“What is wrong with you?” I yelled at him as we got far enough away from Sandeul.

“Wrong with me? What is wrong with you? I thought you were going to show Sandeul around the neighborhood not have a date with him!” Hyunmin exclaimed.

“It wasn’t a date! We were hanging out! Plus what were you doing following me around!” I yelled back at him.

“I was curious and jealous… I just wanted to make sure that he wasn’t going to try anything.” Hyunmin admitted.

“We are friends….” I assured him more quietly. Then we stood there staring at each other.

“Can you just tell me what is going on?” Hyunmin started. I sighed. I wanted to deny first. Maybe there was a way that I could get away from this.

“Nothing is going on,” I muttered.

“Nothing? Hyunjae you are avoiding me and spending time with another guy. It’s okay for you to have friends, but something is bothering you Hyunjae…. What is it?” He questioned. I motioned him to sit down on some steps down and I sat next to him.

“When were you planning on telling me about Haejin?” I started. He froze and didn’t answer me for a while.

“How did you find out about her?” He questioned. I frowned since he didn’t answer me directly.

“I went for a stroll the other day by your house and Haejin walked out of your home. Then when I asked Mika about Haejin he told me she was arranged to be married with you.” I explained. He nodded understandingly.

“Look, I don’t love her and I don’t plan on marrying her.” He explained. I shrugged.

“I just… unsure. Hyunmin I don’t want to attach myself to you if you’re just going to turn around and get together with Haejin,” I confessed. Then unexpectedly he hugged me.

“I care about you. More than just any girl, have faith in me Hyunjae,” Hyunmin told me. I melted in to the hugged and once again we were silent.

“So why did you pull me away from Sandeul?” I questioned, teasing him slightly.

“I just… saw you playing with him, sharing food with him, and I snapped. I wasn’t going to let anything else happen,” Hyunmin assured me. I chuckled and shoved him lightly.

“You’re a dork,” I . I sat up and dusted my pants. “Now I have to apologize to Sandeul,” I told him. He rolled his eyes.

“I don’t like that guy…” He repeated for the second time today. I shoved him lightly.

“Sandeul is almost like the boy version of me.” I told him. He groaned and we started walking home.

“I still don’t like him,” He repeated. I laughed.

“So Hyunmin…” I started.

“Hm?” He answered.

“When can I meet your family?” I questioned. His face showed an expression of indifference.

“Look… meeting my family is going to be difficult,” Hyunmin assured me. I shrugged at him.

“So… when am I going to meet them,” He shrugged.

“We’ll see,” He answered ambiguously. I didn’t want to admit that I was disappointed by his answer, but I decided not to pursue it any further.

[At home]

I said my goodbyes to Hyunmin and when I entered the cook told me I had a friend waiting for me in the garden.

Must be Sandeul…

I went in to the garden and found her… Haejin.

“Hi,” I greeted. She shot a clearly plastic smile at me.

“Hello, you must be Hyunjae,” She started. I nodded.

“Yeah… umm what can I do for you?” I questioned.

“Well for starters you can stop dating my husband.” She told me. My eyes widened.

“Is that all you came here for?” I questioned. She smiled deviously.

“I realize that you aren’t from a wealthy family and this whole arranged marriage thing must be far fetched for you. Let me make myself clear, I love Hyunmin. I’m also aware that he isn’t that fond of me… yet. So all I ask is that you can get out of the way so we can be happy. Pretty simple don’t you think?” She explained. My eye twitched at her short speech.

“You’re right Haejin… I’m not from a rich family, but I’m not a push over nor am I intimidated. So I’m well aware that rich girls like you are used to getting everything they want. So let me make myself clear. Sweetie this is the real world where no one gives a damn what you want. So that means I don’t care about what you want, I’m not going to stop dating Hyunmin. Pretty simple don’t you think?” I replied using the same terminology that she used.

Her face was irked, but I enjoyed this. A challenge of the wits was always fun.

“For the record, Hyunmin’s parents love me. Do you really think that a little poor girl like you really stands a chance at getting their blessing?” She ridiculed me. I smiled thinly at her.

“Maybe… see there’s a difference between you and me, Haejin, aside by the way we were raised and money. Hyunmin actually cares about me. So unlike you I’m not trying to win over his affection. I already have it.” I replied to her. “Now get out before I call the police on you for trespassing,” I threatened her.

She stood up from the bench and scoffed at me.

“This isn’t over Hyunjae,” She added. I smiled at her.