When We Return

Chapter 8

“I don’t like her, oppa.” (Korean)

“SinB!”

My eyebrows raised with what she said. Though I wasn’t able to understand that, I tried to assess what she meant by it based on her facial expression.

Did she ask for my name?

But why did Jay-Jay screamed as if warning her?

Ahhh, maybe she asked if I’m his brother’s girlfriend.

Like what the heck? I cringe mentally because of that. But blushed physically, of course.

“Okaaay!” Jay-Jay suddenly butt in between us and turned towards his sister. “You go back to your room and study.” (Korean) And turned towards me then that startled me a bit. He’s so close that I have to look up to meet his eyes.

“And you..” he held my arm “help me in the kitchen.” And drag me all the way to where he entered earlier. I looked back to where his sister is standing and my heart paced as she made the ‘I’m watching you’ gesture before going back to the room she is staying.

He let go of my arm the moment we arrived in the kitchen, it’s the same size I had back in my apartment so it’s quite spacious.

“What did she say back there?” I asked nervously, afraid of what he’s going to respond.

“Hahaha, you don’t want to know.” Without further explanation, I knew right away that what she said earlier isn’t pleasing. 

“I don’t think she likes me.” I said in a whispered voice, afraid that girl might hear her.

He turned to face her and laughed, “Oh, she really, really does.”

“Really?”

“Haha, not even quite.” He proceeds taking out the ingredients from the grocery bags and put them all on the kitchen table.

“What do you mean by that?”

“She’s the jealous type, so…” I understand what he meant even without completing his sentence and just nod my head.

Shit, is she going fight with me then? I thought nervously. I don’t want trouble, for Pete’s sake. All my life I avoided that word not until I did what I did a month ago.

“But don’t worry, she’ll open up after some time.” He assured me, maybe after he noticed I was troubled and how I fidget with my finger so I was relieved. I really hope so.

“What’s her name?”

“SinB.”

“What kind of name is that?” I asked with a scrunch of my face, that kind of name exist?

He looked behind me and raised his hand “Oh, SinB!” he said that almost made an explosion on my chest, I whipped my body in a flash that I thought I might snap my twisted ankles. I felt all my body was throbbing in pain as soon he said his name.

But I found no one behind me and I could only hear his booming laugh.

This guy is so!!!! ARGHHH!!!!

I closed my eyes and clenched my hands trying to compose myself. His mood is so good today that he tricked me two times already.

And I almost died two times already too.

Calm down, Sowon. You are not compulsive. You control your temper always. Okay, that’s right.

His laughter continues.

That’s it. Heck with temper control.

I turned at him when I couldn’t take it anymore and charged towards him. He’s laughing so hard that he didn’t see me coming and before he knew it, my fingers were already on his hair tugging on it hard and my other hand slapping everywhere his upper body.

He was so stunned that he was only pleading for me to stop.

“You.. piece of jerk!! Take that!!” I said between punches and tugging before I finally let go.

He looked so messy with his hair and his face so red.

“That hurts!!” he screams

“You deserve it!!” I shot back. I was about to charge towards him again when…

“YAH!!” we both turned towards the voice and on just on the kitchen’s entrance stood SinB with her eyes flaring with anger.

All the blood instantly drains from my body the moment I saw her.

“What are you doing?!” (Korean) she ran across the kitchen and approached his brother contorting in pain. I watched in pure horror as he slumps on the floor, curled into a ball and screamed even more.

What is he trying to do?!

SinB tapped his back and he immediately screamed the moment she did so. Why is he exaggerating?!

“Stop overreacting, Jay!” I said. I didn’t hurt him that much since I didn’t exert much strength when I pulled his hair. So why is he acting as if I threw him against the wall?

“What did you do to him?!” I was stunned when SinB suddenly speak in English. I momentarily forgot the situation we had at the moment that can definitely cut my life line.

“Oh, you’re so fluent in English.” I blurted out that made her pause for a second. Though I was trembling in fear I tried to smile to hide what I’m feeling.

“Uh, excuse me?” And I wished he didn’t butt in. Now, I’m definitely going to die in the hands of his younger sister. Why are they like that? Waaaa!

SinB returned her attention to her brother and her scoff returned. She glared at me before going back to Jay-Jay now sitting on the floor while leaning his back on the wall.

My heart pounds painfully on my chest as I wait for my final verdict. SinB straightened her back while looking at Jay-Jay trying to act in deep pain once again then crossed her arms against her chest.

And the thing I expect the least happened right before my eyes that made me cover my mouth with my hands.

She kicked him real hard on the thigh.

Should I laugh or help him?

“Yah!!! You little—!!” (Korean)

“When will you stop joking around, oppa? Seriously.” (Korean) she said and scoffed as she exits the scene after she glared at me one more time.

