16
2036 Words
CHAPTER 16
DAYS passed, it was a whole uneventful week. Roselle don't know what happened but suddenly she felt like her world flip out.
It was a month with her associating with Justin and then suddenly he won't be coming back to the office.
Mr. Kim - the father, came back and the set up was back to the silent and solemn one.
She's still thinking so hard if the reason of Justin's disappearance was because of her or just because he really needed to fly in States. Maybe it was the latter.
"Gosh! I'm stressed" Jenica complained "Mr. Kim came back same as the loaded files, it was better when it was still Mr. Justin. At least he knows how to chill for a bit"
Roselle stayed silent, she don't know what to say "Right Roselle?"
She was so out of her mind that she didn't notice Jennie, not until she snapped her fingers in front of her "Ya! What happened to you?"
"Huh?" Roselle shook her head, with curiosity she asked "Is Mr. Justin really gonna handle their company in States?"
Jenica looked at her unbelievably "You really didn't know? You're his secretary"
She sighed and shook her head.
"The HR told me about it. Mr. Kim wants Mr. Justin to handle it, it has been long time late when Mr. Jeon told Mr. Justin about it. It was just this recently that he accepted it" Jenica told.
"Suddenly?"
Jenica nodded.
She don't know anymore. Guess that was really the end of their deal. It will be hard for her, 'cause honestly she was already used to him. But maybe this will be the best. For her. For Justin and for Ian.
The following days, she was very busy. Her schedules were very hectic. She have to follow Mr. Kim anywhere. Unlike when it was Justin. she'd just stay in the office 'cause he has Anthony behind him but now - she have to do everything.
It was like coming back to when she just started, it's hard to adjust back to it.
"Going out?" Roselle asked when Jessie came out with another clothes just when she just arrived.
"Yeah" She sweetly smiled, eyes on her phone "Please don't tell oppa"
She frowned "Why?"
"Just don't" She responded "De? Ne, I'm on my way" She said to her phone "Yeah I know, I won't be long"
Brows creased, she's getting curious who is Jessie really seeing.
She turned her glance back to
her laptop when her phone rang. Sighing seeing the name plastered on the screen.
"De?" She answered.
"No plan on coming home?" Ian asked.
"I don't know. The company is very busy" She boredly said.
As much as she misses her parents, thinking of seeing Ian again just makes her thought of her reality. And she hates it.
"I said to tag along when Jessie comes" His voice sound cold and demanding.
"Jessie isn't coming yet" Roselle stated, thinking if she'll tell him "She's busy here"
"About what? Seeing someone?" Ian uttered, she went silent for a moment "Yeah, I know every move she does. So as you"
"You're creepy" She accidentally whispered.
"I know, now come. She'll be coming over this vacation. And I won't take a no for an answer" He said before he ended it.
The few days, she busied herself catching up deadlines and finished all the pendings.
"Ms. Park, I won't be around for a week for a personal vacation" Mr. Kim said.
"Sir?" She confusely asked.
Mr. Kim smiled at her "Go for a vacation yourself. I know you miss your family"
She awkwardly smile and bowed.
"Don't worry, I left my upcoming works and papers to the head. You can have a vacation for a while, I won't be around anyways"
And just like that, she was left with no choice. She don't have enough reasons to decline coming home 'cause she don't have any work.
°°°
"DID you told my brother?" Jessie asked spying her while she's sitting on her couch.
"About what?" Roselle asked innocently.
"That I'm seeing someone" Jessie whisper-shouted with her brows furrowed.
"I won't do that Jessie. You know your brother"
"Just make sure you really didn't. Just because you can hold my brother on your palm, doesn't mean you can do it with me too" Jessie said stomping from the stairs to her room.
Roselle frowned at her brat behavior. She really never changed, still the brat who let her own friend tie by her brother on the neck.
Still the old Jessie who didn't even budge helping her ONLY friend without an exchange.
The truth is, it's really her and Jessie that were friends.
And as friends, Jessie always invited her to their house and she frequent met Ian there.
Ian was just right, he was calm, he was silent and he was unreadable.
Then Roselle's life began to flipped over. She'd always told Jessie about her sentiments and their financial problem.
Then came she suggested she'd help Roselle's family. It made Roselle happy, 'cause she thought Jessie was a real friend and a kind one.
But then Jessie told her the exchange, she told her about Ian. That he is sick, he has bipolar disorder. And she think her brother likes her.
Jessie was delusional, their whole family was. They thought Roselle can make Ian calm and composed, that she can control him.
And because Roselle's family was so down and they lost hope. They sell their land and reject the proposal about Ian.
But the payment for the land was not enough. It was when she almost graduated and was finding universities for college.
Her dad was sick that same time from the stress and fatigue. It was like they hit rock bottom and the only option they got was it.
To let her marry to Ian against her will for exchange of money.
Her parents didn't agreed because they know him, they know Roselle don't like him. But as if they have another choice to live?
