Bitersweet Romance

Chapter 7

Xam's Perspective

Here comes another day. Another day I was forced to endure.

I walked down the flight of stairs going down to the first floor of my foreboding home as I carried my backpack. I was

now leaving for school on an empty stomach after a long, sleepless night. A lifestyle I had long got accustomed to. Like back at home, I could never bring myself to sleep at night, in fear of dreaming of my sister being alive, and of all the memories we've created together. In fear of being separated from reality, enjoying the satisfaction of being with her again—and the fear of feeling the immense pain I'd feel once I wake up from my slumber, to remember that she no longer existed in this terrible world.

But somehow, those fears only remained at night. I never felt frightened to sleep during the day, which was why I prefered to sleep during class.

As I walked down the last steps, I met a few of the staff standing near the door, as if they were waiting for me.

I frowned as I neared them, knowing there was something important they had to tell me.

I stopped before them and sighed.

“If you have something to tell me, make it quick,” I said quietly, but firm enough to maintain a confident composure.

“Young Master Jae-Ho is here,” one of the maids said.

The information they gave me drove me to silence for a few seconds.

“…Let him in,” I ordered, trying to hide my bewilderment. As they opened the door, I swallowed hard.

Han Jae-Ho looked just as he did the last time I saw him, at my sister's funeral a few months ago.

His eyes instantly met mine the moment he entered the house. He gave me a smirk as he bent down to bow before me, which I found quite irritating. Someone as prideful as my cousin would never exert such a respective bow to someone way below or younger than him, even if I was the heir to one of the world's largest entertainment company. Atleast, in the past, that was the case. But, it seemed different now, especiallys since it seemed that I had something he wanted from me.

“What brings you here, Jae-Ho?” I asked, leaving no space for a warm welcome within my voice. I knew that whatever reason he was here, it surely wasn't out of concern.

He grinned at me, surprised at the coldness of my voice. “Isn't it obvious? I'm here to check up on you, of course.” With that he walked past me and made his way to the living room, making himself at home even before I allowed him to do so. I rolled my eyes at his remark and followed him.

There, I found him sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, and his hands stretched across the headrest. “Don't get me wrong though. I'm here under the Chairman's orders,” he said, looking pointedly at his feet.

At the mention of the Chairman, my curiousity was suddenly aroused. I wonder what is it that my Grandfather wants now?

“Well, make it quick,” I said, glancing at my watch, desperate to show him my impatience. I really wanna sleep now, I thought.

“You have an appointment with him this saturday.” He glanced at me expecting for a rebellious reaction, but I betrayed none, despite how painful it felt for the little pride I had left. Thus, he continued.

“Mrs. Yu has already been informed about the details of the venue, so you have nothing to worry about. As for why…well, that's between you and him.”

“Hmm, I had no idea you guys still kept in touch with Mrs. Yu,” I shot him a suspicious look, but I didn't confront him any further. Knowing my grandfather, he wouldn't let go of any possible connections he had concerning the welfare of his family, and that would be Mrs Yu, his former right hand maid who assisted him in Korea before lending her to my father's staff, which, later on, led her to being under my wing. Thus, for that reason, I had doubts whether she was someone I could trust, despite how motherly she tried to act towards me. It was already a given that when it came to professional and household responsibilities, she was the one person I could count on no matter how much I doubted her when it came to our personal relationship.

Though there were more than enough reasons why I should trust her in all the years I've known her, I still remained hesitant towards the idea.

“Anything else?” I folded my arms as I leaned against the wall.

“'Cause if there's nothing else, I'd highly appreciate it if you'd leave now. I'll see you out since I have to leave for school, anyway.”

I glanced at my watch, making sure to portray the impatience I was feeling as I did.

He sighed and groaned loudly as he stood up from his comfortable position on the couch and dug a hand in his pocket as I led him out of the living room, completely satisfied with myself. Though, I got to admit, it was surprising that I managed to convince him to leave with not much as an arguement, since that was what I prepared myself for him to do.

With my bag slung onto my shoulder, I led him out of the door, relieved to have him out of my roof.

He walked towards his car outside as I made my way towards the gate.

Not that I didn't have a car myself. Well, I had a few which I rarely used since it was needless for me to do so. I usually took the bus or any local transportation to school, not wanting to catch unnescessary attention I might or might not receive, and the staff highly objected of my decisions, but, as usual, I took no heed of their words.

As I reached the large gates, my attention was stolen by the presence of Jae-Ho's BMW as it slowly stopped beside me. The window to the passenger seat slid down and was replaced by his smug face looking out at me. I lifted a brow, annoyed by his presence.

“Need a lift?” he asked politely, which was something I wasn't expecting.