The next morning, Vina woke up feeling like a lottery winner. It was over. It was really over. She grinned as she stretched her arms above her head. No more having to go to dates with random men she wasn’t in the least bit interested in. She pushed the covers away and sat up in her bed. Who would’ve thought that Mr. Eavesdropper could go from being her arch nemesis to her co-conspirator. Very Game of Thrones-esque.
Grinning, she clambered off the bed and headed to the window. With a yank, she drew open the curtains. Since it was just five a.m., the sun wasn’t out yet and yawning darkness met her. Usually that would’ve been enough to make her frown since by nature she wasn’t an early riser – but today she was all smiles. Thanks to Orion.
Oh, Orion! She’d kiss him if he was here. Obviously, she was going to miss the dressing up part of her dates, but getting to do stuff that she actually liked doing more than made up for the loss of her budding acting career. She headed to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before coming back to the bedroom to change into casual clothes.
Despite the early hour, the kitchen light was on. Vina wasn’t surprised. Her mother Na-ri always woke up early and before anyone else in their family. When she was younger, Vina had thought that it was out of habit. Now she knew better. Na-ri had no other choice.
When Vina pushed the door open, the sound of rushing water met her. A brief look around the kitchen and she found her mother at the sink washing fruits. The moment Vina stepped into the kitchen Na-ri turned. Immediately, a smile split her face and she greeted, “Morning.”
Despite the early hour, Na-ri already looked tired. She always looked tired. Most people assumed that she was in her early sixties because of her grey hair, droopy eyes, premature wrinkles and the general ‘I’m so tired of life’ vibe the she gave off. Jaws dropped when she revealed that she’d just turned fifty.
“Morning.” Vina closed the distance between them and gave her mother a back hug.
“How many times have I told you not to wake up so early?” Na-ri complained as she glared at her daughter. “No wonder you’re always so tired at work.”
“Do you really expect me to sleep comfortably while you’re slaving away here alone?” She bumped her hip against her mother’s. “Go. I’ll wash these for you.”
“I was just about to finish,” Na-ri protested.
“You’ve had enough cold water for today,” Vina said as she took over the washing of the fruits. Despite her young age, Na-ri suffered aches in her joints, similar to those experienced by people much older than her. Cold days like these were especially hard on her because they left her fingers feeling stiff and painful.
Na-ri moved towards the cooker to start on the soybean -paste stew while Vina finished washing the fruits then cut them up in readiness for breakfast. The mother-daughter team worked together swiftly to prepare breakfast before moving on to cleaning the house. By the time Vina’s grandmother, Doo-shim, came down the stairs and entered the kitchen at around seven-thirty, the other two women were wrapping up with the cleaning.
Unlike Na-ri, Doo-shim looked much younger than her age. At eighty-four, she still exuded youth and vitality. The elderly woman had dyed her short hair a soft shade of auburn that left her looking much younger. Though she had the requisite wrinkles, her skin glowed with health. Despite the early hour of the morning, the older woman was already dressed for the day and had even applied a little makeup.
Without even a good morning, she started in on Na-ri. “You’ve not set the table yet?”
“I was just about to set it,” Na-ri said, spooning some stew into a dish. “It will be done in five minutes.”
“It will be done, it will be done,” the older woman mimicked sarcastically. “How many times have I told you that breakfast should be on the table by the time we wake up?”
Immediate annoyance bubbled inside Vina, and she paused in spooning rice into their respective bowls. Instinct told her to defend her mothe but common sense held her back. Defending her mother against her grandmother would only make the older woman angrier and blow this up into more than it already was.
“Sorry,” Na-ri apologized without even looking at the woman. “Just five minutes.”
Doo-shim tsked disapprovingly before turning her attention to her grand-daughter. Her expression immediately changed into one of delight. “Im-na?”
“Yes?” Vina responded to her Korean name.
“Good-morning,” her grandmother trilled with a smile.
Vina forced a smile as she greeted, “Good morning, Halmeoni. Did you sleep well?”
“I slept well. Why are you up so early?” Doo-shim shot a baleful look at Na-ri. “Did she wake you up to help her?”
