Disclaimer: I do not own My Name Is Kim Sam Soon nor am I affilated with the show in any way. I do not own any of the canon characters in this story.
Note: This story was completed in July 2006 but the dates have been changed for scrolling purposes.
I feel so guilty.
Yes, Dad, I feel guilty.
How sad is it that I don’t think of you as often as I used to?
I don’t think that I miss you less and I am sure I don’t love you less but I hate that I think of you less. Does that make any sense?
Is this what loving someone means? Does it mean I need you less? That I can’t be Daddy’s little girl anymore? That I don’t need you to feel safe anymore?
But I am happy, Dad. I am very happy. And I know that you’re happy for me. And that makes me even happier.
But yet I am sad. Because I get to see you less. And then I am I glad. Because I get to see him more. Am I crazy?
I really love him Daddy. Really! Like really, really, really! I just thought I’d throw that in.
And I love you too, so I hope you understand.
"You! Wake up,” Sam Soon said, shaking Jin Hun.
“Hey, leave me alone. You barely let me sleep last night,” he grumbled.
“And yet, I am up. Get up. The boss can’t keep getting late to work, you know.”
“I’m not the boss – only the boss’s son.”
“Excuse, excuses,” she teased. “Honey, it’s time to wake up,” she cooed, caressing his arm.
He groaned. “You keep doing that and you’re going to have to get in here with me,” he warned.
She smiled, getting off his bed.
---
In a bathrobe with his hair still wet, Jin Hun walked into the kitchen to see Sam Soon sitting at the island, drinking coffee. “So what’s for breakfast?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes. “You tell me.”
“Huh?”
“Isn’t that how you got me to spend an extra night? You promised to make me breakfast. If I’d gone home, do you think I’d be trying to fill my belly with coffee?”
Jin Hun walked past her and headed for the fridge. “Again, if you’d let me sleep, I’d have woken up earlier.”
She rolled her eyes. “So where’s my breakfast? And I don’t want leftovers.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “Tomorrow?”
She looked up at him. “Huh?”
He smiled. “Spend one more night and I promise to make something for you tomorrow.”
She frowned at him, picked up her phone then dialed a number. “Hey Unnie, do you have any breakfast over there? What?” She slid off the stool. “We aren’t opening till 1 today, right? So I am not late. Relax, I’ll be there,” she said as she walked into the bedroom.
A few minutes later, she emerged with her overnight bag.
“Why are you taking that with you?” he asked, pointing at the bag. “What about breakfast?”
Sam Soon stood and leaned on one leg. “How long have you known me?”
“A little over two years…?” he asked, slightly confused.
“And do you think I am stupid?” she continued as she resumed walking to the door.
“What are you talking about now?” He followed her.
“Do you think I am going to fall for that breakfast line again?”
“You fell for it yesterday,” he said, laughing.
She turned around. “No, Honey, I didn’t fall for it – I wanted to stay. But I am sure my mother misses me. I want to go home today. Is that okay, Sam Shik?” she asked, as she reached for his face.
“Do I have a choice?” He was sulking.
“No,” she said then kissed him. “Talk to you later.”
***
2 years later...
“Unnie,” Sam Soon called as she mixed up some batter. “How do you break up with someone you love?”
2
“What do you mean, ‘break up?’” Yi Young asked from behind the computer.
“How many definitions do you know of?”
“I see.”
“What do you see?” Sam Soon asked.
“You really don’t want my help, right? 'Cos if you did, you wouldn’t be so rude, don’t you think?”
“Whatever.”
“So who are you trying to break up with?”
Sam Soon shook her head. “Who else?”
Still typing, her sister replied, “I know it can’t be Sam Shik so I honestly don’t know.”
“Unnie, I am serious.”
Yi Young stopped typing and turned to her. “Are we going back to this again?”
“Listen. I am 34 years old and I am not getting any closer to getting married. No matter how nice I am, his mother hates me and she isn’t going to change her mind.”
“So after all these years you are just going to give up?”
“Are you listening to me? I am 34 years old! Never married. No kids!”
“I don’t have any children either,” her sister pointed out.
“But by this time next month, you’d be on marriage number 2. And maybe this time next year you’d already have a child and I’ll still be here waiting for a miracle.”
Yi Young sighed. “Have you spoken to Sam Shik about this?” She got up and walked over to her sister.
“What do you think?”
“Well, if you’re sure you want to break up, I am sure the man on Table 7 will gladly take his place,” her sister teased.
Sam Soon rolled her eyes. “Is Mr. Lee here again?”
“What do you think? In the past year has your favorite customer failed to show up on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday?”
Sam Soon giggled. “Well, there’s always a first time.”
Yi Young stood next to her sister and stared at Mr. Lee from behind the counter. “He really isn’t bad looking for a man his age, you know…,” she said, stroking her chin. “In fact,” she reached for her sister’s phone that was laying on the counter. “Why don’t you call Sam Shik right now and break up with him? And while you do that, I’ll go and get Mr. Lee. What do you say?”
Sam Soon rolled her eyes but didn’t respond.
***
“Aunty! Aunty!” Mi Joo screamed as she ran into the store. Jin Hun walked in a few seconds later.
“What?” Sam Soon asked, coming out from behind the counter.
“Uncle says I can’t have any pastries today!”
Sam Soon hugged her. “Why would he say a ridiculous thing like that? I already have a piece of strawberry shortcake waiting for you.”
“That’s what I told him but he said I am getting fat.”
Sam Soon stepped back and made a huge show of looking her over. “I don’t see it. You are beautiful.”
“Aunty, I don’t even care if I get fat. I don’t mind being like you.”
Sam Soon burst out laughing. She turned to Jin Hun. “What have you been telling her?” she asked in a low voice, pulling him aside.
“Hey,” he said sheepishly. “I care about her health.”
“So are you saying that I am not healthy?”
“This is not about you. It’s about her.”
“But it’s about me too, since I am fat and you don’t want her to be. So are you saying that I am not healthy?”
“I like you the way you are.”
“But you don’t want her to be like me,” she said, trying her best to hide a smile. Sometimes, arguing with him was so much fun. And at that moment, looking into his eyes, she wondered how she could have even considered ending things with him.
“But Sam Soon, she’s not you,” he said earnestly. “I like her the way she is. Is that wrong?”
“But you think that if she gains weight she won’t be healthy. So do you think I am unhealthy?”
He groaned. “Listen, Soonie, I don’t want to fight.”
She chuckled. “Alright, just say you love me and I’ll forgive you.”
“What did I do wrong? Why should I be forgiven?”
“Just say you love me and I will forget that you called me unhealthy.” She ran her fingers on his left cheek.
“Just know that I am not saying this because I admit to any wrongdoing. I am saying it because it’s true.”
She put her hand down and stared at him for a few seconds. “I am waiting.”
He rolled his eyes then kissed her on the side of her mouth. “I love you,” he grumbled. “Happy now?”
Taking his arm, she pulled him back to Mi Joo. “Honey, Uncle and I had a talk and I think he’s right. How about you only have pastries about once a week? It’s really not healthy to eat so much sweet food.”
***
Later that evening…
“So you’re saying you’re not coming over tonight?” Jin Hun asked as they waited for the waitress to return with his credit card.
“Why would I? Do I live there?”
Jin Hun reached over and took her hand. “But my apartment misses you when you’re gone.”
“Really? Well, you know what to do to get me there permanently.”
He took his hand back and turned away.
“Cat caught your tongue?” she asked, standing up.
“Listen, Soonie.” He grabbed hand. “We just need to be patient.”
“Really?” She slapped his hand off. “How long are we waiting for, Jin Hun? Are we waiting till your mother dies? Because she’s as strong as an ox and I really don’t want to wait till I’m 70 to get married!” Without another glance, she turned around and walked out of the restaurant.
“How many definitions do you know of?”
“I see.”
“What do you see?” Sam Soon asked.
“You really don’t want my help, right? 'Cos if you did, you wouldn’t be so rude, don’t you think?”
“Whatever.”
“So who are you trying to break up with?”
Sam Soon shook her head. “Who else?”
Still typing, her sister replied, “I know it can’t be Sam Shik so I honestly don’t know.”
“Unnie, I am serious.”
Yi Young stopped typing and turned to her. “Are we going back to this again?”
“Listen. I am 34 years old and I am not getting any closer to getting married. No matter how nice I am, his mother hates me and she isn’t going to change her mind.”
“So after all these years you are just going to give up?”
“Are you listening to me? I am 34 years old! Never married. No kids!”
