“Let me take the bus,” you announce.

                Your grandfather’s large physique reclines in the large, cream colored sofa.  You know he’s watching you carefully even though he isn’t looking up from his newspaper. 

                “And what makes you think I will let you do that?”

                You sulk.  “I’m not four.  I don’t need Driver Kim wherever I go.  Please, Grandfather.”

                “That is why I am not letting you take public transportation.  The hotheadedness of an adolescent is worse than the immaturity of an infant.  Knowing you, something will go wrong.”

                You pout again.  Grandfather, please don’t speak like a philosopher, you think, but don’t dare to say out loud.

                “But I’m not going anywhere far,” you continue. “I can go alone.”

                “If this is about the party at the lake, then I will reply, ‘you cannot go,’” he says nonchalantly, flipping through the paper.

                “Grandfather,” you whine, standing behind him and rubbing his shoulders.  “I promise to be home early.  I won’t drink.  And I…I won’t bring home any weird people.”

                “Driver Kim will be waiting for you on the front door at eight.”

“So you’re letting me go?” 

“We have another meeting to discuss about.”

                “Grandfather!”

* * *

                You reach for your drink and take another sip, letting out a long exhale. 

                After a few hours of preparing at home, and finally persuading grandfather to let you go to this party on your own, you’re sitting at an empty table, bored out of your mind.

                Though Yoon Hee and Eun Ah said they would come, the typical last minute family issues surfaced and they couldn’t make it.  You sigh as your mind wanders to Tao, and you wonder if he will show up.  Unless I scared him to the next century.  What was I thinking? Tea?

                You’re sidetracked from your thoughts when you feel a tap on your arm.  You twist your head around quickly, but try to hide your disappointment when you realize it’s not who you were expecting.  You’re face to face with a tall, blonde male.

                “Who are you?” you say without thinking.

                The stranger gives you a smug grin and places his hand on your shoulder as he leans down to look at you in the eyes.  “I’m Kris.”

                “And?” you shrug.  

                His form inches closer to you and you struggle to keep your eyes away from his ed collar. 

                "And what?"

               He looks maddeningly arrogant so you decided to play along.  “Your name doesn’t really tell me anything.”  You note the strong smell of cologne that hangs around him when the wind wafts through his hair.  “At least tell me if you’re single.”

                He smirks and replies in a deep, rich tone.  “It just so happens to be.  I am single.”

                You brush the hair from your face and turn away self-consciously.  You weren’t expecting his coy remarks.  Your mind plays out a tacky scene where the man comes to defend his lover when she’s being intimidated by someone else.  But you know those things only occur in dramas.

Just then, your eyes meet the shadow of another figure lingering a few feet away from the table, answering your wishes. 

                Your face brightens and you look at Kris confidently again.  “Then I guess it’s too bad that I’m not.” 

                “What?” he says, his dark eyebrows furrowing confusedly.

 “I’m with him.”  You point to the owner of the shadow.  “Tao, I’m over here!”

Now your biggest worry is deciding between being thankful or anxious at Tao’s reaction.  When Kris sees Tao heading your way, he scoffs moodily, giving you a satisfying feeling.  But inside you’re afraid you won’t be able to keep the promise you made with Grandfather before you left.