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There had been complete silence between my brother and me for a week. What am I saying? Between all of us completely. Sunghoon hadn't even contacted Mom. It's like he moved to another city, even though his apartment was only 3 blocks away.
He had also ignored Heeseung for days and left his messages on read.
It hurt me personally, but I didn't see it as my job to reach out to him. He should take as much time as he needed. I could understand his anger, but his outburst at his party was more than childish. It should perhaps be mentioned that he had left the house after this action and left all the guests alone. But what can you say? Sunghoon in rage no longer has a functioning brain.
But for Heeseung, breaking off contact in this way was out of the question. Which is why he found himself outside his apartment some time later, waiting for the door to be opened for him.
[Heeseung P.O.V]
I had already rung his doorbell three times and waited for Sunghoon to step out. I knew he was at home. His location, which I could see on my cell phone, revealed that he wasn't on the road.
"Come on, Hoon.", I groaned annoyed. "You know I'm not going to leave without talking to you.".
This was already my third attempt, and I was relieved to hear footsteps towards the front door.
"Piss off! What do you want?". He opened the door just a crack and I couldn't see much.
I tried to oped it a litte wider. "Talk"
"Why should I talk to the guy who's messing with my sister?".
I exhaled and rubbed my temples. "I am NOT messing with her. Why the fuck would I be standing here, trying to talk to you?".
A long silence filled the area until I finally took the floor again. "I like her.", my voice sounded hoarse. "I really like her.".
The door opened a little wider and I was able to see his body. He sighed.
"Come in...".
We lowered ourselves on the couch opposite. Sunghoon's gaze was still as dark as it had been a week ago. He probably wouldn't say anything on the subject himself - understandably, somehow... . If I had been lied to for months, I would very likely be in a similarly bad mood.
"I know you are mad at me. And you have every right to do so.".
"How long has this been going on - between you two?" he continued directly, barely letting me finish.
"About half a year. A bit longer...". I replied shortly.
He laughed derisively, shaking his head. "And what is that supposed to represent now? You're fucking each other? Friends with benefits?".
"Listen", His blunt manner almost made my head spin. "I don't know what you want from me, or what you think I am like. Hyeo and I are dating. And that was even before she left for the US. And your absolutely outrageous behavior over the last few days was the reason we kept it a secret from you".
Sunghoon chewed on his lower lip. "Dating? So the reason you flew over to the states was to visit her?".
"Yeah, we had a...thing going on and I needed to clarify something with her in person.".
"That's insane.".
"We knew that you wouldn't approve of the whole thing and decided to keep the relationship secret for the time being. But it gradually became more and more difficult...".
"...When I caught you two with moms car... It makes sense now.", he interrupted me again, but he didn't seem to care.
"You may or may not support our relationship, but you need to accept it. Hyeona should no longer have to hide or argue with you. She is a human being and can make her own decisions about her life. And if she wants me to be part of her life, then so be it. Because I want her to be part of my life.".
After my words, it became quiet again. Sunghoon and I looked at each other for a few seconds before I got up from the couch and left his apartment.
***
[Sunghoon P.O.V]
Evening fell and I lay in my bed, lost in thought. Not in my own apartment, no, at home. In my room. I could hear Hyeona pacing around her room for several minutes now. But my thoughts revolved around the conversation with Heeseung.
Was he right? Was I really as bad as everyone said? So bad that not even my own family trusted me anymore?
I mean, I may have overreacted. But when you can't even trust your sister and your best friend? I was probably upset because they lied to me for several months instead of the actual fact that they were dating. But no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that it wasn't my fault, I still felt bad.
A ring at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Then a door slammed shut from Hyeona's room.
Even though it wasn't really any of my business, I went into the stairwell and peered down to the front door. My sister was putting on her winter jacket as she opened up.
Heeseung appeared, with his hands tucked in his jacket pockets. I took a few more steps back when I recognized him.
"Hey", she greeted Heeseung and hugged him tightly.
He pressed a soft kiss on her lips without hesitation.
My mouth felt dry. It was such an unfamiliar feeling. For the first time, it felt like I had lost control. I had failed in the task I had set myself as a 8-year-old boy.
I watched from a safe distance as Hyeona played with building blocks while our parents argued again. But something was different this time. More intense than usual. Mommy had told me some time ago that Daddy was sick because he was drinking too much, but I hadn't really realized the effects it caused on him.
A sudden scream made my blood run cold. He hit her. Several times. Until she fell to the floor and even then he didn't stop.
âMommy noo!!", Hyeona whined, got up from the floor and grabbed her stuffed teddy. She stumbled forward to stop him. I rushed towards her immediately and stopped her in her tracks. "Hyeona, don't. Daddy has been drinking again.". I tried to explain, but tears welled up in my eyes as well.
I wrapped my arms around her and her tiny tears started dripping onto my shirt. "But he is hurting mommy.". she cried. But I led her out of the living room, without any further word.
"He is a bad person. That's not our dad anymore.".
It wasn't the first time he hurt mom. And we children weren't spared his cruelty either. We weren't beaten, but being locked in the room for hours was the order of the day.
Since that day, I have sworn to protect Hyeona with all it costs. She should never have to experience anything like what Mom had to go through.
I gulped, when my eyes suddenly met Heeseungs piercing gaze from downstairs. My body was about to give in and hide in my room like a little child. That's how penetrating his aura was. I realized the ridiculousness of my behavior the last few months. How silly I had made myself look. Sure, I wanted to protect my sister, but I didn't have to protect her from Heeseung! He has been my best friend for a reason!
Hyeona noticed Heeseungs distracted mind, and turned around as well. Her subsequent eye roll was like a dagger to my heart. As if she was disgusted by me. As if she had lost all her trust in me.
She demonstratively grabbed his hand before turning away from me. "Let's go," were the last words before the two of them left the house.
As the silence spread through the house, I sat down on the top step of the stairs.
All I ever wanted, was to see Hyeona happy and live a fulfilling life. It seemed like she reached this point. And I was the one who pulled her down. My jealousy had trumped all positive intentions. That I kept catching her spending time with Heeseung while I was left out. But I had brought it all on myself.
Hyeona was not the reason I lost contact with Heeseung more and more recently. It was just me and my selfish attitude. And I regretted it.
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