To Be or Not To Be A Family - Chapter 99

Young-Jae too wanted to laugh but he controlled himself as the reason for this happiness was Ashma. He didn’t want to show any emotions when it came to her but he was proud of her that she was thinking about the Park Business and trying to make profits for them. He knew that after her fashion show, the ‘Susegong’ will become a world-famous company. That will be the most profitable company in Park conglomerate.

While Young-Soo was thinking about Ashma and her help, everyone else was laughing and smiling and enjoying their breakfast. Even the moods of Eun-Kyung, Young-Soo and Vidhi were uplifted. They all forgave each other.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. As In-Ho was busy with breakfast, Iseul went and opened the door. Hei-Ran and Yong-Sun walked in.

“Good timing!” shouted Eun-Kyung and ran to hug Hei-Ran.

Hei-Ran and Yong-Sun bowed down and greeted everyone with respect. Everyone stood up to greet them except Young-Jae. As he was the elder he just nodded at them politely and accepted their respect.

“Come sit, eat,” said Young-Soo.

Yong-Sun sat in front of Ashma. He looked at her but she avoided his gaze. After seeing what happened to her mother’s heart, she decided to end the affair. That was what she had been thinking the whole night. It was fun to go on date with him. He was kind, polite and easy on the eyes but no one knew the future and she didn’t want a sorry one. She was happy with her life and knew that her life was in India and one day she had to go back. As she already said, she didn’t want to become another Vidhi. And for that to happen she knew she had to break Yong-Sun’s heart.

Her heart stopped beating at the thought of that but she had no other choice. She had to do that. She knew it would be more difficult now as she decided to work with him. Every day and night with him would be difficult after breaking his heart. She will have to face him every moment, every second, every hour, every day.

After all settled well and In-Ho presented them with food, Baek-Hyeon shouted with excitement, “Oh congratulations, Hyung!” Even Bong-Cha was unable to contain her excitement. She was grinning from ear to ear.

“What? Why?” He stooped midway. His omelette hung in the air. He was puzzled. He looked at Ashma but she was looking at Baek-Hyeon. He thought Ashma told everyone that they were dating.

“Don’t hide, Ashma told us everything,” said Bong-Cha.

“You told them everything?” asked Yong-Sun. For the first time since he arrived, Ashma looked at him. Her one look was enough to race his heart. He smiled at her but there was no expression on Ashma’s face.

“Yes,” said Ashma casually.

“Everything?” His mind raced to all the kisses they shared. He kept thinking about their kisses on Jeju Island.

“Don’t act surprised. You should be happy,” said Baek-Hyeon, confused.

“I am happy,” chirped Yong-Sun.

“Oh I am so happy, Chinsuna would be ecstatic,” shouted Baek-Hyeon.

“Chinsuna?” Now, Yong-Sun was confused.

Ashma understood that Yong-Sun was thinking about something while Baek-Hyeon was talking about something else entirely.

“You are aware that they are talking about our collaboration, right?” signalled Ashma.

“Oh, right!” shouted Yong-Sun.

“What were you thinking about?” asked Baek-Hyeon.

“I was thinking about the same thing, ha-ha,” lied Yong-Sun.

“Then why were you surprised?” queried Baek-Hyeon.

“I didn’t think she would tell you about this so early. And Keunahppa, are you okay with our idea?” questioned Yong-Sun to Young-Soo.

“My company getting represented in the London and my brand becoming international would be awesome. You kids are doing great work. Keep it up,” said Young-Soo, excited.

“But before we start our work, we will have to take a look at your handicrafts factories,” said Ashma.

“Of course, I can make that happen any day,” said Young-Soo with confidence.

“What about today?” asked Ashma.

“You all will start working today?” Baek-Hyeon was shocked.

“Why? What happened?” asked Ashma.

“Today is Wednesday and we were supposed to go to our ancestral home on Sunday. We need to prepare for the next Saturday,” informed Baek-Hyeon.

“You will take a full week to prepare?” Now it was Ashma’s turn to be shocked.

“You have no idea about the grand ceremony, do you?” teased Baek-Hyeon.

“No.”

“You are Asian, right?”

“No, I am South-East Asian,” mocked Ashma.

“Ha-ha,” laughed Baek-Hyeon sarcastically. All others laughed at Ashma’s answer.

“Yeah, I know how grand engagement or wedding is supposed to be.”

