask him. He is the tallest among them and has an athletic built with matching good looks. He is only a year older than Andy but like him was accepted early to become Old Shin’s student because of the powers he possess. He began training the same year as Andy.

“They want me to come back and assume my abandoned post as a Guardian”

“Not surprising” Dongwan said.

“They all got upset when I said they could shove the post up their ass!” Andy said this as he emptied his glass of vodka.

No one said a word for a while. Then Minwoo chuckled, followed by Eric and soon all of them are laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

The Council of Elders is composed of 12 representative chosen by the Clan Heads. They create rules and arbitrate between warring clans. According to the Guilds history which was passed on from one generation to the next, it used to be that only those with Manna are chosen as Clan Head and to become a member of the Council of Elders one must possess both Manna and Skills of a Good Guardian. But power and the influence that comes with it, which the Council of Elders posses can blind a man’s true sense of right and wrong. Lack of Manna did not stop some conniving Clan Heads from seeking to be a member of the elite circle. Use of violence, bribery and sometimes blackmail is often use by those that seek to have a position in the Council.

Guardians on the other hand are like soldiers, their duty is to protect the interest of the Guild. This usually means that any group or person who try to usurp the territory where a Clan Member or Members are conducting business are usually eliminated. Sometimes Council Members use their influence and use Guardians to settle personal grudge or to serve their personal interest. Use of violence is quite common and even though time came when not a single guardian possess Manna, they make do with use of weapons illegally obtained for them by the council. Although they report directly to the Council of Elders and absolute obedience is expected from them, Guardians are still expected by their own Clan to always protect the interest of their CLAN first before anything else.

Nobody knew how The Guild was formed, but it was believed that there was once a time when being born to a clan means you have the manna in you. Even Watshi’s a person born with really powerful manna in them, are fairly common back then. But greediness and the quest for domination resulted in clan wars that escalated to a point that some clans practically vanished for lack of a direct male descendant to carry on the family name. It did not help that only males seem to possess active manna. Because of this, some of the Clan Heads decided to create The Guild to stop the clan wars and put a semblance of order in the chaos they themselves created. As the years pass, less and less male was born with the manna until it came to a point that a couple of generations were born with not a trace of Manna in them. Old Shin was the only one in his generation to be born with it and two more generations passed before the six of them came along. Their birth also assures the birth of more clan members with manna. When it was confirmed that Andy is a Watashi the whole Council celebrated in anticipation for the glory he will bring to The Guild.

This placed the current Council of Elders in a precocious situation. Experienced has taught them that attempting to control someone more powerful than them is a futile exercise. Old Shin is a testament of that. He once sent all Council Members scampering like scared dogs when he blew their cars in succession by throwing a big ball of fire on each of their cars parked in front of the building where they are holding a meeting. The Council never again tried to enforce their will on him after that. The current Council of Elders now can only do so much to force the six of them to do as they ordered.

Suddenly Eric, ask “So are you….I mean will you…….”, he was at lost for words.

“Are you going to go through with the wedding?’ Minwoo did the asking for him.

“Will you forgive me if I don’t?” Andy answered while pouring himself another drink.

“You can’t do that!” Dongwan blurted out.

“And why can’t I?”

“ C’mon, she’s Eric’s sister!” Junjin said.

“Correction, step sister!” Andy said.

“So what if she’s just his stepsister, Tammy is a nice girl!” Hyesung quipped in.

“That’s the point. She’s just his stepsister, you all know I cannot marry a woman without manna in her blood…and besides, I don’t approve of this arranged marriages.”

“Who said anything about consummating the marriage?” Eric said.

“Do you honestly believe the elders will not stop bugging us to have children? We all know the reason they want me to be the one to marry is because they are hoping I would be able to produce another watashi, preferably someone more filial and amicable to their demands!”

“You have to marry her Andy, you’ve made Dad lose his face to the Council of Elders one time to many. At least do his bidding just this once” Minwoo said in a calm voice.

Andy did not say anything to this because he knows it is the truth. There maybe no love lost between his father and him but he is still his son and it is his responsibility to uphold family honor. Taught to them since they were little tykes in their nappies, family honor, and obedience to elders, it was something Andy has been trying to escape from when he decided to exile himself in America.

It was a while before he spoke again.

“There is more to this that you guys are not telling me”

“We will tell you if you want to know, but once we do that your in it too!” Hyesung said.

Andy finished the last of his drink and stood up.

“Whatever it is I don’t want to know.”

But just as he was about to step away, Eric stretched out his long legs and blocked his path.

“Marry her, keep her safe but don’t consummate the marriage not until you’re sure you love her”

“And if I do as I please?”

“Then I’ll kill you myself”

“You know that’s a really stupid threat!” Andy said nonchalantly.

“Andy!” Minwoo said in a threatening voice.

“Alright, I’ll do it!”

***

Andy walked into the Westin Chosun Hotel, feeling like a lamb led to slaughter. The affair was supposed to be low key, with only immediate family members and high-ranking Council Members in attendance.

“I thought this is going to be a small affair? Why does it look like half of Seoul is in here? ” Andy said. He is very bored now and the sheer number of people alone is driving him crazy. The conflicting emotions he can sense from them is tiring him even more. When he was younger, he would always throw a tantrum whenever he finds himself in the middle of a crowd. Some people might think that the ability to sense other people’s emotion is a gift, but for Andy, it is a curse that his been trying to master since he was a small child. It is one of the reasons, why he hates crowds and always sought solitude.

Minwoo handed him a drink without answering him. He knew Andy’s mood is not going to improve anytime soon. He has warned his father about the peril’s of inviting so many people to attend the wedding. However, his father did not heed his warning because he was too happy and relieved that a clan war was prevented from escalating into a bloody free for all, that and the fact that Andy finally came home. As much as he hated to admit it, he sometimes envies Andy for being their father’s favorite. He saw how much the estrangement from Andy has taken a toll on their father’s health. But he cannot blame Andy either for running away. The Council of Elders can be very ruthless and manipulative. The only reason Andy was able to escape unscathed was because of Old Shin. He warned them that forcing Andy to bend to their will is like inviting the devil to dinner. He told them Andy would return when the need arises. Old Shin is a cranky old man during his good days, but he was the only one who was able to cajole Andy into continuing with the required training to become a Guardian. He could still vividly remember the day a very scared Andy comes running to their old teacher when he accidentally blew a very large statue in the entrance hall of their teacher’s estate. He got upset over something and blew the giant statue to pieces. Andy was only 5 years old then, too young to start training. Training of future Guardians usually starts at around 9 or 10 years old. But then Andy’s power was already manifesting itself that early that their parent’s deemed it necessary that he be trained to control it. The old man just laughed when he saw what happened to his precious statue. All of them are baffled as to why he just laughed, if it was any other students they were sure he would end up with sore bottoms and will not be able to sit down properly for days.

