บท 8: Eighteen [1]

The rest of the week treaded slowly towards Sunday.

My big day.

Or rather, our big day.

Areum and I.

Hyun Min and I kept going to the study cafe and he continued teaching me the subjects I had difficulties with.

What a sweet teacher he is.

But soon, he got distracted every now and then.

After solving a quick equation he had given me to work on, I'd catch him binging on some videos on Me-Tube.

Is he losing interest in coaching me already?

I sulked and pouted as I watched him fully immersed in whatever video he was watching on the cafe's computer.

"What are you doing?" I asked curiously trying to take a peep, but he was fast enough to exit the page.

"I-It's n-nothing." He stuttered, his eye balls almost popping out of their sockets as he turned to me.

What's he hiding?

"Since you're done with the equations, let's leave now." He continued, a little bit nervous.

"But… you haven't checked if I solved them correctly."

He stopped, clenching his hand tight around his bag. "I have to go somewhere. I will see you tomorrow."

He had said and without hesitation, he walked out of the study cafe.

Leaving me behind.

For the first time.

What was I expecting from him?

Tch.

I packed my bag and waited outside the study cafe for the driver to pull up. Aruem knew I was studying there anyway, so while she goes up for her acting practice, I trail off with Hyun Min to study.

But today,

He abandoned me.

★

That night, I totally brushed Hyun Min out of my mind and surprisingly, I studied well without him crossing my mind for a bit.

Or maybe he did appear for a while.

But,

I was satisfied I was finally getting my head working. I know a bunch of things now and I must confess, studying is really nice and enjoyable.

Okay, that was a lie.

It sulks.

But I have no other choice than to do this.

I have to go save myself from the same pit I fell into in my first life's phase. I have to study so my husband doesn't get taken away from me again, so I wouldn't lose my baby and inheritance and most importantly,

My name.

"I see you're hanging out with that boy lately." Areum had said, crashing into my train of thoughts abruptly.

I looked at her and she groped a pillow tight in her arms.

Why is she here?

"I will be sleeping in your room tonight. We have to clock eighteen while we are side by side, no?" She continued, heading towards my bed without permission.

"I have to study." I said, my tone firm and unwavering.

Maybe I was a little irritated.

Ignoring my words, Areum tucked herself under my duvet and blurted out a few words before yawning a little.

"I won't disturb you, I promise."

And with that, she slept off the moment her head touched the pillow.

Sigh.

Such a witch!

I shook my head and turned back to my books.

And the next pingle I heard jolted me out of my mundane imagination.

Or, a dream it is.

I stretched a little.

I couldn't believe I had fallen asleep on my study table.

Rubbing my eyes with my fingers, I grabbed my phone and flipped it open.

Who has sent a message so early?

[Hyun Min]

Happy birthday, Kim Aera. I'm glad we both exist in the same timeline. Thank you for being in this world.

Tch.

He left hurriedly yesterday, and now…

I smiled.

How can he be the first to wish me a happy birthday? The first to wish me on my eighteenth year in this world.

I touched my cheeks trying to conceal the blush that had flushed into my face.

And then, I looked up ahead and caught sight of my image in the mirror in front of my table and the smile on my face slacked off.

Wait a minute!

"I've not been wearing make-up ever since I got this life back… and Hyun Min has been seeing me this bland?" I welped to myself.

I was suddenly overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment!

I rushed into my bed and screamed into my pillow.

And then, a hard slap landed on my butt cheek.

It was Aruem.

"We have to wash up now and get ready to go to the salon to get our hair done for tonight."

Right!

I managed to get out of bed and almost immediately, Aruem engulfed me in a hug pushing me back into the bed.

"Happy birthday, Aera!" She screamed happily.

I gave her soft pats and said;

"Same, same."

Not minding my cold response, Aruem dragged me into the bathroom and we spent an hour cleaning up and bonding.

To be honest, it was fun.

