~Ye Jun~
I got the call at 6:42 a.m. on Saturday, still face-down on my desk at the office because I'd passed out there again after the last "acceptable" revision turned into "barely tolerable" at 4:19 a.m. My phone buzzed so hard it almost fell off the edge. I slapped at it blindly, answered without looking.
"Junnie?"
Mom's voice. Soft. The kind she used when she was about to drop something that would rearrange my entire week.
"Yeah?" I croaked. My throat felt like sandpaper.
"I'm getting married today."
I sat up so fast my chair rolled backward and hit the wall.
"What?"
"Today. At two. A small ceremony, just family and a few friends. I wanted to tell you earlier butyou've been so busy with work, and I didn't want to stress you."
I laughed. The laugh you make when your brain short-circuits.
"You're getting married. Today. And you're telling me now."
"I know, I know. It happened fast. He's wonderful, really. You'll like him. He's been so good to me."
"Mom." I rubbed my eyes until spots danced. "I'm supposed to be at work in two hours. Si-woo canceled weekends. Remember? The pitch is Monday. If I don't show…."
"You have to come. It's my wedding, Junnie. Please."
I stared at the screen in front of me. The campaign file still open. Cursor blinking like it was mocking me.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw the laptop. I wanted to ask why the hell she'd kept this secret when I'd been killing myself every night so she wouldn't have to worry about bills anymore.
Instead I said, "Okay. I'll be there."
She cried. Told me she loved me. Gave me the address of some fancy hotel ballroom downtown.
I hung up.
Sat there for a full minute.
Then I laughed again. Louder. The janitor down the hall poked his head in, eyebrows raised.
"You good, kid?"
"No," I said. "My mom's getting hitched in eight hours and I just found out. Also my boss is a Satan. Normal Saturday."
He snorted and kept mopping.
I emailed Si-woo.
Subject: Family Emergency – Requesting Half Day Off
Body: My mother is getting married today at 2 p.m. I need to attend. Will be back by evening to finish revisions. Sorry.
Sent.
No reply for twenty minutes.
Then:
From: Choi Si-woo
Subject: Re: Family Emergency
Body: Denied. Be in the office at 9 or don't bother coming back Monday.
I stared at the words until they blurred.
Then I typed back:
She has cancer. This might be the last big thing she gets.
Lied. She'd been in remission for two years. But fuck him.
Still no reply.
At 8:47 I shut my laptop, grabbed my jacket the same one from Tuesday that still smelled faintly of old coffee and left.
Figured if I was getting fired anyway, might as well see my mom say "I do" before the unemployment line.
The hotel was stupidly nice. Vlwng from everywhere. Flowers that probably cost more than my monthly rent. I showed up in yesterday's shirt and pants that had a mystery stain on the knee from when I spilled instant ramen at 3 a.m. last week. Mom spotted me from across the lobby and ran over ran, even though she still got winded easy hugging me so tight I almost dropped my phone.
"You came," she whispered.
"Of course I came."
She pulled back, eyes shining. "You look exhausted."
"Thanks. You look beautiful."
She did. White dress, simple, elegant. Hair done up. Smiling like she hadn't in years.
I forced myself to smile back.
The ceremony was quick. Small. Maybe thirty people. Groom was tall, silver at the temples, kind eyes, the kind of rich guy who didn't need to flash it. When he said his vows he looked at Mom like she hung the moon. She cried. I stood in the back row trying not to cry because if I started I wouldn't stop.
Then the officiant said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
They kissed.
Everyone clapped.
And that's when I saw him.
Choi Si-woo.
In a black suit. No tie. Standing next to the groom like he belonged there.
My brain flatlined.
He turned. Saw me.
His face didn't change. Not even a flicker. But his eyes those cold fucking eyes locked on mine and something dark flashed through them.
After the kiss, the officiant introduced the family.
"Groom's son, Choi Si-woo."
The room clapped again.
I didn't.
Mom grabbed my hand, beaming. "Junnie, come meet your new stepbrother."
Stepbrother.
The word hit like a brick to the face.
Si-woo walked over. Slowly .
Stuck his hand out.
"Kang Ye-jun."
I stared at the hand like it might bite me.
Then I shook it.
His grip was iron. Bruising. I dug my nails into his palm as hard as I could. He didn't flinch. Just squeezed harder.
"Congratulations," I said through my teeth.
"Likewise," he answered. Voice low. Only for me.
Mom was already pulling us toward the photo area.
"Picture! Come on, boys!"