TYW Ch 2.1

On the way home, the woman looked gloomy.

‘Even though she ate a lot, even enjoying many desserts. What else is missing? Should she be taken shopping?’

“Do you want to go to the department store?” ‘Should I buy her something to improve her mood?’

“Why at this late hour? Is there something you want to buy?”

“No, maybe I’ll buy you a bag?”

The woman shook her head gently. Woogeon sighed lowly.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all. I don’t feel that way. Why?”

“Your expression. You look tired?”

“It’s not that…”

“Then why?”

“I’m worried about grandpa.”

“What are you worried about?”

“Usually, a person’s physical condition often worsens at night or in the early hours. I’m just afraid something might happen to him.”

“You know such things too, huh? If something happened, there would have been a call by now.”

At that moment, the woman’s phone rang. Her eyes widened when she saw the screen, then she immediately answered.

“Grandpa!” The woman who had looked gloomy now laughed broadly.

Woogeon sped up the car. He just wanted to get home, shower, and rest.

“No, I ate a lot. My stomach feels like a balloon now. Really. Yes, I ate macarons, brownies, and also drank mint chocolate latte. Really, everything was delicious.” In the darkness of the car, the woman laughed freely without restraint. Her voice was clear.

“Grandpa, can I go to the hospital now? Ah, no. Tomorrow morning? I know, but… I’m really worried.” Suddenly, tears flowed from the woman’s eyes.

“Why am I like this?”

Woogeon glanced at the red light from the car in front of him, slowing down and stepping on the brake. The woman lowered her head again as if feeling guilty, crying softly. Woogeon opened the dashboard drawer, took out a tissue, and handed it to her. The woman received the tissue with trembling hands while still lowering her head.

“No… I really had a good time today. Woogeon took good care of me. Yes, he’s not as scary as grandpa described.”

Not as scary as grandpa described. Not scary. Woogeon almost laughed hearing those words, but he held it back.

“Yes, grandpa. I’ll try to hold on tonight.”

The traffic light turned green, and the car in front started moving. Woogeon sped up his car, changed lanes, and easily overtook. He felt tired. Taking home a woman he couldn’t even sleep with only made him more tired. Woogeon’s appearance was a mess.

***

“Eh, Yujun.”

“Oppa, how is grandpa?”

Woogeon glanced at his phone screen, making sure he hadn’t received the wrong call. It was indeed true, the caller was his high school classmate, Jeong Yujun.

“Oppa, it’s me, Yunha.”

He had just finished showering and changed into casual clothes. Woogeon frowned.

“I’m upset that you didn’t reply to my calls or messages. I’m worried. After all, he’s my future grandfather-in-law.”

“Oppa? Is grandpa okay? How about you?”

‘How annoying.’ Without answering, Woogeon immediately hung up. He threw his phone away and left the dressing room towards the bedroom, but no one was in the bed. Even though he had told the woman to sleep in this bed. As he was about to step into the small sitting room connected to the bedroom, Woogeon suddenly stopped. The woman had changed into casual clothes and was sleeping sideways on the sofa, snoring softly with a small sound.

‘How troublesome.’ With narrowed eyes, Woogeon slipped his hands into his pants pockets, then turned around, muttering, “Ah, never mind.” However, his steps stopped again. The soft snoring sounded so peaceful. He sighed and chuckled.

“You’re such a nuisance.”

When he tried to lift the woman sleeping on the sofa, Woogeon was surprised. The woman’s body felt so light, as if weightless.

‘Why is she so light? Her body is small, but this is really unreasonable. Her weight isn’t even half of mine. No, maybe only a third. It’s like there’s nothing inside her at all. Even though she said she likes to eat a lot. That old grandpa really likes to exaggerate.’

***

Rieul opened her eyes in surprise. Because the room was so dark, she felt a little relieved, but immediately panicked because she didn’t know what time it was. Initially, she only intended to lie down on the sofa for a while and tidy up before sleeping, but somehow she was already in bed. Was it morning? Even though it was dark, she could make out the silhouettes of objects around her.

