Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 8

My chest throbbed differently now in front of them.

I try not to cry in front of them, especially in front of my very dear mother.

All my life, I have dreamed of touching, talking to, and being with her at least once.

But if what I thought was a nightmare is also an instrument for us to meet…

I have no choice. I will take this as an opportunity.

Whenever they talk, I can see the extent of the smile and joy in their eyes.

You can see they are sincere with each other.

You can also see that all the women will be jealous of what Dad did to me before, but it seems like Mom just doesn't feel that way.

They seem to have a lot of trust in each other, and they are sure they will still support each other until the end.

But I still have a lot to know and to learn.

''How long have you been?'' I suddenly asked them.

There was a streak of astonishment on their faces.

''Do you still need to know that? Isn't that part of our privacy?'' Chang Hyun inserted.

I just changed the topic for the atmosphere not to be awkward, ''Sorry. I didn’t want to fall from it. I'm foolish that I fell... to you.'' I immediately went downstairs so they wouldn't call me weird and stalker because of that question.

I realized it was wrong for me to confront them like that. It was also bad for me to let them know.

A few minutes later, I was surprised when someone pulled out my baseball bag...

And it was...

Chang Hyun.

"Yoo Jeong, can I be with you and your boyfriend!" A familiar voice called.

What? Bo… boyfriend?

This asshole… I mean my future father as my boyfriend?

Hyeon Sil approached me once and said, "Come on, let's go together."

''No. It is fine. I can be alone!'' I said as I tried to walk at a fast pace.

''It's okay, too. But it's better if you're in the middle of us,'' she added.

Middle of both of you?

''Wait, It looks like I’m a third wheel here. So awkward,'' I said frankly.

''You're just there in the middle. You have a treat from me next time when you do that. It is just only my favor. Act normal and just chill.''

As we were walking, I saw that they were looking around. I don't know what's going on.

But I’m pretty sure that I was not kidn*pped by these eminent people.

"Thank you for your help, Yoo Jeong!" Chang Hyun said, smiling, and winked at me slightly.

''What were you doing a while ago? Why do you seem to be hiding from someone?''

''There is a stalker that is following me. He’s taking a picture with us. We are sorry,'' Hyeon Sil said while patting me on the shoulder.

I remember what Jong Hyun said.

''What do you mean? I thought you were in a relationship and official in public?''

*Hyeon Sil's POV*

''Psst ... Hyeon Sil. Do you see what I see?'' Chang Hyun asked.

''What is it?''

''You look to the side, at the top of the mini canteen. On your left,'' he instructed me.

When I looked, a man with a camera was following us. I really can’t stop this kind of people anymore.

I had no choice but to make a way.

''Hyun,'' I told him seriously. ''Chase Yoo Jeong.''

''Me? She? Che... chase?'' He wondered while pointing to her.

''You need to be in a hurry. We must not get caught up in the acts of those. If there is evidence to prove that we have a relationship. It’s not just the public that will be in a rage when it comes to this. Especially your family. Your family doesn't want you to get involved in public issues, does it?''

''If you love me, you'll do what I want. So go ahead. You go first and then pretend to be rude. This is how you should look,'' I instructed him, and he immediately obeyed.

A few seconds later, I walked to follow them. It's so uncomfortable to see hidden cameras, and it interferes with my private life too much.

"Yoo Jeong, can I be with you and your boyfriend!" I shouted.

It’s good that I’m wearing these sunglasses and can see what this stalker is currently doing. There was a streak of confusion on his face.

But he still continues to take pictures. Yoo Jeong must not be affected by the nonsensical deeds of these people. It would be scary if she were involved in public criticism.

''Wait, It looks like I’m a third wheel here. So awkward,'' she said bluntly.

''You're just there in the middle. You have a treat from me next time when you do that. It is just only my favor. Act normal and just chill.''

I ordered her.

''What do you mean? I thought you were in a relationship and official in public?'' she asked in astonishment.

I looked around to make sure no one could hear.

''Only very few know. Just the other students and just Jong Hyun,'' I explained seriously.

''But we can't spread or make that public. Not only will the public be in a rage, Chang Hyun's family as well. The rest is too personal. I can't say everything for now,'' I added.

''Don't worry, because of what you did. I'll give you a treat. Wherever and whenever, I got you,'' I convinced her that she could not say anything again.

''Last question. How come these true rumors about your relationship seems not spreading everywhere? Around here the school?'' Yoo Jeong asked.

''It's easy,'' I replied with a smirk.

FIRST MOVE

"Are you the one Chang Hyun is telling me that you know about our relationship?"

''Ye… yes, but I respect your relationship.'' The student said. ''But...''

''I have a commercial proposal for certain skin care. It really costs a lot. I've been a luxury model for luxury products. You can have those products at the cost of hundreds of dollars if you are willing not to disclose or mention our relationship.''

SECOND MOVE

"It's easy to forget as long as there's a condition."

''What condition are you talking about?'' I asked.

''I ONLY WANT YOUR AUTOGRAPH, MADAM!'' He said tearfully.

''You know, when you started acting, you were the only one I really supported. I buy all the products you endorse. As well as CDs of your dramas, I rush to the network itself for bulk buying. I also buy your magazines and product photo shoots. Even if it's just your standee and tarpaulin hanging, I'll give the highest and maximum price just to get that...'' said the man who looked like an avid fan of mine.

''Really?''

''I love you so much. So I'm happy with your just one and only autograph. Promise nothing will come out of my mouth, not a single letter about you. Even your names, I will not mention them. Promise!'' He added.