Jessie pushed her, she didn't stopped Roselle until she accepted it. She badmouthed her, how she's selfish and she's a fake friend. That after all the help she did and their family, Roselle can even pay it back with just a simple marriage.
As if marriage is simple, living with Ian is already hard. Knowing he has illness, she felt like she was already living in a dungeon of evil.
But she accepted the judgement, she accepted the hard truth that to continue living she'll have to sell her freedom.
Jessie stayed civil, she acted like she never badmouth Roselle.
And she accepted it, they really never talk for often since then.
Jessie flew to Germany. She is older by few years so when she finished fashion school, she started modeling.
And they never communicated since then. She was trapped with Ian until she graduated from college.
And she wished a little bit freedom from him by pursuing her dream to work on a company in Seoul.
Ian hesitated but she promised that she'll behave and work.
But then she met Richard, she was still few months working in the company.
Their department decided to get waste in a club and they met.
They had a relationship, and she kept it secret. It was never really the open relationship.
They had like one to two dates outside. Maybe because they're office workers, it was enough seeing each other inside the work.
But Ian caught her. Right when she and Richardbroke up.
That's when Ian started hurting her but she let him 'cause if she won't. He'll hurt her parents, and that's the last thing she wants.
Her parents is the only treasure she left, she can't afford to lost them.
°°°
DAYS after her work vacation started, Jessie told her she'll be going home to Jeju.
And she has to tag along according to the lion's request, she did tag along.
Going home, she contacted Ian that she'll be going straight to her parent's house. Luckily he said yes.
Roselle went home and saw her dad's changes. He lost weight, he grew older and weak. He was laying flat on the bed when she arrived. Her mom was taking care of him.
They don't have any phone, Ian didn't allowed them. She never really had any information from them for like months.
And as if on cue, when his father's eyes landed on Roselle. She cried.
It's painful to see them grow old and weak. It's painful to let them live like this for my dream but they understand. They understand my set up once I get married, I won't be free and I'll be like an animal - caged.
Roselle dropped her bag and circled them into a tight hug. She missed them.
"Appa!" Roselle hold her dad's thin face "What happened?" she softly asked.
Her dad just shook his head. She started sobbing, it's the only thing she can do. Cry and cry, and maybe later beg for Ian to help her father.
Her father had been working for their family and Ian can't even budge on giving him a check up monthly or even a medicine.
"I'll talk to Ian, maybe he can help us bring appa to the hospital" Rosé suggested.
Her mother hold her hand, shaking her head "No please, we had enough debt. I can't bare to add another, and what will he want in exchange now Rosie?"
Her mom started tearing up and she just hold her mom's hand even more tightly.
"What if she wants us to never see each other again in exchange Rosie. What will happen to me and your father? We will die not seeing you again?"
"Mom!" Rosie yelled "Don't say that! No one's dying okay?"
Her mom continued shaking her head, she glanced to her father. He stayed silent but it shows on his face the sadness and the hopelessness.
"I'll talk to Ian okay? He will let me give my income to you, I promise" Roselle grabbed her phone and squeezed her mom's hand before walking outside of their house.
"Where are you? Are you on your way to the house" Ian started after he answered.
"No, I'm still in my parents house" She cleared her voice.
"Why? What are you doing there? Dorawa! (Come here!) ppali! (faster)"
"Can I stay for the night?" Roselle carefully said not to make him mad.
"And why is that?!" His voice screamed madness.
"Please, just this once" Roselle voice sounded full of begging "I'll come there tomorrow. I'll make it up to you, okay? I'll cook you something, I'll behave"
Ian went silent for a while and she waited - anticipating.
"Fine!" He agreed.
She heaved a deep sigh hearing him.
"Ahm ... Ian?"
"What now?" He asked.
"I have something to ask you tomorrow"
"Ask it now, why tomorrow?"
"It's about my parents" Roselle looked back at their house. She saw her parents on their window.
Her father was coughing so hard it reached outside.
"I'll tell you tomorrow, please?"
Ian went silent again for a moment. She waited, she was hoping he'll agree and he did.
"Whatever, just come here tomorrow. I'll have a party"
She nodded even if Ian can't see it, she sighed "Thank you"
Ian didn't responded.
It was a moment of silent before he spoke "Behave yourself tomorrow Rosé"
"Of course" She softly uttered "Can I ask why is there a party?"
"Jessie's visitor will be coming, so as my friends. Mom and dad will be stopping by for a while that's why I want you here"
"Okay" She whispered "I'll surely go there. I'll meet your mom"
"As if you have a choice Roselle, you really need to. And besides, I have to ask you something too"
Roselle's brows furrowed "What is it?"
"About Jessie's unexpected boyfriend, she just stayed in Seoul for like weeks and she already have a boyfriend. Do you know about this?"
"I-I don't" She stuttered "She never told me about her b-boyfriend"
"I thought you know" Roselle frowned "'cause apparently, Jessie's boyfriend is into business field just like you"
- Writer