In the dark room, the light from the side lamp was visible, so Rieul reached for it. Without pressing any buttons, the lamp beeped and turned on by itself. The dim light filling the room revealed a very spacious room with a minimalist design, almost without any striking furniture. In Woogeon’s large bed, only Rieul was alone.

She lowered her feet to the floor. The warm touch of the marble floor spread to her calves. Even though she didn’t fully understand the layout of the room, the large door caught her attention. Rieul walked closer and opened it. From the window of the sitting room connected to the bedroom, the bright morning sunlight shone in dazzlingly.

“Ah, it’s morning.” Rieul returned to the bedroom and walked towards the bathroom she had been shown yesterday.

***

By the time Rieul finished changing into casual clothes in the dressing room, Woogeon was nowhere to be seen. Rieul slowly walked down the stairs connecting the second floor to the first floor. Sunlight flowed freely through the large windows in the living room, making the light seem to float in the air. The dining room door was open, and a friendlyfaced man named Han greeted Rieul warmly.

“You’re awake, Miss?”

“Yes,” Rieul replied, walking down the stairs with small, quick steps.

“I was just about to wake you up. The Chairman will be arriving soon.”

“Really? I’m so sorry! I overslept. How is this?”

“It’s okay, the Chairman asked that you not be woken up. I was almost here to wake you up now.”

“Thank you.” Rieul bowed politely in the first-floor living room. Han smiled warmly.

“Breakfast is ready.”

“Ah, but I heard grandpa will be arriving soon.”

“Then, do you want to delay your breakfast?”

“Yes, and…” Rieul hesitated for a moment, glancing awkwardly at Han before speaking.

“Vice President Lee is in the study. He’ll be down soon. Oh, there he is.” Just as Han finished speaking, the sound of footsteps came from the stairs.

“Did you sleep well?” Woogeon asked, now wearing neat casual clothes.

“Good morning,” Rieul greeted, bowing politely while looking at him.

Woogeon’s expression remained as usual, looking serious. Rieul felt she had never seen the man truly smile. Apart from brief, fleeting smiles, he always looked gloomy and tense.

“Why so formal? Don’t be so polite. Using excessive formal language makes me feel older.” Rieul’s face immediately flushed.

As Woogeon started walking down the stairs, the atmosphere suddenly became busy. The front door opened, followed by the sound of bodyguards’ footsteps moving in coordinated formation.

“It seems he has arrived at the gate.”

Before Woogeon could finish his sentence, the loud voices of the bodyguards and staff were clearly heard. Rieul stood near the entrance, while Woogeon stood beside her. Woogeon’s parents, some relatives, and the sound of a stretcher’s wheels were heard approaching.

Woogeon’s grandfather appeared, lying on a stretcher, equipped with a respirator and IVs hanging around him.

***

The grandfather was moved to the master bedroom. On his medical bed, various body monitoring devices, IVs, and antibiotics were attached. After all the adults left the room, only Rieul, the Grandfather, and Woogeon remained.

“Rieul, you must be tired, right?” The grandfather’s face looked a little better, showing his condition was more stable than the previous night.

“No, I slept well last night, really soundly.” Rieul smiled gently, as if wanting to reassure the grandfather. Every time she smiled, her eyes curved sweetly like crescent moons.

“Thank goodness. I must be a lot of trouble, Rieul.”

“Ah, not at all. Grandpa, don’t think like that. Please just rest and don’t worry about me.”

Grandpa’s rough and gnarled hands, like the bark of an old tree, slowly stroked Rieul’s white backhand.

“On the way here earlier, the sky looked very blue. Suddenly, I remembered October in Seattle.”

“Autumn in Seattle is indeed beautiful, isn’t it?”

Rieul smiled back, supporting Grandpa’s memories.

Woogeon, who was observing from the other side of the room, narrowed his eyes.

