“Is she the one your brother let in?” one of them whispered loudly to Chunja when she was sitting there right in front of them. in a deep breath Namjoo tried not to let it bother her.

Chunja’s eyes drove over her. “You,” she looked right at her, “what’s your name?”

“I…” she began then quickly decided, “Kim Namjoo.”

The woman nodded then continued, “Your parents?”

She had been prepared for that when she first met Jongin’s parents but she wasn’t prepared to say it. Namjoo knew they would use it as a reason to look down on her. It was a weak weapon but it didn’t make her feel good either.

“I…I don’t have parents.” She quickly uttered and listened to the women gasp among themselves as if she’d just admitted to murder. It was both stupid and infuriating but it irritated Namjoo even more. Were orphans such a shocking thing?!

“Oh my…” Chunja placed a hand against her chest and fell back from the shock. “Oh my…Kwanhoon…how could you. He actually let someone like this into his home? I can’t believe this.”

Namjoo would have said something to defend herself but she didn’t want to risk making herself look bad in front of these women. If she acted up they’d say the littlest thing about her and it would probably travel around their circle that Jongin had married someone so lacking and arrogant. As Yeji would say she’s someone not educated enough to understand where she stands.

Tarnishing herself would be the same as losing to that woman’s words. Namjoo wouldn’t do it. She had too much greed and pride.

“I wonder what your brother was actually thinking to let his son marry someone like this,” another one of the woman gave her a careful once over. Then she asked, “Will you stand up?”

Namjoo felt her brow twitch but did as told and felt as they skimmed all their eyes observantly over her body. She should have worn a coat, she bitterly thought.

“She’s not that pretty. Thin is good but her body isn’t pretty,” they snickered among themselves. Namjoo felt a gut wrenching annoyance fly through her. Who the hell were they to judge her like this?!

“What college did you graduate from?” another one asked.

“I didn’t…I didn’t go.” Namjoo quickly blinked, her eyes focused on the floor. She listened to them gasp again and allowed herself to look up at them with an angry frown.

“You didn’t go?” the woman with the flower pinned to her hair questioned. Geezes, as if she hadn’t already confirmed it.

“Yes.”

“Oh no…poor Jongin. How can he marry someone like this?”

“I thought your nephew was supposed to marry Chairman Goo’s daughter?” the flower woman turned to ask Chunja. “What happened?”

“I don’t even know.” Jongin’s Aunt shook her head. “I’ll have to look into it.” then glancing up at her she scolded, “What are you still standing for? My neck hurts when I look at you standing. Don’t you know when to sit down?”

“Oh…” Namjoo muttered feeling ridiculously pathetic and sat back down.

“Goodness, what is taking Hunmi so long? I’m nearly starving here.” Chunja impatiently crossed her arms and asked under her breath. “I’m telling you,” she seemed to be speaking aloud to everyone including Namjoo, “it’s pathetic to let a just any woman into the home. You never know what those outside are saying about you. Women are conniving little things you can never trust. You never know what they’re after. I’m so disappointed in Kwanhoon. First, that woman from out of nowhere with no background and again with this one. What is wrong with him? And he had to die first without seeing things through. If I were him I’d put everyone in their place regardless whether my children had to be motherless or not. Since he’s dead that woman he married will probably inherit everything she’s been after from the start. Shame on him.”

Namjoo bit her tongue, realizing she was talking about her mother.

Continuing, the woman didn’t hold back from expressing the disapproval over her. “No one of such status should be allowed into this kind of home without first occupying a place in society. Look at Yeji, she’s perfect. She has everything, and Chairman Goo’s her father. I can’t believe Jongin. He’s just like his father. This family…I can’t believe I’m a part of it.”

Namjoo caught the Aunt purposefully eying her. It didn’t take an idiot to realize the woman was indirectly trying to offend her with that structured high class brain of hers. Jongin’s Aunt shook her head and clicked her tongue.

“I can’t stand this. Girls, I feel out of class here. Should we stop by on the way to see Chairman Goo and ask him to buy us some tea?” then in unison all of them rose up to their feet in silent agreement. Calling out loudly Jongin’s Aunt went, “We’re leaving! Thanks for the tea Hunmi!”

Without so much as even a small farewell or nod of the head the women e by one to prepare to leave. Namjoo barely let herself heave a deep breath to relieve all the irritation in her but turned at Chunja’s voice.

“Would you open the door for us?” the woman questioned with a tone of arrogance. Namjoo barely managed to withhold herself from rudely asking her what her hands and feet were for but bit her tongue.

“Yes,” she muttered and walked over to hold the door open for them. Every one of those stuck-up sneered at her with a smile of satisfaction. Once they were down the stairs Namjoo couldn’t help but slam the door to release her pent up emotions and whispered under her breath, “You es.”

Groaning, she turned back to walk in but paused by the table when her eyes landed on the tea gone cold over the span of that woman’s judging.

