Chapter 9 - - The Future Brother-In-Laws Marriage Test, Part 4 (1/2)

I held tightly to my cell phone and ran out into the night. I caught a taxi, and hurriedly arrived at JiKyung's house. I rushed into the living room and saw Lee JiHan on the sofa with his arms crossed and a sour look on his face as he glared at me.

&“What were you doing at this hour that you come now?&“

&“Oh, I, I was at home. My home. I was going to sleep there, and come back in the morning.&“

I had come so quickly at his beckoning that I had forgotten about my embarrassing situation. Lee JiHan answered back in a tone that clearly indicated his disapproval of me.

&“Two months, every day. 24 hours a day. I told you that I am going to live here with you for that time frame. I mentioned this a couple hours ago, didn't I?.&“

&“Oh...yes, you did.&“

&“You wanted to annoy me so you went home on purpose, didn't you?&“

&“What?&“

&“My brother told you to use this house, but like last time you're going to pretend like I kicked you out. Isn't that why you went back to your house?&“

&“Oh, no it's not!&“ I shook my two hands frantically in refusal. &“It's not that, it's just...I just thought that a man and woman sleeping in the same house...although we are using separate rooms, but...you never know what could happen between a man and a woman. It's a bit…&“

&“Are you assuming that I, a man, will do something to you, a woman?&“ Lee JiHan's eyes glared at me in disbelief.

&“Well, no, I'm not saying that. It's just that he world is a scary place. I'm just saying I should be careful about these things.&“

&“So in other words, you think I am some sort of criminal?&“

At the sharp accusation, I swallowed hard. Thinking it best not to test his patience, I folded my hands gracefully together and asked,

&“Which room should I be using?&“

Lee JiHan looked me up and down in disapproval, whipped around and threw me an answer.

&“Find whichever one you want. Do you have to ask me about every little thing? Can't you think for yourself?&“

&“Okay….&“ I forced a smile and let his nagging words through one ear and out the other.

Lee JiHan didn't even spare a glance at me as he got up from the sofa and walked to his bedroom.

That room should have been mine...It's supposed to be…

I looked forlornly toward the bedroom.

Well, even if I'm not able to get the bedroom, there are a lot of rooms available. All the rooms here are good, right? With this positive thought, I moved to find my room.

The house had a library and closet, guest room, and two empty rooms. Excluding the bathroom, I visited the 5 rooms and sat my butt down on the bed in the guest room. It was spacious, clean, and had everything that I needed. It was decorated like a luxurious hotel room and it lifted my spirits. I fell onto the comfy bed.

Ah…! Nice, nice!

I rolled around to and fro in delight. But…

&“Hey!&“

The unexpected shout made me jump up. I didn't even know he was there, but there Lee JiHan stood in front of the door.

&“Yes?&“

&“I called you several times! Why are you not coming? You should be ready and waiting for the moment I call, but instead you act like you don't even hear me, are you patronizing me?&“

&“You called? When? I didn't hear anything.&“

&“I called you a hundred times from my bedroom.&“

&“Bedroom? Eh, if you called from the bedroom, of course I couldn't have heard you. There's quite a distance between there and here.&“

&“So who told you to be here?&“

&“But...you told me to use any room.&“

&“Whichever room you decide to use is not my concern. But if and when I call you, you better haul your butt over in a hurry..&“

&“I would of course run to your service. Next time, please call me loudly so I can hear from my room.&“

Hearing my words, Lee JiHan pulled out a whistle from his pocket and held it to his lips. He blew it in short bursts. The whistle sounded like a weak hum and was practically inaudible.

&“I am going to call you with this.&“

&“...I don't think that sound will carry all the way here,&“ I said.

&“If you put in the effort to hear it, there will be nothing you can't hear.&“ Lee JiHan said seriously.

I wanted to ask him if he had any intention of ever listening to me, but I changed my mind and instead smiled widely before speaking.

&“I understand. I will always be near you, and my ear will be at constant attention. I will always be listening intently. Because I am your future sister-in-law.&“

Yea...Let's go to the living room.

I chose the place I had to be at and brought over the pillow and blankets from the bed.

***

Because I didn't know when Lee JiHan would blow his whistle, I couldn't get a wink of sleep and just lay there with my eyes open. I was not able to reap any fruit from my labor, as the whistle did not sound once.

&“I should have just slept,&“ I sighed to myself as I stared at the morning sun outside the window. I rubbed my eyes which were foggy from lack of sleep and stood up.

It's a new day anyways. I should try to gain some points by making breakfast.

I stepped sadly into the package filled kitchen. Whatever kitchen stuff I had not bought with my own hands, Lee JiHan had bought it last night and ordered me to organize them all. Of course, Lee JiHan handed me the receipts to all of them and asked that I pay him back in cash. &“All the things that you should have bought, I bought for you so it's right that you pay,&“ he'd said.

I sighed in desperation thinking about the cost written on the receipts. If I need to change everything in every corner of this house, I will end up owing more for my dowry than the contract money I received from JiKyung.

No, it'll be fine, fine. It can't be that much, it can't be.

I persuaded myself of this fact, stood in front of the cooktop and took out my phone. I then searched for an online recipe for the beef bourguignon that I was supposed to have made yesterday. I found a recipe on a famous blog and wrapped an apron on as I got ready to start.

JiKyung's words suddenly flashed in my brain.

[You don't know? You're no good at cooking.]

[If JiHan ate your cooking, all hell would have broken loose. He would rant about how this wedding cannot happen and will refuse your very existence.]

As a consequence, I became a bit nervous and examined the recipe thoroughly.

&“An easy recipe for beginners….&“ I read the directions on the recipe out loud. I also read the comments attached it.

&“If you follow the recipe, it will be a great success.&“ All the comments on the blog were complimenting the author.

Yea, I just have to follow it word by word. I'm making it exactly the same as the others so what would be different?

And plus, how much does Lee JiKyung know anyway? He only ate the food I made him a few times. Cookies twice, Kimbap once, that's it! He's judging me by that small sample? That's not right. Not right.