Andy was about to grab his 3^rd glass of martini from a passing waiter when Minwoo grabbed his shoulders to call his attention.

“What?!” He said this without bothering to hide the irritation.

“Your new in laws” Minwoo said this as he pointed to the new arrivals.

Mr. Mun , Clan Head of the Mun Clan was impeccably dressed in a boring black tie suite while his wife, Kim Hwan Min is wearing an eye blinding golden shift dress and big pieces of diamonds whose price alone is enough to feed a small African country for a year. She would have been a very beautiful woman if it were not for her thick make up, which she uses to camouflage the fact that she is already advancing in age. Her daughter, Kim Eun Mi, followed them. She is wearing a hideous silver shift dress and enough diamonds that one could mistake her for a chandelier if she stood long enough in one corner. She seemed to know everybody in the room and greeted anybody who would pay attention to her.

“Please tell me she’s step daughter no. 2!” Andy said with panic in his voice.

“What if she’s the future wife?” Minwoo said.

“Then kiss your fiancé goodbye because I’m blowing this place up” Andy said and he looks like he really meant to do just that.

Minwoo couldn’t help but grin. He wanted to tease his brother a little more but worried that he might really panic and blow something.

“Relax….. I wouldn’t betray you like that!”

“You better not!”

The whole hall became silent when the last of the Mun entourage entered the room. It was Eric, resplendent in a designer tuxedo and a very pretty girl wearing a simple empire cut dress. Her shiny black hair is styled in an elegant French bun, with only a small heart shaped earrings and matching necklace set in white gold to adorn her. She was wearing very little makeup, which highlighted the fairness of her skin and delicate facial features.

“My dear brother allow me to introduce you to your future wife”

A small smile escaped from Andy’s lips. But that smile disappeared the moment Eric handed her to him and whispered to his ears;

“Don’t let go of her ok, she’s not wearing her glasses and can’t see beyond 3 feet of her”

The prospect of being her walking stick the whole night did not please Andy at all but he faked a smile nonetheless.

The ceremony, conducted by a Justice of Peace, was followed by an elaborate dinner. It was a futile exercise of patience on Andy’s part. Both parents and almost all the clan elders kept reminding him the whole night to make little Andy’s quick as if he and Tammy just need to pop them into the oven and instantly there will be little brats in dirty diapers running all around the whole hall. It did not help that Tamara’s mood is very solemn the whole night. Andy could sense both desperation and sadness in her. She spent the whole evening looking at the floor and barely speaking at all. His new mother in law on the other hand is so happy she looks like she is going to break into a song and dance number anytime. She went from table to table, announcing how happy she is to have a watashi for a son-in-law. It took a lot of effort on Andy’s part to avoid getting near her the whole night.

Eric’s anger is getting into him too, despite his best effort to keep a safe distance from his new brother in law. But as the night wore on, Andy found himself on the bar, with an obviously drunk and angry Eric who is nursing his 20^th shot of Martini while caressing a smith and Wesson with his other hand.

“Are you going to use that or not?”

“Too many fucking witnesses!”

“Well you should have brought poison instead, that’s easier to use” Andy told him nonchalantly.

“Thank you; next time I just might do that!” Eric answered him still eyeing his stepmother with murder in his eyes.

“What’s your problem anyway?”

“Step mother number 3 and her brat of a daughter “

“I don’t want to ask why, but I’ll ask anyway!”

“Trust me you don’t want to know!” Eric said this as he poured himself another drink.

“Can I ask you a favor?” He added.

“What is it?” Andy said as he helped himself to what was left in the bottle Eric is drinking.

“Keep Tammy away from that witch, and while you’re at it keep yourself in a safe distance too!”

“Don’t worry I will” and at that moment Andy caused a glass of champagne to tip over and spill its content on his new wife’s stepsister’s dress.

Eric looked at him and the scene in the presidential table and said “When did you become this petty?”

“Nope just bored” Andy said while grabbing another bottle from a passing waiter.

“Where’s Tammy by the way?”

“I don’t know, your stepmother took hold of her earlier”

“Shit! I told you to hold on to her!”

“What exactly do you want me to tell your step mother? , No you can’t take Tammy with you to redo her make up because Eric ordered me not to let you anywhere near her”

Just at that moment Tammy, now wearing her granny eyeglasses came running into them. She looked visibly upset.

“What’s wrong?” Eric asked her.

“It’s Mama, she got mad at me when I asked her when we are going home. She said I am not going home with them anymore that I have to go home with my husband tonight. Please tell me it isn’t so!”

“Would you rather go home to that witch?” He asked her.

“Well….I…But…”

“Your better off going home with Andy than going back with them!”

“But I don’t have any other clothes with me and Mama….”

“Your clothes and stuffs were taken to Andy’s house this afternoon, didn’t you packed them yourself?”

“Yes I did. But I don’t want to………….!”

Eric took hold of his sister’s hand and looked at the finger where she is now wearing a wedding ring. Gently he said;

“We already talked about this right? You cannot live with me. As much as I want to get you away from that witch, I live a dangerous life, your better off with Andy.”

“But…”

“No but’s.”

“OK….but….well….Mama….”

“Hmmm….” Eric murmured patiently.

“Mama did not let me pack Samsoon…she said Andy will not like it”

Andy kept silent even after he heard her say his name.

Eric then said to her gently “You can stop worrying about Samsoon now, his in my car waiting for you. He wanted to come to your wedding but unfortunately they don’t allow teddy bears to attend weddings in here”

With this, she gave Eric a bear hug, completely ignoring her new husband seated right beside her brother.

“You’re the best brother in the whole wide world!”

“Off course” Eric said this with a hint of smile in face.

“Are we going home now?” She asked absentmindedly.

“Want to go home now?”

At the sound of Andy’s voice, she jumped on her feet; then slowly inched her way behind Eric to hide.

“Don’t worry, he may be a jerk half the time but he won’t harm you” Eric told her.

“So if I’m a jerk half of the time, what am I during the other half?” Andy said in answer to him.

“Don’t play smart ass with me Andy, I’m not Minwoo!”

Andy was about to give another smart aleck answer to his brother in law when he saw his now step sister in law sashaying in the middle of the hall going in their direction. Eric who also saw her coming their way stood up and gently pushed Tammy towards Andy.

“I think I’ll call it a night!” He said this while giving Tammy a peck on the cheeks.

“Going home so early my dear brother?” Andy’s new stepsister in law said this in an irritatingly singsong voice.

“I do have a job; unlike some people I know who can afford to spend the day lounging in bed”

She did not seem to mind this jab from Eric and instead turned to the newly weds.

“I think I haven’t said my congratulations yet to the newly weds, Congratulations!”

“Thank you!” Andy once again put on his fake smile.

“Tammy dear, aren’t you going to introduce your sister to your new husband?”

But Tamara remained silent while keeping her head down.

“Oh, still so shy. Since my step sister wouldn’t introduce me, let me introduce myself, Kim Eun Mi.”

