My Dearest Joo Young,

        The moment this letter has been passed to you, I am nothing, but an ash sprayed on the vast ocean, have you remembered what I told you my dear? Shed a tear but rose back stronger. The plan we had for our life is nothing but perfection, but unfortunately, I will not be by your side till the end. I am truly devastated that this sickness has given our family nothing but heartaches. I had seen and heard your mother’s silent sobs throughout the night while I was pretending to sleep. And it had hurt me to leave all of you. But we could never detest what the Gods had planned for us. This might be long, but I hope you understand that everything I am about to tell you is nothing but your father’s raw and sincere feelings.

         Your mother was nothing but a beauty, her heart was nothing but pure, even if words were not spoken between me and your mother, her eyes my dear, spoke a thousand words, she had everything a partner could ever ask for,  years before you were born, me and your mother had nothing but a roof to shelter us, because both sides of our family had greatly detested of what your mother and I have. We survived by working odd jobs. Me and your mom would only see each other late night, but you know what had us going? It was you my dear. Every night, after a long tiring work, your mother and I would be wrapped up in our blanket, whispering nothing but sweet words, dreaming about our plan to welcome you in this world. We had wanted a child, but with how our life was that time. Maybe it was not the brightest thing to do. But still, everything we did, was for you.

         And as years had passed, I had finally succeeded in climbing the treacherous business world. And finally, your mother and I had happily welcomed you to this beautiful world, had showered you with nothing but everything a child could ever ask for. The moment I laid my eyes on you, on your big bright eyes, dear heavens, the angels had rejoiced! You were everything we had ever wished for during those tired nights, even more than we could have ever asked for.

         I have watched how you have grown into a fine young lady, my only heir to my enterprise. You had not even detested the plans I had laid out for you, sure there were bumps along the way, but either way, we survived, and here we are thriving.

         But I had made one grave mistake, it was locking you up inside our home. I had seen longing in your eyes whenever we went outside for our dinner plans when you were just a child. The longing look you had when you saw those kids playing at the park. It was not that we did not want you to interact with them, we just wanted to protect you. You were a miracle from thousands of hardships your mother and I had. We thought that we were enough for you, but it hadn’t been well for you isn’t it? I had seen it in your eyes, it was a curse and a blessing for us, for you to have gained your mother’s eyes, because everyday we see the sadness in your eyes, even if you did try to hide it from us. It had made us sad but at the same time be proud because you had not uttered anything about it, if we did ask you if you wanted to play with them, you would shook your head and give us you smile and if I may quote ‘It’s alright father, both of you and mother is already enough for me’.

         I wish to tell you more about those precious and sorrowful times, but your mother is already nagging me to eat my food now, so I will now get to the main point of this.

         You do remember the plan for our enterprise to expand right? Those days we had locked ourselves up in my office creating our biggest yet riskiest plan. Even your mother had long given up on dragging us outside of that room, had even opted to just observe us with her big bright eyes. I want you to continue you dear, more specifically in Moirai City. I am in no place to rush you, not even your mother. So take the time to fully understand my request of you. Take the time to explore and do what you want first. I just wish that your mother would still be there the moment you have reached our goal. Always remember my dear, never stop until your eyes are looking straight ahead with the sun. Not with you looking up to the sun but instead the sun looking up at you. I love you so much Jooyoung, take care of yourself and your mother for me. We will meet again soon, all in due time. 

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Her mother had talked to her, after she had caught Joo Young reading the letter her father had left for her, and as her mother and father had expected long before, Joo Young had been confused. Her mother had patiently sat beside her, waiting for her to process everything her father had left for her, and after, some hours soon, Joo Young had finally spoken, “Why Moirai? Is there something in Moirai for me mother?” Smiling as gentle as her mother could ever be, she cradled her daughter’s cheek into her hands. “It’s what fate had decided for you my love, your father had just merely helped you follow the path you belong to. But you should not rush alright? Take all the time you want to explore the world first. Only go when you feel the moment is right.” A kiss on her forehead, her mother had bid goodbye for the night. Leaving Joo Young relaxed but still confused.

The night she had slept on the very same day she had read her father’s last will. Joo Young had experienced her first nightmare.

The stinging pain from her back had made her snap her eyes wide open, a scream wanting to tear out from within her, only for her to choke on salt water, wait. Salt water? She looked around in hopes of finding something to hold onto, to let her stay afloat, but it was futile. She long gave up trying to swim up shore, the stinging pain from her back and her hands had told her to give up. Looking up, she had saw a bright light…and even with the pain of reaching out, she still did.

” I told you dear, don’t get too close.”

She had abruptly sat up, drenched in sweat, her breathe fast and shallow. What was that dream? Why did it feel so real?