Chapter 19: Potential In-Laws
"Well? Aren't you going to wrap up now?" asked Melissa, raising her eyebrows.
"Hmm?" Sora looked up from the pile of work on her desk.
Melissa giving her a disbelieving look and reminded, "Don't you have a dinner appointment to go to tonight with your parents?"
Sora let out a sigh as she tugged her long hair behind her ears and said, "I know...but I'm not that fond in going anyways. I have so many things to finish up."
Melissa leaned forward, placing her hands on Sora's table with her tablet in one hand and said, "Well, would you rather do an overnight here for the next few days or get nagged by the Chairmen for showing up late at the dinner?"
Sora leaned back on her chair closing her eyes and sighed again. "You know exactly which one I'd rather have," Sora replied.
Melissa chuckled but then gave Sora a suspicious look and asked, "By the way, why were you late coming to the office today? I mean, usually when you're late, you wouldn't be this late in coming in or else you would have just taken the day off."
Sora opened one eye, peeping at Melissa and then sat up from her chair. "Well, I had to meet up with a client this morning," Sora answered.
"A client?" said Melissa who was looking oblivious. "But, there wasn't any appointment scheduled here," said Melissa as she frantically swipes her fingers on her tablet.
Sora saw how Melissa was reacting and tried to keep her laughter in by pursing her lips together. However, Sora was unaware that her face had turned slightly pink when she answered Melissa's question.
Melissa stopped her fiddling and turned her attention to Sora. "Wait a minute! Why is your face blushing like that? You didn't go meet a client did you?"
Sora composed herself by putting on a serious face and said, "I did. The client called me this morning for an urgent meeting," cleaning up her desk.
"Urgent meeting, huh? If it was so urgent, how come when you arrived at the office today, you were smiling like someone who had just come back from a happy date?" Melissa asked.
At that instance, Sora blushed even more and tried to hide those burning cheeks of hers with her hands. "Melissa, I think you're thinking too much," she said.
At that moment, Melissa could tell that Sora was hiding something from her and asked, "Am I now…? So were you meeting President Park alone at his or your place?"
Sora quickly answered, "We weren't alone, his mother was--." She stopped the instant she knew she just exposed herself.
Melissa on the other hand smirked to Sora's instant slip of the tongue and then said, "Hah! I knew it!" while pointing at Sora.
"How did you know it was him?" Sora asked while blushing.
"Who else would it be? I mean, most of your clients would call the office to arrange a meeting with you, which I would know since it's part of my job," explained Melissa.
"Still, I could've arranged it myself," said Sora, still trying to defend herself.
Melissa chuckled and said, "True, but from your past record, you have never arrange any meetings this early in the morning before. Usually, you're still in bed," Melissa chuckled again, "plus, who would ask you to meet them during these types of hours other than President Park, who for the past record has forced you to meet him during the most unreasonable time."
Sora was left speechless after Melissa's thorough analysis. Before Sora can say something else, Melissa continued with her curiosity and asked, "When did you guys started dating? Will I be helping with any engagement party soon?"
"What are you talking about, Melissa? What do you mean engagement party? We're not even at the stage to discuss marriage," argued Sora.
"What am I talking about? You even met his mother for crying out loud," said Melissa excitingly.
"Just because I met his mother does not mean we're meeting the in-laws and getting married. Besides, we just started not so long ago and marriage is way too early," explained Sora, who was finishing her last bits of cleaning.
"True, but that doesn't mean you can't be the first one to do that, right? Oh my God! I'm so happy for you, Sora!" Melissa said while clapping her hands with excitement.
"Calm yourself, Melissa," Sora said with a smile, feeling happy with Melissa's blessing.
However, not so long after, Melissa asked, "Wait. Does the Chairman know about this?"
Sora stood up from her chair, getting her things ready while looking at Melissa and said, "Nope and don't you go telling him or Victor oppa, okay?"
"Of course I won't, but..." said Melissa with hesitance.
Sora stopped and looked at Melissa. "What is it?" she asked.
"The dinner you're attending tonight, it wouldn't be just a normal dinner, would it?" asked Melissa.
"Of course it would be!…I hope…" said Sora, who was also a bit worried but had no choice but to attend. Her parents have been nagging her for a long while to find someone and get married since her last relationship. She bid Melissa farewell and went inside the lift. There she was, thinking that she should be the one deciding who and when she will marry. She doesn't understand why her parents want her to get married as soon as possible. "Could it be that they are so eager to send their own daughter away?" was what went on in her mind.
However, before she can come up with more thoughts, she already arrived at the lobby, where Victor was waiting.
Victor noticed the troubled look on Sora's face and said, "Now who could it be that made our Princess Sora looking like that?"
Sora looked at Victor and said, "No one, I was just thinking about something. Don't worry."
But Victor could still see the troublesome look on her face and said, "You know if you continue looking like that, you'll turn into a St Bernard dog." His comment brought Sora into a frenzy.
"What do you mean by a 'St. Bernard' ?" she asked.
"Oh? You don't know?" he said, bringing her to a reflective metal piece on the wall and had her face it.
"What are you doing, oppa?" she asked.
"Look! If we pull these cheeks of yours down like this and with those wrinkles on your forehead, you'll look just like a St Bernard. See? Except, you're a beautiful one," said Victor while laughing.
Sora frowned while quickly giving Victor a slap on the arm and complained, "Yah! No, I don't look like one!" Then both burst out into laughter.
"That's more like it. Remember to keep smiling, okay?" said Victor.
Sora nodded with a smile and said, "Arasso, oppa. Gomawo."
Victor returned the smile and said, "Well, shall we get going then? Your father should be waiting at the restaurant with your mother already."
"Yeah, let's go. But I don't even know why I have to attend when it's my father's get-together with Director Choi." she said while getting into the car.
"Perhaps, you'll know soon enough when you get there," said Victor, who was starting up the engine.
"You sound like you know something," said Sora, sensing that Victor may know the purpose of tonight's dinner.
