One Thing Right Chapter 17 | Wenrene

 

 One Thing Right

Chapter 17

"Unexpected Support" 

"Both of you are too much, I want to puke." Seulgi said, arms crossed as she stood and watched the inseparable couple in front of her. Most likely, it was Irene being utterly sweet and always clinging onto Wendy since morning when she woke up. 

Irene was all calm and smiley again, still not at her 100% but her vibe was all better from when Seulgi first saw her at a small private room. The hospital was not the same one as where Irene does her regular check up, it was a hospital nearby where they fetch her from. Talking about it, it's a famous institution in the country so the fees were a bit higher than of a regular one.

The doctor who attended Irene last night explained that the bleeding was from overfatigue and stress but thankfully despite that, there were no severe complications that were detected in her initial test results. Both Irene and the baby were safe after a few hours but the doctor warned them that if she bleeds like that the next time, it could already cost her baby's life. The doctor recommended for Irene to get admitted for at least 3 days so they could monitor her and run more tests for the mother and baby's health improvement. Seulgi decided to ensure Irene's safety first before they return to Taeyeon so she quickly agreed to the recommendation and get Irene spend here for 3 days.

The quality of medical care and attention that were given to them were so high and exclusive, not that the other hospitals were not good but it surprised Seulgi how they treat them like they were some sort of special people of the society. They even got transferred to a bigger private room immediately that night after some few tests done and despite Seulgi declining it and telling them they are already okay with the smaller room, they said that the amount of fees will be the same as to a small private room so she let it be. Seulgi asked if this is how this institution usually function to everyone and the medical staffs only told her that their patients' comfort were their top priority. She now understands why everyone speaks so highly of this hospital. 

When Irene woke up last night, she was in fright and panic despite the doctor giving her an assurance that both her and the baby were all safe. Seulgi could still remember vividly how Irene got disconnected again from the world at that time, it was the same looks she had when she lost her sister Jisoo. But now, that horrifying looks were nowhere to be found because the first thing Irene had seen in the morning when she woke up was Wendy, whom she loved so dearly. And just like magic, her worries were all washed away. Seulgi was so happy and thankful for Wendy because of that, she saved Irene from losing hope again.

Irene didn't budge despite Seulgi teasing her that she's whipped for Wendy and that she's too obvious with it, she clung onto her partner even more instead. If it were her in the past, she might have distanced herself and completely deny it all but now was different. It was different that all Irene wanted was to stay close to Wendy and feel her presence, smell her scent or just hear her breathing. This urge was bigger, stronger that she didn't mind Seulgi calling her names for being clingy. 

"If Joy is here, we'll definitely hear the same comment if not worst." Wendy chuckled and glanced at Irene with a knowing smile. 

"Oh you bet. I suddenly missed Joy, when is she coming back anyways? It's so hard to be the third wheel here." Seulgi finally sets on the sofa across the bed where Irene and Wendy sat. 

"Hands off, Seul. She has a boyfriend." Irene struck back at her and Wendy's eyes widened quickly.

"You like Joy?!" 

Seulgi didn't said anything but her flushed face was giving her away. 

"You didn't notice?" Irene asked Wendy as she feed her a slice of peeled apple with a fork. 

Wendy was in shock about Seulgi's heartbreak story but she easily took Irene's offer of food. Irene giggled. 

"How come I didn't notice? I should have warned you about Joy's existing love life." She said chewing loudly her apple.

"Oh come on, chingu. You didn't even notice Irene was already gushing over you the first time, how so would you notice a second pair's love story is unfolding?"

Both Irene and Wendy blushed at the same time. Their arms still entangled despite the embarrassing comment, Irene slid her hand to reach for Wendy's. She gripped her hand tightly, never wanting to let go. 

Wendy liked the gesture. It's so warm and it makes her head lighter. She held Irene's hand in the same manner as her response and even though she was looking away, she knew that Irene was smiling... just like her. 

"W-well, I have a confession to make." Seulgi started again. When her companions didn't say anything, she continued. "Joy went home to break up with her boyfriend." 

"WHAT?!" This time Wendy stood up in surprise but hand still connected with Irene's. 

"Yep, you heard her right Wendy-unnie." The door slid open as Joy dramatically made an entrance. 

"Joy?!!" The three of them said in unison as they saw the tall girl, who looked like she'll pass out soon, standing by the door.

