When Ho Seok permitted his guests to enter, his office door opened from the outside, and a familiar figure hesitated in the doorway.
Seeing the woman, Ho Seok stood up and froze.
His hand dropped from his ear, the phone clutched tightly in his grip.
He stared at her without blinking, unable to believe his own eyes.
“Y-You…” he stammered, his voice cracked.
His body trembled as a lump formed in his throat, choking off his words.
Mrs. Nam, his mother, stepped inside, her eyes glistening with tears.
Slowly, she approached him, her each step tentative, as though she feared he might vanish.
For a moment, neither spoke, the silence stretching between them like an unbridgeable chasm.
Ho Seok inhaled sharply, forcing himself to regain composure.
He looked away, his expression hardened.
“Ms. Park!” he called out sharply.
His secretary hurried in, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
Mrs. Nam stopped in her tracks, her hopeful expression faltering.
“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO LET PEOPLE IN WITHOUT INFORMING ME FIRST?” Ho Seok roared, his voice echoing through the office.
Both women flinched at his outburst.
Mrs. Nam clasped her hands tightly, while Ms. Park stammered, “I-I’m sorry, sir! I tried to stop her, but she said she was your…mother…and…” Her voice trailed off, barely audible.
“I don’t want to hear excuses. You’ve failed in your duties, Ms. Park. To ensure this doesn’t happen again, half of your gross salary will be deducted this month. Do you agree?” His tone was cold and his glare icy.
The young secretary’s face turned pale.
“Sir, please, no! It won’t happen again. I promise!” she pleaded, bowing low in desperation.
“Escort her to the guest room,” he ordered curtly.
“I’ll deal with you later.”
“Yes, sir.” Ms. Park bowed deeply again and gestured for Mrs. Nam to follow her.
“Ma’am, please come this way,” she said softly.
Mrs. Nam hesitated, her eyes pleading with her son.
Ho Seok avoided her gaze, clenching his jaw to suppress the emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
As she turned to leave, he stole one last glance at her, his heart aching in a way he hadn’t felt in years.
When they left, his legs gave out, and he collapsed into his chair.
His head tilted back, staring at the ceiling as he tried to steady his breathing.
A storm of emotions churned within him—anger, sorrow, regret—but he couldn’t make sense of any of it.
Picking up his phone, he dialed Ma Ri again.
“Hello!” Ma Ri replied from the other side and he kept quiet.
“Hello! Hey! Why aren’t you saying anything?” She shouted.
He hesitated, his voice trembling as he finally managed, “M-Mary…”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Her tone shifted immediately, realizing something definitely was wrong.
“M-mom…she came.” He whispered, barely able to get the words out.
“What? Really?” Ma Ri’s voice rose in shock.
“Uhm,” he replied weakly.
“Man! Maybe this is your chance! Go and talk with her.” She exclaimed.
“But…what should I say? I can’t even bring myself to call her ‘mom’ after all these years. Can… can you please come and accompany me?” His vulnerability seeped through, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor.
“She must’ve come to apologize! I saw many cases like this. So…just go and you’ll know what to do!” Ma Ri said with a very soft voice as if she was talking with a kid.
“Right? I think so too! I should go now, right?” Ho Seok grinned.
At last, he could calm himself down.
“Fighting! Don’t make her wait. And yes! Call me later with the updates.” Ma Ri giggled excitingly before hanging up.
While stepping inside the guest room, Ho Seok’s heart started beating fast.
Different kinds of thoughts ran inside his head and he tried to act calm.
Although he felt happy, he hid it so perfectly that anyone would believe he was annoyed.
What should he call her?
Mom?
Mother?
Ma?
Wait!
What did he used to call her?
How could he forget?
This is bad!
Should he call Ma Ri again and ask?
No!
He’s almost there!
His mind was racing with thousands of worries while he entered and approached his mother.
Mrs. Nam sat on the couch, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
She looked up as he entered, her expression softening into something almost maternal.
“Hello,” he greeted stiffly, bowing slightly.
Despite the urge to call her mom, he felt something pressed his throat and didn’t let him summon her.
“Ho Seok-ah…” she murmured as she stood up.
Her hand lifted, hesitating mid-air as though reaching for his face but unsure if she had the right.
Her eyes were filled with tears again.
How many years was it?
She couldn’t remember.
But, look at him, he’s still the same as he used to be.
The intensity of her gaze made him squirm.
He glanced at the open door and noticed curious eyes peeking in.
“Shall we talk somewhere more private?” he suggested, throwing a business smile after times of attempt.
They relocated to a nearby café.
Mrs. Nam sat quietly, her fingers fidgeting nervously while he ordered their drinks.
When he returned, the tension between them was palpable.
“How have you been?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“I’m fine,” she replied softly.
“And you?”
“Just like you saw.” His tone was clipped, a faint edge of sarcasm creeping in.
“I’m sorry, Ho Seok. It must’ve been so hard for you.” Tears welled in her eyes as she put her hand on his. This story is hosted at g.com.
Ho Seok looked away to act cool.
“It’s been so long. You were only seventeen back then. I should’ve stopped you. I should’ve done something for you.” Her voice cracked, and she covered her mouth, unable to continue.
He looked away, his jaw tightened.
He felt awkward since nobody taught him how to console someone.
He knew he’d also start shedding tears if this keeps going on.
“Don’t be! Yes, it was hard for me. But, I’m doing really well now. You just saw me, didn’t you? How people respect me, fear me, work under me, you saw it! So…it’s fine for me.” His attempt at a smile faltered.
“I’m sorry. I miss you so much. I’m really sorry.” She sniffled and acted calm.
“You dad too.” She added.
“He was diagnosed with heart disease. He couldn’t stop thinking about you.” She kept saying although she never planned to say them.
Her words struck him like a physical blow.
“What? Is it serious?”
“He’s on medication. He’s stable for now, but…” She trailed off, her gaze dropped.
“And your sister—”
“Sister?” His eyes widened.
“I-I… have a sister?” Suddenly he felt as if the world around him started spinning.
A huge pressure he felt on his chest as it tightened.
Mrs. Nam nodded, her lips trembling.
“Yeah! I just got the news when it all happened and couldn’t even inform you.” She looked at another way to avoid his eyes.
“How…does she look like? She…must’ve grown up by now, right?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“She looks just like you. A female version of you, you can say.” She said with a faint smile.
“Really? I’m glad!” He chuckled softly, trying his best to suppress the water which kept gathering in his eyes.
After a moment of silence, Mrs. Nam reached out, her voice trembling with hope.
“Can…Can you come home?”
“Huh?” Ho Seok’s eyes widened.
Was he dreaming?
Did she really come to take him back home?
What should he do?
Should he go back with her?
He really wanted to meet his sister after hearing about her.
Was she pretty?
If his mother said she got his face, then she must be pretty.
Ho Seok smiled subconsciously while thinking about it.
“Please come back. I’m not saying you should come back permanently. Just come and visit your dad…and sister as well. Please?” she pleaded.
“Uh…” as Ho Seok was thinking so many things at a time, he couldn’t reply instantly.
But, the weight of his mother’s plea was pressing down on him.
“And…” she added, her voice faltering.
“I’ve found a remedy for your…disease.”
“What are you talking about?” His brow furrowed.
Suddenly all of his happiness washed away with astonishment and fear.
“For the problem you have, I’ve found a solution and you’ll be cured in no time. So, come back home.” She took a long breath as this was the main reason she came to meet Ho Seok.
“What?” For a moment, he stared at her in disbelief.
She looked at him earnestly, as though expecting him to jump at the offer.
Startling her, he burst into guffaw, just like some maniac.