Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Ji Won squinted to get a better look at the person sitting in the parked car. She probably wouldn't have noticed him if he hadn't turned the engine on just as she was walking back to her building.

"Shin?" she whispered when she recognized him. Inexplicably, she suddenly felt self-conscious about her bare face and untidy hair. She looked heavenward and said a silent prayer thanking God that she was no longer in her ratty t-shirt and shorts. Then she looked back at the car and grunted in annoyance. What was wrong with her? And why did she suddenly care about looking good to him?

In defiance, she ran her fingers through her hair, roughening it up a bit but as she slowly walked over to him, she succumbed to vanity and finger combed her hair, hoping she looked presentable. Taking a deep breath, she knocked at the car window. "Hey," she said as he unwound it. She smiled at him but after seeing a mental image of herself looking like a fool, relaxed her cheek muscles.

"Hey," Shin echoed, not turning to look at her. He'd contemplated driving away but once she spotted him, he knew he'd been trapped. But he was still mad at her. So very mad.

"What are you doing here?" She asking loudly, titling her head away so that he couldn't get a full view of her face. "Didn't we agree on 10 o'clock?"

"We did."

"So you're just early?" she said in a sing-song voice. Then to her amazement, she giggled. She shut her eyes tightly in embarrassment. What was wrong with her?

"I guess so."

His tone snapped her back to reality. "You guess so?"

He shrugged and just kept looking ahead of him.

Ji Won glanced over to see if there was anything interesting occupying his attention but after confirming there was nothing, she frowned and looked back down at him. "Is everything alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

She stood there for a moment and tried to figure out if he was bipolar or something. It was only a day since he'd been so apologetic about everything and now he was acting so cold? "Has something come up? Is that why you're here now? You can't go anymore?"

"I don't know," he replied honestly.

"You don't know?" she repeated in amazement.

Shin looked at her for the first time since she'd approached his car. Then he hissed and looked away. Why did she have to be so damn beautiful? She looked exactly as he'd imagined she would have if he'd woken up next to her that morning in Aruba. He sighed and shook his head. He definitely hated that she was back with her ex but on the other hand, he had to be rational. It wasn't like they were dating so she had absolutely no obligations to him and she could very well date anyone she wanted to but that realization did nothing to loosen the knot of betrayal lying in the pit of his stomach. He took a deep breath in – he had to be rational. Or at least, mature. He'd been the one to invite her out so he had to see it through. "I'll wait here for you."

Ji Won scoffed. "If you don't want to go, it's fine. I mean, I don't even know where I'm going. You're the one who just randomly asked me to come out with you today so that we can work on your writer's block but if you want to cancel, it's more than fine by me. I have a lot of work to do anyway."

"We should go."

"Don't do me any favors. Because you really don't have to force yourself if you've changed your mind. You can probably solve your writing problems alone."

Shin sucked in some air. "Please, let's go. I'll wait here for you."



***



"Congratulations," a petite lady with a pixie cut said as she hugged Shin.

After driving for what seemed like centuries, driving past the sign that read, "Welcome to Incheon," with only the sound of the radio keeping them company, Shin had stopped at a modest but inviting house. Not knowing what sort of response she'd receive, Ji Won hadn't asked where they were or why they were even there. All she did was question her sanity for jumping into his car in the first place. He was clearly unstable and she should have known better. Who invites someone on a trip but doesn't say anything to them on their entire drive there?

Shin looked down at his friend in confusion. "Congratulations? Aren't you the ones celebrating your anniversary?"

The lady stepped back and laughed as a tall, beefy guy stepped over to her and wrapped his arm over her shoulder. "Yeah, but that's not as great as you finally moving on," she said, smiling warmly at Ji Won.

Ji Won furrowed her brows and looked from the lady to Shin. Huh?

Shin was equally confused so he asked his friend to elaborate.

"You know when—" Her words were cut short by a sharp nudge from her husband. "—she-who-shall-not-be-named left? You kinda became a slut. Remember that after going through all the women in town, you started trying it with us? You even hit on me!"

"I didn't go through every woman in town. Stop exaggerating. And okay, for about five minutes, while wearing my extremely thick beer goggles, I thought you were cute. Are you going to hang this over my head for the rest of my life?"

"Yes," she said earnestly. Then she broke into laughter. "But you know what? After all these years, I'm glad to finally see you taking a relationship seriously." She turned to Ji Won. "You must be one hell of woman for him to bring you all the way from Seoul to meet us today. And you look like a woman with a brain." She turned to Shin. "You've really grown up." Then she walked over to Ji Won and took her hand. "So, tell me everything. Where did you guys meet? How long have you been together? Will we be hearing wedding bells anytime soon?"

Ji Won gently took the lady's hand off hers and stepped back. "I think you might have the wrong idea. I'm not his girlfriend – I'm his editor."

"No, you're not." She turned to Shin. "Isn't your editor a man?"

Shin nodded. "But she's editing a different book."

She knitted her brows in confusion. "Then if you're his editor, what are you doing here?"

Ji Won shook her head. "I honestly don't know."

