75 The Heo Family’s House (2/2)

None of them expected another guest, so they were alarmed.

An older man came in.

”Dad?” Jin Goo abruptly got up, eyes wide in surprise. He was not expecting his father to come home. He was rarely ever home and would often come back when it was late into the night, so the younger man thought that it would be the same as usual.

The rest stood up, following Jin Goo. They offered a greeting towards the older man awkwardly.

”I thought you'd be at your office today,” Jin Goo says.

Senior Heo paused for a moment. Just like Jin Goo and the rest, he was not expecting to have guests at home. ”I came back to pick up some things. Don't be so stiff, all of you. Sit down, sit down.” He smiled amiably towards Jin Goo and his guests.

”Good evening, sir,” In Guk bobbed his head.

”Dad, you know Hyuk. This is his younger brother and sister, Lee Gun and Lee Yeo Ri,” Jin Goo took the lead and introduced the three new faces to his dad.

”It's nice to meet you sir,” Yeo Ri and Gun simultaneously said.

”I've seen you on TV before. It's an honour to meet you, Uncle,” Yeo Ri smiled, a starstruck look on her face. She had no idea that Jin Goo's father was a public figure.

Heo Woo Seung was a famous politician in their town, and was often in the medias. It was hard not to recognise him in their small town.

Heo Woo Seung stared at the group with a subtly odd gaze. After half a second, he widened his smile, ”Yes, thank you. It's nice to meet all of you, as well.”

He moved closer to the group, his eyes glancing at Yeo Ri briefly. Nobody had noticed the action as there was two other people close to the girl. He patted Gun's shoulder, ”Student Lee Gun, was it? I've heard of you before. You are the pride of our town. Keep up the good work,” he amiably said. Heo Woo Seung was the sponsor for a scholarship programme in which Gun was a part of, so it was not strange that he knew the boy.

Gun, who had seen the older man during the award ceremonies, simply nodded politely, ”Yes, thank you.”

”Well, I'll leave you young people to have fun. I'll be going, Jin Goo-ya,” Heo Woo Seung bade them goodbye. He headed to his room casually.

As soon as Heo Woo Seung was out of their sight, he dropped his smile and walked away quickly.

He locked himself in the bedroom he shared with his wife.

Slowly, he sat on the bed, his back hunched.

”Lee Yeo Ri...” he slowly whispered. ”Lee Yeo Ri... Yeo Ri...”

Heo Woo Seung cupped his face with trembling hands.

”Yeo Ri...” he repeated again.

”Heo Yeo Ri...”