Hye-jae: Book 2 - New Loves

Beautiful Life Part 5

Sitting across from each other in a classic Italian restaurant - complete with red and white checkerboard table-cloths and Chianti bottles with lit, red tapers and what looked like aeons of melted wax drippings -  with 2 bowls of - spaghetti alle vongole - spaghetti with clams - in front of them, both took the time to admire the other.  Seon-jae lifted his hand to stroke the back of his finger along the gentle flush on Hye-won's cheek, 'you look so pretty, love,' and she just smiled at him and then winked. He dropped his hand to his chest as if she had scored a direct hit to his heart and this had her chuckling quietly, which only deepened the wound.

By tacit understanding, they began to eat and the saltiness of the clams with the white wine and garlic sauce was a winner, which both enjoyed heartily. Seon-jae had ordered a bottle of Italian lager which he said was light and refreshing, while Hye-won was enjoying a crisp Italian sparkling water with plenty of fresh lemon. When they were both sitting relaxing while finishing their drinks, enjoying the ambience of a bustling restaurant with a busy evening trade and waiters who left them to their own company - which was just as they wanted it - Hye-won leaned across the table and took Seon-jae's hand on the table-cloth in hers: 'so, you tell me your secret and I'll tell you mine, ok?'

Seon-jae's eyes lingered on their clasped hands, as if the sight gave him comfort - which it did - and then lifted his head to look at Hye-won, intently. As she had read in them earlier, his eyes were showing vestiges of hurt, frustration and annoyance and she knew that none of this was directed towards her. In fact, she was sure that all of his emotional response was tied up in his feelings on her behalf and this made her own response more complicated  I can fight my own battles if I have to. He is too protective.  This thought brought up memories of so many battles which she actually did have to fight on her own through the years, as her so-called life-partner ha - that title would be funny if it weren't so annoying Joon-hyung's first thought was how it would affect him and his career, her needs and interests never a consideration. Now, here was Seon-jae on the opposite end of the spectrum, taking every imagined or possible slight against her to heart.  It gave her a heavy feeling in her chest, as though the sadness that Seon-jae was holding within him was within her too.

She laced her fingers through his and lifted his hand to her cheek, smiling gently to encourage him to speak. It worked. He took courage from the touch and the loving smile and began to speak in a quiet tone: 'honey, I hate to upset you. It's nothing really. I'm just overly sensitive on your behalf because...well, because it's you.'

He raised his eyes from the table and the look of helpless devotion on his face at that moment was exquisitely painful to see and it was hard not to respond more strongly than to rub his hand up and down her cheek with her own and with her eyes try to tell him - we are in public but I'm here and I'm with you.   He seemed to understand: 'ok, so this afternoon, we spoke on the phone,' his eyes told her that he knew that she was merely holding back on scolding him because of his story but that they would speak of his soul-mate tease and that cheeky kiss later. His eyes also told her - bring it on baby - and her mouth twitched, as she struggled to hold her neutral expression.

'I was thirsty - my water bottle was empty - and I needed a break, so I left the rehearsal rooms to get some water. I passed a few people I know and they all said hello but I thought they were a bit too interested - like they were studying me, or something.  Anyway, I didn't give it too much thought and got more water and was heading back, when I ran into Monica.'

'No Hannah with her?'

'No, she said that Hannah has gone back to Denmark for the holidays. Actually, I knew that - they were going for drinks last week to say goodbye.'