When she left, I still wasn’t able to form the right words to say as he said coherent words I can’t understand as he stood from the ground and held on his thigh where SinB kicked.

What is happening?

“Did she just kick you?”

“Obviously.” He said as he approached the table with the ingredients.

“Well, I thought she’s going to kill me!”

“Maybe today is your lucky day.” He said in a sarcastic tone.

Great.

One word to describe my situation right now.

Hell.

After having a quick lunch in their home, well of course with his sister sending daggers on me every from time to time, he said we’ll take a tour around the town that made me sigh in great relief.

Hallelujah! I’m out of here.

But of course…

“Oppa! Let me come too!” (English) I must remind myself that wherever he goes, she goes.

When his brother agreed, which I couldn’t make objections too because I’m the outcast here and I don’t have the right, she again smirked on my direction.

Like brother, like sister indeed.

Currently, we’re riding the car and Jay drives to who knows where. I’m at the backseat right behind Jay because of course again the privilege of sitting on the passenger seat now goes to SinB. Psh.

As the time ticks, I’m growing to be more irritated instead of being afraid of her. And as I recalled, I’m such a coward to be afraid of a girl younger than me when I’m supposed to be the one who should intimidate her.

I should show her a piece of me.

My eyes darted on my left side which where SinB seated and she gave me her side glance piercing stare.

Well.. Maybe sometime.

I don’t know why she hates me that much. She’s the jealous type alright, but as if I had a special relationship with her brother. I’m just some kind of acquaintance, remember?

“Sowon, where do you want to go?” Jay said interrupting my thoughts. I glanced on the mirror to see his face but he just focused on the road.

“Why are you asking her oppa?” (Korean) SinB said with a pout on her lips. Can she please just speak in English? I’m an alien here!

“Because she’s a guest.” (Korean) he replied. Argh, my head hurts when they speak Korean.

“I want to go to the park!” this time, thankfully, she spoke in English. But I rattled in panic when she said that, I want to go to the sea!

“Jay, can we go to the sea?” I butt in and saw her whip her head to face me from her seat.

“No! Oppa, please the park please!” she plead with her palms folded together and even acted cute. But after she did that, her face changed from cute to angry. Psh. Two-faced spoiled brat.

“He asked me first so my choice should be followed.” I said with conviction but in reality, my insides are churning in fear. This is the first time I ever answered back to a person.

Maybe except for Jay.

“Enough! Let’s just go to the sea first and proceed to the park.” He butts in completely irritated with the tone of his voice in our little argument.

“But—!” SinB tried to argue but one stare coming from the main devil made her purse her lips and swallowed her words. So, she still fears her older brother then? I thought otherwise with the way she kicked him earlier.

SinB made face and just crossed her arms. After a while, I can already see a body of water indicating that we’re nearing the beach.

Actually, the only time I went to the sea was when I was thirteen, and it happened once only. So, I said to myself that if the time comes that I’ll be free from my father’s grasp, the first place I want to go to would be the beach.

Well, who would’ve thought that the sea I’ll be going to is a thousand miles away from the actual sea I imagine?

The car pulled over as we park on an open sea. Good thing I changed my attire to denim shorts and flipflops, or else I won’t be able to enjoy the water.

As the engine stops, I immediately open my door and climb down the car. The breezy air automatically wrapped my whole body. Good thing I chose to retain my sweater or else I’ll freeze, living here for a month now basically made me adapt the weather already. I inhaled the scent of waters mixed with salt.

“Uwaaa~!” I said as I scan the surroundings. The place is not crowded, there are people but only a few. I wonder why no one goes here when the view is so beautiful.

“Has she never gone to a beach before?” (Korean) I heard SinB whispered to her brother but it’s loud enough for me to hear, though I didn’t understand a word she said. Being with her is frustrating enough plus her speaking that damn language all the time.

“Quiet.” (English) was only Jay-Jay said.

Not minding the both of them, and even all other things, I ran down the sandy ground to the shore feeling the fresh cold air hitting my face and turning my hair into a total mess.

But I can forgive everything with the scenery I have in front of me.

“You have to be the best businesswoman someday, Sojung.”

“We’re Lee, you’re part of the Lee and the only heiress of our business.”

“No night outs, stay away from the people who only want our money.”

“You’re next in line, so better do good.”

I recalled all the times my father tried to control the life I have. I thought making him proud is worthy enough to sacrifice the life I wanted, enough to take all the burden because he said all things are worth it in the end.

“I never saw her eating with a friend, is she always like that?”

“She’s a snob, no wonder no one wants to be with her.”

“Must be nice to have a family as rich as hers.”

