'Golden Mary'

Part 26

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Perhaps he was busy thus unable to make it. It had been unexpected, but couldn't be helped. Seohyun was ready to leave and apologize to the waiter for taking up his time. Digging into her purse she decided to leave a tip for him, however, the heavens seemed to be playing with her senses. For as soon as she rose to her feet, the door opened and Siwon appeared. The smile that spread across her face was probably the most relieved, happiest smiles she'd ever experienced.

The waiter who'd been serving her led Siwon over.

"I was feeling sad you'd have to eat alone," the waiter winked, "how may I take the king and queen's orders?"

Fresh, hot, steamy plates of their ordered dishes arrived one by one at their circular table. The waiter from earlier smiled at them as he set down their plates and refilled their glasses before kindly bowing before making his exit. After taking a quick shot at their food Seohyun raised her eyes to smile up at Siwon, who she thought wouldn't come. It was the first time in her life she had almost felt utterly disappointed. Who knew, that after her parents, there would arrive someone equally as important. Or perhaps even more.

"I'm sorry-" Siwon started.

"It's not important," Seohyun cut him off, "I'm just glad you came. I really appreciate it." She softly bit her lower lip before saying, "You don't need to make time to see me in the middle of the day during your work hours. I don't want to get you in trouble at work or rather become a burden for you. I know how that is. Why don't we meet up after your shift ends or when you don't work?"

Siwon, feeling deflexed at her words, was unable to smile back or utter back a reply of politeness.

Another glance at him made her feel a bit of wavering uncertainty about her feelings toward him, and his as well. To make things hard for him, to purposely go out and see him, Seohyun only felt she was getting in the way of his hard work. Perhaps she was allowing her feelings to get the better of her, unlike Victoria who always had control in her hands. And there was Victoria working hard for the 'Golden Mary' while she was busying herself with a man who wasn't on her top priority list.

There were so many 'firsts' that day. So many rational thoughts and troubled feelings flowing back to her since the longest time. Had she been so inhumane the last few years as to have warded off these worrisome sensitivities?

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Donghae had opted out of joining the couple for lunch and headed off to have another cup of coffee. He wondered what Victoria was doing now. Wearily dropping his head to the feet propped out of the shade, he knew then what was going through her mind. Victoria was brooding over Siwon, his lunch with Seohyun, and the gun he'd raised to her face. How stunned she must have been to see that. How shocked and bewildered she must have felt to realize the cops have been called on her. He felt sorry, sympathetic towards her, so much that he'd give anything to give her a hug. Donghae knew, though, that Victoria didn't want his arms around her.

He took a sip of his mocha and stared around the window shops surrounding him. There were displays of advertisements, clothing on sale, neat home accents, and old antiques that were most likely rip offs. Turning away from the shops he looked at the people walking by so neatly dressed in the latest trends, the people themselves advertising the new fashion in the industry. How much money each of them made for a living was probably worth more and more acceptable than what usually did for a living. Donghae believed, though, that none of them were living with someone else's identity.

Heaving a sorrowful sigh, he glanced at the black shoes he simply wore, new and fresh out of a high priced store. Then Donghae wondered again why Victoria had been in the home of Cha Tae Sung's if she hadn't been there to break-in.