Author's Pov:

Haeun couldn't control her excitement as they entered his house. Last time she came, she fought with his father.

She looked around trying to find Joshua who was no where to be seen. "Who are you searching for?", Soonyoung whispered. "Joshua", hearing her response Soonyoung smiled.

"I always told you that once you get to know each other you will be best friends, maybe something more than that", Soonyoung grinned. Haeun blushed, "I should have listened to you".

"Kids, let's go and meet some of my colleagues", her mother said. She introduced them to lot of her colleagues. "Eomma,  you call these many as some?", Soonyoung asked. Haeun's eyes met Joshua's father who was burning in anger.

"Let's go and meet my boss", their mother said. Haeun hesitantly nodded. As they walked towards them, her eyes still searched for Joshua.

"Oh, you are Haeun right? I never knew she was your daughter", Mr. Hong said. Haeun gave a small smile, "He's acting like we have never met before", she whispered.

They kept talking until someone called Mr and Mrs Hong. "Finally", she sighed in relief. "They are so sweet aren't they?", her mother asked. "Sweet, my ass. Sometimes too much of sweetness is not good", Haeun whispered rolling her eyes.

"Now go and enjoy. You will bored here. Make some new friends", His mother. Soonyoung smiled, "Yep". Haeun rolled her eyes, "I'm still curious where Joshua is". Soonyoung nudged her, "He must be coming".

"Should I go to his room and check?", Haeun stood up but Soonyoung pulled her back, "Nope, I'm not leaving you. I've never seen you this excited to meet him. Where is old Haeun who would always frown seeing Joshua".

"She went on a vacation, forever", Haeun answered getting up. "Where are you going? If it is Joshua's room,  sit back", Soonyoung asked. "I'm just going to look around, nothing else. I promise", she answered making her way through the crowd.

She went out for a while sitting in their garden. "You are looking pretty", she heard. A smile appeared on her face before meeting his eyes. "Joshua", she whispered moving aside. He cleared his throat, "I had no idea you will be here". Haeun smiled, "I had to come, for you".

"Oh wait, let me come in proper clothes", he said. Haeun noticed he was in his pajamas. "It's fine, you look cute in it", she smiled.

"No, it's not. If I had idea that you were coming, I would have been ready waiting for you. Also my parents won't be happy to see me in pajamas like this", Joshua said. Haeun smiled, "Fine then, you can change. I'll be waiting here for you".

Joshua smiled, "Fine. I'll be back, don't go anywhere". Haeun nodded. She smiled as he saw him running back in.

"Our Joshua has changed, I know who has influenced him", Mr. Hong chuckled. Haeun flinched at his sudden voice.

"Your mom's a good worker but you....", his voice trailed off. Haeun looked at Mr. Hong, "I know, we both are different". Haeun stood up, "I need to go".

As Haeun was walking away she heard Mr. Hong, "You were searching for Joshua, weren't you?". Haeun turned, "Actually yes, I was but I met him just now".

Mr. Hong chuckled, "You are straight forward". Haeun forced a smile. He stood up, "Joshua, my boy". Haeun knew he was upto something. "What do you want?", she asked.

His father chuckled, "You like my son?". Haeun looked down, "None of your business". His father chuckled, "So you do".

"I'm asking you again, Mr. Hong. What do you want?", Haeun asked. Mr. Hong stood up, "You know my son never raised his voice infront of me but whenever he did, it was for his guitar. He loves it a lot, it's like he can give his life just to save the guitar".

Haeun rolled her eyes, "I know that, so?". Mr. Hong patted her shoulder, "I'll give you two choices, Haeun".

Haeun scoffed, "What choices?". Mr. Hong sat down, "Your mother is sole earner in your house right? Well she is". Haeun's eyes turned dark, "Why can't you be straight forward, Mr. Hong?".

"Well, I'll come. Stay away from Joshua", Mr. Hong said. "What do you mean?", Haeun asked.

"Let me complete my sentence dear, you can still be close to Joshua but remember it will cost him his guitar and your mother job".