°~°~°~°

Lightning, decorations, food, giant cake, everything was set and all ready and the night was grooming really nicely and soon, invited guests began to troupe in with expensive limos and wild range of limited edition cars.

Our party wasn't a place for paupers to dine.

It was exquisite and fancy.

Just to my taste.

And soon, my grandpa arrived with his convoy. I was happy to see him and I engulfed him in a warm hug while whispering how much I have missed him into his ear.

His eye smile was charming and he planted a small kiss on my cheek while Areum watched and she gave him a little bow while he patted her back a little.

Yes, I used to be like that.

Let me enjoy my dotting hour too.

"Your grandmother couldn't make it here today because a maid had mistakenly clipped her toe nail hard and it etched a severe cut which wouldn't let her leg fit into any of her shoes." Grandpa had explained and I was a little sad.

"We can visit her next time." Mom said, pulling him away to take a seat.

And then, the party started.

For a special event, we went back into time and the MC announced both Aruem and I will be attempting doljanchi again. Just like when we were born.

[*Doljanchi: During the naming ceremony of a new born kid in Korea, a little event where materials that would determine his future is placed in front of the child and the one the child picks or touches is a pre-determinant of what he will become in the future*]

It was a little cheesy, but…

A pencil: For academic success and intelligence.

Money: For wealth and prosperity.

Rice: Plentiful food supply and good health.

Thread: Long life.

Book: Scholarly path.

Areum was called up first and she lifted her gown gracefully, ready to make her choice. Her hand swiftly grabbed the wad of cash on the counter and she received a blissful round of applause.

"What birthday present are you requesting from your family?" The MC continued with a lot of smiles plastered on his face.

"Ah… I want a golf course and the latest smartphone?" She replied, full of smiles and everyone laughed while dad nodded.

Right, he was going to get them set up for her.

Mom smiled and welcomed Areum back as she took her seat next to her.

"Aera!" I heard my name.

It was my turn.

Standing by the counter, I scanned the content on it. Aruem had chosen wealth and prosperity, but that was not what I wanted.

Everyone anticipated what I would pick.

And then, my hand went straight to grab the thread.

Right!

I will be getting my grandfather's inheritance anyway.

All I need is a long life.

That is enough.

"And what would you like as a present…"

I cut the MC short abruptly.

My mind was made up.

I knew what I wanted.

"I want 1% share from the K group's stock."

This will be my starting point.

It's not greed.

I'm just protecting myself.

From all these people who turned against me.

Everyone fell silent at my request.

What an absurd and witty present.

They murmured.

But…

Grandpa stood up from his seat and began to clap his hands and then, from every corner, they began to jam their hands as well.

And then, I was ushered back to my seat while dad, mom and Aruem plunged their eyes into my skin.

Who cares?

Me?

Definitely not.

°~°~°~°

"Young master Hyun Woo is here." A maid whispered into my ear and a wild smile engulfed my whole face.

And that was it…

As I made my way out of the mansion and carefully descended the stairs, Hyun Woo began to emerge from below, ascending the stairs with a beautiful flower bouquet seated in his hands.

I should be the one he's holding.

I giggled.

"Hyun…"

I tried to call his name, but I had to halt to a quick pause.

Aruem had rushed out for nowhere and engulfed Hyun Woo in a hug while he carefully wrapped his hand around her.

And all I could do…

…was watch.

Is this when it all started?

Is this when Aruem began to convert my snow?

Is this when she started to steal my roles to become his cupid?

I clenched my fists tight.

I was a little hurt to watch them together.

Hyun Woo belongs to me.

And I felt a tear drop out of my eye.

It was sad.

Sad to watch your twin sister stab you in the back that bad.

I could have lost my balance and rolled down the stairs as I tried to walk towards them while staggering a little, but a hand grabbed me out of nowhere pulling me close.

Hyun Min.

What is this?

Why does he have to be in this moment?

Why now?

Another streak of tears flowed down my cheeks while Hyun Min's uneasy eyes bored a large hole into my face.

What's his deal?