Chapter Text
"Good evening, Wonwoo"
The guy outfitted in a black suit greeted the young man, Wonwoo, who just entered the big house. The younger looked rather weary — it was seven p.m after all. Not really a great time for a visit but it was the best he could do.
"Evening, Jisoo hyung. Where's grandmother?" asked Wonwoo — it had been a while since he stepped foot inside this manor again, a place he once considered as home more than his real home.
"She's inside her room, I'll accompany you there—she has been waiting for your visit, you know" informed Jisoo. He was truly pleased to see the younger there because he knew better than anyone how much Mrs. Jeon missed her grandson.
Wonwoo only gave a nod at his grandmother's assistant as he followed the older guy to his grandmother's bedroom.
"I was actually told to go and ask you to visit your grandmother by her two days from now. However, it was a good coincidence to see you today" said Jisoo
Curious, it sounded important to him. It got him wondering what could she possibly want to tell him.
Arriving in front of the black wooden door, Jisoo pushed it open with both of his hands before stepping aside to let Wonwoo walk inside. Then Jisoo closed the door behind the younger slowly — leaving Wonwoo alone with his grandmother.
"Grandma" called Wonwoo as he made his way to her bed, his voice came out soft, much in contrast with his firm appearance, "I'm here, grandmother"
Kneeling next to the bed, Wonwoo reached for his grandmother's hand and held it with his both hands dearly, "I'm sorry it took me such a long time to finally visit you again" said Wonwoo
She was ill, he was told about this but the big part of him refused to believe it until now — until his eyes became his own witness. Her open eyes told him that she was awake yet she looked so weak, vulnerable. Moreover, Wonwoo had never realized how long five years was until he saw the changes in his grandmother.
The sight of her laying on her bed crushed his heart, she was dying — there was no denying in that. The person who had cared so much about him was dying and there would be nothing he could do to stop that. He couldn't even make time to visit with her, or perhaps he was actually doing it on purpose. Because he was scared that he would have to acknowledge the fact that his grandmother would die soon.
"Wonwoo ya~ you're here..." she sounded like she was doubting herself. "I miss you, my baby... You're really here, right?" said Mrs. Jeon, tears began beaming her eyes.
Regret was beginning to swallow him whole.
"It's me, Grandma... I miss you too" said Wonwoo, placing the back of her hand on his cheek, "How are you, Grandma? You have to live long for me" asked Wonwoo
"Don't worry about me Wonwoo yaa, I'm just old" joked Mrs. Jeon, "Nothing new, I know" joked Wonwoo back with a little chuckle. At least he could see a smile on her face.
"I'm not that weak, I can still do anything I want" said Mrs. Jeon
"That's good to hear" said Wonwoo
Mrs. Jeon tried to sit up so Wonwoo quickly helped her so she could sit comfortably with a pillow behind her back.
"Sit here, don't kneel—you'll hurt your legs like that" said Mrs. Jeon, tapping the space on the bed next to her.
Wonwoo simply complied with what she told him to do before going back to hold her hand again.
"I wanna hear about you instead," said Mrs. Jeon, not wasting a second to catch up with his grandson that she hadn't seen in less than five years, "Tell me everything and humor this old lady, please"
"The company is going well..."
"Not about the company, I can ask Jisoo about that... Tell me about your life, do you have someone special in your life already?" asked Mrs. Jeon
"Halmeoni~, I've told you I don't bother with something like that... not at the moment at least" said Wonwoo, it had always been a topic his grandmother brought up every time he talked to her through calls.
"What do you mean with something like that?" asked Mrs. Jeon, "I just want you to be happy, Wonwoo ya"
"I am satisfied with the me now" said Wonwoo, "Isn't that enough?"
"Don't you feel lonely, Wonwoo ya? What's wrong with having a life partner?" asked Mrs. Jeon — her intention was good, all she wanted was someone to take care of his grandson from the heart, not just out of obligation or job.
"Grandmother..." Wonwoo sighed tiredly, it had been a long day for him and he really didn't have the mood to talk about this. "Anyway, have you taken your medicine, grandma?" asked Wonwoo, trying to shift the conversation to literally any other topic.
"I told you not to worry about me, I have a fussy assistant when it comes to eating my medicine on time" said Mrs. Jeon which brought a small smile on the younger's face, "I'm worried about you, Wonwoo ya..." said Mrs. Jeon
"Are you even eating well? You look very thin... Don't you think it'd be nice to have someone to eat together with? To remind you so you don't miss your meals...Back then, my appetite always boosted up whenever I was eating with your grandfather" said Mrs. Jeon
"I have friends that I can ask to eat with me or even a secretary that I can ask to do what you just said" said Wonwoo
"But it's just different" said Mrs. Jeon, "Besides, don't you wanna give your grandmother a great-grandchild while I'm still alive?"
"You'll have one from Seungcheol hyung soon enough, he's the one who is engaged and not me" said Wonwoo
"I want one from you, Wonwoo ya" said Mrs. Jeon
"Please don't force me, grandma—I'm still not interested in building a family" said Wonwoo
"It's because you haven't found the right one yet, Wonwoo ya" said Mrs. Jeon
"What's that supposed to mean, Grandma?" asked Wonwoo, raising his eyebrows.
