Capítulo 9: Chapter Four - No, Means No (Part 2)
A week goes by without a word from Dae. I assume he has finally woken up on the right side of bed and realize we were just a moment in time. Until one morning, a delivery man arrives with a large bouquet of heliotrope flowers. This species isn't found in Korea, they only thrive in hot climates. Who on Earth sent this? I pick up the handwritten card :
Dear Aera,
You're the first woman who challenges me every time we are together. I look forward to making you say yes. I hope you like the flowers, they remind me of you, beautiful and fragrant – like almonds.
Ever Patient, Dae.
I burst out laughing. Should I be offended or flattered that he's putting so much effort just to get into my pants? I bet he isn't aware that heliotrope flowers symbolize eternal love and deep devotion. If these were sent by someone else, I might have been moved but...it's from Dae.
It's hard to get a read him. He turns into a different person when it comes to sex, so unlike the cold persona he shows to the public. I don't understand him at all. Should I give in and sleep with him to bury his interest? Either way, he's already taken my virginity.
I wince. That's too crude.
I want commitment, but Dae doesn't. The man has so many secrets. It's like opening Pandora's box. I want love…a proper relationship where I can build a family. Men like Dae don't fit the bill, and he'll eventually break my heart. I'm not brave enough to risk it. "Sorry Dae, but I think you should quit while you're ahead."
"Oh, my!" Mom exclaims in the background. "I was wondering who it was at the door. Are those heliotrope flowers? Who are they from?"
Who is one secret I'm never telling her. I place the bouquet in her arms. "Have I told you how much I love you, mom? This is for you."
"Why would you buy me flowers? We own a flower shop." Poor mom is confused. "And these are clearly imported! You don't have that kind of money."
"Mom, when someone buys you a present, you just accept it." I say, kissing her cheek. "Breakfast is on the table. I'm off to open up the store." If I stay any longer, she'll grill me for answers I don't have.
Anyways, I'm confident that Dae will give up if I don't give him hope. Since there's no way to communicate with him, it's easy to ignore the continuous gifts for the next seven days – for me, not my mom.
"Aera, are you seeing someone?"
"No, Mom." I feign ignorance. "I'm still single as the day I was born."
She gives me a knowing look. "Then who has been sending you all those gifts? And don't lie to me because an uninterested man doesn't send a woman this many gifts every day. It has been a week."
"Why were you counting?" I demand in embarrassment. Unbelievable! She always puts me in a tight spot. "He's just someone I know, but I'm not interested."
"Are you sure, because you have this goofy smile on your face every time the delivery man knocks on our door."
Now, I'm mortified. Planting a hand on my hot cheek, I strongly deny. "No, I don't! Besides, if I wanted you to meet him, I would have brought him home. I'm not dating anyone, and that's the end of the story."
Mom grunts in disbelief. "For twenty-seven years you've never brought a man home to meet your poor mother. You can't blame me for worrying."
That's a needless reminder. "The world is different now. Women don't marry and have kids at an early age anymore. But I do think there's something wrong with me." I sigh pitifully. "Why can't I find a man? Why can't I attract anyone?"
"There's nothing wrong with my beautiful daughter. Maybe your fate isn't here yet."
"I wish I had your optimism. If I must wait for a man to fall from the sky, I'll be a wrinkled prune by then." I joke at my own expense.
"Do you want me to set you up with someone?" Mom chirps. She doesn't go out much, so I doubt she has 'friends' that she likes to bring up from time to time. In fact, Mom's close-mouthed about her past, even though I'm her only child. The only person she sticks to is my Dad.
"Maybe when I turn thirty." I respond for the sake of not upsetting her.
Mom shakes her head as she arranges the flowers in the floral cooler. "What about Hyeon? He's a good looking fellow, and you've been friends for years. I like him."
I made a gagging face. "Eww, no way! That's like dating my big brother!"
Mom hums happily, disagreeing with me. "I think Hyeon will make a good son-in-law."
"I'm very happy you think so, Mom." A familiar voice cuts into our conversation.
