Baekhyun stayed back at Jian's house that night.

Grandma wouldn't let him go so easily especially after he's back after so long. Baekhyun didn't protest. He washed up and went to sleep in his room. The next morning as he came downstairs for breakfast, he saw grandma cooking breakfast for them with so much joy. Jian was also in the kitchen and she said that it's been awhile since grandma has looked so energetic and happy. She even sulked about it saying how grandma must've loved Baekhyun more than her. Jian didn't know Baekhyun was there and that's the exact moment Baekhyun decided to chime in the conversation, shocking Jian.

"Of course, grandma loves me more than you, I am the Byun Baekhyun after all."

Jian glared at him and grandma could sense a little fight breaking out over whom she loves more. No one wants to be the bystander of a childish fight as the first thing in the morning. So she just chuckled and said,"You both know I love the two of you equally, right?"

"What the heck? You know me for almost 20 years and he hasn't been near you for even 20 months, it's unfair!"Jian said.

Grandma finally put all the dishes in the tray and picked it up and looked at Jian,"But he did fix you, didn't he?"

Jian looked away and rolled her eyes,"I guess.."

"No, not yet. I haven't fixed her completely yet!"Baekhyun said while taking the tray from grandma's hands and carrying it to the table instead.

Jian looked at him, what the heck does he want to fix more about her? Especially after last evening?

Baekhyun smiled at her as she raised her eyebrows. He just said,"You yourself will feel it when that happens."

Jian rolled her eyes as they all sat at the dining table, enjoying their breakfast like a beautiful family. Laughter, banters, delicious food, everything seemed perfect.

It was not so perfect when Jian got up and had to go to her academy. She had tuitions today at this time because her finals are literally knocking at the door. Jian looked like she wanted to stay back but grandma and Baekhyun forced her to go and Baekhyun promised he wouldn't leave before Jian comes back. Jian just rolled her eyes at him saying no one cares if he stays or not but they both knew deep down it was a lie.

After Jian left for class, grandma and Baekhyun sat at the dining table.

"So.."Baekhyun started,"I have somehow got to know that you are really really sick and need surgery as soon as possible.."

"'Somehow? Or did Taehyung tell you?"Grandma chuckled.

"Yeah he did. He also told me that you haven't told Jian that you need a surgery. And it's very important and Jian has no idea about it."

Grandma looked away, guilty.

"Come on gramma, you know you can't keep delaying the surgery and keep hiding this from Jian."

Grandma sighed and looked at him,"You see, Baekhyun..the doctors said that there is a chance that I might not survive from this surgery. It's a really hard decision to make."

Baekhyun listened as grandma told him the whole story. The doctors said getting chemo is just not enough now. She has to get the tumor removed. This along with all her other sicknesses is making everything worse and they really don't know how long she can live without the surgery. Having a surgery is important but taking her age and other diseases into consideration the surgery might not be successful and she might not be able to wake up from it. And grandma doesn't want to take that chance before Jian's csats and stress her out about all this. That's why she decided to not tell Jian anything and wait till Jian gets into a renowned college.

Baekhyun didn't agree with her decision at all. He tried to talk grandma into getting the surgery as quick as possible but grandma wouldn't budge. She is afraid that if anything happens to her Jian would lose her mind again and all the progress she made would be lost. But Baekhyun told her to trust Jian and try to talk to her. Jian would understand. Grandma still didn't agree to this. At one point Baekhyun literally said as this is so bad for her, he would take matters to his own hands and talk to Jian by himself. He can't let grandma risk her health anymore. But grandma pleaded him to stay quiet and that she would talk to her when the time is right.

Grandma had dropped another bomb on him by saying to 'celebrate' her 20th birthday, her dad and his family were coming to Korea. This year her birthday fell a few days after her final semester. They are gonna have dinner at a luxurious hotel in Seoul and this will also be a party to celebrate her graduation from high school. Grandma hasn't told this to Jian also so she doesn't stress her before her finals.

Baekhyun muttered under his breath,"Oh my God."