“Andy” he said curtly.

“Please forgive my step sister; she’s always been a scared cat. She’s even scared of her own shadow”

At that moment, Minwoo walked over to them.

“Oh, Minwoo…I was just introducing myself to your brother, because nobody seemed interested in introducing me to my new brother in law. I never knew you have such a good looking brother, how come you never introduced him to me before?” She purred.

“Well good looks runs in the family.” Minwoo said with a smirk in his face.

Andy smiled his first genuine smile for the whole night. Expect Minwoo to turn on the charm when needed.

“I hate to rain on your parade brother, but it seems I will have to be your designated driver for the rest of the night. My jerk of a driver drank one shot too many”

Andy knew Minwoo only wanted to make sure that they got back to his house safely.

“In that case I’ll come with you!” Eric suddenly offered.

“I thought you wanted to go home now because you have work tomorrow” Eun Mi asked him.

“Yes, but I have to make sure that the two Mr. Lee behave like gentlemen in the presence of my sister”

“Oh come on you two. This is their first night as a couple. I’m sure Andy would like to enjoy some privacy with his new wife”

The malice in Eun Mi’s voice did not escape all of them. Andy’s dislike for his new wife’s stepsister grew rapidly after they had this conversation. Tammy who has remained silently stood beside him squirmed a little.

“I think we should go now. It’s going to be a long drive.” Minwoo said.

Andy was glad to go. The whole affair has tired him and his sure Tammy feels the same.

The guests accompanied the couple all the way to the front of the hotel. Minwoo took the driver’s seat while Eric sat beside him, Andy and Tammy has no choice but to sit at the back and keep up the appearance of a happy newly weds.

A block away from the hotel Andy noticed four cars following them.

“We have company.” Andy said.

“It’s ok, those are friendly company” Minwoo answered him.

“By the way somebody wants to say her congratulations!” Eric said while taking out a big teddybear from a paper bag and handing it out to his sister.

“Oh, Samsoon!!!. Thank you, Oppa!” Tamara could barely hide her happiness at seeing the very rumpled and old teddy bear.

“That’s Samsoon?” Andy said incredulously.

“Yes!” Eric said this as if it is the most normal thing in the world.

The four of them were silent for the remaining of the trip home. Tamara fell asleep cuddling her teddy bear. Andy wanted to sleep too but somehow it escapes him.

Two hours after they left Seoul, they turned right to a narrow, dirt road that goes uphill. It took another 30 minutes of slow driving before they reached their final destination. A large, thoroughly modern house greeted them. The house belongs to Minwoo but he let Andy moved in when he agreed to return to Korea. He knows his brother prefers the solitude a house like this gives him to the convenience of living in downtown Seoul. The house, built mostly using stainless steel, glass and stone looked out of place. Old trees and thick bushes densely cover the surrounding area. The car Minwoo gave to him as a welcome gift and two other luxury sports cars that Andy did not recognize already occupy the pebble-covered driveway.

“What took you guys so long?” Junjin shouted from the porch above.

“Everything ok here?” Minwoo said.

“Yup everything, ok! Hey, Andy aren’t you supposed to carry your new wife to her new home?!” Dongwan said teasingly to Andy.

“If I carry her, then she sleeps on my bed!” Andy said this without thinking about it much.

Eric immediately took a swing at him, which failed to hit Andy because Minwoo managed to hold him back.

“I’m joking ok!” Andy knew he should not have said that especially since Eric’s sister can hear everything they were saying.

He walked up to the house without even looking back. Eric took hold of his sister’s hand and escorted her to her new home.

Hyesung threw him a cold can of beer lights as soon as he stepped on the porch. It would have hit Tamara if it were not for his fast reflexes. He deftly opened the can with one hand while he used the other hand to take off his jacket.

“I see you guys have been having a private party of your own here!” He said this as he looked at the empty bottles of soju, canned beers and cigarettes butts on one of the table.

“Well we just want to celebrate your wedding!” Junjin said in jest.

“Oppa!” Tamara greeted the others casually.

Hyesung, Junjin and Dongwan all gave her a gentle sisterly hug.

“How come the three of you didn’t come for the wedding?” she said this. She seems less shy now and even looks comfortable in the presence of the other men.

“Well we were busy preparing our wedding gift for you!” Dongwan said.

“Really! What is it?” She seems genuinely happy that they thought of giving her a gift.

“Its inside” Hyesung said.

Tamara immediately run towards the door and almost hit the glass wall, if Andy did not hold her back.

“Look, where you’re going will you! Everything’s made of glass in here” He chided her while he opened the sliding door for her.

“What the fuck!” Andy said under his breath when he saw what they were talking about.

“Wow!” Was all she said as she looked at the gift the other three has given her.

The walls of the house, which are made of glass, are now covered with cut out stickers of pink flowers, hearts and teddy bears. A giant teddy bear sitting on a balloon-covered chair occupies one corner of the receiving area.

“The house is all made of glass, so we put stickers on the dividing glass panels and inner doors so you wouldn’t run into them,” Hyesung said.

“Wow, their so pretty!”

“You like it?” Dongwan asked her.

“Go and check the kitchen” Junjin said.

Andy immediately run into the kitchen and came back immediately looking like he has seen the grim ripper.

“What the hell did you do to my kitchen?” he said incredulously.

The kitchen, which was previously filled with black and silver kitchen appliances, now boasts of a fuchsia pink refrigerator, a dark pink microwave oven and matching stove and conventional oven. Andy even saw a hello kitty percolator, food processor, toaster oven and dishwasher. The rug is also in pink but darker in shade. Everywhere else Andy look, he sees nothing but pink. The white dining table and matching chairs are the only things he saw there that are not in a shade of pink. Even the pots and pans are in different shades of pink.

“Well silver does not look well with the color scheme so we thought of changing it to something that will match” Hyesung said this while trying to stifle his laugh.

“But why make it look, as if Barbie leaves in here?” He cannot believe his friends will do this to him.

Eric and Minwoo who has joined them in inspecting the house could barely control themselves from laughing. Andy hates pink; in fact, he does not like colorful stuff. He prefers dark solid colors. The only light color he likes is white and that is not even a color at all.

At this last comment, the other five could no longer contain themselves and laughed out laughed. Just at that moment, Tamara runs from the kitchen while shouting;

“I love it! I love it! I love it!”

She gave each of them a big bear hug but stopped when she reached Andy.

“Want to see your room?” Dongwan asked her.

Tamara immediately followed Dongwan. Andy wanted to see too, but stopped himself, because he really is not sure what he will do if he sees his room become Barbie’s room. That is when he realized there is only one room in the house.

“Wait a minute!, what did you guys did to my room?!” Andy demanded.

“Correction, your former room!” Hyesung told him while putting his arm around Andy.

“And where do you propose I sleep?” Andy said, he could barely hide his irritation now.

