Chapter 7

Eun-jin woke up to the smell of bacon wafting in the air. She inhaled the sweet scent while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Blinking a few times, she saw it was six in the morning, a bit earlier than she usually wakes up, but she couldn’t go back to sleep now. Eun-jin got up and teetered over to the bathroom, noticing that there was an uncomfortable soreness between her legs. Oh God, she remembered all the things they did last night and felt her cheeks heat up. He’s awake, fuck, he’s awake. After the shower, deal with awkwardness after the shower, Eun-jin.

Chansung was humming “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” practically dancing around the kitchen while preparing Eun-jin’s breakfast.

“How can you be so chipper in the morning?” Eun-jin asked as she lazily clambered up one of the kitchen bar chairs, putting her forearm on the counter before slamming her head down on it.

“Good morning to you too, sunshine.” Chansung said sarcastically.

“Uggghhhhh.” Eun-jin replied.

Chansung put a cup of coffee in front of her, “Here, this should help.”

She immediately perked up and pulled the mug to her lips, gulping down four mouthfuls before putting her head down again, “Thanks, I needed that.”

“Are you okay?” Chansung sounded slightly concerned.

Eun-jin flipped her head up again, squinting her eyes and pursing her lips at him, “No, my whole body is sore, and it’s all your fault.”

Chansung scoffed, “All my fault? Excuse me, miss ‘then don’t,’ you’re the one…” Chansung ducked as a piece of toast barely missed his face, “yah, are you even a woman? That’s quite an arm you’ve got there.” He laughed at his own joke, since Eun-jin wasn’t going to.

“Are you even a guy? What kind of guy knows how to make such a killer western breakfast,” she finally smiled.

Chansung perked up, “Really? Is it good? I might’ve overcooked the eggs a bit.”

Eun-jin shook her head, “It’s delicious.”

Chansung rubbed the back of his head, blushing like a little boy, “It’s because I made it with love.”

“Oh, God.” Eun-jin fake-gagged and shuddered, “Look, you gave me goose bumps.”

 Chansung walked over and patted her on the head, “My yeobo isn’t the sentimental type, I know.”

“Am I a dog, stop that.” She swatted his hand away as she gulped down the rest of her coffee.

“Yes, you’re my cute little Pomeranian.” He teased, knowing it would just piss her off, but it was her damn fault for being so cute when she was mad.

“Yah, at least pick a useful dog, like a lab or one of those snow dogs. I do more than sit around and look cute. Anyway, don’t think you’re off the hook yet for yesterday. I expect a full explanation when I get back, and I didn’t ask about it until now because I was pissed at you, but what happened to your lip?”

“Ah, it’s all kind of related, sooo...” Chansung decided to be completely honest with Eun-jin, instead of telling her Minho’s lie.

Eun-jin narrowed her eyes, “Okay, I can’t wait to hear this.” She got up and brushed off the crumbs from her skirt, “I have to go or I’ll be late, thanks for breakfast!” She grabbed her purse and walked over to the coat closet, throwing a blazer on before slipping off her house shoes. “Ah, right!” She exclaimed, before putting on her outdoor shoes.

Chansung was loading the dishwasher when he felt her tiny finger poke his back. He turned around only to have her grab his face with both hands and plant a kiss on his lips, “Have a good day, yeobo.” She trotted away before he could even react. He put a hand on his lips as a huge smile spread across his face, “And she says I’m corny.”

***

That morning Eun-jin got a call from Minho, who asked her how Chansung’s face was recovering, which only prodded Eun-jin to ask how he knew about it?

Minho was a terrible liar, despite his personal belief otherwise. He spun some tall tale about Chansung playing basketball and getting hit in the face while defending. Chansung doesn’t even own a pair of basketball shoes, and the only exercise he does is in the gym, so it was very easy to see through Minho’s bluff. Although Chansung had said he’d explain when she got home, it was never a bad idea to get info from multiple sources.

“Who’s Min-young?” Eun-jin asked after Minho was done speaking.

“Who? What?” Minho was clearly flustered.

“Just cut the bullshit, Minnie, I know he didn’t get injured while playing basketball.”

Minho audibly cringed at the terrible childhood nickname his noona used to torture him, “I told you to stop calling me that!”

“Listen, Minnie, my adorable little brother, either you tell me what you know, or Chansung will tell me anyway. I’m sure whatever you’re hiding will only make me angrier at you if I find it out from him.”

“I punched him, okay!” Minho yelled.

“What? Why?” What did any of this have to do with Min-young, Eun-jin wondered.

“Because his friend Taec told me that Chansung was cheating on you with Min-young, but he wasn’t! Taec lied to me, but I was too mad to think things through and so I punched him.”

Eun-jin pinched the bridge of her nose, “Oh boy, and you didn’t think to tell me before resorting to violence?”

“I just didn’t want you to get hurt before I hurt Chansung. I know how much you love him, noona. I can’t forgive anyone who hurts you, not even a friend.”

“What do you know about love?! Aish!” Eun-jin was embarrassed that even her little brother could see through to her true feelings for Chansung. “But why was Min-young at our house yesterday?”

“She was?” Minho sounded genuinely surprised.

“Arasso, I believe you. And Minho, from now on, do your noona a favor and don’t go punching people.”

“Arasso, noona.” Minho mumbled.

Eun-jin sighed, “This was a near public relations disaster, Minho. What if the neighbors had seen you guys fighting and had called the police? Or what if one of you had gotten seriously hurt and ended up in the hospital? The media would have been all over it, and it would have been terrible for our share prices.”