"Joy, are you alright?" Wendy slipped away from Irene's and attended to Joy's needs. She made her settle on the sofa next to Seulgi and got her a glass of water that Joy drunk one shot. Some water spilled and Seulgi followed the droplets as they traced Joy's neck and down to her shirt. Seulgi gulped. 

"I saw you, perverted bear!" Joy said as she finally recovered some strength and Seulgi played dumb. Joy rolled her eyes but instantly averted her gaze to Wendy who she found the same but also different. She smiled to herself. 

"I came here straight from the airport, unnie."

"You shouldn't have. Everything is fine now." Wendy replied.

"Yep, it's even better now that I see it with my own eyes." Joy smiled widely at Wendy who was confused at her response.

Joy then searched for Irene in the room and she stood up from her seat to transfer where the latter was, ignoring Wendy and Seulgi. 

"Irene unnie, I'm so happy you're all okay!" 

Irene looked at her with guilt visible in her eyes but she still managed to pull out a grateful smile. Joy was not us dense as Wendy nor Seulgi so she felt Irene's sudden change of mood right away. She knew also why it was there in the first place.

"Both of you, OUT!" Joy commanded the two. At first, Wendy and Seulgi didn't know what to do with that but when Joy started throwing things at them, they finally left the room. 

---

Wendy and Seulgi stared at the shut door of Irene's room, it took them a few seconds before understanding what just happened before looking at each other. 

With their wide eyes meeting each other, they started laughing at how silly both of them looked. 

"You looked like a bear on a diet just now." Wendy commented laughing and Seulgi retorted playfully, "And you looked like a hamster meme I saved on my phone." 

Wendy's eyebrow twitched, she stopped laughing. She could not relate. "What meme?" 

Seulgi then fished her phone from her jacket, eyes vanishing from too much laughing as well. "Here." She showed an image of a cornered hamster displaying an amusing shocked face. With that, they shared yet another round of laughter. 

After recovering from their own silliness at the waiting area, Seulgi invited Wendy for a walk. "Let's give them some private time. Why don't we go outside and breathe some fresh air?" 

When she saw Wendy was having second thoughts, Seulgi read it that she's still worried for Irene so she added, "Joy is inside so Irene and the baby are in good hands right now." 

"That's not it." 

"Then what is it?" Seulgi can't think of other reasons so she came up with, "Is it because you don't like me for Joy?" 

"That's not it eithe-" Wendy has never turned her head that fast in her life, "W-wait, what?!" 

"Huh? It's not it?" 

"Wait, you have to answer my question first!" 

"What's your question?" Seulgi feigns ignorance to save herself from Joy's "everything". That's how Joy described Wendy to her at least.

"You! Are you pursuing Joy?!"

Wendy, who was always soft looking and oozing with warm vibe suddenly transformed to a frightening cold person to Seulgi's eyes, she gulped.

"I... I-I didn't mean to..."

"What?!" Wendy stood up from her seat and towered at Seulgi's cowering form. "Seulgi-ah. I never doubted that you're a good person but don't play with Joy, please?" 

That's when Seulgi stood up beside Wendy, she responded with new found courage and confidence, she grasped both of Wendy's hands. "I'm not playing with Joy and I don't intend to, Wendy. I fell for her, it just happened. I like her, no, I love her! Please give me your consent, chingu!" 

"So that's what you meant when you said you don't intend to?" Wendy finally calmed down and transformed back to her fluffy self, that's how Seulgi described it. 

"So you're not mad anymore?" 

"No, I'm not mad." 

Liar. Seulgi thought but she let it be. 

"Seriously though, are you the reason why Joy broke up with her boyfriend?" 

"M-maybe?" 

Wendy was about to hit her on the head when Seulgi spoke. "She said that she's been in a toxic relationship with her boyfriend for a long time now. It's about time that she breaks out of that." 

Wendy softened. "Why didn't she tell me anything about it." She asked but the answers were already obvious. She was too preoccupied with her own thoughts, Joy might have thought that she didn't want to add up to that. But still...

Seulgi saw how Wendy got all gloomy about it so even when Joy said to keep her reasons a secret, she thought she'll be forgiven at this kind of situation. After all, Wendy is Joy's everything.

"It's because Joy didn't want you to see her having a hard time. She was too afraid that when you do, you'll be more worried about her well being and you'll no longer rely on her thinking that she has more than enough on her plate." 

"W-what?" Wendy spoke quietly, surprised at what she heard, tears already edging her eyes.

"Joy treats you as the most special person in her life and seeing you pushing away people from you, Joy was too scared to open up. It's not because she didn't want to rely on you, it's because she's too afraid she'll lose you."