My head whips to the shop entrance. "Oppa!" A smile breaks upon my face at the sight of Yoo Hyeon, my other best friend. I dash out from behind the counter and throw my arms around his tall form, balancing on tippy toes. "You're back!"
Hyeon laughs heartily, bending to receive my hug. "I'm home, Aera."
"When did you get back? I could have fetched you from the airport!" I chide, excited to see him after so many months.
Back in college, I met Hyeon through Nari and from then on, the three of us became best friends. Hyeon's the older brother I never had. He's charming, handsome, gentle, and kind. He's also popular with the ladies but I never see him date anyone seriously. His family owns an outstanding shipping business, and last year, he started taking over as its successor.
"I wanted to surprise you." He admits, arms wrapping tight.
"Ugh! You're choking me." I complain and pull away. "Does Nari know that you're back?"
"That woman doesn't care if I'm dead or alive." He snorts, turning around to pick something he left at the entrance.
"Well, she's been busy with the lounge." I say, glancing at the clock. It's 5.30 pm. "Want to grab dinner together?"
He smiles. "You read my mind. Are you finished with work?"
"Yes. I just need a minute." I untie my apron and check my appearance in the hand mirror. Meanwhile, Hyeon sets several paper bags on the counter. "Mom, I got presents for both you and Dad."
If you're wondering why he calls my parents 'mom and dad', that's because he was unofficially adopted into my family. That's how much my parents like him.
Mom closes the cooler and shuffles over, accepting the gifts. "You're so thoughtful, Hyeon. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He returns, ever the polite gentleman.
"Hey!" I protest just to poke fun at him. Hyeon never begrudges me for playing the 'spoilt little sister' act. "What about me?"
He fights a smirk. "Don't worry, it's all in there. I wouldn't dare to forget you. You wouldn't let me live it down."
I throw him a smug smile. It's good that he's aware who holds the power in this friendship. I grab my bag. "Mom, can I get off early today?"
She waves me off like I'm a nuisance. "You kids have fun. Your Father will be picking me up in an hour. We'll close the shop." Turning to Hyeon, she pats him on the chest. "It's nice to have you back home."
He draws her in for a hug. "Yes, it's good to be home."
"Okay then." I break them apart before this becomes an unending reunion. "I'll see you at home, Mom." I hook my arm through Hyeon's and drag him out. "I want to hear all about your time in France. Did you have fun? Did you meet any beautiful French babes? Tell me everything."
Hyeon's been away for three months, setting up his new European headquarters in Paris. It's great that he's back. Nari has been so occupied, I barely see her anymore. It's that feeling you get when your college friends found their first job, and you're still unemployed. Everybody's so busy, they become party poopers.
"Slow down." He chuckles, opening the car door for me. "First, what would you like to eat? It's my treat."
"Fried chicken and beer!" I declare enthusiastically, strapping on my seatbelt. Looking up, I do a double take when I catch Hyeon staring at me intensely. I've seen him make hundreds of expressions over the years but never one close to…love and...adoration?
And it's not the platonic kind. A fluttering awareness blooms inside me, though I can't say it's welcoming.
"The same old place?" He asks after taking up behind the wheel.
"Umm yes." I look out the window, wondering what the hell just happened. I decide to let it slide, chalking it to us being apart. Maybe he's just glad to be home. After that, we talk and laugh as usual, time flying by. Close to midnight, Hyeon drops me home, insisting to walk me to my front door.
"Aera, there's something I need to tell you." He begins, his face pinched.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so nervous?" I touch his arm, concern knitting my brows. "Did you have too many beers?"
He looks into my eyes and I wait for him to speak. Then, with a shake of his head, he changes his mind. "Never mind. It's not important."
It doesn't seem unimportant. "Are you sure?"
He nods, though his smile doesn't reach his eyes. Kissing the top of my head, he mumbles. "Goodnight, Aera. I'll see you soon."
I wave, watching Hyeon drive off, wondering what he wanted to say. It sounded serious. Rummaging my bag for my house key, I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear my name.
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