“No. Of course not,” Vina quickly said. “I just ended up waking up early so I thought I should come down and help mom.”
“You’re such a lucky woman.” Doo-shim shook her head as she glared at Na-ri. “You have a good husband who provides everything for you and a good daughter who does everything you’re supposed to do. You’re a very lucky woman.”
Na-ri didn’t say anything to defend herself. She just carried the dish filled with stew out of the kitchen. Vina sighed as she watched her mother leave. Just once… she wished her mother would speak up for herself just once.
Minutes later, Na-ri and Vina were done setting the table. Just in time too because Vina’s father, Min-kyu, chose that moment to make his appearance. There was reason Vina had code-named her dad as Mr. Frost in her diary and it wasn’t just because of his shockingly white hair.
The codename had more to do with his general manner. Min-kyu was not and had never been a warm man. She couldn’t remember once being hugged by him, and the smiles he offered to her and other people always seemed fake. Like what he really want to do was growl. His coldness seemed to seep out of him like a frightening scent. Even now, the mood in the dining room seemed to get icier at his entrance.
“Good-morning,” he greeted gruffly.
“Good morning,” all the women greeted. Na-ri rushed to the head of the table to pull out his seat for him. Without even a good-morning to her, he settled in.
“Did you sleep well?” Doo-shim answered, her mood having noticeably mellowed now that her son was in the room.
“Mm.” He nodded. “What about you?”
Judging by the number of participants in the conversation at the table, one would’ve thought that it was just Doo-shim and Min-kyu who were there. Vina focused on finishing her breakfast as fast as possible, while Na-ri quietly and efficiently moved around the table and the kitchen serving Min-kyu and Doo-shim.
Doo-shim winced when she tasted the stew. “Did you even put salt here?” She motioned to Na-ri who was plating some more rice into Min-kyu’s bowl. “Salt.”
The salt itself was hardly an arms-length away from the older woman. All she had to do was stretch her hand. It’s right there, Vina wanted to say, but she held her tongue and instead rose from her seat. “I’ll get it for you.”
This was how they lived. Min-kyu and Doo-shim gave out orders like royalty while Na-ri, their servant, scrambled around trying to fulfill them. Often she didn’t even get to eat her own food. Not that they cared.
Though seeing her mother being worked like a donkey bothered Vina, the lack of appreciation annoyed her even more. Na-ri did everything in the house, everything. She cooked every meal, did laundry, cleaned and maintained the five bedroom house without the help of a housekeeper, made sure Doo-shim was healthy by keeping track of all the doctors’ visit and medications the elderly woman needed, managed the household accounts, hosted events for Min-kyu’s workmates and guests, and more – a lot more. Yet these two tyrants acted like it didn’t count.
To hear them talk a stranger would’ve assumed that all Na-ri did was watch soap operas all day and spend Min-kyu’s money. Vina wished more than anything that she could yank her mother away from this hard life. But she knew that she couldn’t. Na-ri would never leave Min-kyu. Not in a thousand years.
Vina was just about done with her breakfast when her father turned his attention to her.
“How are the dates going?” His wintery bespectacled gaze settled on her. “Have you found someone yet?”
That didn’t take long, Vina thought wearily.
“We’re working on it,” Doo-shim quickly cut in before Vina could answer. “She has another date this Tuesday.”
“Another date?” Min-kyu frowned. “She’s always going to meet these men and none of them have taken her. What is wrong?”
“There’s nothing wrong,” Doo-shim said. “These things just take time.”
“Well, it better not take any more time. She is already too old.”
Maybe if Vina was just meeting her father for the first time, his callous words would’ve shocked her, but they didn’t. She was used to his bluntness. She put her spoon down and said, “Actually, I’ve met someone.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to her, some more surprised than others.
“You have?” Doo-shim’s eyes were wide, round and twinkled with her excitement. “Is it the man you went out with yesterday?”
“No. That one didn’t come back.” Steeling herself for the barrage of questions that would follow soon, Vina continued, “I actually met someone while I was at the hotel.”