Wendy couldn't hold her tears, she cried. 

"I didn't know she was thinking like that. Joy must have been hurting too much, I'm so stupid for hurting her. She is as precious to me too, Seulgi."

"Joy knows you and she understood your situation really well. She's a tough woman too, so I'm sure she's already happy and contented to have you by her side despite it all. She really loves you that much." Seulgi then wrapped Wendy in her arms, comforting her but she couldn't hide a tinge of jealousy as well. "I wish I could be as important like that to her one day." 

"I think you already are." 

"What are you saying?" She dismissed the idea with a mocking laugh. 

"This should be obvious in her case with me but Joy really is the type of person that clings to someone special to her no matter how painful it is. The fact that she broke up with her boyfriend for 5 years now just meant you're all worth it for her to throw that long term relationship she has. If that isn't treating you important then I don't know what it is." 

Then Seulgi blushed, feeling reassured. She chuckled. "She's stuck with you though."

Wendy then broke out from her embrace, acted out as if she was offended by what she said. She wiped her tears immediately. "What, you want Joy to throw me away too? That's not gonna happen, you fool." 

"Of course that won't happen." Seulgi grinned and locked Wendy's neck playfully with her arm. The jolliness rise up again between the two.

"Hey, are you treathening me? Don't forget you still have favorS to return to me." Wendy said as she struggled out of Seulgi's headlock but she still made sure that she stressed out the 'S' on the favor. She has not forgotten about it yet. 

"Oh yeah? Why don't you use one favor to ask me to release you then?"

"Okay, okay!" Wendy tapped out and Seulgi set her free.

"That's one out of two!" Seulgi, like the usual, beamed with a wide grin. 

"Aish. There goes the one week spent in terror." Wendy said as she recalled what she had went through back in the day. 

"Oh come on. That already became the first step to Irene's heart." 

Wendy's face reddened, she cleared her throat to not be too obvious. "O-one more favor then." She still stuttered and Seulgi caught it, her smile became even wider now. 

"2nd favor is to break up with Joy." 

That's when Seulgi's smile got washed away instantly, she pouted. "W-what? No. We're not even starting."

"So you both of you aren't together yet?" 

"Joy said she wanted to break up with her boyfriend first before we start anything." 

With Seulgi still frowning, Wendy took back what she said. "I'm just kidding, stop frowning already. I'm just saying that to know your status and to tell you that I have the upper hand here." 

"I still have Irene as my card, I'm not losing here." 

"T-that's not valid." 

"And why?" 

"Because..." Wendy trailed off thinking of excuses. 

Their conversation was starting to get pointless now but both of them were into it that it's still going. It's a simple interaction but both of them were too inclined with it, they're friends after all, something that they were both thankful for and will forever cherish. A time spent with a good friend regardless of what they do won't ever be called wasted for them. 

"Because?" Seulgi still continued.

"Because Irene and I have a baby." 

"Huh? I don't get it, what's with it?" 

"I-it means we shouldn't be separated or the baby will suffer." Wendy blabbers but Seulgi bought it surprisingly.

"I see." And that's how Wendy got her title of having the upper hand between them. "Then what's THE real 2nd favor?"

Wendy was seen hesitating again before giving in with sigh. "Just... love and take good care of Joy. If you hurt her, I really won't ever forgive you." She finally gave her consent.

Seulgi then smiled and even bowed at her immediately. "Count on me, Ma'am!" 

---

"What was that for?" Irene finaly asked, still amused at Joy's strong personality that she could scare the two older girls like that. 

"Unnie, I will no longer beat around the bush as I don't want to cause you more stress so I'll go for it. Wendy could be really as dense as a brick at times, unnie. So I hope you'll understand her." 

Irene knew that Joy could easily read emotions from the people around her so her jealousy was easily spot on. She felt guilty at the same time.

"I just can't help it, Joy. I know your importance to her, that's irreplaceable and I don't intend to change that, it's just that..." Irene sighed deeply, having a hard time to express her feelings into words. She looked at Joy who was only waiting patiently at what she's about to say. "I came to love her so much. It's so much that I want to be someone as important as you to her too, Joy." 

When Joy didn't utter a word for a while, Irene was slightly tensed because she can't sketch Joy's reaction over her overwhelming feelings for Wendy. 

"I'm relieved." Joy finally said after like an eternity to Irene. 

"What do you mean?" 

