Chapter 3: First Encounters

Dimple Couple

oops did I say a few hours later...I meant a day later. hehe sorry about my broken promises. I promise not to make them anymore....lol.

[While Wheein and Jooheon's Grandmother prepare a full course meal, Jooheon and his parents appear through the sliding doors.]

Jooheon [cheerfully]: halmeoni!

[Jooheon pulls his grandmother into a deep hug. His father helps him carry his remaining belongings to his room. His mother helps Wheein prepare lunch.]

Jooheon's grandmother: ahh! My Jooheonie!

Jooheon: How have you been?

[Jooheon releases his grandmother and spots the unfamiliar face in the room.]

Jooheon's grandmother: I've been well. Mostly thanks to her. [she averts her attention to Wheein]

Wheein: Anneyonghaseyo [she slightly bows]

[Jooheon bows back, slightly taken aback by her presence. He feels slightly jealous that his grandmother had someone other than himself all this time. Grateful, but still jealous.]

Jooheon's Mother: She is a great help to your grandmother. Because of her, I don't have to worry about your grandmother as much. [She smiles at Wheein and rubs her back as a way of saying thank you] She will also be working with you to help your grandmother's daycare centre. Wheein-ah, please take care of my son. 

Jooheon's Grandmother: Don't worry. He is is good hands. 

[Now Jooheon is full on jealous of how every one speaks so highly of her; completely casting him in the shadows.]

Jooheon [sarcastically]: jalbutakdeurimnida (please take care of me)

Jooheon's grandmother: Okay, okay, let's eat!

[The five of them get together and start eating while catching up with Jooheon; asking him about his latest accomplishments, s, etc. By the time Jooheon runs out of things to say, they've completely cleaned out the plates.]

Jooheon's father: Alright, I think it's time for us to leave. I need to get back to prepare for tomorrow's meeting. 

Jooheon's mother: Sorry we can't help clean up.

Wheein: Oh, no, no, please don't be sorry. Don't worry, I'll do the dishes. 

Jooheon's mother: Jooheon, please promise me that you will help.

Jooheon: Yes, mother.

Jooheon's mother: And be a good boy. Listen to your grandmother!

Jooheon: Yes, mother. When have I never listened to her?

Jooheon's mother: Of course, you're a good boy. [She lightly cups her hand under his jaw] I love you. Have fun, okay? [She slightly tears up]

Jooheon's father: Come on, yobeo. [He turns to Jooheon] See you soon, son. [He light hits Jooheon's shoulders and leaves.]

[Wheein, Jooheon, and his grandmother see them off; waving as they leave the driveway. Once they are out of sight, Wheein goes back in to clean up the table and wash the dishes.]

Jooheon's grandmother: Jooheonie, go help Wheein with the dishes. [She goes back outside to tend the garden]

[Jooheon obliges and joins Wheein at the sink. As she finished washing the dishes, she passes it to Jooheon who wipes it with a table-cloth.]

Jooheon: So how long have you been living here?

Wheein: About 3 years now. 

Jooheon: How come I've never seen or heard about you?

Wheein: I don't mean to be rude, but you haven't exactly been around a lot the past 3 years. [She tries to sound as nice as possible]

Jooheon: Excuse me? I'm sorry, but I've been making money for this family for the past 3 years. Hell, you've probably been spending the money that I've earned. [He stops wiping the dishes and looks at Wheein. She doesn't realise until he doesn't respond when she passes him a plate. Realising that she has hurt his feelings, she turns towards him. Now they are face-to-face]

Wheein: Look, I never meant it in a bad way. I was merely stating a fact. I didn't say it was bad that you haven't been around- [Wheein immediately regrets what she says; especially since she has a general idea of what kind of person he is]

Jooheon: Oh, so you think its a good thing. Right, so you can have halmeoni all to yourself. You may be her favourite right now, but we're family.

Wheein: Jooheon, I'm not trying to steal your grandmother away from you-- Look, I think we got off on a wrong foot here. I don't want there to be bad blood between us. So whatever you have against me, please tell me now so that we can fix this. 

Jooehon: Okay, what I'm pissed about is that you've only just got here and everyone is already picking you as their favourite. Even my mum! [He did not mean to spill all of his emotions on her, but for some reason he did.]

Wheein: Jooheon, there are no favourites. I'm merely a orphan your grandmother picked up on the streets. I'm pretty sure it's not favourites they are playing; it's pity. 

[Jooheon is a bit shocked by her equally fast confession, and Wheein senses this]

Wheein: Yes, I'm an orphan- well, technically I'm not- urgh! It's complicated. Now please, can we get back to what we were doing? [She continues washing]

Jooheon: So what's your story? [He continues wiping the dishes and placing them on the rack]

Wheein: Can we save this for another day? I have a lot to do today to prepare for the kids tomorrow. And you do too.

Jooheon: Fine. 

[They are finally done with the dishes, and joins their grandmother outside]

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Unguyen4 #1
I love the story already. I am really looking forward for the next update. Thank you author nim;)