1 Choi Dae-hyun

"Dae, Let's go."

"You're going to regret this."

That day my parents had a big fight. They had been fighting over every small thing mom and me, we moved to my grandpa's. My mom filed for a divorce and got my custody. I was only 5 years old back then. The day my parents got divorced that was the last time I saw my father. I was really young to understand what was going on, but I was sure that whatever was happening wasn't good.

"Kyung-mi..."

"You don't have to worry about me and my child. We'll live a happy life away from you from now on. Please leave us alone."

"Listen you crazy women, you might have Dae-hyun's custody, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm his father, you can't stop me from meeting my own son."

"Mom? Dad?"

"Ah my dear son, listen daddy's going for now, but I'll come to meet you. I promise."

"Why? Don't leave me. I want to be with mom and dad."

My mother took my hand and took me away. I was devastated that day. I still don't know why they got divorced. I cried and scream loudly that day.

"No. Mom? Why isn't dad coming. I don't want to leave without him. Daddy please come. Mommy ask daddy to come."

Mom didn't even look back once. And I just saw dad walking away. The day was sunny, the sky was clear but for me, it was a tragic day. A day I can never forget, even if I try to.

My mom is a music producer and my grandparents own a famous boutique, they even have showrooms all over the country. So growing up I had pretty much everything I needed. Except for my father and friends.

Mom taught me reading and writing. At the age of 6, I was enrolled in kindergarten. I thought it'll be fun there. But I was so wrong. The kids were horrible. I was a really shy kid back then. Because I was living with my single mom, they used to harass me. I had some friends, but I'm not sure if I can call them friends. They were just staying with me because of my money. There wasn't a single day when someone didn't ask me to buy something for them. I used to do whatever they asked me to do. I was afraid they might leave me just like my father.

But I can't say that everyone was like that. There was this one girl, she was like and angel. She was my shield. Unlike me, she was really outgoing and everyone loved her. She was my first love.

When I was a 1st grader, some bad kids from school beat me up badly. They were talking all short of bad things about my parents and me. I couldn't take it and talked back.

"H-hey, don't t-talk about my parents l-like that."

"You little piece of sh*t. Did you just talked back at us? I'll spare you today. I'm in a good mood today. So give us some money and I won't say anything to you."

"N-no."

"WHAT!!!?? Hey you two grab him."

I was badly hurt that day. I had bruises all over my body and was bleeding. I passed out that day. When I regained consciousness I saw my mom's worried face. I was in a hospital bed. I never told her about all troubles in school. I didn't want to upset her. But after that incident she got to know everything. Mom moved us to Seoul. The day we were supposed to move it was raining heavily. I couldn't even say goodbye to my only friend. I still regret that. I wish to meet her someday and say sorry because I left without saying goodbye.

It's been many years after that incident. Now I'm 15, a middle school student and still living in Seoul. And have many good friends. Not really. Just two bestfriends.

I'm Choi Dae-hyun. Currently an idol trainee under S.Z Entertainment. I'm training to be an Kpop Idol.

Today I got an unexpected call. After so many years my father called me. I don't know how he got my number, that doesn't matter. He said he wanted to meet me. I'm going to meet my father today. He asked to meet at a restaurant.

Dae was really excited to meet his father after so many years. Even if it was the weekend he got up early and got ready to meet his father.

"Dae, Where are going so early in the morning?"

"Just meeting someone."

"Where do you think you're going without having breakfast?"

"Don't worry I'll eat outside. I'll call ya mom. See you later."

"Don't run. Come back before lunch."

Dae runs out of their apartment in a hurry. He takes his skate bike and rides on it. He is really nervous. He goes inside the restaurant. After all these years he still recognizes his father. His mother had thrown away all the picture of his father, but he secretly kept a photo of him so that he can recognize him.

"Hello."

*Dae bows to his father*

"Yes?"

"Dad, it's me. Dae-hyun."

"Ah...my son. How are you? Come take a seat."

"I'm doing great, but........."

"?"

"I missed you dad. Why did you have to leave me?"

"Look at you all grown up. I'm so happy to see you. Leaving you wasn't my choice my boy. But see I'm here now. Everything is going to be okay. You don't have to worry about a thing. Now what do you want to eat?"

"I'll just have Beef Gimbap."

**Gimbap, also romanized as kimbap, is a Korean dish made from cooked rice and ingredients such as vegetables, fish, and meats that are rolled in gim —dried sheets of seaweed—and served in bite-sized slices.**

"Than I'll have Kimchi Fried Rice. So, I heard you are training to be an idol?"

**Kimchi, is a traditional Korean side dish of salted and fermented vegetables, such as napa cabbage and Korean radish. A wide selection of seasonings are used, including gochugaru, spring onions, garlic, ginger, and jeotgal, etc. Kimchi is also used in a variety of soups and stews.**

"Ah...yes. It's been like 2 months."

"I see."

"You don't look so happy father?"

"How can I be happy when my only son, the hair to my company is ruining his life doing this nonsense."

"But dad, it's my dream."

"It's all because of that women. She's the one who encouraged you to do this, didn't she? I knew it. I shouldn't have let her have your custody."

"Why are you talking about mom like that? And no. It's not because of her. It was my choice."

"Listen carefully. Leave all these. You don't have to think about the contract termination, I'll take care of it. And come our company someday. I'll let you know whatever you need to know about publishing stuffs."

He hands over his business card to Dae.

"No. I won't. Did you just call me here to tell me this?"

"Kind of."

"Dad? Did you ever love me?"

"Stop being an emotional fool. And I've remarried, and you have a step-brother. He's 2 years younger than you. I'm making you an offer here, to be the next CEO of my company. But I see that you just want to waste your time on stupid things. Then, so be it. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

"............"

"I'll go first. I've already paid for the food. So, eat before you leave. I'll eat in the car."

His father leaves him there totally broken. Dae was totally numb after that. He can't except the fact that, the person he waited to meet for years, turns out to be such a jerk. He asks the waiter to pack his food, he takes the food, calls his friend and asks him to come to the park.

"Dae? What happened? It seemed like you were about to cry there. I literally ran all the way here. Now tell me what happened? Did you meet your father? How was it?"

Dae starts to cry. And tells Jun-woo everything. He comforts Dae. Jun-woo Kim and Ha-jin Kang are Dae's two best friends.

"Hey. There you guys are. I looked for you guys all over the park. And here you two are. Hiding in a corner. Wait? Dae? You crying? Who made my bro cry?"

"Yah! Zip it. Let him eat first. I'll tell you later."

"I've the best way to hake him smile. let's go bike riding to the karaoke."

"Wat? Buik? Sit. My buik. I luft it at ta lestulant." (What? Bike? Sh*t. I left it at the restaurant.)

"Uh....Dae? You okay man?"

Dae gulps down this food.

"I said I left my bike at the restaurant. And let's go to karaoke I need to fresh my mind. You guys go first. I'll get my bike than go there."

"Ok. But come fast."

I'm not the old Dae-hyun. I won't cry because of that man. He's not my father. From now on I know one think I don't have a father. My mom is my only parent.

TO BE CONTINUED ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

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