The lady narrowed her eyes and looked from Ji Won to Shin. There definitely was something fishy because she was sensing far more than a professional relationship between them. She smiled as an idea popped into her head. She cleared her throat and to Ji Won said, "But you're single, right?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing, really. But are you single? Do you have a boyfriend? Someone you're dating?"

Ji Won looked around and saw all eyes trained on her curiously, although Shins appeared to have enough intensity to punch holes through her. After ignoring her for so long, why did he suddenly care about anything she had to say?

"Miss, you might want to answer Ri Na because she's not going to let it go," the lady's husband adviced in an amused tone.

"It's true. Are you single? Do you have a boyfriend?"

Ji Won shook her head in annoyance. "No."

"No as in, you are not single or that you don't have a boyfriend?"

She groaned. "I don't have a boyfriend."

"What about someone you've just started dating? Maybe someone you think is nice but it's not yet serious?"

Ji Won sighed. "I'm as single as the day I was born," she snapped.

Ri Na nodded with satisfaction. "What about you, Shin? Are you single?"

"Mind your business, Ri Na," he said even though his voice was a lot softer than the words demanded.

Ji Won was a little taken aback by the sudden change in his mood.

"Do you find him attractive?" Ri Na asked Ji Won.

"Who?"

"Shin. The guy you came with."

"What?"

"There's no way you can't see that he's totally hot, right? When he joined our school, all the girls went gaga for him."

"Bully," Shin said, calling his friend by his high school nickname, "control your wife." He knew he should be annoyed by Ri Na's meddling but this was one time he was actually grateful that she loved poking her nose in other people's business.

After rolling her eyes at Shin, Ri Na pressed on. "So as I was saying, do you find him attractive?"

Ji Won could already feel her cheeks reddening. She really wanted to tell this annoying little grunt to shove a stick in her as.s but she knew she had to play it cool. If she looked the least bit affected by the questions, she could tell that Ri Na would only make things worse. She glanced at Shin before saying, "He's not ugly."

"Good. And Shin, do you—?"

"Yes," Shin quickly interjected.

The crowd erupted in a chorus of ooohs and ahhs.

At this point, the blood was practically gushing to Ji Won's cheeks.

"So, if he were to ask you out, would you say yes?"

She groaned. "God, what is this?" she asked under her breath.

"Is that a yes?"

Her eyes traveled around the room and when they landed on Shin, she saw him looking at everything but her. Why would she want to date such an annoying guy?

"We don't have all day."

Ji Won sighed loudly. "I don't know." She knew that saying yes wouldn't be the smart thing to do but saying no would only bring about more questions and she was already tired of having the spotlight on her.

"Cool," Ri Na said, nodding and smiling.

"What are you so happy about? She said she doesn't know," Bully said with a smirk.

"Exactly. A double negative. I do not no. The 'not' and the 'no' cancel each other out."

All the spectators burst into laughter. Everyone including Ji Won and Shin.


***

"Single?" a voice said just as Ji Won was about to bite into her kebab.

She turned to her side to see a man smiling at her. He was about her height and had a baby face she was sure hid his true age.

"So you are single? There's no ring on your finger," he said, pointing to it.

Ji Won dropped her kebab stick on her plate and turned to him. "I'm single. Weren't you here for my public humiliation?" She wasn't really one for making mundane conversations with strangers but what else could a person do at a party they weren't even invited to?

He chuckled. "Yeah, but I just wanted to confirm it. Because you know, single girls are almost extinct in these parts."

"You don't say."

"I'm dead serious. It's easier to find a leprechaun carrying a pot of gold than a single girl over 21."

Ji Won smiled. "Well, I guess that means you should look for one under 21."

He looked away in mock exasperation. "Just my luck. The one cute single I see thinks I'm a pervert."

She laughed. "Of course I don't. I'm just giving you some friendly advice."

"Ah. So I've made a new friend." He stretched his hand out. "I'm Chun Hee, by the way. Ri Na's older brother-in-law."

Ji Won took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you."

They made a bit more small talk before Chun Hee watched ahead as Ri Na walked across the yard with some drinks in her hand then shook his head. "When Bully brought her home to meet the family, we all begged him not to marry her," he said, taking his eyes off her and looking back at Ji Won.

"Why?"

"Because she doesn't know when to shut up."

She laughed.

"I'm serious. We can no longer have painless holiday dinners where we all eat in silence and ignore each other. No. She insists on talking and asking questions about things we don't want to discuss."

"Well, that's a good thing, right? It can help you guys get closer."

"No," he said, shaking his head vehemently. "Not when every dinner feels like a support group meeting. Hello everyone," he said, his voice suddenly getting nasal, "it's been exactly eight months, six days and twelve hours since my last drink."

Ji Won laughed. "It can't be that bad."

"Don't take it personal," Ji Won heard Shin say about two seconds before he was standing next to her. She suddenly stood straight and felt her body tense up. After the conversation with Ri Na, even though he hadn't spoken to her, she'd caught him staring at her at different moments during the day.

"Take what personal?" Chun Hee asked.

"Not you. I was talking to her," he said, turning to Ji Won.

She gave him a sidelong glance. "Take what personal?"

