Capítulo 55: Chapter Twenty Eight - Reprieve (Part 1)
Chapter Song Suggestion - "Sly by Galimatias"
A week later, Chang-Min and I are roped into an annual dinner hosted by my father's close acquaintance — obviously, we couldn't turn it down. The event is held at a grand five-star hotel. The moment we enter the lobby, I feel a rush of butterflies in my stomach. Needless to say, I still feel queasy about social parties.
I drink in the unfamiliar faces lingering by the smoking bay, passing a bevy of beautifully dressed socialites who narrow their eyes at me. I hastily yank my gaze away. These women will flay me alive with their tongues if I just look at them the wrong way. I make a mental note to avoid them.
"Relax, Aera." Chang-Min diverts my attention. It hits me how dashing he looks in his bottle green suit and slicked back hair. "I'm acquainted with most of the guests tonight. They're elderly gentlemen who enjoy talking about golf or bragging about their families." His lips thin abruptly. "Of course, you must be wary of the handsy ones. One time, I had to pry an elderly man off a waitress and ended up taking a wine bath when he doused me with it."
The imagery makes me laugh softly, my shoulders jostling. "Don't worry, I can handle myself. What I want to know is how long do we have to be here?"
"Just a few hours." He assures me. "Since Nari is feeling unwell, I don't want to leave her alone for too long." Concern for my best friend tightens his features. "Tomorrow's our first doctor's appointment and I feel extremely anxious about the baby's scan."
His restlessness is endearing. Deep down I'm envious of their relationship. It's unhealthy to compare but, their love life is unrestricted and going strong. I wonder when Dae and I will reach that point of stability too. We've been officially dating for less than a month now. My family knows him but, the Yun family has no idea that I exist. I think. Everything's just…uncertain.
"You'll make a wonderful father." I tell him from the bottom of my heart. "You're lucky to have each other, and you're a good influence on Nari. I can't wait to spoil your baby when he or she is born."
The glow of impending fatherhood changes his face — imparting warmth and charm. "I was shocked when Nari told me we were pregnant. I hadn't expected to be a father so soon. I'm honestly worried."
"Whatever for?" I scoff, unable to believe he's self-doubting. "You're probably the minority of decent men left in our society. Don't tax yourself. My father once said that the secret to being a good parent is to stumble along the way or play it by ear. It's the learning process that helps you to grow. Besides, it's normal to worry. That means you're serious about being a good father to your child."
Tenderness creeps over Chang-Min's features as he regards me. "This is the first time you've comforted me. Thank you for your faith in me."
Working closely with Chang-Min feels like I've adopted another older brother into the family. I pat his arm encouragingly, returning his smile. "As long as you treat my best friend right, then we're cool. Otherwise...," I let my voice speak for itself.
"Duly noted." His voice firm but slightly amused.
"Director Chang-Min!" An elderly, rotund gentleman ambles towards us, his cheeks rounded with genuine joy. They exchange an enthusiastic handshake. "How are you, my boy? I'm glad you made it." His gaze switches to me, a hint of sadness reflected in his eyes. "You must be Yang Aera. I'm Director Jang, a close friend of your father's. I'm so sorry to hear about his condition. I hope you've received the flowers I sent." His meaty paw envelopes my hand. "How is your family holding up?"
"Thank you for your concern, Director Jang." I remark with a small smile. "It's hard but we are coping every day. Right now, we're ensuring the company's growth and stability, it'll be our gift for my father when he wakes."
He chuckles heartily, nodding favorably. "I like your optimism. More young people should adopt your kind of attitude. I have high hopes for you, Ms. Yang. I pray that Suk-Chin will recover soon, and if there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to contact me."
"We appreciate your generosity, Director Jang."
"Your father has contributed aplenty to my business over the years." He waves me off like it's no big deal. "It's only natural for me to reciprocate. Well then, I'll leave you two to mingle around. Please, enjoy the evening."
Director Jang excuses himself to greet his other guests and Chang-Min brings me for rounds of introduction with his associates. They are friendly and easy to talk to, so I begin to relax. Halfway through dinner, I excuse myself to the washroom. Crossing the lobby, I stop short when a splintering cry halted all activities.
Spinning around, I catch a well-dressed woman raise her hand and — THWACK!
The female staff collapses to the carpeted floor that helps to cushion her fall. She is sobbing silently, one hand covering her reddened cheek.
What the hell! Fury whips through me at her mistreatment. Immediately, my legs are eating up the short distance. I bend to help her to her feet. "Are you okay?" Two distinct handprints mar her inflamed cheek. The staff continues sobbing.