I just raised my eyebrows and smiled.

THIRD MOVE ft. Chang Hyun's move

''Why? Who Are You? I'm not even your fan. As if I care if you are a public figure? The time will come that the public will know that.''

''There are three ways. You can be imprisoned or fined a large amount if it is proven that what you are spreading is false. My aunt, who is a lawyer from the US, goes to study law here. You can be unlucky in your life since my father is the owner of one of the largest companies in the country today. He has many connections with other companies where you can apply for a job. You will not only be the only one affected but also your family in the future. It is so easy to track down your genealogy. In addition, my other uncle is a big politician. Third, you can just go through the fight, but there is a condition. There will be a big penalty on Whoever loses. As a representative of the Republic of Korea, I declare that you will pay thousands of dollars when you lose. I am one of the most respected and Highest paid athletes. So I don't want to be treated like this. Do you understand?'' Chang Hyun said with his sharp and dark eyes.

''At the length of what you said, you’re so serious. Of course, I will not spread anything about you, guys. You're not even good enough to take a joke,'' the asshole guy replied while smiling widely and tapping Chang Hyun's shoulder.

"Isn't that Jong Hyun you are talking about?" Chang Hyun asked.

''Yes,'' I replied.

''Even if Chang Hyun would not do that, we have no choice. If that happens, it will ruin my career and Chang Hyun’s family’s career,'' I explained.

"Our class is about to start. I'm glad I met you, Yoo Jeong," I greeted her happily. This is also my way of not letting the conversation go further.

We shook hands, and you could see the delight on her face. She looked at my face and hand with amazement.

Undeniably and unreasonably, If you can see a famous personality like me, it would be a great chance, and that will be the first thing you will feel.

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

I WILL NOT WASH MY HAND.

Just because of her story before and the man following us a while ago, I can't help but be amazed at how popular she is today. It’s a great opportunity, maybe to touch her.

But I wonder, If this is the flow of events, will there be a time when I will see what happened before she died?

And also, based on what Mom said earlier, Dad's family has big connections, and they are very professional and famous. So what role did they play in Dad's life?

Does it all have anything to do with what’s happening to me in 2020? In our family?

And, did Seong know that Dad and Mom imitated my name from her?

The more I know and discover anything, the more questions come to mind.

I sat on the bench in front of our classroom for a while, waiting for our next teacher. I couldn’t help but put my hands to my face while in deep thinking.

''If you think deeply if that is a problem. Don't bother. Find a solution immediately,'' suddenly said a man with a familiar voice sitting next to me.

He also gave me a bottle of soft drinks. Exactly, this is what I want now. Aside from the many things I think about, I was tired of the game earlier. Also, the terrible and awkward meeting of the three of us added.

''But if you are thinking or worrying about the real answers to your questions, stay where you should. You can find the answer at the right time.''

I looked at him secretly while my hands were still on my face.

''Jong Hyun, what do you do when you want to know more?'' I suddenly asked.

''That depends. It is either I will wait for the time to move to discover more, or if my patience is just a little bit, I will take the lead, but I will expect that there will be a change. That depends on the situation.''

"Thanks for the drinks," I whispered to him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We don't have a professor yet," he replied while drinking a soft drink.

''I noticed that you are so chill. Don't you have a problem?''

''I just look chill, but I'm stressed because the thesis is already coming. But as I grew in terms of academic level and as a person, I just wanted to enjoy my passing ages. IT won't come back as soon it will pass,'' he replied.

''Honestly, even if it's a serious problem when it comes to education, it's really unavoidable. It is part of growing up. That's a part of the challenge we must accept and overcome. Soon, these challenges will result in a better. The problem is more serious when you are an adult. So it is better to enjoy your youth or young adult days while you are still here at this time,'' he added.

''This is what I’m talking about. I'm also very talkative when I'm serious. But remember when it comes to our problem. I'm here, and I’m open to talking about it. I know that you can handle it. The only thing wrong with other young people is that they are now very negative. When something negative happens to them, or they simply fail, they will think there is no chance or opportunity next time. They will shut themselves to the extent that they are no longer exposed to other opportunities. In the end, they are not growing up, and they can’t think and act outside their comfort zone. They are just stagnant until they grew old.''

His outlook on life seems to be so serious. He can handle the things of life better. His future wife will be lucky to marry him if that happens.

''All right, I'll go first,'' I replied.

"Thank you, Jong Hyun."

''For what?''

He is good regarding advice but so stupid in common sense.

''Are you going home with someone later?''

''I have an anniversary date later, so pass first,'' he replied.

He already has a girlfriend?

''Ye Ri and I have our 2nd anniversary. I'll go first now,'' he stood on the bench and waved his hand as he walked back to his classroom.

In the almost a month I've been here, I didn't even know he had a girlfriend. But why, when it comes to me, is he so soft? He always tells me and talks about random things. He was still ready to catch my problems. He always worries about me.

Then I'll just know that he has a girlfriend?

Is he showing some motive? Then suddenly, I will just know that he had a girlfriend.

''Hey, Yoo Jeong,'' he shouted.

''I was hoping to meet my girlfriend earlier, but she didn’t come. Then the soft drinks you drank a while ago is for my girlfriend, so pay me back, okay?! That's five dollars,'' he said with a teasing smile, walking fast at the same time.

My vision becomes dark.

He seemed to know what I was going to do, and he walked away very fast from me.

Because I was annoyed with this stupid i***t who insulted me, I crushed the can of soft drinks I was holding.