"Do I? You think so?" Victor said with a chuckle, acting oblivious.
When they arrived in front of the restaurant, Victor stopped the engine and turned to Sora who sat in the passenger seat. "Sora…" he said hesitatingly.
Sora looked at Victor and said, "Hmm? What is it?"
Victor couldn't find the proper words to explain to Sora. "Whatever happens tonight, just don't take it too much to heart," he said.
Sora gave Victor a piercing look and said, "From the way you're telling me this, I feel like I should just skip tonight's dinner."
Victor looked at the restaurant then at Sora and said, "Well, whether you go in or not, it might not change anything."
Sora looked confused and asked, "Oppa, what are you talking about? Anyways, I'll be late if I don't go in now. You know my appa, he'll lecture for a long time if I'm late. See you later."
Sora got out of the car and rushed inside the restaurant. Victor, on the other hand, watched as she went inside and said to himself, "No matter what, you should be able to choose who you want to be with. Stay strong, Sora-ah."
***
Inside the restaurant, Sora's parents were already seated inside one of the VIP rooms in the restaurant. The manager escorted Sora inside where she then greeted her parents, "Anyeong, abeoji and eomoni."
"Good thing you're earlier than Director Choi. Hurry and have a seat," said her father.
"Stop rushing our Sora-ah," her mother said to her father. "Take a seat here, Sora-ah," she said to Sora while placing her hand on Sora's arm.
Sora smiled at her mother, then turned to her father and said, "Appa, I still don't see why I need to be here."
Her father raised his eyebrows, then smiled gently at Sora and said, "You'll know soon enough my dear Sora-ah."
Just then, Director Choi and Minho arrived at the restaurant. Sora's family stood up to greet them and all sat down shortly after.
***
Meanwhile, Park Jungsu arrived at the lounge where Donghae, Eunhyuk, Sungmin and Siwon were waiting.
"Eh...Look who's finally here. It's our Teuk hyung, Park Jungsu-ssi," said Eunhyuk.
"Nice to see you too, Eunhyuk-ssi," said Park Jungsu.
Then Donghae threw his arm around Park Jungsu's shoulders from behind and said, "Hyung! What took you so long to get here?"
"I was caught up in something earlier," he answered.
"Work or something else, hyung?" Siwon asked with a sneaky smirk.
"I was helping a poor lady catching a thief," Park Jungsu explained.
Everyone paused while staring at Park Jungsu in shock.
"Wae? Is it that shocking?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Well, it's kind of hard to imagine the President and CEO of JSE would go around chasing robbers," said Eunhyuk, laughing.
"Yah! Eunhyuk-ssi, our hyung is doing justice for the poor lady so we should show some respect," said Sungmin who was flipping through a fashion magazine.
"Hyung, you should have called Siwon to help. I mean, he's an expert in Taekwondo, right Siwon?" said Donghae.
Siwon gave his killer smile and said, "Donghae-hyung, don't belittle our Teuk-hyung here.
He's got a black belt too. He could have advanced to the Nationals if he hadn't gotten into that car accident a few years back."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Hey hyung, maybe you and Siwon should teach me a few moves so I can impress some ladies with it," joked Donghae.
They all chuckled at Donghae while shaking their heads.
"Wae? You don't think I have potential?" Donghae jokingly asked.
"Hey Donghae, didn't you have an eye on Miss Fast and Furious?" asked Siwon.
"You mean Sora-ssi? Nah, it seems that I'm not her type. But that being said, we make good friends though," said Donghae.
That instant, Park Jungsu felt a bit unease as he knew that Donghae was interested in Sora, the same as he was except that she is currently his girlfriend. He understands that he should tell Donghae about, but is unsure how he would react to it. No matter what, he feels that Donghae has the right to know.
"Donghae, may I have a word with you?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Yeah, sure thing hyung," replied Donghae. Both went outside to the open patio.
"So what is it, hyung? Why you look so troubled? Did something happen?"
Park Jungsu looked at the city lights ahead and let out a sigh. "There is something I need to tell you," he said.
"Alright, but why you sound so serious?" asked Donghae.
"Well, it's about Sora," said Park Jungsu.
Donghae wrinkled his eyebrows as he continued to listen.
"God! How should I tell you this? Sora, she is..." said Park Jungsu, who was struggling to get his words out.
"She is what, hyung? Is she ill or something?" asked Donghae.
"No, it's not that. It's...it's..." Park Jungsu hesitated.
"Oh, come on hyung! Just tell me already!" said Donghae eagerly.
"I'm in a relationship with Sora," Park Jungsu finally said.
Donghae looked at him without saying anything for a moment.
Park Jungsu saw the look on Donghae's face and said, "Look Donghae-ah, I've been meaning to tell you but...but I didn't know how I should tell you. I'm sorry."
Donghae remained silent for another few seconds, then took out his iPhone and took a quick snapshot of his hyung's face. He then burst out into laughter and said, "Oh my goodness, hyung! Your face just now looks hilarious! And you're willing to apologize because of Sora-ssi?" Donghae clapped his hand in amazement.
"You're not angry with me?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Of course I am, hyung. But not because you're going out with Sora-ssi, but because you didn't tell me earlier," said Donghae.
"So...you don't feel sad or anything?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Of course not, hyung! To be honest, I can kind of guess you were interested in Sora-ssi," said Donghae while looking onto the city lights ahead.
"You can? How?" asked Park Jungsu, who was a bit shock from Donghae's statement.
Donghae chuckled and said, "I may act like a kid sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious in everything. I mean from the time at the department store, when I saw you buy the handbag - I sort of got a sense that it's for Sora-ssi."
"That's not possible. I remember telling you that it's for a business affiliate and I could have other female affiliates," protested Park Jungsu.
