Chapter 50
Chaeyoung PoV
Junhoe cancelled on me for our meet up today. He said he had some work to do, so I pay for my small snack in this cafe and walk out.
There wasn't a lot of things to do in the hospital. It only felt small because Jihyo and Chanyeol have been busy with their new nurse station rotations.
I walked back to the direction of the hospital, wondering where Namjoon-sunbae is. He and I agreed to talk about the John Hopkin's case but he never went to my office.
Is it just me or the everyone is starting to distance themselves? I've been trying to reach Jungkook through the phone but it always says he's out of contact. His Kakao account has been deleted, and I don't know if he has a new one.
While walking, I feel like someone is following me. So I turn around, but there was no one I could recognize. In times like this, I get scared.
When Jungkook was still reachable, and would take me out to lunch, his arm would always be wrapped around my shoulders. He says, it's like a protective act so there won't be anybody who would dare to touch me.
Now that I'm out alone, I feel insecure.
Before, I just stay in the hospital's cafeteria and eat or bring some snacks. The food in the cafeteria tastes awful now and the only times I'm not picky with the taste of my food is after a long surgery.
Again, I feel like I'm being followed. Like someone was approaching me.
When I was about to turn around, a hand wearing a black glove was on my shoulder. I turned to look who it was then back to the street. There were only little people.
"Ms. Park Chaeyoung?" he asked.
"Y-Yes, that's me," I answered.
"I am Agent Choi, under the Jeon Foundation's body guard system," he showed me his ID. "I'm sorry if I have scared you."
I smiled in relief, "No, it's fine. But what do you need from me?"
"Mr. Jeon, Sir Jungkook's father, has requested a face-to-face meeting with you. I'm here under my boss, Cole Sparman, request."
"Like right now?"
He nodded, "Mr. Jeon wants to have lunch with you. Are you coming, Ms. Park?"
I nodded, because Mr. Jeon is a nice man. He's a nice man to me, so I should return the kindness. Besides, the small snack I had in the cafe did not even fill my stomach. Even though I haven't been inside the OR in 1 week, my stomach's growl is louder than a dragon's.
"Please enter the car, Ms. Park," he opened a black van's door.
I just followed, not sure if this guy would really take me to Mr. Jeon.
After 30-45 minutes of driving, he dropped me off a fancy restaurant in the rich part of town. When the waiter asked me if I had a reservation, I just said Mr. Jeon's name and he led me to a private room.
Mr. Jeon and Il-Do were seated next to each other, talking to each other seriously. Me entering made the serious atmosphere end and everyone turned to me with smiles.
"Your meal will be served in 5 minutes, we're sorry for the long wait," the waiter says and bows then leaves.
I stood there quietly.
Both of them were looking at me.
"Please take your seat, young lady," Mr. Jeon motioned to the seat in front of him.
I bowed down and sat down on the chair.
The food started to get served, and there was still a silent and awkward air between the 3 of us. I personally wasn't comfortable with them, but they made me feel free to talk when they're not serious.
It's like my timing right now is wrong.
"Let's eat," Il-Do says as the waiters left the room.
I took my chopsticks and started to eat, as do they.
Then, out of the blue, Il-Do clears his throat.
"Ms. Park, have you ever tried to look for Jiyoon's father?" he asks then sips from his water. "Well, if that isn't too rude to be asked. It's fine not to answer."
I awkwardly laughed, "No, actually, it's alright. But the answer to that is, no. I've never tried to look for him."
"But can we talk about your daughter, Ms. Park?" Mr. Jeon asked. "Well, Jungkook looks so madly in love with you. We might as well inspect the child's background before even considering her as what Jungkook thinks of her."
I started to look panicked but I tried not to show it.
"What-what does Jungkook even think of Jiyoon?" I hesitantly asked.
Mr. Jeon leaned forward, "Like his own daughter."
I started to get scared.
My own game of chess is starting to turn the winning tables down.
Out of nowhere, Il-Do slams an envelope on the free space next to me. I looked at it, and they were looking at my shocked expressions.
"Did you really look for the father? Or did you know who the father was?" Il-Do asked me. "Tell us, Chaeyoung-ssi. We're not bringing this to court, we're not paying anyone, we're not bribing anyone, we just want our answer."
