Soo Emi

I yawn loudly as I fall onto my bed.

Sweet bed.

I went home before my father. He said he was busy with something really important and I was way too exhausted to wait for him like I usually do.

He looked super stressed. I didn't want to leave, but he insisted.

Gosh, my hand is sore from all the writing.

You would think with the technology nowadays, I would be able to do that project on a computer.

Hm. It's whatever.

I brush off my thoughts and went to sleep.

°

The next day, all staff were called to a meeting in the morning.

Joon and I stand together in the back while the "more important" employees sit at the tables.

My father walks to the front with his hands interlocked behind his back.

His eye bags were so big, it caught my eyes even from where I was standing. His face was pale too and he looked beyond stressed.

There's a problem.

I haven't seen him look like this in awhile.

"I have some...terrible news." He sighs loudly, looking over his staff members.

I gulp.

Joon notices my nervousness and brings me closer to him.

"As most of you know, my old business partner, Lui Shanghai, has always been jealous of my success." My father grips onto the chair he was leaning against.

Lui Shanghai and my father were good friends because of their similar interest in business. When I was younger, I would call him "uncle". They were that close.

One day, my father was offered a big role in a popular company and Lui wasn't.

Lui was obviously jealous, but because of their friendship, he hid it.

My father worked his way up to becoming a business champion while Lui, on the other hand, moved to Japan to start a career there. Since he was not successful here in South Korea.

Just 2 years ago, he became almost as rich as my father. I haven't heard anything else since, but I didn't think he would become a problem to us.

"I made a bet." My father turns his head to the side with a scoff. "A completely idiotic bet."

My grip on Joon's hand tightens.

"A-And I lost all my money."

My mouth drops open as the whole room erupts in blaring commotion.

"Mr. Jae, what do you mean?"

"Sir, you have to elaborate!"

"I don't understand!"

The commotion only got more intense as people began standing up with their hands in their hair or over their mouths.

"Silence!" Hoseok bellows with his arm in the air, motioning for everyone to calm down and get back in their seats.

"Mr. Jae, what happened?" An employee asks.

"Lui Shanghai and I got into this...silly competition awhile back. To keep it brief, whoever gets their businesses and face more known in North America, wins." He painfully pauses. "If I win, I will take over his entire company in Japan and all the branches. If he wins, he gets my wealth. All of it."

Commotion blew up again.

"I don't know why we raised the stakes to this extent. It was a matter of bravery and competitiveness. I don't think either of our minds were in the right place." My father mutters.

"Sir, we've made impact in North America with our business! We have high percentages of cooperation from North American companies and partnerships!" An employees yells out.

"You can see why I thought I was going to win this idiotic bet." My father collapses into a seat. "I am so ashamed."

I let go out Joon's grasp and ran over to him.

"Father, you're not being serious, are you?" I grip his shoulder. "This is all a joke, right? Surely Uncle was just joking about the bet!"

"Cupcake, this...is as real as I can get." He says.

I lean up, feeling defeat. "Does that mean we lose our house?"

He nods his head. "I'm so sorry, Emi."

I bite my lip, finally feeling the warmth of fresh tears line my eyes. "Everything you own? You lose some bet and we have to give up our entire life!?"

He doesn't respond

I couldn't wrap my head around everything.

This can't be real. My father wouldn't do something like that.

"Everything?" My voice lowers. "Is gone?

"For now, my daughter. But I'll get everything back as soon as possible and take care of you. I promise."

Take care of me?

Get everything back?

I collapse on a chair besides him. "What is-What is going to happen now?"

°

We were evicted from my childhood home the next day. Our maids and butlers left. The chefs left. All of my father's companies, branches, and the workshop were turned over to Lui Shanghai.

My father and I were left homeless and penniless.

This happened all because of some bet.

I crouch over on the sidewalk and cried.

"Please, cupcake, please do not cry. We'll get everything back." My father kneels down besides me.

"How are we going to get through this?" I sob into my hands. "What's going to happen to us?"