"I'm relieved that there's finally someone out there that I could approve of for her." Joy grasps both of Irene's hands. "Wendy unnie always gives an overwhelming love for everyone unconditionally so I think that only an overwhelming love like that can replenish it as well. I couldn't do it unnie but you can and you did." She assured her with a genuine smile.

Irene's eyes widened with clarity. She promised Wendy that she won't shed yet another tear but she was deeply moved by Joy's words that she can't hold it back.

"The fact that she's here with you, with us right now in this hospital, it's a manifestation how your love replenished her emptiness that it gave her strength to be by your side." She also added, "Trust Wendy unnie, because this time around she chose you as the recepient of her overwhelming love too." 

Irene's tears were overflowing but it was all because she was happy,  she's in pure bliss. She understood how hard it really was for Wendy to surmount her depressing thoughts just like that for her. However, despite feeling like this, Joy stressing out the word hospital as she spoke didn't go unnoticed. Maybe she was just overthinking, maybe she heard it wrong, so she ignored it and just focused on the reassuring meaning of her words.

After a good 20 minutes of talk and Irene was all okay, Joy fetched the two outside the room but only Seulgi was there waiting. "Where's Wendy-unnie?" 

"Oh you guys are done? Uhm, someone approached us earlier and invited Wendy for a talk."

"Who was it?" 

"I don't know, I was not able to see the name of the doctor but Wendy seemed to know her so I did not bother to ask. Is there something wrong?" Seulgi asked when she saw Joy's face starting to get pale.

Joy's hands started shaking too but she managed to take out her phone and showed an image of a woman to Seulgi. "W-was it her?"

Seulgi then nodded. "Yup. It's her."

"Oh my God, Oh my God! We're doomed!" Joy then bit her nails and started pacing back and forth. That's when Irene from the back got alarmed too.

"Joy, what's happening?" Irene asked worriedly.

"I guess both of you haven't noticed it yet nor Wendy did the talking but... this hospital.." 

"What about this hospital?" Seulgi's getting worried already too. 

"Joy, what about this hospital?" Irene repeated her question slightly growing impatient. She's getting nervous already.

"This hospital is owned by the Shons. Everything is managed by her family and that woman you saw earlier was her big sister, the managing director of this hospital."

Seulgi and Irene were both surprised at the news, they didn't know that Wendy was connected to the Sons who were huge when it came to business world in South Korea. Sure, they knew that she was a Son but didn't expect her to be THAT Son.

"S-so that makes sense, how this hospital treated us. I-Isn't that a good thing?" Seulgi asked cautiously and Irene waited for her response. Wendy never spoke anything about her family yet to Irene so she didn't know where to stand on this kind of situation.

"They are currently not in good terms. They all want Wendy back in Canada." Joy sighed in distress and the two, most especially Irene, gasped in fear. 

"No. What should we do?" Irene suddenly got up from the bed which alarmed both Joy and Seulgi. They came rushing towards her. 

"Hey! Don't push yourself to get up, have you lost your mind?!" Seulgi scolded her but Irene was still being stubborn. 

"Wendy needs us the most right now. If none from both of you would search for her right now then I'll do that myself!" Irene said with much determination, her instincts were telling her that Wendy's family has huge contribution to her depression considering how Joy was reacting to this situation. It's true that Irene still feels so weak, her fear of getting separated from Wendy was there too, but at times like this right now she has to get her act together and do something or Wendy's gonna get harmed again emotionally. 

Irene did not forget about her current state either, she promised Wendy that she will take care of herself and the baby and become healthy again, so she's making the other two do something quick instead by threatening them that she'll do everything herself. She feels guilty for doing it like this but since they were all getting anxious, someone has to bring them back to their right mind and it's her who can do that in this situation.

"I-I'll find her! Stay with her Seulgi unnie, we can't let her be by herself. Wendy unnie would scold us if we did." Joy said and both girls nodded in agreement. She then sighed deeply to calm her nerves before she finally went out on her way. 

---

Wendy remembered Seulgi's invitation for a walk earlier and now she hated it that she ignored it. It would have been better to see Seulgi's confused face wondering why the hospital's staffs bow their heads to her as they walk than being stuck in awkwardness with her sister like this. Her sister who she hasn't seen nor contacted for years. 

Wendy never grew close to her sister since she was always busy abiding with whatever their parents told her to do. She was the favorite daughter and everyone could see why. Mina, her big sister, was what any parent would want as their daughter. She lives up to the expectations of everyone, she's the typical good and loving daughter, strong-minded and is driven for success, all traits that their parents search from her as well. 