“Yes, that’s why we have to leave a week early,” said Eun-Kyung.

“But I have to start work. I will have to send the photographs of handicrafts, fabric to my team so that they can start work, then I will have to make arrangements for their stay, I have so much work to do,” educated Ashma.

“You will not come with us?” said Bong-Cha, sadly.

“While you prepare there, I will prepare here and I will see you on Friday,” assured Ashma by placing her hand on Bong-Cha’s shoulder.

“Friday?” shouted Bong-Cha and jerked her hand away.

“Okay, Thursday?”

“I will also not be able to go with you all this Sunday,” interrupted Young-Jae.

“What? Harabuhji!” shouted Bong-Cha.

“I have an important meeting on Wednesday, clients are coming from Germany,” said Young-Jae.

“How will you reach then?” asked Baek-Hyeon.

“I will bring both of them on Thursday, is that fine?” interjected Yong-Sun.

“You will also come late?” scolded Baek-Hyeon.

“We have work to do, you are getting leave of absence because it’s your marriage else I would have not given you leave,” teased Yong-Sun.

“Yes, boss,” saluted Baek-Hyeon and teased him back.

“Okay, so it’s final. Everyone will come with us this Sunday, right Hei-Ran?” asked Eun-Kyung.

“Oh, don’t worry my work is all complete. I am all yours till next Sunday. I cleared my calendar for you all,” said Hei-Ran.

“Only these three will be late,” said Eun-Kyung.

“Any particular dress, I should know about?” asked Ashma.

“No, you can wear anything you want, just the bride and groom are supposed to be in hanbok,” informed Eun-Kyung.

“Great! So, if you guys don’t mind may I take leave. I have to get ready, and Mr Park, I am coming with you to your factories,” said Ashma.

“Of course, dear. I will wait for you in the living room. Yong-Sun would you like to join us?” asked Young-Soo.

“There is no need,” shouted Ashma. She wanted to avoid Yong-Sun as soon as possible. “First, let me take a tour of the facilities. Then I will meet him for the fabrics.”

“No, I would love to. I can accompany you guys to the factory and then I will drive you to my textile factories,” suggested Yong-Sun.

“Fine,” Ashma was defeated.

“Do you have a camera?” asked Yong-Sun.

“No, I have a high-end phone,” said Ashma.

Yong-Sun again smiled at her but she turned and ran away to her room.

“What happened to her? She was all okay yesterday. Why is she avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Was I supposed to tell her I was coming over? Is she shy? Oh god! What is going on in her mind?,” Yong-Sun kept thinking.

Ashma ran to her room, took out a pastel blue summer dress and went to take a bath. She took a quick shower, blow-dried her hair and came out. Yong-Sun let out a cold sigh after looking at her. He was shocked as to how someone could look good in every colour. Her hair was tied up in a long pigtail.

She looked around, Bong-Cha and Young-Jae were gone. Baek-Hyeon, Yong-Sun and Young-Soo were waiting for her. As soon as she arrived, Young-Soo took his keys, everyone said goodbye to each other. Baek-Hyeon climbed in with Yong-Sun and Ashma went and sat in the car with Young-Soo.

They all started their journey towards the Susegong factories.

“Is your mother okay?” asked Young-Soo, concerned.

“She will be okay, don’t worry,” assured Ashma.

“Yeah, at least she started smiling,” said Young-Soo.

“Yeah.”

“I am sorry that I was the one who had to choose,” apologised Young-Soo.

“It was circumstances, you could not have done anything else. I am sorry that my mother made you choose,” said Ashma.

“No, I am sorry that I had to break her heart.”

“Why did your father hate her?” asked Ashma.

“He didn’t hate her, he just loved his status, name and fame more. A foreign girl at the time would have been a big scandal,” informed Young-Soo.

“I am sorry that you had to sacrifice your love twice,” apologised Ashma.

Apologising to each other they reached a factory. All four went inside and was mesmerised by the number of handicrafts the factory was producing. It was vibrant, colourful. Ashma was happy that she would get a lot of colours to play with.

She clicked several pics from every angle capturing every item, every colour.

They then left Young-Soo in his factory and the remaining three moved to the ‘Bogji’ factory. Ashma again looked around. She opened her phone and looked at the pics she took. She matched the colours and pattern and clicked the photos.

When she was satisfied, she stood in a corner and started sending all the pics to her team.