Almost ..

Lol not exactly the picture I had in mind but this isn't too bad eh?

"Lena... Hmmm... would you.. Can I .." His heart was pounding against his chest as he wrung his hands nervously.
"Appa!!!"
He was jolted out of his reverie by Youngbae's voice ringing across the playground.
Appa?! Did I hear him correctly?
"Appa!!! " Youngbae shrieked again and started towards a young man making his way towards them.
He spotted aviator shades and a slicked-back undercut hairstyle. Decked out in simple white fitted v-neck tee and dark jeans that showed his lean physique, he ambled towards the group.
Seunghyun froze onto the spot. His chest tightened, looking on as the stranger lifted Youngbae effortlessly by his arms and spun him around briefly as Youngbae burst into a fit of giggles, having the time of his life.
He placed Youngbae safely back onto the ground and turned towards a smiling Lena, who embraced him tightly. Seunghyun's eyes widened, he felt a lump in his throat but he couldn't make a sound.
No!! An ya.. My guy checked and she's a single mother and she wasn't attached or dating anyone now.. How can this be?! Who is this prick waltzing in like that trying to be Youngbae's Appa?!
Feeling both furious and dumbfounded, he narrowed his gaze and eyed the stranger suspiciously; who reciprocated with the same hostile glare.
"Bae-ah, how many times have I told you, not to ... "
The other male interjected " How is my dearest Daeja* ? " as he ruffled Youngbae's hair.
Seunghyun heaved a barely audible sigh of relief and relaxed his brow. Unaware that the other male noticed this subtle change in expression.
He smirked at him with a glint of smugness in his eyes.
Suenghyun gritted his teeth and approached warily.
So he is just his Godson, not his Appa; but why did Youngbae address him that way? 
"Yay! Umma, this is one of my happiest days here! Appa and Ahjussi are both here to play with me! " He readily grabbed both men by each arm and pulled them towards him.
"Looks like Youngbae made a new friend huh?" he smirked at Seunghyun.
"Appa Appa! Meet my new friend! Ahjussi...? "Youngbae looked at Seunghyun quizzically.
"Seunghyun. I'm Choi SeungHyun. Nice to meet you. And you are...? " He stretched his hands out towards the other male and was greeted by a firm handshake.
"I'm Park SangWook, you can call me SangWook or Brandon." he smiled confidently, curling the side of his mouth.
Seunghyun cocked his brow at the Western monicker.
"Oh.." SangWook (or Brandon) chuckled, "I just returned to Korea after living in US. for a good part of my life."
Park SangWook. There's a familiar ring to his name but I can't seem to put a finger on it. Lena's family name is Park too. No! They can't be married, I would have known! Lena definitely didn't have any ring on her fingers. He cast a surreptitious glance at Lena's hands just to be sure.

"Hey, Seunghyun-ssi; you seem to be pretty interested in Lena? " He quizzed and chuckled at him.
Seunghyun was caught off-guard and let out a short nervous laugh.
Aish.. damn you Brandon, Brad, Bran.. whatever!
"Oppa.. " she nudged SangWook and gave an awkward smile at SeungHyun.
Lena-ah I'm your Oppa instead....
"Aniyo.. Aniyo.." Seunghyun started and waved his hands defensively.
" I just think that Youngbae is a very bright and intelligent young boy. Lena-ssi must have brought him up well. "He looked at Lena sincerely and tried to extend it towards SangWook through gritted teeth.  "And you are a lucky man to have such a capable wife and lovely son." Seunghyun expressed earnestly, trying to mask the tinge of poignancy in his voice.
SungWook burst out with laughter and Lena covered her mouth with embarassment.
"Ahhh.. what are you adults talking about? What so funny! ? " Youngbae tugged at his mother's arm with a mixed expression of confusion and curiosity.
Seunghyun was equally nonplussed. He looked at Lena imploringly and back at SangWook.
"Ah Seunghyun-ssi, you are a funny fella. Hahaha. No wonder you kept looking at Lena in that funny manner."
Seunghyun widened his gaze, "Aniyo.. What..?"
SangWook nudged his side and winked, " Don't worry buddy.I know that my dongsaeng is very popular with the guys. But I'm afraid you'll have to take a Q number and get past her Oppa first." SangWook slapped his back, causing Seunghyun to almost choke with surprise.
Seunghyun caught his breath and broke into an sheepish smile as he couldn't help feeling relieved at the revelation.
"Oppa... stop bothering SeungHyun-ssi." She flustered and a rosy hue crept up her cheeks as she lowered her gaze.
SangWook led a frustrated Youngbae back to the playground, "Appa-ah.. what are you talking about? Why is Umma blushing? Argh...You adults are no fun at all.. " he muttered grumpily.
"Oppa.. it's time to bring Youngbae home!" She called out after the 2 boys, SangWook may be her Oppa, but his cheeky and impish nature does make her wonder which one of them is more like the older sibling.