"I'll think of something, cupcake. Your father always does." He grabs my hand and helps me stand up. "Come on. Hoseok's father is allowing us to stay at his hotel."

"Hoseok? What?"

"His father owns a hotel downtown. He's allowing us to stay there. Isn't that really kind of him? The hotel is absolutely amazing."

I admire him for being so strong.

Especially in a time like this.

I have to be strong too.

I wipe away my tears and stood up straight like my father. "Let's go."

°

Five days went by so slowly.

During this time, my father went out for almost 10 hours a day. He would only come back to sleep, but other than that, I never really got to see him.

With all the free time I had, I hung out with Joon. I even met his mother, who is probably the sweetest woman to walk this planet.

They became the only people who made my days a little brighter.

"Hey, cupcake?" My father knocks on the bathroom door.

I dry my face off with a towel. "Yes?"

"I have something to tell you."

"What?"

"I need to go to Japan."

"Why?"

"I'm going to have a meeting with Lui Shanghai and some others. This is very important and I don't know how long I will be gone, so I can't take you with me."

I rush out of the bathroom with my hair still in a towel. "What? You're leaving me? Didn't you say the hotel isn't allowing us to stay here anymore?"

He grabs ahold of my hands that were spazzing out. "Don't worry, cupcake. I worked things out, so you don't have to get stressed. I talked to Hoseok and he said he will let you stay with him for as long as you need."

I choke on my saliva and I start coughing uncontrollably.

"Emi?" My father leans away from me.

"I'm going to live with Hoseok?" I repeat, wiping my mouth. "Is that what you said?"

"Hoseok is letting you stay with him while I'm gone."

"For-For how long?"

"I don't know, cupcake."

I place a hand on my forehead. "You're kidding me!"

"Is there a problem?"

"No, no, there's no problem. Just really excited, father." I weakly laugh, gently smacking his arm. "How lucky am I!"

My father smiles and bring me in for a hug. "That's my strong girl."

°

"Goodbye!" I wave to my father as he gives the airplane ticket to the attendant. "I love you!"

Please come back safe.

He didn't give me much information on what he's exactly doing in Japan so suddenly

For all I know, he's going to have a meeting with Lui Shanghai to try to work things out.

I don't know how long he'll be, but I hope he comes back soon.

I keep a smile on my face until he was out of sight.

A wave a despair comes over me and I begin tearing up.

I hope he comes back soon. I need him more than ever right now.

A chauffeur greets me at the entrance of the airport and guides me to the limousine that was sent by Hoseok.

I watch the airport pass by as we drive off.

I have to stay strong. Just like my father.

We arrive at Hoseok's home in about an hour and the chauffeur opens the car door for me.

I thank him.

With small, half empty luggage in my hand, I stand outside the beautiful house. My eyebrows rise at the sight.

Hoseok lives here?

I wonder who else lives with him.

Or does he live alone?

I walk to the front door and rang the doorbell.

There was no answer and I didn't hear any footsteps coming from inside.

Hm?

I stand still for another moment before examining the doorbell.

I heard it on the inside. Why isn't anyone coming?

Sighing, I place my hand on the doorknob and to my surprise, it turned.

The grand wooden door smoothly glides open, revealing a luxurious living room inside.

I quietly close the door behind me and scanned around.

Wow. The aura in this place is powerful.

As I was scanning around, I find a sticky on the wall besides the front doors. I go closer and read it.

Soo Emi, go upstairs and take a left. 2nd door on the right is your room.

You can follow those instructions, right? My little assistant.

-Hoseok

I let out a breath.

Why does he still call me that?

I follow the directions and come across a very lush, white room with the lights set to a dim setting.

I squeal like a pig. "Oh my goodness!"

It's so pretty.

Did Hoseok prepare this or did the room come with the house?

It doesn't matter.

I immediately jump onto the bed and just laid there. The cloud-like feeling comforted me on deeper level.

"Well, hello, my dear guest."