Make It Real: Chapter 24

While on the plane, Minho was thinking of Juniel. "She don't need me, he said to himself. Her real parents abandoned her and Sungho's death had cause her in deep sorrow. Hurting her further is not his intention. He just did not want her to rely on this limited affair. Though its chance got opened, it is impossible to replace affliction with another heartbreak. He knew that she is weak and she will only suffer later especially if she will find out his commitment with another woman. He did not allow her to form any special attachment other than sexual intimacy with him. It may look ruthless, but he is actually considering both her situation and Yuri. Aside from that, Minho is a workaholic guy who works really hard for his ambition something that any stay-at-home wife like Juniel will not enjoy. The sadness on her eyes are screaming for love and so she needs a man who willingly respond to her.

Juniel's classmates and teachers gave her a warm welcome back and congratulated as well on her sudden marriage. They were all glad when they heard about it, knowing the girl will feel alone nomore.

"Juniel you're so lucky, you got a handsome and brilliant man." Subin, a tall and slim classmate praised her.

"Yes." Agreed by her other classmates.

"What do you feel now that you're already married?"

"Of course I'm happy." Juniel smiled. Indeed she was happy that she married that ideal guy, but hiding between those words are sadness when he chose to put his work over her.

"You might get preggy soon yehey!" Her funny classmate Gayun exclaimed while gesturing it out.

Juniel blushed at the remark, surely they are expecting baby after that.

"That's enough." The teacher interrupted their conversation. "Even she's already married, Juniel is still young for that."

Mrs. Hoon had discussed about Teenage Pregnancy and fully knowledgeable about the possible effects of it on her student. She knew Juniel was still immature to handle hardship with that stage. She pitied the girl as she thought her parents did not think its impact to her future. After the class, she reminded Juniel to focus on her studies more before entering motherhood. Her physical and emotional aspects were still raw and it might risk her health as well as the baby if she is not prepared.

Juniel felt something sprouted later after her husband planted a seed inside her. Minho oriented her that sex does conception and clearly they both desired it. However, neither he nor her mother was able to educate her about the outcome thus she felt worried about it. She embraced herself hoping to cope up with the difficulties then. It was her desire to be a mother regardless on how young she is.

After school, Juniel was immediately sent to Minho's family resident in Incheon where she temporary stay, while her husband and mother are still at overseas. She felt tense knowing that she will live in the same house with Sulli. The girl who keeps insulting her in whatever she does.

"Hello Ms. Juniel, I'm Bohyun. Mrs. Choi Sunhwa had assigned me to serve you for the meantime." The 39 years old personal maid greeted her with cheerful smile, while taking her luggage from the car. Bohyun's agency contacted her to go back to Choi's state home after she resigned due to family reason. She is so energetic and well-rounded maid that is why Mrs. Sunhwa keeps getting her service.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you." The teenager gave her maid a shy smile that brings warmth.

From her impression, Juniel looks so cute and pretty at the same time. Bohyun did not expect to see Minho's wife that timid and soft-spoken. Base on his strong-willed personality, it is not his type.

The girl then asked her as they entered the modern house "Where's Uncle...I mean where's Pa and Ma?" She still had trouble on how to address her former uncle and auntie now that they became her parents-in-law.

"They're still at work Mam. They usually go home late at night." Like Minho, his parents are too busy doing their work and other social activities.

"You can call me with my first name." She asked her as she is more comfortable when people calling her without title.

"I'm sorry but it's the rule."

"Okay. How about Sulli-unnie?"

"She's in the home library, studying for exam." Minho's sister is already third year college taking up business course too. "Uh Mam, do you want to eat now? We already prepared your foods on the table."

"Okay. Let's invite unnie to join us for dinner?" She asked the older woman.

"Yes Mam." The maid lead the girl to the home library where Sulli was at.

They knocked on the door and she respond half attentively. "Come in."

Juniel was feeling tense to show up to Sulli but she braved the odd wanting to respect her sister-in-law inside her house. "Good evening unnie." She greeted the older girl politely.

