Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Years ago, Jae-gyu had tracked down Hee-yeon. Han-gyeol, who was going through a severe puberty, had found out his birth mother was alive and started acting out.
Jae-gyu had no choice but to bring Han-gyeol and seek out Hee-yeon for the first time.
[Han-gyeol wants to see his mother. Could he see you just once?]
[No! I don’t even remember her face anymore, are you crazy?]
Hee-yeon shuddered, calling it disgusting, and Jae-gyu stopped using honorifics with her.
[Just call him. Can’t you at least tell him that his mother couldn’t pick him up due to unavoidable circumstances?]
[I haven’t even debuted yet, why would I want to be tied down? Don’t just ask me to do this and that, why don’t you lend me some living expenses?]
Jae-gyu silently handed over a large sum of money at Hee-yeon’s brazen demand. There was one condition.
[Use this to become independent, and when you’re someone Han-gyeol can be proud of, then show your face.]
Jae-gyu didn’t know how Hee-yeon had spent all that money. A few days ago, when they ate pork soup, Hee-yeon said the money had been gone for a long time. In the end, she had come back because she ran out.
Jae-gyu’s fist trembled. He refused Hee-yeon’s renewed demand for money, telling her she didn’t even have to repay the previous loan, but to just stay away from Han-gyeol.
[You lent me a measly hundred million won and you’re making such a fuss? You can’t even live in Seoul with that kind of money.]
Hee-yeon easily dismissed Jae-gyu’s words.
‘She said there was another reason for refusing.’
When asked what it was, Hee-yeon only laughed and didn’t answer, but from their recent phone call, he could vaguely guess.
Hee-yeon didn’t want to waste Han-gyeol’s handsome looks. She intended to make a lot of money with it, and even considered how it could benefit her.
“Ha…”
Han-gyeol was long past puberty now. Jae-gyu was proud of how well and kindly he had grown up.
What would happen if his birth mother appeared before a child who had just settled his heart? Han-gyeol, being quick-witted, would surely realize she was trying to use him for money.
‘I can’t even imagine what would happen.’
Jae-gyu wanted to share this deep worry with someone.
“Bom…”
He remembered Bom, lowering her breath and listening intently every time he spoke. Jae-gyu’s lips curved slightly.
He was about to ask Bom, who had finally opened her heart to him, to officially start dating. He was bothered by the fact that their first sexual encounter was in a back room of an Inn.
‘There should at least be flowers.’
Jae-gyu didn’t know what good things Bom had enjoyed or what glamorous things she had experienced in Seoul. But how Bom lived didn’t matter.
He just wanted to do it a little more properly.
‘Even if Bom-ssi refuses, at least it won’t be a dirty memory…’
Jae-gyu was naturally intuitive. His predictions rarely went far off course. But Bom was different. She seemed gentle on the outside but had conviction and didn’t hesitate to refuse when unnecessary.
Yet, he couldn’t postpone it. They had already spent a night together, belly to belly, so dragging it out would be cowardly.
If he were to consult Bom about Han-gyeol’s worries in this situation…
“That won’t do.”
Bom had already cried and been heartbroken over his heavy past stories.
Considering everything, it was better to solve it alone.
Hee-yeon would be quiet for a while if he just gave her money. He knew it was like pouring water into a bottomless pit, but it was the safest option compared to others. It was fortunate that money was her only motive.
Having made up his mind, Jae-gyu pressed the call button.
⋆★⋆
Bom finished the deep cleaning and collapsed onto the sofa.
“Ha…”
It was her usual weekend cleaning, but today was tough. Her back was stiff because of Jae-gyu, making even moving small objects difficult.
Bom was exhausted after finally steam-cleaning the floor.
“I need to water the Money Tree outside too…”
It was midsummer, and the sun was hot, so the Money Tree could get damaged. She had planned to water it thoroughly today and bring it inside, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Jae-gyu had called that morning. He said he’d bring Bom-sik around lunchtime. Han-gyeol had taken him for a full-speed run twice a day, so he was coming back pampered.
‘I should start practicing running too.’
To keep up with Bom-sik’s increasing stamina, Bom should also exercise.
As Jae-gyu’s promised time approached, Bom quickly showered and stood in front of her closet.
“Dressed up but not too dressed up…”
That’s what he said to wear. What would be good?
While she was trying on and taking off several outfits, she heard a dog barking outside.
It wasn’t the husky bark of Hwang-gu next door. This was…
“Bom-sik?”
Bom awkwardly opened the front door.
“Jae-gyu-ssi?”
