Chapter 33
Chuchu's anger seethed like a tempest brewing on the horizon, dark and foreboding, as the old woman's silence cut through her like a knife. The disregard was a palpable thing, a tangible force that seemed to mock her, fueling the flames of her ire. In a burst of fury, she flung the woman's brush aside, the basket of trash following suit, its contents spilling out onto the ground like a dark, chaotic waterfall.
The old woman's gaze met hers, a look of profound disappointment etched on her face like a map of deep creases and worn lines. "Naega hal su itneun mareun neoneun ne bumonimkke suchiraneun geoya."
(All I can say is that you are a disgrace to your parents.) she said, her voice heavy with sorrow, the words dropping like stones into the silence between them.
Chuchu's hand rose, her palm tingling with the urge to strike, to make the old woman's words retreat in the face of her anger. But before she could act, a throat cleared nearby, the sound echoing through the air like a challenge, a rebuke. Chuchu's gaze snapped up, her eyes locking onto the figure standing at the top of the stairs, his presence commanding attention like a magnet.
He stood there, his expression a complex mix of disapproval and concern, his eyes narrowed in a "wow" of dismay, as if he couldn't quite believe what he was witnessing. The intensity of his gaze was like a weight, pressing down on Chuchu, making her feel like she was being pulled apart, her emotions laid bare for him to see.
"Hey, Oppa!" Chuchu's voice rang out, a melodic call that echoed through the air as helped the old woman gather the scattered trash and brush. Her feet carried her up the stairs, her gaze locked onto the figure standing at the top, and her heart skipped a beat as she approached Hyun Min. " what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of breathlessness.
But Hyun Min's response was silence, his eyes lingering on her face with an intensity that made her skin prickle. He seemed to be studying her, his gaze narrowed in contemplation, as if searching for answers to unspoken questions. "So, this is how you go about disrespecting elders, huh?" he finally spoke, his voice low and even, the words dripping with a quiet disapproval.
Chuchu's defenses sprang up, her voice rising in protest like a stormy sea. "Come on, it's not what you think! I was just trying to help her." Hyun Min's expression remained skeptical, his eyes flashing with doubt. "Oh yeah? Help her by throwing away the trash she had picked up and her brush? I can see you were really trying to help her."
The words cut deep, and Chuchu's face grew hot with indignation. "Come on, Hyun Min! Besides, I was just trying to... well, teach her how to do her job. It's obvious she isn't doing it well." Hyun Min shook his head, his expression unreadable, a mask that hid his true feelings. And then, without a word, he turned to leave, his movements fluid and decisive.
Chuchu's heart lurched as she realized he was walking away, and she felt a pang of desperation. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him from behind, holding him in a tight back hug. "Oppa!" she called out, her voice soft and pleading she held onto him, refusing to let him go.
As Chuchu's arms encircled Hyun Min's waist from behind, he froze, his body rigid with surprise. With a swift, decisive motion, he grasped her hands and pried them loose, spinning around to face her. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice low and controlled, yet tinged with a subtle edge of annoyance.
Chuchu's eyes met his, a complex mix of confusion and hurt swirling in their depths. "Oppa, did I do something wrong to you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, yet infused with a deep vulnerability. "Why are you always so harsh on me?" The words trembled on her lips, a plaintive cry that seemed to reverberate with unspoken emotions, as if the very air around them vibrated with the weight of her unspoken questions.
Hyun Min's expression turned cool, his eyes veiled in a way that made Chuchu feel a shiver run down her spine. "You really don't get it..do you??" he said, his voice firm but controlled. "You're making a scene for no reason. I'm not interested in you. Can't you just accept that and move on?" His words were like a splash of cold water, a harsh reality check that left Chuchu feeling embarrassed and hurt.
*
*
*
*
Sarah's POV
As I sat there, my gaze was ensnared by Jo's face, his words lingering in the air like a whispered secret. The remnants of our meal, once a warm and inviting spread, now seemed inconsequential, fading into the background as Jo sat on the table before me, his eyes locked onto mine with an unyielding intensity. "I like you," he said, the simplicity of the words starkly contrasted with the depth of emotion that swirled in his eyes.
The admission hung in the air, a delicate balance of vulnerability and sincerity that left me breathless. I was taken aback, the words felt like a whispered promise, unexpected and thrilling. My chest fluttered with a mix of surprise and curiosity as Jo's words tumbled out in a heartfelt confession. "I don't know, but I've been having these feelings for a while, and it's crazy because I know I met you recently, and I shouldn't be liking you, but I just can't help it." His gaze probed mine, searching for answers to questions he hadn't yet verbalized, his eyes reflecting the turmoil of emotions that churned within him.
The air seemed to thicken, heavy with anticipation, as he continued, his voice low and sincere. "I've never felt this way for a girl before." The words danced on the edge of confession and revelation, leaving me suspended in a sea of emotions. My heart skipped a beat, my mind racing to make sense of the feelings that swirled inside me like a tempest. I was trapped in his gaze, mesmerized by the sincerity that shone in his eyes, the vulnerability that trembled in his voice.
In that moment, time stood still, the world shrinking to encompass only the two of us, suspended in a fragile dance of raw emotion and unspoken understanding. The silence that followed was a palpable thing, a living, breathing entity that wrapped itself around us, holding us in its gentle yet unyielding grasp.
I looked at Jo, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions. "I'm sorry, but I need some time to think about it," I said, trying to sound calm and composed. Jo's expression shifted, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before he masked it. I didn't want to seem too eager or agree immediately, didn't want him to think I was cheap or desperate. My plan was to wait, to let some time pass before giving him an answer. Maybe a few days, maybe a week. I liked Jo, couldn't deny the spark between us, but I wasn't going to rush into anything. "Okay, fine," Jo said, his voice neutral, but I could sense a hint of disappointment beneath the surface. I could swear I saw a flash of unhappiness in his eyes, but it was gone before I could be sure.