Chapter Twenty
"Has Jeremy told you about Jung Hwa?" Ye Eun carefully questioned from behind the counter. She was almost done closing the cafe and was counting the money in her register when the discussion she had with Jeremy floated back into her head. Her eyes floated to Go Mi Nam who had come to her place of work once again, waiting patiently for her to finish her duties so he could escort her home and spend time with their daughter.
Ye Eun's feelings were so mixed about what happened between her and her cousin yesterday. Initially, she was extremely upset and quite angry- but that soon was replaced with curiosity. Jeremy's attitude towards Mi Nam was completely different. His words, the way he even said Mi Nam's name- his body language- there was something more to it. The dynamic of their relationship had changed somehow and she was beginning to speculate that Jeremy had feelings for Go Mi Nam.
"Jung Hwa?" Mi Nam's face scrunched a little to the side, wracking to his brain. Out of all the people hyung has mentioned- was there a Jung Hwa?
Ye Eun took Mi Nam's response as a no. "That's alright then." If Jeremy had told him, he would have responded immediately.
"Who's this Jung Hwa then?" Mi Nam asked, leaning back in the chair he was sitting in.
"Someone…" Ye Eun searched for the words. "that he was very close to."
"He told me the only person he ever loved was a girl named Julie."
"Is that so? Hmm." Ye Eun hummed before continuing cleaning the counter. "Its good he trusts you enough to even tell you about her." She put the rag away and came from around the counter.
"What about this 'Jung Hwa'? Did she come before or after Julie? Is she the real reason he and Julie broke it off? Oh, I knew that story he told me about long distance was bullshit!"
"Oh no, it's not quite like that."
"What do you mean?"
Ye Eun sighed, putting on her jacket. She looked around the cafe to check that everything was immaculate; it wasn't often she actually closed. "Jeremy..." Mi Nam hovered beside her. "...was in a motorcycle accident when he was younger."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah." She stood in front of Mi Nam, a dejected expression on her face. "His injuries were bad, but he recovered very well. So well he went about like it almost didn't happen. You know, Jeremy's a pretty strong person- he's always been resilient, been able to bounce back with ease. But he was really hurt in the past so he has a weak heart." She stopped. "Poor baby fainted after hearing your condition." Ye Eun could've hit herself. Jeremy specifically said he didn't want Mi Nam to know.
"What? He really?" Go Mi Nam felt fifteen different types of awful hearing how much Jeremy really hurt for him.
"Please don't tell Jeremy I told you. He didn't want you to know." Ye Eun said as she locked the door. "He's embarrassed about it."
"What benefit would I have in telling him I know? Its not even something I can tease him about." The man sighed. "But...what... does his accident have to do with that Jung Hwa guy?"
"They met in the hospital during his recovery." She looked away. "Yeah, that's when all the trouble started."
"Trouble?" They began to walk down the street to Mi Nam's car.
Ye Eun's nose began to twitch. "Sweet potatoes!" Immediately she jetted off in the direction of the vendor a few yards away.
"YE EUN!" Mi Nam yelled after her, finally catching up. He nearly forgot how fast she was. By the time he got to her she was already buying the sweet potatoes. She squealed excitedly when the man handed her a bag of them, taking one out immediately.
"You still like sweet potatoes that much huh?"
"Of course! You have to get them when they've just been roasted and just right~" Ye Eun happily hopped.
She peeled hers open quickly, biting into it. "Oh, that's so hot!"
Mi Nam rolled his eyes. "You burned yourself didn't you?"
"It was worth it." She blew on the potato to cool it. "Taste some." She held the potato to him, hot steam rolling off it.
"I'm fine."
The look Ye Eun gave him completely won him over. He took a bite, the hot sweet potato engulfing his taste buds. He did miss the taste of them.
"Wasn't that good? They're especially good on cold night, don't you think?"
"Whatever, whatever it's cold. Let's go home now." Mi Nam said, pulling Ye Eun along back to his parking space. "You know, you never finished telling me about Jung Hwa."
"Oh, I'm sorry." She said with a mouth full of potato.
He smiled her at her silliness. Being with her like this made him feel nostalgic, like they were dating again. "I've already said too much though. If you really want to know, try asking Shin Woo or Tae Kyung. It's hard for Jeremy to talk about."
Soon after Min Jee was asleep, Mi Nam left the room with a smile. "How is it our kid is so cute? It should be illegal."
"She's only cute when she's sleeping." Ye Eun hummed as she finished off folding some laundry. "You've had the blessing of being with her on her best behavior. She doesn't act up when you're around."