I looked at Mr. Jeon.
He shook his head slowly, "I had high expectations for you. It was the first time in years for Jungkook to pick a woman who is fit for the task."
"Tell us the truth, Chaeyoung-ssi," Il-Do begged. "You're free to look at the documents."
I opened it, and saw first the fake and real birth certificate I created.
They found me.
I'm in surrender.
I scoffed, as I see the documents of DNA results, the motel's cctv camera pictures, and the many other proofs that I tried to hide for 5 years.
"So, is she really my son's daughter?" Mr. Jeon asked me.
There's no point in lying now, right?
I sighed then faced them.
"I'm sorry.." I said, with my head down.
Mr. Jeon's facial expression relaxed, "You were 22 years old, like what Cole said, we don't know your perspective of the story. Before I get mad, before Jungkook is found, we want to know what happened."
"It's alright to tell us, Chaeyoung-ssi," Il-Do smiled.
"I wanted to tell Jungkook, 3 weeks after the encounter, I went to the Foundation's building but the guards didn't allow me to enter. After realizing he was a famous man, I stepped down from the thought of telling him and decided abort but it's against my Catholic faith, as well as my friends stopping me from doing it. So I decided to raise Jiyoon instead," I answered.
I looked at them, "It's true that I begged my friend to give me the fake birth certificate. I grew up learning how to convince people the my investigations are real, and my talent in doing that, I used it to get what I wanted. I didn't want her to wonder why her name is 'Jeon' and not 'Park'. If she did use your last name, then she would've gone to Jungkook and tell him she's his daughter."
Il-Do nodded along, "You were scared of that?"
"What kind of mother will just leave their kid to a man she barely knew?" I asked him. "After getting to meet Jungkook, I learned that he was kind and not the things I imagined him to be. The rich CEO who plays dirty with his money, he was completely different. He was like a normal person, a regular worker in a company."
"And now you trust him," Il-Do added.
"Yeah, he's exactly the kind of man I want my kids to grow up with," I smiled.
"Chaeyoung," I turned to Mr. Jeon. "Are you in love with my son?"
I looked down when he asked me the question.
Am I in love with Jungkook? Am I still in love with him?
"I..I must contemplate about it, sir," I replied.
"Then let me ask you this, when are you going to tell him? Jungkook needs to know, his name on that birth certificate, makes him have the right to know he has a child. His name on the paper, gives him the right for the custody of Jiyoon," Mr. Jeon tells me. "Like I said, we won't take this to court. This matter is only between the family, the media must not know what's happening inside our private lives."
"I will tell him, sir. That's a promise. But I need some time," I said.
Il-Do cleared his throat, "Here's the thing, though. Once you tell him, Jiyoon will full-fill her name as 'Jeon'. She will be transferred to Miyondam Academy after Christmas break and the Jeon household will take care of her. Any objections?"
Should I tell Alice to tell our parents the truth? Before everything comes out in the news? In the world news?
Should I object because as a mother, I cannot be separated from my own child? Or should I answer 'yes' because Jiyoon is better off growing up with Jungkook?
But the name on the real birth certificate is 'Jeon'. And by law, whatever the last name is, is the parent who will take custody of the child. I'm tired of playing actress, maybe I should follow the law?
Cole has outsmarted me. I never thought this plan through.
So I nod at Il-Do's suggestion.
"Ani," Mr. Jeon objected.
Both me and Il-Do looks at him.
His face looked stern.
"A child deserves to be raised by both parents," he said. "You and Jungkook marry or you give the custody to him."
"With all due respect, sir. Neither Jungkook or me are in love with each other. As the real birth certificate goes through your family's name, I'm giving Jungkook the right of custody for our child," I answered and stood up. "Please excuse me."
I walked out of the restaurant and quickly hailed a cab.
Then my phone vibrated. I check my phone to see who it was, Jungkook's name appear on the screen.
"Annyeong, Chaeyoung-ssi."
Were the first words I read.
'Ssi?' Why is he being formal to me?
"I hope that you remember everything because it's too beautiful to just throw away. I hope that you're happy because I was happy because of you. Gomawoyo."
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iz out----
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