I pierce the assaulter with a scowl Dae will be proud of. "Excuse me, isn't hitting her a little over the top?"
"Are you the hotel manager? If you're not then get lost." The woman is snide, her tone reflects her privileged and pampered lifestyle. "This hotel staff made me trip when she bumped into me. Do you think an apology will suffice?" She scoffs.
I study her from the roots of her bleach blonde hair, flawless makeup to her obscenely branded outfit, Chanel bag and limited-edition Louboutin heels. Everything about her screams filthy rich — all but her obnoxious character. Where have I met someone like her before?
Oh, that's right. I'm dating a man who used to be one.
"Did you trip?" I throw her the question.
She blinks. "What?"
I fake impatience, raising my voice to gain attention. "I asked if anyone saw you trip? Because it seems to me that you're fine and unscathed, but this poor woman is the one with your handprints on her face." My eyes dart to the CCTV cameras in corners. "I'm sure if we request for the security footage, the video will show a very different scenario than the one you're accusing this staff of." I stare pointedly at her five-inch heels. "If you had fallen, I'm sure you would have sprained your ankle given the monstrous height of your shoes, but you have no problem standing or walking. Clearly, you're unhurt."
Gripping the staff by the shoulder, I ask her. "Do you want to file a police report against this woman? Don't be afraid of this bully. If you show the police the CCTV footage, you can charge her for public violence." Admittedly, I'm bluffing at this point. All I want to do is instill fear in this arrogant bully. I don't even know if the police will entertain us.
The young staff tremors beneath my hands. "I-I…,"
"You dare to threaten me!" The woman's nostrils flare and her mouth pinches with displeasure. "Do you know who I am?"
Déjà vu hits me. Hard.
Oh my God. She really is a female version of Dae. Pasting on an apathetic smile, I say. "No, and I don't wish to know. I don't approve your mistreatment of this poor staff even after she apologized to you." I pull out my phone, tapping the dial pad. "If you're not satisfied with her apology, then I guess we'll just have to call the police." I made a show of putting the phone to my ear, waiting a few seconds. "Hello, I'd like to make a report for an assault case —,"
"For God's sake!" Anger distorts the woman's plastic beauty. "This is ridiculous. I'm leaving!" She jabs a finger at the staff. "I better not see you again when I return. What a lousy hotel! I'm not staying here another night!" With that final say, she shoves me aside and storms out the exit.
I release a lungful of air, shoulders relaxing. "That was a close call."
"Umm, thank you for helping me." The staff declares timidly, her tears subsiding.
"It's no trouble." I motion to her swollen cheek. "You should ice that. It'll help to reduce the swelling and numb the pain."
"Is it true, what you said about the police?"
"Pfft! Of course not!" I disclose with a nervous laugh, shaking my head. "I only wanted her to drop the subject and it seemed like she bought the story."
"Thank you. If she made a fuss about it, I would have been fired. She's a chaebol's daughter." Her fingers are still shaking from the confrontation.
"Yoona! Are you alright?" A male staff hurries over, distinctly worried.
Good. Her colleague is here. "Why don't you take her to the resting room?" I suggest. "And get some ice on her cheek."
He nods dutifully, ushering the rattled woman away from the lobby. Luckily, the small crowd around us has already dispersed. Once they're out of sight, I remember that I was on my way to the ladies' room. Quickly finishing my business, I return to the party and see Chang-Min waiting by the fringe of the ballroom. He looks anxious.
"What's wrong?" I demand, mirroring his apprehension.
"Nari just called. She asked me to come home."
My brows knit together. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine." He flushes uncharacteristically, fingering his collar. "Nari's been clingy of late. Not that I mind!" He defends shortly. "But I do want to be at home with her."
Understanding dawns on me. He misses her too.
A wide grin stretches my lips. I can't stop it even if I wanted to. "What are you waiting for? Get out of here." I nudge him to the exit. "We have fulfilled our obligation for the night and we did meet the host. I'm sure no one will notice us leaving."
"Are you sure?" Guilt stamps over his face. "Do you need a ride home?"
"Don't worry about me. I'll take a cab to Dae's place."
"I'm sorry, Aera."
Whoever thought these two would be inseparable? I guess it's true that when people meet the ones they're destined to be with, they behave differently.
"If you apologize one more time, I'm going to get mad." I threaten without heat. "Come on, let's go home." Back to where we belong.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
nessawrites
nessawrites Note : Chaebol in korean means 'a large family-owned business conglomerate'. Basically, they are filthy rich 'elites' of society.
Song Suggestion : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St4dP1CIqxc
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder