Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The next day. In this household, breakfast doesn’t get delayed just because it’s the weekend. As expected, my husband didn’t come home last night. While eating breakfast at precisely 6 AM, I brought up the topic.

“I’m going out today.”

No one paid any attention to my words.

“Doha will come to pick me up.”

At that, my father-in-law cleared his throat, and my mother-in-law’s face turned pale. Then, my grandfather spoke.

“Since he’s coming, tell him to come inside and say his greetings.”

I was taken aback but responded calmly.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Once my grandfather acknowledged it, my mother-in-law’s face stiffened, and I could see her trembling. I met her gaze and smiled brightly. Watching her inner turmoil was oddly satisfying.

Jang Doha arrived at our house at 11:50 AM, about ten minutes earlier than the agreed time. Upon hearing that his car had passed through the main gate, I went to the front door to wait for him. When the doorbell rang, and I opened the door, a large bouquet of flowers obstructed my view. I was flustered.

“I noticed last time that you seem to like flowers. I didn’t want to come empty-handed.”

Seeing my stiff face, he hastily explained. I smiled and let him in.

“Thank you. Please, come in.”

Once inside, he exchanged a polite nod with Housekeeper Ahn.

“Grandfather wants to see you,” I said.

He asked, “Yena, what did you tell them was the reason for my visit?”

Sensing his nervousness, I replied calmly.

“I told them we are seeing each other.”

His eyes widened.

“What?”

“I told them the truth—that we are seriously dating.”

I sensed someone hiding upstairs, eavesdropping on our conversation. It was probably my mother-in-law. He glanced at me and smiled.

“Of course. It’s time to tell them. Let’s go.”

Thankfully, he seemed perceptive. Relieved, I handed the bouquet to Housekeeper Ahn, and we headed to my grandfather’s room. I knocked gently on the door.

“Grandfather, it’s Yena.”

“Come in.”

We entered together. Upon seeing Jang Doha, my grandfather smiled contentedly. Doha even bowed deeply to him.

“It’s a pleasure to formally meet you, Grandfather.”

He didn’t call him “Honorary Chairman.” He knelt respectfully but confidently in front of my grandfather, who observed him keenly.

“So, you’re dating our Yena?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What do you think of her?”

“When my parents return, I plan to introduce her to them formally.”

From his demeanor, it was clear that he had grown up well-loved and educated in a healthy family. My grandfather smiled approvingly.

“Very well. Good luck to both of you. When a man and a woman date, mutual respect means fewer arguments.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

“There’s no need for you to spend more time with an old man. You can go now.”

“I’ll visit again soon, sir.”

“We’ll be back, Grandfather.”

After leaving the room, I went to get my coat. The bouquet he brought was already in a vase, filling the room with a pleasant scent. He followed me into the room, looking somewhat awkward.

What’s gotten into him?

“I’ll just grab my coat. Feel free to make yourself comfortable.”

He said, scratching the back of his head. “It’s just… it’s my first time being in a girl’s room… Haha.”

I was genuinely surprised by his awkward laughter.

“Is this really your first time dating a girl?”

His face flushed. I couldn’t hear his mumbling well, so I asked again.

“What?”

He looked at me with a resentful expression and, with a red face, spoke again.

“I said, you’re my first. Yena.”

I was truly taken aback. That couldn’t be true. Hadn’t he lived in America, where people were basically free-spirited when it came to relationships?

“That’s a lie. You lived in America. You said you immigrated in middle school.”

He flared up.

“I’m not lying. Really, you’re the first girl I’ve dated, Yena.”

I couldn’t believe it.

“Not even when you were in school?”

“There were no other Asians where I lived until high school. It was hard enough to make friends with the guys, let alone dating girls….”

I asked the dejected him.

“You graduated from NYU, right? You didn’t date anyone there?”

“I was too busy founding Meat at that time to have time for dating. After graduation, I was too occupied with running the company. I’m really not lying. It’s the truth.”

His indignant pout was so cute.

