Chapter 9
Unable to grasp the situation, she blinked rapidly. The woman rose from her seat and, with the grace of a butterfly, embraced Saebom.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you so much. It’s a pleasure.”
Her heart pounded at the unexpected hug. What on earth is happening? Finally free from the woman’s embrace, Saebom shot Jihun a look that screamed for an explanation, but he only smiled.
“My name is Hwayeong Cha,” the woman said warmly. “Jihun didn’t tell me your name…”
“Ah… It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Saebom Jeon.”
Saebom managed an awkward smile as Hwayeong held her hand tightly. She had introduced herself in the heat of the moment, but the situation was still utterly bewildering. Then, to her shock, Hwayeong’s eyes welled up with tears.
Why is she crying? Saebom stood frozen, not knowing what to do, as Hwayeong wiped her eyes and gave a faint smile.
“Thank you. Thank you so, so much.”
“Excuse me?”
“Thank you for coming to us. I’ll treat you like my own daughter. I mean it.”
Treat me like a daughter? What in the world is going on, Mr. Ryu? Her mouth fell open as she looked back and forth between the tearful Hwayeong and a stoic Jihun. He sighed softly and shook his head, as if this were a common occurrence.
“Mother, why are you crying again?”
“Because I’m happy! I’m so happy to think that our Jihun has finally found his match.” Hwayeong, who had been sniffling, brightened up and added, “You two look so good together. You could get married right away.”
Saebom flinched at the word ‘marriage.’ It was only then that she finally understood. She stared up at Jihun, dumbfounded, as the middle-aged gentleman who had been sitting quietly finally spoke.
“Honey, why don’t you sit down.”
“Oh, my goodness. Right. Saebom, please, come and sit comfortably.”
Escorted to her seat by Jihun, Saebom swallowed hard. This was no comfortable lunch; it was like sitting on a bed of nails. This is insane. She clenched her sweaty hands. To think she’d end up having a meal with the company owner’s family like this. She pulled her chair in, her face stiff. The couple’s gazes were unbearably intense.
“So, how long did you two say you’ve been dating?” Hwayeong asked.
“Oh, well…” Saebom trailed off, ambushed by the question. She had been dragged here unexpectedly and had no idea what to say. Before she could flounder, Jihun spoke up smoothly.
“I told you before, Mother. Two months.”
“Did you?” Hwayeong smiled shyly. “Then how did you meet?”
“It wasn’t anything special. We just met naturally at work.”
When Jihun intercepted her answer again, Hwayeong furrowed her brow.
“Goodness, stop interrupting. I can’t even talk to Saebom because of you.”
Only then did Jihun fall silent. Saebom picked up her water glass with a trembling hand and forced a smile. She wanted to kick her chair back and flee, but knowing she couldn’t was crushing.
Damn it. Swallowing the urge to cry, she gulped down some water. But Hwayeong’s barrage of questions was relentless. Saebom, giving vague answers, was so flustered she could barely think straight.
“So, Saebom, what is it about Jihun that you like?”
“What? About Mr. Ryu?” Her eyes wide, Saebom looked at Jihun, then back at his mother.
“I’m just curious why you’re dating my son,” Hwayeong explained gently.
“Mother, why are you asking something so embarrassing?” Jihun protested, but Hwayeong held her ground.
“Why not? It’s not a difficult question.”
Yes, it is. It’s an incredibly difficult question. A cold sweat broke out on Saebom’s brow as she gripped her napkin. Knowing nothing about Jihun, she had no idea how to answer.
Oh, to hell with it. After a moment’s hesitation, she spoke. “Because he’s someone I can… lean on.”
“He is?”
“I lost my parents when I was young,” she began, drawing on a painful truth. “I was raised by my grandmother, so I never learned to complain or whine. I was just grateful that she was raising me. But I was always envious of my friends who could lean on their parents.”
She had always yearned for someone she could confide in, someone who would be her rock when she felt exhausted. Suppressing a wave of bitterness, she continued, “So I decided that if I ever met someone, it would have to be a man I could lean on like family.”
Saebom met Jihun’s intense gaze. “I think Mr. Ryu is exactly that person for me.”
* * *
“Well, glad we got through that,” Jihun said with a sigh of relief as the black sedan disappeared from view. But while he seemed pleased, a storm cloud hung over Saebom’s face.
“How could you do this to me—?”
“Thank you. Really,” he cut in, giving her a brilliant smile. “You saved me, Ms. Jeon. If it weren’t for you, I never would have made it through today. I mean it.”
I’ll bet. Without her, he would have been facing his parents alone. Saebom squeezed her eyes shut. The memory of the excruciating lunch made her shudder. Her expression hardened.
“So, as I said, I’ll compensate you handsomely,” he said with a faint smile. “Name your price. Anything.”
There’s nothing. All she wanted was an explanation. Saebom shook her head. “I don’t need compensation. I didn’t do it for a reward. Just tell me what this was all about.” She looked up at him, her face a mask of disbelief. “Why on earth did you bring me to meet your parents?”
“The woman I hired to act as my girlfriend canceled at the last minute. You remember her, right? The one who left her ring in the restroom?”
Suddenly, his tense expression when she’d handed him the ring made sense. His hired actress had bailed, leaving him in the lurch. So he used me as a substitute? The realization left her feeling hollow.
“So you used me?”
“I’d say I asked for your help, not that I used you,” he countered lightly, a small smile playing on his lips.
What help? I never gave my permission! Biting her lip, she shot back, “Do you have any idea how flustered I was? You invited me to lunch, but I never dreamed your parents would be there.”
“I’m sorry for deceiving you. But if I had told you the truth, you wouldn’t have come with me.”
“Of course not! I’m not your girlfriend, so why would I meet your parents?”
“Exactly. And in that sense, you did a fantastic job. Better than I ever expected.”
His praise meant nothing to her. Saebom turned her head away, muttering, If I’d known, I would’ve just left that ring at the front desk. Glaring at him, she said calmly, “Anyway, I’m glad I could help. I’ll be going now. Get home safely, Mr. Ryu.”
After a mechanical farewell, she turned without hesitation. Just looking at him made her blood boil, and she wanted to leave before she said something she’d regret.
Hold it in, Saebom. Clenching her fists, she strode away. But she hadn’t taken more than a few steps before he caught her arm, blocking her path. He clearly had no intention of letting her go.
“You can’t just leave after helping me like that. You’re making me feel guilty.”
“It’s over. And I really don’t want anything from you.”
“Still, I have to repay you. I’m not the type to dine and dash.”
She looked at his stubborn face, his offer feeling like a heavy burden. “There’s only one thing I want. To go home and rest.” The tension she felt from the past few hours had left her entire body aching. All she wanted was to lie down.
Seeing her shoulders slump with fatigue, Jihun smiled faintly. “Alright. Then take my car. I’ll give you a safe ride home.”
“No, I can go by myself. I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine.”
“Please,” he insisted. “At least let me do this much.”
She was taken aback. After his brazen behavior all day, she never expected to hear the word ‘please’ from his lips. Saebom met his smiling eyes.
* * *
Sitting in the passenger seat of the sedan, Saebom fidgeted with her hands. She had gotten in the car, unable to refuse his insistence, but the awkward atmosphere was suffocating. So uncomfortable. She stared out the window for the entire ride, unbuckling her seatbelt the moment they arrived.
“Thank you for the ride. It was very convenient.”
He remained silent.
“Get home safely, sir.” Saebom slung her handbag over her shoulder and reached for the door handle.
“Wait.”
She froze. When she turned, he was holding her wrist.
