Tricking My Cold Lover

When Anton did not answer, she instantly knew. "So what is it? You are ashamed of me?"     

"Nonsense! You are practically living in my house, my parents adore you so much, especially my mom. At home, the entire city knows you are my woman!" He retorted.     

"Then why?!!"     

"Yanmei... I made a mistake." Anton massaged his temples before he finally said, "It's… It's because of Ji-yun."     

He began to tell the story behind Yeong Shiwoo and his family, including his only daughter Ji-yun and the reason for his recent temperament.     

There was a time when they lived at the Yeong's estate before their migration to Indonesia. Shiwoo's family had sold most of their properties in Korea, including their home. This was their reason for living with Jae-won for a temporary period while waiting for their documents.     

Yeong Ji-yun was twelve years younger than Anton. At that time, Ji-yun was sixteen and Anton cared for her like a sister. Since she was practically family, he treated her fairly. However, it was because Ji-yun knew Anton was adopted that she started liking Anton romantically.     

None of them knew of her feelings towards him until a few days before they left for Indonesia, when she cried her heart out, asking to be left in Korea. She started rejecting the idea of living elsewhere.      

She did everything she could to remain in Korea, including confessing to Anton, hoping he would return her affection. However, knowing Anton's nature, he rejected her. He began to treat her differently and even moved to his underground base.     

Ji-yun eventually told her parents about her admiration for Anton and all the more, they hurried their departure. They did not support their daughter's liking for Anton. It was the same for Yeong Jae-won and Yeong Soon.     

They all agreed it was a taboo, considering the closeness of their family. Moreover, Anton did not feel the same for their daughter and she was just too young.     

When Shiwoo's family moved to Jakarta, their concern of Ji-yun's infatuation over Anton momentarily stopped. With her parent's persistently telling her that it will never happen, she started accepting it as the truth. Until two years ago, when she had developed cancer.      

Along with the depression and the pain, came Ji-yun's sudden longing for Anton. There was a time that Shiwoo requested Anton to visit them in Jakarta, just to keep their daughter's hopes up during her treatments.     

It was a request that Anton frustratedly obliged for the sake of the Yeongs; his father and his uncle. He was in and out of the hospital in just half an hour. That was the last he had seen Shiwoo and Ji-yun.      

Unknown to Anton, his short visit was more than enough to spark her feelings for him, especially since, she was already at the right age.     

After that, however, Shiwoo and his wife no longer rejected the idea. They did not affirm, but nor did they did not dismiss the possibility for their daughter. They did this for Ji-yun to remain optimistic about her therapy.      

Whenever Ji-yun heard of Anton getting entangled with a girl in Korea, they would tell her it was just fake news.      

The next thing Anton and Jae-won heard was that Ji-yun had finished her treatment and was already in remission.      

When Shiwoo heard of Anton's trip to Bali from Jae-won, he called him, requesting for a meet, even bringing up the possibility of selling some of his hotels in Jakarta or company shares.     

Anton would not have met with Shiwoo until Jae-won called him, asking him to see if the Shiwoo's properties were worth investing in.      

During Anton's conversation with his uncle three days ago, he said, "Uncle, I supposed I could stop over at Jakarta. I'm with my girlfriend so if you don't mind - "     

"Wait… you have a girlfriend?" Asked Shiwoo. "So the rumors were true?"     

"Yes, uncle. We are together for a vacation," he said.      

Shiwoo was silent for a second before he answered, "Ah, you see Anton, son. Ji-yun wanted to see you. The doctors keep telling us to make her happy, and we are really trying to do so without involving you in this, but please. Just do us this favor and see her…."     

"And… I would appreciate it if you don't bring your girlfriend with you," said Shiwoo.      

"Son, Anton. It will just be a short meeting. After having coffee and snacks with us, discuss the matters of the investment, then you can go back to your girlfriend. I - I am happy to meet your girlfriend next time. Just for tomorrow, please just meet us… without your girlfriend."     

"Uncle, are you telling me to lie to my girlfriend?" Anton tried to keep his voice down as he was speaking to his uncle. When he called, Yanmei was already asleep, early in the evening.      

"Anton, I have been a good uncle to you. You know I have. Please don't blame me for wanting my daughter to survive this fight. Just please give me this time… As your uncle," said Shiwoo. "You don't have to lie to your girlfriend… Just meet us without her."     

"Uncle, I think you should tell Ji-yun the truth - "     

"We will, once her body is back to health," he said. "Please, Anton. Please. We have worked so hard over the past few years to keep her alive. Please, just give us this time."     

The next day, Anton met his uncle, completely feeling guilty. Following their meeting at the hotel restaurant, he walked them to the hotel lobby, hoping to end their engagement faster.     

When Yanmei called him out all of a sudden, he approached her, reminding them to return to the room.      

Upon his return, Ji-yun quickly asked, "Brother Anton, who was that?"     

"Ha-joon, my apprentice - "     

"And his friend's girlfriend," said Shiwoo.      

Anton immediately squinted at his uncle, but Shiwoo was quick to hold his arm and pleaded silently.      

For the rest of the conversation, Anton's mind was elsewhere, merely nodding and humming as a response to Ji-yun and Shiwoo's statements. Before Anton returned, Shiwoo had this to say, "Anton. I'm sorry and… Thank you."     

"Uncle, this is the last time. If I will have to encounter Ji-yun next, I will tell her the truth. So I hope, this is our last meeting. "     

Back to Ha-joon's suite, Yanmei intently listened to Anton's story. She scorned after hearing the entire truth. She said, "Well, I'm not dying nor am I critically ill. So go ahead and make someone else happy… Let's see if that makes you feel any better."     

"I'm already admitting to my mistake and I felt bad about it for the entire two days - "     

"Yes! Haha! You were getting angry at us for no reason, but apparently, everything was your doing!" She cut him off in fury, before laughing sarcastically.     

When her laughter faded, she weakly said, "Mr. Yeong, I want to go back to China."     

"No… When I brought Ji-Yun back to her parents, I already told her the truth about you. She already knows you are my girlfriend... Let's first go back to the room and talk it out," he requested.     

"We are already talking - Ahhh! Put me down! Mr. Anton Yeong!" Anton first scooped her up before putting Yanmei across his shoulder. He carried her out of Ha-joon's room until finding their suite.      

When Anton dropped Yanmei down, she fired up and used her recent training, kicking him in the growing area.      

"Ahhhhhh! Fuck! Yanmei!" He groaned in pain, landing down on the floor as Yanmei went to the bedroom and shut the door, locking it behind her.