“I don’t have any children either,” her sister pointed out.
“But by this time next month, you’d be on marriage number 2. And maybe this time next year you’d already have a child and I’ll still be here waiting for a miracle.”
Yi Young sighed. “Have you spoken to Sam Shik about this?” She got up and walked over to her sister.
“What do you think?”
“Well, if you’re sure you want to break up, I am sure the man on Table 7 will gladly take his place,” her sister teased.
Sam Soon rolled her eyes. “Is Mr. Lee here again?”
“What do you think? In the past year has your favorite customer failed to show up on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday?”
Sam Soon giggled. “Well, there’s always a first time.”
Yi Young stood next to her sister and stared at Mr. Lee from behind the counter. “He really isn’t bad looking for a man his age, you know…,” she said, stroking her chin. “In fact,” she reached for her sister’s phone that was laying on the counter. “Why don’t you call Sam Shik right now and break up with him? And while you do that, I’ll go and get Mr. Lee. What do you say?”
Sam Soon rolled her eyes but didn’t respond.
***
“Aunty! Aunty!” Mi Joo screamed as she ran into the store. Jin Hun walked in a few seconds later.
“What?” Sam Soon asked, coming out from behind the counter.
“Uncle says I can’t have any pastries today!”
Sam Soon hugged her. “Why would he say a ridiculous thing like that? I already have a piece of strawberry shortcake waiting for you.”
“That’s what I told him but he said I am getting fat.”
Sam Soon stepped back and made a huge show of looking her over. “I don’t see it. You are beautiful.”
“Aunty, I don’t even care if I get fat. I don’t mind being like you.”
Sam Soon burst out laughing. She turned to Jin Hun. “What have you been telling her?” she asked in a low voice, pulling him aside.
“Hey,” he said sheepishly. “I care about her health.”
“So are you saying that I am not healthy?”
“This is not about you. It’s about her.”
“But it’s about me too, since I am fat and you don’t want her to be. So are you saying that I am not healthy?”
“I like you the way you are.”
“But you don’t want her to be like me,” she said, trying her best to hide a smile. Sometimes, arguing with him was so much fun. And at that moment, looking into his eyes, she wondered how she could have even considered ending things with him.
“But Sam Soon, she’s not you,” he said earnestly. “I like her the way she is. Is that wrong?”
“But you think that if she gains weight she won’t be healthy. So do you think I am unhealthy?”
He groaned. “Listen, Soonie, I don’t want to fight.”
She chuckled. “Alright, just say you love me and I’ll forgive you.”
“What did I do wrong? Why should I be forgiven?”
“Just say you love me and I will forget that you called me unhealthy.” She ran her fingers on his left cheek.
“Just know that I am not saying this because I admit to any wrongdoing. I am saying it because it’s true.”
She put her hand down and stared at him for a few seconds. “I am waiting.”
He rolled his eyes then kissed her on the side of her mouth. “I love you,” he grumbled. “Happy now?”
Taking his arm, she pulled him back to Mi Joo. “Honey, Uncle and I had a talk and I think he’s right. How about you only have pastries about once a week? It’s really not healthy to eat so much sweet food.”
***
Later that evening…
“So you’re saying you’re not coming over tonight?” Jin Hun asked as they waited for the waitress to return with his credit card.
“Why would I? Do I live there?”
Jin Hun reached over and took her hand. “But my apartment misses you when you’re gone.”
“Really? Well, you know what to do to get me there permanently.”
He took his hand back and turned away.
“Cat caught your tongue?” she asked, standing up.
“Listen, Soonie.” He grabbed hand. “We just need to be patient.”
“Really?” She slapped his hand off. “How long are we waiting for, Jin Hun? Are we waiting till your mother dies? Because she’s as strong as an ox and I really don’t want to wait till I’m 70 to get married!” Without another glance, she turned around and walked out of the restaurant.
3
Jin Hun ran after her and caught her at the door. “Where do you think you are going?”
She turned around and eyed him up and down. “I know you aren’t trying that shit now.” She stepped out of the restaurant and started walking towards the bus stop.
Jin Hun looked at her and then back at the restaurant. “Where’s the freaking waitress!” he shouted at no one in particular. Just as he was deciding to leave his credit card behind, he heard the waitress call to him.
Shortly after, he caught up with Sam Soon and grabbed her hand. “Where are you going to? My car is in the parking lot.”
“So what?”
“So let’s go,” he said, pulling her.
“Let go of my hand.” She stopped and looked at him. “Listen, just let go of my hand. I don’t want a ride. I want to take the bus.”
He sighed. “Then I’ll take the bus with you.”
Not saying anything, Sam Soon turned back around and started walking.
Jin Hun hated feeling so helpless. Of course he wanted to marry Sam Soon. In fact, when he thought about it, even though he didn’t know it at the time, he felt that he wanted to marry her the day he heard her crying in the men’s bathroom. And if he could control his mother, he would make her accept Sam Soon. But he couldn’t. Even though Sam Soon said he was imagining things, he knew his mother was starting to come around. Even though she acted like she wasn’t affected, he could tell that she was starting to like her… well, he hoped she was.
He’d toyed around with just having a court wedding without her consent but he couldn’t do that to her. He was her only living son and he didn’t think he could break her heart that way. Even though he missed the restaurant, he’d returned to the hotel to please her and discovered that he really loved working there. He’d hoped that it would soften her heart but it was almost four years and nothing had changed. It was frustrating but there was nothing he could do about it.
When they arrived at the bus stop, they stood in silence for a few minutes.
“So do you think the buses are still running?” he asked her. When she didn’t reply he said, “Because if they aren’t, I think it would be better for me to take my car – that way, I can drop you off right at your door.”
When she still didn’t respond, he said, “I wonder if this is a good neighborhood. If I come back here tomorrow, do you think my car would still be here? I hope it doesn’t get stolen.”
“So why don’t you just go back?” she asked.
“Because I can’t leave you when you’re like this.”
She glanced at him. “I’m a big girl – I can take care of myself.”
“So?”
She looked back and stared at him.
“What?” he asked.
She sighed. “You know what? Let’s just go back. Can you drop me off at my] home?” she asked far too politely.
Jin Hun pretended that didn’t sting and nodded.
***
They’d driven in silence for about ten minutes when Sam Soon said, “You do realize that nothing’s going to change, right?”
“What do you mean?” Jin Hun asked reluctantly.
“Your mother hates me.”
“No, she doesn’t. And no, I am not waiting for her to die. I can’t believe you said that.”
Sam Soon didn’t respond. She knew it was a lousy thing to say but deep down inside, she really didn’t see any other way.
“Don’t worry, Soonie, things will change.”
“Yeah, right. You are never going to stand up to her. She’s never going to change her mind. And we are always going to be like this.”
“Stop saying that.”
“It’s true. Speaking of which… do you know who I ran into the other day?”
“Who?”
“Remember that nice man I was match made with? The one I went out with a few times?”
He grunted. “Yes. And?”
“I saw him at the mall with his wife and son– he looked about 2 years old. They seemed very happy.”
“So?”
“I’m just saying.”
“What are you saying?”
“You know…”
“What?”
“I don’t know…,” she started in a small voice, “that could have been me.”
Jin Hun slapped the dashboard, took a sharp right then pulled over.
“Are you crazy? Are you trying to kill us?” Sam Soon yelled as she slapped his shoulder.
“No, I think that’s what you’re trying to do. What do you mean, “That could have been you?” What is that supposed to mean? Tell me!”
Sam Soon turned away from him and looked out of the window. “Calm down for goodness sake.”
“How do you expect me to be calm when you say something like that? Look at me when I am talking to you!”
She spun around to face him. “You’d better stop yelling at me! And I am just being honest. Things would have been easier if things were different. I mean… I am sick of this.”
“Are things so bad with me?” His voice was shaking.
“Listen,” she could feel her eyes getting wet, “you know I love you. But I am just so tired.” She felt a tear fall down her right cheek. “I used to think that loving you would be enough, but I really don’t think it is.”
Jin Hun looked away from her and just stared at the stirring wheel.
“Are you still taking me home or should I get out and walk?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he replied then started the car.
When they finally pulled in front of her house, he said, “Are you still coming over tomorrow?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Sam Soon said as she opened the car door. “Mi Joo expects me, doesn’t she?”
She turned around and eyed him up and down. “I know you aren’t trying that shit now.” She stepped out of the restaurant and started walking towards the bus stop.
Jin Hun looked at her and then back at the restaurant. “Where’s the freaking waitress!” he shouted at no one in particular. Just as he was deciding to leave his credit card behind, he heard the waitress call to him.