“Yes, as beautiful as you, like Yebun.”

A loving gaze was clearly visible in Grandpa’s eyes as he looked at Rieul. Who would have thought this stern man could show such an expression?

“When I went back and forth to Seattle in the past, it was very enjoyable.”

“When Grandpa is healthy again, let’s go to Gas Works Park, Kerry Park, or North Queen Anne like before. The red and yellow maple leaves there are very beautiful, right?” Rieul spoke gently, her two hands now holding Grandpa’s fragile hands.

“Rieul…”

“Yes, Grandpa. Please speak.”

“I hope you’ll be happy in this house.”

“Grandpa, don’t talk like that. I’ll be happy with Grandpa.” Rieul’s soft voice slowly sounded sad. Grandpa just chuckled softly.

“Haha, what’s the point of being happy with an old grandpa like me?”

“Grandpa, when you’re healthy again, treat me to a mint chocolate latte like before, okay?”

Ah, that mint chocolate latte again. As if it were an unresolved grudge.

“Didn’t Woogeon buy it for you?”

Woogeon’s gaze shifted from Rieul’s sparkling eyes to her white nape. Rieul’s hair was tied up, revealing her smooth nape. The sunlight made her skin glow softly, and even her ears looked red. Seeing that, Woogeon unconsciously frowned.

“No, he did buy it. He even brought macarons and brownies too.”

“That’s it? How stingy.”

Grandpa shook his head in disappointment while glancing at Woogeon, who could only stare at Rieul’s nape and her round shoulders.

“W-well… we also ate a lot of meat, so we were full.”

Woogeon finally approached Rieul, slowly releasing Grandpa’s hand from her grasp.

“That’s enough, Grandpa. Please rest.”

“Eh, do you think I’m mute, huh? Am I not allowed to speak? Just because I’m lying in bed, I’m considered a useless old grandpa, huh? This kid.” Grandpa’s hoarse voice grumbled, though there was no anger in his tone.

“And you, let Rieul rest too. She’s not a talisman, why does she have to be here all the time?”

“Ah, it’s not like that! Woogeon, please don’t say that.”

Rieul immediately frowned in disappointment, showing an annoyed expression that Woogeon had never seen before. However, when their eyes met, Rieul quickly looked away and smiled gently at Grandpa again. Woogeon felt increasingly uncomfortable. What made Rieul smile so sweetly only at her grandfather?

“Grandpa, I’m really fine.”

“No, Grandpa is just talking too much. Go get some rest.”

“Grandpa, I like being by Grandpa’s side the most.”

Grandpa immediately glared at Woogeon. “Could it be, Woogeon is making you uncomfortable, huh?”

“N-no! Woogeon treats me very well, really!”

Woogeon sighed deeply. This was tiring. “Grandpa, there are many staff in this house who can take care of you. Enough, Rieul.”

Rieul bit her lip, frowning in disappointment. For some reason, Woogeon felt he kept noticing Rieul’s expressions today.

“Alright, Rieul, go get some rest. Or go on a date with Woogeon.”

“Yes, that’s right. Otherwise, how can Woogeon buy you mint chocolate?”

“Right, right. Go and enjoy your favorite mint chocolate.”

“Grandpa…”

“I want to see you get married, have children, and then I’ll take my grandchildren to kindergarten in this old car.”

Rieul’s face immediately turned red.

***

“H-h-ha, Grandpa.”

“You have to be together often to get closer. Also, why do you call him Woogeon? Shouldn’t it be ‘Woogeon Oppa’?”

Rieul’s nape turned even redder, making Woogeon hurriedly look away.

‘This is unexpected. Why do I suddenly feel hot at a moment like this?’

Woogeon took a deep breath and gently grabbed Rieul’s arm. However, Rieul looked surprised, making him frown again.

“What’s so good about this old grandpa? Go and spend some time together first, then you can talk about dating or marriage, right?”

