As planned I went to pick her up at 8 I waited outside her apartment so I gave her a call, she texts me back saying she will be there in a minute. I have been so confused I decided to ask her directly today. She came and knocked at my window. As I looked at her, I got off the car to open the door for her. She smiled at me. She was wearing a multi-color top with regular fit blue jeans. She looked pretty in it.
We got in the car "Where to, miss?"
"Drive straight," she said and I followed her instructions
She took me to this street market full of a variety of street food. We talked, we ate some delicious food, then I took her to a sky lounge for dessert. The view from up there was beautiful
I asked her "Emma, can I ask you something? Have you really never been to Korea?" She heard that question, her smile wore away. A few moments passed, I was still waiting for an answer
"I don't know" she replied
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"It's a bit personal, it's just our first date"
"It's our second actually, just to be exact. It's okay if you don't want to share, I totally understand"
"Thanks"
The dessert was served just the way she uses to like: a brownie coupled with vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate on the top,
"Oh my god, this is my favorite. How did you know?"
"It's my favorite too, so I just ordered it" her smile was back.
She ate it so passionately as if the desert was all she required to be happy. After dessert, we walked back to her apartment it was just a few blocks away.
She turned to me "Thank you so much, I had a great time today"
"You're most welcome"
She went back inside the building with a smile. I really don't get girls. How could a desert have made someone so happy?
Was it a coincidence that she loved the desert just the way Hyun-joo used to or was there something more to it? I wanted to investigate but I felt like I should wait for her to tell me everything herself. I did felt guilty about my lies but I was just trying to protect her.
As I went back, as I entered my villa I got a call from Tan.
"Hyun (it means elder brother in Korean) How have you been?"
"I am doing fine, you might have heard about me not returning home any sooner"
"I did, I am really not happy about that, do you really have to"
"Yes I do"
"Okay, I get it, work comes first -- and one more thing, actually: I heard from Mr. Yoon Jae Ho that you're sponsoring my trip to Hawaii."
"I am, why?"
"Actually, I need your help? Could you call Chan Eun-sang and help me to convince her?"
"She is a tough girl, you know I won't be able to do it, don't you have an excuse?"
"I don't actually, you should give it a try Hyun, she would listen to you"
"You children! What if she doesn't?"
"Then I'll come up with an illegal plan"
"You! If father called me for you, you just wait"
"He won't, trust me"
"Okay I'll call Chan Eun-sang"
"Thank you, Hyun"
"Yeah, now hang up, I want to sleep"
"Goodnight Hyun" I hung up.
I had a plan to call Chan Eun-sang, but it was really difficult for me because of the time difference between Korea and us. The next day when I got back to my villa from work I called her, it was around 10 pm here so it must be 11 am in Korea.
I called her "Hello"
"Won, how have you been?"
"I am good, how are you, how are your studies going on?"
"Quite well, how is work there? I heard your trip extended to a couple of months..."
"You heard right, actually I called. I heard you're not going to Hawaii with your friends, may I ask why?"
"It's just so expensive, I can't afford it. That's why I am not going"
"No one is affording it, I am sponsoring the whole trip"
"I can't take that much money from you, and if I do, I am not sure how I will pay you back"
"Did I ask you to pay me back?"
"I can't take you up on this offer"
"Okay, let's change the topic. Let's talk about Tan"
"What about him? He is doing well. His grades are getting better"
"That's good news!"
"Frankly speaking, I have never thought I'll be so deeply in love with someone"
"Love just happens, you don't plan love"
"I guess you're right, I am so lucky it happened for me"
"Tan once told me you guys actually met for the first time in the US"
"Yeah, I was there to find my sister. I didn't know a word of English, I don't know what I would have done if he wasn't there."
"You should be thankful to me I was the one who kicked him out of the house and forced him to stay in the US for three years until he fought his way back to me and came to Korea to demand his right. I know he didn't just come back to find you but you were one of the reasons to, he didn't tell me but I figured."
"Yeah, I know"
"I hated him for eighteen whole years because our moms were different but when you came into his life, he got the strength to fight against the world because of you, I had to be by his side, after all, I am his elder brother, it all happened because of you, so I am grateful for that. From being a housekeeper's daughter to fighting for your love with the house owner's son. It's not something everyone could do, let's keep it this way. I am paying you back for making my brother so happy and for making me like him back"
"That's not fair"
"Do you not agree with all that I've said"
"I agree. Okay, I'll give it a thought"
"Thank you"
"I should get back to work, can I call you later?"
"Sure"
Who knows what will happen, is Emma really Hyun-joon. Or what if I went on a date with the wrong girl.
