"Oh Grandma? yes, I do remember..sure I'll meet you there..hm?" Ash put her phone between her ear and shoulder as she tried tying her shoelaces, "pretty clothes? I wear pretty clothes everyday..hahaha..okay, I'll wear it..anything for you! bye bye~" she chirped as she took her bag and ran out of her apartment.
~
"Everyone, congratulations..we've completed yet another project successfully because of your determination and hard work. This company, if it is anything at all, is because of you and I hope to see more of this determination and dedication in the future as well..and with that being said, Please discuss and inform me where you'd like to eat tonight, a company dinner.." Haneul said clasping his hands together, a smile on his face, his eyes twinkling.
"SH.." Tania raised her hand and walked towards him, Haneul nodded, "hm? what is it Tania?" he asked
"I was just wondering, why not celebrate with a trip this time?" she said, looking around, receiving nods of agreement
Haneul looked at everyone and thought for a second, and then an even bigger smile appeared on his face, "not a bad idea Tania..you guys can choose where to go and uh Jung and Tania, you both can make the arrangements right? I won't have to worry about that, right?" Haneul asked
"of course sir! we'll do everything!" Jung replied and Tania nodded
"Great! I should go and clear my schedule for the weekend then..everyone, good work! and I expect the same dedication for the next project as well!" with that Haneul went to his cabin.
He looked at the clock and then at Ash's cabin, she wasn't here yet and she hadn't even texted him last night.
He took his phone out and called her, she picked it up almost instantly, "yes?" she spoke
"uh..hello, it is I, Haneul.." Haneul spoke
"yes?" she said again
"you're late for work.." he said
"I'm at the hospital, I'll come to the office in the evenin- no scratch that, kindly grant me leave for today, I won't be able to come to the office today.." Ash said
"excuse me? is this the way to ask for a leave?" Haneul got angry
"I'm sorry, I really cannot make it to the office today, I will write an apology letter tomorrow." with that she dropped the call, which she shouldn't have because Haneul was not angry now, he was furious, he clenched his jaws and decided to control his anger because he remembered what happened last night.
~
"Tania, I have a very important meeting to attend, take care of the office..and email me the location for the trip and the total budget.." with that Haneul left the office.
"Ms.Han, I'll get going now, take care!" Ash bowed as she left the hospital
Her car was finally back from the workshop, so she took it to meet her Grandmother. It was already 7 pm when she reached the restaurant where she was meeting her grandmother.
She spotted her grandma sitting on a corner table with another lady accompanying her.
"Mrs..?" Ash vaguely gestured, "I'm sorry I'm not good with names, you're our client, right? we've met before.." Ash explained as she bowed
"hahaha yes! we have! Oh my! what a small world! this is absolutely wonderful!" the lady got up and hugged Ash, Ash hugged back, confused as to why she was so happy to meet her.
"come on, it's my turn to hug my granddaughter now! I haven't seen her in months now..my poor little doctor worker!" her grandma said kissing Ash's cheek and hugging her warmly, Ash hugged her back, taking a deep breath, "your hugs are so relaxing dado! I missed you..so much.." Ash whispered tightening the hug
~
"I really had no idea you were my grandmothers infamous partner in crime..I always wanted to meet you, I've heard so many stories of you from my dado.." Ash said after her grandma told her that both of them were childhood friends.
"your dado brags so much about you! Now I know why..you're such a beautiful granddaughter.." the lady said
"so, is this a girls day out?" Ash asked, looking at her grandma
"hahaha, yes, you can say that..actually..this is more like a blind date, except..here the guy we're going to show you is someone who.." Ashs' grandma rubbed her hands together, "how should I put it.." she said
"a potential husband..the guy we want you to meet is someone who we've chosen for you to marry!" the lady completed the sentence
Ash choked on her lemonade, and started coughing, "marry? potential husband?" she wiped her mouth, "you're both teasing me right?" Ash asked in all seriousness, nervously
"Ash..your parents approve of him..and your dada and I like him too..we gave you a chance to choose a guy for yourself but you got your heart broken instead..and we realized no matter how old you turn, you'll still be our little girl and we want the best for you and we cannot see you heartbroken again.." her grandmother explained
Ash gulped, "mom and dad know about it too? but dado, I cannot marry someone I don't know..someone I don't love!" Ash exclaimed
"and that's why we are not going to rush you into this, you should meet the guy, talk to him..get engaged and then marry!" her dado replied
"but..who even is the guy!?" Ash asked, annoyed
"My grandson!" the lady said, with a smile
just then
"Halmeoni..good evening!" someone from behind greeted, Ash's shoulders suddenly became stiff upon hearing the voice,
"Oh Haneul-ah! you're here!"