"Let me explain it to you properly", Mr. Hong said. "I know the growing affection between you both but I don't want my son to be seen with a girl like you. I hope you know that he will be engaged with Jiwoo".

"I do", Haeun said suddenly hit by reality. Mr. Hong smiled, "She and her family will be coming soon. The choice is yours".

"What if I don't choose?", Haeun asked. Mr. Hong laughed, "If you don't then your mother will loose her job and I'll make sure she will get no other job, also Joshua's favorite guitar will be somewhere in garbage".

Haeun scoffed, "I can't believe you are messing with a seventeen year old. It sounds pathetic, doesn't it?". Mr. Hong smiled, "It does sound pathetic but I want my son to be in my control and you are a bad influence".

Mr. Hong waved at someone, "I'll be keeping an eye on you. If you don't choose, I have already told you what the consequences will be".

As he went Haeun released her breathe she was holding for so long. She knew Joshua's father is powerful, if he said then he will do it.

As she sat down, her mind was bank for few mintues until her eyes met Joshua's who was talking with someone guests occasionally glancing at her. "He looks excited", she whispered.

"Haeun, what are you doing here? Someone wants to meet you", Her mother pulled Haeun with her. Soonyoung stood beside her, tired, "Eomma, how many colleagues are we meeting again? I'm sure the number of your colleagues is less than our whole family".

Their mother chuckled, "The company is huge so of course I'll have these many colleagues.  I can't explain how much happy I'm after joining the company". Haeun felt some kind of burden hearing this.

She knew his guitar was important so was her mother's job. She chuckled as she realised what Mr. Hong did. He knew at the end she had to choose the latter one.

"Does he think I'm a small child?", Haeun murmured seeing Joshua still busy. Soonyoung nudged her, "What's with this grumpy behavior of yours?", he asked pinching her nose.

"I'm confused", Haeun said. 'Should I tell him?', Haeun thought but she knew Soonyoung could be very dangerous creature when he is angry.

"What's wrong, hmm", he softly asked. Haeun sighed, "I'm just confused. What will you do if you have to choose between two option but the thing is both the options are like actual shit".

"Then don't choose", Soonyoung shrugged. "The problem is the person who is giving option is idiot. It's like I'm giving you two options A and B but the thing A option is too bad. So the only option you are left with B but it is shit too and if you don't choose any of two then somehow option A will be done. You understand what I mean?", Haeun explained.

"Haeun have I ever told you how much your explanation sucks?", Soonyoung asked. "You did, a lot of times. I know it too. But the thing is no matter what I do, at the end it will all be messed up", Haeun answered.

"So do what your heart says", Soonyoung said. Haeun stared at him, "If had known what my heart wants I wouldn't have asked for your opinion, Soonyoung".

"See in simple words, imagine three people. Let's call them monkey, queen and princess. So, if I choose option A, all three people will suffer in one or the other way. If I choose option B, queen will be totally safe but Monkey and princess will suffer".

"Okay so what will happened if you don't choose".

"Same as option A, Soonyoung".

He stood up, "What type of game are you playing now? I know you like playing brain games but this is shit. Delete that game now".

Haeun scoffed, "You think I'm playing a game?". Soonyoung innocently looked at her, "You aren't?". Haeun sighed, shaking her head.

"So wait, does that mean Joshua is monkey and you are princess?", Soonyoung asked. "Uhh, yeah", Haeun said. "So whose queen, I mean our Eomma or his?", Soonyoung asked.

"Our", she answered, "And it's Joshua's father who ended up me in such situation". Haeun looked around before telling him everything from the confession till the confusion, leaving the kissing part.

"So, he just randomly came and told about the options?", Soonyoung asked. Haeun nodded, "I had a fight with him few days back, the day when I was here to study".

Haeun didn't tell much about her fight but just gave him some idea what that small fight was about.

"Do you feel the same?", Soonyoung asked. Haeun nodded, "I do but I'm confused, no matter what I choose it will affect Joshua".

Soonyoung patted her head, "Do what your heart says, Haeun. Such moments will never come back".

______

.
.
.
.
What do you think Haeun will do? 🤔