He knows that Jian has a huge scar in her heart about her dad and how he treated her sister. Also how he continues to treat that the passing of her sister is no big deal, that's why she had previously resorted towards rebellious activities, to hurt him like he hurt Nina. If she meets him after so many days and he still isn't apologetic towards her sister Jian might lose it again. It is bad. Really bad. Baekhyun doesn't know if Jian would be able to handle this alone. But honestly to grow, she has to confront her dad at one point of her life. He just doesn't know if this is the right timing for it. But as long as she doesn't treat this huge scar, she wouldn't be completely fine.

Baekhyun sighed. He just wished that for now she says no to this dinner. Or else God knows what will happen.

Soon Jian came back and Baekhyun as promised didn't leave before she came back. She had dropped him off outside and he said that he probably wouldn't be able to be back before her finals ended, he also told her to study hard for her exams or else he will nag her on the phone till her ears fall off. He didn't tell her about the dinner or about grandma's sickness as he promised grandma but he's worried. He could only wish that he wasn't so busy these days and Yunho wouldn't put so many tasks on him so he could be more present here during these times. But alas!

Even though Jian was sad to see him having to leave again without any surety of when he's gonna be able to visit again she assured him that she would be fine and that she would study really hard for the exams and ace them so she doesn't have to listen to his 'stupid' nagging anymore. And after flashing a smile, Baekhyun had to go back to Seoul.

As Jian promised she studied really hard and did really well in her final exams. She wouldn't know the marks yet because they weren't released but she was satisfied with all of her exams. Today was her last exam and she did pretty well in that too. She couldn't believe that this is going to be her last exam as a high schooler. She made so many memories in this high school (mostly rebelling) but there were a lot of good memories too. Saying goodbye to this high school was going to be hard. Now all she needs to focus is on her admission. Her teachers had recommended all the top colleges she could get into if she tried her best. She just hopes she can get scholarship into one of them so she doesn't have to burden anyone to pay her tuitions. And also she wants to make her grandma proud. She's pretty sure Nina would want this for her as well.

After the exam she had gone to Jaemin's house to hang out there. Jaemin's mom cooked delicious food for them and they had a lot of fun playing games. The sun was already setting by the time she left for home. On the way she got a really dreaded phone call from her dad. She doesn't remember when and why she unblocked his number and she isn't completely sure why she picked up the phone. The whole phonecall and the contents left a bad taste in her mouth but she didn't lash out as according to her she's a 'grown' person now. Her twentieth birthday is in four days. She can't be still acting like a teenager, she needs to grow up.

Jian sighed. Jian had decided that she is gonna leave all the toxicity and negativity of her life in her teen years and be a functional adult growing up. But it's gonna be hard. So hard. She might not even be able to do it.

As she opened the door of her house and said 'I'm home' she received a big surprise. As soon as she entered through the door both her grandma and Baekhyun threw confetti at her from both of her sides.

"Happy birthday!"They both shouted happily.

Jian frowned,"Its not even my birthday?"

"Yeah. We know. But Baekhyun is not gonna be able to present with us that day as he's busy. So we are celebrating it today!"Grandma said.

"Oh? So Jaemin, Chenle and Oppa aren't.."

"There's a reason why Jaemin and Chenle can't join and Taehyung was busy..plus shouldn't you be happy that I got time off my extremely busy schedule and came?"Baekhyun frowned,"Ungrateful lil brat."

Jian rolled her eyes,"Yeah whatever."

Grandma smiled and held her hand while bringing her inside to the dining room which they had decked out with balloons and a childish poster with her picture saying 'Congrats in becoming an adult'! On the table there were a lot of snacks waiting for them.

Jian chuckled,"Where's the cake?"

"We have something more special than that!"Grandma said and signed at Baekhyun. He took the sign and got a few bottles of soju out of the fridge and presented them in front of her,"Tada!"

Jian frowned,"Are y'all insane? I'm still a minor and people don't even drink till they get into college."

Baekhyun whispered,"Why so shocked? It's not even like your first time drinki.."

Jian should've known he's gonna bring this up. She looked at him and glared to shut him up. He did shut up after chuckling.

"It's okay as I am present here. Didn't you see in dramas that's it's okay as long as an adult is present? And I really wanted to be present at your first soju drinking time. As your grandma I can have small wishes, can't I?"

Jian hid her smile. Her grandma is too cute.

"Baekhyun tried to stop me but I talked him into it,"Grandma said and smiled,"Now everyone let's sit down. We have some drinking to do!"

