The Gate Way

Episode14:We Finally Meet

KOFI'S COFFEE - CONTINUOUS

Jina looks from Kofi to Seo-joon, waiting for an explanation.

KOFI

Jina… this is your father.

Jina's eyes go wide. She looks at Seo-joon, then back at Kofi, her face full of confusion and hurt.

JINA

What? No… you're my dad. You've always been my dad.

Kofi takes her hand.

KOFI

I am your father. Nothing will ever change that. But he… he is your biological father. He's the man who loved your mother very much.

Jina stares at Seo-joon. She sees the tears in his eyes, the grief on his face. He is not a stranger anymore; he is a living piece of a story she never knew.

SEO-JOON

(Voice choked with emotion)

I'm so sorry, Jina. I should have been here. I have spent my entire life looking for you. I never knew… I never knew you were here.

Jina pulls her hand away from Kofi's and looks at Seo-joon. She sees a part of herself in him. She sees his eyes, his nose, and the look of sadness that she has only ever seen in her own mirror.

She runs out of the cafe, overwhelmed. Seo-joon and Kofi watch her go. They have a long road ahead of them.

FADE OUT.

KOFI'S COFFEE - DAY

JINA (20) stands in the cafe, staring at Seo-joon, her father, as if he were a ghost. The laughter and chatter of the customers fades into a dull hum in her ears.

JINA

(Voice shaking)

You're not my dad. My dad is Kofi. He's the one who raised me, who taught me to ride a bike, who took care of me when I was sick.

She turns to Kofi, a look of betrayal on her face.

JINA

(To Kofi)

Why would you do this? Why would you bring a stranger here and call him my father?

Kofi takes a step toward her, his face pained.

KOFI

Jina, honey, please... he has a right to be here. He's your biological father.

Jina shakes her head, tears streaming down her face. She looks at Seo-joon, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and confusion.

JINA

(To Seo-joon)

You're not my father. You're a stranger. And you left my mother to die. I want you to leave. Now.

She runs out of the cafe, leaving Seo-joon and Kofi in a deafening silence.

Seo-joon and Kofi sit in silence for a long moment, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

SEO-JOON

(Voice filled with despair)

She hates me.

Kofi places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

KOFI

She doesn't hate you. She's just in shock. Her world just got turned upside down. She's just scared, Seo-joon. She just needs some time.

SEO-JOON

I don't know what to do. I waited so long to find her, and now that I have, I've only caused her pain.

KOFI

You have to be patient. You have to prove to her that you're not the man she thinks you are. You have to show her that you're here to stay. And you have to tell her the whole truth. Everything.

Seo-joon looks at Kofi, his eyes filled with gratitude. He knows that he has a long way to go to earn his daughter's trust. But for the first time in his life, he has a reason to fight.

KOFI'S COFFEE - DAY

Seo-joon walks out of the cafe, looking up and down the street, hoping to see Jina. He sees her sitting on a bench a few blocks away, her face buried in her hands. He walks over to her and sits beside her, a respectful distance away. She doesn't look at him.

SEO-JOON

(Softly)

I know you're angry. You have every right to be. But I want you to know something. I never stopped loving your mother. I never stopped looking for you. My parents... they took me. They manipulated me. They took everything from me. My freedom, my life... everything. But they couldn't take away my memories of your mother. She was my everything. And you... you're a part of her. You're a part of me.

Jina says nothing, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

SEO-JOON

I'm not asking you to forgive me. I'm not asking you to call me your father. I'm just asking you to let me be a part of your life. Let me show you that I'm not the monster you think I am. I'll do whatever it takes. I'm not going anywhere, Jina. I'll be here. Waiting for you.

He stands up and walks away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. He has made his promise. Now, all he can do is wait.