“Ugh, it’s really scary how much you sound like dad.” He shuddered audibly, “but I understand! I will be a good, responsible man from now on.”

“Tch, don’t patronize me, you brat. I have to go, take care of yourself.”

“Will do. Love ya.”

“I love you too.”

Although she didn’t sound it on the phone, Eun-jin was kind of touched that her little brother would stand up for her like that, even if he went about it the boorish young punk way. Now she couldn’t wait to hear the rest from Chansung. Admittedly, she was a bit unhappy with the reason behind the fight--Minho initially thought there was more between Min-young and Chansung than meets the eye. Eun-jin didn’t want to doubt her husband, but this was a big coincidence. No. No. No. I will not pull what I did yesterday. Then again, the make-up sex was great…no! Bad, Eun-jin. Bad. Bad. Bad.

“Director Hwang, is there something bothering you?” It was Nara, looking confused again. Damn it, the girl is like a Ninja.

Eun-jin put on her best professional adult face, “Ah, yes, I just remembered that I forgot to run my dishwasher.”

“Ah, okay.” Nara didn’t look convinced, but Eun-jin wasn’t about to explain the real reason.

***

“Director Hwang, a Cha Min-young is here to see you, but she doesn’t have an appointment. What should I tell her?” Her assistant announced over the phone.

Eun-jin was shocked to hear the name, “Ah, please let her in.”

“Yes, director.”

Eun-jin felt like she was filming some ridiculous makjang drama. Why was Min-young coming to see her? According to Chansung, she didn’t even want to speak to him, and she was his friend.

Her assistant escorted Min-young into her office and politely exited. Eun-jin immediately got up and they stared at each other for a split-second, but it felt much longer. The girl looked like her doppelganger, something Eun-jin didn’t notice when she ran past her yesterday. “Ah, excuse my manners, please sit down, Miss Cha.” Eun-jin pointed at the sitting area in front of her desk, walking over to the head chair herself.

Min-young didn’t move. Instead, she bowed very low, “Jwesonghamnida.” She repeated the gesture two more times, leaving Eun-jin speechless.

“Ah, Miss Cha, I’m afraid I don’t understand…”

“I apologize for causing trouble for you and your husband, Mrs. Hwang. I am here to apologize and clear up the misunderstanding.”

“Please sit down first. There is no need to be so formal; you can call me Eun-jin.” Eun-jin sat down first, pressing the office intercom to call her assistant, “Could you please bring in two cups of tea, thank you.”

Eun-jin nodded at the chair again, signaling that it was okay for Min-young to sit down, and the distraught girl obliged.

Once the tea was served, Eun-jin spoke again, “I must admit that I was quite confused yesterday, but I have a little bit more information now. I understand you are my husband’s friend.”

“Yes,” Min-young nodded, “I met him through our mutual friend, Taecyeon, about six months ago. We struck up a friendship thereafter, but I assure you, Eun-jin-ssi, it was completely platonic. I have no romantic interest in Chansung, he is like a little brother to me, and I am not the type to go after a married man.”

“I believe you, Miss Cha, my husband has never spoken ill of you, but I heard something rather unpleasant about Taecyeon from my brother, Minho.”

“Please call me Min-young, Eun-jin-ssi. But, yes, Taecyeon was the one that spread the nasty rumor about Chansung and me. I really don’t know why he did such a terrible thing. He doesn’t usually meddle in other people’s business. Actually, if you got to know him, he’s quite a good guy.”

And the pieces finally fit together in Eun-jin’s head, “Min-young-ssi, this might be a bit rude of me to ask, but do you perchance have feelings for this Taecyeon?”

Min-young’s eyes widened a bit at Eun-jin’s directness, but she meekly nodded her head, “Yes, I have liked him for quite some time, but he does not share the same feelings. It is embarrassingly one-sided.” She bowed her head, unable to meet Eun-jin’s eyes out of embarrassment.

“I see. Things are becoming clearer now. I also assume my husband confided in you about the political nature of our marriage.”

Min-young looked back up, “I never pried, he naturally brought you up. He never said it directly, but I know that Chansung loves you very much, Eun-jin-ssi. You’re all he ever talked about. His heart only loves you and meat.” Min-young suddenly covered her mouth after inadvertently making fun of Chansung.

But it was too late. Eun-jin had heard the joke and started laughing uncontrollably, until tears were building up at the corners of her eyes. Laughter was infectious, and soon Min-young was laughing too. The two women held their stomachs and wiped the tears from their eyes. “I can see why Chansung likes you, you’re funny, Min-young-ssi, and you seem to know him well.” Eun-jin remarked.

“I’m sorry, that was impolite of me,” but Min-young kept smiling.

Eun-jin looked at her watch, noticing it was lunch time, “Ah, it’s lunch time already. Have you eaten, Min-young-ssi?”

“No, I have not.” Min-young answered honestly.

“Then I will treat you to a meal. We can continue our chat at the restaurant.” Eun-jin suggested.

Min-young nodded, “Thank you, you are too kind, Eun-jin-ssi.”

Eun-jin got out of her chair and ran to the desk to grab her jacket where she couldn’t help from smiling again, out of Min-young’s sight. Her heart felt a thousand pounds lighter, Min-young was unexpectedly sweet and well-mannered. It was very gutsy of her to come directly to Eun-jin and personally apologize for the drama of the past few days. Eun-jin had always liked straightforward people, and she really wanted to find out more about Min-young and what she knew about Chansung, if she was willing to share.