In a way, he could see where this conversation was heading.
"My dear grandson, Wonwoo ya. I have one request for you... Consider this as the last one from me" said Mrs. Jeon
That sounded so wrong in his ears, he couldn't lose her, "Tell me, I'll do anything for you Grandma as long as you promise me that it won't be your last request to me"
"Then I want you to marry someone I choose specifically for you" said Mrs. Jeon
Before Wonwoo had the time to digest what he just heard, his grandmother continued, "I promise you will like this person, it's hard not to like him"
"You know, he's really a wonderful person—he's sweet and caring, he is also good-looking, diligent... Oh, he loves kids as well and he can cook" prattled Mrs. Jeon
"He is the perfect fit for you, Jeon Wonwoo" said Mrs. Jeon
"Will you do it for the sake of your dying grandmother?" asked Mrs. Jeon
So this must have been what she wanted to tell him two days from now. "Grandmother, don't you ever get tired with this? You know I will always say no to that" said Wonwoo — he indeed preferred men instead of women but that still didn't mean he'd want to marry just any guy.
However, this was the first time he saw his grandmother being this serious about setting him up with someone. More than that, his grandmother was being straight to the point with marriage not simply dating or getting to know each other first.
And from the way she talked about this person, his grandmother seemed to know him very well.
"I'm sure you won't regret it this time" said Mrs. Jeon
"Do I even know this person?" asked Wonwoo
"No but all the getting to know about each other could be done after the wedding" said Mrs. Jeon
"Why are you such in a hurry, grandma?" asked Wonwoo
"You know, you both are alike more than you'll realize" said Mrs. Jeon — 'You both are two wonderful children who unfortunately were born in this cruel world'
"My time is almost up, my dear Wonwoo" said Mrs. Jeon, "I want to see you both get married before my time is up"
Wonwoo was silent, he knew he would lose his grandmother anytime now but he really wished that wouldn't happen.
Wonwoo sighed, "Can I at least think about this whole matter first, grandmother?" asked Wonwoo. Had his grandmother asked for a house, land, or anything else, he wouldn't even hesitate to comply with her request. But not this, not that easy. And not when every cell of his brain told him to say no.
"Of course you could but don't take too much time, I really wanna be present at your wedding" said Mrs. Jeon
"I understand, grandmother" said Wonwoo
"I have no doubt that both of you will take good care of each other" said Mrs. Jeon, "I know that I'm asking you a lot but I believe that he will give you happiness and you will give him that too, he deserves it after everything he has been through"
"What's his name?" asked Wonwoo, he should at least know the name of that person, shouldn't he?
"Ju Haknyeon" said Mrs. Jeon
Not even once, he considered whether this Haknyeon even agreed with the idea of being married to him or not. He just assumed that when his grandmother told him her wish, the latter was already down with the idea.
Either way, that was how Wonwoo ended up being deep in his thoughts inside his own office the next day. He hadn't finished his entire work yet — clearly, he couldn't put his whole focus on the place since it kept coming back to his grandmother's words.
Dying wish was a lot, he knew he'd feel even remorse afterward if he didn't do this. However, it was still his life and he was free to make his own choice. If he decided to reject the idea, he knew his grandmother would be okay with his decision — just a little disappointed.
But after all these years ignoring her, could he still afford to disappoint her?
Ever since he went to college abroad four years ago then took over the CEO position two years ago, he had never gone to visit his grandmother again. Well, he still did in the first year of his college but later he got too caught up with his studies.
Wonwoo felt more guilty, more than him not seeing his own parents for over than those six years.
His grandmother gave him everything from back then when he was just a little boy. Love, when his parents were too busy to provide him that. Presents, when his parents didn't even bother to care. Money, when he already had too much. But most importantly — Time, when no one else was available.
Right, had it been his parent who told him to marry this stranger guy, he would definitely reject it. However, this was his grandmother — she wouldn't just pick someone whose bad for him.
Still, he didn't even know who this wonderful guy that his grandmother was talking about. Where did his grandmother know this guy? He never heard his name—he didn't even know he existed. The only thing he learned was his name and that he was supposed to be this really wonderful human being.
A reality that Wonwoo found hard to believe. Clearly, it was hard when he had seen the vicious world and the people in it — himself included.
Wonwoo sighed for the nth time, he could plainly see himself giving in.
Doubtlessly, there were more disadvantages than advantages to this marriage thing. And like any other businessman, he should've declined the proposal.
However, the thought of making his grandmother happy — just that simple thought — was able to overpower any disadvantages that crossed his mind.
Furthermore, if this Haknyeon was really that wonderful like how his grandmother described him then the marriage perhaps wouldn't be so bad after all. Plus, maybe seeing a ring tugging on his finger would finally keep all the flirty businessmen or businesswomen away.
Other than that, divorce was an easy thing. Had it came down to that, he could always ask his personal assistant to handle all the divorce matters.