Shortly after, he caught up with Sam Soon and grabbed her hand. “Where are you going to? My car is in the parking lot.”
“So what?”
“So let’s go,” he said, pulling her.
“Let go of my hand.” She stopped and looked at him. “Listen, just let go of my hand. I don’t want a ride. I want to take the bus.”
He sighed. “Then I’ll take the bus with you.”
Not saying anything, Sam Soon turned back around and started walking.
Jin Hun hated feeling so helpless. Of course he wanted to marry Sam Soon. In fact, when he thought about it, even though he didn’t know it at the time, he felt that he wanted to marry her the day he heard her crying in the men’s bathroom. And if he could control his mother, he would make her accept Sam Soon. But he couldn’t. Even though Sam Soon said he was imagining things, he knew his mother was starting to come around. Even though she acted like she wasn’t affected, he could tell that she was starting to like her… well, he hoped she was.
He’d toyed around with just having a court wedding without her consent but he couldn’t do that to her. He was her only living son and he didn’t think he could break her heart that way. Even though he missed the restaurant, he’d returned to the hotel to please her and discovered that he really loved working there. He’d hoped that it would soften her heart but it was almost four years and nothing had changed. It was frustrating but there was nothing he could do about it.
When they arrived at the bus stop, they stood in silence for a few minutes.
“So do you think the buses are still running?” he asked her. When she didn’t reply he said, “Because if they aren’t, I think it would be better for me to take my car – that way, I can drop you off right at your door.”
When she still didn’t respond, he said, “I wonder if this is a good neighborhood. If I come back here tomorrow, do you think my car would still be here? I hope it doesn’t get stolen.”
“So why don’t you just go back?” she asked.
“Because I can’t leave you when you’re like this.”
She glanced at him. “I’m a big girl – I can take care of myself.”
“So?”
She looked back and stared at him.
“What?” he asked.
She sighed. “You know what? Let’s just go back. Can you drop me off at my] home?” she asked far too politely.
Jin Hun pretended that didn’t sting and nodded.
***
They’d driven in silence for about ten minutes when Sam Soon said, “You do realize that nothing’s going to change, right?”
“What do you mean?” Jin Hun asked reluctantly.
“Your mother hates me.”
“No, she doesn’t. And no, I am not waiting for her to die. I can’t believe you said that.”
Sam Soon didn’t respond. She knew it was a lousy thing to say but deep down inside, she really didn’t see any other way.
“Don’t worry, Soonie, things will change.”
“Yeah, right. You are never going to stand up to her. She’s never going to change her mind. And we are always going to be like this.”
“Stop saying that.”
“It’s true. Speaking of which… do you know who I ran into the other day?”
“Who?”
“Remember that nice man I was match made with? The one I went out with a few times?”
He grunted. “Yes. And?”
“I saw him at the mall with his wife and son– he looked about 2 years old. They seemed very happy.”
“So?”
“I’m just saying.”
“What are you saying?”
“You know…”
“What?”
“I don’t know…,” she started in a small voice, “that could have been me.”
Jin Hun slapped the dashboard, took a sharp right then pulled over.
“Are you crazy? Are you trying to kill us?” Sam Soon yelled as she slapped his shoulder.
“No, I think that’s what you’re trying to do. What do you mean, “That could have been you?” What is that supposed to mean? Tell me!”
Sam Soon turned away from him and looked out of the window. “Calm down for goodness sake.”
“How do you expect me to be calm when you say something like that? Look at me when I am talking to you!”
She spun around to face him. “You’d better stop yelling at me! And I am just being honest. Things would have been easier if things were different. I mean… I am sick of this.”
“Are things so bad with me?” His voice was shaking.
“Listen,” she could feel her eyes getting wet, “you know I love you. But I am just so tired.” She felt a tear fall down her right cheek. “I used to think that loving you would be enough, but I really don’t think it is.”
Jin Hun looked away from her and just stared at the stirring wheel.
“Are you still taking me home or should I get out and walk?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he replied then started the car.
When they finally pulled in front of her house, he said, “Are you still coming over tomorrow?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Sam Soon said as she opened the car door. “Mi Joo expects me, doesn’t she?”
4
It was 12:15pm and Jin Hun had been calling Sam Soon’s phone for almost two hours with no response. Fighting with her was hardly uncommon but last night’s fight just seemed different. He’d barely slept and almost felt like his life was a scratched CD because all he could hear was Sam Soon’s voice saying, “I used to think that loving you would be enough, but I really don’t think it is,” over and over.
What was that supposed to mean? She wasn’t giving up on them, was she? Not that he would even let that happen. But the thought of her feeling so miserable with him literally turned his stomach. He had been unable to keep any of his breakfast down and he just hoped that she’d show up smiling, kiss him and everything will be fine. But the fact that she hadn’t taken any of his calls and there were only 5 minutes left before she was officially very late scared him shitless. He really didn’t know what he would do if she walked out of his life.
“Have you finally ended it with her?” He heard his mother say from behind him.
“What?” He glanced at her.
“You and Sam Soon. She’s not here. Have you finally ended it with her?” his mother said right before she sat on the couch.
He turned around to face her. “No. Why would I do that?”
She scoffed. “How old is she now? Thirty-eight?”
He rolled his eyes. “She’s thirty-four.”
His mother shrugged. “What difference does that make? She’s still too old.”
“I’m thirty-one.”
“Exactly. Now is the time for you to seriously start looking for a suitable wife.”
He folded his arms. “Why would I look for something I have already found?”
His mother shook her head with mock pity. “Hasn’t this gone on long enough? You actually think I will ever let Sam Soon bear a son for this family?”
“Wh-Wh-What?”
“Do you honestly think she can raise the kind of son this family needs? Listen, do yourself a favor and break up with her because I am never going to accept her, okay? I thought that was quite clear but apparently I was wrong.”
“Mo--”
“Good afternoon, Mother,” Sam Soon’s voice interrupted him.
Jin Hun turned sharply around to look at her. There were beads of sweat on her forehead.
“I’m so sorry I am late,” she continued as she tried to catch her breath. “I took the train to get here faster but they started having signal problems. I’m sorry about that. I brought a few things from the shop,” she said, holding up the bag. “I’ll take them to the kitchen,” she finished, smiling.
Jin Hun studied her face to try to figure out if she’d overhead anything. He followed her. “How did you get in?”
Sam Soon looked at him suspiciously. “Didn’t you ask me to come? I should have waited outside?”
“No, that’s not what I meant... I was just wondering… you know, I mean like… since I didn’t hear the doorbell.”
She searched his eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, yes,” he said dismissively. He tried his best to appear cool. “Was the door open?”
She looked back at the bag she brought with her. “I think Mi Joo was waiting for me because she opened the door before I could ring the bell.”
“Ah… I see,” he said, finally exhaling. “So why didn’t you answer your phone? You know I hate it when you don’t answer it.”
“Look, I’ve had a bad day, okay? I’m really not in the mood for this. I forgot my phone at home. I am sorry I didn’t call you to tell you I was running late. I didn’t realize I didn’t have it on me till I got on the train.”
“Okay. That’s fine… I’d thought… because you… yesterday… but yeah, it’s not a big deal.”
Sam Soon looked up at him. “Are you sure everything is alright?”
“Yes,” he replied, hoping his smile reached his eyes. “It is now that you’re here.”
“Good. Since I am here to celebrate Mi Joo’s birthday, could you scram so that I can get to work? I am sure there are quite a few things to do before her friends start arriving so… buh-bye!”
***
After the party, Sam Soon was helping to clear the kitchen when Jin Hun’s mother walked into the kitchen and signaled at the maid to leave.
“You need to stop bringing all these things around here,” she said when they were alone.
“What, Mother?” she asked cheerily.
“All these cookies and cakes. Maybe you’re not paying attention but Mi Joo has started to gain weight and it’s because you bring so much food with you.”
“But Mother, I only brought this much for the party.”
“So what?” She shook her head. “I don’t like the kind of influence you are having on my granddaughter. There are no fat people in my family and none on Jin Hun’s father’s side so I know it’s not genetic. Maybe you think it’s okay to be fat, but I don’t think so.”
“Mo—”
“Just stop it, okay?”
Not knowing what else to do, Sam Soon nodded.
“And you really don’t need to come around so much – it confuses things.”
Sam Soon’s eyes grew to the size saucers. In all the years she'd interracted with Jin Hun's mother, she'd never spoken to her in such a manner. “Pardon?”
