Ruby(Red 2) JC [Revised]

6: About Hyungwon

After the peaceful dinner, Aerin found herself helping Aerum's mother, Mrs. Lee, with the dishes despite protests. Mrs. Lee, touched by Aerin's gesture, tried to dissuade her, but Aerin insisted, embodying the warmth and hospitality she had been shown.

"Aerin sweetie, you don't need to do all of these," Mrs. Lee said, her voice filled with appreciation.

But Aerin continued, gently urging Mrs. Lee to rest. "Aunt Lee, why don't you go and rest? You cooked so much for us, you must be tired. We are almost done here anyways."

Mrs. Lee hesitated, but Aerin's insistence won her over. "Oh, anything for you, sweetheart. Come visit me often and I'll make you more dishes," she said, pulling Aerin into a heartfelt hug.

Aerum watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and envy. "Eomma, you were so nice to Aerin but you are being mean to me," she pouted, earning a laugh from Aerin.

"Because you are a careless girl. Now I'm leaving, take care of our Aerinie," Mrs. Lee teased before departing, leaving Aerum and Aerin alone.

"See, you are already her favorite, Aerin," Aerum grumbled half-seriously.

"Awww, but you are MY favorite, Aerum," Aerin replied, her laughter ringing out in the kitchen.

"So, what are the ladies talking about, huh?" As Jeonghan and Seungcheol entered the kitchen, Seungcheol playfully continued his affectionate gestures towards Aerin, she couldn't help but swat at him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Hon, stop!" she chided, her laughter filling the kitchen.

"Aerin,don't mind us.Specially for me,you both are my favourite couple already." Amidst the lighthearted banter, Aerum's words of endearment resonated deeply with Aerin, and she exchanged a knowing glance with Seungcheol. "I know, right? No one can resist my charms," Aerin teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Expecting Seungcheol to protest or reciprocate her teasing, Aerin was taken aback when he simply took the scrubber and dish from her hand, insisting on taking over the task. Despite her attempts to reclaim the chore, Aerin found herself unable to resist Seungcheol's gentle insistence, ultimately conceding defeat and joining him on the kitchen counter.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan observed the interaction with a mixture of envy and frustration, his internal turmoil simmering beneath the surface. As Aerin turned the conversation towards Aerum and Jeonghan's love story, a momentary flicker of discomfort passed between Aerum and Jeonghan before Aerum recounted their meeting in middle school.

Aerum's eyes softened with nostalgia as she recalled, "We...we met in our middle school. Jeonghan was my senior. I was the one who fell for him first, but I guess he fell harder?"

"Sure he did,right Jeonghan?" As Aerin teased Jeonghan about his feelings for Aerum, a smirk danced on her lips. Jeonghan met Aerum's gaze with a fond smile. "Of course I did, and I fell harder," he affirmed, his tone filled with sincerity.

Aerin, ever the playful instigator, shot Jeonghan a mischievous smirk. "So, what's yours, Aerin?" she inquired, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Aerum chuckled, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Ummm, us? We had sort of a very dramatic first date," she revealed, prompting a chorus of laughter from the group.

Seungcheol listened attentively as Aerin recounted the tale, his eyes softening with affection as he remembered the early days of their relationship. "My mother, Nicole Martin, is a friend of Seungcheol's father, but we never knew each other," Aerin explained, her words painting a vivid picture of their unlikely connection.

Seungcheol nodded in agreement, his gaze never leaving Aerin's as she continued. "That night, his father insisted him to attend the party, and finally he did and met me," she continued, her voice tinged with amusement. "But all I wanted was to chill at home, just like him."