Jian smiled and sat down at the table. It's gonna be a fun night.

And as she thought, the night was fun. She had soju for the first time in her life. Baekhyun and her grandma taught her the mannerisms of drinking soju with elders and how to enjoy drinking it completely. She had to look away from elders while drinking and drink it in one shot and then hold the soju glass over her head to prove that there was no more soju in the glass. It was absolutely fun.

Her grandma couldn't drink much. She just had one shot with her. She rather enjoyed seeing Jian and Baekhyun drink. Jian never had soju before. This was completely new for her. But drinking with her grandma was the most memorable experience for her that she would cherish in her heart. And Baekhyun made the experience so much more fun. He was playing beer pong, singing so many songs, telling so many fun stories and drinking, it was really fun. He was indeed the life of any party.

When Jian had the first sip of Soju which Baekhyun gave her, it tasted like a bit sweeter and lighter version of vodka. Jian had shots of vodka before hence she knows. Jian just wonders if the soju tasted so sweet and delicious because it actually was all that or because she was so happy at that time.

"I'm glad that we are doing this today instead of my actual birthday. I have plans that day,"Jian said while drinking her third glass of soju.

"Why?"Grandma asked.

Jian sighed while putting the glass down,"My amazing father is coming to Korea and wants to have a fancy dinner with me that day. I've decided that I'm going."

Grandma and Baekhyun looked at each other, both really worried. Jian smiled seeing how worried they were for her. She used to hate when people felt worried in the past, now it feels nice.

"Jian-ah? Are you sure?" Baekhyun asked, softly.

Jian nodded,"I'm pretty sure."

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to. Don't force yourself into this. Do what's best for you," Baekhyun said.

"It is what is best for me, Baekhyun."

"But this doesn't need to be exactly on your birthday...I'm afraid that your birthday is gonna be ruined. And grandma has a check up that day and I will be busy.."Baekhyun would continue to nag about it but Jian stopped him.

Jian noticed that Baekhyun was trying to avoid drinking a lot by doing all of his shenanigans, that made her curious about his drinking abilities.

She narrowed her eyes at him after he finished telling a story,"You get drunk easily, don't you?"

Baekhyun got defensive and stopped nagging immediately,"No! Absolutely not, what are you taking about? I'm just not drinking cause I need to take care of you if things.."

"I'm here and I'm not drunk,"Grandma said,"It's okay, Baekhyun. You can drink if you want."

Baekhyun gulped.

Jian smirked,"Leave it, grandma. He probably is a light drinker and does something crazy when drunk and doesn't want us to know."

"I'M NOT!"Baekhyun said and grabbed the soju bottle,"You know what? I will freaking show you, little brat."

Baekhyun poured a glass for himself and then stared at it without drinking it. Grandma and Jian looked at him, anticipating. But that's exactly when the house phone rang and Baekhyun stood up at the speed of lightening to answer it. It looked like he would do anything but drink.

Jian smiled as he hopped his way to the phone and picked it up. Jian noticed that he had frozen after answering the phone. He wasn't sure of what he should do.

Jian was worried so she got up and snatched the phone from Baekhyun who was still hesitating and was reluctant to hand her over the phone.

Jian took the phone and put it against her ear to see who called. After a bit of silence she heard the other side say,"Hello?"

Jian's eyes widened as she listened to the oh so familiar voice of none other than...Eric.

Oh fuck no.

"Is Jian not the.."

Jian hung up the phone before Eric could finish talking. She can't be thinking about him right now and ruin everything. She can't visit the part of her brain where she had locked all the memories of him and had no intention of opening it ever. She can't deal with him right now..or ever for that matter. God knows why he called and she has no intention of trying to find out.

She looked at Baekhyun who was worried as hell. She gave him a small smile so he doesn't worry too much.

"I'm okay," Jian said, trying to act as normal as possible,"Let's get back to drinking."

Baekhyun had no other option but to agree. Jian stayed as calm as she could for the whole night, trying to forget the dreaded phone call she had just received.

Turns out Baekhyun does actually get drunk easily. His pale cheeks were red like a tomato by three glasses, he had started talking in cute baby voice making no sense by the end of five and was completely knocked out on the table by the end of seven glasses.