“For example, you really didn’t need to come here today.”
Sam Soon struggled to keep the smile on her face. “But Mother, I came because it’s Mi Joo’s birthday.”
“I understand that but we could have done well without you. Don’t you think?”
Sam Soon lowered her eyes. “Yes, Mother.”
“And one more thing… don’t you think it’s time for you release Jin Hun?”
She'd mentally prepared herself for a confrontation like this but apparently, she hadn't prepared enough. “P-P-Pardon?”
“Look, I think you are a nice woman --I really do. But you are not right for my son. Jin Hun is sentimental and I can see that he won’t be the one to let you go, so you are going to have to do it. I know you say you love him, but I am sure you can love someone who is more suited for you. Wouldn’t it be better that way? And that way, everyone will be happy. The woman who marries my son is going to have to help him take over this hotel one day and I don’t think you can do it. It’s nothing against you, okay? So just let him go so that we can all move on with our lives.”
What was that supposed to mean? She wasn’t giving up on them, was she? Not that he would even let that happen. But the thought of her feeling so miserable with him literally turned his stomach. He had been unable to keep any of his breakfast down and he just hoped that she’d show up smiling, kiss him and everything will be fine. But the fact that she hadn’t taken any of his calls and there were only 5 minutes left before she was officially very late scared him shitless. He really didn’t know what he would do if she walked out of his life.
“Have you finally ended it with her?” He heard his mother say from behind him.
“What?” He glanced at her.
“You and Sam Soon. She’s not here. Have you finally ended it with her?” his mother said right before she sat on the couch.
He turned around to face her. “No. Why would I do that?”
She scoffed. “How old is she now? Thirty-eight?”
He rolled his eyes. “She’s thirty-four.”
His mother shrugged. “What difference does that make? She’s still too old.”
“I’m thirty-one.”
“Exactly. Now is the time for you to seriously start looking for a suitable wife.”
He folded his arms. “Why would I look for something I have already found?”
His mother shook her head with mock pity. “Hasn’t this gone on long enough? You actually think I will ever let Sam Soon bear a son for this family?”
“Wh-Wh-What?”
“Do you honestly think she can raise the kind of son this family needs? Listen, do yourself a favor and break up with her because I am never going to accept her, okay? I thought that was quite clear but apparently I was wrong.”
“Mo--”
“Good afternoon, Mother,” Sam Soon’s voice interrupted him.
Jin Hun turned sharply around to look at her. There were beads of sweat on her forehead.
“I’m so sorry I am late,” she continued as she tried to catch her breath. “I took the train to get here faster but they started having signal problems. I’m sorry about that. I brought a few things from the shop,” she said, holding up the bag. “I’ll take them to the kitchen,” she finished, smiling.
Jin Hun studied her face to try to figure out if she’d overhead anything. He followed her. “How did you get in?”
Sam Soon looked at him suspiciously. “Didn’t you ask me to come? I should have waited outside?”
“No, that’s not what I meant... I was just wondering… you know, I mean like… since I didn’t hear the doorbell.”
She searched his eyes. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, yes,” he said dismissively. He tried his best to appear cool. “Was the door open?”
She looked back at the bag she brought with her. “I think Mi Joo was waiting for me because she opened the door before I could ring the bell.”
“Ah… I see,” he said, finally exhaling. “So why didn’t you answer your phone? You know I hate it when you don’t answer it.”
“Look, I’ve had a bad day, okay? I’m really not in the mood for this. I forgot my phone at home. I am sorry I didn’t call you to tell you I was running late. I didn’t realize I didn’t have it on me till I got on the train.”
“Okay. That’s fine… I’d thought… because you… yesterday… but yeah, it’s not a big deal.”
Sam Soon looked up at him. “Are you sure everything is alright?”
“Yes,” he replied, hoping his smile reached his eyes. “It is now that you’re here.”
“Good. Since I am here to celebrate Mi Joo’s birthday, could you scram so that I can get to work? I am sure there are quite a few things to do before her friends start arriving so… buh-bye!”
***
After the party, Sam Soon was helping to clear the kitchen when Jin Hun’s mother walked into the kitchen and signaled at the maid to leave.
“You need to stop bringing all these things around here,” she said when they were alone.
“What, Mother?” she asked cheerily.
“All these cookies and cakes. Maybe you’re not paying attention but Mi Joo has started to gain weight and it’s because you bring so much food with you.”
“But Mother, I only brought this much for the party.”
“So what?” She shook her head. “I don’t like the kind of influence you are having on my granddaughter. There are no fat people in my family and none on Jin Hun’s father’s side so I know it’s not genetic. Maybe you think it’s okay to be fat, but I don’t think so.”
“Mo—”
“Just stop it, okay?”
Not knowing what else to do, Sam Soon nodded.
“And you really don’t need to come around so much – it confuses things.”
Sam Soon’s eyes grew to the size saucers. In all the years she'd interracted with Jin Hun's mother, she'd never spoken to her in such a manner. “Pardon?”
“For example, you really didn’t need to come here today.”
Sam Soon struggled to keep the smile on her face. “But Mother, I came because it’s Mi Joo’s birthday.”
“I understand that but we could have done well without you. Don’t you think?”
Sam Soon lowered her eyes. “Yes, Mother.”
“And one more thing… don’t you think it’s time for you release Jin Hun?”
She'd mentally prepared herself for a confrontation like this but apparently, she hadn't prepared enough. “P-P-Pardon?”
“Look, I think you are a nice woman --I really do. But you are not right for my son. Jin Hun is sentimental and I can see that he won’t be the one to let you go, so you are going to have to do it. I know you say you love him, but I am sure you can love someone who is more suited for you. Wouldn’t it be better that way? And that way, everyone will be happy. The woman who marries my son is going to have to help him take over this hotel one day and I don’t think you can do it. It’s nothing against you, okay? So just let him go so that we can all move on with our lives.”
5
“Why are you so quiet?” Jin Hun asked on the drive to Sam Soon’s place.
“Do I always have to talk?” she said without looking at him.
Jin Hun sighed. It was turning out to be weirdest day in the history of their relationship. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She scowled at him. “If I say ‘no’, what will you do?”
Jin Hun was silent for a minute as he tried to ignore the pound in his chest. Earlier on, he’d thought she didn’t overhear his mother but now he wasn’t so sure. “Tell me what the matter is.”
She just looked at him.
“Come on, tell me. How can we deal with this if you don’t tell me?”
“What if it’s not your problem?”
“If it’s your problem, it’s mine, too. I thought that was pretty obvious.”
She snickered. “Yeah right.”
“Did something happen?” Tell me you didn’t hear anything, please say you didn’t hear anything, he thought.
Sam Soon rested her elbows on her lap and put her head in her palms. “I’m just tired. Can you just drive?”
“Okay.” Jin Hun looked at her- her back sunken in as if in surrender- and just wanted to reach out and touch her. But in the few years they’d been together, he understood that there were some times she just needed some space. But lately, he’d begun to fear that she’d need so much space that she wouldn’t want to be with him anymore.
About ten minutes later, with her head leaning against the window, Sam Soon started, “Your mother…”
Jin Hun’s felt a lump in his throat. “What about her…?”
She let out a short laugh. “She…wow… she… ”
“She... what?”
“Ah… forget it.”
“No, I am not going to forget it. Just say it.” He put his foot on the brake and started to slow down.
“Hey, don’t pullover. I was just going to say that she looked nice.”
“Do you think I am stupid? Why are you lying?”
“Are you deaf? Don’t pullover! We are almost at my place.”
Jin Hun complied and kept driving. “Did you hear my Mom say anything?” he asked in the calmest of voices.
“No. Just drop it.” She reached for the radio dial. “I wonder what’s on the FM station now.”
***
“Thanks for the ride,” Sam Soon said as she stepped out of Jin Hun’s car. She’d wanted to tell him everything his mother had said, but wouldn’t that have been like admitting defeat? She’d unequivocally been told that she would never marry him but she was scared that vocalizing it would only make it true. Maybe after a good night’s rest, she’d be able to collect her thoughts.
Jin Hun stepped out of the car.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
He rolled his eyes. “Can’t I give my girlfriend a hug and kiss?”
She shook her head and smiled. She’d have a good night’s rest and figure out what to do the next day, so surely, a hug couldn’t hurt, right?
She watched him walk over from his side of the car and let herself feel his warm embrace. She nestled her head in his chest and allowed herself to drink in his scent. Was she really supposed to just give all this up? He was whispering something to her but she wasn’t paying attention –all she wanted to do was enjoy the feel of his breath on her nape.
