บท 36: The Guest Room

When Yeong Jae-won came back from his important call, he summoned Anton to follow him to his study. They were covering important matters in relation to the syndicate that has been trying to rob them.

Yanmei and Yeong Soon continued to talk over coffee. All the conversations that followed covered the future grandchildren of the house that Yanmei could not help but feel her heart coming out of her chest.

After an hour of chatting, Yeong Soon checked the time and said, "Oh my. Yanmei. It's getting very late. I can't have you go home at this time. You should stay over."

"Umm… It's okay, Mommy Soon. Really, Anton will take me home," Yanmei insisted while putting a hand on her arm.

"Yanmei, it's already ten in the evening. You will arrive really late at your apartment and we don't know for sure when the two will finish. Please… please don't give me a heart attack and just sleep here for the night. You don't have to worry about clothes, I have plenty," insisted Yeong Soon.

After letting out a heavy sigh, Yanmei cautiously agreed, "Okay. Mommy Soon. If you say so."

Following Yanmei's approval, Yeong Soon quickly stood up, worried that Yanmei might change her mind. She called for the maids to prepare a guest room.

Yanmei can only bite her lip knowing there was no stopping Mommy Soon, but for a mere instruction to have the guest room ready, it took rather long for Yeong Soon to return. She wondered what kind of preparations Yeong Soon was making. Still, she let it be and resumed to finish her coffee.

After more than half an hour, Yeong Soon returned and said, "See, the boys are not yet finished. It must be a serious matter that they were discussing. Yanmei, I have clothes in the guest room prepared for you. You should get your rest now."

With a smile of surrender, Yanmei got up and followed Yeong Soon's lead.

Yanmei was escorted to her room and the moment she got in, she thought that room was rather… MANLY. It was painted in black, white and gray. The curtains and the linens also followed the same shade. The decors were mostly minimalistic, and on the wall was a huge picture of a disassembled gun. Fronting the bed was a 60-inch flat-screen monitor.

After studying the room, she could not help but comment, "Mommy Soon. Is this Anton's room?"

"What dear? No! I swear this is the guest room, but if you prefer staying in Anton's room that can be arranged -"

"Oh, no. Mommy Soon, this here is fine," said Yanmei. "I was just wondering if all the guest's rooms were furnished this way."

"Yes, my dear. It was Jae-won who did the designing, and he liked it this way," answered Yeong Soon.

Yanmei continued to check the room and saw a display cabinet with uniquely designed knives carved with dragons. She immediately turned to Yeong Soon, but before she could ask, Mommy Soon beat her to it. She heard her say, "Oh, Anton's collection is just too many that we had to use it as a decor in some rooms. He has an entire room filled with different knives."

"Oh, I see," said Yanmei before looking back at the knives. "The blades are beautiful. It's no wonder Yeong likes them - Oh, I mean Anton."

"Did he tell you to call him Yeong?" Asked Yeong Soon. After seeing Yanmei nod, she smiled back at her. She was not sure if Yanmei knew the reason behind it, but she figured it was up to Anton to tell.

Yeong Soon hugged Yanmei all of a sudden. She had a feeling that Yanmei was truly softening Anton's heart. She remained holding her for seconds until she finally let go and said goodnight.

After being left alone in the room, Yanmei went to the bathroom, ready to take a shower. She noticed there were two sets of everything; soap and shampoo for men and women. There was even shaving cream for men, but there were also facial necessities for women. There were two unopened toothbrushes and two pairs of bathroom slippers.

"Wow," she said. "Ready for any type of guest?"

She happily took a shower and dried herself. When she saw her sleeping wear, she thought she and Mommy Soon liked the same comfortable clothes. She put on the silk nighty and silk robe before finally resting on the bed.

She breathed into the scent of the pillows and linens, saying, "Hmmm smells manly but really good."

Anton Yeong and his father had a long discussion with one of their major stockholders through a video conference call. It was already past midnight when they were through. He was exhausted and wanted to take his rest.

Seeing his mother come down from the stairs, he asked, "Where is Yanmei, mother?"

Yeong Soon yawned and pretended to be confused. She pointed out to a room and said, "I - think she is in that guest room."

Anton nodded before heading to his room. When he turned the knob to his door, he realized it was locked. He walked back to his parents' room and just before he knocked on the door, Yeong Soon extended her hand giving him the keys. She said, "I figured you'd be looking for this."

He grabbed the keys and returned to his bedroom. The moment he came inside, he gradually took off his clothes and left it on the floor, leaving only his undershirt and boxer shorts on.

It was because he was too tired that he did not bother to take a shower or turn on the lights. Besides, he knew his bedroom layout well.

Stretching his arms up high, Anton yawned before slamming himself on the bed.

"Ahhhh!" Yanmei screamed after feeling a lumber fall on top of her. She got up and pulled up her blanket, and after a second, all the lights were turned on.

"YEEEOOONG!!!!"

"YAANMMEI!!!"

"What are you doing here?" They both asked at the same time.

Yanmei's mouth fell open and began to analyze things. When she realized what had happened, she fell back on the bed saying, "Mommy Soon brought me here. She said this was a guest room."