"Sorry, I just can't believe that." Mi Nam hopped over to Ye Eun, who put the folded laundry into a small closet. It amazed Mi Nam how good Ye Eun was with space in this place, considering the size. "You know, she asked me if I could read her bedtime stories every night."
"And what did you say?"
"How could I say no to that face?" Mi Nam was surprised at how fast he could feel himself growing attached to her.
"Wouldn't that be bit of a stretch with your unpredictable schedule?"
"I can make it happen. We could do it over the phone, ah, no- video chat. It's better if I can see her."
"Sorry, my phone doesn't have good video capability."
"Then, I'll buy you a new one."
"Mi Nam."
"Ye Eun..." Mi Nam held her by the shoulder so she would look him straight in the eye. "Remember what I told you. I am taking responsibility. That means that I provide for both you and Min Jee so you can live comfortable. With that mentioned, Cho Ye Eun, I want you to listen to me very clearly when I say this: If something is going on, any sort of problem, tell me about it right away. Please. I will do my best to help you. Don't run or try to hide it like before. If you do that again, I won't hold back."
"Oh, what could you do to me?" She smirked.
"I don't know yet, but just know that I'll do it, and you won't like it."
Ye Eun giggled a bit. "Are you going to fight me if I don't tell you I can't pay my gas bill or my rent is due and I'm short about $200 dollars?"
"I'll do whatever it takes." Mi Nam replied sternly as he got closer to her. "So let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Their faces were close, very close now. "God, Mi Nam, you know what it does it me when you talk like that." She whispered in a low, sexy tone. "I just can't hold myself back." She grabbed him by the ear. "Do that again and I won't let you off the hook!"
"God, Ye Eun why is your grip so damn strong?" He yapped before noticing a bit of her stomach exposed. Perfect. Quickly reaching his fingers to her sides, he began to tickle her. "No, no, no!" She shrieks as he breaks out of her grip and continues to tickle her. "Stop it you jerk! I can't breathe!" She tried to stop him in between her laughter from his tickling assault.
Go Mi Nam stopped, then, taken back at Ye Eun's beauty. Her cheeks were now tinted red, her clothes a bit disheveled- her milky skin exposed. He felt his insides begin to stir.
"Why are you looking at, huh? Wh-"
Throwing her against the wall, Mi Nam cut her off with a kiss. He didn't really know what he was thinking, all he knew was at that moment, he just wanted her. His eyes were only filled with her as he devoured her mouth. Ye Eun didn't resist a single bit and kissed back. She wrapped her arms around him, with her hands on the small of his back. It was like they were back in high school-skipping their gym period together to go make out on the rooftop. Not even oxygen was important.
About two minutes later, Ye Eun broke away the kiss. She hadn't been touched in so long- she hadn't felt his touch in so long that her senses were going crazy. Her skin was tingling and she felt her body ache to be touched more.
Ye Eun snapped out of her lust filled daze. "Ah, Mi Nam..." She struggled to find words. Their eyes locked. That look always drove Mi Nam up the wall when he was younger, and it wasn't any less effective now.
"Just for tonight..." He started, finger tracing along her cheek. "will it be okay?"
Jeremy rolled over in his bed, feeling something odd on his forehead. "Eh?" He mumbled, peeling it off. It was a note.
Jeremy,
I just wanted to express how truly sorry am I to you. Not only did I steal your bike but I sent it to an early grave. I destroyed something precious to you. Ye Eun told me more about what happened the day of my accident and I didn't know that you had one yourself. I'm really an insensitive bastard sometimes.
I also told you that I was going to make it up to you and that starts now. I rented a really nice car and we're going out shopping for your new bike.
P.S I put this note in a convenient place because I know if I didn't you wouldn't find it. Once you're finished reading come to breakfast. I also made kimchi soup. I'm making you all try it so be prepared.
P.S.S Shower immediately after breakfast. We're not wasting time.
Jeremy held the note in his hand with a smile as he made his way to the kitchen. This had the potential of being a very good day. He jumped into the kitchen, sitting down in his chair. There was no Mi Nyu; unfortunately, she had left for the orphanage long ago so there were only his band mates. Shin Woo and Tae Kyung were sitting down and eating, while Mi Nam was in an apron, hair tied back. "Oh, Shin Woo hyung? Is it good? Be honest."
Shin Woo put his hand to his chin, before giving a small grin. "You did well for a first try, Mi Nam."
This put a grin on his face. "Then, you liked it?"
Tae Kyung nearly exploded with laughter, "Don't get him excited, Shin Woo. Then he'll want to cook and we'll both have to be taste testers for these experiments."
"Tae Kyung, it wasn't that bad." Shin Woo defended. He was being a bit harsh to the boy, in his opinion.
"It was bad?" Mi Nam looked like a kicked puppy.
"It's true overall you need improvement on some things, but you did well. The side dishes and rice are pretty good."
"He asked us to be honest, Shin Woo. Why are you still sugar coating? Mi Nam, your side dishes were either overcooked, burned, or over salted. This rice," He pointed towards his bowl of rice, "is the only edible part of this meal."
Right as Tae Kyung mentioned the saltiness, Jeremy had topped his rice bowl with a side and already dug in. His face contorted. He really did over salt this. How is this possible.
"If you don't like it don't eat it!" Mi Nam's attitude completely snapped at his hyung.
"That's why I'm not!" Tae Kyung snapped it right back. "Who would want to eat this? Even a starving dog desperate for scraps would avoid this."
"I'll try the kimchi soup now." Jeremy announced from his chair. The atmosphere in the kitchen became rotten and Jeremy felt pity for him. Regardless of the leader's words, Mi Nam's soup smelled good enough to eat.
Tae Kyung continued to gripe. "What did you do? Pour a whole salt shaker into this thing? No human wants this much salt on anything!"
Before Jeremy could get up, Mi Nam went and poured him a bowl and pushed it in front of him as he shot daggers at Tae Kyung. "Do you even know how to cook either hyung? These days men should know how to provide for themselves too. Don't depend on my sister for everything."
Finding Mi Nam's comeback too petty for a response, Tae Kyung just scoffed and continued eating his rice. Jeremy tasted the soup with a slurp that caught Mi Nam's attention. Mi Nam watched excitedly to see his reaction. Jeremy's face scrunched up again. It certainly tasted different; at the very least he could tell it was supposed to be kimchi soup.
"It's really that bad, huh?" The youngest pouted.
Jeremy hesitated, with a nervous laugh. "Um, well… "
He took his apron off with a sigh. "I thought I would be able to at least cook a simple breakfast."
"Maybe you need to go simpler- like toast and eggs?" Shin Woo softly recommended.
"I can teach you!" Jeremy spit out without thinking. Shin Woo and Tae Kyung looked at him in shock.
"Huh?" Mi Nam gazed at him.
"Uh, I said I'll teach you." Jeremy avoided Mi Nam's gaze, a bit shy after his outburst. "My mother is an amazing cook."
"Take the offer." Tae Kyung suggested. "Every meal made by her is heavenly."
Mi Nam hid the smile that was threatening to form from his hyung by turning slightly. "I'll hold you to that then!"
"Are you sure?" President Ahn asked, cell phone pressed to his ear. "No, no no. Our Mi Nam isn't dating anyone currently. What? Pictures?"
Coordinator Wang and Manager Ma exchanged uneasy looks before looking back at the President.
"I'm telling you, if I've found out you've photo shopped- send them to me? Fine." President Ahn ended his call.
"Who was it, President Ahn?" Coordinator asked.
"You all remember that Photographer Kim? He claims he has proof of Mi Nam and another girl together. Is he dating again already?"
"Not that we know of. He said after He Yi he was taking an indefinite break and concentrating solely on his work." Manager Ma answered. "I still can't believe He Yi said such harsh things."
The coordinator agreed, shaking her head. "What can you do? Kids these days are just like that."
"Well, they're still young. I'm sure they'll kiss and make up." President Ahn declared. "Now, I've got a meeting. See you two later." He ended in English, leaving the two still sitting in his office.
"Yes, President Ahn."
As the pair left President Ahn's office, Coordinator Wang unconsciously grazed her temple with her hand.
Manager Ma watched her curiously. He was going to inquire what was bothering her since she had been rather out of it lately, but when he saw what was on her finger his thought process completely changed. "Hey, what's that on your finger Chae Rim?"
Coordinator Wang laughed uneasily at his question. It was a ring in the set of couple rings she had bough for herself and Shin Woo- she had put it on this morning by accident instead of one of her other fashion rings. Too lazy to go back and change, she decided to just go with it. "Oh, this?" She held it out for him to see. Why not flaunt it if she had it on?
"Tae Soo finally decided to get serious, huh?"
"Actually, it's not Tae Soo."
"What?" Manager Ma was confused. "Then who? Do I know him?"
"About that…" Coordinator didn't even know what to say. If she said yes he would ask who, if she said no, he would want to meet him.
"Don't be shy!"
Chae Rim let her feelings for Shin Woo come out naturally. "He may be the best man I've ever dated. He's caring and sweet; he's easy to keep a conversation with. Not to mention he's extremely talented. And he is able to keep up with me, deal with me which is a feat of its own."
"Wow, this guy sounds like a keeper! Does he work here at A.N?" Manager Ma knew everyone, so Coordinator Wang couldn't even use a random coworker's name if she wanted to.
