PTC Chapter 7. Why Do You Keep Appearing?

After Seojun left for work, Soonja looked at Junghee at the dining table.

“Can we trust what he said? Is he really going to bring someone he chooses for himself? For a 100-day marriage?” 

Her voice was laced with disbelief. Junghee also couldn’t understand Seojun’s intentions. She had expected him to vehemently refuse, so she was relieved he hadn’t. But was he actually going to bring someone?

“I know, right? He said he’d handle it himself.”

“Well, let’s wait and see. Even a 100-day marriage is still a marriage. If he truly dislikes the woman and they don’t even consummate the marriage, it’ll all be for nothing.”

At Soonja’s words, Junghee sighed. 

“Exactly. This is such a difficult situation. Do we really have to do this?”

 It was a difficult question that came naturally, stemming from her bewilderment that in this day and age, they had to rely on such superstitions and arrange a marriage, even planning for a divorce. But Soonja frowned. 

“As a mother, how can you say that? Did you think saving your son’s life would be easy?”

Junghee closed her mouth. What was the point of arguing? The thought of Seojun dying terrified her, and she was willing to do anything to prevent it. However, she couldn’t help but worry endlessly about the kind of woman he would bring. Just then, Seowoo came downstairs.

“Mom, is today Ipchun?”

“Yes, it is. Your brother already put up the Ipchuncheop and left for work. You’re just coming down now?”

“Well, it doesn’t seem like Grandma and Mom have finished eating yet. Good morning, Grandma. Did you sleep well?”

Soonja nodded at Seowoo’s affectionate greeting.

 “Yes, my dear Seowoo, I slept well.”

“Grandma, is this the tteok you steamed? It smells so good, that mugwort scent.” 

“Right? My dear, sit down and eat some ssuk tteok. You must eat tteok on Ipchun.”

“Yes, Ipchun tteok with osinchae¹. My grandma is truly a living embodiment of tradition! But Grandma, I don’t like tteok, I just like the smell.”

Seowoo pushed the tteok away despite praising its aroma. Soonja furrowed her brow. She’d made it deliciously, yet none of her grandchildren would eat it. As Seowoo sat down, Junghee asked her.

 “How’s your friend these days? Heejoo, I mean.” (Note: She almost said Heesun, possibly another friend or a slip of the tongue.)

“Heejoo? She’s just waiting for the day she marries my brother. Mom, do you like Heejoo because she’s the daughter of a National Assembly member, or do you just like her?”

“Well, Heejoo is the daughter of a National Assembly member, and their fortune-telling said they’re a good match… So, I like her.”

“But Mom, is that okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said brother is having a fake 100-day marriage. Are you planning to let him divorce and then remarry Heejoo after those 100 days?”

Soonja clicked her tongue from the side. “Be quiet! It’s a secret marriage. No one outside should know.”

“But she’s my friend.”

“Your friend Heejoo wants to marry Seojun, right? If it passes quietly, no one will know.”

“That’s true, but…”

“What’s so special about this friend?”

“That’s true too. But lately, Heejoo has been contacting me more. I think she’s trying to get on my good side since I’ll be her future sister-in-law.”

Soonja nodded and told Seowoo, “Get along with her. 100 days will pass by quickly. After the divorce, we’ll have Seojun marry Heejoo.”

Soonja, the mother-in-law, spoke casually, but Junghee felt deeply uncomfortable. Even if it were kept quiet, the idea of having her son go through a divorce and then remarry sat wrong with her.

My son’s fate… why is it like this?

She thought. Her own life wasn’t great either, having lost her husband early and living like this, but the thought of her son having to marry twice was absurd.

However, it was a matter directly related to her son’s life, so she felt she couldn’t object. Moreover, she had no power to stop her mother-in-law, who was so determined.

***

In his car on the way to work, Seojun was lost in thought. He took out his phone. There were many missed calls from various people, but none from Da-in. 

“Well, with her personality, she wouldn’t call first.”

For several days, he’d been thinking about Park Da-in constantly. He was annoyed, but also felt a twinge of guilt for what he’d said. But when he thought about the past, that guilt disappeared. 

Guilt? Who should feel guilty towards whom? She’s the one who dumped me. She should’ve at least been pretty if she wasn’t going to love me.

Park Da-in was still beautiful in his eyes. That made her even more irritating. He wondered if he hadn’t acted like a jerk by proposing marriage so abruptly and then not contacting her for days, even though she seemed calm. He tried to convince himself to forget about her, but his thoughts kept returning to her. He couldn’t let go. This is all Park Da-in’s fault. He sighed. His driver asked, 

“Sir, is the temperature uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s fine.”

He wasn’t hot, but he felt feverish. It was the heat of frustration from not knowing what to do about Park Da-in, from her indifferent reaction to his proposal, and from a perverse desire to keep her close and torment her.

***

February, the most crucial season for furniture stores, has arrived. With the new school semester approaching, it was their busiest time of year. Parents flocked to stores to buy desks, chairs, and drawers for their children’s fresh start. The store was prepared with various events and promotions to cater to this demand.

Da-in was also bustling about. The event preparation team was installing a large banner in the center of the store. 

“Da-in, could you hold that side, please?”

“Here? Like this?” 

Da-in held one end of the banner and looked around the spacious store. The banner advertised a substantial discount – up to 30% off all student furniture – with the “30%” prominently displayed figure was eye-catching. Nearby, various stationery and accessories were neatly arranged.

“Okay, everyone, let’s carefully arrange the event items!” 

Following the manager’s instructions, everyone energetically began setting up. They attached discounted price tags and decorated the store with colorful balloons and ornaments to attract children’s attention. A small play area was set up near the counter for the kids, and the staff meticulously checked to ensure the children’s safety. Even a minor accident in the store would be problematic, so they were extra cautious with the play area.

At 10:00 AM, as soon as the store opened, customers began pouring in. Parents examined various furniture pieces, asking their children for their preferences. Da-in explained the products and even rearranged the furniture when needed, and the morning flew by. 

Even during lunchtime, she couldn’t leave the floor. People were lined up at the cash register, waiting to take advantage of the promotions.

“I’m hungry.”

A nearby employee commented as the initial rush of customers subsided. 

“I know, right. I’ll cover for you. Go eat first,” Da-in offered. 

“But you need to eat too, Da-in,” the employee replied. 

“Not on a day like this. Hurry and go,” Da-in insisted.

“Thanks, I will.”

After the sofa sales clerk left for lunch, Da-in attended to customers around the sofa and desk sections. Fortunately, the store became a bit quieter during the lunch rush. 

“Da-in, aren’t you hungry?”

Manager Kim, in charge of the bed section, asked with a smile.

“I am. I’ll be taking my break soon,” Da-in replied. 

“Want some chocolate first? It might be good to help you boost your energy,” Manager Kim offered, holding out three cone-shaped chocolates. Da-in smiled and accepted them.

Someone was watching them from across the store.

It was Seojun. He had visited the store unofficially, driven by a mix of curiosity and frustration. He wondered how Da-in was doing, how she was handling his proposal, and how she was performing at work. But seeing her smile and sharing chocolates with another employee irritated him.

‘She smiles at everyone else like that, but not at me,’ he thought, remembering her lack of reaction during the chauffeur incident and his proposal.