Chapter 9

　　A man? Saebom blinked, then quickly put down her spoon.

　　“No, it’s not like that! I know what you’re thinking, Grandma, but you’re wrong!”

　　Grains of rice flew from her mouth in her haste. She wiped her lips, looking troubled. She couldn’t very well explain that she didn’t have a boyfriend but was wearing the ring simply because it was stuck. She waved her hand dismissively.

　　“I’m just wearing it because my hand felt bare. I’m not seeing anyone.”

　　The suspicion in Yeongok’s eyes, however, did not fade. Feeling the weight of her grandmother’s stare, Saebom avoided her gaze. The food that had been going down so easily now felt like a lump in her stomach. Yeongok slowly got up and casually changed the subject.

　　“Want more soup? There’s plenty left in the pot.”

　　Saebom watched her grandmother head to the kitchen with the empty bowl, then quickly jumped to her feet. An overwhelming urge to hug her grandmother’s frail-looking back washed over her. Embracing Yeongok from behind, Saebom began to massage her swollen hands.

　　“You have to live a long, long time, Grandma. You have to see me get married, have kids, and live a good life, you hear?”

　　“Then if ya find a good man, marry him quick.”

　　Marriage, huh. Saebom smiled bitterly. For her grandmother’s sake, she wanted to get married soon, but there was no suitable person in sight. She fell into deep thought as she continued to knead Yeongok’s hands.

* * *

　　“What am I going to do…?”

　　Back at work that afternoon, Saebom set her bag on her desk. She felt deeply uneasy, having been able to do nothing more than tell her grandmother to lock the doors securely. Should I install a security camera on the gate? As she wrestled with her thoughts, Manager Park from the finance team came over.

　　“So, did you have a good time with your grandmother?”

　　“Yes, she’s doing fine. It’s a relief.” After a brief chat, Saebom approached Sujung, who was working nearby. Standing by the copy machine, Sujung’s face lit up when she saw Saebom.

　　“Sujung, that blind date you mentioned… I’ll take it.”

　　“What?”

　　Saebom looked at the surprised woman and repeated herself. “I want to go on the blind date.”

* * *

　　“Apgujeong Rodeo, please.” Jihun leaned his head against the backrest of the sedan. He hadn’t slept well, thanks to Saebom, and he felt awful. As luck would have it, tonight was a gathering with his old friends. When he arrived at the lounge bar, his friends who were already there called out.

　　“How come you never manage to show up on time?”

　　“Leave him be. He’s the busiest one of us.”

　　“Hey, what’s with the ring?”

　　At the question, all eyes shifted to Jihun’s hand. He didn’t answer, simply lifting his glass of whiskey. Everyone he met asked about the ring, and he was tired of explaining it. Seongjun, who had been chatting away, slid into the seat next to him, his curiosity piqued.

　　“Don’t tell me you have a girlfriend.”

　　Before he could answer, another friend chimed in. “I thought you were done with women. Didn’t you say you were sick of it all?”

　　“Come on, he was probably just saying that. Be logical. How can a healthy man get sick of women? Does that even make sense?”

　　“True. Besides, it’s about time for Jihun to settle down. I heard your parents are really pushing for it.” His childhood friends knew all his family business. Jihun silently tilted his glass, taking a drink. He hadn’t expected to hear the dreadful marriage nagging here, too. But his friends, oblivious, continued to chatter about women and marriage.

　　“Hey, did you guys hear?” Seongjun asked. Jihun, who had been silently listening while munching on snacks, looked up at his excited friend. Seongjun clinked his glass against Jihun’s.

　　“It’s about Yura.”

　　At her name, Jihun’s expression hardened instantly. Seongjun glanced at him cautiously before continuing.

　　“She’s coming back to Korea this year.”

* * *

　　A faint alarm buzzed overhead. Lying in bed, Jihun scowled and pushed his stiff body upright. He hadn’t drunk that much, but his whole body felt heavy. Am I getting old? Or maybe it was what Seongjun had told him last night. He headed to the bathroom, tidying his messy hair, lost in thought. It was strange to him to be so shaken by news of a woman he had broken up with six years ago. He clicked his tongue and left the bathroom. Just as he emerged from his shower, his bedroom door opened and Hwayeong came in as if she had been waiting.

