My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 81

I had no idea how I’d managed to arrive at my parents’ shop in such a daze.
My expression must have looked rather troubled.
“Where is your head at? Come eat something right away.”
“Where’s Robin?”
“He ate ages ago.”
While I’d been wandering aimlessly through the streets, the lunch rush had passed and we’d entered the break period.
“Did something happen?”
My mother asked as she brought over the remaining staff meal.
Her worried tone made my throat tighten unexpectedly.
I barely managed to suppress the urge to tell her everything about Jessie.
“There’s something I need to tell you both.”
“What is it?”
I swallowed hard and pulled out my phone to show them the email.
“My lyrics were accepted. They want to sign a contract with me.”
“You…!”
“It’s a trustworthy company. It’s actually very famous in Korea.”
My parents’ eyes widened as they alternated their gaze between the email and me.
“I know where GT is. When I was your age, one of my favorite singers was signed with them. But for such a major company to want to contract with you…”
“It could be a scam.”
It wasn’t that they doubted me.
It was simply that the world had become so treacherous that skepticism felt warranted.
Even though I’d anticipated their reaction to some degree, I felt a bitter taste settle in my mouth.
“I’m going to sign. I’ll need to review the contract first, of course, but I’ll be an adult by my birthday anyway.”
“But Lili, this company is in Korea. And even after your birthday, you’ll still be a minor there.”
“Really? That’s actually true?”
“Yes.”
I pressed my forehead in bewilderment.
The age of adulthood was different between the United States and Korea.
It was something I hadn’t considered in my excitement.
“Lili, you really want to do this, don’t you?”
My father asked, his expression serious as he read the email.
“Yes… but since I’m a minor in Korea, the company might reject me instead.”
It would be difficult for them to regard a minor as a serious business partner.
My parents exchanged a silent look as they watched me pick at my food with a dejected expression.
It was fine if I declined.
But it was absolutely unacceptable for me to be rejected.
The difference was as vast as heaven and earth.
[When was the last time we visited Korea?]
[It was before we opened the second location.]
[Right. It’s about time we went back to Korea.]
My chopsticks froze mid-air.
[Christmas is coming up soon anyway, so the timing works out. We can give the staff their vacation and take a break ourselves.]
[You’re going to Korea?]
I stared at my parents with wide, startled eyes.
[We need parental consent to finalize the contract anyway. While we’re there, we might as well see what the company looks like.]
Faced with this unexpected fortune, I nearly forgot how to breathe.
[The company might withdraw their offer….]
[Then we’ll just take a trip to Korea and come back.]
[What if we leave the country at a time like this and get denied entry when we try to come back?]
Now I was the one rattling off all sorts of negative reasons.
My mother took my hand firmly and met my eyes.
[That’s exactly why our whole family needs to go together. It’s better for all of us to be deported together than for you to be sent to Korea alone and get deported by yourself.]
[There might not be any problem at all, so let’s not borrow trouble.]
My father said words have power and looked alarmed.
Then he gently placed side dishes on top of my rice.
[If you really want to do this, you should. But in return, you have to graduate from university no matter what. Promise me, okay?]
[I promise! Thank you so much!]
I jumped up from my seat and threw my arms around my parents.
I understood what it meant for them to close a thriving business, even if only for a few days.
It wasn’t just about losing profit—we could lose customers too.
Yet they were willing to close the shop doors for me alone.
[Is that what’s been making you so gloomy? Cheer up and eat your rice. It’s all cold by now.]
It wasn’t entirely because of that.
I stopped my parents from reheating the food and smiled brightly.
With so many things happening at once, I could still laugh because I had my family by my side.
‘I have to stay strong.’
For my parents’ sake, I couldn’t just wallow in despair.
‘Let me tackle Jessie’s situation first, one step at a time.’
I steeled my resolve while eating the cold rice.