“Who?” Her grandmother’s excitement was replaced by a frown. “It’s not some foreigner is it?” Even though they were the immigrants here, Doo-shim still considered everyone who wasn’t Korean as a foreigner.
“He’s Korean like us,” Vina said, aware that even though Na-ri hadn’t said anything she was listening to the conversation keenly.
“What does his father do?” Min-huyk asked predictably. Like his mother, he believed that family background and wealth were far more important than personality when selecting a mate.
“His father is dead,” Vina said. Doo-shim and Min-kyu at the table instantly frowned, so she quickly added, “But you know him. Lee Sang-joon. The actor who died in a plane crash.”
“Lee Sang-joon? I don’t know him.” Doo-shim frowned.
“Lee Sang-joon. Lee Sang-joon,” Min-kyu tested the name on his tongue for a while before his eyes lit up with recollection. “Lee Sang-joon. Eomoni, you know him. He was the main actor in The Confessor.”
“The Confessor? The Confessor?” Doo-shim paused for a moment before her eyes lit up too. Excitement in her voice, she asked, “That handsome man priest who used to make bad men confess their sins then kill them?”
Min-kyu nodded. “That’s the one.”
Instantly, the mood in the room lifted. One would’ve thought that Vina had brought the president home. She fielded questions about Orion and his family; why were they in the US, what was his mother up to these days, what was Orion’s career, did he look wealthy – the usual. As predicted, Orion was exactly the kind of son-in-law they were looking for. Except for one little issue…
“Twenty-nine?” Her father’s eyebrows shot up. “Does he know that you’re two years older than him?”
Vina nodded. “He knows.”
“Then what’s wrong with him.” Min-kyu pursed his lips. “Why isn’t he looking for a younger girl?”
Wow! Vina stared at her father. Was this man really her father or was she adopted?
“Im-na isn’t that old,” Doo-shim defended Vina. “And she is very beautiful.”
Min-kyu gave Vina a slow up and down onceover. The skepticism in his eyes said he wasn’t convinced about the beautiful part. Frowning, he said, “Maybe he is after our money. Maybe his mother already consumed all his father’s property and they’re broke.”
“Dad!” Vina exclaimed, feeling scandalized and insulted.
Min-kyu went on, “We’ll have to do a background check.”
“You don’t need to do that,” Vina protested.
Acting as if his daughter wasn’t even in the room, Min-kyu turned to his mother, “You’ll handle it, right?”
“Abeoji!” Vina protested. But her protests went unnoticed.
“Don’t worry,” Doo-shim reassured. “I’ll make sure he’s decent.”
Seriously! Frustration bit at Vina’s nerves as she headed to work. Her family were beyond ridiculous. No, they were money-hungry and unashamed of it. Did they really expect her to lure some poor man into the toxicity that was their family? No way. Thank God for Orion because she couldn’t imagine putting someone she was really into through their nonsense. Speaking of… she dialed his number.
He picked up on the first ring. “Hello?”
For some reason, hearing his masculine deep voice sent immediate warmth trickling through her and the muscles in her stomach tightened. Despite her weird reaction to the sound of his voice, , she greeted chirpily, “Good morning. It’s Vina.”
She heard the smile in his voice as he greeted, “Morning to you too.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you up.”
“It’s already nine a.m. I’m not that lazy.” He chuckled. “What can I help you with, Alvina?”
“I’m just checking.”
“Checking what?”
“That-” She paused as a sudden bout of nervousness shot through her. “That you’re still in.”
Orion hesitated, long enough that she started to mentally question herself. Did he not understand what she was asking? Or was he hesitating because he’d changed him mind?
Please say you’re still in, she mentally pleaded, her grip on her phone tightening.
“I’m still in,” he assured her softly.
Yesss. She pumped her fist in the air as unexplainable relief rushed through her. The game was on.
TO BE HONEST, Orion woken up this morning reeling in doubt. Was he really going to fake a relationship just to keep his mother off his back? Crazy! When he’d picked up Vina’s call, he’d intended to tell her that he wasn’t going to do it. However, hearing the desperation and nervousness in her voice had weakened him. So here he was - in a fake relationship.