"No. I bumped into him by chance downtown about three or four months ago." She casually continued her lie.
"Interesting!" Manager Ma shook his head, deciding not to delve any deeper on the topic. He'd find out later for sure. What was more pressing was the possible issue with Mi Nam. "Hey, so back to those photos. If they are real, then I'm too sure that the girl Reporter Kim captured is Ye Eun."
"Why is that?"
"Don't you remember how right after his accident everyone was trying to figure out who that girl was that went into the ambulance with him? I wasn't sure how far the reporters were going to dig into it so I told Ye Eun to keep low just in case. Now that Mi Nam and Ye Eun are 'seeing' each other again, I don't know how this is going to work."
"They're actually dating?"
"You know in the last week he's gone to see her over four times? Twice at night."
"He's visited her at night?"
"One night he didn't even come home until late!"
"Maybe they're still friends."
"That's what he said they were but!" The manager shook his finger. "Coordinator, I just know. It's a man's instinct. Ex- girlfriend comes into a picture right after his breakup. There's no way they aren't doing something."
"What is this boy trying to do? Create another scandal?" Seriously, Coordinator thought, it's like drama rides on his back.
"He's heading in that direction, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean?" She did not like the sound of that.
Manager Ma gave Coordinator Wang those eyes, the same eyes he gave when he found out about Mi Nam's botched surgery- something was wrong. Something had happened. "Ye Eun has a 4 year old."
"You can't be serious. Ye Eun- our Cho Ye Eun has a child? When did you find this out?" She was in a state of shock.
"Not that long ago." Manager Ma started. "Mi Nam told me about a week ago. He didn't know until recently either. If this gets out, the press is going to have a field day about him secretly dating a lady with a baby."
"I assume you have something good." He Yi asked the shorter balding male. He was a familiar figure to her, the same reporter that stalked A.N Jell around.
He took out a stack of photos, giving her the various pictures. "They actually look really good together."
He Yi shot Reporter Kim daggers.
"But not as good as you and Mi Nam did, that's for sure."
"What's this?" Most of the pictures had her face blocked by circumstance or by a black block over her eyes to keep her identity. "Can't you take a decent picture? Why are there blocks over her eyes in practically every picture?"
"I have the copies with her eyes unblocked, Ms. He Yi, don't worry. And there's no reason to reveal her identity yet. Don't you know? It builds up the interest and makes them more anticipated to find out. Oh, I can see the article title for this already. 'A.N Jell's Go Mi Nam secret love affair, with whom?" The man was excited finally finding a solid scandal within A.N Jell.
As much as He Yi didn't want to get involved with Reporter Kim again, she wanted to get even with both Mi Nam and Ye Eun. So why not use a little scare tactic?
I told her to keep her distance. Why didn't she listen? Now she's going to have to learn the hard way.
"I usually don't say things like this but I enjoyed spending time with you." Mi Nam sighed, pushing himself slightly on the swing. After a day of shopping, the boys decided to wind down at the park. They went to look at bikes first, finally picking a bike after what seemed like hours. After that they just walked from shop to the next, doing whatever. "Let's be best friends from now on."
"I feel like I should run in the opposite direction."
Mi Nam smiled. But it was different this time. Different from every time he'd ever seen him smile. It was genuinely sweet. It was the smile that he gave to his fans. The very one Jeremy was waiting for.
"Ah, hyung don't be like that. Because, from now on, you're going to get the best friend treatment from me. It includes approximately 50% less torment than before." He added, getting off of the swing.
"Only 50%? Why only 50%?" Jeremy complained.
"Why are you complaining? You're lucky I'm giving you that much!"
"Jerk."
"You know, the rest of that 50% will be filled with me doing nice things for you. Like this." He stood in front of Jeremy. He became serious, or as serious as he could. "From the bottom of my chest, I want to...also apologize for...the way I've been towards you. The bad way I've treated you."
Jeremy smiled widely. Mi Nam had no idea how long he was waiting to hear words like this- to hear some confirmation he didn't actually hate him. The apology was solid too, it was sincere. Now they could really have a relationship-
"If you laugh I'll swear I'll punch you in the face!" To the younger, the smile plastered on his face only seemed to be a precursor to a laugh.
"Who said I was? I'm taking you very seriously right now." He honestly was, but he also had to admit seeing Go Mi Nam so flustered and awkward was as refreshing as it was cute.
"But like I said, I'm sorry. Now that we're here that apology also applies for the future things I'm going to do and not apologize for-"
Jeremy suddenly picked Mi Nam up, squeezing him into a bear hug.
Mi Nam instantly cringed, "I know you're happy about me finally gaining a heart but you're putting pressure on my rib cage! Still injured."