That was Wonwoo's plan if marrying this guy Haknyeon turned out to be a hassle. For now, at least he could fulfill his grandmother's wish to be present at their wedding. Any other details could be handled later after the wedding.
In conclusion, Wonwoo had decided that he'd follow his grandmother's dying wish.
Jeon Wonwoo would marry Ju Haknyeon.
Still, he wouldn't pretend to love the guy since he know nothing about him. Wonwoo wouldn't even bother getting to know him either and the boy shouldn't either. After all, marriage was just a label.
This marriage wouldn't be based on love and Wonwoo would just have to deal with it.
If he was lucky, the other guy would ask for divorce first. By that, he wouldn't feel so guilty towards his grandmother when the marriage didn't last long.
Then he could go back to his peaceful life, alone and safe.
Reaching for his phone, the twenty-five years old man pressed his grandmother's phone number before punching the call button.
Wonwoo didn't even waste any time as soon as the line was answered on the other side.
"I'll do it, grandmother—I will marry Haknyeon..... Let's do the wedding at the end of this week"
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"You're okay, Haknyeon ah?" asked Jisoo to the younger male after he left Mrs. Jeon's bedroom.
"You know about this, Hyung?" asked Haknyeon
Jisoo nodded, "Mrs. Jeon told me last week" said Jisoo
They were walking to the main door because Haknyeon couldn't stay for long due to his work, "Does this Wonwoo-ssi know about this, yet?" asked Haknyeon
"Yes, she just told him yesterday evening" said Jisoo
"Did he say yes?" asked Haknyeon
Jisoo shook his head, "I don't know, he hasn't given his answer yet" said Jisoo
'I hope he will say no' thought Haknyeon
"Hyung, do you think I made the right choice?" asked Haknyeon, abruptly stopping before turning his body at the older.
When Haknyeon had heard Mrs. Jeon's request, he almost fell off from the bed due to the shock.
Mrs. Jeon had always known how to win Haknyeon's heart and Haknyeon had always had a soft spot for the old lady, he surely would after everything the old lady had done for him.
Therefore it was no surprise that Haknyeon said yes to the old lady's request because he owed her so much. She literally saved him from a lifetime nightmare. Perhaps, he wouldn't even be breathing right now if it wasn't for Mrs. Jeon.
So the only sensible thing was for him to repay her kindness — or at least that was what he believed. As he had been doing for the last eight years, it never felt enough for him.
"Do you regret it?" asked Jisoo — he was truly worried about the younger, "If you actually want to say no, I could help you to tell Mrs. Jeon... I'm sure she will understand"
"Honestly... I don't know, hyung" said Haknyeon, a small pout appeared.
"What do you mean?" asked Jisoo
"I mean, I don't fully regret saying yes... I know Mrs. Jeon mean well by this..but.. this could go either fully right or totally wrong and we'll end up with divorce" said Haknyeon
"I think you're thinking way too far" said Jisoo, "Why don't you try to do it first? Wonwoo's a good guy"
"But the marriage wouldn't be based on love... I can try to love him but what about him? I don't want him to suffer just because I'm not good enough for him" said Haknyeon
"You're a good person Haknyeon ah, I hope you can melt the ice inside his heart—no, I know you can" said Jisoo, putting his hands on the younger's shoulders.
"Melt the ice? Inside Wonwoo-ssi heart?" asked Haknyeon
Jisoo nodded before walking again, "Yes, you'll figure it out by yourself later" said Jisoo, "Oh and he's older than you, by three years"
"Hyung, you know what?" asked Haknyeon
"Hmm?" asked Jisoo
"I feel like I'm in some kind of television drama right now" deadpalmed Haknyeon, "I'm marrying someone I don't know"
"Both you and Mrs. Jeon told me that this Wonwoo-ssi is a good person but then you told me that there is ice inside his heart, so he's a cold person, figuratively, but he's a good person under all that coldness" said Haknyeon, "Yeah, it would definitely make a great television drama"
"Well, in that case, life would be interesting, right?" responded Jisoo with a small laugh.
"I love a boring life though" mumbled Haknyeon as they finally reached the main door.
"Pardon me?" asked Jisoo
"Nothing hyung" said Haknyeon, he still hoped that Wonwoo would refuse to marry him.
"Anyway, if you have any question about him, you can always ask Mrs. Jeon or me anytime" said Jisoo, "Or better, you just ask Wonwoo himself directly"
Jisoo pulled the younger to face him, "Cheer up, Haknyeon ah! You deserve happiness after everything you've been through" said Jisoo — he knew almost everything about Haknyeon's past.
Haknyeon sighed deeply, "Thank you, Shua hyung..... For everything" said Haknyeon, pulling the older into a hug.
Pulling apart, Jisoo gave the younger his smile — a sincere smile, one he didn't show a lot. A fond smile of an older brother to their younger brother.
"See you later, hyung" said Haknyeon
"Bye, Haknyeon ah... Be careful on your way" said Jisoo
'This will be interesting' thought Jisoo as he watched Haknyeon walking away from the mansion.
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To be continued