59 Chapter Thirty - The Ex is Back (Part 1)

Chapter Song Suggestion - "Baby, I'm Jealous (Stripped) by Bebe Rexha"

I spend the following week at home, alternating between shifts at the office and taking care of my father at the hospital. Mom's getting disheartened and sometimes I hear her crying in her bedroom. I wish there is something I can do for her. My heart feels heavy.

Minister Wang drops by the hospital one evening, surprising me when he walks in with a bag of takeaway food.

"Minister Wang," I still can't call him father. "What brings you here?"

"I'm due to pay an old friend a visit, and I wanted to check up on you." He walks up to my father's bedside, grimness befalling his expression. "I never thought the next time we meet, you'll be in this condition, Suk-Chin."

There's a mixture of pain, resentment but also affection in the Minister's voice. I blurt out. "Did you part on bad terms?"

"When I was younger, it seemed like it." He doesn't hide his apparent regret. "But now…our past makes me feel petty and our problems insignificant. It's amazing what growing up does for a person." Those eyes fixate on me. "Regret is unavoidable, and it's a powerful tool that helps people to learn from their mistakes."

Heavy words from him.

"Don't mind me." He dismisses the melancholy, motioning for me to sit and eat. "I won't stay for long. I know you're not comfortable around me yet."

Heat spreads across the bridge of my nose. Am I that obvious?

"I'm not offended." He assures me, lowering himself into a cushy sofa. "I'm just happy you're willing to spend time with me." Here sits another powerful man of the nation, humbling himself to hoard moments of my time. "I came because I wanted to discuss something important with you."

I follow suit, feeling ravenous when the aroma of chicken noodles tickles my nostrils. "I'm listening."

"I want to officially adopt you into the family."

Time stops moving. Every muscle in my body gradually freezes like water solidifying into ice. My gaze darts to his, reading the sincerity in eyes — a replica of the ones I see in my mirror. "Why? I don't understand why you'd risk everything for me. We both know how the media will shred you to pieces and those vicious netizens will descend upon you like a pack of dogs."

"I've made up my mind, and I spoke to my family about it."

Now, this is big news. My jaw drops. "And what did they say?"

"It went as well as I expected it to be." He answers wryly, looking like he has aged within hours. "Either way, they've accepted my decision, and now I just need you to think about what you want. Of course, you may discuss this with your mother. It's a big decision after all. Your life will change and doors that have been closed to you, will now open."

I have my suspicions about why he's doing this, but I don't feel confident about confronting him. For all I know, I might be overthinking. "I-I'll think about it." Hands in my lap, I ask demurely. "May I ask why? Honestly, I've never expected a public acknowledgement. I think you already know what kind of person I am."

"I have my reasons." He responds cryptically, making my skin prickle with annoyance. It's a newly established pet peeve of mine, no thanks to Dae. "I know you're not an easy woman to sway, certainly not by wealth or power. Won't you take this as an old man's final wish?"

"Please don't say that." It's uncomfortable to hear people talk about death without regard for the lives they are connected to. My own father's life hangs in the balance a few feet away.

"Pardon me, it's not my intention to be rude or unfeeling," He stomps his cane, distributing his weight on it to help him stand. "Anyway, sleep on it. When you've made up your mind, you have my number."

"You're not going to eat with me?" I ask, realizing he's leaving.

He shakes his head, walking to the door. "It's all yours. Have a good evening, Aera."

Minister Wang's proposal fills my head for the next couple of days. I'm hesitant to ask my mom about it, not sure how she'll respond. While she doesn't mind me getting to know my real father, she's not keen on having him interfere in our family affairs.

My phone buzzes and I read a text message from Dae.

D : My apartment's experiencing electrical disturbances again. I'm moving to my downtown penthouse. I've texted you the address. Meet me here on Friday.

Friday comes around sooner than later, and I ring the doorbell thrice. And still no answer. That's weird. I'm about to retrieve my phone when the door swings open. Standing on the other side, isn't even the last person I'd expect to greet me. Dressed in nothing but a white dress shirt, provocatively left unbuttoned to her navel, is the vicious socialite from the hotel.

