Chapter 4

JoonHo sighed, averting his eyes to JaeHwa once more.

"If you're going to be listening to everything, then sit down already.”

Hayoon would retort the arrogance, but JaeHwa didn't turn it down. He took a few steps and sat beside Hayoon, staring into his father-in-law's face.

JoonHo watched them together, analyzing the way JaeHwa rested his hand on Hayoon's thigh and how his own son hurriedly laced his fingers there.

"He can talk." JaeHwa said, watching him watch them for a long time.

"Do you really like each other that way?

"Are there still doubts about that?" Hayoon asked sharply.

JaeHwa looked at him, stroking the back of the hand that was clasped in his.

"Yes, we love each other." He spoke, looking into his father-in-law's eyes.

JoonHo nodded, running his tongue over his cheek.

"I won't say I feel happy about this coming together. Maybe one day, but today, I don't. But... in a way, I'm relieved.”

"How it is?”

"I'm sorry, Hayoon. At least you're happy. That's why I came here. I don't want to get involved in this anymore, you will never stop being my son, nor will you tarnish my name anymore. But your mother will keep retorting.”

"We will too." JaeHwa butted in." And I warn you, if she continues, I swear I'll sue her. I don't care if she's a good lawyer, I also have excellent lawyers on this side.”

JoonHo laughed, at least it was funny.

"Yeah, I know. Your sister and that…”

"Her girlfriend." Hayoon spoke, raising her chin again." who, like us, are also very happy together.’

"I admit that I envy your courage. I never, under any circumstances, thought of fighting for love.”

"It feels…”

"I speak the truth." the eyes of the father fell on the son again." I had nothing, exactly nothing, but I also had a passion.’

"How cool that you married her and screwed up." Hayoon spoke, with a huge pout on her lips.

"But it wasn't your mother." Hayoon's eyes widened again in astonishment. "I didn't love your mother. I loved what she brought me. I was number one in a big class, but she was the one with the big name. Park, won impulse with me, but belongs to her.”

"So...you...married out of interest?" he asked, awestruck. Hayoon swore not to be surprised by anything that came from his family, but he was obviously wrong.

"Yes." JoonHo answered with patience." I gave up a love, for wealth and fame.”

"And to think you want me to be that way... it's a shame.”

"I really wanted to, but I'm not blind, and I know I won't be able to turn you like this. And it's not that boy's fault, you were always... you. But after he came, I know that all of this only intensified.”

"Hayoon is a very strong man, he doesn't need props to stand up for what he wants and believes in. So I haven't changed anything about him at all.”

"I know my son. It may not seem like it, but I do. He's always been firm, but after you, he's impossible.”

"You're not going to start a silly fight now, are you?”

"I'm not fighting, I'm just talking, man.”

JaeHwa looked at her boyfriend once more, seeing him with an unyielding pout.

"We are late." he said, looking back at JoonHo.

"Clear." The man got to his feet." I... wish you good luck.”

Hayoon arched an eyebrow, lifting her body next to JaeHwa.

"But you will lose.”

Park's eyes widened, he was ready to start a fight right there.

"We know." however, that's what JaeHwa replied.

"Of course!" Hayoon objected, glaring at him." No, we won't.”

"Do you know who the judge is?”

"Of course. It's Han Akira.’

"A corrupt one.”

"No... Ranah assured him, he isn't.”

"Your sister is a good lawyer, but like Bae, she's a rookie. You guys are already going as losers. Kang has definitely managed to buy you off somehow. They just won't let it show.’

Hayoon clenched her jaw again, her wide eyes were flooded.

"It can not be." spoke, weak and low.

"Everything is fine." JaeHwa hugged him." but we won't give up." his eyes were on JoonHo.

"I am truly sorry. Your mother…”

"I hate her." Hayoon spoke shakily." How can she be like this? Why does she allow this?”

"Your mother doesn't like to be challenged, Hayoon. And you challenged her.”

JaeHwa saw how Hayoon's lower lip trembled. The boy's chest was inflated. Hayoon held herself back from crying.

"Please, you can go now." JaeHwa asked the man.

JoonHo looked at his son, feeling an unknown hurt. He wasn't so grumpy that his son's suffering pleased him.

"The money is already in the account." warned.

"Hayoon doesn't have that account anymore. We made a new one.

"I don't want that money." Hayoon spoke. It was strong when it trapped all that pain and irritation in its core.

"But it's yours.”

"Not anymore.”

JoonHo sighed, maybe he would try again another day.

He nodded, walking to the door.

JaeHwa followed him and opened the door.

Before leaving, JoonHo looked at him one last time.

"Take care of him, he'll need it.”

"You don't have to tell me what to do with the one I love, but thanks anyway.’

JoonHo just laughed, turning to go.

When the door closed and JaeHwa returned to Hayoon, he just felt him hug him tightly, burying his face in his chest.

"Don't cry, Hayoon..." she asked, feeling her chest hurt.

"I am not going." the other spoke muffled." but I'm angry, JaeHwa. A lot of anger, so please hug me.’

JaeHwa sighed, hugging him with all his might.

"We're going to win. Maybe not today, but we're still going to.”

"I swear… if this doesn't stop, I'll kill him myself." her eyes lifted.

"I already told you, Hayoon, don't say things like that. You're good, you're not like him.”

"I can't take it anymore, JaeHwa. I just want him to leave us alone.”

"And he will. Just believe that, okay?”

Hayoon went back to hiding her face inside the other's chest. I was tired, angry, feeling a huge sadness mix with everything, but JaeHwa was right, they couldn't give up.

"We're going to be late." he spoke.

"Just a little bit more and let's go, okay?”

He nodded, squeezing the other's body, as if only that was capable of removing all those demons from around him.

But in the end it was. JaeHwa was able to push away everything bad in his life with just a hug.