***

Her resolve crumbled spectacularly within mere days.
I had reached out to Jessie repeatedly, but my calls went unanswered.
‘Calling him dirty was harsh, even by my own standards.’
I clutched my silent phone, my head throbbing with worry.
Was Jessie angry with me?
Was he planning never to see me again for the rest of our lives?
“Nothing’s happened to him, right…?”
I bit my lip anxiously before suddenly bolting upright from my seat.
Brooding in my room wouldn’t solve anything.
I grabbed whatever coat was within reach and rushed out of my room.
[Lili, where are you going?]
[I’m going to see Jessie. I’ll be back soon.]
[Alright. Your mother gets to choose the airplane seats?]
[Yes! I’m fine with anywhere.]
The moment the Korea trip was confirmed, my parents immediately booked the flights.
They’d already made the rounds calling relatives in Korea.
Planning a trip to Yangpyeong happened in the blink of an eye.
Truth be told, it was my parents who truly wanted to go to Korea—my situation felt more like an excuse.
[Jeju Island might be too much, right? They say Hallasan covered in snow is so beautiful.]
[It’s not a long flight from Incheon to Jeju. Should we go?]
[We should go while we can. Once we get older, we won’t be able to.]
Were they planning some kind of grand tour of the country?
Now that I thought about it, family trips had been rare.
The last camping trip with Jessie’s family was ages ago.
Watching my parents beam with excitement about the journey, I smiled warmly and left the house.
As I pondered what to say to Jessie and how to say it, I suddenly found myself standing before his house.
My heart trembling, I knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
Caroline’s familiar voice came from beyond the door.
“It’s me, Lili.”
“Lili?”
Moments later, the door opened—but it was Jessie, not Caroline, who appeared.
“Hi.”
I raised my hand awkwardly in greeting.
Jessie leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, looking down at me.
“Do you have more insults left for me?”
“That’s… not why I’m here.”
Admittedly, my words last time had been harsh.
I suppressed the urge to flee and met his gaze.
“I came as your friend today.”
“….”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
At her words, Jessie rubbed the bridge of his nose and let out a small sigh.
‘He won’t refuse, will he?’
Could he really be so angry that he’d end his friendship with me?
I watched anxiously, holding my breath.
After exhaling deeply, he straightened up from where he’d been leaning against the doorframe.
“Wait inside for a moment. I’ll grab my jacket and be right out.”
“Okay.”
Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be planning to cut ties with me either.
I watched his retreating back and felt my chest lighten with relief.
He was my only friend.
A precious friend I cherished so dearly that I harbored a secret, unrequited love for him, afraid of losing him.
‘I hope Jessie will be happy.’
Though I had blamed and resented his poor choices, I still wished for his happiness more than his suffering.
Caroline pulled me from my thoughts.
“Lili, it’s nice seeing you so often these days.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Speaking of which, your birthday is coming up soon. Are you planning to spend it alone with Jessie? If you haven’t decided yet, I was thinking we could all have dinner together.”
Caroline added that Jessie’s father’s condition had been very good lately.
“The new experimental treatment seems to be working.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“It’s thanks to Jessie. Without him, we never would have attempted treatment.”
I’d have to keep secret from Mr. and Mrs. Jackson exactly how Jessie had earned that money.
I forced myself to maintain a smile.
“Actually, I don’t think I’ll be able to have dinner on my birthday. My parents and I are planning to visit Korea.”
“You’re going to Korea?”
Jessie suddenly appeared and caught my answer.
“Yeah. We’re planning to stay for about a week.”
“Will you be okay?”
Jessie raised one eyebrow as he asked.
He was concerned because immigration enforcement had become stricter lately.
‘He’s still so considerate.’
That’s right—it was precisely this side of him that made me fall for him.
The memory felt distant and wistful, like recalling an ancient story.
“Yeah. It should be fine.”
“That’s great, Lili! If I remember correctly, it’s been quite a while since you’ve been to Korea.”
“Yes. I’m nervous about seeing my relatives.”
Caroline, who had been excited about the two families spending Christmas together, reluctantly sent me off with a wistful expression.
“Travel safely. We’ll miss you very much.”
“Me too.”
I hugged Caroline before stepping outside with Jessie.
“Where should we talk?”
“Let’s take the car.”
Jessie gestured with his chin toward the familiar vehicle parked right in front of his house.
It was my car.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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