“Since I haven’t dated anyone and only focused on work, my parents said they were coming over. What parents would meddle in their grown-up son’s dating life?”

I blinked. Was he a living treasure? He was either a fool or a workaholic. But didn’t he say he told his parents about me? It didn’t add up.

“Where did you get the courage to tell your parents about me, then?”

Jang Doha’s face and ears turned red. He avoided my gaze, looking suspicious.

“Mr. Jang.”

“Call me Doha. What if someone outside hears?”

“Did you know someone was listening on the stairs earlier?”

“As soon as I came in, someone hurriedly went up to the second floor. And I have enough sense for that.”

His pouty face and disappointed eyes were all so new to me. After living with a man who always scowled and hurled insults, seeing someone like him felt refreshing. I smiled and apologized.

“Sorry, I was just surprised. I never imagined someone like you, Doha, would be a ‘motae solo.’”

“Motae solo?”

“Someone who’s never dated since birth.”

He scowled. “Don’t tease me, okay?”

I held back my laughter and said,

“Alright, I won’t tease you. Let’s go.”

I didn’t know conversations could be enjoyable like this.

—

I got into his car, buckled my seatbelt, and we left the house. As we passed the front gate and approached the site where the accident happened, I felt that familiar tightness again.

He must have seen me gripping the seatbelt with both hands because the next moment, he reached out his right hand to shield me. I turned to look at him, and I stared straight ahead. He spoke calmly.

“It’s going to last a long time. The trauma.”

“How did you know?”

“I actually came to the accident site right after I returned to Korea.”

“Here? Why?”

“I just wanted to see if there was anything to note.”

“But why did you think that way?”

“This is the road to your house, Yena. It’s understandable for cars to pass by, but it felt strange for a construction dump truck to be here at that time.”

He looked like a completely different person, cold and analytical compared to the gentle, dog-like smile he usually had. And he had reached out to protect me. I felt my ears getting hot as I turned my head.

“They must have done a thorough investigation. After all, my sister-in-law died. But they said there was nothing except for the drunk driving.”

“Did you investigate the driver?”

“No. If he was drunk, what is there to investigate? But why do you ask?”

He turned his head and smiled faintly.

“My hobby is reading mystery thrillers. Even in the most ordinary cases, there’s always a conspiracy.”

I finally laughed. I had been momentarily tense, thinking there really might be something. Thanks to him, I was able to pass the intersection without any trouble.

“Your hobby is reading?” I asked.

“Yes. I read all genres.”

“You must read a lot.”

“I do. What’s your hobby, Yena?”

Miss Yena’s hobby? Or my hobby?

“I solve math problems.”

He was truly surprised.

“Math? The math we know?”

I couldn’t help but laugh a second time.

“Yes. When I solve math problems, I can really focus. I feel a significant sense of accomplishment after solving them.”

He looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes and exclaimed, “Wow. It’s the first time I’ve met someone who solves math problems as a hobby.”

My smile was faint. No one knows that I solve math problems. Only I, Buyeon, know this. It was a hobby I started doing after 10 years of suffering—otherwise, I would have died from the mental agony.

I tried to change the subject, asking cheerfully, “Do you have any other hobbies?”

“I like basketball. I jog every morning.”

“You like physical activities, mental activities, and you’re good-looking too. Why can’t you get a girlfriend?”

I wondered if I sounded older, and as expected, he looked at me curiously.

“You sounded just like my grandma. Did you know that?”

I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Sometimes I feel like an old person. I guess it’s because I’m close to my grandfather.”

“Of course, it’s hard not to be influenced. But did you really think that about me?”

“What?”

“You just said it. I’m good at physical and mental activities—and good-looking. That means you think I’m handsome, right?”

The car stopped at a traffic light. He turned his head and looked at me with a deep gaze. I was suddenly flustered.

Why did he have to look at me like that? Can’t you revert back to your puppy gaze? I dislike romance. I’ve had enough of it.

Still, my heart trembled for a moment under his unwavering gaze.