He sighed mentally before asking, “What day did you want to have our first date?”
“I’m usually off on Tuesdays and Sunday afternoons,” Vina said into the phone, her relief at his acquiescence palpable. “What day do you prefer?”
“Either is okay, but I usually prefer to sleep in on Sunday.”
“Okay, Tuesdays it is,” she agreed readily before offering, “So next Tuesday?”
“Sure. Next Tuesday is good.” He parked his car into his parking spot. “Since we’re having real dates because of my situation, why don’t we do what you’d like to do first?”
“You want me to choose the activity?” Vina asked.
“Yeah.” He got out of his car then started towards the entrance of the building that housed his company.
“Mm.” She paused briefly as if thinking then asked, “East or West?”
Despite himself, Orion smiled. “Since West worked out for me so well last night, I think I’ll keep going West.”
“Okay.” There was a note of amusement in Vina’s voice as she warned, “But just remember you’re the one who picked it.”
“Oh-oh.” He got into the elevator and pressed the button to his floor. “Is West something awful?”
“Not awful – just different.” She hesitated a moment before asking, “Have you ever been to a barre-asana class?”
He frowned. “What’s a barre-asana class?”
“Google, my friend. Google. I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you.” She laughed and that laughter sounded almost wicked. “Just know that you’ll need to carry tights.”
“Tights?” Horror shot through. What the hell had he gotten himself into.
“Yes, tights.” Vina’s amusement was obvious as she added, “Call me after you’ve googled.”
Before he could ask for further information, Vina ended the call. Orion started to search the term barre-asana but before he could find an answer, the doors to the elevators opened out into his company, Virgo Contracting.
“We’ve got a problem.” Eric, Orion best-friend and partner, confronted him as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.
“And good morning to you too,” Orion greeted as he plucked the cup of coffee Eric was holding out of his hand and took a sip.
“There’s no time for good mornings.” Walking alongside Orion, Eric explained, “Daniela Turner wants you to go and supervise the reno yourself.”
Since most of their work was done outside the office, the offices of Virgo Contracting only comprise of four cubicles to house the four members of their in-house staff, two offices – one for each partner and a meeting room. Orion greeted each other their other members of staff personally before turning back to Eric.
“There’s no need for me to go to Daniela’s house,” Orion said as he strode to his office. “Jim’s doing a good job and I go there every Friday anyway to check up on things.”
“What can I say.” Eric shrugged. “She has a thing for you.”
“And she’s married.” Orion pushed the door to his office open.
“Like that matters.” Eric snorted. Following Orion into the office, he added, “Either way, you need to go there. She says she’s going to terminate her contract if you don’t go and supervise the workers yourself.”
Orion set his briefcase on his desk. “Then let her terminate it.”
“Are you kidding me?” Eric’s face was a mask of horror. “Her house is the biggest we’ve ever worked on, and worth the most money.”
“I’m not going to pimp myself out just so we can keep the contract,” Orion said as he shrugged out of his suit jacket and hang it on the hook.
Eric promptly pulled the jacket from the hook and held it out to him. “Then what about pimping yourself out to pay our contractors?”
Orion frowned. “I thought we were in the black.”
“We are but if you continue acting like a special snowflake, who knows how long we’ll stay there.” Eric shook Orion’s jacket again as if telling him to take it. “Just go and see Daniela.”
“I’m not going to Daniela’s house,” Orion said as he circled his desk and settled in his seat behind it. “We’re contractors – not hookers. And you’re not my pimp.”
“My job is to make sure we’re making money,” Eric reminded him. “And if that means pimping you out then…. Sorry Orion, I’mma need you to shake what your mama gave you for Daniela.”
Despite himself, Orion laughed. “Fine, I’ll drop by later. But I’m warning you, if she lays okay finger on me, I’m suing you.”
Eric grinned triumphantly. “Okay, Johnny Longcock.”
Turning on his computer, Orion asked, “Has Julian come in?”
“Does he still work here?” Eric countered cheekily.
“That punk.” Orion sighed. “One of these days I’ll have to fire him.”
