Later at night Shin calls Soul, once, twice, and thrice. Soul doesn’t pick up so Shin just texts, “Soul I’m so sorry for all that. Please talk to me.”

Soon a reply comes from other side, “Maybe sort out the things at your home first.”

“I definitely will but please talk to me like we used to do.” Yet Shin gets ignored.

Even at the office, even when they’re sitting at the same cabin, Soul is acting nothing but like a secretary. He neither talks to Shin nor with his colleagues. Shin surely knows that he has ruined Soul. But he doesn’t have a face to talk to him as he has failed in front of his family as well. He still can’t answer his father. His mother still thinks that her son is just playing with a guy. Shin has nowhere to hide.  

Shin decides to forget the storm, maybe for a night at least. So he escapes to the pub where his friends are already waiting for him. The boys accepted Shin without any question and even prescribed the strongest drink for the remedy. As everyone is busy drinking, Julie comes near Shin.

“Shin, vent it out.” Julie says as she pets his shoulder.

Shin spills no words but sobs. Streams of pain finally comes out of his eyes. He has no energy to hold them any longer. “I messed up again.” That’s all he can say.

It takes no time for Julie to understand what her friend is going through.

“Vent it out Shin!” She side hugs Shin, knowing even though he will deny but he definitely needs a shoulder to cry on, “Fix everything when there is time, I know you can.”

Shin wakes up with a terrible headache the next morning due to the heavy alcohol and all the shedding of sadness. He doesn’t remember when he came home last night, how he slept but he does know what he needs to do now. He needs to fix his mistake.

Later at the breakfast table, Shin joins his parents. “Can we talk?” He asks as he sits at the opposite side of his parents. Then he continues with the hum of agreement of Mrs. Park.

“Both of you, tell me what do you expect me to do?” He asks with confident, hopeful eyes.

The room hangs in a pin of silence which is later cut off by Mrs. Park, “You’re now the one to handle the company, and you’re at an age to run a family. There is no way of joking around. So you better end whatever relationship you had with your secretary if you’re not serious.”

“And what if I say that I’m serious?” Shin pleads with his glittery eyes that clearly shows how sincere he is.

“There is no room for saying. Prove it, not only to us but to Soul as well.” Mr. Park replies.

“Okay dad, mom! I’ll do that. Whatever it takes, I’ll do.”

Thus he finishes the family discussion and leaves the house, but doesn’t go to the office. Instead he just finds a quite alley to park his car and repents for his actions, maybe for the last time because he now has responsibilities to deal with. So he grabs his mobile and texts Soul,

“Soul, I know you probably don’t even want to see my face but we can’t keep going like this forever. Please at least meet me once, let’s talk it out.” Shin sends the text with a location and patiently waits for Soul’s reply. And within a minute a reply came, blunt yet hopeful, “Fine.”

Fine, but what is fine? It’s not like Soul didn’t expect something like this. A CEO with a huge image among the countries will go low and abide by the family rules. It was obvious Soul! Then why did you tangle your heart? The cloud in Soul’s mind starts to burst out. Glad there is no one in the CEO’s cabin except for the secretary himself so he can let some tear drops roll down and fall on the mobile screen. He still has immense faith on his man but he can’t expect any other to love him when his own parents cut ties with him years ago. Not to mention that Soul has already prepared himself to resign from the place where he reached on his own hardship and dedication. Love is so cruel, indeed.

Preparing for the worst scenario, Soul reaches the location right after his office shift. His attire speaks a lot about his mental state yet he is not letting it show on his face, even with no make up on, he manages to not look pathetic. Seems like he doesn’t know that eyes have their own way of expression.

As Soul reaches near their assigned table he does see Shin waiting for him but with two more figures. Mr. and Mrs. Park! So his assumptions were right. It might go the way he didn’t want to go. His feet stops by its own, though his mind pushes himself further.

Shin was such a menace to text his parents as well to come by, without announcing it to Soul.

As soon as Soul reaches the table, he greets with gratitude, “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Park.”

Mr. Park accepts his greeting with a faint smile and asks him to take a seat. Soul looks at Shin with the corner of his eyes and sits anyways.

“Thanks Soul, for coming.” Shin speaks with a mild voice, where Soul just hums while looking downwards. Then Shin continuous,

“Mom, I know you’re not happy with this relationship but not against it as well. Yes, Soul and I fooled around, in the pub, in the library, in the office, in the condo; but I was the happiest when we were together, fooling around. And! There is no way that I’ll be without Soul,” as Shin continuous, Soul picks up his head to confirm if his ears are hearing the right words, “Mom, dad, I’ve lived my life how you wanted me to live. So let me be someone I want to be for once in my life. I want to have a life with Soul.”

Tears start rolling on Soul’s cheeks without him noticing. He witnessed what he wanted to perceive. He just wanted someone to hold him, love him, and accept him for what he is so it goes the other way too.

Soul was probably daydreaming so he just wishes to not come out of it even though he comes to his sense when Shin slides his hands on Souls, so delicate like how you’re supposed to hold a glass. His touch was so warm for Soul to melt in it, the familiar warmth of Shin that only Soul gets to feel. The safe place where Soul should belong for the eternal.

“Kim Soul! Will you marry me?”

A soft breath comes out of Soul’s mouth like it was the last air in his chest. He opens his mouth to deliver his words but fails. He can only let the tears of joy stream from his eyes as he continues to sob.

The parents shares a heartfelt smile, knowing that their son is now a responsible person. Soon their attention shifts towards Soul who is still tensed. Mr. Park rests his hand on Soul’s shoulder to grab his attention and speaks up when Soul turns his head to his direction, “I think we can count on Shin.”

So on Mrs. Park adds on, “As long as he can take care of his family, I think it’s okay. Right, Mr. Kim?”

Soul feels overwhelmed and chuckles. His man indeed didn’t disappoint him. “He’s the best!” He thinks to himself.

“So are we getting married Mr. Kim? We can even go to Jeju for our honeymoon.” Shin says with a proud smirk on his face.

Now Shin is making Soul embarrass so he dramatically screams, “Shin! Can you stop?!”