Just what was this?!

~~~~~

The smell of freshly baked goods swirled like madness in the air when Namjoo neared the kitchen. Butter permeated the air along with a sweet freshness that made Namjoo’s stomach grumble without her consent. Tightening her grip on the tray Namjoo halted upon coming closer to the kitchen and felt her heart grow both wary and nervous. She should have just left the tea cups sitting in the sitting room. What was she doing?

Swallowing, Namjoo pushed herself forward and crossing the tiled floor she settled the tray at the counter nearest the sink. The empty tea cups clattered and she listened to her mom turn to look at her.

“Are they gone already?” Hunmi questioned.

“Yes,” she looked away, intentionally placing her eyes elsewhere.

“I just baked some rolls. Would you like some?” her mother wondered.

“No. I have to go use the bathroom.” Swiveling away Namjoo quickly walked out of the kitchen to escape her mother. Namjoo wanted to damn herself for even taking to drinking all the tea to make it look like those old mongrels had actually drunk her mother’s effort.

Her phone rang the second she stepped out of the bathroom. It was a surprise to see that it was Joohwan calling her. Answering it Namjoo began to greet him but instead he quickly interrupted, “Come out.”

The urgency in his voice left her blank before she asked, “What are you saying? Are you at the hostel?”

“I’m telling you to come out of there,” his voice harder and strict, he repeated himself.

Spinning around Namjoo glanced at the door as if expecting to find her younger brother on the other side. It had been a long time since he’d sounded short-tempered. Left wondering what it was he actually talking about Namjoo continued pressing the phone to her ear as she made way for the door.

“Aren’t you at work?” she asked into the phone. “It’s still morning. Or…is there something wrong with Inha?”

“Where are you? Why don’t I see you yet?” he ignored her questions, his voice brandishing authority almost like a rule bound father. Crossing the living room Namjoo stopped to listen to Jaegeun singing loudly from his room then continued toward the front door on instinct.

“What’s wrong?” Namjoo asked. “I’m not at the hostel right now. Do you want to meet somewhere?”

“What’s taking you so long?” he asked with harshness. “It shouldn’t be taking you this long!”

Bewildered by his tone of voice Namjoo frowned and quickly picked up her steps. Flinging open the door she slipped into her shoes and made way down the rock stairs toward the metal gates.

“Where are you? What’s going on? Are you in trouble?” Namjoo worried. Had the loansharks contacted him? Or had he gotten into some kind of accident on the road and instead of worrying Inha, he’d called her?

Finally at the bottom of the steps she hurried toward the black gate, “I’m coming. Where are you?”

Pushing the door open at last Namjoo found her breath caught in when she discovered Joohwan standing at the bottom of the steps leading up to the gate. His eyes unrelenting, he stared at her without the kind of usual warm welcoming she tended to receive. There was a beep in her ear signaling he’d hung up. Namjoo watched speechless as his hand dropped to his side and lowered her phone.

“Hwan…” she whispered shocked. “How…”

Exasperatedly laughing a short breath he turned to look away from her. “Wow. Kim Namjoo…you really…”

Frozen in place, Namjoo couldn’t move forward. She was sorry, apologetic so very deeply she didn’t know how to even express or explain herself. For a moment she listened to him laugh manically because he, like her, didn’t know how to react to the absurd situation.

It took a long time for Namjoo to muster up courage and slowly step down the stairs toward him. “How did you get here?”

“How? You’re asking how?” he questioned with sarcasm. “The internet, the papers, the magazines…this house is everywhere! Who wouldn’t know where the mighty Chairman Kim lives?!”

Namjoo stared up at him somewhat baffled by his show of anger. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” he repeated with face contorting. Staring down directly right into her eyes so close to her he shook his head, “You have way more to be sorry about.”

Confused, Namjoo blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“You tell me.” he toughly said.

“Look, now isn’t a good time. I’d show you around but I can’t right now.” Namjoo touched his arm but he flung her away. Being patient in order not to hurt his feelings she went on, “How about we go somewhere? Are you hungry?”

“Why can’t you show me around?” he asked. “This big house we can only dream of touching, why can’t I go in there?”

Emotions on end Namjoo tried not to panic. Their mom was inside. Joohwan definitely could not see her. “Jongin’s nephew is sick. I don’t want you to catch his virus. Lets go somewhere else, hmm?”

Unbending, Joohwan stared at her with cool eyes of steel. “It’s because she’s in there. Isn’t it?”

Namjoo froze then quickly shook her head. Feigning a broad smile she asked brightly, “She? Who are you talking about?”

“Do you really want me to say it?” their eyes met but Namjoo continued doubting what her instincts were screaming. “Our mom. The woman who’s dead…”

“No!” Namjoo suddenly screamed then caught herself. Quickly looking up at her only other family she felt her eyes grow wide and her lower lip tremble. “No. Hwan…it’s not…”

“Then what are you doing here?!” he screamed in mad frustration. “What the hell are you doing, Namjoo?! How can you?! To me! To yourself! This is the reason why I couldn’t come to your wedding. Is it not?!”

Infuriated, he deeply gasped for breath. Exhaling loudly he turned and stepped away, walking in a circle before coming back toward her. Forced to move a step forward upon his tug Namjoo felt herself crumble.

“Go back to the hostel. You still have a year’s lease left. If not, come stay with me,” his grip tight on her arm he breathed. “I won’t let you stay here. I don’t like Jongin either. Leave him. Get a divorce.”

“Hwan!”

“Do it!” he grounded his voice with demand. “Go marry Kyung. He’ll love you even if you’re a divorced woman.” Muttering to himself he went on, “I should’ve known from the beginning. Jongin was too good. People like them…we shouldn’t go near.”

“Hwan, let go,” Namjoo pulled herself back.

“No!” he bellowed. “You’re not going back in there. Unless you’re going to forgive her, then you forget me because I can’t forgive her. Do you know how much you lost because of her?! Our mom…are you going to choose her over me?”

“Please don’t do this,” Namjoo pleaded. “You know it’s not like that.”

“Then come with me. Right now. I have to protect you.” Joohwan softened his tone. “I couldn’t protect you ever, but I’ll do it now. You’re only going to get yourself hurt Namjoo. Listen to me, please.”

Her brows twined together wishing she didn’t have to decide between both Jongin or her brother. Desperation clung onto her that she couldn’t go like this.

“Lets talk this over. Don’t be impulsive,” Namjoo tried.

“I won’t let you go back in,” Joohwan declared, refusing to release her arm. “Today, you decide. Me or that woman and Jongin.”

Her mind was a muddle. What was happening? This felt like a raw dream, like some kind of tale woven from needles.

The sound of heels was her rescue. A second later Joohwan turned when he noticed a woman leaning against the corner of the brick wall connected like a fence to Jongin’s home. Following his gaze Namjoo recognize Goo Yeji who shot them a smile before stepping out from hiding.

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Yeji greeted looking at her then to the hand on her arm. Caught off guard, Namjoo withdrew her hand from Joohwan.

“This is my younger brother,” Namjoo introduced trying to act calm despite the nervous chills traveling down her spine. “Joohwan, this is Goo Yeji, an important business partner.”

On polite mode they shook hands. Observing Joohwan’s tense face Yeji smiled pretentiously, “Seems like I disturbed you. Should I come back later?”

“No. Now’s fine,” Namjoo interjected quickly. “Joohwan is about to leave.” She glanced at him, praying he would play with her. The younger brother coldly glanced at her, his eyes refusing to back down. “Right, Hwan? You have work to get back to.”

“Of course,” Joohwan muttered with great reluctance. “I’ll call you later.”

Namjoo gulped and watched him walk away. She would have breathed a sigh of relief and fallen upon the stairs if not for Yeji closely eyeing her. Returning attention to her Namjoo faked a smile. “Is there something I can do for you?”

Without first answering Yeji reached into her clutch and pulled out a silver envelope, “This weekend there’s going to be a welcome event for our new Chairman. These are hotel reservations for you and Jongin. Seeing that he’s caught up in heavy work today, I had no choice but to personally drop this off.”

“Oh…” Namjoo took the envelope. “Um…thanks.”

“No problem,” Yeji replied then with another smile she nodded. “I’ll see you then.”

Yeji walked away and Namjoo carefully listened to her clacking heels fade into the distance before scurrying down the road.