　　“You’re up! You came in so late last night, I was worried sick.”

　　“Why do you always wait up? You should have just gone to bed.” He wasn’t a child. He couldn’t understand why she insisted on waiting for her grown son to come home. Feeling a pang of guilt, he grumbled as he pulled a white shirt from the dressing room.

　　“Oh, what happened with that? Did you ask Saebom?”

　　At the mention of her name, Jihun’s expression tightened. The favor his mother had asked of him a few days ago flashed in his mind.

　　“There’s nothing to ask. The answer is no. I can’t do that.”

　　“But you could at least ask. Honestly, you’re being too harsh.” Hwayeong pouted, and Jihun’s discomfort was plain as he buttoned his shirt. He usually gave in to his mother, but he couldn’t let this one slide.

　　“You’re the one being harsh, Mother. It’s burdensome when you keep doing this.” Jihun adjusted his collar. “You kept insisting you wanted to meet her, so I arranged it. But how could you even think of inviting her to a family event?”

　　“You’re going to get married anyway. It would be good to introduce her to Grandmother early.”

　　Get married? Jihun bit his lip, suppressing the rage boiling deep inside him. That damn marriage! Marriage! They said marriage was a choice, not a requirement, these days. He found it baffling that everyone around him seemed to think it was mandatory. Jihun gave his disappointed mother a short, definitive answer.

　　“Regardless, no. Absolutely not.”

* * *

　　“Oh, Ms. Jeon, did you get in touch with my friend?” Exhausted from the mountain of work, Saebom headed to the break room. Sujung followed her out and threw a friendly arm around her shoulder. Saebom nodded.

　　“Yes. We’re meeting this weekend.”

　　“That’s great! Good luck. I’m telling you, he’s a really great guy.” Sujung patted Saebom’s shoulder and smiled warmly. Oh, boy. Unable to reveal her true feelings, Saebom forced a smile to match hers.

　　—Blind Date Guy: Then how about we meet in front of Gangnam Station, Exit 9?*

　　Back at her desk with a coffee, Saebom checked the message. The man Sujung had introduced her to was, in many ways, the polar opposite of her type. She inadvertently clicked on his profile picture and flinched.

　　“Whoa, that scared me…”

　　The more she looked, the less he appealed to her. Taking a deep breath, Saebom studied the man’s face, which she still couldn’t get used to. His rugged appearance, which brought a mountain bandit to mind, left her speechless. For some reason, she thought of Jihun.

　　Is it because the contrast between them is so stark? Recalling Jihun’s clean-cut, sharp features, Saebom took a sip of coffee. He usually had a sleek, cold demeanor, but when he offered a rare, light smile, he had a strangely soft and warm aura. No. Mr. Ryu is on a different level. Jihun’s looks weren’t something you saw every day.

　　Acknowledging his handsomeness anew, Saebom shook her head. Maybe spending so much time with him recently had made her standards impossibly high. Right, what do looks matter? As long as he’s a good person. Saebom decided to console herself with that thought. After messaging the man back to confirm, she turned her attention to her work files. Right now, work was more important than men.

* * *

　　“Good work, everyone!” That evening, Saebom parted ways with her colleagues in front of the office and headed to the bus stop, feeling carefree. But then, as if on cue, her phone rang. Who is it? She paused while taking out her card wallet and picked up her phone.

　　[Executive Director Jihun Ryu]

　　As expected, it was Jihun. Geez, since yesterday, he only calls right when I’m leaving work. The sense of déjà vu made Saebom wrinkle her nose as she answered.

　　—“Hello?”

　　—“Ms. Jeon, where are you?” He once again immediately demanded her location.

　　—“I’m in front of the office. Why?”

　　—“Then get away from there as fast as you can. Hurry!” His voice sounded like a hero in a spy movie. What? At his urgent shout, Saebom’s eyes widened. “Get… away? Why?”

　　—“I’ll explain later. Just get out of there. Quickly!” Suddenly thrust into a thriller, Saebom began to walk quickly, her expression bewildered. If he was telling her to run, it seemed best to just bolt, no questions asked. Just then, a voice as sweet as an angel’s called out from behind her. Saebom whipped around, and her mouth fell open at the unexpected sight.

　　“Saebom!”

　　Hwayeong was smiling brightly at her, waving her hand.