ALPHA TEAM - [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 9: The Past Revealed – (2)

*Danbi’s POV*

It's been 3 days, Hojun hasn't come home yet. I call Hojun every day but he never picks up. I already asked the bodyguards at the Yurihan building, they said Hojun comes to work every day. But when I looked for him, he was never there. I asked if Hojun sleeps in the residence? They said no. I also asked for Hojun's address, but they didn't know.

I went to the hospital, to see my dad. It turned out that dad was able to get up and sit down and eat. I finally told my dad about what happened to me in these past days.

“I knew that Hojun is the son of Le Sok Gyo. That's why I think of Hojun as my own son. Partly because I felt guilty, partly because I felt responsible. But since a long time ago, this innocent Hojun really made me love him with all my heart. It's my fault that I hid it. It was only natural that Hojun was now devastated by reality...” my dad said to me.

“Dad, sorry but may I know the real story about you and Hojun's mother? How did she die? Why should you take responsibility?” I asked him.

“16 years ago. Hojun's mother has lung disease. Then Sok Gyo came to me and asked for medicine. I told them they should see a doctor. But at that time they didn’t have money for treatment, they didn’t want to go to the doctor. So he asked me to give him medicine. But because I'm not a doctor, I don't know what is the right medicine to treat the disease. I finally found out on the internet about all lung diseases, and I gave him the appropriate medicines I read on the internet. Even though at that time I didn’t know what disease she actually had. I gave him the meds, and it turned out that the meds were not suitable. Her condition got worse. A month later she died because the oxygen in her lungs had fallen, and she couldn't breathe. Sok Gyo then came to the office and tried to kill me. But our security managed to secured him, he was taken to a rehabilitation center. I think now he's coming back to take his revenge” my dad sighed as he explained to me.

“So technically, it's not really your fault. You were just trying to help, but you misdiagnosed because you're not a doctor” I concluded.

“Yes, you are right. That's why I feel guilty for Sok Gyo, even now. At that time, I had visited the orphanage where Hojun was. I saw him battered, his body covered in cuts and bruises, he looked like he was practicing martial arts. For 1 year I pondered, and finally decided to pay the hojun martial arts training fee. And I will bear his life for the years to come as well. I don't want Sok Gyo’s son to experience the same life as his father” he explained to me.

I couldn’t say a word. I feel bad for Hojun, he must be really shocked right now.

“But... how do I deal with Hojun now? I think he will hate me” I asked my dad while clenching my fist.

“Hojun is someone who’s able to think maturely. It's not your fault, why should he hate you?” my dad caresses my hair while smiling at me.

“What should I do now?” I asked once again and couldn't hold back my tears.

“Why don't you secretly go to Yurihan on night patrol? You will definitely meet Hojun right?” he asked.

“I've been trying for 3 days, but never found him” I said.

“Well, you haven't tried the 4th” my dad answered me. He smiled at me softly.

“Actually on the other hand, I don't know what I will do when I meet him. I wasn't prepared for what he was about to say” I said.

“Danbi, do you really like him?” he asked me.

“I've never thought seriously about that. But now I feel so lost when he's not by my side.” I replied.

“Then you have to fight for what really matters. Meet him, talk to him.” He reassured me.

I smiled at dad and caressed his hand.

“I’ll try dad, thank you” I hugged him.

“Ahh. My daughter is a grown up. I’m proud of you” he hugged me back.

I hugged him tighter and cried a little in his arms.

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I obeyed dad and I went to Yurihan 1 hour before the patrol started. I waited in the car, near the main entrance, hoping I would see Hojun. However, 1 hour has passed. The patrol has started. And I didn't see a Hojun, not even a pre-patrol briefing. Did Hojun not come here? I got off my car and spoke to the Charlie team who was guarding the main entrance.

“Did you see Hojun? Why wasn't there a briefing before the patrol starts?” I asked.

“Hojun might not come here today. He already briefed us all since this afternoon” they answered.

Sneaky Hojun, does he already have a feeling that I will come here? Is he going to keep avoiding me like this?

I decided to wait for him in the lab. Lab is one of the most guarded places in Yurihan. So, I think Hojun will go to the lab, that's if he comes here. I went inside the lab and waited for Hojun. I suddenly remembered the incident when we fought here. When Hojun finally found out my secret. Unknowingly, I smiled and fell asleep on the table.

When I fell asleep, I felt someone open the door. I immediately opened my eyes without moving my body. I'll observe the person's movements silently before attacking. I heard footsteps coming towards me, and I immediately got up from my sleep and pointed my gun at this person.

"Hojun???" I said. I saw Hojun who wanted to put a blanket on me.

“Ah... you're awake” Hojun said to me awkwardly.

I immediately lowered my gun and put it in my pocket. Then Hojun turned around and walked out.

“Where are you going?” I asked him immediately.

“I have to continue the patrol” he answered me coldly.

“Hojun, my father never intentionally killed your mother. My father is trying his best to save your mother, please listen” I explained to Hojun quickly before he went too far. Hojun turned to me and smiled sadly.

“I know he would never kill someone on purpose. Thank you for confirming" he said.

Then Hojun continued his steps and walked out of the lab, I chased after him and asked,

“Then why are you still avoiding me? Don't you want to know the facts??” I said.

Hojun stopped walking, I stopped too. Then Hojun turned to me and said firmly,

“The fact is, my father almost killed your father. My father wants to destroy your company. My father even almost killed you. That's a fact!!” he rose his voice.

I was silent and saw Hojun walking continue his steps.

“Hojun, look at me!” I shout while chasing him.

“How can I look at you?” he said sadly.

“Does the time we spend all this time means nothing to you? Is our moment together not enough to make you face me??” I asked him desperately.

“Can you give me an idea what face should I put on to face you now? I can't even think about it” he said to me with his trembling voice.

“Then why did you want to cover me with the blanket??!!” I asked him again.

Hojun is silent, he can't say anything

“Hojun, I really want to be with you… But maybe you're not ready for that. All right, take as much time as you want, if you really don't want me to look for you anymore, I won't. You can go on your patrol, and... and I'll stay away…” I said to him with my also-trembling voice.

In my heart and mind the words keep appearing ‘Please don’t go, please look back, please… run to me’. I saw Hojun's body shaking, is he crying? Hojun clenched his fist.

“I am sorry” Hojun said to me sadly.

Hojun stepped forward and continued his patrol, he left me alone in the lab.

I'm broken. My chest feels sore and tight. My legs went limp and I cried while sitting on the floor. I can hear the sadness in every word Hojun utters. Why? Why can't I erase his sadness? Why did he choose to stay away from me??

All these questions kept ringing in my mind.