Summer Nights (Book 1)

Chopsticks and Culture shock

Chapter 8

Under the shade of a tented food stall, Yeon Jun and Diana sat at a small table, the aroma of grilled meats and sizzling dishes wafting around them. It was the kind of place packed with locals—no tourists in sight—so she immediately felt like a fish out of water. Yeon Jun, on the other hand, looked completely at home as he dug into his food.

Diana, however, was having a chopstick crisis. She stared at the wooden sticks like they were the most complicated puzzle in existence. She fumbled with them, managing to pick up a piece of meat only to drop it back onto her plate.

Yeon Jun watched, amused, a grin tugging at his lips. "You alright there?"

"Perfectly fine," she said, though her tone was pure frustration. "Just battling these chopsticks, which I'm pretty sure were invented to test people's patience."

He stifled a laugh. "Hey, don't blame the chopsticks."

"Where I come from, we use our hands. Or spoons and forks. Civilized tools." She shot back, finally giving up and poking the food with one stick.

Yeon Jun handed her a fork, unable to hide his grin. "Here. Before you declare war on all utensils."

She took it gratefully. "Thank you."

"So, where are you from anyway? I can't quite place your accent," he asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched her dig in.

"Botswana," she replied.

"Where?"

Diana smirked. "I see geography wasn't your best subject."

"Oh, I was top of my class." He grinned, then added, "Totally failed geography, though."

She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "It's in southern Africa."

He nodded, pretending to look wise. "The only country I know down there is South Africa."

Diana rolled her eyes. "You and half the planet."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Diana spoke again. "How come you speak English so well? Or is that a rude question?"

Yeon Jun shrugged. "Nah, I get it a lot. I was born and raised in Michigan."

Diana's eyes lit up in surprise. "Really? Small world."

He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"I lived in Michigan for a while."

Yeon Jun leaned back, looking intrigued. "Then what's a girl from Bots...Bots..."

"Botswana."

"Right, Botswana. What's a girl from there doing in Seoul when she can't even use chopsticks or speak the language?"

Diana's smile faded slightly, though she kept it in place. "I'm here to get married."

Yeon Jun blinked, and his eyes flicked to her fingers—no ring. "Well, congrats, I guess. And, uh, good luck."

"Thanks," she said, though her tone was flat.

"Luck?" he repeated. "Trust me, you'll need it. Korean mothers-in-law can be... intense."

Diana laughed. "Oh, come on. Mothers-in-law are tough everywhere."

"Yeah, but Korean ones are in a league of their own. And don't get me started if he has sisters."

She shook her head, smiling. "From what I've heard, my future mother-in-law is the Buddha himself."

Yeon Jun snorted. "Sure. Korean boys tend to think their moms walk on water."

Diana laughed harder this time, the kind of laugh that made her shoulders shake. "You sound like you've been married before."

"Nope. Just got a married brother. And trust me, I've seen enough to know how it goes." He shuddered dramatically. "The sisters are the worst."

"Oh really?" she teased.

"No sane man ever says, 'Hey, just so you know, my mom's going to make your life a living hell, and my sister will compete for my attention for the rest of our marriage.'"

She smirked, folding her arms. "You've got a pretty negative outlook on marriage."

"Not a huge fan, to be honest."

"Really? Couldn't tell." She shot him a playful glare.

They both laughed, and Yeon Jun found himself enjoying the conversation more than he had expected. "So, you haven't met this 'Buddha' mother-in-law yet, huh?"

Diana shook her head. "Not yet, but I will. In a week."

"Good luck with that," he said, raising his glass in a mock toast. "And the wedding?"

"Six months from now."

Yeon Jun leaned back, grinning. "Enjoy your freedom while it lasts."

She chuckled. "I will. You talk like you're never getting married."

He grinned. "Confirmed bachelor."

"Oh really? So your 'girlfriend' won't mind that you're here, sharing a bed with a complete stranger?"

He shrugged, looking amused. "What girlfriend?"

Diana laughed. "Right, of course. This from the confirmed bachelor."

She hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to ask something else. Yeon Jun raised an eyebrow. "You want to ask me something?"

She smirked. "Am I that obvious?"

"Pretty much."

Diana bit her lip. "Okay, well, I was going to ask why you threw your phone into the water earlier."

Yeon Jun grinned, leaning back. "Only if you tell me why yours went flying right alongside mine."

Diana shrugged, her smile coy. "Let's just say there's someone I don't want to talk to."

"Fair enough." He took a sip of his drink. "Let's just say the same for me."

"Touché." She grinned. "But I bet your story's worse."

"Oh, I doubt that."

Diana's eyes gleamed. "Wanna bet?"