"I'm sorry but I can't help it." Jeremy put Mi Nam back onto the ground, but didn't let his grip go from the around the boy.
Mi Nam slowly began lifting his hands to put around Jeremy to hug him back. "I..." Jeremy's tone of voice changed. It cracked a little, as if he was upset. The older just hoped the younger hadn't notice.
He did, however. Mi Nam wanted to see the expression on the other's face, but stayed motionless, dropping the hands that tempted to creak up his back and return the hug. Instead he only asked, "What?"
"It's nothing." Jeremy trailed off.
"Oh. Then…" Go Mi Nam and Jeremy awkwardly separated themselves. "I never met a guy who liked to hug as much as you do."
"Hugging releases Oxytocin ." Jeremy hummed. "Oxytocin promotes trust, devotion and bonding. So of course I love to hug! Ah," He put his hand on Mi Nam's head. "Since you're so small you are the most comfortable to hug! Tae Kyung and Shin Woo are tall, but you fit right at my shoulder!"
Go Mi Nam pushed Jeremy's hand off of his head, embarrassed. "I'm not a child."
"But you're cute."
"Shut up!" They continued to walk through the park, heading toward the car. He folded his arms. "Jeremy hyung, I will only allow you to hug me when I feel the situation permits it. Until then, hands off."
"Are you that uncomfortable with me touching you?" Jeremy didn't want him to feel uncomfortable.
"No." Mi Nam replied. "I just... its complicated. I'm weird about this sort of thing, okay? I usually need a lot of personal space." Mi Nam set his gaze elsewhere- looking past the boy's head. He saw a familiar figure sitting on a nearby bench. Cocking his head he observed her closely, "Chae Rim Noona?"
"Noona?" Jeremy questioned rather loudly upon hearing Mi Nam mention her full name, turning his head in the direction Mi Nam was looking.
The woman's head turned suddenly towards them and Mi Nam pulled them quickly over behind a tree.
"I can recognize that lady anywhere." He looked over to Jeremy; before the pair both snuck down to get an even closer look by the nearby bushes. Sitting on their knees, they watched as she waved to an approaching figure that waved to her back.
Mi Nam scoffed. "This does not look like one of the guys I introduced her too."
The approaching figure was dressed up a nice stylish suit, with horn rimmed glasses. The lady that looked suspiciously like Coordinator got up and checked her surroundings. "That guy." Mi Nam continued, "There is something so familiar about him don't you think, hyung?"
Jeremy was silent. He definitely knew the man was Shin Woo. But, he couldn't figure out why. The whole thing was strange. Why would hyung be…with Coordinator like this…unless. No. That's not possible is it? Coordinator Wang and Shin Woo are having an affair?!
Jeremy's mouth dropped as he continued to watch them, silently. Shin Woo held out his hand to her with a smile and she accepted it, happily.
"Is that Shin Woo?" Mi Nam recognized his eyes. "HOLY SHIT!" He yelled. Immediately, the pair turned their gazes as Jeremy pushed Mi Nam onto the ground behind a low bush.
"Hyung!"
"Why did you yell? I think I saw us!"
"What do you think you're doing slamming me around like a rag doll? Are you trying to send me back to the hospital?" Mi Nam stopped when they both heard the voices of Shin Woo get closer and Coordinator's heels click.
"What was that?" Shin Woo inquired, clearly. Mi Nam's expanded twice their size as Jeremy slapped his hand over his mouth. "Be quiet." He lipped.
"I could've sworn I heard my name." Jeremy knew they were only a couple of feet away. "Didn't you hear something too, Chae Rim?"
Turning his eyes only slightly, Mi Nam could see Chae Rim's shoes through a little hole in the bushes. They were close.
"It's probably nothing. Come on, let's go. I'm in the mood for ice cream." Their voices hovered straight over them. Jeremy could have sworn if they had gotten any closer they would have been detected.
"We're about to go to dinner, noona. Why do you want to get ice cream?"
"I'm in the mood~" She sang cutely.
Mi Nam looked up at Jeremy and he looked back at him. Waiting until he heard her heel click dissipate, he released his hand off and got off of Mi Nam. "ARE YOU NUTS?" Mi Nam practically screamed, hitting his hyung.
"Sorry."
"Whatever." Mi Nam brushed his shirt off, peaking back over the bushes. They were now linking arms and walking together. "Hyung look!"
Jeremy poked his head next to the keyboarder. "This really can't be." Mi Nam was still stumped. Coordinator practically told Mi Nam everything. "It's got to be someone else."
"Being with you, even if it's fake, has been really fun."