Donghae snorted and said, "Come on, hyung. Everyone knows that you don't deal much with that many female affiliates and with the ones you do deal with are usually old ahjummas. Clearly, you wouldn't go and buy an old ahjumma a handbag like the one you bought. The brand and style of that handbag are for the pretty young ladies. So the only person that qualifies in your 'business affiliate' category, who is young and beautiful is Sora-ssi."
Park Jungsu was amazed at how Donghae was able to analyze and make such remarks based on observation.
"And how did you know the brand and style of that handbag I bought?" asked Park Jungsu, who was still in disbelief.
"Hyung, you really don't believe me that I know, do you? I saw the paper bag and the product name on your receipt," explained Donghae, who place his hand on Park Jungsu's shoulder while both walked back to the room.
Once they entered back inside, everyone else was curious as to what the two were talking about outside.
"You're really okay with this, right? You're not angry at all?" asked Park Jungsu, still trying to get confirmation from Donghae.
Donghae stopped and crossed his arms while looking at Park Jungsu with disbelief. "If you're going to keep asking me like that, then for sure I'll get angry. Geez, hyung! Even Sora-ssi isn't as naggy as you," said Donghae.
Then everyone else was staring silently at the two, listening tentatively to their conversation.
"You met up with Sora? When?" asked Park Jungsu.
"I met up with her this morning at her place," answered Donghae in a teasing way, but he didn't thought his hyung would spill the beans himself in front of all his dongsaengs.
"That's impossible! She was with me this morning!" Park Jungsu blurted out loud.
The room was in total silence, where everyone's jaws dropped. Even Sungmin, who is always minding his own business, dropped the magazine on the floor.
"Hyung! You mean you brought Sora-ssi to your place? But you never let any women visit your place other than your eomoni and noona!" said Donghae in shock.
"Hyung, you're in a relationship and you didn't tell us? When did it happen? You even brought her home?" asked Siwon.
"Yah! It's not like that! She came over when she thought something happened to me," said Park Jungsu, trying hard to clear up the situation. However, once the boys get their hands on matters like this, they won't give up until they get their answers.
"Come on hyung, what can possibly happen to a full grown man like you?" Eunhyuk remarked.
"Yeah! The thing we want to know is what you both did that early in the morning," asked Siwon.
"Oh come on, nothing happened. Help me here, Sungmin-ah," pleaded Park Jungsu.
Sungmin with his baby-looking face looked at Park Jungsu and asked calmly, "Hyung, what did you say to her that made her rush over to your place? Not to mention early in the morning. Or did she stay over at your place?"
"Yah! Lee Sungmin!" Park Jungsu said loudly. He could not believe what was happening to him. He continued saying, "She didn't stay over, she went home when--."
At that moment, everyone gasped, then jaws dropped further down and all at once they said in unison, "She went to your place at night too!?"
Park Jungsu was left speechless. It seemed as though he was sinking deeper and deeper into a quicksand - the more he speaks the deeper he sinks.
Just then, a notification sound came from Park Jungsu's phone. It was a message from Sora:
Oppa, what are you doing right now?
As soon as he saw the message from Sora, his face glowed with joy, ignoring all the questions being thrown at him by his dongsaengs. Everyone saw the sudden change on their hyung's face and they all gathered around him. "Hyung! Is it Sora-ssi?" asked Eunhyuk.
"Eunhyuk-ssi, she is our hyungsunim now," corrected Sungmin.
Park Jungsu tried to push them away and moved to a corner. He attempts to block the others from peeking by turning his back on them, but they all just peeked over his shoulders as he typed:
Just hangin out with my dongsaengs. Are you still at the dinner? Have you eaten yet?
Then a few seconds later, Sora replied:
So Donghae-ssi is with you then? ^^ Say hi to him for me. I'm still at the restaurant waiting for our food to come.
How about you? Have you eaten yet, oppa?
"Yes, I'm here, Sora-ssi! Hi!" said Donghae out loud even though Sora wouldn't be able to hear.
Park Jungsu turned and looked at Donghae and said, "Yah! Lee Donghae, you're invading my privacy right now."
"But hyung! Sora-ssi told you to say hi to me," whined Donghae with a pout on his face.
"That's right hyung! You have to do what uri hyungsunim tells you to do," said everyone else, all helping Donghae.
Park Jungsu tried to push them back with one of his arms and said, "Arraso, arraso...I'll tell her you all said hi."
Donghae quickly tapped on his hyung's shoulders, then points at his own self and the others and said, "Hyung! Take a picture of all us and send it to Sora-ssi."
Everyone agreed with Donghae and they all began to pose while Park Jungsu shakes his head and said, "Aish! You boys are really something..."
Before Park Jungsu pressed the capture button on his phone, they all quickly made a heart-shape with their arms.
Park Jungsu sent the picture to Sora with a message saying:
My boys said hi. ^^
"Hyungsunim, saranghae!" said Eunhyuk.
Then Park Jungsu’s eyes widened and said, "Yah...Eunhyuk, what do you mean saranghae?"
"Wae? I'm just showing my love for my sister-in-law," said Eunhyuk.
“Still, you shouldn’t say that,” said Park Jungsu, feeling a bit insecure when other men show interest in Sora, even if they are his close friends.
***
Back at the restaurant, Sora saw the picture on her phone and giggled happily as she replied:
Your dongsaengs are very cute.
Then the next second, another picture was sent over. It was a picture of Park Jungsu blowing a kiss with his hand. The moment Sora saw Park Jingsu's selca picture, she couldn't hold her happiness in and giggled out loud. She quickly pursed her lips together as soon as the others turned their eyes over to her.
"Mianhe," Sora apologized while tugging her hair back behind her ears.
Then her father gave her a look and said, "Sora-ah, don't just sit there and fiddle around with your phone, have a chat with Minho-ssi. The poor guy is sitting there all alone, give him some company."
Sora nodded and said, "Alright, let me finish typing this message first."
Her father's eyes widened and said, "Yah! Kang Sora, you shouldn't be on your phone in the first place, you..."
