Chapter 23: Lee Hae Ji?
Minjoon is currently driving Haeun and Hyomin to 'M' Shopping Mall where he's friend boutique is located. He decided to bring them there to shop as the clothes there were all of good quality and will most probably suit Haeun's taste.
Since he doesn't really know what kind of clothes she likes to wear, bringing her there is the safest option. But without realizing it, he's actually making a grave mistake.
"Hey.. Though I feel like it's a little too late to ask, why do you hate it so much when I try to introduce you to more people? Is it really that bad till you're planning on leaving me after the two months is up? If there's anything that I can do to change your mind, please do tell me. Cause I don't know what I would do without you."
Even though Minjoon wasn't facing Haeun when he said it, from his tone of voice, she can feel that he is breaking down in the inside. She didn't know why but she felt a stab in her heart hearing those words from him.
It wasn't her intention to make him feel that way but she got no choice. Though it was true that Minjoon had a connection with her before, he was too good for her. She doesn't deserve someone like him. They're both from two worlds apart and nothing can change that.
Minjoon was expecting Haeun to say something but she didn't reply. She just continues looking out the window with Hyomin peacefully sleeping in her arms. Seeing that she's keeping quiet, he decided not to push her further for an answer and to let her take her time.
The remaining drive to the mall was filled with silence as both of them didn't say a word. The few minutes felt like hours to the both of them but since they didn't know what to talk about, they just decided to remain quiet throughout.
As they reach M Shopping Mall, Minjoon went out first and took out the baby stroller. He then opens the car door for Haeun as she gently placed Hyomin inside the stroller before making their way to the lift.
While they were waiting for the lift, Minjoon checks his phone and was surprised to see the number of calls he's receiving from his family. Just as he was about to call them back, the lift arrived. A group of ladies was rushing as they exited and accidentally bump him on the shoulder, causing his phone to drop.
One of them helps to pick his phone up and return it to him but her eyes suddenly bulged when she saw him. She couldn't believe her eyes that the legendary Kim Min Joon was right in front of her. The other girls also soon realized it and swamp around him.
"Omg! Are you really Kim Min Joon? As in the Kim Min Joon that appears every month in the news?! I can't believe I'm able to see you this close! I'm a big fan of yours! Can I get your autograph?" Before he could even reply, they already took out a pen and a piece of paper for him.
He really didn't expect to encounter those 'kind' of people there since M Shopping Mall is kind of high end and everything was expensive. It is one of the few Shopping Mall that the Kim family owns and usually, only people who're willing to spend a fortune go there to shop.
One of the reasons why everything is expensive there was because the Kim's made sure that each one of the shops is selling things of only excellent quality. They also made sure that the prices of each item are true to the value.
If they feel that an item is selling at such an overpriced amount, they expect the owner to change it so that every customer that shops there will only be paying an amount befitting the quality. Because of that exact reason, it's a popular mall among the riches.
So when he saw the group of ladies acting like that, Minjoon wonder from which family they belong to. They don't exactly look like they were there to shop, seeing as to how they were dressing at that moment. So he's assuming they were actually there to find him.
"Oh! By the way, where is your fiancée? Are you guys here to shop for your wedding? Is that it? Cause we really can't wait to see how the venue will look like. I bet it's going to be really extravagant. I mean, only the best for your wife Haeji, right?"
Minjoon froze when he heard what the lady had said. He was actually in the middle of signing her autograph but her words made him utterly confused. He then looks at her and asks her to repeat what she had said.
"Well, you are getting married right? To Haeji, Lee Hae Ji. The granddaughter of Mr Lee? I mean, you just announced it earlier this morning. You're marrying her because she's pregnant, with your baby? Or was that really just a rumor?"
The situation became awkward as the ladies notice how taken aback Minjoon was from the news. They somehow feel that they just made a huge mistake and most probably will regret this decision they made to went there, to that mall, to find Minjoon.
They went there expecting to meet him and congratulate him on his big day. Though they didn't exactly like the idea of it, they wanted to show him how supportive of a fan they were but somehow that didn't turn out well.
While the news was a total shock for him, Minjoon quickly regains himself back and checked up on Haeun. He honestly didn't expect to hear such news of himself, especially when Haeun was with him.
Now he knows the reason why his family was calling him like crazy. It has to be because of this. If only his Mother just told him earlier, all this wouldn't have happened and he wouldn't have brought Haeun there.
"Did they just said, Lee Hae Ji? As in the only granddaughter of President Lee from L Fashion? You.. You're marrying her? Is it.. really true? But.. You said.." Haeun look lost and confuse with everything she has heard.
She doesn't even know what's true or what's false. She just couldn't believe Minjoon could actually lie to her. Did his family also conspire with him about this? Honestly, she doesn't know. She only knows of all the lies that they told her.
Why were they doing this to her? She did no wrong to them. Were they telling her all those lies because they wanted to toy with her and her feelings? But even so, why her? She was just a poor girl with nowhere else to live.
While Haeun was looking confused and hurt over the news, the ladies saw what was happening and decided to quietly walk away from the scene. They really didn't saw that coming and they felt bad that they actually made the situation worst for Minjoon.
"Haeun. Don't listen to them. It was all just a rumour. I really have no idea of this and me marrying her is just impossible. The one I love is you, Haeun. Honestly. I can swear to the god above us that you're my one and only. There is really no one else besides you. Please believe me.."
Haeun was looking straight into his eyes as he said it but even though she can see how truthfully honest he was, she just can't seem to make herself believe in him.
What if that was another one of their tricks to trap her? She would truly hate herself then for believing in him. Now, she really needs to find a way on how to determine whether what he's saying is true.
"Tell me, why should I? How can I really trust you? You never mention to me your relation with Haeji before and suddenly now, I found out you're engaged to her? What are you guys planning? Just tell me! What do you guys want with me?! Can't you guys just set me free?!"
Her voice resonates around the lift lobby as she looks at Minjoon with tears in her eyes. She wasn't crying because of the news per se but because at that moment, a surge of memories came to her and she's trying really hard to bear the pain.
Even at that current situation, Haeun didn't want him to worry since she won't know what to do if Minjoon arms were around her. It would be hard for her to push him away then and she doesn't want it to be that way.
"What are you talking about, Haeun? We're not planning anything. This was all on her side. I have no idea how such a rumor was being spread around. But you got to believe me, I really have no relation with her at all. It's the truth. You can ask my family or anyone at our house. I'm sure they'll agree with me."
Minjoon was hoping that his words somehow convince Haeun to believe him. He really doesn't want to lose Haeun this way. He would prefer to lose Haeun after the two months were over rather than because a rumor of him cheating her.
The reason being that at least they were going to leave on good terms. Because if they did, he still has a chance of seeing her once in a while and that would be enough for him to soothe his broken heart.
While Minjoon was looking at Haeun hopefully, she took the meaning of his look the wrong way. She thought he was looking hopeful because she's going to fall for his lie and be trap by him again.
But he was wrong. She's not going to make that happen for him. After learning more truth about what happened in the past, she was determined to find back what she's lost.
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