“Lee Sojung? Nah, don’t bother.”

I felt the water brush my toes and I stared at it. Momentarily froze on where I stood.

Would it hurt if I try to hold my breath underwater?

I took a step and then another, taking each slowly. Until it reached my ankles. The water is freezing cold but somehow, it felt nothing. I feel numb all over.

“You’re a disgrace, Lee Sojung!!!”

“How dare you do this to me when I gave everything you need?!”

“You stained my image, and even damaged yours!!”

“Who are you? What did you do to my daughter?!”

I felt the bitter taste of water on my cheeks, have the water gone to my body already? I stared down at my feet and see the water leveled just above my ankle.

I cup my cheeks and realized it was tears.

“Stop.” I said in a low tone trying to control my tears from falling. But the more I tried to wipe them off, the harder I cry.

“Stop… Stop it… Stop it!!!” This time, I used my arms to forcefully wipe them away but no use. Until my silent cry became a sob. And it’s painful not to make a sound while crying, it’s making my heart hurt big time.

I never knew I carried this much with me until today. Today that I’ve finally had the freedom that I want from the very start, but why do I still feel caged?

A strong wave caused me to lose my balance but strong arms gathered me from behind.

Turning almost immediately to find him staring intently at me while still holding my arms. I bowed my head to wipe away the streaks of tears but it didn’t stop there. I stopped sobbing but I know I’m still crying.

He removed his hands from holding my arms and pat my head. Then I leaned my head on his chest, I didn’t make further actions and just covered my eyes with my palms and so he does.

He didn’t wrap his arms around me, I just leaned on his chest, but it somehow eases me and made me lighter knowing that there’s someone I could lean on to. Literally, though.

We weren’t able to go to the park. Much to SinB’s disapproval.

Right after my breakdown, I remember Jay-Jay guiding me back to the shore and I laid on the sand. Somehow, though it was short, I enjoyed the heat of the sun which I really miss and took a few photos of the sea.

SinB was eerily quiet the whole time. She claimed her spot just a few meters away from where me and Jay are.

She’s quiet that it scares me, what will she think of me now? A weirdo who cried all of a sudden?

Aish.

So now, since SinB’s request earlier was not granted, we let her choose which restaurant we’ll eat our dinner.

She said she wants to eat tteokbokki (imagine her saying it in slang version hahaha) and Jay immediately drove over to a place.

While we’re waiting for the order, Jay excused himself to the powder room leaving me and SinB alone in the table.

And my insides have been rattling since he left. I don’t know what to do or to say, though I really want to keep her company but my mind was blank as of the moment.

“Unnie…” she said after a minute of silence that made me jump on my seat, staring at her with amusement.

“A-are you talking to me?” I asked even pointing a finger at myself.

“You’re really weird.” (Korean) she said and rolled her eyes.

“I c-can’t understand—”

“I said you’re pretty weird.” (English) She said that made me shut up.

Okay she just said it, everyone.

Can I die now?

“Unnie..” she said that word again.

“What?”

“Oppa said something earlier about you.” (English) I gaped. What did he say?

“Mianhae, unnie..” her expression slightly softened at her words which I cannot understand still but went back to blank after a moment.

“Okay, hold on. I can’t understand a word.”

“I said you’re ugly. Psh” (English)

What a nerve! My lips twitch dangerously high with what she said this girl is too much!

“What she meant was sorry, big sister.” Jay said after taking a seat next to SinB that earned a scream for her younger sister and a grin from me.

I didn’t see that one coming.

It didn’t bother me knowing that Jay revealed something about me, it’s not that big of a deal actually.

After dinner was served, we ate but SinB kept on talking in Korean and Jay patiently translate them for me.

We laughed, unbelievable, isn’t it?

We talked.

We enjoyed.

This day isn’t so bad. I’m glad Jay brought me with him.

I think we’re cool, I mean, SinB and me. But she still mocked me from time to time, but it’s bearable now.

When we returned, SinB immediately went to her room to rest. While I’m sitting on the couch of the living room waiting for Jay.

“You can use my room, I’ll be sleeping here in the couch.”

I stared at the couch, it’s big enough for him to fit but it didn’t satisfy me.

“N-no! It’s embarrassing, I can sleep here and just use your room. I’m fine.” I said. But then again, he always wins when it comes to Jay.

He just threatened me with spiders creeping along the living room and that made me automatically stand on my feet and let him guide me all the way to his room.

For a minute, we just stood there.

The silence is deafening but definitely not uncomfortable.

“So how was our first trip?” he asked.

I sat on his bed before answering. “It’s refreshing.”

“There’s more to come.” And he flashed me his soft smile that made me smile back.

“I’m looking forward to it.”