Jian found all of that so cute. She had clicked a lot of pictures of his red cheeks and made videos of his cute baby voice for future blackmail material. After he was completely knocked out Jian and grandma talked. Grandma expressed how proud she was of her, how much she loved her thinking Jian was so drunk that she would forget everything the next morning. But Jian seemed to have a really high tolerance of alcohol. Way higher than Baekhyun. So she would cherish this memory for her whole life.

After a long time of talking heart to heart with grandma, Baekhyun woke up with his cheeks still red as a tomato. He looked confused as he woke up and looked at the clock. It was 10:30 pm. They had stated drinking at 7:30. Baekhyun had been asleep with his head on the table for two hours. Jian was totally judging him by the way he got drunk so easily. Baekhyun seemed to know that and felt embarrassed. Jian passed him a glass of water.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine,"He said after taking a sip of water,"It's..just..today is not a good day to be drinking so.."

"Yeah, Yeah..sure."

"I feel a bit stuffy here. I would feel better if I go out and take a walk."

"I would come. You still look hella drunk and I think someone might kidnap you. Oh..wait..they are totally gonna return you when you start talking in your baby voice."

Baekhyun cursed under his breath knowing that his drunk habit has been exposed. Grandma gave both of them permission to go out and take a walk but on a condition that they would return quickly.

Jian smiled and got up,"Let's go."

After taking a little walk around the block, Jian and Baekhyun sat down at the lonely park bench. Fresh air was blowing, no was around, it felt great. Jian handed Baekhyun the strawberry milk she had gotten from the convenience store a few minutes ago. Baekhyun gladly accepted and sipped it. He was almost completely sober now. On the whole walk Jian was making fun of his drunk state, which to be very honest was completely expected. But she also looked after him so he doesn't stumble and fall in this drunk state.

"So.."Baekhyun broke the silence.

"Yes..Mr.Baby voice,"Jian replied while sipping her strawberry milk.

Baekhyun sighed making Jian hold back the giggle that was about to come out.

"Are..you really sure about the dinner with your dad?" Baekhyun asked.

This time Jian sighed,"Seems like you completely sobered up. No fun."

"Come on, Jian-ah. You really don't have to do this if you're not ready."

Jian smiled,"I..Baekhyun-ah, I honestly need this. I need to have a heart to heart with my dad. Otherwise I won't ever be able to be completely okay. There won't ever be a time where I will truly be ready to confront him. So my twentieth birthday seems to be as good as it can get. You don't have to understand me. Just.."

"No..I understand you. I know how much this confrontation might mean to you. All these years you kept these feelings in your self and they burst out as those weird rebellious tendencies.."

Jian chuckled.

Baekhyun smiled but continued,"But..if you talk to your dad about your sister without being ready...then it might go south. Do you have a plan on how you are gonna say?"

Jian shook her head,"No plan yet. But I have four more days. I will come up with something. And.."

"And what?"

Jian sighed,"You see..my father was never a loving father but I looked up to him. He was hella strict yet reliable and decisive. I looked up to him. Not having a normal father daughter relationship didn't bother me that much. I honestly hated how he treated my sister. But I feared if I stood up to him my fate would be just like my sister. I regret not standing for her so much. That's why I blamed myself so much after she passed. I guess I should finally stand up for her. Really late. But better late than never. My feelings are really complicated Baekhyun. I don't even know if I could convey them to you."

Baekhyun patted her shoulder.

"I will be fine, Baekhyun."

"Yes you might be, I will be the one dying of worry for the next four days. Damn..if only I didn't have so much work that day.."

"Please. What even were you gonna do if you were free?"Jian said,"So stop worrying about me and worry about your drinking habits. And do not ever drink more than one shot with another girl."

Baekhyun looked up not sure if he heard right,"What?"

Jian looked at him,"What? I'm just trying to protect other girls' eyes and ears. They might die of cringe."

Baekhyun shook his head. He was still worried about her birthday. He couldn't say anything for sometime.

"So..we talked a lot about my dad, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Don't you ever feel like talking to your dad? Face to face?"

Baekhyun shook his head.

Jian saw right through him,"Liar."

Baekhyun sighed,"You know what? I sometimes do. But what do I say after meeting him face to face after twenty five years? Sup? I'm your son that has a shitty ass job because of your shitty ass decisions in life?"

