"YOU'RE HOME, Woori-ya."
Woori smiled when she was greeted by Detective Seon Dongwook and his wife, Shin Mira.
The two had access to her tiny house because this couple was practically her new parents.
They're the ones who have been taking care of me ever since I came back to Korea alone.
"Hello, Uncle Dongwook and Auntie Mira," Woori greeted her parent figures with a smile. "I've missed you."
Both her Uncle Dongwook and Aunt Mira smiled back at her.
Uncle Dongwook is a detective, while Aunt Mira is a high school teacher. I tend to be formal when we're outside. But I want to act spoiled when it's just us at home.
"We've missed you, too, dear," Aunt Mira said while packing a tub of kimchi. "You said you're moving into your employer's house tomorrow, didn't you? I've brought side dishes that you can share with him."
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Woori-ya, are you sure it's safe to move into Park Seoham's house?" Uncle Dongwook asked worriedly. "He has a grudge against you. I don't think you'll be safe there, dear."
"I understand what you're worried about, Uncle. But, trust me— Park Seoham won't harm me. Not physically, at least," Woori assured her father figure. "I wouldn't agree to move into his house if I knew he was capable of hurting me like that."
The kind couple still looked worried about her, but it seemed like they had decided to trust her on this instead of trying to change her mind.
"Woori-ya, be careful," Uncle Dongwook said worriedly. "I don't know why you trust Park Seoham so much, but don't forget that he hasn't forgiven you yet. He clearly told you that he wanted to punish you. And punishments come in different forms. What if Park Seoham is trying to making you fall for him again, only to dump you in the end? Just like a revenge plot in a melodrama."
Pfft.
"Uncle, if that's true, then you already know how the story will end," Woori said, smiling while shaking her head. "In those revenge melodramas, the person who seduces the other for revenge always ends up falling for their prey first."
"Except this is real life— not a melodrama," Aunt Mira reminded her. "Woori-ya, I know you aren't taking this lightly. But please be more careful around Park Seoham. I don't know why you're letting him treat you that way. Yes, I understand where his anger is coming from. But his directing his anger at the wrong person. You have nothing to do with your parents' sins."
"It's alright, Auntie," Woori assured her mother figure. "I'll do my best to get fired as soon as possible."
***
"NOONA, is this all you're taking with you?"
Woori smiled and nodded. "Yep. Thanks for coming, Doha-ya."
Seon Doha was the one and only son of Uncle Dongwook and Aunt Mira.
He's a college freshman at a prestigious university— with a full scholarship, at that.
Anyways, her dongsaeng arrived that morning to help her move, even though Woori said that she would just call a taxi.
But here we are now.
They were still on the rooftop because she was still locking the door.
This isn't my house, so I have to make sure that everything is in place before I leave.
"By the way, Doha-ya. Sorry for the trouble," Woori said, turning around to face Seon Doha after making sure that the door and the windows were all locked. "You must be busy, and yet you still made time for me."
"It's alright, Noona. I don't have school today. Plus, my student cancelled on me, so I'm totally free," Seon Doha explained while holding the two huge tote bags that contained the side dishes that Aunt Mira left last night. The kid was tutoring middle school students as a part-time job. "And I want to try convincing you that living with Actor Park Seoham-ssi is a bad idea."
Aww.
Woori couldn't help but smile while looking at Seon Doha.
When did this crybaby grow up?
Seon Doha was only in elementary school when they became a family.
Well, more like when his parents sort of adopted me.
But look at him now.
Already a strapping young man.
"I'll be fine, Doha-ya," Woori assured her dongsaeng[1]. "I can take care of myself. If Park Seoham hurts me, I'll let you know."
"That's not the only thing I'm worried about, Noona," Seon Doha said. "Park Seoham is a famous actor. As his manager, you're required to be with him wherever he goes. That means you'll be exposed to a screaming crowd most of the time."
Oh, right.
I already experienced it at the airport once.
"Noona, I got you a gift."
Hmm?
Seon Doha put down the tote bags on the wooden table, and then he took something out of his pocket. "I know you hate using wireless earbuds, but you need them more than ever now," he said firmly, and then he put the earbuds in her ears. "They're supposed to be noise-cancelling earbuds. Do they work?"
"Yes, but they're uncomfortable," Woori answered, frowning while removing the left earbud. "But since they're a gift from you, I'll wear them."
Seon Doha smiled, obviously satisfied.
"Are you shooting a romantic film or something?"
Huh?
Woori was surprised to see Park Seoham, glaring at her and Seon Doha.
How long has he been there?
Moreover…
"What are you doing here, Seoham-ssi?"
"I'm here to make sure you're not running away," Park Seoham said, huffing while walking towards her. Then he glanced at her luggage. "You're only bringing that with you?"
"Yes," Woori answered, and then she pointed at the tote bags on the table. "And those side dishes. I can't come to your house empty-handed. But I didn't make them." She pointed at Seon Doha. "His mother made the side dishes."
"And who's that kid?"
Aigoo.
Why is he being grumpy when he's supposed to be taking care of his image?
"This is Seon Doha. He's the son of the couple who kind of adopted me when I returned to Korea alone," Woori explained. "He's here to help me move my stuff."
"That won't be necessary," Park Seoham said, side-eyeing Seon Doha. "You can go home now, kid. I'm here, so Joo Woori doesn't need your help anymore."
Woori could only shake her head in disbelief.
Yeah, someone is in a bad mood.
***
DO THEY have to talk so close to each other?
Park Seoham crossed his arms over his chest, watching as Seon Doha, or whatever his name was, leaned into Joo Woori's left ear while talking.
Hah!
Why was that brat talking that close to Joo Woori?
It's not like she's deaf or something.
"Stop talking, you two," Park Seoham said, irritated. "It's time for us to leave, Joo Woori."
"Just wear the earbuds if you don't want to hear that actor throw a tantrum, Noona," Seon Doha 'whispered' to Joo Woori. "That's why I gave those earbuds to you."
Joo Woori nodded, and then she immediately put on the earbuds. "Your present is the best, Doha-ya."
"Yah!"
***
Please ADD
[1] (Like a) younger sibling, blood-related or not