He stepped back a little, and with one hand now resting on her hand, he used the other to lift her chin to make her look into his eyes. “You’re going to tell me what’s bothering you tomorrow. Okay?”
She chuckled. “Whatever.”
“I’m serious,” he said, sounding it.
After kissing her in such a way that would only make it more difficult for her to fall asleep later that night, he got back into his car and drove off.
Still smiling, Sam Soon walked into her living room to see it filled with all sorts of shopping bags and boxes.
“Hey, Sam Soon,” her mother said, gesturing for her to join her and Yi Young. “Come and see your sister’s dowry. Doesn’t everything look great?”
And just like that, her mood was killed.
***
Mi Joo grinned as she walked out of her school compound.
“Hey!” Sam Soon hugged her. Was it her imagination or had Mi Joo actually gained some weight? Either way, she was going to make sure she stopped getting blamed for it. She patted Mi Joo’s face. “How was school?”
“Fine. Oh, I am hungry,” she said, rubbing her belly. “I can’t wait till we get to your shop – I am going to eat so much.”
Sam Soon shook her head. “Well, you are going to have to wait because we are walking today.”
Mi Joo’s face fell. “Walking?”
Sam Soon nodded.
“The whole way?”
Sam Soon nodded again.
Mi Joo groaned. “Why? My legs are going to ache me.”
Sam Soon took her arm. “Don’t worry; I’ll massage them for you.”
***
“Where are you? Mi Joo needs to go home,” Sam Soon said into the phone.
“Yeah, that’s what I am calling about,” Jin Hun replied.
“So hurry up,” she said as she walked further behind the counter. “Come and take her. She’s hungry.”
“Is this some kind of joke? Don’t you have food over there?”
“Look, I’ve given her some fruit but she needs to go home for dinner.”
“Then give her something else. Anyway, something came up and I won’t be able to leave here till really late.” He sounded frustrated.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine – I’ll tell you all about it later. But could you take her home?”
“Ehm… why?” She’d decided not to tell him about her conversation with his mother but she was also trying to abide by her wishes. She was sure that seeing her there would only serve to further anger his mother.
“I just told you. I won’t be able to leave here till late.”
“Can’t you get your mother’s chauffeur to come and pick her?”
“No. Just do this for me, okay? I’ve been thinking about what you said and I think we need to show how important you are to the family.”
What more could she show? “Has your mother said anything to you?”
He hesitated. “No. I just think it’s time we show them what you mean to us.”
“Whatever.” She paused. “Is there really an emergency at the hotel?”
“What? Of course there is! You think I made this up?”
“I don’t know. You want to show that I am a good unpaid nanny, right?”
“Stop that. So will you please take her home?”
Sam Soon found herself agreeing to it. And when she dropped Mi Joo off, she was very relieved to discover that her grandmother wasn’t home.
***
Three Months Later
“Don’t you think the teacher sounds funny?” Sam Soon asked her classmate.
He laughed. “Doesn’t English always sound funny?”
She chuckled. “Yes, but he sounds worse. I think he doesn’t know what he’s teaching us. I’m sure they wouldn’t understand him in England.”
They were still laughing when she heard someone call her name. She turned around to see who it was.
“Mr. Lee.” It was odd seeing him outside of her shop. In fact, he looked different… less like a customer.
Her classmate excused himself and left them alone.
“What are you doing here?” she continued.
He smiled at her. “I am taking the Advanced English class,” he said, pointing at an emptying classroom.
“Cool. I’m taking the Level 2 class,” she replied, pointing at hers. “Why are you taking such a hard class?”
“My parents just moved to America so I’m just brushing up on my English for when I visit them.”
“I see.” They stood in awkward silence for a moment. “That’s great.”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Ehm… Miss Kim, you look really nice today.”
“Do I always have to talk?” she said without looking at him.
Jin Hun sighed. It was turning out to be weirdest day in the history of their relationship. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She scowled at him. “If I say ‘no’, what will you do?”
Jin Hun was silent for a minute as he tried to ignore the pound in his chest. Earlier on, he’d thought she didn’t overhear his mother but now he wasn’t so sure. “Tell me what the matter is.”
She just looked at him.
“Come on, tell me. How can we deal with this if you don’t tell me?”
“What if it’s not your problem?”
“If it’s your problem, it’s mine, too. I thought that was pretty obvious.”
She snickered. “Yeah right.”
“Did something happen?” Tell me you didn’t hear anything, please say you didn’t hear anything, he thought.
Sam Soon rested her elbows on her lap and put her head in her palms. “I’m just tired. Can you just drive?”
“Okay.” Jin Hun looked at her- her back sunken in as if in surrender- and just wanted to reach out and touch her. But in the few years they’d been together, he understood that there were some times she just needed some space. But lately, he’d begun to fear that she’d need so much space that she wouldn’t want to be with him anymore.
About ten minutes later, with her head leaning against the window, Sam Soon started, “Your mother…”
Jin Hun’s felt a lump in his throat. “What about her…?”
She let out a short laugh. “She…wow… she… ”
“She... what?”
“Ah… forget it.”
“No, I am not going to forget it. Just say it.” He put his foot on the brake and started to slow down.
“Hey, don’t pullover. I was just going to say that she looked nice.”
“Do you think I am stupid? Why are you lying?”
“Are you deaf? Don’t pullover! We are almost at my place.”
Jin Hun complied and kept driving. “Did you hear my Mom say anything?” he asked in the calmest of voices.
“No. Just drop it.” She reached for the radio dial. “I wonder what’s on the FM station now.”
***
“Thanks for the ride,” Sam Soon said as she stepped out of Jin Hun’s car. She’d wanted to tell him everything his mother had said, but wouldn’t that have been like admitting defeat? She’d unequivocally been told that she would never marry him but she was scared that vocalizing it would only make it true. Maybe after a good night’s rest, she’d be able to collect her thoughts.
Jin Hun stepped out of the car.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
He rolled his eyes. “Can’t I give my girlfriend a hug and kiss?”
She shook her head and smiled. She’d have a good night’s rest and figure out what to do the next day, so surely, a hug couldn’t hurt, right?
She watched him walk over from his side of the car and let herself feel his warm embrace. She nestled her head in his chest and allowed herself to drink in his scent. Was she really supposed to just give all this up? He was whispering something to her but she wasn’t paying attention –all she wanted to do was enjoy the feel of his breath on her nape.
He stepped back a little, and with one hand now resting on her hand, he used the other to lift her chin to make her look into his eyes. “You’re going to tell me what’s bothering you tomorrow. Okay?”
She chuckled. “Whatever.”
“I’m serious,” he said, sounding it.
After kissing her in such a way that would only make it more difficult for her to fall asleep later that night, he got back into his car and drove off.
Still smiling, Sam Soon walked into her living room to see it filled with all sorts of shopping bags and boxes.
“Hey, Sam Soon,” her mother said, gesturing for her to join her and Yi Young. “Come and see your sister’s dowry. Doesn’t everything look great?”
And just like that, her mood was killed.
***
Mi Joo grinned as she walked out of her school compound.
“Hey!” Sam Soon hugged her. Was it her imagination or had Mi Joo actually gained some weight? Either way, she was going to make sure she stopped getting blamed for it. She patted Mi Joo’s face. “How was school?”
“Fine. Oh, I am hungry,” she said, rubbing her belly. “I can’t wait till we get to your shop – I am going to eat so much.”
Sam Soon shook her head. “Well, you are going to have to wait because we are walking today.”
Mi Joo’s face fell. “Walking?”
Sam Soon nodded.
“The whole way?”
Sam Soon nodded again.
Mi Joo groaned. “Why? My legs are going to ache me.”
Sam Soon took her arm. “Don’t worry; I’ll massage them for you.”
***
“Where are you? Mi Joo needs to go home,” Sam Soon said into the phone.
“Yeah, that’s what I am calling about,” Jin Hun replied.
“So hurry up,” she said as she walked further behind the counter. “Come and take her. She’s hungry.”
“Is this some kind of joke? Don’t you have food over there?”
“Look, I’ve given her some fruit but she needs to go home for dinner.”
“Then give her something else. Anyway, something came up and I won’t be able to leave here till really late.” He sounded frustrated.
“What happened? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine – I’ll tell you all about it later. But could you take her home?”
“Ehm… why?” She’d decided not to tell him about her conversation with his mother but she was also trying to abide by her wishes. She was sure that seeing her there would only serve to further anger his mother.