Ash's eyes widened upon hearing that name, "Haneul..?" she whispered as she turned to see Haneul standing behind her, she gasped and instinctively got up
"Ash!" he exclaimed with confusion visible on his face
"I'm going to marry Haneul sir?!" Ash asked her grandma
"Marry?! what kind of joke is that?" Haneul asked, shocked
"Haneul-ah! meet Mrs.Lee, Ash's grandmother..your future grandma in law.." haneul's grandma said
Haneul bowed, but he wasn't in his right mind, neither was Ash
"nice to meet you ma'am.." he said, as he took a seat
"it's wonderful meeting you too! Don't you remember me? We've met before! At Ash's place..you used to live just opposite to her!" Mrs.Lee declared
"oh right, of course I do remember you..Mrs.Lee, how is Mr.Lee doing?" Haneul asked
"he is doing just fine..isn't this amazing..you both live next to eachother, work together, and look at how without even knowing you both are sitting here deciding your future together!" Ash's dado exclaimed with excitement
"you both are meant to be!" Haneul's grandma exclaimed as she caressed her grandsons cheek
"we're deciding our future? you guys are..no wait, you guys have already decided it for us..you could've just arranged the marriage ceremony today..why drag all this for so long?" Ash bursted
Haneul looked at the two grandmothers who looked hurt now, "what Ash means is that..we need some time, it's a big decision and we don't want to rush into it.."
Ash realized what he was trying to do so she joined in, "give us some time so we can think about it and discuss it with each other because this is all too sudden.." she said
Ash's grandma took out a ring box and so did Haneul's grandma, "keep these with you, discuss things right now, we wish to officially announce your engagement quickly..we know how close you are..like I don't know how you both used to spend so much time with each other..you know..we're too old to wait any longer, we're not even sure about the next minute..don't make us wait, we want to see our grandchildren happily settled.." Ash's grandma said
"if you want us to be happily settled..you're actually looking at us that way..I'm happy with what I am doing and who I am..and he's happy with his company..his work his office and himself.." Ash said
"Ash..you know we always dreamed of this day..I wanted my kids to marry her kids..but due to some unavoidable reasons we couldn't keep in touch with each other...our meeting again after 30 years and your and Haneul's being continuously together just shows..it just shows how God wants you two to be together!" Haneul's grandma said
Haneul let out a small laugh, "fine, let's make a deal, we'll get engaged, but if after one month I fail to fall in love with her or if she fails to fall in love with me..we'll call this wedding off..and you won't be creating a big issue out of it, alright?" Haneul asked, folding his arms and looking at both of the garndmas
"play, deal!" both of them exclaimed
"but!" Ash spoke up, "I have something to add..even if we're engaged, nothing will change between us in the office..you're going to stay my boss and I'll be your secretary..if you're really worth falling in love with..I guess I'll fall in love with you despite your scolding.."
Haneul smirked, "I wasn't going to treat you any different anyways but I really do hope you stop making mistakes because It would be hard for me to fall in love with a girl who is a walking time bomb." Haneul teased, "it'll be especially hard for me because I don't believe in love either..it's just an illusion. but we'll see.." with that he opened the box, took out the ring and extended his hand, Ash took a deep breath and put her hand on his, he thought for a second before putting the ring on her finger
Ash put the band on his finger and as soon as she did the grandmas cheered with excitement and happiness, completely ignoring what Haneul and Ash had stated before
"congratulations Mrs.Lee! our wish is finally going to come true!" Haneul's grandma exclaimed as they hugged each other
Ash looked at the ring, but she didn't look that excited, Haneul looked at her, "the apology letter should be on my table at 7 in the morning.." he got up from his seat, "grandmas, excuse me please, I have to attend another meeting so I must get going.." Haneul said
"son, I heard you finish all your projects very successfully, I hope this one too..winds up nicely.." Mrs.Lee said patting his back, Haneul smiled and bowed, "I'll try my best.." with that he left
Ash bid the grandmas goodbye as well and ran after Haneul
"Haneul sir! listen!" Ash exclaimed,
"what?" he asked angrily
"I.." Ash stopped, scared to say anything, "nothing..good night sir!" she bowed and walked to her own car
Haneul looked down, disappointed in himself for not being able to control his anger, "what just happened..do they think marriage is a joke?" he thought to himself as he drove away, he had no other 'meeting' to attend but he just needed time to think..
"marriage huh?"
