Kang house

Seulgi enter the house welcomed by one of their maids “Welcome home, sir” the woman in her 40s bow politely

“Thanks ahjumma. Where is eomma?”

“Ma’am is in the garden. Do you want me to call her for you?”

“No, I will go to see her there”

“Okay, do you want to drink anything?”

“Fresh orange juice”

“Okay sir, I will bring to garden”

Seulgi nods his head then he heads to the garden where his mom is chilling. Mrs. Kang is reading magazine alone

“Eomma”

Mrs. Kang turn around then smile to her son “Hey sweetie, come here” she beckon Seulgi to join her

“Where are Appa and the girls?”

“Your appa plays golf with his friends. Your noona is still in Osaka. She will arrive tonight. Sooyoung hangouts with her friends”

“No wonder the house is silent. I thought everyone still sleeping”

“Ayy, why would I sleep at this time? I’m not your appa who can sleep until noon” Mrs. Kang paused when the maid came with Seulgi drink “Why suddenly come without informing eomma? Usually you will call to request foods”

“I just want to hangouts” Seulgi reply shortly

Mrs. Kang stares at his son's face “You can’t lie to eomma. Your face is obvious that you have something in your mind. Now spill the tea”

Seulgi look back at his mom who take a sip of her coffee “I want to get married”

Due to that shocking statement, Mrs. Kang spit out her coffee “What?! You want to marry someone?”

“Eomma, don’t show that face” Seulgi whine

“Seulgi, I was shocked when you suddenly talked about marriage. Do you even have a girlfriend? I thought you and Seungwan are gay. I never see you with other people except Seungwan” Mrs. Kang said leisurely

Seulgi glared annoyingly at his mother “Eomma, how dare you think that far?”

The mother laughed, “Why did you never introduce your girlfriend to me? Who is that lucky girl?” she caressed Seulgi hair tenderly

“She is…one of our staff”

“Really? Is it love at first sight?”

The CEO shook his head “No, I know her before I become the CEO. We dated for about five months but eomma, I made mistake that make us argue and break up before I propose to her yesterday”

Mrs. Kang looked at Seulgi deeply “Did she say yes?” Seulgi slowly shakes his head “Then why do you want to marry her? You’re not forcing her, don’t you? You shouldn’t make unilateral decisions. Marriage involving two hearts”

“I am not forcing her, eomma. She does not reject me either but she wants me to give her time. I know it because of mistakes that I made, she still doubting me” Seulgi pouting

“Your mistake must be very serious that she have great doubt on you”

“Yes eomma” then Seulgi opens up about what he did to Irene since the first time they met each other. He is not leaving any single fact. From now on, he want to be honest to everyone or in anything he do

Mrs. Kang stares at her son in disbelief “I can’t believe you’re doing such things to your girlfriend. If I on her position, I also thinking twice to accept you back”

“I’m sorry, eomma. I regret what I had done” Seulgi hold his mom hand

“For her to forgive you is good enough. You know she has a big trauma with a liar, don’t ever lie to her again. When she said she needed time, that meant she wanted to see your effort. She wants to see if you seriously want to marry her. Marriage is a big deal, Seul. It is for a long run. Me and your appa sometimes argue when things do not go our way even though we have been married for years. Not to mention if the relationship is broken in the early days. Do self-reflection. Find out which part you need to fix. Prove to her that you really change and are serious with your words to make her your wife. She does not reject you, don’t mistake it. She actually gives you time to be a better person and she also prepares herself before making big decisions. Take it slow. You’re still young so nothing to rush, understand?”

“Yes eomma”

“When things get better, bring her here and introduce her to our family. I hope I can have Christmas dinner together with my future daughter-in-law”

“Okay eomma, I hope we can spend Christmas together too” Seulgi finally showing sincere smile

“Good” Mrs. Kang pats Seulgi's head “Let’s go inside and cook. I want to cook together with you. Your appa and Sooyoung will come back before lunch time”

“Let’s go eomma”

……………….

One week had passed since their meeting at the park and Seulgi made a sudden proposal to Irene. They decide to not tell anyone about the proposal. Only both of them know it. Irene doesn't want to make a fuss again. Their friends only know that they are reconciled

When they cross paths, they just smile at each other. No further interaction except for work reasons. However, they sometimes meet to have dinner together. According to Seulgi, they must meet often to strengthen their bond again. Irene just agrees with him. Even though they separated for a month, she still feels comfortable around him. Seulgi gets clingy, caring, sweet and on top of everything, he learns to open up to Irene. He never misses to keep her updated if he has a meeting with someone. He will tell her where he go and who he meet with

Today they had lunch together. Both of them come separately to avoid suspicion from the staff. They will choose the restaurant where none of KS staff will go

“You eat so fast today. Are you starving?” Irene commented as she saw Seulgi done eating already while she still halfway to finish her foods

“I'm strangely hungry today. Maybe because I only eat sandwiches for breakfast. It not enough actually”

“I told you that I can pack breakfast for you but you reject it. Is my food quality not meeting your standard?” Irene still remember the incident at Daegu last time

Seulgi giggled awkwardly. Irene already brought up that topic and he scolded for troubling his staff “No, it is not like you think. I don’t want you to cook for me because there's no way you will give it to me in front of our staff, right?”

