As Cheonjoon continued packing his books, Chun-Hei, who had left the balcony some minutes earlier, came in and informed him that dinner had been served. Cheonjoon tried to protest that it was getting late and hence he had to return home immediately. Chun-Hei would have none of it; he insisted that he must stay for dinner. Cheonjoon sighed and agreed reluctantly. He knew Chun-Hei was not the one to say no to. Once he wanted something, he would do everything he could to ensure he got it.

Sang Chun-Hei was the grandson of Sang Myung-Ki. He was eighteen and an authoritative young lad with a commanding figure. His grandfather, Sang Myung-Ki was the Chief Executive Officer of Sang Corporations, one of the biggest production companies in South Korea. He was by a mile one of the wealthiest men in the country as well. He wielded a lot of power and influence but he was widely regarded as a humble man. A trait his only grandson, Chun-Hei didn't seem to inherit. He wasn't the best of pupils in school and recently, he had started to count on Cheonjoon to help him get through the difficult subjects in school. Chun-Hei had lost his father when he was barely a year old. His father was the only child of his grandfather. With his father late, his grandfather had taken him in against his mother's wishes and forced him to live with him until two years ago when he insisted he was going to live with his mother.

Cheonjoon was more than ready to help, he saw Chun-Hei as a very good friend. He was eighteen years old, just like him and they had known each other since they were sixteen. Cheonjoon was the son of Choi Taewoon, the owner of the biggest production company in South Korea, Taewoon Corporation. His father was unarguably one of the most wealthy and most powerful men in the country and due to the position of his company in the South Korean production industry; he wielded a lot of influence and was respected by many. Taewoon Corporation was a direct and main rival of Sang Myung-Ki's Sang Corporation. Although, over the past half a dozen years, Taewoon Corporation had been the production company to beat and Sang Corporation, much to Sang Myung-Ki's chagrin, has had to settle for second fiddle.

Despite the obvious difference between his parents and Chun-Hei's grandfather, Cheonjoon had never allowed the rivalry to get between his friendship with Chun-Hei. He was a popular figure at school due to his compassionate and friendly nature. All his peers and teachers at school liked him. He never looked down at anyone and saw everyone has his equal despite being the son of a rich and powerful man. Aside from being a brilliant pupil, he was also excellent at taekwondo and was a black belt holder despite his tender age.

Cheonjoon never met his mother. According to his father, his mother Seo Jin-Kyung had died in a fatal car accident when Cheonjoon was just a year old. His father had remarried to Julia a few years later. Julia was German American. She was previously married and got married to Taewoon after her marriage to her first husband ended in divorce. She had a daughter the same age as Cheonjoon. Her name was Grace Mills. Grace was in a similar situation to Cheonjoon but in her own case, she had met her father. She was popular in Inhun High School as she was the only westerner in the school. She lived with Cheonjoon and the rest of the family.

Julia's marriage to Choi had produced two children. The first was eleven year old Cheon-Ha who got a lot of attention from other kids in school due to his half Korean and Half German American look. The other child was nine year old Soojin who, like her older brother, Cheon-Ha garnered a lot of attention from other kids in school for her distinct looks. All of them lived together happily and saved for their distinct physical looks; no one could tell that they were not born of the same mother and father.

Cheonjoon thoroughly enjoyed the dish of bulgogi and ssamjang and he was glad that he agreed to wait for dinner. The meal was a juicy, savory dish of marinated beef, grilled with garlic and onions and wrapped in lettuce. After the meal, he thanked Chun-Hei for his hospitality.

"Thank my mother," Chun-Hei replied with a warm smile. "She was the one who prepared the sumptuous dish."

"I can't but agree that it's an amazing dish. Your mother's culinary skills are excellent."

"No doubt about that Cheonjoon. You can say it again. Just imagine what you would have missed out on had you insisted on leaving without having dinner."

Cheonjoon smiled. "Yeah, and I wouldn't forgive myself for that."

"I bet you would not," Chun-Hei replied, managing a smile as well.

"I think it'll be best that I take..." a phone beeped, interrupting his words. 'Hmmm, that's my phone.' He reached into his pockets and brought out his cell phone and checked the notification. It was a text from his step sister, Grace. He wondered why she was texting him as she rarely texted him. Perhaps, she was expecting him earlier and was worried that he wasn't back yet. He tapped the read button on his phone with a degree of anticipation and what he saw shocked him to his marrow. Perhaps his eyes were playing some sort of tricks on him, so he took his time to digest the content of the text properly.

"Come home immediately Cheonjoon. Our parents are dead."

Dead? How could they be dead? He left them hale and hearty just a few hours ago and now they are dead? Things are not adding up.

Chun-Hei noticed that his countenance had changed. "Is everything alright Cheonjoon?" There was no reply as Cheonjoon was lost in thoughts. Chun-Hei moved closer to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Cheonjoon was startled as he jerked back from his realm of thoughts. The effects of the text message he had just read fully dawning on him. "I'm sorry"' Chun-Hei apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you. Is everything alright?"

"The message is from Grace. It says my parents are dead."

Chun-Hei's jaws fell open in shock and his eyes went wide. For a moment, no word came forth from his mouth. "Dead? I don't understand." These were the only four words that managed to escape from his lips.

"I don't understand too Chun-Hei. I don't understand anything!"

"Calm down my friend, you have to be calm. This is not the time to be tense."

"I'm trying to be calm. Thank you. I have to leave now. I need to know what really happened."

"Hold on Cheonjoon, I'm coming with you. I'll get dressed in a jiffy."

Cheonjoon held him back as he turned to go get dressed. "I really appreciate your concerns but no. It's really not necessary for you to go with me as it is already late and I don't want to involve you in my troubles."

"No Cheonjoon, I insist I'll go with you no matter..."

"I'll have it my way this time Chun-Hei. Please. Stay with your mother, I'll update you as soon as I get home and find out what really happened."

Chun-Hei sighed and resigned not to follow him reluctantly. "Alright, alright.Take care and give me a call as soon as you can."

"Sure, I will. Thanks," he replied as he dashed out of the house.