CHAPTER 2 : FAVOR

"I will take a break from business." Firm and confident.

*Cough *Cough *Cough "W-what?! What do you mean, Oppa? A workaholic who doesn't even have time to celebrate his birthday, decided to take a break? Hold on." Hyuna gulped the lukewarm water real quick.

Hyunsuk remains cool, undisturbed, and calmly eating his breakfast. He then sees a wrinkled hand creep onto his hand. He raises his head. His mom's eyes were glued to him. Her brows meet. He could see worries all over her face.

"Son, are you alright?" Hyunsuk almost choked on his food as he heard his mom's question. He put down the food and put his other hand on top of his mom's.

"Mom, I'm fine. I just decided to take a break. I am getting old. I don't wanna die while working," Hyunsuk shows a calm smile. Both of his parents exchange looks.

Mr. Choi clears his throat. Everyone's eyes were on him. "We support whatever your decision is, son. Do something that makes you happy. We are fine as long as you're happy and safe." Hyunsuk looks at his father. He then lowered his head. The scars from the cut last time are still visible. It leaves a permanent mark that keeps reminding him of his stupid phase.

Mrs. Choi rubs her fingers slowly on Hyunsuk's hand. "Your dad is right, Sukkie. It's such happy news for us." She said while wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes. Seeing his mom shed tears, Hyunsuk's heart gets tickled, he then stands up and moves to his mom's side, giving her a tight and warm hug to ensure he is fine.

"Mom, I am fine now. Your son is so fine. Thanks for everything, mom." Mrs. Choi turns her body and hugs her son back. "Mom loves you a lot."

"So, Oppa, what's your vacation plan?" Hyuna swings her legs as she goes through her tab. There are a lot of deadlines for the ongoing novel she has to submit. She then drops dead on his brother's bed.

"Here. I will go to these places." Hyunsuk handed over a piece of paper to Hyuna, leading to a loud squeal from her. As expected, Hyunsuk just shakes his head. Hyuna then raises enthusiastically.

"Oppa, is this Jae oppa's note?" Hyuna asks with an anxious tone.

"Yes, I found this in his journal."

"Oppa, are you alright?" Hyuna's eyes are still on the paper. Not realizing it, her eyes shed tears.

"Hyuna, oppa is fine. This is the last thing he wanted to do. Besides fulfilling Jae's hyung bucket list, I can enjoy myself. Don't you think so?" Hyuna hugged her brother. Happy that her brother finally has some nerves to enjoy his life. She then looks at her brother with eyes full of hope. Hyunsuk could feel the glowing from the gazes.

"Yes?" He has no choice but to give Hyuna some attention. Without any word, Hyuna just grinned. She blinked her eyes repeatedly. Hyunsuk let out a heavy breath. His sister almost hit 3 series, yet she still acts like a kid. "I-" before Hyunsuk could continue his words, Hyuna's phone rang.

"WHAT?!.... Can't we reschedule it?!... Shit... Okok... Yes... Yes..." The call ended.

"So?" Hyunsuk opens his mouth after seeing his sister lower her head. "Waaaaaa. Oppaaaaaa. I can't go with you....." Hyunsuk chuckled. Hyuna who just throws the tantrum turns her head to her brother.

"Oppa you laugh! You're happy, huh?"

"Hahaha, Hyuna. We will surely go next time okay?" Hyunsuk said barely stopping laughing while Hyuna already pouting. It's such a best decision to be home. Hyunsuk thought.

"Waaa Oppa, you have arrived in London?" Hyunsuk squirmed while covering his right ear upon hearing the other side of his phone. Hyuna's high-pitched voice is no joke.

After a week of preparation, from his business matter, flight, hotel, and some plans, he finally reach his first destination, London. He takes a deep breath. Everything doesn't change much after last his visit for business trips a few years ago.

Hyuna couldn't join his trip because of her scheduled fan sign event for her novel. Hyunsuk can't drag his trip because he already planned it according to his working schedule.

While Hyuna non-stop complained about their clashing schedule, Hyunsuk just willingly listened to his sister while walking down the pathway.

"Yes, yes Hyuna. We will set another trip together next year, okay?" Hyunsuk knows the complaint will never come to an end if he doesn't have a solution for it.

"SERIOUSLY, OPPA?!" Hyunsuk just nodded as his sister could see him.

"STOP HIM! STOP HIM!" Hyunsuk was startled when he heard it. "Hyuna, I hang up okay?" He ended the call. A man is running towards him while being chased by another man.

"STOP HIM!" Hyunsuk has no choice but to try to stop the man by standing in the middle of the pathway. Gladly, he can catch the man. A few seconds after, a man that does the chase stomped in their direction with a furious face.

"You damned pickpocket!" The man said as he got closer to them. He snatches a brown wallet from the pickpocket and looks through it. "Glad nothing lost," he mumbled to himself after letting out a relieved sigh. Without any second thought, he let the pickpocket slide away.

Hyunsuk almost can't believe what he just saw. Did this person just let that pickpocket go away without any charge? Hyunsuk thought. He thinks it best for him to go. Before he could step away, his wrist was grabbed by the man after putting his wallet in his bag.

"Thank you, sir." in English. Hyunsuk just nodded. He doesn't even try to help, he just happens to stand in the middle of the pathway while the pickpocket is being chased. It must be rude of him if he doesn't even do anything.

"Uhm, my name is Park Jihoon." Hyunsuk was just stunned at the sudden introduction. He doesn't even ask for his name or whatever it is. Plus, isn't it weird to tell your name to a stranger you just met?

Hyunsuk just looks at the fella named Jihoon from head to toe. He looks younger than him but very much taller than him. He has to raise his head to meet his eyes with him.

"Sir, tell me how should I return the favor." Hyunsuk stays silent. He just reached London and yet he already feels drained. Cant, he just said fuck off and leave him alone with a stranger? Won't that leave a negative impression on him?

He shakes his head. "It's alright. You don't need to do it. I just-" before Hyunsuk could finish his words, he got cut down.

"What, sir?! You can speak Korean?!" Jihoon finally speaks in Korean after hearing Hyunsuk. It was tough. He thought. "I.am.Korean," Hyunsuk said awkwardly. How can he not tell just at the first glance? Hyunsuk monologue.

Jihoon let out big laughter. "Woah, I am so lucky."

Lucky? You just get pickpocketed.

"I can't believe I get to meet a Korean guy on my trip this time. Am I a hero during my past life?" Jihoon talks to himself. Loudly makes Hyunsuk rub his ear.

"Uhm, excuse me." Hyunsuk tries to let go of Jihoon's hand which strongly gripping his. "Oh, sorry. I forgot. By the way sir, how should I thank you?" Jihoon's eyes sparkled as if Hyunsuk is some sort of God he worshipped. While there, Hyunsuk thought his life span had already decreased to 5 years.

"It's alright. You don't have to do anything." Hyunsuk said. He just wants to leave this place real quick.

"Nope! I can't just let it slide."

But you just let the pickpocket slide away.

Hyunsuk just shakes his head. "It's ok-"

"OKAY! Yes, I get it. Sir, are you a traveler by any chance?" Jihoon looks at Hyunsuk excitedly.

"Yes. I am."

"YES! Okay sir, I am a freelance photographer and I am currently here to take some good shots for my profile. Why don't you be my subject?" Again, Jihoon shares his personal information with a stranger who doesn't even seem fazed by his enthusiasm. Plus he doesn't even like the idea. Why should he be the subject of another person's photography matters?

Hyunsuk just stands in his place. Judging the loud kid in front of him.

"So, sir. Do you want to be my model?"