Director Choi laughed at the situation and tried to calm Chairman Kang down, "Old friend, just let the poor girl finish what she's doing. This is the trend of most young adults these days."
"Even so, they shouldn't be like this. It is such a bad habit to have," said Sora's father.
While her father was still distracted and before she gets lectured further, Sora quickly sends Park Jungsu a last message:
Oppa, I need to go now (^3^) <3 U <3
"So Sora-ssi, how are the preparations going for the upcoming event? Do you need any assistance?" Minho asked after taking a sip on his glass of water.
Sora perked up and quickly puts her phone away then said, "Oh, it's alright, thank you. It's going well so far, just need to perform a quick run through and test out the sound and lightings," she answered.
"I see, if that is the case, let me know if you need anything," said Minho with a gentle smile.
Sora chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I definitely will contact you if I need anything,"
Then Director Choi asked, "So Sora, do you plan on taking over the company after your father retires?"
Sora was surprised by the sudden question. She never actually thought of this before. All she ever did was just focus on her current work, but not something this far away.
"Well, to be honest, this never came up in my mind. I guess I'm quite busy these days with my work that I don't have much time to think about this," she answered.
"But would you?" asked Director Choi.
Sora chuckled and turned to her father. "Well, I don't think my father is ready to retire yet, am I right?"
"Well, you never know. I might want to retire in a few years and travel around the world with your mother. Right dear?" her father said, laughing.
Sora's mother smiled and said while lightly patting her hand on her husband's, "Of course, yeobo. Of course."
"So Minho-ssi," said Sora's father.
"Yes, sir?" answered Minho.
"With a man like you, with good looks and traits, you must have a girlfriend by now, right?" Sora's father asked.
Minho stroked his hair from behind and said shyly, "How embarrassing, I was too busy with my work overseas and here that I don't really have time to find a girlfriend."
"Oh? Really? Wow, then you're just like our Sora. She's also too caught up in work that she has no time to find a boyfriend," said Sora's father.
Sora quickly glanced over to her father and whispered, "Appa!" feeling embarrassed by the remark. However, her parents have no idea that she now has someone she's seeing and is currently in a relationship.
Director Choi chuckled and said, "Well, if that is your reason for not bringing home a daughter-in-law for me, then perhaps I should hire more staffs to help you so to lessen your workload and then you'll have time to find someone."
Sora's father laughed and said, "Perhaps I should do the same for our Sora too. Lessen her workload so she go out and meet more people." Her father looked at her.
"It's really alright, appa. I like how I'm doing right now and I do go out and meet people," said Sora.
"Is that so? You sure you're meeting the right people? Maybe you and Minho-ssi should get together more often since you two will have many more opportunities to work with each other."
Minho smiled and said, "Yes, I look forward to those opportunities too. It gives me great pleasure working with Sora-ssi."
Sora smiled and said, "Yes, I feel the same. That's why I'm sure we'll make great business partners." Her comment brought a bit of disappointment to Minho's face.
"What do you mean, Sora? I'm sure Minho-ssi would not only be a great business partner, but also a great son-in-law. I would like one just like him," said her father. "Wouldn't you think so, dear?" Sora's father said to her mother.
Her mother smiled and said, "Yes, of course. Even someone I met earlier today would make a great son-in-law too. But too bad he's already got a girlfriend."
"Well, then we can forget about that person. Minho-ssi is my ideal son-in-law," said Sora's father while giving Minho a wink.
"Don't mind me if I say this too, but I think Sora would make a great daughter-in-law too," said Director Choi, who was laughing happily.
Sora's father laughed in agreement, while Sora felt uneasy from the conversation. Sora's mother saw the tensed look on her daughter's face and said, "Well, I think the children can decide this on their own. So why don't we put this matter aside for now."
Sora felt a bit relieved after her mother stepped into the conversation, but she didn't thought her mother would say such thing as she was always the one asking her if she'd found someone yet and urging her to get married soon. What her mother just said, made her realized that no matter how much her mother wants her to get married, she still wants her daughter to marry someone whom she loves.
After the dinner, both parties bid each other goodbye and hope to have dinner together again soon. When Director Choi and Minho went their way, Sora and her parents were left waiting for their driver to come around.
As their driver was pulling in to the roundabout of the restaurant, Sora turned to her father and said, "Appa, I can’t believe you said that back there. What do you mean Minho-ssi is your ideal son-in-law?"
"What is wrong with what I said back there?" her father asked while they all got into the car.
"Back there you were totally giving off the impression that you want me to marry Minho-ssi," Sora said to her father.
"That's good then, you got my intention. What's wrong with Minho-ssi? He has a lot of good traits and his father is my good old friend," said her father.
"That’s exactly my point. Just because Director Choi is your friend, that doesn’t mean I should marry his son to deepen the relationship that you and him already have. It may be what you want, but not me. I believe I have the right to decide who I want to be with and who I will marry. Not you appa, not you," Sora upsettingly said with a bit of teary eyes as she looked outside the window.
"Well, I am doing this for your own good," said her father.
"How’s it for my own good when you’re the one who wants me to marry someone I don't have feelings for," said Sora.
"Sora, you will...," before her father can continue, her mother interrupted and said, "Aish..., will the both of you stop arguing. Yeobo, just give Sora some time to consider. And Sora-ah, you shouldn't talk to your appa like that. He’s only doing this, because he cares and loves you."
"Ne..." Sora replied unwillingly.
The car finally arrived at Sora's place and she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"I'll go back in now. Goodnight," Sora said to her parents.
"Ne, take care Sora-ah," said her mother while her father remained silent as he was still a bit upset from earlier.
Sora got out of the car and entered her building.
Inside her parents' car, there was a sudden vibrating sound coming from the backseat. It was Sora's phone and there were a few incoming message notifications. Sora's mother picked up the phone and was surprised by the messages she saw on her daughter's phone that read:
Are you home yet? Call me when you see this.
I miss U. Let's meet up later.
What was more to her surprise was not just then content of the message, but the person in the display picture who sent it.
