Chapter 13
Laurel POV
The house felt quieter than usual that morning.
Eric hadn't come out of his room yet, and something about that silence didn't sit right with me. It made me realize the fact that I have experienced other things made me think that the ones who have experience are the ones good for me.
I was in the balcony, thinking about everything that had happened before I graduated. Then suddenly my phone beep made me snap out of my thoughts.
It was a message notification from Lee Joon.
Hello, I have met the guy already. His name is Eun Woo, age 29, graduated from the University of Seoul. He is an orphan with two younger ones, twins, a boy and a girl, age 17. I will say uncle picked someone you will like because he is very smart and also knows all the secrets you could need. I will say he is good to go.
I sent him your address. He will be in Canada in two days. Take care of yourself and send my regards to Eric.
" I guess that one is settled then", I said to myself as I dropped my phone.
Then suddenly my phone rang again.
"Who the hell is that again?" I said to myself as I picked it up.
"Hello," I said.
"I am going on a date tonight!" Seo Hee screamed.
"So?" I said.
"I need you to help me pick an outfit," she said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you always know what's good, especially with colors."
"I don't want to ruin the date. I already picked three outfits,this gown, or this gown, or this top and this cargo pants."
"Hmmm," I said. "The first gown looks slutty to me. Unless you are trying to tell him to take you to his house, go with it."
"The second looks more like an office gown, especially when going to receive a contract and you want to impress them."
"The third one… hmm, go for it. It looks more like a date. Besides, it is your first date, right?"
"Yes," she answered. "Thank you, Laurel. I really couldn't pick anything."
"If that is all, then bye," I said.
"Wait, aren't you going to ask me who I am on a date with?"
"No," I said.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because it's your life and not mine. As long as he treats you well, I don't really give a damn."
"Still, you should ask. I'm your friend. You should care about me. I always ask you things because I care about you."
I knew she would continue whining, so I asked, "Who are you going on a date with then?"
She said, "Guess?"
"If you can't tell, then bye and have fun," I replied.
"Wait!" she shouted. "You are no fun at all."
I looked at her like someone who was tired of talking while still face timing and said, "Are you going to talk or not?"
"It is Kang Dae."
I thought as much. I mean, they had been usually close after Kang Dae asked about her from me the other.
"Do you think he is a good guy? I mean, he has been treating me well, and I think I am starting to like him."
"You have always been friends with him," she said. "Should I go for it or not?"
"I really don't know, Seo Hee. But you won't know if you don't try. You will never know. Besides, you said you are starting to like him too."
"Just be yourself. I am sure you will figure it out."
"Thank you. I knew I could talk to you. Love you," she said.
"Huh, okay then," I cut the call immediately.
Later on, Eric came out of his room. "Here you are. I have been calling you since," he said.
"I even thought you went out, but I checked the garage and your car was still there."
"What's wrong?" I said as he sat beside me.
"Nothing, I just want to be around my sister," he said as he gently placed his head on me.
"You are always like this whenever you want something," I said.
"That's not true, Laurel. I love you and love being around you."
"Hmmm, okay. So if you ask me something now, I am going to say no."
"Why?" he said, pouting his face. "You said you just wanted to be around me because you love me."
"True, but that doesn't means you have to say no without even hearing my request."
"So you came to ask for something?" I asked.
"Well… kinda," he said, as his face widened with a smile.
"What do you want, Eric?" I said.
"There is this new gym that I saw on TikTok, and I mean they have amazing results. So I was thinking maybe you could register me there so I can have somewhere to go since I don't really have friends here."
"You don't have friends?" I said with a concerned look.
"They are more like classmates than friends, Laurel," he said.
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"Well, since they knew that I have a sister who is black and works in an oil and gas field, they have been trying to set me up with their brothers or sisters that have been trying to get into that field by using connections."
"And sometimes they usually ask for ridiculous things, like asking me to tell you to get me a car, tattoos, and so on."
"Have they been bullying you? Laying their hands on you?" I said.
"No," he replied. "No one dares."
"That's why you asked for a car and dying your hair on your 17th birthday?"
"Yes," he said.
"But you said no, and really I am glad, because I know now that if someone is going to be with me, then they shouldn't care about what I have or not," he said.
At that time, I noticed how lonely he has always been, especially when I am at work. Maybe this is the right time to ask him about going to South Korea with me next year.
"Good that you are finally using that brain of yours," I said. "You don't have to be friends with anyone that makes you feel pressured."
"And if they try to bully you, don't just stand back and do nothing. Use whatever you see or have around."
Then I put my hands on his shoulder, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I will do whatever it takes to get you out of jail. Make sure it is not even written on your record, even if i have to tear the world apart.
But once it is 6 feet's down there, there is nothing I can do to get you out." I said.
He nodded his head. "And whenever anything like that happens, you tell me immediately, okay?"
"Sure, big sis," he said as he hugged me.
"About the gym, we will go register you there this evening."
"Wait, you mean it?" he said as his face lit up.
"Well, my brother wants to push himself and bring out the best in himself. Of course it is a yes, but…"
I said as his face turned from pure happiness to doubt.
"But what again? I really need to go all the way in. I have to be disciplined; otherwise results won't be that good. I promise it won't affect my studies though," he said.
"I know, but I am not talking about the gym.
There is something that I have always wanted to tell you, and I think I am ready to."
"Okay," he said.
"You know I have a company in South Korea," I said.
He looked at me, all attentive.
"I found a secretary, and he will be coming here in two days. He will be the one in charge of almost everything, except if it is important for at least a year.
But next year I need to take over the company, which means I need to go back to South Korea.
I would love it if you would come with me to South Korea. I know it might sound absurd, but if you want to stay here, it is fine.
I can always come and visit you," I said.
"I will come with you," he said.
I laughed and said, "Relocating to another country is a lot, Eric. The language barrier, the school system, the lifestyle over there, and many more things."
"You need to think about it very well, for as long as you can," I said.
"I have always thought about it since the day I knew you have a company there. I even started learning Hangul, and I am doing well in it."
"I know there is no way you would have a company there and continue living here. Though I might have lived in Canada all my life, had a lot of experience here, it still might not be my home."
"Laurel, home is you. Wherever you are is home for me. And I am glad you asked me to come with you because I have been thinking about ways to ask you when you were going."
I just looked and said to myself, he really isn't a kid anymore. The boy who would pout whenever I said no now understands. He feels safer, he is more mature, and I couldn't be more proud of him.
"Aria must be so proud right now, looking at us from above," he said.
"Of course she will be," I said.
"Thank you, Laurel," he said, hugging me. "I can't wait for next year, to be sincere. Lots of things to do in Korean," he said, hugging me tightly.
"Now let go of me," I said. "I can't breathe." Then he let go.
"Now let's go register you for the gym."
"Yes!" he shouted. "Let me just put on my shoes. I will be downstairs," he said.
As I stood up, my phone lit up, and I checked who called, only to see Nicholas.
I hope he is not doing anything funny this time. I haven't heard from him since graduation, and now he suddenly called.
I only hope whatever he has done can be taken care of silently as I picked up his call.