Park SangWook? Why haven't I heard of him before? Lena never mentioned to me about him. She never talked much about her family. He doesn't seem to know who am I.. Hmmm.. Good thing he wasn't in Korea when all this happened. Only then Seunghyun realised he never knew much about Lena beyond their then-married life. He scarcely payed attention to her nor expressed any concern over her matters that didn't seem to be any relevance or consequence to him.  Choi Seunghyun, you were such a selfish bastard. He chided  himself under his breath.
"SeungHyun-ssi.. Sorry, I remembered you wanted to tell me something until my Oppa interuppted us"
SeungHyun was startled by her sweet voice. His heart started to race again.
"Hmm Lena-ssi.. You can call me SeungHyun-ah. I.. hmm.. " He stuttered.
"I was wondering if you would like to have coffee sometime? ..With ..Youngbae of course! ..Only.. if you don't mind." He stumbled over his words, rambling on to fill any awkward silence that might follow and anticipated hopefully for her acceptance or rejection.
She let out a soft laugh, amused by the way he bumbled. He was almost a complete stranger, her head reminded her to be cautious of opening up to someone beyond her tight circle of her family and close friends. Her heart whispered for her to keep an open mind, somehow she felt that she could trust this man and he does seem sincere, considering what her Oppa had just put him through. "Yeh SeungHyun.. ah. I don't mind and I think Youngbae would like it too."
The day was almost over with the egg-yolk of a Sun still smouldering in its full glory before bidding adieu. There was nary a cloud in sight for most of the day, ensuring that the heat was beating down with full force onto anyone bold enough to be out of the shade. The crimson-orange orb caused him to squint as Lena was standing against the western horizon. Her simple white cotton sundress almost rendered translucent by the relentless rays outlining the silhouette of her slender frame. SeungHyun has always been captivated by her simple beauty. How could such a beautiful creature go through such pain?
SeungHyun beamed at her and promptly saved her number onto his mobile (although her already had it in his phonebook).
"Thank you Lena! I will call you next week, neh?"
She nodded, he responded with a wide smile.
Turning towards Youngbae and SangWook. He lowered himself and patted Youngbae's head. " See you soon Youngbae-ah. Good bye and take care of your Umma ok? " Winking at Youngbae. "Byebye Ahjussi! Come play with me again ok? " He grinned and waved at SeungHyun.

"Yah SeungHyun-ah!" SeungHyun paused, astounded by SangWook's brashness. He was after all Lena's Oppa, he definitely couldn't risk offending him in anyway if he wanted to get Lena back.
SeungHyun forced a smile. "Yeh, SangWook err.. Brandon Hyung-nim, it was nice to meet you."
"Remember what I told you earlier SeungHyun.." He winked and cast a knowing glance at him.
SeungHyun attempted to keep a poker face and waved his goodbyes at them; unable to contain how indignant he felt towards SangWook any longer.
Damn you SangWook Brandon !#$% If you weren't related to Lena by blood I would have kicked your snotty ass into oblivion. Count yourself lucky... Aish!
He grinned at his phone and contemplated texting Lena, but he held back his impulses. Reminding himself that he has to grasp this second chance by the reins and he can't lose her again.
Choi SeungHyun, you have to make it right this time.
Will you really give me second chance Lena?

yawn.. bedtime..This story needs more fire! rawwrr!


*Daeja 대자- Godson


The right music always sets the right mood.