"Hmm?" Sora looked up from the pile of work on her desk.
Melissa giving her a disbelieving look and reminded, "Don't you have a dinner appointment to go to tonight with your parents?"
Sora let out a sigh as she tugged her long hair behind her ears and said, "I know...but I'm not that fond in going anyways. I have so many things to finish up."
Melissa leaned forward, placing her hands on Sora's table with her tablet in one hand and said, "Well, would you rather do an overnight here for the next few days or get nagged by the Chairmen for showing up late at the dinner?"
Sora leaned back on her chair closing her eyes and sighed again. "You know exactly which one I'd rather have," Sora replied.
Melissa chuckled but then gave Sora a suspicious look and asked, "By the way, why were you late coming to the office today? I mean, usually when you're late, you wouldn't be this late in coming in or else you would have just taken the day off."
Sora opened one eye, peeping at Melissa and then sat up from her chair. "Well, I had to meet up with a client this morning," Sora answered.
"A client?" said Melissa who was looking oblivious. "But, there wasn't any appointment scheduled here," said Melissa as she frantically swipes her fingers on her tablet.
Sora saw how Melissa was reacting and tried to keep her laughter in by pursing her lips together. However, Sora was unaware that her face had turned slightly pink when she answered Melissa's question.
Melissa stopped her fiddling and turned her attention to Sora. "Wait a minute! Why is your face blushing like that? You didn't go meet a client did you?"
Sora composed herself by putting on a serious face and said, "I did. The client called me this morning for an urgent meeting," cleaning up her desk.
"Urgent meeting, huh? If it was so urgent, how come when you arrived at the office today, you were smiling like someone who had just come back from a happy date?" Melissa asked.
At that instance, Sora blushed even more and tried to hide those burning cheeks of hers with her hands. "Melissa, I think you're thinking too much," she said.
At that moment, Melissa could tell that Sora was hiding something from her and asked, "Am I now…? So were you meeting President Park alone at his or your place?"
Sora quickly answered, "We weren't alone, his mother was--." She stopped the instant she knew she just exposed herself.
Melissa on the other hand smirked to Sora's instant slip of the tongue and then said, "Hah! I knew it!" while pointing at Sora.
"How did you know it was him?" Sora asked while blushing.
"Who else would it be? I mean, most of your clients would call the office to arrange a meeting with you, which I would know since it's part of my job," explained Melissa.
"Still, I could've arranged it myself," said Sora, still trying to defend herself.
Melissa chuckled and said, "True, but from your past record, you have never arrange any meetings this early in the morning before. Usually, you're still in bed," Melissa chuckled again, "plus, who would ask you to meet them during these types of hours other than President Park, who for the past record has forced you to meet him during the most unreasonable time."
Sora was left speechless after Melissa's thorough analysis. Before Sora can say something else, Melissa continued with her curiosity and asked, "When did you guys started dating? Will I be helping with any engagement party soon?"
"What are you talking about, Melissa? What do you mean engagement party? We're not even at the stage to discuss marriage," argued Sora.
"What am I talking about? You even met his mother for crying out loud," said Melissa excitingly.
"Just because I met his mother does not mean we're meeting the in-laws and getting married. Besides, we just started not so long ago and marriage is way too early," explained Sora, who was finishing her last bits of cleaning.
"True, but that doesn't mean you can't be the first one to do that, right? Oh my God! I'm so happy for you, Sora!" Melissa said while clapping her hands with excitement.
"Calm yourself, Melissa," Sora said with a smile, feeling happy with Melissa's blessing.
However, not so long after, Melissa asked, "Wait. Does the Chairman know about this?"
Sora stood up from her chair, getting her things ready while looking at Melissa and said, "Nope and don't you go telling him or Victor oppa, okay?"
"Of course I won't, but..." said Melissa with hesitance.
Sora stopped and looked at Melissa. "What is it?" she asked.
"The dinner you're attending tonight, it wouldn't be just a normal dinner, would it?" asked Melissa.
"Of course it would be!…I hope…" said Sora, who was also a bit worried but had no choice but to attend. Her parents have been nagging her for a long while to find someone and get married since her last relationship. She bid Melissa farewell and went inside the lift. There she was, thinking that she should be the one deciding who and when she will marry. She doesn't understand why her parents want her to get married as soon as possible. "Could it be that they are so eager to send their own daughter away?" was what went on in her mind.
However, before she can come up with more thoughts, she already arrived at the lobby, where Victor was waiting.
Victor noticed the troubled look on Sora's face and said, "Now who could it be that made our Princess Sora looking like that?"
Sora looked at Victor and said, "No one, I was just thinking about something. Don't worry."
But Victor could still see the troublesome look on her face and said, "You know if you continue looking like that, you'll turn into a St Bernard dog." His comment brought Sora into a frenzy.
"What do you mean by a 'St. Bernard' ?" she asked.
"Oh? You don't know?" he said, bringing her to a reflective metal piece on the wall and had her face it.
"What are you doing, oppa?" she asked.
"Look! If we pull these cheeks of yours down like this and with those wrinkles on your forehead, you'll look just like a St Bernard. See? Except, you're a beautiful one," said Victor while laughing.
Sora frowned while quickly giving Victor a slap on the arm and complained, "Yah! No, I don't look like one!" Then both burst out into laughter.
"That's more like it. Remember to keep smiling, okay?" said Victor.
Sora nodded with a smile and said, "Arasso, oppa. Gomawo."
Victor returned the smile and said, "Well, shall we get going then? Your father should be waiting at the restaurant with your mother already."
"Yeah, let's go. But I don't even know why I have to attend when it's my father's get-together with Director Choi." she said while getting into the car.
"Perhaps, you'll know soon enough when you get there," said Victor, who was starting up the engine.
"You sound like you know something," said Sora, sensing that Victor may know the purpose of tonight's dinner.
"Do I? You think so?" Victor said with a chuckle, acting oblivious.