“I just told you. I won’t be able to leave here till late.”
“Can’t you get your mother’s chauffeur to come and pick her?”
“No. Just do this for me, okay? I’ve been thinking about what you said and I think we need to show how important you are to the family.”
What more could she show? “Has your mother said anything to you?”
He hesitated. “No. I just think it’s time we show them what you mean to us.”
“Whatever.” She paused. “Is there really an emergency at the hotel?”
“What? Of course there is! You think I made this up?”
“I don’t know. You want to show that I am a good unpaid nanny, right?”
“Stop that. So will you please take her home?”
Sam Soon found herself agreeing to it. And when she dropped Mi Joo off, she was very relieved to discover that her grandmother wasn’t home.
***
Three Months Later
“Don’t you think the teacher sounds funny?” Sam Soon asked her classmate.
He laughed. “Doesn’t English always sound funny?”
She chuckled. “Yes, but he sounds worse. I think he doesn’t know what he’s teaching us. I’m sure they wouldn’t understand him in England.”
They were still laughing when she heard someone call her name. She turned around to see who it was.
“Mr. Lee.” It was odd seeing him outside of her shop. In fact, he looked different… less like a customer.
Her classmate excused himself and left them alone.
“What are you doing here?” she continued.
He smiled at her. “I am taking the Advanced English class,” he said, pointing at an emptying classroom.
“Cool. I’m taking the Level 2 class,” she replied, pointing at hers. “Why are you taking such a hard class?”
“My parents just moved to America so I’m just brushing up on my English for when I visit them.”
“I see.” They stood in awkward silence for a moment. “That’s great.”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Ehm… Miss Kim, you look really nice today.”
6
Jin Hun,” his mother said, walking into his office. “Let’s go out for lunch.”
He looked up from his computer. “I’m really busy today – I’m going to have something delivered.”
His mother stepped aside and let Eunsoo walk in. She was about 5’5, petite in build with long, dark hair that fell to the middle of her back. Her parents were long time family friends who owned a successful chain of clothing stores. When Jin Hun saw her on her first day of work, he had to admit that she’d really blossomed over the course of her studies in New York.
“Eunsoo has completed a very successful month here. Let’s go out and celebrate,” his mother said in the cheery tone she used when speaking to both of them.
Jin Hun glared at his mother and she stared back.
“Boss, I think he’s really busy – we can go out later.” Eunsoo said, observing the interraction between them.
Breaking from Jin Hun’s gaze, his mother turned to Eunsoo. “Yes, that’s a good idea,” she said, nodding slowly, “he can take you to dinner tonight.”
“I’ll be busy tonight,” Jin Hun said before looking back at his computer. He was used to his mother setting him up on dates and trying to push numerous women on him but hiring Eunsoo really took the cake. He’d tried his best to play it cool and just ignore them but it was getting increasingly more difficult with his mother always hovering and making suggestions. But the worst part was he had to be cold to Eunsoo who really didn’t deserve it especially as he’d realized that she was actually a smart girl who just got caught in their parents’ scheming. And it didn’t help that she was also generally pleasant… something that Sam Soon hadn’t been in the last couple of weeks.
“Oppa, don’t worry, we can reschedule. I still have to pick your brain about your experiences running your own restaurant.” She was smiling like she was oblivious to his rejection.
“Look at her – she’s always willing to learn new things,” his mother said proudly. “Aren’t you glad we hired her?”
He glanced at Eunsoo who had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Sure, Mom,” he said.
“Good. So why don’t you kids get together for dinner tomorrow?”
Jin Hun rolled his eyes. “I’ll be busy then. Eunsoo, I’ll let you know when I’m free. Now I have to get back to work -enjoy your lunch.”
***
“So what’s the story with the ring?” Mr. Lee asked Sam Soon as they walked to his car.
“What do you mean?” Ever since their initial meeting, he’d been giving her a ride home after every English class. It had been awkward at first but she’d begun to enjoy his company. He was an architect who worked a few blocks away from her pastry shop and he always loved to rave about how much he enjoyed her desserts. His wife had died of breast cancer a few years earlier and now that his parents had moved, he was raising his daughter alone. She couldn’t really put her finger on the reasons, but their conversations usually left her with a smile on her face. It wasn’t that he said particularly insightful or humorous things but he seemed really kind and mature. And she appreciated being around someone like that.
“It’s just that ever since I met you, you’ve had that on your finger. Is that supposed to be some sort of deterrent to keep men away?”
She smiled sadly. “You could say that.”
Mr. Lee opened her door. “You have something against men? Or just relationships?”
“No and No. I have a boyfriend – it’s a couple ring.”
Mr. Lee didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I thought so. So how come you haven’t mentioned him?”
She shrugged.
“Is everything fine?”
“I guess so.”
“You guess so? Any plans to get married?” He started the car.
“I don’t know.”
He furrowed his brows. “Meaning?”
She sighed. “How about I start from the beginning?” she said right before she shared all the gory details with him. When she finished, she said, “So what do you think?”
“Well… can I be honest?” he asked, watching the road.
Sam Soon’s heart raced. How come those words were usually followed by unpleasant ones? She braced herself. “Of course.”
“And you wouldn’t be offended?”
“No.”
“Didn’t you say your sister also had a problem getting married because it was your brother-in-law’s first marriage and his parents didn’t want him marrying a divorcee?”
“Yes?”
“And they got married a few months ago?”
“Yes.”
“So there you have it.”
Sam Soon was confused. “Have what? Are you are saying that I should wait?”
He smiled. “I am not going to tell you what to do with your life but… let me put it this way: your sister’s husband put his foot down and now they are married. If your boyfriend wants to marry you, he’d make it clear to his family and they’d have no choice but to accept you. And as you can see from what happened with your sister, there’s really no reason it should take four years.”
He looked up from his computer. “I’m really busy today – I’m going to have something delivered.”
His mother stepped aside and let Eunsoo walk in. She was about 5’5, petite in build with long, dark hair that fell to the middle of her back. Her parents were long time family friends who owned a successful chain of clothing stores. When Jin Hun saw her on her first day of work, he had to admit that she’d really blossomed over the course of her studies in New York.
“Eunsoo has completed a very successful month here. Let’s go out and celebrate,” his mother said in the cheery tone she used when speaking to both of them.
Jin Hun glared at his mother and she stared back.
“Boss, I think he’s really busy – we can go out later.” Eunsoo said, observing the interraction between them.
Breaking from Jin Hun’s gaze, his mother turned to Eunsoo. “Yes, that’s a good idea,” she said, nodding slowly, “he can take you to dinner tonight.”
“I’ll be busy tonight,” Jin Hun said before looking back at his computer. He was used to his mother setting him up on dates and trying to push numerous women on him but hiring Eunsoo really took the cake. He’d tried his best to play it cool and just ignore them but it was getting increasingly more difficult with his mother always hovering and making suggestions. But the worst part was he had to be cold to Eunsoo who really didn’t deserve it especially as he’d realized that she was actually a smart girl who just got caught in their parents’ scheming. And it didn’t help that she was also generally pleasant… something that Sam Soon hadn’t been in the last couple of weeks.
“Oppa, don’t worry, we can reschedule. I still have to pick your brain about your experiences running your own restaurant.” She was smiling like she was oblivious to his rejection.
“Look at her – she’s always willing to learn new things,” his mother said proudly. “Aren’t you glad we hired her?”
He glanced at Eunsoo who had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Sure, Mom,” he said.
“Good. So why don’t you kids get together for dinner tomorrow?”
Jin Hun rolled his eyes. “I’ll be busy then. Eunsoo, I’ll let you know when I’m free. Now I have to get back to work -enjoy your lunch.”
***
“So what’s the story with the ring?” Mr. Lee asked Sam Soon as they walked to his car.
“What do you mean?” Ever since their initial meeting, he’d been giving her a ride home after every English class. It had been awkward at first but she’d begun to enjoy his company. He was an architect who worked a few blocks away from her pastry shop and he always loved to rave about how much he enjoyed her desserts. His wife had died of breast cancer a few years earlier and now that his parents had moved, he was raising his daughter alone. She couldn’t really put her finger on the reasons, but their conversations usually left her with a smile on her face. It wasn’t that he said particularly insightful or humorous things but he seemed really kind and mature. And she appreciated being around someone like that.
“It’s just that ever since I met you, you’ve had that on your finger. Is that supposed to be some sort of deterrent to keep men away?”
She smiled sadly. “You could say that.”
Mr. Lee opened her door. “You have something against men? Or just relationships?”