If Wendy were to be honest, she used to look up to her sister when they were growing up as kids despite barely interacting. Before her parents forced her to set her sister as a standard on whatever she does, Wendy already had done it. That explains as to why she studied highschool in Canada too. But that didn't went right along the way with her, Wendy started to notice their huge differences and that urged her to finally stray away from the path that her sister had walked on first.  

What she did not expect was, when she chose to live her own way, her parents started to treat her like she was some sort of abnormality in their known custom and beliefs of raising a 'proper' child. They were both seemed culture shocked as to how 'different' Wendy has grown, it was out of their plan. It's not like she had grown to be a serial killer that did heinous crimes, but maybe to her parents with high standards, being not on top of everything she did was considered a crime. 

But despite it all, with their parents continuously feeding her mind on what was supposed to be right, Wendy never hated her sister. Mina did her own thing and Wendy did not bother to step in to her world either, so Wendy thought there's no direct reason to hate her at all. She already accepted it, that all they will ever be was two people who just happened to have the same blood running through their veins and the world called them sisters. At least that's what Wendy had been thinking all along. 

"Wendy." Her sister called out and that snapped her out of her reverie. Then she realized that she already had gone a few steps ahead of her sister. 

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking." Wendy said and approached her. "Did you say anything that I missed?"  

"I asked if you want to talk in my office instead?" Her sister said and Wendy wasn't sure if she's just hearing things or there's really an emotion of concern visible in her tone. She must be making up things, who knows maybe her sister's voice had been like this that she had mistaken it as concern. They haven't talked to each other for so long anyways so she might have forgotten. 

Wendy didn't really want to have a talk with her sister in any place but since she has no choice, she at least had to take a place that won't make her even more uncomfortable with her. "I think outside is better." 

"I guess that you're uncomfortable with me anywhere, huh?" Mina said and Wendy got stunned by how disappointed she sounded. She's starting to get really confused now here. 

"Let's go to the lounge area." When Mina walked pass through her, Wendy then stopped her by grabbing her arm. 

"Unnie, if we'll only talk about me going back to Canada, I'm telling you now that I'm refusing it. I already said to mom that I don't want to go back a few months ago and it still hasn't changed. I am moving on with my life now here in South Korea, this is where I belong now." Wendy spoke her mind. She remembered Irene's words about speaking for herself and so she did. 

Mina only stared at her, emotions were unreadable this time around. And with it, Wendy was reminded where she stand so she let go her arm and took a distance from her. However, she added, "I know we're not close nor I have any reason to ask any help from you but... could we at least be back to what we were before? With you not getting involved with me nor I am to you. I won't go anywhere and that's my final answer." She said with finality and turned the other way to leave but what her sister blurted out made her still.

"Your psychiatrist Rose is a long time friend of mine." 

Wendy's chest tightened upon hearing that. A sweat trailed her face and her mind boggled. What's the meaning of this? 

"What's the meaning of this?" She spoke her mind and turned towards her sister, how was she gonna react to this? Everything's getting complicated now in her head and Wendy didn't want to conclude anything without hearing out the whole thing. She needs to solve this problem or she won't be able to cope up thinking how awful and betrayed she's feeling.

Mina sighed deeply, her firm resolve finally crumbling. This time, the Mina who Wendy had seen to have a strong persona was showing signs of exhaustion and regret. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

Wendy's eyebrows furrowed but she's also concerned on what's happening to her sister. 

"I thought if I do everything I could to comply to our parents' wishes, they will leave you alone and let you live your own life.But I was so wrong and now you're in despair. There's no one to blame here but me, you're big sister, who did not do anything but watch you from afar." 

"W-what? I-If you're feeling guilty because you found out that I'm struggling from depression, stop it because I don't need your pity! Don't make up stories like you really look out for me." Wendy said with so much anger and Mina accepted it her words.

"Then why do you think our mom hasn't fetched you yet when she told you she'll make you go back to Canada a few months ago?"

The younger girl was taken aback. It was true. Wendy had been waiting and living with anxiousness that it'll come sooner and that everything good that she's experiencing lately will all end instantly after. It all makes sense.

"Why do you think they let you go here in South Korea to study a different course than mine and work for your own in the first place? And most of all...Why do you think I let you be in a relationship with that pregnant woman?"

"W-why are you telling me all this now?" Wendy was starting to get scared at the mention of Irene now. She didn't want to get separated from her.

"Because I'm looking out for you, Wendy. I'm correcting my ways even though I know it's too late. You're my little sister and all I want for you is to be happy."