When they arrived in front of the restaurant, Victor stopped the engine and turned to Sora who sat in the passenger seat. "Sora…" he said hesitatingly.
Sora looked at Victor and said, "Hmm? What is it?"
Victor couldn't find the proper words to explain to Sora. "Whatever happens tonight, just don't take it too much to heart," he said.
Sora gave Victor a piercing look and said, "From the way you're telling me this, I feel like I should just skip tonight's dinner."
Victor looked at the restaurant then at Sora and said, "Well, whether you go in or not, it might not change anything."
Sora looked confused and asked, "Oppa, what are you talking about? Anyways, I'll be late if I don't go in now. You know my appa, he'll lecture for a long time if I'm late. See you later."
Sora got out of the car and rushed inside the restaurant. Victor, on the other hand, watched as she went inside and said to himself, "No matter what, you should be able to choose who you want to be with. Stay strong, Sora-ah."
***
Inside the restaurant, Sora's parents were already seated inside one of the VIP rooms in the restaurant. The manager escorted Sora inside where she then greeted her parents, "Anyeong, abeoji and eomoni."
"Good thing you're earlier than Director Choi. Hurry and have a seat," said her father.
"Stop rushing our Sora-ah," her mother said to her father. "Take a seat here, Sora-ah," she said to Sora while placing her hand on Sora's arm.
Sora smiled at her mother, then turned to her father and said, "Appa, I still don't see why I need to be here."
Her father raised his eyebrows, then smiled gently at Sora and said, "You'll know soon enough my dear Sora-ah."
Just then, Director Choi and Minho arrived at the restaurant. Sora's family stood up to greet them and all sat down shortly after.
***
Meanwhile, Park Jungsu arrived at the lounge where Donghae, Eunhyuk, Sungmin and Siwon were waiting.
"Eh...Look who's finally here. It's our Teuk hyung, Park Jungsu-ssi," said Eunhyuk.
"Nice to see you too, Eunhyuk-ssi," said Park Jungsu.
Then Donghae threw his arm around Park Jungsu's shoulders from behind and said, "Hyung! What took you so long to get here?"
"I was caught up in something earlier," he answered.
"Work or something else, hyung?" Siwon asked with a sneaky smirk.
"I was helping a poor lady catching a thief," Park Jungsu explained.
Everyone paused while staring at Park Jungsu in shock.
"Wae? Is it that shocking?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Well, it's kind of hard to imagine the President and CEO of JSE would go around chasing robbers," said Eunhyuk, laughing.
"Yah! Eunhyuk-ssi, our hyung is doing justice for the poor lady so we should show some respect," said Sungmin who was flipping through a fashion magazine.
"Hyung, you should have called Siwon to help. I mean, he's an expert in Taekwondo, right Siwon?" said Donghae.
Siwon gave his killer smile and said, "Donghae-hyung, don't belittle our Teuk-hyung here.
He's got a black belt too. He could have advanced to the Nationals if he hadn't gotten into that car accident a few years back."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Hey hyung, maybe you and Siwon should teach me a few moves so I can impress some ladies with it," joked Donghae.
They all chuckled at Donghae while shaking their heads.
"Wae? You don't think I have potential?" Donghae jokingly asked.
"Hey Donghae, didn't you have an eye on Miss Fast and Furious?" asked Siwon.
"You mean Sora-ssi? Nah, it seems that I'm not her type. But that being said, we make good friends though," said Donghae.
That instant, Park Jungsu felt a bit unease as he knew that Donghae was interested in Sora, the same as he was except that she is currently his girlfriend. He understands that he should tell Donghae about, but is unsure how he would react to it. No matter what, he feels that Donghae has the right to know.
"Donghae, may I have a word with you?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Yeah, sure thing hyung," replied Donghae. Both went outside to the open patio.
"So what is it, hyung? Why you look so troubled? Did something happen?"
Park Jungsu looked at the city lights ahead and let out a sigh. "There is something I need to tell you," he said.
"Alright, but why you sound so serious?" asked Donghae.
"Well, it's about Sora," said Park Jungsu.
Donghae wrinkled his eyebrows as he continued to listen.
"God! How should I tell you this? Sora, she is..." said Park Jungsu, who was struggling to get his words out.
"She is what, hyung? Is she ill or something?" asked Donghae.
"No, it's not that. It's...it's..." Park Jungsu hesitated.
"Oh, come on hyung! Just tell me already!" said Donghae eagerly.
"I'm in a relationship with Sora," Park Jungsu finally said.
Donghae looked at him without saying anything for a moment.
Park Jungsu saw the look on Donghae's face and said, "Look Donghae-ah, I've been meaning to tell you but...but I didn't know how I should tell you. I'm sorry."
Donghae remained silent for another few seconds, then took out his iPhone and took a quick snapshot of his hyung's face. He then burst out into laughter and said, "Oh my goodness, hyung! Your face just now looks hilarious! And you're willing to apologize because of Sora-ssi?" Donghae clapped his hand in amazement.
"You're not angry with me?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Of course I am, hyung. But not because you're going out with Sora-ssi, but because you didn't tell me earlier," said Donghae.
"So...you don't feel sad or anything?" Park Jungsu asked.
"Of course not, hyung! To be honest, I can kind of guess you were interested in Sora-ssi," said Donghae while looking onto the city lights ahead.
"You can? How?" asked Park Jungsu, who was a bit shock from Donghae's statement.
Donghae chuckled and said, "I may act like a kid sometimes, but that doesn't mean I'm oblivious in everything. I mean from the time at the department store, when I saw you buy the handbag - I sort of got a sense that it's for Sora-ssi."
"That's not possible. I remember telling you that it's for a business affiliate and I could have other female affiliates," protested Park Jungsu.
Donghae snorted and said, "Come on, hyung. Everyone knows that you don't deal much with that many female affiliates and with the ones you do deal with are usually old ahjummas. Clearly, you wouldn't go and buy an old ahjumma a handbag like the one you bought. The brand and style of that handbag are for the pretty young ladies. So the only person that qualifies in your 'business affiliate' category, who is young and beautiful is Sora-ssi."