Coordinator tried to contain her giddiness as she held onto Shin Woo's arm. "Really?" They had just left the ice cream parlor and were now headed towards the restaurant where Shin Woo was to meet her parents.
"I didn't expect it to be quite like this, but I've smiled more with you than I have in a long time." Shin Woo had to admit; it was genuine.
With that, Coordinator was hit with the harsh reality that it wasn't going to last forever. After this dinner with her parents it was over; she had to find someone new. "I want you to promise me, Shin Woo."
"Hmm?"
"When this whole charade is over, you will still find time to have a drink or two with this old maiden."
"Did you really just call yourself an old maiden?" Shin Woo laughed. "Ridiculous."
"I'm just acknowledging the truth!"
"Do you even realize how attractive you are?" What she was wearing only emphasized it: a short black dress that hugged her curves gently, black and sliver heels and a faux fur jacket because of the cold. She looked like the pinnacle of elegance. "You're out of your mind if you think otherwise."
"Really?" "Have I begun to shake your heart Shin Woo?" Chae Rim inquired playfully.
He smiled a coy-like smile- one she had never seen on him before. "The question isn't rather my heart has been shaken, it's rather yours has."
Shit. Did Shin Woo figure me out? I was trying my hardest to hide my true feelings for him. She coughed. "If it has? What would you do?"
"Someone like me has had no effect on you. I know couldn't possibly be your type."
Her mouth nearly dropped off her face. He really had no idea. "How do you know that?"
"Then I am?" Chae Rim could have sworn she heard a little bit of anticipation in his tone.
"Well, I can't say you're not."
Shin Woo sighed. "I either am your type or not. Just say so."
"I don't really have an ideal type." Coordinator went on. "I just want someone that can tolerate me. I've dated a lot of great guys but it seems that I lack the ability to date marriage-potential guys. I always leave them or, god forbid, they leave me before we get to that stage."
"Beyond that and your burning desire to prove your mother wrong, what's the real reason you want to marry so badly?"
Coordinator was a bit surprised at how much Shin Woo was picking up this much."Can't you hear that, Shin Woo?"
"What am I listening for?"
"The tick!"
"Tick?"
"My biological clock, Shin Woo. It's ticking."
Shin Woo carefully watched as the Wangs approach to their table. He felt Chae Rim fidget, fiddling with her earring before straightening out Shin Woo's already straightened suit.
"Nervous?"
"A little."
"You shouldn't be." He held her hands. "We'll do fine. Now." He turned her back around to face her parents. "Let's greet your parents."
Mrs. Wang was a striking woman- she was plump and in a satin like dark purple dress. Her husband on the other hand was quite thin with a beard. He was wearing a suit like Shin Woo and a little bow tie that matched the color of his wife's dress.
"Mom. You've come. Did you have a nice sleep at the hotel?" The mother nodded somewhat solemnly. "How has the conference gone so far, father?"
"Its been fine, dear." Mr. Wang replied.
"So this is the man I've heard about?" Mrs. Wang broke in, "He's different."
"Yes. Nice to meet you Mr. Wang, Mrs. Wang." Shin Woo respectfully bowed. "My name is Kang Shin Woo."
"He seems nice." Mrs. Wang continued, "But looks can be deceiving." She had a haughty air about her. He would definitely have to prove his worthiness to her mother.
They all took their seats and soon got their orders taken. While they waited, they were given four glasses of wine and bread to snack on during their wait.
"What it is you do, son?" Mr. Wang queried after taking a sip of wine.
"My family is into art and trading. I assist them with selling and the like." This was not lie. His family was into art. He had doubled majored in Art/Music in college, if he wasn't in A.N Jell he very likely would be.
"Kang...Kang...You wouldn't perhaps be related to the potter Kang Jacqueline?" Mr. Wang asked.
"Yes. She's my mother." Chae Rim looked at Shin Woo. Was he serious? He was the child of one of Korea's most famous pottery makers- how in the hell did she not know?
"Oh, how wonderful! I own a lot of your mother's work. Are you also into art?"
"You could say that. My mother taught me how to make pottery but I don't do it too often."
"This is just wonderful!" Mr. Wang clapped his hands together, "Then, how did you two meet? Our dear Chae Rim works for some entertainment company, is it?"
Mrs. Wang eyed Shin Woo carefully. He could tell that even after explaining that he comes from a good background, she was not quite impressed yet.
"My little sister are huge fans of A.N Jell so I got them backstage passes. That's where we met."
That was pretty good for something made up on the spot.
The rest of the dinner went by almost flawlessly, Shin Woo delivering a grade A performance. Chae Rim thought she was in the clear until she heard her mother ask the dreaded: "When are you two getting married?"
