When a man is an enigma to himself, he can hardly be labeled as mysterious. The embodiment of a hidden enigma within oneself is the only concept that resonates with that individual. For years, he has delved deep into his own being, driven by the hope of uncovering that elusive piece of himself. The when and how of its revelation remain unknown, yet his determination to unravel the mystery within him knows no bounds.
Although he hailed from a privileged background, life had never been smooth sailing for him. He had always been handed everything on a silver platter, a fact that most people would envy. Yet, he felt differently. He yearned to experience the satisfaction of earning things through his own hard work and merit.
Seeking a change from the privileged and discontented life he had led for twenty-five years, he embarked on a new path as a mature and enlightened individual. Traveling the globe, he volunteered his time and efforts to assist those in impoverished communities. Through this selfless act, he gained invaluable insights from diverse cultures and nurtured a deep-seated passion for philanthropy.
Despite his parents' disapproval of his unconventional ideas and aspirations, he lived his life without regrets. Yet, deep down, there was a lingering sense of discontentment that he could not shake.
The echoes of the past lingered, teasing him with the possibility of what could have been. Despite his efforts to steer a different course, destiny remained uncertain, casting a shadow over his desired future. Try as he might to alter the strings of fate, the outcome never seemed to align in his favor.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
His brother's eyes, filled with curiosity, wandered through the unfamiliar rooms of his house. It was a space his brother had never seen before. As he examined each object in the living room, memories of their father's words earlier that day came flooding back. Despite knowing his brother had unique perspectives on life, he couldn't shake the regret of their past conflicts, which stemmed from his own perceived detachment from reality.
"Am I truly seeing the one person who has been constantly calling me?" A deep yet soothing voice resonated from the far end of the room. Startled, he turned towards the source of the voice and found his little brother standing there with a small smile playing on his lips.
"Haein! Little Brother... your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. It's really me, here and looking at your face at last!" he exclaimed as he watched his little brother approach him.
"Seokjoon! I thought after our last conversation that you would never speak to me again! But here you are... talking to me as if nothing happened!" Haein replied, coming to a halt. He gazed at his brother with a mixture of confusion and curiosity on his face. He had believed that Seokjoon would never reach out to him, given the two weeks of silence between them.
"Well... I... I just couldn't bear the idea of you pulling away from us... from your family once more! I really want us to be close and have open conversations about everything that's happening. Haein, Father needs you! We need you!" Seokjoon declared, locking eyes with Haein. Haein chuckled softly and slipped both hands into his pockets.
"Father? It always comes back to him, doesn't it?" Haein remarked, with a hint of avoidance in his tone. Seokjoon let out a sigh and lowered his head slightly.
"You know he's the patriarch of our family. He will never be comfortable with your carefree attitude towards your duties as the co-founder of the K-Group. And I admit, I do need your assistance, brother! We can't risk losing what has been in the family for generations because of your actions! I need you to understand the stakes here!" Seokjoon spoke firmly, his expression hardening. Haein let out a heavy sigh and tilted his head upwards, looking towards the ceiling.
"How many times do I have to say it? I don't want to be a part of this anymore! I have my own dreams and aspirations in life! That's why I left for thirteen years! I craved my own space and a life completely different from what I had back home. I don't care about losing everything as long as I can live on my own terms! Why is that so hard to understand?" Haein exclaimed loudly, his gaze fixed on his brother. Seokjoon felt frustrated by Haein's inability to grasp the seriousness of the family's current predicament.
"It's always about what you want, never about what we need! You're selfish, disregarding what has been yours and the family's for years! Why can't you understand that our family relies on you, Haein! If you don't return as the co-head of the K-Group, our father will lose all respect and influence within the organization! They will strip him of everything he worked tirelessly to build, tearing down the empire of businesses he created with his own blood, sweat, and tears!" Seokjoon's voice was filled with urgency and desperation.
"Do not be foolish! Take on your responsibilities as the patriarch's second son!" Seokjoon declared with conviction, taking a step closer. Haein was taken aback by his brother's firm grip on his shirt.
"Stop pretending and fulfill your responsibilities! It's only a matter of time before the media uncovers your reckless lifestyle as a so-called free spirit! You were born into this life, born to follow in our footsteps and serve our father!" Seokjoon's words were sharp as he spoke, then turned and walked away. Haein watched his brother's figure vanish in a matter of seconds, along with his words.
"I feel sorry for you, brother... for not having seen or lived the life I had before returning here! I cannot and will not be a pawn in our father's facade," Haein stated with a hint of sadness in his voice.
