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When the sun rose bringing forth a long-dreaded day Nari had tumbled out of bed, the bottom of her palms rubbing her bleary eyes as she met up with Geon-woo and Woo-jin to meet Mr Choi. She had escorted them to the antique shopping centre where Mr Choi had taken up residency, a much more discreet location for his line of work. As the trio pulled up at the centre, Nari blew a nervous breath. He was probably going to confront her about Yang- jung and Du-yeong, most likely about Geon-woo’s affiliation now too. How did things become so messed up.
“I figured I’d make myself presentable to try and get a job too” she overheard Woo-jin’s optimistic tone draw her out of her reverie. She arched a brow as Geon-woo lit up like a Christmas tree at the prospect of his friend working alongside him.
“Very appealing Woo-jin but let’s go” Nari said as she ushered them into the building. Woo-jin sulked past her, jutting a finger in her face. “Don’t ruin this for me sunshine” he said as she rolled her eyes and nudged him forward.
The boys were about to take a wrong turn before she grabbed the scruff of their jackets. They came to a halt, Nari straightening them with the point of her finger. Geon-woo’s ears flushed while Woo-jin rolled his eyes with a scoff.
When her eyes landed on the rustic second hand book store, she steered the two boys through the door. The familiar chime of the bell rang through the store and sat before a table, lightly sipping his tea, was Mr Choi.
Horrified that they may have been tardy Geon-woo and Woo-jin rushed into the store, bowing deeply as Nari trailed behind bowing softly as Mr Choi sent her a secret smile.
“You didn’t get lost?” Mr choi prodded lightly as Geon-woo shook his head with a bright smile. “No sir, not with Nari around” he said.
“I used the money you gave me to pay off my loans this morning. Thank you so much” he professed, bowing deeply in gratitude. Nari supressed her smile as Woo-jin followed swiftly.
“I believe you will do well” Mr Choi agreed before glancing at Woo-jin who straightened, shoulders back and rigid, chin raised as his voice echoed through the bookstore. “Hello sir. My name is Hong Woo-jin. I helped Mr Moon with his work back in the day. Geon-woo and I had a special relationship in the marine corps” he said, slinging his arm around Geon-woo’s shoulder. “And Nari and I,” he paused before plastering a bright smile, slinging his other arm around her shoulders as he brought the two of them under his wings. “We’re best friends”
Nari rolled her eyes as Mr Choi’s bemused eyes trailed to her, she nodded once, her face twisting into a ‘just let him talk’ gesture as the older man’s lips crinkled into a wrinkled smirk.
”Watching the two of them struggle from the sidelines. I wanted to help in any way I could but there wasn’t much I could do.” He said, a sullen look befitting his handsome face. ‘And it ate me up inside. However, I’m so relieved that a good person like you helped them. I’m just so grateful” he rambled. “Furthermore, I’ve come to the conclusion that I may be of service to you sir” Nari tuned him out. Seeing the bored look on Mr Chois’s face, she reached across Woo-jin, swatting his hand down before slapping her palm over his mouth. He continued to grumble, his voice muffled by her hand as she and Geon-woo shot Mr Choi and apologetic look.
The older man huffed with a smile when Nari suddenly screeched, her hand flying to her chest as she felt Woo-jin’s tongue run down her palm.
“That’s disgusting!” Nari shrieked as she wiped her palm on his jacket.
“Please do me the honour in allowing me to help Geon-woo” Woo-jin finished, ignoring her profanities before bowing, dragging Geon-woo with him as he shot daggers at Nari who merely scoffed.
Mr Choi arched his brow, looking up at Nari who covered her face in embarrassment before waving in dismissal. Mr Choi let out low chuckle before shrugging. “Sure, why not” he mused and Woo-jin shot up in surprise. He looked shocked before matching ecstatic grins lit up both of their faces and the two bounded in each other’s arms. They were quick to sober up when Mr Choi offered them a seat, pouring three cups of tea for each of them.
“There’s one thing I didn’t mention. I may be the one paying your salary but I’m not the one hiring you” he said as the boys shared a glance. ”You still have an interview with Hyeon-ju” Nari bit back a smirk at the mention of his granddaughter as panic filled the two.
“What if I happen to fail the interview?” Geon-woo asked nervously.
”Then you have to return the salary” Mr Choi said nonchalantly.
”Oh, I used it all to pay back our loans” Geon-woo shuffled.
“I know you will do well, plus you have Nari here. You’ll be fine” Mr Choi reassured but the anxiousness still bubbled in Geon-woo.
With those parting words of encouragement, he handed Nari his black card much to the shock of Geon-woo and Woo-jin who gaped at the card. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind I would like a word with Nari, dear. ” he said and Nari tensed. Oh boy.ย
Her fingers fiddled together beneath the brandish wooden desk. The boys had cleared out, stumbling over each other as Woo-jin tried to pry the heavy black card from Gen-woo’s careful fingers after Nari had left it in his care. He swatted Woo-jin’s hand, the man throwing himself into Geon-woo’s side before they disappeared through the door where they would wait for Nari to finish her least anticipated conversation with the older man. Mr Choi noticed her apprehension, the small frown that had been woven into her features, the way she hid her trembling hands and couldn’t look him in the eye. His heart panged for a second at the deep-rooted hurt and fear he’d subjected and would continue subjecting her to.
“Nari” he called her name. She wanted to flinch at the low, gravel and concerned tone he used.
She clenched her fingers to her lap before meeting his eyes.