“Hm” Irene hummed as she thought “Come to my apartment to have breakfast together. Office and my apartment is one way so you will pass by my apartment before arrive at office”

“That’s mean I must wake up early than usual”

“Why? Is it a problem for you?” Irene intimidate Seulgi with her eyes

“No, I don’t have a problem. I can wake up early for you. Can we have dinner together too?” Seulgi showing puppy eyes

“Aren’t you able to cook?”

“I can but I’m lazy to cook” Seulgi giggle innocently

Irene sighs softly “I will consider your request but start from tomorrow, you have breakfast with me. Arrive before 7 AM to avoid traffic jam”

“Okay boss”

“Can you accompany me to shop for groceries later?”

“Sure thing. We share your car, okay? I will drive for us” said Seulgi

“What about your car?”

“Don’t worry, my boys will drive it. Pick me up at Twice Coffee Shop near our building”

“Alright”

………………..

As planned, Irene heads to the coffee shop where Seulgi is waiting for her. From afar, she can see Seulgi stand outside of the shop holding two cups of coffee. They exchange place then Seulgi drive to supermarket

“It so cold outside” said Irene after sip her coffee

“Feel better after drinking a warm latte?” Seulgi smile warmly

“Yes, thanks for the treat”

“Don’t mention it. Why do you love latte? I never see you drink other type of coffee” Seulgi curious

“I not into coffee but latte have sentimental value for me”

“Really?”

“Yup, this is appa favorite. In early days, I just drink latte whenever I miss him but now I addicted so aside from milk tea, I drink this too” Irene explained

“Oh I see”

They arrived at the supermarket and their grocery shopping began. Seulgi pushes the cart for them while Irene chooses the item that she needs. Seulgi stares at Irene who focuses on choosing ingredients for food that she wants to cook. He adores her side profile. He mentally said he never regret dating her and will always choose her as his life companion. He patiently waiting for the day where he can claim Irene as his again

…………….

During the weekend, Seulgi goes to Irene’s apartment to hangout. Weather is cold and snowy so Irene doesn't want to go outside. In the end, she asked Seulgi to come to her place because that guy kept whining that he missed her. Now they are watching Netflix while eating snacks that Irene made

“Hyun” Seulgi speak after the movie end

“What?” Irene turn her face to Seulgi

“Why Eunbi not coming today? Usually she will come to play”

“She said she go out with Seungwan”

Seulgi groaned “Ayy that kid, why bring girl out in this cold weather?”

“You also want to go out earlier”

“But at least I consider your safety and comfort. I don’t want you to catch cold so I not force you out” Seulgi giggle

“Alright, you win. I want to cook dinner” Irene said as she clean the coffee table

“Can I join?” Seulgi follow Irene to the kitchen

“Do you want to cook for us?” Irene wiggle her eyebrows

Seulgi shrugs “Well, if you want to taste foods that I make so no problem”

“Okay, you cook. I will help you to get the ingredients. What do you want to cook?”

Seulgi tying the pink apron while thinking of the menu for dinner “Sujebi, rolled egg, steamed dumpling and kimchi?”

“That sounds good too. Soup suit this weather well”

“Okay, let's start!” Seulgi chirped

One hour later, Seulgi finishes cooking and serves the food on the small dining table. He smile proudly seeing the foods that he cooked for his sweetheart for the first time

“Dig in”

Irene tasted the sujebi that Seulgi made. Her eyes turn wide as she swallows the food “Daebak! It really good” she commented

“You like it?” Seulgi grin, feel proud that Irene enjoy the food

“Yes!” Irene continue eating

“If you lazy to cook, just let me know so that I can cook for you”

“Ayy, that is not your role. No matter how tired or lazy I am, I will cook for you if you visit me” Irene stated

Seulgi smiled hearing that statement “Sometimes I want to pamper you too. It's not like I cook every day. I am troubling you making breakfast every morning and sometimes rushing to cook dinner for us. I feel bad seeing you tired but still make food for me”

“I should feed you with good food so you have energy to face your hectic schedule and sleep with a happy tummy. It is not a problem at all. I love cooking”

“Thank you, Hyun” Seulgi hold Irene hand and softly give a squeeze

“For what?”

