Another week was almost over. Ri Ah and Hye Ri were eating lunch after Biology class on Friday when she received a text from Tae Sung Sunbae:

Ri Ah-ssi, are you free today at 6?

The whole week Ri Ah was able to go to Korean Myth and Folklore class without speaking to Tae Sung Sunbae. She didn’t sit next to him again and he didn’t follow her after class. She was wondering if he’d forgotten about the wish, and was hoping that was the case, but from his text, it seemed like he would finally be using it.

Yes.

Great! Come to the World Cultures Center then. Make sure to wear something nice. Will you need a ride?

No, I can get there myself.

Okay, see you tonight, Ri Ah-ssi!

Ri Ah sighed. World Cultures Center? Why would he want me to meet him there? At least after this he won’t have any reason to bother me.

“Why the long face?” Hye Ri asked when she noticed Ri Ah looking at her phone in dismay.

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing,” she answered, continuing to eat her lunch.

Later at home, 5:00 had approached and Ri Ah got ready. She didn’t know how well to dress, but decided to wear a dress and heels [This Outfit:].

“Ri Ah, you look nice. Are you going somewhere?” Mrs. Park asked her when she came out of her room.

“Yes, I’m going to the World Cultures Center.”

“By yourself?”

“No, I’m meeting…a friend.”

“Really? Do you need a ride?”

“That’s okay, I’m going to take the bus there.”

“What about dinner?”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll get some dinner while I’m out.”

“Okay, have fun Ri Ah.”

Ri Ah stumbled her way to the bus stop. I will never get used to heels. She arrived at the World Cultures Center promptly at 6 and noticed a big banner across the columns on the front that said “Ancient Greece Exhibit Opening Event”. She saw Tae Sung dressed in a suit waiting outside the entrance and walked over to him.

“Oh, Ri Ah-ssi, you made it,” he said with a smile.

“Yes. But, what is this?” she asked, pointing to a poster with the same event name.

“This is a party for the opening of a new exhibit here. I got two tickets from my department so I thought Ri Ah-ssi could accompany me,” he said with a charming smile as he held out his arm for her to grab.

Ri Ah stared at his arm before grabbing it and walking in with him. They walked into a big hall where people were sitting at round tables set throughout the room. Everyone was dressed nicely: men in suits and women in dresses. Tae Sung walked over to a table and pulled out a seat for her.

“Uh, thank you,” she said as she sat down and he pushed the chair in. He sat down next to her. The lights dimmed as a speaker on the stage up front started introducing the event. Waiters and waitresses came around and served food to all the guests, who ate and listened to various speakers speak about the new exhibit. Ri Ah quietly ate her dinner and listened. Although she didn’t understand some of the things said, it was an interesting presentation overall.

After the speakers were done everyone had finished their dinner and they all stood up and walked to another large room. Tae Sung once again held her arm as he led her to the exhibit room. She was intrigued by the statues and figurines that were spread throughout. Tae Sung smiled at her curiosity and kindly explained what he knew about each exhibit.

It was almost 9 and many people had left by now.

“Are you ready to go, Ri Ah-ssi?” Tae Sung asked her.

“Yes, Sunbae,” she answered with a smile.

“Okay, I can give you a ride home in my car,” he said as he led her out the building and to the parking lot where his car was parked. He opened the door for her and she got in. She directed him to the Park’s house and Tae Sung talked more about what he knew of Ancient Greece.

“Thank you, Sunbae,” Ri Ah said as he walked her to the front door. “I had a good time.”

“No problem, Ri Ah-ssi. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“So, I guess I don’t owe you anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your wish. I finally granted it.”

“I never said this was my wish though.”

“What?!” Ri Ah exclaimed.

“I needed a date to the event and I thought Ri Ah-ssi would enjoy the exhibit.”

“Sunbae!” Ri Ah whined in exasperation.

Tae Sung laughed. “Have a good night Ri Ah-ssi. I’ll see you in class next week,” he said before turning to leave.

Ri Ah stood there and stared at his retreating back with open.

Tae Sung opened the door to his car and before he got in, he yelled to Ri Ah, “You really need to learn to confirm things, Ri Ah-ssi. You’re so easily fooled!” He laughed and got into his car and drove off.

I was tricked. Again. Ri Ah entered the house with a dejected face.

“Ri Ah, you’re home!” Chan Yeol called to her from the living room.

“Yes,” Ri Ah said without energy.

“What’s wrong Ri Ah?” Mrs. Park asked in concern.

Ri Ah sighed. “I don’t think I could ever be a lawyer. I don’t know how you do it, ahjussi.”

The Park family looked at each other in confusion, not understanding her answer.

“I’m going to go to my room. Good night ahjumma, ahjussi, Chan Yeol-ssi.”

I have to make sure I’m not tricked by him again. From now on, I’m going to ignore Tae Sung Sunbae unless he explicitly says what his wish is.

Author's Note

I can just imagine some of your thoughts as you read this chapter. You all hate Tae Sung Sunbae even more, don’t you? Sigh, well if I were to compare him to a drama character, I feel like he would be the one to get the girl and Chan Yeol would be the second lead whose feelings are always ignored or who always misses his chance to confess. But, this isn’t a drama, it’s fanfiction. Which means the author (with influence by her readers) controls what happens. So, what do you guys think is going through my head? I’ve told you how much I like writing Tae Sung scenes, but is this who Ri Ah will end up with? [In a taunting sing-song voice] I guess you’ll have to wait and find out! Lol, I’m shamelessly trying to bribe my subscribers. I really do hope I don’t lose any of you, though! – 6/24/12 9:22 PM