Meeting the Mother-in-Law
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The Secretary's Women 29
I'd been so busy teaching Jeong-ah about SNS work, and on top of that, with the congressman piling on tasks, I hadn't paid much attention to Ara for a while. And today, I hadn't even called her. Feeling guilty, I headed to her neighborhood. When I called her from the alley entrance, she came out the front gate in less than three minutes and hopped into the car.
"Let's grab some coffee at the convenience store."
"Come on, we said we'd just see each other and I'd head back."
"I already told them I was going to buy pads anyway."
"Aigoo, fine."
I drove her to the convenience store, bought coffee and her brand of pads, paid, then headed behind her house to the base of the mountain—the spot where she'd given me that forced oral last time.
"Sorry I couldn't call."
"No, you're busy, that's all. Jeong-ah said you've been swamped."
"Still, I'm sorry. I need to pay more attention to my Ara."
"It's okay. Focus on work. That way it'll be easier when you run for office later."
"Yeah. I'll win for sure and make you the wife of a congressman."
"By the way, Mom wants to meet you."
"She knows?"
"Yeah. She asked if I had a boyfriend, so I had to tell her."
I'd heard Ara's mother wanted to meet me. Of course, a mom with a daughter in her early twenties wouldn't miss the changes in her. Especially that time when Ara lost her virginity—her mom probably sensed it. No matter how careful she was with her walk, it would've been awkward. Anyway, there was no reason to refuse her mother's request. It wasn't a one-time thing. So, with the topic out, I decided to visit her home soon.
"If that's the case, I should pay my respects. When's good for her?"
"Mom's always home, so whenever you're free."
"How about this weekend?"
"You can make it?"
"We have to meet eventually."
"Thanks, honey."
Ara hugged me and kissed me. I knew we'd have to do this someday, but the age gap made me hesitate. Still, if she knew I was her daughter's boyfriend, we'd have to face it. If she accepted the age difference easily, great. If not, we'd have conflict for a while, but no choice. In our country, a mother who knows her daughter's already deep in a relationship would want to steer it positively. I had to trust that. We chatted over coffee, then I took her home. On the way back, I pondered what gift her mom might like.
At work, sipping coffee, the congressman arrived. No special schedule in Busan, so I figured he'd gone to Seoul last night—unexpected. With Congressman Hwang in, I waited in his office for instructions.
"Nothing special going on?"
"No, sir."
"Then go out and send in Ms. Hyeon for a bit."
"You mean Jeong-ah Hyeon?"
"Is there another Ms. Hyeon in our office?"
"Yes, got it."
I left his office, called Jeong-ah, and told her to go in. She looked puzzled and anxious, knocking on the door.
"Come in." She entered, stood opposite him, waiting. He offered her a seat; she perched on the sofa edge, curious, watching him.
"Ms. Hyeon, can you help with my work full-time?"
"How?"
"I'll pay you a salary. Quit the hospital and work here properly?"
"Political work?"
"Not politics— you're an SNS expert, so help with that."
"I'm not sure if I can, but I'll talk to Oppa first."
"Oppa?"
"Yeah, Maru oppa."
"You know Secretary Park well?"
"Yeah, he asked me to help, that's why I'm here."
"Then I'll tell Secretary Park. Help with SNS for now."
"I need to check with Oppa."
"I'll instruct him."
"Yes."
"Now send in Secretary Park."
Jeong-ah, cowed by his forceful tone, left head down.
"Oppa, Congressman wants you."
"Got it."
In his office, he bluntly announced hiring Jeong-ah as SNS specialist.
"Sir, as I said yesterday, hiring her will upset the regular staff."
"Keep it secret—just you, me, and her. No problem."
"In this world? Politics? Secrets don't exist."
"If you and she keep quiet, who knows?"
"Veterans will notice."
"Anyway, I need her. Hire as my personal secretary and SNS handler."
"Sir..."
"I'll handle fallout. Go."
I couldn't beat his stubbornness. Especially after my own firing recently—if I pushed back, he'd boot me entirely. No reason to block Jeong-ah's hire. So, by his unilateral decision, she joined the camp family.
"Honey, remember today's the day to greet Mom?"
"Of course. I'll pick you up at library closing. Get ready."
"Okay. Waiting."
To prepare gifts for her parents, I left early, hit the department store. Nothing perfect, so wallet for dad, cosmetics set for mom. Then roses from florist, carefully in back seat, to library.
"Honey, these roses for me?"
"Nah, to butter up Mom. Don't be greedy."
"Pfft, thought it was sweet for a sec."
"I'll get you some later."
"Okay."
Followed Ara home. Clean, modest interior. Her mom greeted at door. Despite age, vibrant yet calm and neat beauty like Ara.
"Come in."
"Yes. First time meeting. Park Maru."
"Heard lots from Ara. Sit."
"Father not home yet?"
"She hasn't told you? Honey, Dad passed when you were little."
"Oh, sorry."
"No need. Why bring flowers?"
"Didn't know if you liked roses."
"Old, but still a woman—who hates flowers?"
"Glad then."
"Sit. I'll prep dinner."
Hard to believe bubbly Ara grew up without dad, but mom's word, so nodded.
Handed flowers; she hugged bouquet, sniffed happily. Ripe 40s charm with cute vibe unfit for age. Ara must take after her.
Guided to table, she and Ara brought food from kitchen. Table abundant, my faves—must've told her. She offered chopsticks: "Eat." Tasted perfect, savory, to my taste.
"Wow, Mom's cooking is pro level."
"No such thing. To your taste?"
"Yes, delicious. Not just saying—really."
"Good. Eat up."
Neat, perfect flavors—I polished off my rice bowl. After, living room, tea, chat.
"Thirty-two this year?"
"Yes."
"Big age gap with our girl..."
She eyed me on age. Biggest worry meeting Ara, expected this, but hearing it stung—guilty, annoyed.
Frankly, our relationship gone far—if it ended not by my choice but hers, I'd feel wronged. Spite rose. But hid it, bowed apologetically. To her, I'm thief stealing fresh-raised daughter.
"Sorry."
"Not like that."
"I'll cherish and love her."
"Heard you're in politics. Tough?"
"No easy jobs. Politics differs from normal work, but someone's gotta do it."
Age to job. She phrased as daughter young/immature, but meant politics unpopular. Couldn't agree. Played dumb, praised Ara's wisdom, shared ambitions, vowed lifelong love. Convinced, she relaxed, eyed Ara.
"Grateful if you see it that way. Ara, go to your room?"
"Why?"
"Listen to Mom."
"Tch."
Ara gone, mom eyed me seriously. Curious what next. Couldn't wait, spoke first.