“Well brother I guess you will have to make do with the sofa in your office, until the contractors are done finishing Tamara’s room” Minwoo told.

“Why can’t she sleep in there? This is my house after all!”

“Andy, first of all, you maybe the one who is leaving in here now. But this is still my house.”

“You said I could use this place for as long as I want! And besides the sofa in the office is too small for me!” Andy said. He knows he is sounding liked a spoiled brat kid but the thought of sleeping in the small sofa in the small office he is currently using or even on the floor does not appeal to him. It used to be a video room, which Minwoo uses to play computer games. However, since Andy needed a place where he could continue doing his job as President of his company he turned the room into a home office. Half the space is occupied by a large mahogany desk where Andy does most of his work, and the other half is occupied by a small sofa. Even if he could afford to purchase a bigger day bed, there is just no space for it in the room.

“It’s ok, I don’t mind sleeping on the floor,” Tammy said. She sounded scared and Andy could sense panic creeping in her.

“No, you can go and use the room.” Minwoo told her gently.

“Why don’t you go and change, I sent someone to buy us some pizza” Eric told her gently.

“Hmmm…..oppah….” she said timidly.

“Yes?” Eric said.

“Can I have some ice cream too?” She said this in a sing song voice, obviously trying to charm her brother into giving in to her.

“I think there’s some left in the fridge” Junjin offered her.

With that Tamara left the six of them. As soon as she is out of sight, Minwoo smacked Andy on the head.

“What the hell is that for!” He complained loudly.

“For being a jerk!” Minwoo told him.

“And how about them, they just turned your house into a doll house!”

“Drop it!” Minwoo said curtly.

Andy walked out the porch again and sulked in one corner. Minwoo and the others followed him. None of them talked for a while.

“Look how difficult is it for you to bear this burden?” Eric asked him.

Andy did not say anything. Under normal circumstances, he would have found the situation funny, but being on the other end of this joke after a very trying and tiring day, Andy’s patience and sense of humor is already stretched thin.

“Why must it be pink?!”

At the mention of the word, the others started laughing again.

“There’s nothing wrong with the color pink” Hyesung said.

“It’s so girly!” Andy answered.

“Well, Tammy likes pink!” Eric said.

“How about me, will nobody ever consider what I want for once!” Andy said.

“Don’t worry you’ll get used to it!” Minwoo answered him while chuckling. The five of them are obviously having fun at Andy’s expense.

“Can she cook?” he asked absentmindedly.

“Andy, don’t even think of making her your personal maid!” Eric warned him.

“What the hell do you want me to do? I can’t fuck her, and if she can’t even cook you might as well take her back!” Andy said trying to sound angry but failing miserably.

“If I could I would!” Eric answered him in a solemn voice.

“Why can’t you?” Andy asked, curious now.

The others all looked at Eric, obviously waiting for him to answer this one.

“Andy you know why you were asked to come home right?” he answered.

“Yeah, to be a sacrificial lamb, to force our family to stop killing each other! Which is rather stupid may I say!”

“We know that! But try telling that to my father! His all about keeping the family honor. And I can’t see anything honorable in turning your back against your friends just because you’re scared of being the next target! ” Eric said.

“How so?” Andy asked.

“Because I think all this fighting is just a ruse to lure you back!”

“I feel so important now!........just to force me to comeback their willing to kill people!” He said this as downed the last content of his soju bottle.

“I’m not talking about the elders,” Eric said.

“And who is foolish enough to want me to come back?” Andy said.

“We don’t know!” Eric answered.

Chapter 3 Coming Soon!!!!

Incomplete

A fanfiction I wrote. The girl is a friend from one of the forums I frequently visit. Just to make things clear this all FICTION, none of the events happen in real life (although my friend fervently hopes it will). Featuring Shin Hye Sung of Shinhwa.

Incomplete

Whoo
Ooh
Oh yeah yeah
Bright lights
Fancy restaurants
Everything in this world that a man could want
Got a bank account bigger than the law should allow
Still I'm lonely now

Traffic is light for a Friday evening. Driving pass the fancy restaurants that he often frequent, Sungie continued driving with nowhere to go. He called Eric earlier but his out on a date with one of the many women that are occupying his time right now. Junjin is still in China, Minwoo and Dongwan are both busy with album promotion and Andy’s phone is unreachable. He knew he should be resting. However, Hyesung does not want to stay in his apartment. Even the computer games that he enjoys playing all the time feels boring now. He feels lonely and knows the reason why, but his pride is refusing to cooperate. All it would take is a single phone call but his stupid pride is paralyzing him.

Pretty faces from the covers of the magazines
From their covers to my covers wanna lay with me
Fame and fortune still can't find
Just a grown man runnin out of time

The phone rang, Hyesung checked and immediately turned off his cell. It was Cecilia, the French model, his manager introduced to him the other day. Pretty, tall, elegant looking, she is all that and more. She is fun, witty, and very worldly. The dinner they had ended with him invited to her bed. Sure, it was fun and she is as good as she say she is. By the time it was over, he felt emptier than he felt in days. She is a warm body who willingly offered him a quick roll in the hay. No man in his right man would actually say no to such a creature of beauty. Unless if he is a man hopelessly in love with somebody else.

[CHORUS]
Even though it seems I have everything
I don't wanna be a lonely fool
All of the women
All the expensive cars
All of the money don't amount to you
I can make believe I have everything
But I can't pretend that I don't see
That without you girl my life is incomplete

He left the bright lights of Seoul without realizing it. The streets in this side of town are narrower and instead of brightly lit commercial establishments, there are only low cost hostels everywhere he looks. Most of the residents here are foreigners working in the many commercial establishments in Seoul. Housing here is cheaper than in downtown, that is why foreigner’s flock here. Without meaning to, he found himself parking the car in front of a well kept but obviously old apartment complex. Checking his watch, he knew that the person he wants to see is probably inside one of those small apartments. She probably is back from work now, cooking dinner while doing her laundry or checking her emails. Her ability to multitask amazes him sometimes. She will make a good wife to any man. However, she is also very independent and outspoken, something that always collide with his idea of how a perfect wife should be.

He was already in the elevator before he caught himself asking what he is doing there in the first place. Will she even give him the time of day? “Just do it Pil Gyo!”, he silently told himself

Said without you girl ahh

Your perfume
Your sexy lingerie
Girl I remember it just like it was on yesterday
A Thursday you told me you had fallen in love
I wasn't sure that I was

They met in one of the many secret trips he takes whenever things get too crazy in Seoul and he wants to play around without worrying about the press and the fans catching on. She was in Bangkok for a 3-month company sponsored training and he was there for some good time. It started simple enough, he was drunk already and she seemed to be willing company. But the moment he kissed her, he knew it was something else. Despite her bravado, he knew she is not used to playing this kind of games. Still his alcohol-addled brain told him to ignore this warning signs. In the 3 months that she was there, he came and visited her more than 10 times. He can feel her honesty when she mumbles “I Love You” in his ears whenever she thinks his already asleep. He pretended not to hear because he was not sure if he feels the same.