Rieul’s face turned even redder, making Woogeon feel even more awkward. Meanwhile, Grandpa just chuckled in satisfaction seeing the two of them. Rieul felt her face burning. As the man pulled her arm and led her out of the master bedroom towards the living room, the adults’ conversation immediately stopped. All eyes were on Rieul.

The woman who was referred to as Grandpa’s daughter kept glaring at her, making Rieul lower her head, only looking at her toes.

“To be honest, it’s true, isn’t it?”

“Aunt…”

“Enough.”

“No, after Mom passed away for over a decade, Dad lived alone. I thought at least he was still faithful to that feeling, but it turned out like this? At this old age, going back and forth to Seattle just to be toyed with. How pitiful for Mom, who is now just ashes.”

“Hyein, enough.”

“You have it easy, Oppa. Woogeon is a man who can easily get any woman, why with someone like her?”

“Please watch your words, Aunt. Just stop.”

“You’re too much too, Brother. I don’t care, I’m leaving.”

The woman and her husband stood up, walked through the hallway, and left the house.

“Rieul, have you had breakfast?”

Since their first meeting, Woogeon’s mother had always been friendly. Her face was full of warmth, and although she was clearly from the upper class, she never acted arrogant, making Rieul feel very touched.

“I’ll take her to breakfast now. Grandpa won’t let her go like a talisman.”

“Woogeon…”

“That’s right, you must be very tired. Go and have a good meal with Rieul. Please get her a cardigan from the dressing room.”

Woogeon’s mother elegantly asked someone to get Rieul an outer garment.

“I can eat at home.”

“You’ve been tired enough here. Rieul is now our youngest daughter-in-law. Of course, we have to take good care of her.”

Daughter-in-law. Rieul’s face immediately turned red.

“That’s right, it’s better to be with me. Didn’t Grandpa say that if you’re always together, your feelings will deepen?”

Rieul glared at the man.

‘Is he crazy? Saying something like that in front of so many people?’

However, Woogeon’s mother just laughed softly, making Rieul want to disappear into a rat hole.

“Oh dear, that’s right. Rieul, relax with Woogeon today. Next week, let’s go see wedding dresses together.”

‘Next week? So our wedding is next week?’

Rieul swallowed, imagining herself wearing a wedding dress.

Someone from upstairs came down the stairs and put a long, thick cardigan on her.

As Woogeon headed for the entrance, people opened the door for them. After greeting Woogeon’s parents, Rieul hurried after the man.

The October morning was bright, with a slightly cool breeze.

“What do you want to eat for breakfast?”

Woogeon asked as he walked through the garden. His broad and sturdy back was clearly visible in his jacket. Although Westerners are generally tall, Rieul had rarely seen a man as tall and cool as Woogeon. In Seattle, there were many handsome men, but with this physique? Not as many as one might think.

Woogeon glanced at her from over his shoulder. Surprised, Rieul immediately looked away, but in her nervousness, her forehead hit the man’s back.

As Rieul rubbed her sore forehead, the man’s back was suddenly very close.

“You’re deliberately avoiding my gaze, aren’t you?”

Rieul looked at him in confusion. The man’s face, as usual, looked cold and unfriendly.

“No, it’s not like that.”

“You’re clearly avoiding it.”

“That’s just your imagination.”

Rieul mumbled softly, glancing at him cautiously. Suddenly, Woogeon chuckled lightly. A soft, calm laugh that perfectly matched the autumn atmosphere.

Rieul’s heart raced faster. She felt her chest tight, as if her heart was about to jump out of her throat.

“Alright, let’s just say it’s my imagination. So, what do you want for breakfast, Yeon Rieul?”

Even though he asked with a straight face, Woogeon still looked charming. Rieul avoided his gaze even more. How could she look at a face like that?

Suddenly, the man tapped the corner of Rieul’s eye with his finger.

“See? You keep avoiding it. Annoying.”

Woogeon’s low voice made Rieul’s heart feel like it was exploding in her chest.

***