~~~~~

“Pull over to the side of the road,” Yeji instructed her driver who did exactly as directed. After a moment she turned to watch Namjoo dash down the road to hail for a cab.

Namjoo was naïve if she hadn’t realized how loud she and her brother – if he was really her brother – had been earlier. Yeji couldn’t help but become more curious over what they had been fighting about. That girl had been unsettled with unease when they spoke. Namjoo was like an open book, her mind elsewhere during their conversation.

“Follow her,” Yeji told.

Down the road she felt an intense curiosity strike her from replaying the conversation she’d heard. Leave Jongin? And who was that woman Joohwan had mentioned? Was Jongin having an affair? Or was Namjoo simply up to no good since the very beginning?

The car pulled up to the curb when Namjoo scrambled out of the cab and into a smoothie shop. Yeji’s brow rose when she saw Namjoo sliding into a chair across from a man she had never seen before. The sudden thought made her blood churn in excitement. What if both Namjoo and Jongin were having their own affairs? And that was why the brother wanted Namjoo to leave?

She cautiously observed as Namjoo and that man began an intense conversation before her phone rang. It was her father.

“Jongin’s Aunt came from Incheon to have some tea. Why don’t you come over?” the old man asked.

“Sure. I’ll be there.” She replied into the phone, eyes still on Namjoo and the man. Hanging up she turned to her driver, “Stay here and follow him. I want to know who he is.”

Opening the door she stepped out as a cab pulled up, and glancing at the table where Namjoo and the man were seated, she smiled before getting in.  

***Man, Namjoo's in for some real trouble. It's going to be rainbows and sunshine. Better enjoy the ride for now :)