The Smile You Bring Me

She's still His

Last year, Do San, Chul San, and Yong San went to the USA as per their contract with 2sto; or Samsantech would have to pay ten times the amount for breach of contract. Saha went back to her old firm. Meanwhile, Dal Mi never left the Sandbox. She joined her sister's start-up company—In Jae Company.

Dal Mi overworked herself as she tried to forget the heartbreak of losing Samsantech and Nam Do San. But she also didn't want her family to worry, particularly Won-Deok, her grandmother. She always showed a façade that she was alright. That she was okay. But there was a person who knew her true feeling, and he was; Han Ji Pyeong.

Ji Pyeong knew Dal Mi still couldn't let go of Samsantech, especially Nam Do San. But Ji Pyeong was just like any human being that wants to be loved by the one they love; that's Dal-Mi for him. However, he also didn't want to force himself on her.

In the second year of Do San's absence, Ji Pyeong and Dal Mi had gotten closer. He was present in every sad and happy moment of her life. Ji Pyeong told himself that maybe it was enough time for her to forget Do San. He would look for the 'perfect' timing to open up about his feelings. However, something was always hindering him, and today was no different.

In the parking lot of Sandbox, Ji Pyeong saw Dal Mi next to her new car.

"Dal Mi!" Ji Pyeong called, and he walked toward her.

Dal Mi turned around, "Ji Pyeong!" she exclaimed as she saw him walking towards her. She stopped searching for her car key inside her purse.

"Are you going home?"Ji Pyeong asked.

"Yes! That's my initial plan. But since you are here, perhaps you want to grab a drink?" she replied.

"I can't see why not? I'll drive," he said in a friendly manner.

"That's given!" she said, and she chuckled as she followed Ji Pyeong towards his Mercedes Benz.

In the car, Ji Pyeong noticed Dal Mi's silence, "what's the problem?" he asked.

Dal Mi was spacing out too much that she hadn't heard Ji Pyeong.

"Dal Mi! Are you okay?!?" he repeats himself, a little louder this time.

Finally, Dal Mi woke up from her trance, "Huh? What?" she said.

By this time, Ji Pyeong knew Dal Mi's mind was elsewhere, "Nothing! You can just tell me everything later. Anyway, we'll arrive there soon," he said.

When they arrived at the pub, they sat at the empty table near the glass window. After they had settled, the waiter got their orders.

"Good evening! Can I take your orders?" a male waiter asked.

"Two orders of beef and two soju," Ji Pyeong said.

"Make that three soju, please!" Dal Mi added.

Dal Mi started complaining to Ji Pyeong after the waiter left.

"Can you believe it?!? I already told that guy, 'I am not interested in dating him or anybody else,' but he was still very stubborn. How annoying!?!"

"Who is he? You want me to talk to him?" Ji Pyeong offered.

"No! It's fine, thank you!" she said with a small smile.

Soju was the first thing Dal Mi grabbed when their order arrived. And she immediately begins drinking. Ji Pyeong could sense that something beyond what Dal Mi told was what truly bothered her. And he could guess 'what that is?' or the more appropriate term is: 'who it is?'

"Dal Mi, do you... perhaps... still waiting for Do San?" he hesitantly asked.

Dal Mi looked at him but she didn't answer. And she continued to gulp every drop of alcohol in her glass. The look in her eyes only showed that Dal Mi was not over Do San— even after two years.

Ji Pyeong watched Dal Mi as she finished all the soju they'd ordered. He wanted to stop her from drinking too much, but he didn't. Though he knew drinking could not be fixed her broken heart, at least it would help her forget her pain for the night. After drinking all the soju —even the two more bottles she added, Dal Mi is now very drunk.

"Dal Mi, that's enough!" Ji Pyeong said as he got a bottle in her hand. "Wait here! I am just going to pay. No More drinking, okay?!" he said with a worried look. Dal Mi gestures 'okay' as she shuts her eyes on the table.

Ji Pyeong kept on checking Dal Mi as he walked toward the counter.

"I have forgotten Do Saann!" Dal Mi suddenly shouted.

Everyone in the pub was startled by Dal-Mi's shout. Ji Pyeong asked the cashier to hurry so he could go back to Dal Mi.

Dal Mi kept repeating that 'she's over Do-San' as she entered Ji Pyeong's car.

"Okay! Okay! I believe in you Dal-Mi! Now, let's get you home!" Ji Pyeong said as he put the seatbelt on her.

While Ji Pyeong drove Dal Mi home, she suddenly sleeps talked, "How can he not call me? Not even once!" she mumbled as tears came out of her eyes.

Ji Pyeong could see how Dal Mi was not over Do-San, and it was hurting him.

When they reached Dal Mi's house.

"Dal Mi, we're here!" Ji Pyeong said, waking up Dal Mi. But she is too drunk to open her eyes or even know where she is. Ji Pyeong removed Dal Mi's seatbelt and carried her on his back.

"Dal Mi is here!" Ji Pyeong said on behalf of Dal Mi while she was asleep on his back.

A-Hyun—Dal Mi's mother— never gets used to seeing Dal Mi in that condition.

"Can you bring her into the room?" A-Hyun said as she opened the door for him.

Won Deok stood up beside A-Hyun, "what is happening?" she asked.

"Dal Mi is passed out...again, Eomeoni," A-Hyun answered her as Ji Pyeong put Dal Mi on the bed. He placed a blanket over her and carefully walked outside.

"What happened Good-boy?" Won-Deok asked Ji Pyeong as he closed the door.

"You'll have to ask her tomorrow —when she's sober, Halmeoni. But she'll probably forget everything when she wakes up tomorrow," he said.

Ji Pyeong looked at his wristwatch and bid them goodbye," OH! I'll go ahead too, Halmeoni, Eomeoni. " he said.