"His flirtations. He flirts with everyone."

Ji Won grimaced. Now he was being mean? Bipolar man was back.

"I really don't appreciate you tarnishing my image to her. Ji Won ssi, I'm not a flirt."

"Are you really denying it? Are you going to pretend you don't flirt with everyone? Heck, didn't you stalk me my first year in high school?"

"Hello, all the girls were after you so I was just making sure I was around to pick up all the broken hearts."

Ji Won let out a sigh of relief when she realized that Shin had been only joking. She turned to Chun Hee. "So other than breaking hearts, how else was he in high school?"

"Quiet. Withdrawn. So secretive. Always writing something in his notebook. The rumor was that he was constantly rating the girls he'd slept with."

"Huh?" Ji Won said.

"You know, like he'd be walking around and suddenly remember that Kang Da Hae was a really sloppy kisser so he'd quickly write it down so as not to forget it."

Ji Won burst out laughing. "Tell me you're making this up."

"It's enough, Chun Hee yah," Shin voice boomed. He couldn't understand how this knucklehead didn't know when to shut up. "Thanks for the trip down memory lane but I'm sure there's something else you can be doing other than bothering Miss Na over here."

"No, it's cool. He's not bothering me," she said, laughing. Shin obviously didn't enjoy being teased but she was loving it. Besides, it was pay back for what she'd had to endure earlier. "Chun Hee ssi, tell me more."

Chun Hee saw the look on Shin's face and knew that it was in his best interest to disappear. "Miss Na, it's been nice talking to you but I need to do something," he said before turning around.

As he walked away, Ji Won could already feel her body becoming more tense. They stood in silence for some uncomfortable seconds before she decided that she probably needed another drink.

She was about to say something to that effect when he said, "I guess you're just one of those people."

She frowned. Not again. He now wanted to pick a fight? "Which people?"

"One of those who gets along with everyone. I think Chun Hee is going to run out and get the biggest ring he can afford."

She laughed. "Yeah, just what I need right now – another proposal."

Shin hid a smile. She was definitely not back with her ex and it was embarrassing how good that made him feel. So good that he wanted to pick her up and give her a twirl.

"But," she continued, "I doubt he'll get a ring because after what happened earlier, it's pretty clear that I've been assigned as your wife."

He laughed. "Sorry about that. Ri Na can be so obnoxious at times."

"Which is why you hit on her when you were drunk?" she teased.

"With drunk being the operative word."

She shook her head and laughed again. "Is this somehow helping with your writer's block? Because, as much as this has been an interesting day, I still don't see how it's helping you."

"Well, coming back here will definitely help me trigger any memories I might have forgotten about this place. And having you here means that I'll constantly have to think about writing."

"It's comforting to know that when you see me all you can think about is writing," she said, not really liking the sound of it.

"If only that were true," he said with a sigh. He scratched the back of his head and smiled at her uncertainly.

"Yeah?" was all she could come up with.

Ji Won reluctantly glanced at him then looked away. Maybe he wasn't the only bipolar person around because she couldn't understand how the mood could go from being comfortable to uncomfortable in less than a nanosecond.

"Well," she said, taking a deep breath in, "I need to get another drink."

"Okay. But I was ordered to get you to come into the house and play Clue so let's go in when you've gotten your drink."



***

"So your name really is Shin?" Ji Won asked as soon as they were back on the road. The game of Clue had been more fun than she'd anticipated especially as she was playing with a bunch of strangers but watching Shin in his element, especially listening to his deductive reasoning had given her an insight to another side of his personality. "All your friends call you Shin so it must be your name."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course it's my name."

"But how so? Isn't your birth name Pil Suh?"

"It sure is."

"Then how did you get Shin out of it?"

"Hmm… should I tell you? It's kind of a secret but since you're my editor, I guess you deserve to know."

"Uh, okay."

"Back in my mid teens, I worked at a local coffee shop. One busy day, I mistakenly spilled scalding hot coffee on a gentleman's chest and he had to be rushed to the hospital. Naturally, I offered to make it up to him in any way I could so he asked me to visit his home every Wednesday evening. One thing led to another and we became good friends. He encouraged me a lot and began to read some of my stories and he's pretty much the reason I'm a writer today."

Ji Won nodded. "I see. And his name was Shin?"

"Bingo," he said, pointing at her. "I kind of took the name to honor him."

She thought about it for a moment. "But if he's the reason you're writing, shouldn't your pen name be Shin and not Pil Suh?"

He chuckled. "That would make more sense, wouldn't it?"

She frowned. "Meaning what? That you just made up that story?"

He laughed. "Pretty much."

She hit his arm playfully. "You know your stupid stories suck, don't you?"

"Is that why you don't read my novels?" he asked half-jokingly.

"Whatever," she said, not knowing what else to say. "Anyway, are you going to tell me the real reason you're called Shin?"

He shook his head. "Not today."

"Not today? Blech. You can be so annoying, Yoon Pil Suh."

"I can, can't I?" he joked as he hit the accelarator. They were only a few minutes away from their next destination and suddenly, he was feeling rather anxious.