Park Jungsu was amazed at how Donghae was able to analyze and make such remarks based on observation.
"And how did you know the brand and style of that handbag I bought?" asked Park Jungsu, who was still in disbelief.
"Hyung, you really don't believe me that I know, do you? I saw the paper bag and the product name on your receipt," explained Donghae, who place his hand on Park Jungsu's shoulder while both walked back to the room.
Once they entered back inside, everyone else was curious as to what the two were talking about outside.
"You're really okay with this, right? You're not angry at all?" asked Park Jungsu, still trying to get confirmation from Donghae.
Donghae stopped and crossed his arms while looking at Park Jungsu with disbelief. "If you're going to keep asking me like that, then for sure I'll get angry. Geez, hyung! Even Sora-ssi isn't as naggy as you," said Donghae.
Then everyone else was staring silently at the two, listening tentatively to their conversation.
"You met up with Sora? When?" asked Park Jungsu.
"I met up with her this morning at her place," answered Donghae in a teasing way, but he didn't thought his hyung would spill the beans himself in front of all his dongsaengs.
"That's impossible! She was with me this morning!" Park Jungsu blurted out loud.
The room was in total silence, where everyone's jaws dropped. Even Sungmin, who is always minding his own business, dropped the magazine on the floor.
"Hyung! You mean you brought Sora-ssi to your place? But you never let any women visit your place other than your eomoni and noona!" said Donghae in shock.
"Hyung, you're in a relationship and you didn't tell us? When did it happen? You even brought her home?" asked Siwon.
"Yah! It's not like that! She came over when she thought something happened to me," said Park Jungsu, trying hard to clear up the situation. However, once the boys get their hands on matters like this, they won't give up until they get their answers.
"Come on hyung, what can possibly happen to a full grown man like you?" Eunhyuk remarked.
"Yeah! The thing we want to know is what you both did that early in the morning," asked Siwon.
"Oh come on, nothing happened. Help me here, Sungmin-ah," pleaded Park Jungsu.
Sungmin with his baby-looking face looked at Park Jungsu and asked calmly, "Hyung, what did you say to her that made her rush over to your place? Not to mention early in the morning. Or did she stay over at your place?"
"Yah! Lee Sungmin!" Park Jungsu said loudly. He could not believe what was happening to him. He continued saying, "She didn't stay over, she went home when--."
At that moment, everyone gasped, then jaws dropped further down and all at once they said in unison, "She went to your place at night too!?"
Park Jungsu was left speechless. It seemed as though he was sinking deeper and deeper into a quicksand - the more he speaks the deeper he sinks.
Just then, a notification sound came from Park Jungsu's phone. It was a message from Sora:
Oppa, what are you doing right now?
As soon as he saw the message from Sora, his face glowed with joy, ignoring all the questions being thrown at him by his dongsaengs. Everyone saw the sudden change on their hyung's face and they all gathered around him. "Hyung! Is it Sora-ssi?" asked Eunhyuk.
"Eunhyuk-ssi, she is our hyungsunim now," corrected Sungmin.
Park Jungsu tried to push them away and moved to a corner. He attempts to block the others from peeking by turning his back on them, but they all just peeked over his shoulders as he typed:
Just hangin out with my dongsaengs. Are you still at the dinner? Have you eaten yet?
Then a few seconds later, Sora replied:
So Donghae-ssi is with you then? ^^ Say hi to him for me. I'm still at the restaurant waiting for our food to come.
How about you? Have you eaten yet, oppa?
"Yes, I'm here, Sora-ssi! Hi!" said Donghae out loud even though Sora wouldn't be able to hear.
Park Jungsu turned and looked at Donghae and said, "Yah! Lee Donghae, you're invading my privacy right now."
"But hyung! Sora-ssi told you to say hi to me," whined Donghae with a pout on his face.
"That's right hyung! You have to do what uri hyungsunim tells you to do," said everyone else, all helping Donghae.
Park Jungsu tried to push them back with one of his arms and said, "Arraso, arraso...I'll tell her you all said hi."
Donghae quickly tapped on his hyung's shoulders, then points at his own self and the others and said, "Hyung! Take a picture of all us and send it to Sora-ssi."
Everyone agreed with Donghae and they all began to pose while Park Jungsu shakes his head and said, "Aish! You boys are really something..."
Before Park Jungsu pressed the capture button on his phone, they all quickly made a heart-shape with their arms.
Park Jungsu sent the picture to Sora with a message saying:
My boys said hi. ^^
"Hyungsunim, saranghae!" said Eunhyuk.
Then Park Jungsu’s eyes widened and said, "Yah...Eunhyuk, what do you mean saranghae?"
"Wae? I'm just showing my love for my sister-in-law," said Eunhyuk.
“Still, you shouldn’t say that,” said Park Jungsu, feeling a bit insecure when other men show interest in Sora, even if they are his close friends.
***
Back at the restaurant, Sora saw the picture on her phone and giggled happily as she replied:
Your dongsaengs are very cute.
Then the next second, another picture was sent over. It was a picture of Park Jungsu blowing a kiss with his hand. The moment Sora saw Park Jingsu's selca picture, she couldn't hold her happiness in and giggled out loud. She quickly pursed her lips together as soon as the others turned their eyes over to her.
"Mianhe," Sora apologized while tugging her hair back behind her ears.
Then her father gave her a look and said, "Sora-ah, don't just sit there and fiddle around with your phone, have a chat with Minho-ssi. The poor guy is sitting there all alone, give him some company."
Sora nodded and said, "Alright, let me finish typing this message first."
Her father's eyes widened and said, "Yah! Kang Sora, you shouldn't be on your phone in the first place, you..."
Director Choi laughed at the situation and tried to calm Chairman Kang down, "Old friend, just let the poor girl finish what she's doing. This is the trend of most young adults these days."
