6

Jin Hun,” his mother said, walking into his office. “Let’s go out for lunch.”

He looked up from his computer. “I’m really busy today – I’m going to have something delivered.”

His mother stepped aside and let Eunsoo walk in. She was about 5’5, petite in build with long, dark hair that fell to the middle of her back. Her parents were long time family friends who owned a successful chain of clothing stores. When Jin Hun saw her on her first day of work, he had to admit that she’d really blossomed over the course of her studies in New York.

“Eunsoo has completed a very successful month here. Let’s go out and celebrate,” his mother said in the cheery tone she used when speaking to both of them.

Jin Hun glared at his mother and she stared back.

“Boss, I think he’s really busy – we can go out later.” Eunsoo said, observing the interraction between them.

Breaking from Jin Hun’s gaze, his mother turned to Eunsoo. “Yes, that’s a good idea,” she said, nodding slowly, “he can take you to dinner tonight.”

“I’ll be busy tonight,” Jin Hun said before looking back at his computer. He was used to his mother setting him up on dates and trying to push numerous women on him but hiring Eunsoo really took the cake. He’d tried his best to play it cool and just ignore them but it was getting increasingly more difficult with his mother always hovering and making suggestions. But the worst part was he had to be cold to Eunsoo who really didn’t deserve it especially as he’d realized that she was actually a smart girl who just got caught in their parents’ scheming. And it didn’t help that she was also generally pleasant… something that Sam Soon hadn’t been in the last couple of weeks.

“Oppa, don’t worry, we can reschedule. I still have to pick your brain about your experiences running your own restaurant.” She was smiling like she was oblivious to his rejection.

“Look at her – she’s always willing to learn new things,” his mother said proudly. “Aren’t you glad we hired her?”

He glanced at Eunsoo who had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Sure, Mom,” he said.

“Good. So why don’t you kids get together for dinner tomorrow?”

Jin Hun rolled his eyes. “I’ll be busy then. Eunsoo, I’ll let you know when I’m free. Now I have to get back to work -enjoy your lunch.”


***
“So what’s the story with the ring?” Mr. Lee asked Sam Soon as they walked to his car.

“What do you mean?” Ever since their initial meeting, he’d been giving her a ride home after every English class. It had been awkward at first but she’d begun to enjoy his company. He was an architect who worked a few blocks away from her pastry shop and he always loved to rave about how much he enjoyed her desserts. His wife had died of breast cancer a few years earlier and now that his parents had moved, he was raising his daughter alone. She couldn’t really put her finger on the reasons, but their conversations usually left her with a smile on her face. It wasn’t that he said particularly insightful or humorous things but he seemed really kind and mature. And she appreciated being around someone like that.

“It’s just that ever since I met you, you’ve had that on your finger. Is that supposed to be some sort of deterrent to keep men away?”

She smiled sadly. “You could say that.”

Mr. Lee opened her door. “You have something against men? Or just relationships?”

“No and No. I have a boyfriend – it’s a couple ring.”

Mr. Lee didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I thought so. So how come you haven’t mentioned him?”

She shrugged.

“Is everything fine?”

“I guess so.”

“You guess so? Any plans to get married?” He started the car.

“I don’t know.”

He furrowed his brows. “Meaning?”

She sighed. “How about I start from the beginning?” she said right before she shared all the gory details with him. When she finished, she said, “So what do you think?”

“Well… can I be honest?” he asked, watching the road.

Sam Soon’s heart raced. How come those words were usually followed by unpleasant ones? She braced herself. “Of course.”

“And you wouldn’t be offended?”

“No.”

“Didn’t you say your sister also had a problem getting married because it was your brother-in-law’s first marriage and his parents didn’t want him marrying a divorcee?”

“Yes?”

“And they got married a few months ago?”

“Yes.”

“So there you have it.”

Sam Soon was confused. “Have what? Are you are saying that I should wait?”

He smiled. “I am not going to tell you what to do with your life but… let me put it this way: your sister’s husband put his foot down and now they are married. If your boyfriend wants to marry you, he’d make it clear to his family and they’d have no choice but to accept you. And as you can see from what happened with your sister, there’s really no reason it should take four years.”