“For everything, literally everything” both of them stare at each other eyes

“You’re welcome”

They continue eating the food. After dinner, Seulgi excused himself to go home. Before leaving, he gives Irene a kiss on Irene's cheek. This is the first time he kissed her after their break up. He thought Irene would be angry but she looked fine. He go home with happy face because his relationship progress with Irene is getting better

………………….

Irene, Eunbi and Solar are scheduled to visit House of KS outlets in other districts. They ride the elevator from their department. However, the elevator goes up instead of going down. They predicted someone from executive office will going down

“Who do you think will go down?” Eunbi asking

“Maybe our boss” Solar nudging Irene arm lightly

“I don’t think so. He said he don’t have any schedule outside today”

“Let see who will come”

Elevators stop at the 30th floor. They were curiously waiting for the door to open. When the sliding door opened wide, they saw Seungwan and an unfamiliar woman enter. They bow to both of them. The trio move back a bit to give space for Seungwan and the woman. Eunbi can’t take her eyes off Seungwan because he does not spare a glance at her. He did not smile at all. Usually if they are in an elevator together, he will try to find a way to stand beside her. This time they totally like strangers. Seungwan also seem close with that woman

They can’t help but praise her visuals. She looks so beautiful and from her vibe, she must be from an elite background. When they arrived at the lobby, Seungwan and the woman went out first. It was still fine until she hugged Seungwan's arm. Eunbi also noticed that Seungwan stared at that woman warmly. That gaze is familiar like when he stare at her

“Bi, calm down. Everything will be okay” Irene caresses Eunbi back. She know Eunbi is in bad mood right now

“Irene is right. Don’t overthink first. Ask him who that woman before jump to conclusion” Solar added

Eunbi her hair back and sighs “I still try to think positive but the thought of Seungwan oppa is flirtatious is disturbing me”

“Aigoo, don’t think too much. I’m sure Seungwan is not play around with you”

“I hope so” Eunbi said soullessly

……………

Seulgi stops by Irene's apartment to have dinner together. He is not coming for a few nights since he is busy. Irene only make sure Seungwan feed him on time so he not miss his dinner

He followed Irene to the dining table then he saw Eunbi already sitting there with a frown on her face “Eunbi?”

“Hi oppa” Eunbi answer lazily

“What with that face? You’re scolded by Manager Lee?” Seulgi just received faint ‘no’ as answer

Irene join them at dining table then they start eating “She is upset because of Seungwan”

Seulgi stops munching then looks at Irene “What’s wrong?”

“We saw Seungwan with an unfamiliar woman who looked so intimate. Eunbi is upset because of that” Irene explain

Eunbi added “He also has not contacted me until now. His phone not active”

“You saw him with a woman leaving our building around 10 AM, right?” Seulgi looking at Irene and Eunbi

“Yes”

Seulgi laughed out of the blue. He took his phone, scroll through the phone gallery. Once he found a picture, he showed them “This woman?”

The women nods in unison “Yes, that woman”

“Yah, that woman is his sister. She is Marcella noona or Son Naeun”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, she is older than Seungwan. She come to KS to sign new partnership with KS Technology and KS Property for their pharmaceutical business” Seulgi clean the misunderstanding

“Why does Seungwan oppa not smile to me if that is his sister?”

“Maybe Seungwan is not ready to introduce you to his family. You two are still not dating. No worries, Seungwan is not playing around. He is far from a playboy character. I can guarantee that” Seulgi stated without hesitation

“Why he not contact me then?” Eunbi face frown again

Seulgi remember something “Seungwan prepare for surgery in next few days”

Irene and Eunbi gasped “Is he sick?” Irene ask quickly

“No, let me tell you something about him. Seungwan was originally a medical student. He is supposed to be a neurologist. Do you know that his family owned Kyungwon Hospital?”

“No, he never tell me”

“His family owns that hospital. His mother is professor at medical school SNU and a neurosurgeon. His father is a thoracic surgeon while his brother is an orthopedist. Naeun noona is CEO of Kyungwon Pharmaceutical and a neurologist. Now Seungwan only a part-time neurologist at Kyungwon”

“Wow, can’t believe that he is actually a neurologist. Impressive!” Irene said proudly

“When I take business studies, Seungwan is doing his medical course. He is a genius and has impressive achievements from Harvard Medical School. Sadly, he only completed four years of study in medical school but did not continue to the internship and residency program. Currently Seungwan pursues his study in business through online classes. He will graduate next year”

“Why did he decide to be your secretary instead?” Irene wondering

“He said he was suddenly interested in business after frequently assisting me at the office. He stepped back from his original profession and jumped into business. His parents don’t have a problem. After he stated his interest in business, my dad entrusted both of us to run his new business in Canada. Seungwan helped me while deepening his knowledge about busines