Sulli stood up in shock, was not expecting to see that adopted girl inside her resident. "What are you doing here?!" She asked her seemingly displeased by her presence.

Bohyun did not imagine Sulli to react that way in front of the guest.

"Mama said I must stay here while Minho oppa is still on overseas." Sulli's attitude is not new to Juniel, she always got hostile with her.

"Eh? What if I don't like?" She told her frankly.

Juniel was unable to answer. It was not her choice to begin with.

"Go back now! You just irritate me."

"Why unnie? It's my husband's too, It's my home now."

"Shameless! How can you say that when he's just forced to marry you for the sake of JSB. You know oppa don't like you isn't it?" The fact that Sulli did not attend their wedding means she detest the sight of her.

Those sharp words cut her to her very core, Juniel's tears dropped promptly.

Bohyun felt very uncomfortable watching the scene so she retired quietly, bringing the girl's luggage to Minho's former bedroom. While Juniel remained standing there just watching herself being slandered little by little. She did not know how to defend or fight back.

"It wasn't my decision. I just obey them." The truth is Juniel accepted the marriage, trusting her parents enough to decide for her own good. She knew that they were only thinking about her future and JSB. But even if it is arranged marriage, she kept hoping that someday Minho will learn to love her as her parents do.

"Just because you're stupid! You let my brother to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of your selfishness."

"I'm not! Please don't say that..." Juniel cried out  Sulli was clearly blaming her for the thing she never did.

"If not then go away from him. You don't know my oppa is confused now, because he's still in love with..."

"With?" Juniel asked, curious of that missing word.

Sulli could not continue fearing her brother's wrath. He warned her not to interfere with his relationships again since it will only create more problems between them.

'Nevermind."

Luckily, while Bohyun arranging Juniel's clothes inside her cabinet, Mrs. Choi Sunhwa called. She was asking about her daughter-in-law if she already ate her meal. That was a great opportunity to rescue Juniel from drowning humiliation and so she told her employer to speak with Juniel instead to interrupt their confrontation somehow. She went back to the home library when she handed the phone to Juniel.

"Hello Ma." Mrs. Sunhwa talked with her daughter-in-law, giving some notes on what to do inside the house. She advised her not to wait them as they will return late in which she nodded, Juniel tried her best to hide her emotion from her mother-in-law.

After the call ended, Sulli spoke again "You're saved now. But never expect me to accept you. I can't consider you as Choi moreover sister-in-law. Duh, you're marriage contract is just fake as your birth certificate. Everything about you is fake."

Her personal maid had no right to meddle with this conflict but she showed her support by tapping the girl's back. She guided Juniel towards her husband's bedroom. Minho's room is as dark painted as her feeling right now. She could not appreciate it as she was greeted with such harsh welcome. Her chest was heavy and her head was aching. Bohyun calmed her by stroking her back. She sympathized the poor girl while seeing tears on her eyes. The maid still asked her out of concern "Mam do you want me to bring your food here?"

"No thanks. I'm not yet hungry." Juniel then laid on the bed, burying her head on the pillow. She had lost appetite to eat after she tasted the bitterness of her sister-in-law.

"Mam just call me if you already want to eat."

"I will."

Before Bohyun leave, Juniel grabbed her hand and quickly asked her "Can you stay? Please I don't want to sleep alone?" She begged her.

"As much as I want it, but Mam, maids are not allowed to do that. We're strictly prohibited to eat or sleep with our employers if not we'll be quickly removed from our job. I'm sorry Mam." She bowed to her and left the room frustrated to decline her request.

Juniel poured out her sorrow all alone, wishing any one to console her right there. While her husband had not call her yet, she just gave up waiting and fell asleep after some times.

The following morning, Bohyun woke her up and brought her breakfast on her bed. Juniel was informed that her parents-in-law already took their breakfast and left already. She was not able to greet them as they to her. The girl looks forsaken with the way they treated her, Bohyun watched the girl silently praying she can survive this lonely life.  

to be continued....