A maid knocked on her bedroom that evening. It was the day after his father's funeral ceremony and she had locked herself in her room. She had to drag herself out of bed and opened the door a little.
"Ne? What is it?"
"Kim Ga Eun-ssi. Seo Ki Jun and his parents want to meet you."
"What? Why"
The maid couldn't answer her questions, so she just asked her to leave, before she combed her hair and changed into something presentable. She's wondering why they were coming to meet her. Ki Jun was weird because he didn't say anything about the visit either.
The whole family was waiting for her in one of the sitting rooms assigned for the Lee's employees to receive their guests.
"Good evening Imo, Ahjussi."
They bowed to each other before Ki Jun's mother asked her to sit down. She mouthed to Ki Jun, "Why are they coming?"
He just shrugged.
She saw that there were already drinks and cakes on the table, so there's no need to trouble herself except for asking them the reason they came there.
"Imo, Ahjussi, why are you here?"
Ki Jun's parents looked at each other before his mother said, "Ga Eun, we came here because we feel we need to do this. You're a close friend of Ki Junnie and we care about you very much....."
"She's going to refuse," Ki Jun said out of the blue, his face a mix of annoyance and desperation. As if they already had the argument repeatedly before this.
"Jun-ah! You be quiet!" his mother warned sternly.
Her husband patted her shoulder to pacify her, while Ga Eun's curiosity and confusion increased.
"We are deeply concerned with you. And all the burdens you have to carry at such a young age...."
Ga Eun didn't know what to say so she just waited for what's coming next.
"Therefore—we—offer you to stay with us. We will take care of you really well. You don't have to think about anything. It's better rather than you have to stay here and keep on working—"
She was washed away with gratitude. She looked at Ki Jun and he was smiling weakly.
"Imo.....ahjussi.....thank you so much. I don't know how to show how grateful I am to you..."
"I—we feel it's the least we could do. We're very worried for you."
"Jeongmal gamsahamnida. But—but I still feel I want to stay here. This house has a lot of memories for me. So I will continue to stay here.
Ki Jun's mother's face was laden with more concern then.
"Are you sure, Ga Eun? If you live with us, you don't have to think about serving other people. You could live in a more relaxed manner and just concentrate on school."
She was so grateful her eyes welled up with tears. But at the same time, she was also very sure of her choice.
"Thank you so much, Imo. But I'm sure of my decision. I choose to stay here."
"Is there anything we can do to change your mind, Child?"
She smiled and shook her head.
"Very well, then. Just be sure to tell us if you need anything. We'll be glad to help you."
"Yes. Don't hesitate to call us or come to our house anytime you need us," his father added.
"Algesseumnida (alright)."
After assuring several times more that they would be there for her, and his mother hugged her, they all left the place. Ki Jun walked slower and purposefully stayed behind.
"I've told her you'd refuse."
Ga Eun nodded. "But it's so kind of them."
"I would be glad if you'd say yes, too," he said, hugging her by the shoulder, "you know, we could stay together up late, sing karaoke songs and make my groceries cooler because we'll be the coolest people selling vegetables in the neighborhood."
She chuckled.
"Nice thought."
"But no?"
"But no."
He sighed, "I knew it. Omma just needs to hear it from you."
"I don't think I can handle more.....changes in my life. Appa leaving is as much shock as I could handle right now."
"And also because your Doryeonnim lives here," he stated boldly.
She didn't respond and he knew he was right.
"Okay, then. I'll go home now. The grocery is left with that guy who can't count properly."
With a wave, he then left the room.
***********************************
Two Days Later...
Ga Eun was doing her obligatory task every Sunday evening, reading the Lee family's schedule for the next week, when Myung Hwan found her.
"Ga Eun," he called.
She didn't answer and kept staring out the window.
The pages of schedules were on her lap and her mind was clearly not there.
"Kim Ga Eun."
She was still lost in her thoughts, not even listening to him calling.
Finally, he walked closer and touched her arm.
She turned sharply.
"Mianhe, I didn't mean to startle you. I called you, but you didn't hear me."
"Doryeonnim. Do you need anything?"
He stared down at her.
She didn't realize it. How pale and sad she looked. How empty her eyes were, and how dark shadows under them showed how she couldn't sleep or rest properly these past two days.
"My parents want to talk to you."
"Algesseumnida. Where are they, Doryeonnim?"
"Abeoji's study".
She put the schedules in one of the drawers in that sitting room and walked out. He followed behind her. They walked in silence. Even if he tried a conversation, he was sure she wouldn't hear it anyway.
They arrived and she knocked on the door, "Sajangnim, do you need me?"
"Come in, Ga Eun," she heard.
She opened the door.
Lee Chung Ho was sitting on his desk, his wife was in front of him.
"Come here, Ga Eun, please sit down. We need to talk to you."
Her expression changed into slight confusion. But she didn't ask anything. She only followed the order and sat beside Kim Ae Mi.
Kim Ae Mi reached her hand and asked gently, "How are you feeling, Ga Eun?"
I feel terrible, Samonim, like there's a big hole inside me that will always eat my soul.
But it was not her answer.
It's the cliché, "I'm alright, Samonim."
It seemed they were going to talk about something serious, because Myung Hwan didn't leave the room. Instead, he pulled another chair and sat down too.
"Ga Eun, we need to talk about you," Lee Chung Ho began.
"About me, Sajangnim?"
"Yes. You. Your future, and what do you want."
She sat motionless, waiting for what would come next.
*****
Author's Note:
What do you think Lee Chung Ho will say?
Ki Jun and his parents will always have her back.
In our darkest times, we will know who really supports us, and who don't.