“I assume you already know what I wish to say” he said, and she gave him a stiff nod, her gaze flickering and jumping behind him, to the rows of stacked books that lined the entirety of the shop. Books piled from ceiling to floor, spilling out shelves and stacked in pillars that reached to her midriff. The store had been a great solace for her but now, she wished she was anywhere but between the pages of all those words. She didn’t wish to hear stories, especially not the one Mr Choi was about to sell to her.
“I told Mr Oh the same thing, I don’t want to hear it, not yet. It’s still so fresh and with Myeong-gil and Geon-woo” she trailed off, a lump in her throat that felt constricting, she could still barely stomach the man’s return. The onslaught of memories and guilt, anger and grief threatened to drown her into submission once again. But she blinked, supressing her turmoil with a sigh. “I don’t want to bear it”
“You are a strong girl Nari” Mr Choi said, conviction in his tone in hopes his words would resonate within her. He believed it, Yang-jung and Du-yeong believed it, she was the only one who failed to see her worth. ” If you’re worried about Myeong-“
“It’s not just about Myeong-gi” she said a bit sharply, her gaze hardened and desperate before she softened as his mouth clamped shut “sir” she added with a low breath. “It’s everything, and I don’t know what I’m doing or how I’m going to keep the people I love safe. “she croaked. ” Myeong-gil ripped everything from me, he took my mother, he destroyed my father. You, Mr Hwang and Mr lee were the only people I trusted, you were like family, and he took that from me too”
“Nari, he didn’t take us away from you. The decision to keep the secret was my order. Du-yeong had protested. When I had noticed they had both grown to care for you, significantly more than they should’ve. I grew concerned that they would jeopardise they mission but it seemed I was wrong, their care for you only made their need to protect you stronger. It was never our intention to hurt you, believe me. Mr Hwang and Mr Lee would rather burn than that be the case as much as I forbade them from telling you. If anyone is to blame, blame me Nari, they were following orders. Despite their better judgement. I will assure you however that this is breaking them the longer you ignore them. They really do love you Nari, they only want the best for you.”
A tear slipped down her cheek which she brushed with the back of her palm, hoping it would’ve gone unnoticed, but Mr Choi noticed everything. It was what had gotten him to his position of success. Mr Choi sympathised with her betrayal. Trust had been his core belief. Just like Nari, his loyalty had been to a fault. It was his trust in others that allowed for Myeong-gil to slip through the cracks and take him by surprise. Betrayal by the people you cared for hurt worse than a thousand blades. It struck deep in the heart. Family above all else, was Mr Choi’s motto. He prioritised his family, blood or not. He reached over, gently grabbing her hand and enveloped it in his warm, wrinkled and blood-stained hands.
“I apologise for breaking your trust Nari” he told her and Nari bit harshly on the inside of her cheek to stop her lip from trembling. “But know, Myeong-gil will not harm you, he won’t go near you. You have my word. You’re family Nari, we will protect you. No more secrets”
“How can I believe you?” she said shakily, her heart was torn but they were so important to her that despite the way her heart wrenched at the concealment she wanted to forgive them. The heartbreak in Yang-jung’s eyes, a man who was feared, stoic and dangerous had begged her, to listen. He had travelled in a fit of panic to the hospital to ensure she was okay, something not even her own father did. Du-yeong cared for her, alongside Mi-kung like parents. Mr Choi ensured her security despite having no obligation to do so. They were her family, and she loved them.
“We need each other now more than ever. Hurt is the last thing I’d want to bestow on any of you. I’m not as young as I once was Nari” Mr Choi told her sullenly. “And I have many regrets in my life, including not saving you mother, I’m not about to fail you too”
She stared at Mr Choi for a long hard moment. She forgave them, she knew despite the initial hurt, they only ever had her wellbeing in mind. They had never steered her wrong before. And Mr Choi looked so sincere. His age had shown since the revelation of Myeong-gil being back in town. Dark bags hung like curtains beneath his eyes, salt and peppered hair styled with gold rimmed glasses that sat perched on his nose. But his eyes were warm and the smile he showed her was genuine. She wanted to cry. He squeezed her hand, and she gave him a nod.
“Okay. I believe you” and she did.
“We will protect you Nari. and that extends to those two boys of yours” he said and Nari smiled a small light-hearted smile. “But it seems they won’t be needing protection. They’re good boys, take care of each other.”
She nodded, going to let go before he clasped her hand tighter, bringing it forward with an amused smirk. He leaned forward almost as if he was telling her a secret.
“Especially the puppy looking one” Mr Choi said and Nari’s eyes blew wide, her face heating as Mr Choi chuckled at her flustered expression.
”Geon-woo?”ย she said, her tone hitching.
”Yes, he’s sweet boy. A fighter. Just like you Nari. You guys make a remarkable pair.”
“Mr Choi” she shrieked as his laugh rang though the sore, her ears felt scorching to the touch.
” I apologise. I’m only joking” he said but his tone suggested everything but. With a wiggle of his eyebrows, he reached for his walking stick. “But hear my advice, you are in good hands. Those boys won’t let anything happen to you and neither will we. So please go chat to Mr Hwang, if there was one thing I don’t want to see, is that man sulking”
“Mr Hwang doesn’t sulk” Nari said defensively while Mr Choi’s lips quirked bemused.
“You’d be surprised how much you impact the people around you my dear” he said. “Now go, and make sure that Woo-jin boy doesn’t get a hold of that card.”
Nari nodded, helping Mr Choi stand when Mr Oh suddenly emerged to take over her efforts. Mr Choi patted her caringly on the shoulder before Mr Oh guided him out of the store to a scalp message appointment. His words lingering deep in her mind even after he was long gone.ย
The apology chapter ๐ญ๐ซถ
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