She nearly choked on her wine. "Excuse me?"
"When are you two getting married, dear." Mrs. Wang repeated.
"Forgive your mother, Chae Rim." Mr. Wang apologized for her forwardness, an obvious pacifist. "It's just you two look really good together. You know we only wish to see you happy."
"It's not like you're getting any either younger dear." Her mother urged on. "Why not go ahead now?"
"Mom, I told you. We've only been dating for a couple of months. That's a bit-"
"The sooner the better. Don't you agree, honey?"
"Yes, I rather like this young man." Mr. Wang agreed, itching his mustache.
The only words Shin Woo could say were thank you as Mrs. Wang continued to rant, "Daughter, how can you be like this? So unwilling to get married? Especially when you've found such an exceptional young man such as Shin Woo. When are you going to find a man this good again? You wouldn't believe some of the men she brought home, Shin Woo." She directed the last line at the bassist.
"Mom!" She tried to stop her mother, but she knew it was too late. Chae Rim groaned, feeling unable to do anything, and officially gave up. Shin Woo let out a small sigh as he glanced over to her; it was apparent she had thrown up the white flag. Her composure had melted away. It was up to him to take control.
"Shin Woo, how about we set up a meeting with your parents? We've love to meet them." Mr. Wang suggested.
"What you say?" Mrs. Wang urged on.
"I'll arrange it, mother." Shin Woo replied with a smile.
Chae Rim and Shin Woo stood, side by side, on a bridge over a pond that over looked a park. She kept throwing loose pebbles into the pond, watching the water ripple. Neither one of them had said a thing since the end of the dinner.
"You fool your parents into thinking I'm with you to get them off your back about getting married. Only, your parents like me so much that they want to meet my parents. Did you think about what you were going to do if something like this even happened? Maybe you should have gone with Manager Ma. Got someone who you knew wouldn't appeal to your parents."
"The whole point of this was to show her that I could get someone like you. Honestly," She turned to him, "I didn't think it was going to turn out like this. But I know she did it on purpose."
"Why?" Shin Woo pondered, now skipping a rock onto the pond's surface.
"To annoy me. My mother was expecting to find someone she deemed below my standard because she's got a mindset that I am unable to find someone decent. Even when I was younger my mother tried to control my love life. I keep telling myself it's because I'm the only girl in my family. But really she's just a control freak." Chae Rim sighed, leaning onto the ledge. "And now, we're here."
"Just imagine how I absurd I'm going to sound telling this to my parents. 'Mom, Dad, I'm doing a favor for this friend of mine. I'm pretending to be her lover. Would you help us arrange a fake marriage meeting? Yeah, thanks." His voice was full of sarcasm.
"Don't you dare get an attitude with me, Kang Shin Woo! I haven't asked you to do anything you didn't agree to! And I'm not going to ask you to do more than you already have done!" She yelled.
Shin Woo didn't expect her to explode like that. She even attracted attention to them.
He held her by the arm. "Calm down." Shin Woo couldn't help but let the thought slip of how adorable Coordinator looked when she was mad like that.
"I..." She took a deep breath before starting again. "How was I supposed to know she was going to like you as much as I do?"
"Noona, you…" He was surprised by her confession, and how sincere it was. "...really like me that much?"
"Of course I do." She scoffed, breaking out of his grip. "Otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to do this would I?"
Admittedly, Shin Woo was flattered. But still still there was an ugly side to this situation. "It's like I lose my sense when I'm around you. How else would I have gotten wrapped up in this scheme? We're both risking so much even pretending." Coordinator and Shin Woo both knew it. A relationship like theirs would not be looked highly upon.
"We're in a bit too deep in this for words of regret now, aren't we?"
"Are you willing to go get over your pride, go back and tell your parents the truth?"
"No; but asking you to lie to your parents and have them lie in my sake is impossible."
"Then it looks like there's only one solution to this."
"What?" She asked, even though she knew. It had to end here.
"We…" Shin Woo snuck ever so close to whisper in her ear, "Make it real."
Chae Rim was in state of shock; she could barely move. "Excuse me?" That was not the answer she expected.
He was officially having too much fun with her, and their 'dates'. Even though he knew better than to keep playing around he...just wanted to. Shin Woo wanted to do this, he wanted to be with her.
Did he have real feelings for her? He didn't know yet; but what he did know is that he felt the spark. It was different from what he felt for Mi Nyu or any other girl.
He felt the spark first when she asked. Something in her voice, she was so determined. He was attracted to it like a moth to a flame.
The spark that wanted to make him stay close to her, talk to her, be with her. Jumping on this spark and hoping a relationship would form would be a gigantic leap of faith but when Shin Woo was with her he suddenly felt like makes those jumps.