"Even so, they shouldn't be like this. It is such a bad habit to have," said Sora's father.
While her father was still distracted and before she gets lectured further, Sora quickly sends Park Jungsu a last message:
Oppa, I need to go now (^3^) <3 U <3
"So Sora-ssi, how are the preparations going for the upcoming event? Do you need any assistance?" Minho asked after taking a sip on his glass of water.
Sora perked up and quickly puts her phone away then said, "Oh, it's alright, thank you. It's going well so far, just need to perform a quick run through and test out the sound and lightings," she answered.
"I see, if that is the case, let me know if you need anything," said Minho with a gentle smile.
Sora chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I definitely will contact you if I need anything,"
Then Director Choi asked, "So Sora, do you plan on taking over the company after your father retires?"
Sora was surprised by the sudden question. She never actually thought of this before. All she ever did was just focus on her current work, but not something this far away.
"Well, to be honest, this never came up in my mind. I guess I'm quite busy these days with my work that I don't have much time to think about this," she answered.
"But would you?" asked Director Choi.
Sora chuckled and turned to her father. "Well, I don't think my father is ready to retire yet, am I right?"
"Well, you never know. I might want to retire in a few years and travel around the world with your mother. Right dear?" her father said, laughing.
Sora's mother smiled and said while lightly patting her hand on her husband's, "Of course, yeobo. Of course."
"So Minho-ssi," said Sora's father.
"Yes, sir?" answered Minho.
"With a man like you, with good looks and traits, you must have a girlfriend by now, right?" Sora's father asked.
Minho stroked his hair from behind and said shyly, "How embarrassing, I was too busy with my work overseas and here that I don't really have time to find a girlfriend."
"Oh? Really? Wow, then you're just like our Sora. She's also too caught up in work that she has no time to find a boyfriend," said Sora's father.
Sora quickly glanced over to her father and whispered, "Appa!" feeling embarrassed by the remark. However, her parents have no idea that she now has someone she's seeing and is currently in a relationship.
Director Choi chuckled and said, "Well, if that is your reason for not bringing home a daughter-in-law for me, then perhaps I should hire more staffs to help you so to lessen your workload and then you'll have time to find someone."
Sora's father laughed and said, "Perhaps I should do the same for our Sora too. Lessen her workload so she go out and meet more people." Her father looked at her.
"It's really alright, appa. I like how I'm doing right now and I do go out and meet people," said Sora.
"Is that so? You sure you're meeting the right people? Maybe you and Minho-ssi should get together more often since you two will have many more opportunities to work with each other."
Minho smiled and said, "Yes, I look forward to those opportunities too. It gives me great pleasure working with Sora-ssi."
Sora smiled and said, "Yes, I feel the same. That's why I'm sure we'll make great business partners." Her comment brought a bit of disappointment to Minho's face.
"What do you mean, Sora? I'm sure Minho-ssi would not only be a great business partner, but also a great son-in-law. I would like one just like him," said her father. "Wouldn't you think so, dear?" Sora's father said to her mother.
Her mother smiled and said, "Yes, of course. Even someone I met earlier today would make a great son-in-law too. But too bad he's already got a girlfriend."
"Well, then we can forget about that person. Minho-ssi is my ideal son-in-law," said Sora's father while giving Minho a wink.
"Don't mind me if I say this too, but I think Sora would make a great daughter-in-law too," said Director Choi, who was laughing happily.
Sora's father laughed in agreement, while Sora felt uneasy from the conversation. Sora's mother saw the tensed look on her daughter's face and said, "Well, I think the children can decide this on their own. So why don't we put this matter aside for now."
Sora felt a bit relieved after her mother stepped into the conversation, but she didn't thought her mother would say such thing as she was always the one asking her if she'd found someone yet and urging her to get married soon. What her mother just said, made her realized that no matter how much her mother wants her to get married, she still wants her daughter to marry someone whom she loves.
After the dinner, both parties bid each other goodbye and hope to have dinner together again soon. When Director Choi and Minho went their way, Sora and her parents were left waiting for their driver to come around.
As their driver was pulling in to the roundabout of the restaurant, Sora turned to her father and said, "Appa, I can’t believe you said that back there. What do you mean Minho-ssi is your ideal son-in-law?"
"What is wrong with what I said back there?" her father asked while they all got into the car.
"Back there you were totally giving off the impression that you want me to marry Minho-ssi," Sora said to her father.
"That's good then, you got my intention. What's wrong with Minho-ssi? He has a lot of good traits and his father is my good old friend," said her father.
"That’s exactly my point. Just because Director Choi is your friend, that doesn’t mean I should marry his son to deepen the relationship that you and him already have. It may be what you want, but not me. I believe I have the right to decide who I want to be with and who I will marry. Not you appa, not you," Sora upsettingly said with a bit of teary eyes as she looked outside the window.
"Well, I am doing this for your own good," said her father.
"How’s it for my own good when you’re the one who wants me to marry someone I don't have feelings for," said Sora.
"Sora, you will...," before her father can continue, her mother interrupted and said, "Aish..., will the both of you stop arguing. Yeobo, just give Sora some time to consider. And Sora-ah, you shouldn't talk to your appa like that. He’s only doing this, because he cares and loves you."
"Ne..." Sora replied unwillingly.
The car finally arrived at Sora's place and she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"I'll go back in now. Goodnight," Sora said to her parents.
"Ne, take care Sora-ah," said her mother while her father remained silent as he was still a bit upset from earlier.
Sora got out of the car and entered her building.
Inside her parents' car, there was a sudden vibrating sound coming from the backseat. It was Sora's phone and there were a few incoming message notifications. Sora's mother picked up the phone and was surprised by the messages she saw on her daughter's phone that read:
Are you home yet? Call me when you see this.
I miss U. Let's meet up later.
What was more to her surprise was not just then content of the message, but the person in the display picture who sent it.