“No and No. I have a boyfriend – it’s a couple ring.”
Mr. Lee didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I thought so. So how come you haven’t mentioned him?”
She shrugged.
“Is everything fine?”
“I guess so.”
“You guess so? Any plans to get married?” He started the car.
“I don’t know.”
He furrowed his brows. “Meaning?”
She sighed. “How about I start from the beginning?” she said right before she shared all the gory details with him. When she finished, she said, “So what do you think?”
“Well… can I be honest?” he asked, watching the road.
Sam Soon’s heart raced. How come those words were usually followed by unpleasant ones? She braced herself. “Of course.”
“And you wouldn’t be offended?”
“No.”
“Didn’t you say your sister also had a problem getting married because it was your brother-in-law’s first marriage and his parents didn’t want him marrying a divorcee?”
“Yes?”
“And they got married a few months ago?”
“Yes.”
“So there you have it.”
Sam Soon was confused. “Have what? Are you are saying that I should wait?”
He smiled. “I am not going to tell you what to do with your life but… let me put it this way: your sister’s husband put his foot down and now they are married. If your boyfriend wants to marry you, he’d make it clear to his family and they’d have no choice but to accept you. And as you can see from what happened with your sister, there’s really no reason it should take four years.”
7
“Hey, ready to go?” Mr. Lee said the moment Sam Soon walked out of her class.
“Oh,” she smiled at him, “you were waiting? I’m not going home right now.” She walked up to him.
“No? Where are you going?”
“Oh, it’s my Dad’s birthday so I am taking my mother to dinner.”
They started walking out of the building. “Ah… no wonder you looked a little dressed up.”
Sam Soon shrugged and looked down at her clothes. “You think this is fine?”
“Of course. Where are you going? Is it an expensive place?”
“Yeah… I’ve never been there before. My mom picked it and said I should dress nicely.” She rolled her eyes. “Parents…”
***
Sam Soon walked into the restaurant to see her mother sitting at the bar. “Omma, you should have gotten a table.”
“Oh,” her mother said, smiling widely at her, “how are you doing today, my dearest daughter? You look pretty.”
Sam Soon raised her brow. “Huh?”
Her mother’s smile was still unusually wide. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Ha Jin Mo.” She took her daughter’s hand and pulled her to the man sitting next to her.
Sam Soon waved at him unsurely. “Nice to meet you.”
“Your daughter is even more beautiful than you described,” he said.
Her mother looked at her. “Alright, Sam Soon, I will see you at home.” She got off the stool.
At that moment, a waitress approached to inform them that their table was ready. “After you, Sam Soon,” Mr. Ha said.
She laughed nervously. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll meet you in a minute.” She rushed after her mother who was already heading towards the door. “Omma,” she said when she caught up with her. “What’s going on?”
Her mother stopped and looked at her. “Mr. Ha is a nice man. Why don’t you have dinner with him?” she brushed off some lint from her daughter’s skirt.
Sam Soon couldn’t believe what was happening. “Omma, what’s this?”
“I just want you to see what else is out there. You think I want you living with me forever?” she said seriously.
Sam Soon sighed and looked away. Damn. Now even her mother was getting fed up.
“So don’t keep him waiting. Jin Mo has just come back from living in China for five years. I think you two might have some things in common – tell him about your stay in France.”
***
“I’ll just have the chicken salad.” Sam Soon returned the menu to the waitress.
“That’s all you’re eating?” Jin Mo asked.
Sam Soon nodded.
“Oh, now you are making me feel bad for ordering all that food.”
She chuckled. “No… don’t feel bad at all. The salad will fill me up.”
He nodded knowingly. “I understand – that’s how you keep such a fantastic figure.”
She just smiled. If someone had told her that losing 12kg would also mean that she’d get unwarranted comments from strange men, she might have thought twice about it. Unwarranted compliments and constant hunger. God, she was hungry! And now she had to watch this man devour all that food while she pretended to be satisfied by what wouldn’t even fill up a bird.
She could feel his gaze on her so she looked at him. “My mother says you were in China.”
“Yes, I was running a manufacturing plant.” He kept leering at her.
“Oh. Are you an engineer?”
“Yes. Wow, you have really pretty eyes… a beautiful nose and such nice skin. How come a woman that looks like you isn’t married?”
Sam soon sighed and pretended she couldn’t feel her skin crawl. Crap, it was going to be a long night. “Well…”
***
Sam Soon got into the elevator at Sam Shik’s hotel and pressed the button for his floor. She realized that her impatience was putting a strain on their relationship so she’d decided that she was going to make an effort to be a good girlfriend. After all, the point was to push him towards getting his mother to agree and not to push him away from her.
She got off the elevator and headed to his office, smiling at the employees she recognized.
“Is Mr. Hyun in?” she asked his secretary.
“Yes. But he’s in with Miss Park Eunsoo.”
“Ah… I’ll wait here then,” she said, putting the lunchbox on the coffee table. “Isn’t it lunch time?”
“Yes, but I think the meeting will soon be over.”
Sam Soon got comfortable on the couch. For some reason, hearing that girl’s name really irritated her. Maybe if she didn’t know that his mother wanted her as a daughter-in-law, she would like her. Or maybe if she didn’t hang around so god-damn much. Or… maybe, just maybe if she didn’t smile all the damn time. Yeah, and it wouldn’t hurt if she was a lot less pretty. She knew it was going to be hard to play ‘great girlfriend’ because could already feel her conviction slipping.
“Yes, Oppa, I will look over the figures again but I think I am right. We really need to look at this seriously,” Eunsoo said, stepping out of the office.
Sam Soon stood up.
“I will. But right now let’s just have--” Jin Hun stopped speaking when he saw Sam Soon. “Hold on for a second,” he said to Eunsoo. “Hey Sam Soon, what are you doing here?”
Sam Soon lifted the bag. “I brought lunch.”
Jin Hun looked apologetically at Eunsoo. “I’m sorry; it looks like I am going to have to take a rain check. How about tomorrow? We can look over the figures again.”
Eunsoo smiled. “It’s not a problem at all. Hello, Sam Soon unnie.”
Sam Soon smiled back at her then walked towards them. “Hi. I’m sorry about this. I will be sure not to show up tomorrow. Take care.”
Jin Hun walked in to the office with Sam Soon then shut the door behind him. He loosened his tie. “You could have pretended that you cared I previously had plans,” he joked.
But Sam Soon wasn’t having it. “Sorry?”
“You know, you were supposed to say, ‘Oh, you had lunch plans? I’m sorry. You guys should go, I’ll see you later.’ Then Eunsoo would have said, ‘No, don’t worry…’ blah blah. You get the drift.”
“Whatever,” Sam Soon said, unpacking the lunch. “I am not in the mood to play games.”
Jin Hun looked at the food. “You brought fruit salad? Good… I am in the mood for something refreshing.”
“It’s not for you.”
“You only brought lunch for yourself?”
“No, Silly. The fruit is for me – everything else is for you.”
Jin Hun sighed then plopped on the couch. “When are you going to stop all this nonsense? Or are you trying to become a skeleton?”
“Stop it – everyone likes my new figure.” She swayed her hips.
“Not everyone. Mi Joo now hates going over to your shop. She says all you do is make her exercise and never give her anything good to eat. You’ve become ridiculous.”
“I’m ridiculous?” She laughed sarcastically. “You know what’s ridiculous? The fact that I have to literally starve myself so that your mother can accept me!”
“God, we are back to your favorite topic again. I’m surprised that wasn’t the first thing out of your mouth. Instead of saying, ‘Hello,’ why don’t you just say, ‘Marriage’?” That way we don’t have to waste our time on the small talk!”
“Shut the hell up!”
“And don’t blame my mother –she never told you to lose weight!”
“Well, I have to stop giving her reasons to hate me. And you know what? I don’t feel like fighting today so I am going back to the shop.” Then in English, she added, “Have a good day, Mister.”
“Stop,” Jin Hun grabbed her hand, “sit and eat. I don’t want to fight either. Let’s just have a pleasant lunch for once.”
Sam Soon looked at him hesitantly.
“Look, I am sorry. So can you please sit so we can eat?”
***
When Sam Soon was packing up the empty lunch bowls she said, “Just so you know, I went on a date.”
Jin Hun who’d been walking over to his desk stopped in his tracks. “What do you mean?”
“What did it sound like? I went on a date.”
“When? With who? Lee Tae Young?”
She looked at him incredulously. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Then who?”
She could see his face getting redder so she looked away. “My mom set me up with an engineer.”
