Ch#44
44. Min-ho's Dad
Na-eun shook her head with a wry smile.
"Well, you broke up nicely. What's the problem?"
Ha-young smiled faintly and said.
"That's why I need a new man."
Na-eun clasped her hands in front of her chest in disbelief and asked.
"Am I your man supplier? Why come to my workplace first thing in the morning to talk about this?"
Ignoring her words, Ha-young wagged her finger with demanding eyes.
"Just set up a meeting."
"What kind of meeting?"
Na-eun felt her irritation mounting as Ha-young's unreasonable demands dragged on.
Ha-young whispered with a smile.
"The kid you teach. You can call the guardian when he's around that kid, right? Let me join then. At least let me say hi."
Na-eun shook her head firmly.
"Sis, you've already met. At the amusement park, remember? And the CEO already knows you."
Ha-young pouted.
"Then at least give me his contact info."
Na-eun clicked her tongue and turned away.
"Why should I give you his contact? And I don't have the uncle's number. What, should I give you his mother's?"
Na-eun said firmly in an irritated tone.
Ha-young grimaced in horror.
"Are you crazy? You want me to call and say, 'I'm trying to seduce your son starting now'?"
Na-eun sighed tiredly and shook her head.
"Yeah. So I'm heading in. Don't clutter up my morning with nonsense."
Ha-young crossed her arms angrily and shook her head.
"You really have no sense of obligation."
Na-eun retorted nonchalantly.
"I don't care what happens to you. You don't care what happens to me and Ji-ho either, right?"
Ha-young looked flustered for a moment and asked back.
Na-eun spoke calmly, but hurt and sarcasm laced her words.
"Have you ever properly contacted us? You didn't even visit when I told you we moved."
Ha-young opened her mouth as if to make an excuse in a panic.
"Hey, that was..."
Na-eun cut her off firmly.
"That just means you have no interest."
Ha-young clamped her mouth shut briefly, unable to retort, then shook her head pretending to be cool and said curtly.
"Yeah. Why would an aunt care that much about her nephew?"
Na-eun nodded as if agreeing.
"You're right, Sis. That's why I don't expect anything."
Ha-young bit her lip and glared at Na-eun, but Na-eun continued coldly.
"So even if you're desperate for a man, this is too shameless. Telling me to ask the guardian of the kid I teach if he'd date my sister?"
Ha-young stood speechless, and Na-eun gestured lightly at her car.
"Go home. Dressed like that in that bright red sports car, anyone would want to date you. Figure it out yourself."
Ha-young finally opened her mouth to say something, but swallowed her words at Na-eun's firm expression and turned away sulkily.
Na-eun turned and went inside. Her fingertips trembled. It was embarrassing to even tell Kang-woo about this. Of course, she couldn't say it. Na-eun muttered.
"Man, my sister—her targets for men are so high and she's so persistent."
Then she suddenly reflected on herself. While saying Ha-young targeting CEO Kang-woo was too lofty a goal, what about her own? Na-eun was just an ordinary kindergarten teacher doing live-in tutoring for Min-ho. Plus, she had her own child. Could someone like her even look at Kang-woo?
But Na-eun soon shook her head.
"I don't want anything. That's why I'm not approaching with some agenda."
Then until when? Just enjoy this dating situation and call it quits? She reflected on her relationship with Kang-woo again. They should meet in a way that allows them to part amicably. So she doesn't get hurt too much later, doesn't fall in too deep.
When Kang-woo's phone rang, he paused his work and checked the screen. It was his mother, Kyung-hye. He answered slowly in a businesslike tone.
"Yes. What's up?"
But Kyung-hye immediately responded with dissatisfaction.
-You boys always think I only call when something's up? Not calling is normal? And when I do, you always ask what's wrong.
Kang-woo chuckled softly and gazed out the window. Despite his mother's familiar nagging, his voice remained calm.
"It's not a busy time right now, so I can talk. Go ahead."
Kyung-hye spoke from a corner of the gallery. Behind her, the quiet space and artworks surrounded her silently.
-Come eat at the main residence tonight. Your brother said he's stopping by.
"Brother's coming home?"
He asked back and fell silent for a moment, prompting Kyung-hye to continue in a meaningful tone.
-You don't seem surprised, so you knew.
Hearing that, Kang-woo leaned forward slightly with a surprised expression.
Kang-woo pondered briefly before responding calmly.
"Of course I met him since he came to Korea for company business."
His hand swept over the documents on the desk, pausing slightly as he awaited his mother's reaction.
Kyung-hye nagged impatiently.
-How could you? You knew he came to Seoul and didn't even tell me.
Kang-woo sighed and spoke calmly, as if handling just another task.
"That's for him to do, not me. He'll handle it himself. If he can't come, there's a reason. Still, it's good he said he's coming."
Kyung-hye fell quiet briefly, then continued persuasively.
-So let's at least eat together. With Min-ho and everyone.
Kang-woo replied businesslike.
"Got it."
Kyung-hye hesitated, then cautiously ventured.
-Hey, by the way. That Teacher Han Na-eun...
Hearing 'Han Na-eun' from Kyung-hye's lips made Kang-woo's heart suddenly race. His hand froze, fingers tightening on the phone. It was ridiculous how just her name lifted his mood.
Curious about what his mother would say but careful not to reveal himself, he asked calmly.
"Why Teacher Na-eun?"
-Should she join for dinner? With Teacher Na-eun there, maybe Min-ho will talk more easily—it's been so long since he saw his dad.
"Wouldn't that be too tough a spot for her? With Grandpa, Grandma, and it being the first time meeting your brother. Better to have Teacher Na-eun greet separately after dinner."
Kyung-hye thought briefly and agreed.
-Yeah? Right. Min-ho won't stay silent when his own dad comes, will he?
-Yes.
Kang-woo didn't want to drag Na-eun into an uncomfortable situation. He wanted to keep her as comfortable as possible.
That evening, a call came early before dinner for Min-ho and Ji-ho, who usually ate a bit early. Min-ho was to eat at the main residence, so no dinner for him. Na-eun worried that Min-ho, accustomed to early meals, would get hungry waiting for the adults' schedule.
"The kid might get hungry. Min-ho, today you're eating at the main residence with Grandma and Grandpa. So how about just a little snack for now?"
Min-ho's face darkened. He pouted up at Na-eun, his eyes wavering before drooping sadly. His hand clung to the hem of her clothes, refusing to let go.
"Teacher?"
Min-ho asked softly, gazing at Na-eun with a face on the verge of tears.
Na-eun's heart ached, but to keep Min-ho from growing more anxious, she smiled brightly and nodded.
"Teacher will wait here with Ji-ho for Min-ho."
Min-ho bowed his head silently, gripping Na-eun's hand tightly. Na-eun stroked his head, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.
"Can't I go together?"
To Min-ho whispering softly, Na-eun explained gently.
"We've always been together—it's not far. Greet Grandma, eat well, and come back, Min-ho."
Seeing Min-ho still uneasy, Na-eun smiled widely to reassure him once more.
"Instead, I'll give you that strawberry cream cake you love so much right now."
