Ch#56
56. To Buy Sanitary Pads
Ha-young turned her gaze from the chauffeur and looked at the large window of the house. An uneasy feeling seeped in that someone might be watching her from inside. Soon, the chauffeur picked up his phone and began calling Na-eun.
Ha-young muttered inwardly as she watched.
"Amazing. Do I look like a thief or something? Why be so suspicious? Is it because it's a chaebol house?"
"Teacher, your sister is here now."
-I didn't call her. Tell her I'll go home later. I'm working right now.
The chauffeur nodded at Na-eun's response and turned to Ha-young.
"Understood. The teacher says she doesn't have time right now. She asked me to tell you she'll visit home later."
"What?"
She had thought Na-eun would at least show her face out of surprise that her sister had come, but this was outright rejection. Just then, a luxury car pulled in from behind, and the chauffeur said.
"Please move your car. The chairman's car is coming in."
Startled by the word "chairman," Ha-young quickly backed out.
Returning home without any gains, Ha-young grew angrier the more she thought about it.
"What? 'Come to the house later'? Ridiculous. And the Myeongseong Group chairman lives there too?"
She hadn't even considered it. She thought it was just a place where Na-eun looked after kids, but it was the chairman's house. This felt like striking gold. She figured she needed to treat Na-eun and Ji-ho better.
Na-eun felt a mild abdominal pain on her way home from work. She attributed it to being on edge after meeting Ha-young, but after parking and entering the house, her period had started. Searching for pads, she found she was completely out. In this house—main residence and annex combined—the only one who would have pads was her. As she was about to head to the convenience store to buy some, she ran into Kang-woo.
"Where are you going?"
"Yes, to the convenience store. Something urgent came up. I'll be right back."
Na-eun was about to hurry out.
"What urgent matter?"
"Yes, it's fairly urgent."
"Then let's go together. I'll go with you."
Na-eun felt embarrassed. Going to buy sanitary pads at the convenience store with a man? Was that necessary? She shook her head at Kang-woo.
"No. I'll go alone."
"I really want to go together? It's night."
"Alright."
Na-eun had no choice but to agree.
"My period just started, so I'm going to buy pads."
Kang-woo looked at Na-eun and said.
"Yes. So? Boyfriends are supposed to buy pads originally."
In the world, what boyfriend buys pads? Having never dated a man, she didn't know, but somehow it felt like it should be kept private.
"Going to buy period stuff with a boyfriend feels embarrassing."
"Na-eun, what era are you living in? We've done more than that? Is there any part of your body I haven't seen?"
"Stop. Alright. Let's go together."
If she left him be, he might say something even bolder. As Na-eun walked quickly, Kang-woo caught up with long strides and asked.
"Is it urgent right now?"
"Yes, that kind of situation."
"Then should I run and get it?"
"No."
Na-eun scolded Kang-woo as they exited the gate. Walking to the convenience store at the end of the alley, Kang-woo suddenly laughed.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Chasing after my girlfriend to buy pads makes me feel like a real boyfriend."
Na-eun snickered at his words and asked back.
"You like that?"
"Yes. I like it."
Kang-woo said it like he truly did.
"I don't get it. Why like such eccentric things?"
"What's eccentric?"
"Like this now. Are there guys who like this?"
"I like it. Feels like you're letting me into your secrets. Anything about you, I like it all."
She quickly picked out pads at the convenience store and checked out; the clerk put them in a black bag. Holding it as they walked side by side, Kang-woo laughed again.
"It's nothing much. Just grab the item, buy quick, and come out."
"Enough."
"No more embarrassment. You've shown me everything. Next time, just tell me. Night or dawn, I'll get it."
Just hearing it felt reassuring. Was having a boyfriend like this? Na-eun smiled as they walked home. It was then. In front of the gate, she saw the manager telling the red sports car owner to move and the car hurriedly backing out. That red sports car wasn't common. It was the kind Ha-young drove, and though she hadn't memorized the plate exactly, it worried her somehow. Kang-woo asked as Na-eun frowned.
"Why? Did we miss something to buy?"
"Not that.... No."
Then the chairman's voice rang out.
"Where were you coming from?"
"Father, you're back?"
Kang-woo greeted Choi Hoe-jang, and Na-eun followed suit.
"You're here? Chairman."
"Yes. Han teacher. Is Min-ho doing alright these days?"
Since seeing Min-ho wailing that time, Choi Hoe-jang had started paying more attention to him. He hadn't realized his eldest grandson was in such a state. He'd thought the child just didn't talk much and could be fixed with money and time.
"Yes. He's doing well. We reserved a new counselor too."
"I see. Where were you coming from?"
Choi Hoe-jang asked, eyeing the black plastic bag Kang-woo held. As his gaze landed on the bag, Na-eun didn't know what to do. Kang-woo said nonchalantly.
"From the convenience store. I needed something."
"Could've sent someone below you, why bother?"
Choi Hoe-jang's eyes fixed on the two standing side by side. The gaze made Na-eun uncomfortable, unsure where to stand. But Kang-woo said casually.
"Yes. Go on in."
"Yeah."
After the chairman entered first, Kang-woo followed, and Na-eun deliberately walked a bit behind. As Choi Hoe-jang climbed the stairs, he said to Kang-woo trailing behind.
"People like us must watch our behavior."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't do things that invite misunderstandings. Especially with house staff."
House staff. He meant Na-eun.
To Choi Hoe-jang, Na-eun was just an employee. Kang-woo replied simply.
"So why does the guy who's done well until now act up?"
"Yes. I'll handle it well. I've done well until now."
In short, why go to the convenience store with Han teacher this late? Kang-woo greeted without elaborating.
"Go rest, Father."
"Yeah."
"Got scolded by the chairman. What did I do to deserve that?"
"You went to the convenience store with an employee."
Na-eun said softly.
He'd heard it all. Kang-woo felt sorry for Na-eun. She wouldn't have heard such words if not for him.
"Don't mind what Father said."
"I'm not. He's from a different world than me. I don't care at all. I'm just here to help Min-ho temporarily, then leave."
Kang-woo was completely excluded from Na-eun's words. He pouted at her.
"Must you say it like that?"
"What? I just said the truth."
Kang-woo sighed.
"Why only say the truth?"
"Those are just general statements."
"Then what about me?"
"Date then dump."
Kang-woo stopped at Na-eun's words.
"How can you say that so casually?"
He looked hurt.
"Last time you said eat and run, now openly date and dump. And we even wore couple necklaces."
Na-eun laughed at his words.
"When dating, you do couple rings, couple necklaces, act like it'll last forever, then break up. After breaking up, sell the gold and buy snacks."
"What? No, how many snacks? Wow, eat for life?"
Na-eun paused at that, then took out her necklace and looked at it. It sparkled beautifully even in the moonlight.
"If I sell this necklace, can I buy snacks for life?"
Kang-woo coughed absurdly.
"Na-eun, you sometimes have a talent for startling people. Snacks? I could let you eat them for life. Want my card?"
Na-eun cut him off firmly.
"What are you saying? Why would I take that?"
"Girlfriends take stuff like that from boyfriends."
As Kang-woo stated it like it was obvious, Na-eun shook her head.
"I won't take that from a boyfriend."
"Then?"
"I'll give you a card. To buy snacks. But limit it to 100,000 won."