It's been a year
Winter summer spring and fall
But bein without you just ain't livin ain't nothing at all
If I could travel back in time
I'd relive the days you were mine

Then the recording for his second album started. At first, he would call her and she does not seem to mind at all his continued absence. Then the phone calls became less frequent and whenever she takes the initiative to call he would feign being busy. She even applied to transfer to Seoul so that she could be near him. In the beginning, he would visit her but his manager warned him about keeping it private. She obliged to all his request for secrecy to a point that none of her friends and family does not know about him. The busier he got the less they saw of each other. He has thoughts of asking her to move in with him but his manager stopped him and warned him against going through with it. Slowly they drifted apart, she in her attempt to give him the space he wants and he because of the album recording. Until both of them lost touch and he heard nothing from her again, sure there are days that he felt guilty for ignoring her but he knew deep within that he was just scared of asking himself how he really felt.

[CHORUS]

Oh yeah that without you girl ahh

I just can't help lovin you
But I loved you much too late
I'd give anything
And everything
To hear you say
That you'll stay

He knocked 3 times before somebody came and answered the door. She has not changed much, maybe lost a little weight. She is wearing the shirt he gave her as a joke one time she dragged him to watch Minwoo’s concert incognito. It was a merchandise T-shirt for his first concert. He was busy that time preparing for the concert but somehow he found the time to accompany her. He has watched Minwoo performed before both as a member and as M. However, it was the first time he would be watching him incognito, playing the role of a suffering boyfriend every time she would shout and wave a placard with M’s picture in it. The next day after the concert, he sent her the shirt and told her he was offended by her action the day before and she could only make up for such wanton display of affection towards another man by wearing this shirt the next time they see each other highlighting the words “THIS SHIRT AND NOTHING ELSE” . She answered back by saying he was just jealous. The messages flew back and fort but the next time he came over to her apartment, sure enough she was wearing it and nothing else. That was months ago.

If she were surprise by his sudden visit, she did not show it. She opened the door and let him in without saying a word.

“I’m sorry for bothering you, I was just driving by and saw your apartment light was on, I thought I might drive by and say hi” in all honesty Hyesung does not know what else there is to say to her.

“It’s ok, it’s not a bother at all” she answered in monotone.

Hyesung looked around and was struck at how oddly familiar and comfortable being in her apartment felt. The small apartment still look the same, the drab paint, the creaky sofa, the faded carpet, but what struck him the most is the smell. It was a pleasant smell of her favorite cologne mixed with the sweet scent of freshly laundered clothes. Sure enough, he caught a glimpse of newly washed linens on the makeshift laundry lines she has in her bedroom. That’s when he caught sight of a big box left open.

“Sending gifts home?” he asked her. It first baffled him when he first encountered the practice of sending what they call a “balikbayan box” to folks back home.

“No” she answered him without explaining.

He noticed that unlike the last time, this time she is wearing cut off jeans with the shirt. “Why have such a big box then?” He asked.

“I’ll be moving back to Manila, my flight is the day after tomorrow,” she answered curtly.

The sense of panic that enveloped Hyesung surprised him. He felt the blood drain from every nerve in his body.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I asked for a transfer” she said in the same dispassionate voice.

“Why?”

“I don’t need to explain anything to you!” she said.

He stood there rooted to where he is standing. He wanted to kick himself for his stupidity, for neglecting her and lastly for not saying how he really felt.

[CHORUS (2x)]

Without ya girl
Without ya girl my life
Without you girl
My life my life is incomplete
Without you girl
My life is incomplete
Oh yeah
My life is incomplete
Oh yeah yeah
Whoo

It took his manager a month before he could arrange a way to see her again. Getting to Manila was easy enough what prove to be difficult is coordinating the schedules of all the other members. Andy for one is only available certain days, Minwoo and Dongwan on the other hand have to do a lot of rescheduling just so they could give in to his request. Junjin has to cancel a photoshoot. Only Eric is available but that is because he is not doing any new project yet.

Nobody knew that Shinhwa is coming to Manila except for a contact his manager managed to befriend online. She is a Shinhwa fan but promised them that she will be very discreet. She helped them arrange their hotel reservation and even manage to get info’s about an informal gathering of Shinhwa fans that will meet that same afternoon. She assured them that the object of this clandestine visit would be there. At least this is what the organizer of the said affair told her.

Hyesung did not say a word throughout the trip. The other members would grin at him but also did not say anything. Missy, their contact and their manager are the ones who attempted to keep a conversation going. He knew she fancies Andy but she kept to herself and did not attempt to start any conversations at all with him. He reminded himself to properly introduce the two later. She seems to be a nice girl, well grounded with a quirky sense of humor. “Pil Gyo, why the sudden urge to be match maker?” he silently asked himself.

Their manager is concerned about security but Missy assured them that no one knew they are coming. It was not long before they reached their destination. One of her friends sent a message that the person he wanted to see just arrived. Suddenly his heart beat faster and he felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Missy gave him a reassuring smile.

“Ready?”

“Yes” He lied.

One by one they alighted from the vehicle with Missy leading the way. He heard a gasped coming from the inside of the house followed by a shriek. Somebody recognized Eric.

Somebody ran from inside the house to meet Missy. From the open window, he saw them appear one by one, but still the one person he is seeking is not one of them.

An uneasy silence greeted their unexpected arrival. Missy just grinned at them as if a mischievous child caught doing something she was not supposed to do.

Then she appeared, she looked well rested but he can sense how unhappy she is.

“Hi” he heard himself say. He knew he should say something else but words fail him now.

He felt somebody gently pushed him forward. Looking back he there was Eric and the other members giving him a reassuring smile.” He saw her hold back her tears but failed miserably. With both his voice and knees shaking, he went down on his knees and took out the small red box he has been guarding with his life from the time they left Seoul.

“Riel, my midnight girl, will you marry me and make my life complete?”

DONGWAN'S ROAD HOME

First of the 4 Backstories I wrote for Long Road Home

DONGWAN’S ROAD HOME

Dongwan tried to run as fast as his short legs would allow. He was supposed to be home two hours ago and he knows that if he is not home before the sun sets he would be in big trouble. His mother can be so unreasonable when it comes to curfews and this is not the first time Dongwan has broken his curfew. His mother knows how much he likes taking photographs and knows that once he finds something interesting to shoot, he lost all sense of time. “Run faster…you idiot….or I am in TROUBLE”.

He was running so fast he did not notice that a black Mercedes was park right in front of their gate and crashed right into it.

Dongwan’s books, his camera and extra batteries scattered all over the place. Under normal circumstances Dongwan would have been worried that he would be made to pay for the damages to the car, but he was more worried about his Mom getting mad at him that he just picked his stuff and made a dash for the door their house. The driver of the car got out of the car and run after him, but Dongwan proved to be a fast runner and he was inside the house even before the driver has time to get out of the car.