"Yeah. What's the problem with that?"

"Listen..how would I explain my job to him? Not everyone accepts my job as easily as you did. I don't look like a.."

"..pathetic thief?"

Baekhyun glared at her,"Sometimes I really want to revisit my idea of shooting your brains out."

Jian chuckled and paused,"Looks like we both got daddy issues."

Baekhyun almost choked out his strawberry milk and stared coughing. After he was done he looked at Jian who was sipping her strawberry milk so peacefully as if she hadn't said a very sexual thing seconds ago.

"Can you not think twice before talking? I really wish I could wash your brain in a washing machine."

Jian smiled and looked up, ignoring what he said,"Look, how pretty the stars are."

Baekhyun shook his head, sighed and looked up.

The stars indeed were pretty. Or dud they look prettier because they were together?

Finally the day of Jian's birthday came. Baekhyun couldn't help himself. He had to be present at the hotel in case anything happens to Jian. He knows Jian is stronger than before. She could stand up for herself in front of bullies but he wasn't sure if she was strong enough mentally to stand up in front of her dad face to face. This isn't over phone or a video chat. This has been years since they met face to face and Baekhyun really doesn't know how this is gonna go.

He had a lot of work but he sped through all that and then he had to pay his friends Chanyeol and Jongdae a lot of money to cover for him if Yunho asks for him. He can't believe his friends got so much money out of him. They should actually do scamming for a living.

Baekhyun had gotten information about the time and location from Jaemin. Jian doesn't know that he's here. She wouldn't allow him to be here if she knew. Baekhyun had already paid  one of the waiters to let him take his shift instead. That waiter told the restaurant staff that he's sick and one of his friends would do his duty today. That's how Baekhyun got in. So he got dressed as a waiter, masked up and put his bangs down covering as much of his face as possible. His plan was to stay far away from their table but quickly take Jian away if something bad happens.

As Baekhyun came in the the very fancy restaurant, Baekhyun could recognize Jian's father sitting with his wife and step son. But he was confused to see another family sitting at the table with them. That family consisted of a father, mother and two sons. The eldest son seemed to be in his twenties and the younger one closer to Jian's age. Baekhyun frowned.

Who tf are they?

Before Baekhyun could come to a conclusion Jian walked into the restaurant, making everyone's breath away. Baekhyun couldn't believe his eyes.

Jian was wearing a long floor length red gown, red lipstick and pearl accessories. She looked breathtakingly beautiful but Baekhyun couldn't be happy. Because this Jian is not the real Jian. She hated gowns. Hates petals. She is totally up to something.

Her face was emotionless but it completely changed to a stern and scary one when she laid her eyes on her father's table and the other family at the table.

Baekhyun has a bad feeling about all of this already.

God knows what is gonna happen.

Jian's father had sent a beautiful red dress for Jian to wear at the birthday celebration along with a lot of accessories to look good. He had also sent a fancy car to pick her up. Jian our all of that on and came to the restaurant in the fancy car. She was determined today. She is gonna speak her heart out to her father today. If that  causes a scene, then be it. She won't hold back. She's gonna do what she wanted to do for a long long time. She was confident today. She is gonna get rid of the huge scar on her heart. She is gonna erase the scar and be free. She thought for four days straight and came up with things to say, came up with a solid plan she was satisfied.

But as soon as she entered the restaurant, confident as ever and looked around searching for her father's table, all of her confidence went down the drain when she spotted who was at the table with her father. Her father was waving at her to come there. And when he spotted her, he stood up.

Jian's breath got heavier as she saw him. All the memories she had locked in her mind, started flooding back. A person she thought she wouldn't have to deal with much later was right in front of her and she didn't know how to calm down.

Everything was ruined. Every plan was ruined.

Now standing in front of the table her father was at was no one other than..the last person she wanted to see today.

Her 'fiancé'.

Eric Lee.

___________________________

A/N:

Not many chapters are left guys. Probably 5 or 6? The story is a getting bit bigger than I expected, if you've stuck till this point, I genuinely thank you with my whole heart. ❤️

Ps: the next chapter is gonna be really big. I hope you don't mind TT

Ps 2: pray for Jian.