"You!" The word leaves her red painted lips, eyes narrowing angrily at me. "What the hell do you want? Did you follow me all the way here? This time I'm going to call the police on you for trespassing."

I'm too stunned to form a reply.

"Aera, is that you?" Dae's voice drifts from within.

Initially, I thought I'm at the wrong building but clearly that's not the case. Over the woman's shoulder, Dae appears in his half naked glory. The vixen's lips curl into a smirk.

I see red, shoving her aside. "What the fuck is going on!"

"Calm down." Dae remarks nonchalantly, like he's not strutting around without a shirt, and there's another woman in the penthouse with us.

"Don't tell me to calm down." I bark impetuously, stabbing an accusing finger at the woman. "What the hell is she doing here?"

Sauntering pass me, the sly vixen drapes herself around Dae's shoulders, her bouncing breasts brushing his arm. She's enjoying this — riling me up. "Kang-Dae, do you know this rude woman? Tell her to leave so that we can continue where we left off."

He's not shrugging her off!

"If you don't give me one good explanation then I'm leaving, and you can take her to Jindo instead." I cross my arms, fuming silently. Like a mantra, I repeat in my head 'do not make a scene'. Nobody likes a hysterical banshee.

Dae's inscrutable face doesn't alleviate my foul mood. "Jin Ae, this is my girlfriend, Aera. Aera, this is an old friend of mine. She's just returned from London and needs a place to stay, so I'm lending her this place temporarily."

This isn't funny. I arch a brow, waiting for further clarification.

Jin Ae scoffs rudely, still sticking obscenely close to my man. I'm tempted to march over, yank her off by the hair and push her off the damn building. The bitch whines. "You can't be serious, Kang-Dae. She's not even your type."

Thank God! He finally shakes her off. "Yes, and that's why she's the perfect woman for me. Not you. Can you please put on your clothes?" His tone is flat and lifeless. "Nobody wants to see you strutting around half-naked. And it's offensive to my woman."

Alright, now we're talking. It's my turn to return her smugness tenfold. Strutting over to Dae, I stake my claim around his arm. "Please tell me we're not staying here for the night."

"I've booked us a hotel. I was getting dressed when Jin Ae barged in."

"Barged in?" I stiffen, turning my megawatt glare at the sullen culprit.

"Oh, didn't he tell you? This penthouse used to be mine." The vixen croons, flicking her hair. "Kang-Dae and I used to date before he got married."

Ugh. This used to be his cup of tea? No wonder he didn't know how to treat a woman right when this one's equally vulgar. I snort. "Lucky for you, there's no reason to make a fuss over his past lovers because that's what you are. History." I unsheathe my claws. "And I bet you were an easy lay judging by what you're wearing in my boyfriend's home. Absolutely shameless."

"Hellcat," Dae warns under his breath.

"Dae, please hurry up and change. I've had enough of your friend. I know exactly what kind of person she is." I grind out. Frustration eats me when amusement tempers his expression. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

Holding up both hands in a form of surrender, he goes to the room to change.

The vixen looks taken aback by Dae's obedience. Yes, that's right bitch. Take a good look at who Dae truly loves. Now, it's time to set the record straight. "I don't care who you are, but I don't take it kindly when other women poach on my territory. Dae isn't fair game anymore. Your past doesn't define your current relationship with him. I hope we're clear on that."

She recovers quickly, clucking her tongue in disagreement. "Oh, I don't think so. You see, I'm back in Korea because of Kang-Dae. It seems there are things you can't give him and that's why he needs me."

Her needling works but I push aside the unwanted thoughts. "If it's business related then I don't care. Dae's a grown man who makes his own decisions and if he can't handle the consequences, then I guess he's not the man I think he is. Can you say the same?" I challenge bluntly. "Being ex-lovers doesn't mean you understand him. So, don't think you can work your wiles on him. It's cheap and stale."

Her eyes spark with fury. "How dare you talk to me like that. You little bitch!"