“Hey you!! Come back here!” the man shouted at him.

Dongwan slammed opened their door. The house was small with only one bedroom he shares with his Mom, a small kitchen and a small receiving area that also serves as their dining area. Despite being small it was spotlessly clean, something his mother is proud of. For her no matter how small a house is, it should be spotless because a clean house reflects on the character of the people living in it.

“Is the devil running after you?...coming in like that!” his mother scolded him. She was a small woman and Dongwan always wonders if he got his height from her. Standing at only five feet 2 inches, she holds herself in manner that is both proud and regal. Take away her simple and cheap clothes and you would think you are talking to a woman born from royalty. She always talks in a dignified manner and for as long as Dongwan could remember she has never seen her mother lowered herself to anybody. She treats everybody with respect but she never acts or felt shame in her being poor. This is something she has instilled in Dongwan since he was a small child. Be proud of who you are and what you are capable of doing, not because you do not have money doesn’t mean you are inferior to those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, she always say this to him.

Secretly Dongwan is thankful for his Mom for teaching him this. He knew he would never achieve anything on his own if his mother did not teach him to be confident in himself.

Panting hard, Dongwan tried to catch his breath before answering his mother. That’s when he noticed that they have a visitor. A familiar face he has seen sporadically for the last 15 years. Dongwan silently wondered what brought his father to their house. He knew that his father was rich, how rich he doesn’t really know. He has never questioned his mother on why they had to live like this despite him having a very rich father. His father was a very sensitive issue with his Mom, so despite the fact that his mother allows his father to visit him every now and then and spend on his education, she refuses to discuss him with Dongwan. She would tell him that what happened between her and Lee Kwan Dae is their problem and Dongwan has nothing to do with it.

“Sir” he bowed to acknowledge his father. He seldom calls him Dad or Father. Lee Kwan Dae is not exactly the warmest man on earth. Although he takes time out to see Dongwan every now and then and make sure he gets the best education, most of their meeting seem more like a perfunctory interview devoid of the warmth and laughter shared between a parent and a child. He would ask him how he is doing in school. He in turn would tell him about his grades, the extra math and English lessons he is taking in preparation for university, the many prizes he won for being a member of the Taekwondo club. When his father found out that he likes taking photographs he bought him a very expensive camera which he almost didn’t get to use because his mother refused to let his Dad buy him any expensive gifts. He could still remember the phone conversation his mother has with his father. It was the first time he ever saw his mother get mad like that. Dongwan offered to return the camera but his father refused saying he has every right to give it to him because he is after all his son. His father stopped seeing him after that. He would call him, go to his school to see him or ask him to meet him for lunch but he never set foot in their house ever again after that incident. Not until now.

“Sit down” Lee Kwan Dae looked at his 3^rd son. He could barely see himself in him. He has his mother’s eyes, and contour of the face. Silently he wished that he wouldn’t have her height too, but Dongwan it seems would not grow any taller than 5’6 at the rate he is growing now. His other brothers got their height from him and hence are all tall, all except Minwoo who can stand shoulder to shoulder with Dongwan.

“How’s school?” He asked him

“I got into the Advance Math class, and my English teacher is asking me if I want to join the journalism club” Dongwan was still out of breath but his parents could hear traces of pride in his voice.

“You already have too many clubs already…adding another one might affect your grades.” His mother told him in a matter of fact manner. She knows how much of an achiever her son is and it sometimes worried her that he might be spreading himself too thin by getting involved in too many clubs in school.

“You mother is right , you already have taekwondo, photography, history club and there’s your Math and English academy too…doing everything all the same, some is bound to suffer. Hopefully it’s not your grades.”

Dongwan was silent; he knew that he can’t argue against his parents at the same time.

“If you really want to join this journalism club, you have to give up one” his father said.

Dongwan bowed his head as he silently contemplates which of the many clubs and organizations he was willing to give up. He knows that he has to make a wise decision.

“I’m already in the Advance Math Class, I don’t need to go to the Math Academy because the lessons are the same anyways” Dongwan silently hoped both parents would agree. It’s not that he hates Math, in fact he is good at it but doing it all the time sometimes bores him.

“No!...It’s important, you need those lessons to get into a good University” his mother said.

Dongwan is panicking now, he couldn’t think of which one to give up because he wants to be in all those clubs, and besides all his friends are in there too.

“Don’t be too hard on the boy”

Lee Kwan Dae’s words surprised Dongwan, because when it comes to his education his father is as demanding as his mother. He seldom says a word but Dongwan sometime has this feeling that his father would only acknowledge him for as long as he does well in everything he does.

“He can’t give that up, he needs to do well in that subject to get into a good University” his mother insisted.

“Well that depends on what he wants to take up in University.” His father said.

Dongwan could sense animosity building up. He knew he has to say something that is acceptable to both parents.

“I think I’ll just give up the History Club”

“Are you sure about that?” his mother asked him.

“Yes”

“That’s settled then, you resign from that club so that you can join this new one. We don’t want to see your grades going down either. Is that understood?” his father said to him.

“Yes sir” Dongwan said. He would miss the fun they have during meetings and visits to museums but other than that he wouldn’t miss anything else.

Dongwan looked at both parents. He wanted to ask what brought his father here but he can’t think of a way to broach the subject. He looked at his mother but she did not looked at him instead she stood up and went into the kitchen.

“Why don’t you go and take him out for dinner, I’m too tired to cook right now.”

“How about you, what are …” Lee Kwan Dae asked her

“I’m not hungry…” she cut him off.

Lee Kwan Dae and Dongwan stood up to go. But before they could step out of the house she reminded Lee Kwan Dae to bring Dongwan home before 8 because he still has to finish his homework.

“Get him home before 8 he still has to finish his homework.”

“Sure, no problem with that” with that Lee Kwan Dae stood up and left the tiny house his sons has called home all his life.

Dongwan silently followed his father towards the car. It was the same car he crashed into earlier. The driver of the car got out and was about to reprimand him but stopped when Lee Kwan Dae spoke to him directly.

“Mr. Kang, this is my son Dongwan, son this is Mr. Kang Ho Dong. He is head of my security and also drives me around occasionally”

Mr. Kang bowed down to him and Dongwan did the same.

Father and son got into the car silently. Dongwan has no idea where they are going and he doesn’t really know how to ask. After a couple of minutes their car stopped in front of a Japanese Restaurant. Dongwan is not really picky with food and his father always takes him to fancy restaurants, regardless of what Dongwan is wearing whenever the two of them meet.

The head waiter greeted them and led them to a private room.

His father did not ask him what he wants but ordered for the two of them. It did not take long for their order to arrive. Father and son ate in silence.

“How’s school?”

Dongwan was perplexed because his father already asked him about that earlier.

“I’m doing okay, I guess”

“I know, your mother showed me your grades. I think they are good enough to get you in a good private school.”

