Chapter 6- Sweetness With Bitter Memories
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"You both are lucky that Mr. Anderson and Ms. Bening canceled their reservation," Soo Jung's wife remarked with a chuckle. "Otherwise, you'd be facing an incredibly long wait." She laughed again, her amusement evident as she listened to Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young's story. The story, which the two had hurriedly, made up a story to cover up their for their visit instead of the actual couple.
"Haha... yes," Hong Cha Young replied, forcing a laugh that barely masked her anxiety. She was struggling to maintain her composure amidst the web of lies she had spun. If she were to be honest with herself, she hasn't even kept up with the details of the story she's just spit right now. If pressed further, Vincenzo would have to step in to help her out.
"Anyway, enjoy your evening, you lovebirds," Soo Jung's wife says as she moves on to greet other guests.
Soo Jung then turned to Vincenzo with a playful nudge. "If it weren't for my wife, you might never have told me you were dating someone. Right?" He gave Vincenzo a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Vincenzo managed a strained smile and glanced sideways at Hong Cha Young, who was avoiding eye contact and staring at the floor. It was hard to tell whether she was embarrassed, uncomfortable, or a mix of both.
"She's a wonderful woman... make sure you keep her happy," Soo Jung said warmly before exchanging farewells and leaving Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young standing together.
While the Jipuragi team took the charade in stride, Hong Cha Young's family was visibly stunned. The reaction was far from positive, their expressions ranging from confusion to disapproval.
"You're actually dating someone?" Cho Hee asked, stepping closer and grabbing Hong Cha Young's hand with an intensity that bordered on aggressive.
Hong Cha Young looked at her mother with unease, torn between two choices: she could disclose work-related information to her family, risking a the loss of confidentiality, or she could continue the lie and relish her family's jealous reactions, especially Yu Jin's, to her so-called "happiness" with a man.
"Yes," she said hesitantly, going for the second option. She decided to blame her decision on Yu Jin's envious and overly curious gaze.
Hong Cha Young's mother then nudged her aside to make way for Vincenzo. "Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Hong Cha Young's mother," she introduced herself with a formal bow, her voice and tone changing drastically.
Vincenzo offered a restrained smile. "Ye... Annyeonghaseyo."
"This is her sister, brother-in-law, and father. Guys, greet him," her mother continued.
Min Ju and her father offered their formal greetings, and then Yu Jin took his turn.
"I met her at the office recently, and since this is my party, you've probably heard of me. Let me reintroduce myself-I'm Kwon Yu Jin, Min Ju's husband," Yu Jin said, his tone slightly smug.
Vincenzo shook his head with a bemused smile. "Aniyo. I haven't heard a word about you until now," he replied, offering a cheeky smile.
...
"So, it turns out you two are a couple now?" Soo Jin remarked as the Jipuragi team made their way out of the party.
The event had been a whirlwind. Not only had it become public knowledge that Hong Cha Young was involved with someone, but now it was widely assumed she was dating one of Italy's most prominent figures. The thought of people discovering this filled her with dread. She knew she'd have to come up with a dramatic cover story once Vincenzo disappeared again. On the other hand, what worried Vincenzo was the danger she would be put in by this public announcement. The danger Vincenzo had gone to great lengths to shield her from.