She made him want to do things and not think about the repercussions.
"This whole time, I've been thinking. It might be risky but…" It gave him an almost exhilarating feeling as the words came out his mouth, "Noona, let's date."
Ye Eun blew out her cheeks before taking a sip of lemonade. She was on her lunch break at a Italian joint about five blocks from the café. She sighed, thinking about what happened between her and Mi Nam. I can't believe we did that.
Mi Nam had promptly turned to phone calls instead of visiting for the last couple of days. He read Min Jee bed time stories through the phone and that was it. They had fallen on non-speaking terms- minus small talk and things regarding their daughter. He knows we're really going to have to talk eventually. How long is he going to keep this up? Min Jee is going to want to see him again.
"Hey, Cho Ye Eun." A voice called her name. It sounded vaguely familiar but she couldn't put a name to it. She glanced up and got a shock. Sunglasses, leather jacket, skinny jeans and boots. Huh. Ye Eun was pretty good at seeing through celebrity disguises, especially of a woman she usually felt inclined to hit. "Yoo He Yi."
"Who else could it be?" She pulled out a chair in front of her, sitting down.
"Why are you here?" She wanted to know how in the world she knew she was here, but like everyone else she probably went to her job and was told by Ellie or Su Bak.
"This." Yoo He Yi quickly reached into her purse, throwing twenty or so pictures down on the table. "Explain these."
Picking them up, Ye Eun begins to examine the photos and nearly goes into a full blown panic. The first couple were from the night she and Mi Nam had gotten sweet potatoes together- them walking, them talking, him eating a sweet potato and laughing. Every time they were out in public together in the last week that looked even remotely romantic was there- documented. Only the pictures had her eyes or face as if to protect her identity.
"Where did you get these? Were you spying on us?"
"That's funny." He Yi laughed haughtily before collecting all of the pictures back. "Why would I waste my time?"
Ye Eun was shocked. She thought they were being careful. Mi Nam was unrecognizable as the idol when he was with her- he was usually dressed down, with no makeup. Sometimes he even had both sunglasses and a surgical mask- if they were in public together. He never showed his bare face unless there were very little people around and he knew nobody would notice him.
Only somebody did.
"Looks like your days of sneaking around with Mi Nam are coming to an end."
Sneaking? If anything was so far from the truth. "Stop saying things about something you don't understand."
"He's not attached to the child is he?"
"I'm going to make this clear one time and one time only, He Yi. She is his child, our child. He recognizes and accepts that."
Ye Eun and He Yi stared at each other in silence. After a minute or two He Yi finally cleared her throat to state, "You're lucky who ever posted these pictures blocked your face out. But the real pictures without your face blocked are out there. He will find out who are."
Ye Eun knew what she was getting at. "I'm not going to drop contact with him just over a few photos. We'll just have to be more-"
"You don't realize how serious this is do you? Once anything is leaked out into the press, even one of these pictures, it'll be an instant scandal. They'll have a field day with this and it'll only be a matter of time before the everything gets out. Once it does try walking out on the street. If you can get out of your front door."
"You don't think I already know this?" Of course she knew how risky it was.
"Your mere existence is causing problems for Mi Nam." He Yi started, harshly. "He's only being confused by you." Oddly enough, a true concern lined her voice. Ye Eun knew that Mi Nam's relationship with He Yi must have been complicated. Why is she so split? Does she care about him or hate him? "You knew when you started this that staying private was going to be nearly impossible right?"
"Yes but-"
"Then you know what you have to do."
Everything was finally starting to go well for them. She couldn't stop seeing him now. "I won't." Ye Eun stood her ground.
"There's no way you or Mi Nam will be able to stay in Seoul if this news gets out. Don't get me wrong, Ye Eun. I'm not doing this because I want to help you. I honestly don't like you and I have every intention of calling you out as a gold digging tramp. But I'm not going to let you make Mi Nam suffer or stop being an idol because of you."
"Gold digging tramp? Such choice words coming from the woman who openly started a smear campaign against him."
"I'm not going to let you be the one to take him down."
"Right, because that's your job isn't it?"
"It's your call, then." He Yi smirked. "If you stay here I promise I will continue with my plan to expose you and make your life miserable. Do you really want that for your precious Min Jee? She won't have a fighting chance at a normal childhood."
If it was just Ye Eun, she wouldn't have taken much of what He Yi to heart. But now whatever she did could and would affected her daughter.
He Yi stared at her, waiting for a reply. Other than Ye Eun, that child was the main problem, a big problem.
"If my daughter and I leave you're saying this problem will go away?"
"I'll make sure of it." He Yi leaned in closer to her, "So what's your choice?"