45 Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. (1/2)
After dinner that night, the two decided to talk about the day's events at the mansion's atrium. It has always been the family's favorite place when they need to space out, so Ji-Eun suggested they go there.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, Ji-Eun chose a spot that was near the staircases to wait for Jaehyun. He kept busy for a few more minutes, helping Old Chen and some of the helpers around the kitchen and the dining room. She had offered to help too, but he pointed out that she already did before dinner and told her to just relax while she wait for him.
She had been fiddling away on her phone for a while when she heard the atrium doors open. She glanced over and saw Jaehyun walking in with a goofy smile on his face.
”Hey,” he said as he handed her a cold can of coffee. ”Sorry that took a while.”
She nodded and accepted his gesture of apology as he took a seat across from her, lounging on the couch. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and sighed.
”I missed this place,” he said wistfully.
”I think it's been a month or so,” Ji-Eun glanced at his face carefully. ”When you last stayed here.”
”Hmm,” he said, eyes still closed.
Ji-Eun noticed him thumbing through his pocket and she smirked.
”What's gotten you into such a mood that you're itching to smoke?” Ji-Eun said and his eyes snapped open in surprise.
”What?”
”You keep doing that,” she pointed to his right hand. ”When you want to smoke badly.”
She grinned at him as he sighed.
”Well, can I?” He asked pointedly.
”Go ahead,” she said easily. ”I don't mind.”
She sat and drank her coffee comfortably as he took out his cigarettes and started to smoke. Two long drags and he seemed to actually calm down a little.
”Are you okay now?” Ji-Eun asked, watching him.
”I guess,” he said.
”You and Father caught up with each other?” Ji-Eun asked. ”You looked uneasy just before dinner.”
Jaehyun smiled at her through the smoke. ”Yeah, we did.”
”May I ask what you two talked about?” She asked.
Jaehyun leaned back on the couch. ”He asked me how you were doing, if you're doing alright with all the wedding preparations. He wanted to know if you're getting along with your fiance's family.”
”I see,” she said. ”Is that all?”
”He also asked if you're causing trouble,” he said seriously.
”Trouble?” Ji-Eun exclaimed. ”You know I'm not... At least, I think I'm not.”
”Well...” he took another long drag. ”I don't know about that.”
”Jaehyun-”
”Don't worry too much whether you're causing trouble or not,” Jaehyun laughed lightheartedly, cutting her off. ”After all, what else would I be doing if not cleaning up after you?”