“That’s what you always say.” Eric chuckled before adding, “Still, he’s useful. The social media thing that he did last week, got us fifty new inquiries.”
“Really?” Orion exclaimed, impressed with his brother’s marketing acumen. “I didn’t think it would work.”
“It did.” Eric nodded. “When he gets his butt in, I’ll talk to him and see what other ideas he has.” He started to leave Orion’s office but just when he got to the door, he suddenly spun around. “Ah! I forgot to tell you, your mother dropped by yesterday.”
“My mother?” Orion frowned. “What for?”
“I have no idea.” Eric shrugged. “I told her you weren’t around but she insisted on coming into your office. She didn’t stay long though. Ten minutes and then she left.”
That was strange. What would his mother be doing at Virgo when she knew darn well that he was on a date that she’d set up? The answer came to Orion merely a second later. There was only one reason she’d come to his office when he wasn’t there.
Urgh! That annoying woman.
As soon as Eric left his office, Orion started his search. There was nothing under his desk. He pulled open his desk’s drawers - nothing in there either. He stood up and edged towards the file cabinet. Meticulously, he went through each file. When he still found nothing, he called his mother.
“Where is it?” he confronted her as soon as she picked up the phone.
“Where is what?” Yoon-ah asked, her voice sounding innocent.
Orion wasn’t fooled. “Where is the bujeok (*talisman) you left in my office yesterday? I know that’s what you came to do here.”
His mother paused briefly before saying, “Robin’s mother told me you didn’t go to your date.”
“Stop changing the subject,” he said, searching through the book on his bookshelf. “Where is it?”
“Why did you bail on your date with Robin?” Yoon-ah countered.
“Because I met someone else.” Before his mother could get a word in, Orion added, “And before you ask. Yes, she’s a Tiger.”
“Really!” Yoon-ah exclaimed in excitement. “Are you telling the truth?”
“Why would I lie?” He turned to survey the office, looking for any nooks and crannies he might have missed in his search. “Now, tell me, where’s the bujeok you left here?”
“Is she pretty? Is she nice? Wait. Wait. That doesn’t matter.” His mother screeched in excitement. “I can’t believe you found one on your own.”
“Yes, all on my own,” he responded with barely restrained sarcasm. “Now, where is it?”
His mother ignored his question to ask her own. “What’s her name?”
“Alvina,” he answered just as his eyes settled on the table-top water-dispenser at the corner of the room. She couldn’t have put it there, could she? The dispenser was quite heavy and she would’ve had to lift it. But then again… this was his mother. She’d been known to do more difficult – and stranger – things to ‘protect’ him and Julian. He strode towards the water dispenser.
“Alvina. Nice, strong name.” His mother asked, “Did you set up a date? I know how you can be. Please tell me you took her number and set a date.”
“I took her number and set a date,” he confirmed. “We’re meeting on Tuesday.”
“Good, good, good. I always knew you were smart,” Yoon-ah complimented.
“Thanks.” His breath hitched as he tipped the dispenser with the hand that wasn’t holding the phone. And wouldn’t you know it – there was a yellow parchment underneath it. He grinned triumphantly. “Found it.”
“Found what?” his mother asked.
“Nothing. Bye mom.”
“Ri-on-a,” His mother called out before he could end the call. “Wait.”
“What?”
“Where are you meeting Vina? What are you planning for the date?”
“So you can pop in randomly?” Orion chuckled. “I don’t think so. Bye.”
And before his mother could saying anything more, he ended the call. Chuckling, he shoved his phone into his pocket then lifted the dispenser off the table so he could remove the talisman. Yoon-ah was getting more creative, wasn’t she? Where would she put her talismans next time? The roof? This woman. Shaking his head, he crumpled the paper into a ball then tossed it into a bin.
Vina might think that she was hitting the jackpot with him, but she hadn’t met his crazy mother yet.
Speaking of Vina… he settled down in front of his computer and keyed in the word ‘barre-asana’ into the search engine. A whole list of results came up and he leant forward to read them. Ten minutes later, he was slack-jawed.
What the hell had he gotten himself into?