Leave of Absence ||
a solo detailing where he’s been for almost three weeks
tw: mentions of death, verbal abuse, severe low self esteem and abandonment
Sungyeol was tired. He was just exhausted physically and mentally. He wasn’t all that ready to take on a director role. He’d wanted to step back but he had no idea how. So, a phone call from his mother had come in at an almost perfect time. He had picked up the phone call. “Mom why are you calling me?” he asked. He wasn’t surprised that she was calling him but he wasn’t really in the mood to talk to his family, since they were the main reason why he ended up leaving and moving to Mount Phoenix.
“It’s your grandfather. He’s on the deathbed,” she stated. Sungyeol clenched his jaw. Why would he want to return to the man who made his life a living hell? “and?” he asked.
“He wants to make amends with you,” she added. Sungyeol took a deep breath. There was a reason he hated his family and wanted nothing to do with them. His parents were complicit in the abuse he faced, but it was his grandfather who made everything way worse. He’d been sent away as a child, and even when he wanted to come back, he was constantly refused. He was forced to go into medicine so that he could gain the family approval, setting aside his own passions for art and that wasn’t enough.
“Fine. I’ll come and see him. I refuse to forgive him, however, mother,” he stated. His mother understood what he meant and agreed. At least, he would be there. Sungyeol decidedly took the leave that he’d been planning on and left Mount Phoenix shortly after that phone call.
His arrival in Seoul had been fairly quick and he debated on whether he should get a hotel or go to the house. His decision was made quickly as he saw his mother’s driver waiting for him. “Madame sent me to get you,” he was told. Sungyeol could feel the feelings and emotions that he’d squashed deep inside bubble up again. Once again, he felt like he was a child, begging to be let back in. Begging to be accepted. He hated the feeling welling up in his heart. He hadn’t wanted to come back and seeing the gates of the manor made him feel anxious and sick. But he had promised his mother that he would indulge his grandfather.
He could hear his arrival being announced and loud screaming. He recognized his grandfather’s tone. As always, calling him names and demanding to know why he was there. He sank into the car seat. Maybe he wouldn’t have to face him. But his promise. He got out of the car and faced the house he had grown up in. He needed closure as well. If his grandfather was dying, Sungyeol would feel better getting that closure.
