Eighteen, and Winter (2)
A week later, our house was unusually bustling from the morning. My sister and I could just throw on the outfits we'd bought ahead of time last week, but Mom and Dad were different. They insisted on dressing up formally, even pulling out suits, so my sister and I had to sweat it out convincing them otherwise. It wasn't like a formal engagement meeting or anything—just neat and tidy would do, but they were overdoing it. Of course, since it was related to my sister and ajusshi's engagement, we had to show some respect, but there were limits to everything.
Given the occasion, Mom and Dad seemed tense yet quietly excited. My sister, on the other hand, wore an expression that mixed unease and discomfort—hard to put into words. Thinking about it, this visit was like a midway progress report on how far things had gone between the two of them. No wonder she wasn't comfortable. I wasn't entirely uninvolved, but I was just the little sister. All I could feel was a bit sorry for her.
I wished she'd just make up her mind already—break it off or whatever—before things got even more exhausting.
Looking out the window, I saw a thin layer of white snow blanketing the ground from overnight. The apartment complex interior looked especially pristine white, with broom marks and footprints messily scattered where the security guards had just started clearing it. Kids were already out, packing snowballs to throw or building tiny snowmen. Lucky them.
"Dad, be careful on the icy roads."
I gave Dad a heads-up, and the four of us shut the front door, heading down to the basement. As the elevator descended, my sister's face grew darker by the second.
It happened when we reached the underground lobby entrance. A large black car was parked in the spot nearest the exit, hazard lights flashing. Thinking someone had just stopped briefly, we moved to pass by, but the man standing beside it glanced at us confirmingly before approaching Dad.
"Are you President Yoon, sir?"
His polite bow was anything but ordinary.
"Yes, that's me... And you are?"
Dad paused briefly, nodding as he replied, and the man said calmly,
"We've been sent from Chairman Han's residence. The roads are slippery with snow today."
Only then did Dad pull out his phone from his pocket and check the screen. From his expression, it seemed he'd gotten prior notice after all. Still, I hadn't expected them to send a car. Talk about overwhelming...
We couldn't exactly refuse outright here.
"Please, get in. We'll take you there."
As the man quietly opened the door, hesitating further would have been awkward. In the end, we climbed in without protest.
Honestly, it was a relief Dad didn't have to drive. The roads were slick, and on a day like this, riding comfortably beat gripping the wheel.
The interior was surprisingly immaculate. Spacious seats with room for a third row, each with a bottle of water or beverage slotted in.
...What was this level of consideration? It only made things more burdensome.
No one dared touch them at first, but when the driver quietly offered via the rearview mirror, we each took one. Luckily, mine had orange juice, so I took a sip. The sweet, cool taste slid down my throat, and my oddly tense body seemed to loosen a bit.
I had no real reason to be nervous, but this kind of treatment was stirring up tension that wasn't there.
Mom and Dad were visibly on edge too. If they were like that...
How must my sister feel?
"Cough... cough!"
Sure enough, she wasn't at ease either. Choking on her drink, she coughed nonstop. I quickly pulled out some tissues and handed them over. At least she hadn't spilled on her clothes or the car.
Once out of the complex, the car quietly picked up speed. Wipers swept the windshield in steady rhythm, snowflakes scattering in the wind over the cleared road. Inside, only the heater's hum remained.
No one spoke, and pointless tension started building.
We'd driven some distance, the scenery shifting from familiar sights entirely, when the car turned onto a gentle hillside. The surroundings hushed, snow piled along the road edges glowing faintly in the headlights. Tall walls and big trees screened the outside, a black iron gate blocking the path.
The driver's window cracked open, a brief intercom exchange followed. A beep, the barrier lifted, and the gate slowly parted, revealing the driveway.
Through the trees, the mansion's snow-capped roof appeared quietly. The inner path was spotless. Garden lights spaced evenly outlined the way clearly.
The car passed the front, stopping quietly at the side parking area. As the door opened, warm air escaped, cold air slapping our faces.
A few steps out, and the ground wasn't slippery. Looking up, I saw the garden: low-trimmed bushes and tall trees standing, snow evenly dusting them for sharp clarity. My mouth shut on its own.
Just then, the mansion's entrance door opened. They'd been expecting us from the start.
A middle-aged man in a neat black coat emerged. He didn't descend the stairs fully, bowing from a polite distance.
"President Yoon, thank you for coming all this way. Please, follow me inside."
As we moved, he led ahead to the entrance. Warm air rushed out as the door opened.
"The Chairman is in the inner reception room."
At his words, we quietly organized our shoes and entered. Two attendants approached silently.
"We'll take your coats."
Mom and Dad hesitated briefly, then smiled awkwardly, handing them over. My sister followed a beat late. So did I, fiddling with my sleeve before thrusting mine forward.
As the attendants handled the coats, the middle-aged greeter took the lead again.
"This way."
A few steps along his guidance, past one door, and the reception room appeared. We naturally stopped before it.
Chairman Han and Madam Han were already inside. The Chairman had black hair neatly combed back, streaked with gray. His angular face and firm lips gave an intimidating vibe—I tensed up unconsciously.
Madam Han was different. Her kind smile and soft eyes felt oddly familiar the moment I saw her face.
"It's been a while."
Dad bowed first in greeting, Mom following. The Hans returned it casually. My sister and I hesitated before bowing too.
Then the Chairman looked at Dad.
"Between us, no need for such formality."
Dad's expression softened instantly at those words.
"Hahaha, right you are, brother."
Mom laughed along with him. The atmosphere shifted so suddenly, I was baffled. My sister and I exchanged glances, tilting our heads.
The Chairman's gaze shifted to her.
"And this is... Miss Yoon Seoyeong?"
My sister looked startled, then bowed hastily.
"Yes, nice to meet you. I'm Yoon Seoyeong."
"Yes, Seoyeong. Pleased to meet you."
He nodded with a smile, and Madam Han added a gentle one beside him. His eyes then turned to me.
"And this one is..."
The Chairman's face suddenly stiffened mid-sentence. Madam Han's eyes widened too.
Why were they so shocked? A question mark floated over my head.
"By any chance, Cheon...?"
"Pardon?"
Not understanding, I tilted my head. He took a breath, then asked cautiously,
"No... I mean... Miss Seojin... right?"
"Yes, Yoon Seojin. Nice to meet you."
"Ahem..."
As I answered, he cleared his throat a couple times.
"Yes... Pleased to meet you."
He steadied his voice after the cough.
"Anyway, don't just stand—sit and let's talk."
He gestured to the sofas, and we family members took seats.
Once seated, my eyes kept drifting to Madam Han. A face I'd never seen, yet it felt so familiar.
Why does she seem so recognizable...?
Lost in that thought, the door opened.
It was ajusshi who entered, in black pants and a crisp white shirt—looking sharp.
"Sorry I'm late."
He bowed first to his parents, then turned to us.
"Thank you for the long trip."
His polite, formal greeting done, he sat beside Madam Han.
Seeing them side by side, I finally got why she seemed familiar. The eye shape, the vibe when smiling—they matched. Ajusshi took after his mother more than his father.
Just then, our eyes met. My lips curved up involuntarily. I was still mad he hadn't picked up my call, but seeing him like this... it wasn't all bad.
But his expression looking at me was weird. Flustered, maybe? He looked kind of foolish, nearly making me burst out laughing.
His eyes widened slightly, staring straight at me without looking away for a while. Then suddenly, he whipped his head aside.
What was that? Is he ignoring me again?
Irritation bubbled up for no reason. We'll talk later, ajusshi.