Pay With Your Heart

"You're going on a trip, and I only get to hear about it now?" Hei-Ran asked in a displeased tone as she watched Eun-sun pack her bag.

"I'm sorry." Eun-sun apologized, making Hei-Ran's frown deepen.

"Lately, you've always been sorry. When I ask you what's wrong, you always try to brush me off. Now you didn't even get to tell me you're travelling?" Hei-Ran was vexed, and Eun-sun could tell.

She dropped the clothing in her hands and turned to Hei-Ran. The tight look on her face showed how displeased she was with her. Eun-sun sighed as she walked closer to her and slowly grabbed her hands. She sighed inwardly.

She knew why Hei-Ran was this vexed. It was because she hasn't been transparent with her like they used to. She hasn't really been avoiding her. She has just been overwhelmed with all the things going on in her life right now. She didn't want to involve her in all the mess. She hasn't even told her she almost got killed.

It wasn't because she wanted to keep these things a secret from her, but she just couldn't tell her, at least not yet.

"Hei-Ran, I'm sorry." She apologized again. "Honestly, a lot has been going on, but I'm not avoiding you or anyone..." She paused for a moment and continued again. "I'm just overwhelmed by it all, but I promise I'd tell you all about it as soon as I'm back." She said.

Few seconds of silence elapsed as both friends stared at each other, especially Hei-Ran, whose angry face was slowly loosening up.

"You promise?" Her tone was low and soft.

"I promise," Eun-sun assured her.

"Okay." Hei-Ran slowly nodded before pulling Eun-sun into a hug.

Eun-sun might not have mentioned anything about what was going on in her life, but they have been friends since playschool. She has looked out for her for the last ten years, so there was no way she would miss the sadness secretly glooming in her eyes whenever she looked at her.

"I hope you return from your trip better and cheerful than you are now," Hei-Ran said, gently patting her back while Eun-sun slowly nodded. She hoped so too, but somewhere in her heart, she really doubted that would be possible. There were so much going on, and she didn't think they would miraculously fix themselves in such a short period of time.

.....

Lee Family Mansion

"Honey, I want to come with you too." Father Lee said as he obediently followed his wife about the room, helping her carry whatever she was trying to pack in her bag. Mrs Lee hid the smile that curved her lips. She was beginning to enjoy this self-inflicted punishment her husband was observing.

"You can't come with us." She blatantly rejected him.

"Why?" He asked alarmingly, making Mrs Lee glance at him. "Why can't I go when you're taking that girl." He complained.

"Her name is Eun-sun. Park Eun-sun." She corrected him in a stern tone, prompting him to roll his eyes.

Letting out a loud sigh, she glared at him, "This is the reason you can't come with us. You'll only cause trouble for them. So stay and help Dan-Han look after the company." She said as she continued folding her clothes.

Honestly, she'd love to have all of them with her on this trip, as it would be her last. It would be like old times when she had her family's support at the initial years of the foundation.

"I...I won't cause trouble for them."

"Hmm?" Mrs Lee turned to him like she hadn't heard what he had just said.

"I said I wouldn't cause trouble for them." He hastily said as he tried to avoid his wife's gaze. He couldn't believe he was actually trying to compromise.

Mrs Lee narrowed her eyes as she stared at her husband in surprise. "Are you trying to say-"

"Don't think overboard. I'm only trying to say that I'll try not to create any trouble for her. But don't expect too much from me." He said with a sulky face. He really didn't like this at all, but to get on his wife's good graces, he'd do anything, including trying to accommodate that girl.

Mrs Lee's face split into a happy smile as she hugged her husband. "You don't know how this makes me happy. Thank you, thank you so much." She said excitedly, while Father Lee smiled too as he hugged her back

"You don't have to thank me. I just want you to be happy, and I really hate seeing you mad at me." He said, pulling away from the hug. He brushed his hand down her hair as he paid her a really intent look, "You really look pale and lean." He said. His tone sounding quite sad and filled with guilt. He had truly failed in his duty as a husband. He had been so negligent that he hadn't noticed the changes in his wife.

"I'm sorry for not being attentive towards you. I'll do better and not let our son take my shine." He said, making Mrs Lee laugh.

"He's not taking your spot. He's only a good son. And you don't have to be sorry. At least now you can take better care of me and stop giving me headaches." She raised a brow at him teasingly.

Vigorously nodding his head, he pulled her into another hug, "Yes, yes, I'll stop giving you headaches and agree with whatsoever you say." He happily declared. Having his lifetime partner happy and bubbly with him made all the difference in the world. He has learned on his journey in life that to stay sane and happy, he has to make his source of joy equally happy.

A happy wife equals a happy home.

Mrs Lee leaned on her husband's chest and cuddled there. This was what she has always been longing for. To make her last days the best day of her life, with family and friends around living in harmony.

And nothing was better than knowing that her husband was going to be more welcoming to Eun-sun.. Atleast this was going to be beginning of happy more days in their lives.