PROLOGUE

The grip that I had on the chopsticks tightened and I gritted my teeth in anger. I forced a smile on my face and tried hard not to scowl at them.

“What to do, she’s already 24 and yet, she doesn’t have a boyfriend” A close aunt of mine laughed heartily and looked at me mockingly as if the words she said didn’t affect me enough. Since she is like my own mother, I too chuckled and lowered down my head, continued eating.

“That’s why; all she does is hanging out with her guy friends.” My mother said, agreeing with my aunt. My mother sighed and looked at my aunt. “It’s so frustrating.”

My aunt clapped her hands once and said, “Do you know that old man’s daughter? That lives down the road?” My aunt asked and my mother nodded. “Her daughter got married, at such an early age.” My mother glanced at me and sighed. “Look at her, stuffing her face. Eat slowly, Jiae-yah.” I looked up at her and smiled, “Thanks , mom.”

My mother clucked her tongue, “How can you have a boyfriend if you act like your friends? You’re a girl, Jiae-yah, act like one.” I sighed and swallowed the remaining food in my mouth. All I did was eating like a pig and she’s saying that as if I cut off my hair short like a boy and joined a gang or something.

“I’m not interested in those kind of stuff, mom.” I said and picked up my chopsticks again.

“Maybe if she’s not interested, we could arrange something up.” Upon hearing my aunt’s words, I slammed my chopsticks on the table with a loud thud. I looked at them, “No. The date you arranged for me last year was horrible enough.” I groaned and stood up. “Thank you for the food.”

“Oh look at that, getting worked up over nothing again.” I heard my mother said as I walked out of the dining room. “She’s too sensitive.” It was the last thing I heard before going upstairs to my room.