Standing at the entrance was Jae-gyu, dressed in neat clothes, holding a bouquet with luxurious color coordination. Jae-gyu seemed a little flustered.
“Bom, your clothes…”
“Huh?”
Bom-sik’s thick paw landed on Bom’s slipper-clad foot. Bom-sik wagged his tail as if it would fall off and snorted.
“A blouse on top and sweatpants on the bottom…”
“Huh? I didn’t hear you. Bom-sik, what’s wrong?”
Jae-gyu tried to say something more, but Bom-sik had no intention of leaving Bom’s side after being separated for two days.
Bom-sik, barking excitedly, eventually let out a mournful “Howooo—” sound, similar to a wolf’s howl.
“Oh, Bom-sik. Did you miss Mommy a lot?”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Bom squatted down and scratched Bom-sik’s neck. Bom-sik wiggled his paws happily, then suddenly jumped up as if he had springs in his legs.
“Bom-sik?”
Then, panting, he sprinted into the house.
“…”
“He’s strong, just like his dad.”
“…He’s not sick, is he?”
“He’s just a puppy, full of energy.”
“Um, but…”
The chaotic moment passed, and Bom focused on the scene before her. Jae-gyu was here, dressed smartly and holding flowers. In that case?
“Would you like to come in?”
Bom said, trying to sound calm. Jae-gyu nodded and entered, and Bom closed the front door. Her flushed face was reflected in the mirror above the shoe rack.
‘Ugh, no.’
Calming her trembling heart, Bom headed to the kitchen. On the way, she found Bom-sik sound asleep in his house.
“…”
He was just running around, what was that? Are dogs normally like this, or is Bom-sik special?
With a bewildered mind, Bom went to the kitchen and ground coffee beans. These were the beans she had bought after Jae-gyu complained about coffee the day he brought the Money Tree.
Bom spread a filter in the dripper and boiled water, then peeked into the living room.
For some reason, Jae-gyu was sitting properly and quietly on the sofa, reading a book. Seeing him like that made her chuckle slightly.
‘He must be trying to act dignified because it’s an important day.’
She gently put the finely ground beans into the filter and slowly poured the hot, boiling water. The savory coffee aroma instantly filled the space.
Bom was nervous but calmly poured coffee into mugs and went to the living room. She didn’t forget to carry them on a tray, thinking she shouldn’t spill them like the ginger tea.
‘It would have been a disaster if it got damaged then.’
She carefully placed Jae-gyu’s cup and her own on the sofa table.
“You came earlier than I expected.”
She sat quietly next to the sofa and spoke first, for Jae-gyu, who must have been more nervous than her.
“What are you reading?”
“Can I borrow this?”
Bom’s mouth dropped open as she saw the cover of the book Jae-gyu had snapped shut.
“A Guide for First Love.”
“…!”
Just the fact that that book was in Jae-gyu’s hands made her mind go blank. It was filled with all sorts of highlighters, notes, asterisks…
“Bom-ssi’s traces of diligent study.”
“…”
“It looks like you’ve read it many times already. Can I borrow it?”
Her face was burning red. Bom frantically fumbled for the air conditioner remote and turned it on. The cold air touched her skin, but her body was still hot.
Her lips were stuck together. As she remained silent, Jae-gyu subtly put the book aside.
“That… well… I bought it at the Bazaar… I was just curious…”
“So?”
Jae-gyu moved closer to her. He tilted his head and asked again, looking at Bom, who was trembling with shame.
“Did you resolve your curiosity? After studying that book?”
“What! I didn’t study with this…? Who learns about dating from a book…? Ha, this is ridiculous.”
Jae-gyu’s lips curved up. Bom glared at Jae-gyu, who kept teasing her. Just because one book was discovered, she was being strangely misrepresented. Of course, she had studied with the book, but it was a top-secret.
Her throat was parched, but the coffee was still steaming hot. Jae-gyu’s face was still full of smiles.
What was so funny?
“I was pretty nervous before coming, but as soon as I saw this book, my tension just melted away, ha.”
Then, with a rustle, he held out the bouquet. Bom knew it was for her from the moment the front door opened, but receiving it like this still made her heart flutter.
“Your first flowers.”
Between the elegant bouquet of mimosa and cafe latte roses was a small note.
“Open it.”
What would it say? Bom calmed her fluttering heart and opened the note.
Yoon Bom, Seon Jae-gyu First Day.
Bom looked at Jae-gyu, taking in the carefully written calligraphy again. Jae-gyu cleared his throat.
“Will you date me?”