“Why do I need to transfer school?” Dongwan is getting curious now. His mother never told him anything about moving to another place.

“Son, let me be honest you. I know you are mature for your age and will understand”

“What will I understand?”

“Your mother is sick”

“Mom can’t be sick, she has never been sick”

“Well she is, I have known for a while but she refuses to let me help her.”

“What does it have with me changing schools anyway?” Dongwan has never talked like this to his father. This is all confusing to him.

“You know I could have done more for you and your mom, but your mother is one stubborn woman. She refuses any of my help and only agreed to let me spend for your education because she wants you to get into a good university and have a better chance in life.”

Dongwan did not say anything because he knows what he is saying is the truth.

“I wouldn’t have known she was sick if she didn’t tell me herself.. “

“How sick is she?”

“She has ovarian cancer; apparently it runs in the family.”

“But that can be cured right. My classmate’s mother has cancer too but she got well after they operated on her.”

“Your mother was diagnosed too late, only a miracle can cure her now”

“But…”

“I got both of you an apartment near the school we have chosen for you. It’s also near the hospital where she will be getting her treatments. It’s also close to my house and I could ask her to let you live with me now but I do not want to do that to your mother. She may have been stubborn and gave me a difficult time when it come’s to you, but your mother is a good woman and I can never and will never question her being a good mother to you. She needs you now.”

Dongwan did not know what to say. He does not even know what to think. His mother is sick and may even die. It all seems like a bad dream to him.

“I will send somebody to your schools to talk with your teachers, I’m sure you’ll have no problem meeting new friends. The apartment is fully furnished so you only need to bring your personal belongings. Your mother has agreed to let me buy you new clothes and things for your new school. It’s a private school. I don’t want other kids looking down at you because of your appearance.”

“There is nothing wrong with my clothes. Mom always says…”

“I know what your Mother would say….son this is not about what you think…this is about what others think about you now. I don’t want you to ever second guess yourself because others looks down on you and think you are inferior to them. Being in a private school also means that you will be surrounded by kids whose parents pampers them to a point that they do not care about others anymore but themselves. I do not want you to be like them. You are your mother’s son and I know that you will never be like them. But it’s also important to fit in, to not stand out like a sore thumb. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir” was all Dongwan could say. He has so many questions forming in his head but he couldn’t bring himself to ask them.

“Now that’s settled, I would like to ask you to come to the office tomorrow with your mother. Ms. Alice my secretary would take you to shop and your mother and I would go to your new house. I ask Ms. Alice to buy your mother some new clothes and shoes, so make sure that when you get home tonight you take a good look at what’s her size is including the size of her shoes so that you could get the right one for her. Lastly don’t tell your mother those are from me, just tell her that you thought she should have some new things too. That I gave you some money to spend for yourself and you just used some of those to buy things for her. Do not buy anything too expensive or she might suspect okay.”

“Yes sir”

“What else, yes I already told your brothers that you and your mother will moving somewhere near and that you might occasionally join us for dinner or come to the house more often. I would like you to spend the night at the house whenever you mother has to stay the night at the hospital. Security in the building where your new home will be is very good, but I still do not want to think of you spending the night alone. A room has been prepared for you and I will ask Ms. Alice to buy you extra clothes to keep at home so you that you do not need to pack a bag every time you need to stay the night. Any question?”

“Is Mom going to be alright?”

For the first time Kwan Dae has a strong urge to hug his son. He can see how scared he is by the thought of losing his Mom, and all the changes that he is going through right now. But instead of hugging him he gave the boy a tap on the shoulder.

“Your mother is a strong woman, but sometimes will and strength is not enough. If she has come to me earlier I could have sent her abroad for treatment. The only thing to do now is to hope she would be able to hold on long enough to see you graduate from school. That would make her very happy. So try to be good in your studies, okay!”

Dongwan just nod his head. He can feel tears starting to build up in his eyes and he has to blink a couple times to stop himself from crying. He has to say something he knows that but he doesn’t know what to say.

“Dad”

“Yes?”

“I think I scratched your car. I was running home because Mom might get mad at me for not coming home in time and I did not see it was parked in front of the house and smashed my camera into it”

“Did you hurt yourself?”

“No, but I think my camera is useless now, and I think Mr. Hodong will be mad once he sees the damage I done in daylight”

“Don’t think about it anymore, that car is old anyway and I have been thinking of replacing it already. Your birthday is coming soon am I right”

“Yes the week after next”

“How you would like a new camera for your next birthday, one of my staff showed me the new camera they bought for use by the Public Relations department. It’s digital and has expandable memory and you do not need to use films. But you need a printer to print the pictures and a computer too….hmm…I’ll ask one of the people in the office to have a pc set up in your new room. Consider that as your price for getting into the Advance Math Program and the printer for winning….what’s that again…the last medal you won”

“I did not win any medal, but one of the pictures I took got accepted and was published by a local news paper.”

“Yeah that one, your mother called me up to tell me to buy a copy of that paper so I will see your work. It was good”

“Thanks”

“I think we better get going now. Your mother is waiting for you”

Chapter II

He used to dream of living in a big house, of having his own room, of having a big closet where he could store his cameras and equipments, but now that he has all of those and more Dongwan found himself unable to sleep. No matter how much he tossed or turn he couldn’t find a comfortable position to sleep in. He gave up on sleep after tossing and turning for the umpteenth time. It’s not that his bed is not comfortable, far from it, it was the softest bed he ever slept on, and the sheets are delicate to the touch. The apartment has four bedrooms, one for him and another for his mom, another room were turned into a study for him and the other one as his father has suggested was to be used as a guest room. Dongwan can’t think of a reason why they would need a guestroom when his mother’s relatives have never once sought to visit them. They did not approve of his mother getting pregnant out of wedlock, and they certainly made sure that she and her bastard of a son know that they are no longer considered as family.

Dongwan tiptoed into the spacious kitchen. The kitchen by his estimate is bigger than their former house. A large fridge, the size he only sees on TV and magazines dominates the whole kitchen. His mother protested on why they would need such a big apartment, but his father said it was the only one available in the area. Upon opening the fridge, he was greeted by large assortments of food. Her mother did not complain on this, she knows Dongwan’s father has always been generous to his sons, and she knows that she could no longer deny Dongwan creature comforts that his father is willingly giving to all of his children.

He helped himself to some juice and snatched an apple off the kitchen counter. He was settling himself in front of his new computer when he heard a noise coming from his mother’s bedroom. Coming nearer he heard his mother moaning in pain. Dongwan knew the reason why, his father did not spare him from the sordid detail of his mother’s illness, that and coupled with the research on the internet made him understand what his mother is going through. But it did not prepare him for the sound of pain he has been hearing from his mother lately. In front of him she is still the proud and feisty woman he has known all his life, but lately he has been noticing that she has been losing a lot of weight and at night he would usually hear those stifled cry. How she managed to hide that from him when they were still living in their old home is beyond him. When he told his Dad about this he told him that it would get worst as the diseases progresses. She is taking medication but sooner or later those medications would stop working and the pain would be uncontrollable.

