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━━━  " 📂 " ‍..⃗. ༉

𝙍 𝙊 𝙈 𝘼 𝙉 𝘾 𝙄 𝙉 𝙂

! chapter eighty-one ─── ʚĭɞ

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It was awkward. Miyeon sat in front of her father, ankles crossed and palms resting in her lap. Sangwon was sat behind his desk, sitting up almost completely straight, leaning forward to have his hands on the desk.

He had greeted her with a hesitant vigour, looking as if he wanted to hug her but didn't, instead rather awkwardly shaking her hand and guiding her over to her designated seat with a hand hovering over her shoulder.

Barely anything had been said since their greeting, and it seemed that Sangwon was waiting for his daughter to initiate conversation. She had proclaimed, on his attempt to hug her, that she was there for a certain reason - the thing that Mr Hwang was waiting to find out.

"I've almost fully moved out." Miyeon began slowly, her words calculated. "When I first left that house and up until now, I've been staying with a friend. But after the length of time I've been staying with them, I no longer feel comfortable there and feel as if I am imposing."

"I see." Sangwon replied. He looked as if he was itching to ask more questions - it was in his nature as a parent; which friend was she staying with? How was she? Had she made any decisions or choices that would affect her life? Was there any contact between her and her mother, who Sangwon had not seen since her practically kicked her out?

Miyeon nodded, clearing her throat and not beginning to speak again as Sangwon poured her a glass of water.

"Have you eaten?" He asked, words stiff but filled with parental concern. "I can have Daehee go down to the cafeteria and request some food. It would be here within half an hour?" Sangwon was already reaching for the phone on his desk, but his hand fell when his daughter shook her head.

"I'm not.. I'm not here for a family reunion. I'm here because I need help. Financial help." Miyeon admitted, and Sangwon sat forward in his chair, the Hwang girl's chin tilted downwards as she avoided his gaze.

"Why? Have you come into some trouble? Is the person or people you're staying with wanting rent?" Sangwon asked, actually voicing some of his questions.

"No - no not at all Suho's been a wonderful person to stay with." Miyeon quickly denied his thoughts. "I've decided that I would like to buy or rent an apartment."

Sangwon stared at his daughter for a moment, blinking at her with his jaw dropped. A sudden knock interrupted the silence, and the Hwang father and daughter turned towards the door, seeing his secretary, Mrs Song, walking in with a tray.

"Is this not a good time?" She asked, clearly feeling the vibe in the room and not liking it one bit, looking awkward. "Mr Hwang, I apologise for interrupting, but someone from the cafeteria brought up your earlier request." She explained, and Miyeon glanced at her father, reminded of his offer to go down to said cafeteria.

"Thank you Secretary Song, just place it down here please. And from now, please make sure there are no more interruptions." Sangwon nodded, looking down at the tray in front of him as Mrs Song hurried out.

Lifting the lid off of the plate on the tray, it revealed a plate of tonkatsu. Miyeon wasn't extremely surprised - her father shared the same favourite as her. They used to go out and eat it together, not even bothering with side dishes and trying to get home before Yujin did - she was still active within the fashion industry at that time.

"Have some." Sangwon pushed the plate over to her, opening a drawer and retrieving a pair of chopsticks in a plastic bag. Miyeon hesitated, before taking them and having some of the tonkatsu.

"Are you planning on staying away from home?" Sangwon asked as she ate. "Your mother no longer lives there, I'm in the process of figuring out the best way to proceed with a divorce."

"I see.." Miyeon trailed off, letting the words settle in. "Even if that is the case... I can't stay in that house anymore. And I want to be more independent and have my own space to do that. If you do divorce her, then I'll be more than happy to come and see you there when possible."

"I would be happy if that happened." Sangwon nodded. "Ah, Miyeon, I know it's too late now, but I apologise for bringing you back. I truly thought it was the right thing to do - which is no excuse at all. And I also apologise for letting your mother treat you like that. I had no idea how physically violent she was until I witnessed it myself. I always thought that she was just harsh and overprotective."

"I.. don't accept your apology." Miyeon swallowed. "But thank you - and how did you witness it? I know only Seojun and Eunjoo were there when the last incident happened.

"Han Seojun? You're friends with him again? Good.. you always seemed happy with him." Sangwon mused, the fluorescent lights beating down on them as Miyeon's eyes widened at his words - she always thought her father hated him, but was beginning to see that perhaps he was just going along with what his life said for an easier life, or because he had been manipulated into thinking so. Kwon Yujin did have a way with words. "As for how I found out, well I had become rather suspicious of something going on in my own home after the meeting with the investors."

"Oh. And then you saw it all happen." Miyeon watched as her father nodded. "I see.."

"Yes, it was upsetting." Sangwon swallowed. "And the least I can do is help you out with finances. I truly am sorry Miyeon."

It fell silent again for a few moments, before the clicking of keys could be heard and Miyeon watched as Sangwon turned his computer monitor around. "Now, do you want to show me this apartment you're wanting? I might not be able to see it in person, but I'd at least like to see the online version."

Miyeon agreed, happiness bubbling in her stomach. Not just because she had managed to get her father to agree to help her buy an apartment, but also because their relationship was beginning to repair itself to what it once was.

She was glad about that.