Chapter 26 - - The Golden Ax Falls Into the Lake, Part 4 (1/2)

After I hung up, I sat crouched, lost in thought. It wouldn't be worth asking him, right? Just like JiKyung said, there is no way Lee JiHan likes me. How could he possibly like someone like me? What do I have? I hugged my knees and nodded to myself. There's nothing to ask. And nothing to expect.

The moment I came to that conclusion, Lee JiHan opened my door and entered my room.

&“Who were you talking to for so long?&“ he asked me as if offended.

I stared at my toes trying to avoid his gaze. &“I was talking to JiKyung.&“

&“At seven in the morning?&“ JiHan reprimanded sharply.

&“There's a time difference so...but what are you doing up so early? Did you need me for something?&“ I asked JiHan, suddenly intrigued.

&“To see you.&“

&“What?&“

&“I came to check if you were still in the room. That's what I meant.&“

Imprisonment. I curled up into a ball as fear overtook me. JiHan grabbed my arms and unraveled me, then turned me to face him. I froze, suddenly facing him with my arms wide open. He shoved the teddy bear into my arms. Then like last night, rewrapped my arms around the teddy bear.

&“Starting now, this is the position you are required to be in, in this room.&“

I looked up at him with the bear in my arms. Lee JiHan was about to leave the room with his arms crossed but he stopped. He turned in the middle of the room and looked at the canopy, my face, the pajamas I was wearing, and the teddy bear in my arms. With a pleased expression, he nodded his head in approval.

&“Now it looks like a room a girl is living in.&“

You mean it looks like a room a princess is living in. Where did he get this idea about girls? In a fairy tale?

I was muttering to myself when Lee JiHan walked to the closet.

&“I bought that for you to hug, so keep hugging it. Don't stick it in the closet, and don't throw it around anywhere else.&“

He opened the closet door and looked through the new clothes like he was counting to see if any had gone missing. After looking at each piece, he took out a dress and held it up for me to see.

&“You will wear this today.&“ Lee JiHan placed the dress in front of me.

&“Am I going somewhere today?&“

I thought the point of imprisonment was that I was banned from leaving. He nodded at my question. Then he checked the time and opened his mouth to speak.

&“First, you have a skincare appointment at 10:00am for two hours, then lunch, then at 2:00pm you will head over to the hair salon.&“

&“Huh? Why am I going to these places all of a sudden?&“

&“Because your blind date is at 4:00pm. You should get ready,&“ JiHan said all too casually.

&“My what?&“ I asked mistrusting my ears.

With a strict expression, JiHan articulated four words. &“Blind. Date. Four. PM.&“

&“Why am I going on a blind date?&“

&“You have to go, it's your date.&“

&“What?! I never agreed to this!&“ I retorted jumping up and down.

Lee JiHan's expression didn't change one bit as he pushed me back down onto the bed. &“We have a lot to do today, so first, get some sleep and in an hour come out to eat breakfast.&“

After saying only what he needed to say, he left the room without giving me a chance to respond.

***

Lee JiHan

After the skincare and hair appointment, we arrived at the cafe for the blind date at 3:50pm. Her date, JungHoon, had not arrived yet, so I sat Na AhJung down and pulled an empty chair up next to her. All morning, AhJung had looked like she'd been chewing glass and even now in her seat, her expression remained the same.

&“What's your problem?&“ I asked annoyed. &“I made you up from head to toe, I find a man for you, and he's not just any man either. He may not be up to my brother's standards but he's the most successful out of everyone I know. He doesn't have as much gold in his fortune as I do, but he has a good amount. Shouldn't you be cheering right now instead of wearing that expression?&“

AhJung sighed at my criticism. &“I've told you a million times,&“ she said. &“I never asked you for this. A blind date is for someone who does not have a fiancé. So why am I being forced to go on one?&“

&“And I told you a million times, you will never marry my brother. So I will find the person you are meant to marry.&“

AhJung closed her eyes, bit her lip, and hit her chest in exasperation. Exasperated myself, I drank a glass of ice water that the waiter had put down in front of us. If I could tell her that my brother was gay, this marriage would end cleanly and easily. But I wasn't able to do that.

&“Don't just say you don't want to and that you can't. Just give it a chance and meet a couple of guys.&“ Thinking that this was the best solution, I handed the menu Na AhJung. &“Pick a drink.&“

She didn't even look at the menu, just hung her head and scowled. This girl. Fighting off a scowl myself, I heard a voice in front of me.

&“You're here already?&“

Turning my head, I found JungHoon standing there.

&“Yeah, it's been a while.&“ With my eyes still on JungHoon, I poked AhJung in the ribs with my elbow. &“Say hello. This is Hyun JungHoon. My friend.&“

Na AhJung lifted her head and made eye contact with JungHoon. He sat down across the table and greeted her.

&“Hi. My name is Hyung JungHoon.&“

&“Hi…&“ AhJung tipped her head in greeting without energy. I kicked her in the knee from under the table. She turned her head and glared at me. I threatened her with my eyes.

&“If you're not even going to try, I'm not going through with the fair play deal. Do you want to see what dirty play looks like?&“ I hissed.

AhJung looked scared at the prospect and shook her head.

&“Then get your act together. Just believe that this man is your golden ax, and you have to make this golden ax fall into your lake to live a full and happy life. Go through this date with that kind of mindset.&“

AhJung turned her head toward JungHoon at my persistent commentary. With a forced cheerful voice, she raised her hand and replied.

&“I, Na AhJung, will do my best!&“

***