Silently he opened the door and saw his mother curled up like a fetus moaning in pain.

“Mom, are you ok?”

“I’m ok go back to bed”

“Would you like me to get you anything? Shall I call the doctor?”

“No, this will go away soon. Go back to your room you still have classes tomorrow.”

But Dongwan did not go; instead he crawled into bed with his mom and hugged her gently. His mother did not protest.

“Your father may be a cold man, but he looked after all of his sons well.”

Dongwan was surprised with his mother. He can’t remember anytime that his mother talked openly about his father like this.

“He was good looking, and charming when he wants too. …yes…the most charming man when he wants too”

“Mom, there’s no need to say anything”

“I want to tell you myself, I don’t want you to hear it from others”

“Mom”

“He was already President of LKD Group when I met him, ………..I knew he has a wife, ………….I also know he has a son with her, ……….and another with a foreign born lawyer”

“Mom really you should rest now”

“He was a charming man; …….treated me like a Queen, .told me he would take of me”

“I was so naïve……thinking he would leave his wife and son for me…..thinking that if he did I would be happy……. And then you happened…”

“Mother…”

“He promised to take care of us and he did…..Lee Kwan Dae is a man of his words…. But I want more than that….I was young and ….and too selfish for my own good….he did not leave her…he won’t leave her…..he said he do not want to lose Eric….I took you away…..but my family would have nothing to do with me…..I thought I could raise you up on my own….”

“But mother you did….”

“No……when you were 2 years old you become very sick…I thought I was going to lose you….by that time my pride was the only thing that was left of me…… I came knocking in your father’s door…told him you were sick….he agreed to help me in the condition that I let him see you….to let you know he was your father….to accept his help….I refused….in the end he won….because I was afraid to lose you…..so I let him spend money on you….send you to the best Tutoring Academy…pay for all the extra lessons you want to take….all those taekwondo classes you want to join….. He wanted to do more for you……give you a bigger house to leave in….expensive toys to play with…. He wanted to send you to a private school…….but I was afraid that if I give in to him he would start to demand more….I was afraid in exchange for this creature comforts he was willing to give me he would take you away from me…..”

Another wave of painful spasm cut short their conversation. Dongwan hugged his mother tighter. She let him hold her until the pain subsided. It was a while before Dongwan heard his mother’s steady breathing. After checking on her one last time, he silently tiptoed out of the room. He went back to his computer and the now stale glass of juice and uneaten apple. He knows sleep will not come for him tonight.

*****

He knows all of his brother’s by sight. Their father made sure of that. Eric the legitimate one and the oldest is always the silent one and wouldn’t talk unless spoken to. Hyesung the one from America barely speaks too but that’s because he is just learning how to speak Korean. He talks to everyone in English and only speaks Korean when talking to Junjin the youngest one. That one is the most playful of the lot. He seems to be always moving about and can’t seem to sit still for even a short period of time. The two seems to get along very well. Hyesung would drive Junjin to school and in more than one occasion accompanied him during soccer practice. When their father is not at home the two would talk nonstop about the game, one talking in English and the other in Korean... Minwoo on the other hand is the only one who would openly talk to Dongwan. He and Eric seem to get along very well, but then he seems to get along well with everybody.

Dongwan is spending the night there as his father instructed him to do when his mother has to stay the night in the hospital. Lately these sleepovers have become more frequent. The others knew the reason why but they seem to know that he did not want to talk about this with them. Their father told them to eat dinner without him as he will be late in coming home.

Dinner which is usually a silent affair is a bit animated that night. Junjin’s team won a very important match which would enable them to get into the regional finals, he, Hyesung and Minwoo is having one of their weird bi-language discussions about the game. Eric was silently listening to them, while Dongwan on the other kept to himself. He knew he should eat, but food is the farthest things on his mind right now. This is the 5^th time in 5 weeks that his mother has to stay the night in the hospital. His father has told him to get all of his things in their apartment and take it to his house because his mother might stay in the hospital a while. He wanted to go there but he has forbidden him and said that he wouldn’t be able to see his mother anyway because she was in isolation.

He jumped out of his seat the moment he hears the phone rang; he beat Eric by few steps in answering it. The other three did not bother from getting up from their seat.

“Hello, Lee Residence”

“Wannie, is that you?” it was their father’s voice

“Yes sir it’s me”

The others stopped whatever they are talking about when they heard it was their father on the phone.

“Listen to me carefully, the hospital called me and told me to go to the hospital, I want you to meet me there. Ask Eric or Sungie to drive you there okay, give the phone to Eric.”

Dongwan without a word gave the phone to Eric. He could feel his world turning upside down. Eric has to give him a strong tug to get him to listen to what he has to say.

“Dad told me to drive you to the hospital.”

“Ok”

Dongwan was in a state of shock, it barely registered on him that the others also got into the car and came with him to the hospital. Eric drove, while Hyesung who has driven him to the hospital a few times already gave instructions on how to get there.

Their father did not say anything when all five of them arrived in the hospital together. Dongwan was immediately ushered into his mother’s room to pay his last respect. His father stayed with him through it all.

****

None of his mother’s relatives came to the funeral. He did not expect them to come anyway. His father took care of everything, and his brothers all came. None of them said a word to him but they were there. Dongwan felt numb, no tears would come, Mr. Shin the butler has to force him to eat and in more than one occasion his father has to order him to go home to get some rest.

****

It was the same room he used whenever he comes to sleep over. It was more spacious than the room he occupies in the apartment. He does not have his own study room here but the room is big enough for all his stuff. His father sent someone from the office set up his computer in his new room. Somebody else took care of packing his mothers belongings. His father said his sending it somewhere for storage but let Dongwan keep anything he wants to keep. In the end he settled for the few photographs of the two them together and all the photo albums of pictures he took went into storage too.

His father never came to talk to him again about his mother. He did not offer any explanations or offered him a comforting hug. He just let him be. Before long they developed a routine around the house that they would be keeping at least until all of them are old enough to drive their own car. Eric and Hyesung who are already old enough to have a driver’s license drive their own car. He, Minwoo and Junjin are either dropped off to school by Driver Jongmin or catch a ride with either one of them. Eric never complained on being their chauffeur but he remained distant. Hyesung is more tolerant and made an effort to converse with him once in a while.

Their father remained just like, an authority they respect and secretly worship. A man who is so involved with all their lives but managed to remain so distant. The father who unknowingly sowed fear in their hearts and who could send them scampering to their feet with a just s tern look. Somehow Dongwan got used to the dreary atmosphere around the house, the silence that permeates the place whenever all of them sat down together for dinner. This is home now he knows that and he belongs here whether he likes it or not.

Dongwan turned off his nightlight and waited for sleep to come to him.

THE END