Twenty Two
HEARTH*Inside the Restaurant*
Jonghyun, Mr. Kim and Secretary Lee were having dinner together at an Italian restaurant.
“Do you like the food here, Uncle?” Jonghyun asked.
Mr. Kim nodded. “It’s so good. I like it, Jonghyun… How about your work? Have you got used with it? I heard you’re a bit short-tempered. How many contracts have you rejected?” Mr. Kim asked in teasing way.
Jonghyun shyly rubbed his nape.
“Haha….. You’re really a copy of your father. Don’t worry! Time will teach you to be more mature.” Said Mr. Kim.
“Dee, Uncle! I’ll learn to control my temper. Thanks for your concern!” Jonghyun gave a slight bow to Mr. Kim.
“By the way, Seokgi is returning soon. She keeps asking me about the marriage between you and her. She takes that promise so serious. Her late mother and your mother shouldn’t have made such promise.” Mr. Kim changed the topic.
Jonghyun changed his facial expression after heard the arranged marriage topic.
“Hmm… What do you think? Do you want the marriage?” Mr. Kim asked straight forward.
Jonghyun became uncomfortable with the question. He faced down, biting his lips, thinking how to answer.
It was a dead silence from Jonghyun.
Mr. Kim could understand the meaning of his silence.
“Jonghyun-ah, you know I’m a victim of arranged marriage.” Mr. Kim shocked Jonghyun.
“You mean you and your late wife didn’t get married because of love?” Jonghyun surprisingly asked.
Mr. Kim nodded. Jonghyun widened his eyes to know.
“It’s for business purpose. We were matched by our parents. We didn’t love each other. We often argued. I thought our couple life would get better after having a son but we failed. I asked her to get divorce many times but she always refused. Then I met Hana. I knew I have found the love of my life and I wanted to start a new life with her so I asked my wife to get divorce for the last time. Unfortunately, my wife didn’t agree to. Moreover, when she found out Hana was being pregnant for two months, she forced her to abort the baby. Hana mysteriously disappeared after aborting our baby. I’ve been trying to find her both Korea and Japan but there is no news about her. She has left my life for 22 years in total. If she is still alive, I wish to meet her again. I hope she is living fine with someone else.” Mr. Kim emotionally exposed his secret past to Jonghyun. Jonghyun was so shocked to know. He didn’t expect Mr. Kim has such story in the past.
Jonghyun was speechless.
"So Jonghyun, if you don't love or don't feel like marrying my daughter then don't do it. Don't make yourself and my daughter suffer because of the marriage without love like me. I still feel sorry for my family and Hana until now. Jin also suffered a lot. He grew up seeing his parents fought almost everyday because of this loveless marriage..... I'm such a terrible father. If you have someone you love then go for her." Mr. Kim explained his experience to Jonghyun.
Jonghyun carefully listened. Though it was such a bad tragedy for Jin's family, Jonghyun felt relieved to know Mr. Kim didn't put pressure on Jonghyun about the arranged marriage which was talked by old people long time ago.
"I'm sorry to hear about your story, Uncle. And thanks for the advice on my case with Seokgi. I'll think wisely." Jonghyun gave a commitment.
Mr. Kim smiled proudly to Jonghyun.
"Oh by the way, Secretary Lee! The little girl who made tea for me is a new staff?" Mr. Kim turned to ask Secretary Lee who remained silent for a long time at his seat.
"Ah yes yes, Sir. The newest staff! She is just 22 years old. She has just entered around 4-5 months. But she has improved a lot lately. She is doing quite good." Secretary Lee replied.
"Yuna..... She really reminds me of Hana. Perhaps, if Hana wouldn't have aborted our baby and if the baby was girl then she should be around Yuna's and Seokgi's age." Mr. Kim said then closed his eyes to relax from being depressed about his past.
Jonghyun and Secretary Lee turned to look at each other to show their sorrows for Mr. Kim. They remained silent and let Mr. Kim be.
-----///-----
Yuna went to Namjoon's place after work today. She suddenly felt low and needed someone to talk with.
"Yuna!!!" Namjoon soon paused his work and quickly ran to Yuna as soon as he saw her was entering his shop.
"Yuna, why don't you inform me first? I'm so surprised to see you here." he excitedly said.
"If I have informed to you then you wouldn't have surprised." she .
Namjoon warmly invited her in.
"Yuna, wait for me here! I'll finish my work soon." he said then went to continue repairing a motor.
Yuna sat down at a side and kept looking at him.
"Yosh! I'm done." Namjoon completely finished his work then walked to her.
Yuna stood up. She took out some wet tissue and cleaned on his face.
"Good job for today, Oppa!" she sweetly said to him while cleaning the dust for him.
Namjoon was full of butterflies in his stomach.
"Can I borrow your kitchen today? My oppa is working so hard so I wanna cook something delicious for you." She gave another sweet offer and it was enough for Namjoon to die in happiness.
"That's very kind of you." Namjoon gave a satisfied smile to Yuna.
They went inside to cook for dinner.
.....
Namjoon went to take shower while Yuna was cooking for him.
"It's done now, oppa." she called him.
"Wow!!! Are we having a new year party?" Namjoon exclaimed after saw a lot of food Yuna has made.
"Come and sit! Let's enjoy Friday night together!"
Namjoon sat down.
"Let's cheer! Tonight I'm gonna drink a lot. Finally another hard week has passed." Yuna cheered her beer with Namjoon and started drinking.
She has drunk a lot. Namjoon could see she was being sad about something. He started to feel worried about her.
"Yuna, it's enoug
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