He looked shocked. “Your mother?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “She said she wanted me to meet other men.”
“Unbelievable,” he said under his breath. He leaned against his desk to steady himself.
Sam Soon put the lunchbox in her bag. She’d tried not to resort to theatrics like this but he really hadn’t left her with much choice. And Mr. Lee was right – if he really loved her, there’s no reason it should take so long. She looked at him. “So now you know,” she finished with a flourish.
“And how was it? How was your date?” he demanded.
She shrugged. “It was alright. But I did learn one thing.”
“What would that be?”
She gave him a tight smile. “You are not the only man in the world for me. If I am not engaged by my 35th birthday, we are through.”
“Oh,” she smiled at him, “you were waiting? I’m not going home right now.” She walked up to him.
“No? Where are you going?”
“Oh, it’s my Dad’s birthday so I am taking my mother to dinner.”
They started walking out of the building. “Ah… no wonder you looked a little dressed up.”
Sam Soon shrugged and looked down at her clothes. “You think this is fine?”
“Of course. Where are you going? Is it an expensive place?”
“Yeah… I’ve never been there before. My mom picked it and said I should dress nicely.” She rolled her eyes. “Parents…”
***
Sam Soon walked into the restaurant to see her mother sitting at the bar. “Omma, you should have gotten a table.”
“Oh,” her mother said, smiling widely at her, “how are you doing today, my dearest daughter? You look pretty.”
Sam Soon raised her brow. “Huh?”
Her mother’s smile was still unusually wide. “I’d like you to meet Mr. Ha Jin Mo.” She took her daughter’s hand and pulled her to the man sitting next to her.
Sam Soon waved at him unsurely. “Nice to meet you.”
“Your daughter is even more beautiful than you described,” he said.
Her mother looked at her. “Alright, Sam Soon, I will see you at home.” She got off the stool.
At that moment, a waitress approached to inform them that their table was ready. “After you, Sam Soon,” Mr. Ha said.
She laughed nervously. “Why don’t you go ahead? I’ll meet you in a minute.” She rushed after her mother who was already heading towards the door. “Omma,” she said when she caught up with her. “What’s going on?”
Her mother stopped and looked at her. “Mr. Ha is a nice man. Why don’t you have dinner with him?” she brushed off some lint from her daughter’s skirt.
Sam Soon couldn’t believe what was happening. “Omma, what’s this?”
“I just want you to see what else is out there. You think I want you living with me forever?” she said seriously.
Sam Soon sighed and looked away. Damn. Now even her mother was getting fed up.
“So don’t keep him waiting. Jin Mo has just come back from living in China for five years. I think you two might have some things in common – tell him about your stay in France.”
***
“I’ll just have the chicken salad.” Sam Soon returned the menu to the waitress.
“That’s all you’re eating?” Jin Mo asked.
Sam Soon nodded.
“Oh, now you are making me feel bad for ordering all that food.”
She chuckled. “No… don’t feel bad at all. The salad will fill me up.”
He nodded knowingly. “I understand – that’s how you keep such a fantastic figure.”
She just smiled. If someone had told her that losing 12kg would also mean that she’d get unwarranted comments from strange men, she might have thought twice about it. Unwarranted compliments and constant hunger. God, she was hungry! And now she had to watch this man devour all that food while she pretended to be satisfied by what wouldn’t even fill up a bird.
She could feel his gaze on her so she looked at him. “My mother says you were in China.”
“Yes, I was running a manufacturing plant.” He kept leering at her.
“Oh. Are you an engineer?”
“Yes. Wow, you have really pretty eyes… a beautiful nose and such nice skin. How come a woman that looks like you isn’t married?”
Sam soon sighed and pretended she couldn’t feel her skin crawl. Crap, it was going to be a long night. “Well…”
***
Sam Soon got into the elevator at Sam Shik’s hotel and pressed the button for his floor. She realized that her impatience was putting a strain on their relationship so she’d decided that she was going to make an effort to be a good girlfriend. After all, the point was to push him towards getting his mother to agree and not to push him away from her.
She got off the elevator and headed to his office, smiling at the employees she recognized.
“Is Mr. Hyun in?” she asked his secretary.
“Yes. But he’s in with Miss Park Eunsoo.”
“Ah… I’ll wait here then,” she said, putting the lunchbox on the coffee table. “Isn’t it lunch time?”
“Yes, but I think the meeting will soon be over.”
Sam Soon got comfortable on the couch. For some reason, hearing that girl’s name really irritated her. Maybe if she didn’t know that his mother wanted her as a daughter-in-law, she would like her. Or maybe if she didn’t hang around so god-damn much. Or… maybe, just maybe if she didn’t smile all the damn time. Yeah, and it wouldn’t hurt if she was a lot less pretty. She knew it was going to be hard to play ‘great girlfriend’ because could already feel her conviction slipping.
“Yes, Oppa, I will look over the figures again but I think I am right. We really need to look at this seriously,” Eunsoo said, stepping out of the office.
Sam Soon stood up.
“I will. But right now let’s just have--” Jin Hun stopped speaking when he saw Sam Soon. “Hold on for a second,” he said to Eunsoo. “Hey Sam Soon, what are you doing here?”
Sam Soon lifted the bag. “I brought lunch.”
Jin Hun looked apologetically at Eunsoo. “I’m sorry; it looks like I am going to have to take a rain check. How about tomorrow? We can look over the figures again.”
Eunsoo smiled. “It’s not a problem at all. Hello, Sam Soon unnie.”
Sam Soon smiled back at her then walked towards them. “Hi. I’m sorry about this. I will be sure not to show up tomorrow. Take care.”
Jin Hun walked in to the office with Sam Soon then shut the door behind him. He loosened his tie. “You could have pretended that you cared I previously had plans,” he joked.
But Sam Soon wasn’t having it. “Sorry?”
“You know, you were supposed to say, ‘Oh, you had lunch plans? I’m sorry. You guys should go, I’ll see you later.’ Then Eunsoo would have said, ‘No, don’t worry…’ blah blah. You get the drift.”
“Whatever,” Sam Soon said, unpacking the lunch. “I am not in the mood to play games.”
Jin Hun looked at the food. “You brought fruit salad? Good… I am in the mood for something refreshing.”
“It’s not for you.”
“You only brought lunch for yourself?”
“No, Silly. The fruit is for me – everything else is for you.”
Jin Hun sighed then plopped on the couch. “When are you going to stop all this nonsense? Or are you trying to become a skeleton?”
“Stop it – everyone likes my new figure.” She swayed her hips.
“Not everyone. Mi Joo now hates going over to your shop. She says all you do is make her exercise and never give her anything good to eat. You’ve become ridiculous.”
“I’m ridiculous?” She laughed sarcastically. “You know what’s ridiculous? The fact that I have to literally starve myself so that your mother can accept me!”
“God, we are back to your favorite topic again. I’m surprised that wasn’t the first thing out of your mouth. Instead of saying, ‘Hello,’ why don’t you just say, ‘Marriage’?” That way we don’t have to waste our time on the small talk!”
“Shut the hell up!”
“And don’t blame my mother –she never told you to lose weight!”
“Well, I have to stop giving her reasons to hate me. And you know what? I don’t feel like fighting today so I am going back to the shop.” Then in English, she added, “Have a good day, Mister.”
“Stop,” Jin Hun grabbed her hand, “sit and eat. I don’t want to fight either. Let’s just have a pleasant lunch for once.”
Sam Soon looked at him hesitantly.
“Look, I am sorry. So can you please sit so we can eat?”
***
When Sam Soon was packing up the empty lunch bowls she said, “Just so you know, I went on a date.”
Jin Hun who’d been walking over to his desk stopped in his tracks. “What do you mean?”
“What did it sound like? I went on a date.”
“When? With who? Lee Tae Young?”
She looked at him incredulously. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Then who?”
She could see his face getting redder so she looked away. “My mom set me up with an engineer.”
He looked shocked. “Your mother?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “She said she wanted me to meet other men.”
“Unbelievable,” he said under his breath. He leaned against his desk to steady himself.
Sam Soon put the lunchbox in her bag. She’d tried not to resort to theatrics like this but he really hadn’t left her with much choice. And Mr. Lee was right – if he really loved her, there’s no reason it should take so long. She looked at him. “So now you know,” she finished with a flourish.
“And how was it? How was your date?” he demanded.
She shrugged. “It was alright. But I did learn one thing.”
“What would that be?”
She gave him a tight smile. “You are not the only man in the world for me. If I am not engaged by my 35th birthday, we are through.”
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