"Stop fidgeting," Jaehyun noticed Ji-Eun clenching and unclenching her fist. "You're alright."
Ji-Eun could only return a weak smile as she sipped her coffee.
"Don't be so nervous," he smiled at her. "You're just going to meet some people and dress up."
He reached out to hold her hands steady. So, you could still act like a girl at times like these, huh? He thought to himself as he watched her look around the hotel lounge.
"I've never done anything like this, you know," Ji-Eun said.
"Like what?" Jaehyun asked, amused. "Shopping for a wedding dress?"
He meant to ask as a joke, but he was floored when she nodded at him earnestly. She was so nervous that the sarcasm in his words flew right above her head. He rubbed his temple. They were seated at the comfy VIP Lounge at The Regal, waiting for the Song family Madam. Being the polite party that they are, they arrived early and prepared for her arrival. Oh Jaehyun had ordered some light snacks for Ji-Eun and he watched her like a hawk as she ate.
"Just don't overeat or you'll have trouble with your fitting later, okay?" He said as he handed her a napkin.
Ji-Eun could only nod her head as she hastily stuffed scones in her mouth. She wore a loose-fitting, navy dress shirt and a pair of cream Oxford shoes, which her fashionable secretary approved as, "Presents a modest front, while easy to pull on and off during the actual fitting."
She eats a lot when she's nervous, so I should just... He pushed the plate of scones and puffs away without her noticing. Relieved at his success, he checked the time.
4:20 pm.
Her Mother-in-law should be arriving anytime, he thought as he glanced at the doors.
"Ji-Eun," he settled back on his chair. "Isn't your husband coming?"
He felt a little off and annoyed addressing Song Hyun-Shik as such, but he had nothing else to call him.
"I don't know," she said. "Maybe not? It's a work day."
"Have you talked to him recently?" He asked, disbelieving.
"No."
Jaehyun tapped the table twice as what he always did when he wanted Ji-Eun to focus. She turned to look at him directly, her focus readjusting to him. He had always loved these moments when she was just a girl listening to him and his instructions. She would take off her heiress status and would just converse with him on a normal level, just like really close friends.
"Honestly, do you even have his phone number?" He asked, prepared for the answer, but choosing not to believe it until he heard it straight from her.
Ji-Eun narrowed her eyes. "I... don't think so," she said thoughtfully. "I never asked."
"I give up," a massive headache looming in the distance, Jaehyun could only lower his head.
How could there be a couple like these two? I mean, even if their marriage was arranged, at least they could have asked for each other's phone number to communicate. Such difficult people to deal with...
"I'll ask for it," she said. "Don't worry."
Jaehyun kept his head lowered. "That's not the point..."
They heard voices from the direction of the entrance just in time and turned to see that Song Su-Won had arrived.
Oh Jaehyun nodded to Ji-Eun encouragingly, as she shot to her feet to receive her Mother-in-law.
"Oh, heavens," they both heard Song Su-Won exclaim when she got near their table. "What happened to you? You've turned thin!"
Song Su-Won received their greeting and focused her attention on Ji-Eun.
"I heard from the President that you haven't gone home the past few days," she said, peering into Ji-Eun's face. "I sincerely hope you're not overworking yourself."
"No, Auntie," she answered. "I'm just in the final stages of my project. I really hoped to finish before... getting married."
Su-Won smiled at her and patted her cheek affectionately. "Such a filial daughter, you are."
She then noticed another presence and turned to look over at Oh Jaehyun curiously.
"Madam Song," Jaehyun bowed again.
"Is this..?" Who in the world is this handsome boy? Su-Won thought as she skimmed over his profile. He's not a boyfriend or anything, is he?
"Auntie," Ji-Eun stepped forward. "This is Oh Jaehyun. He's better known as the famous Secretary Oh of the Chung Group."
"Ah!" Song Su-Won's eyes brightened. "Secretary Oh," she shook his hand. "It's good to finally meet you."
Jaehyun smiled thinly as he accepted the gesture. Whatever passed between Song Su-Won's and Oh Jaehyun's thoughts at that moment, they both tried hard not to show it in their expressions in front of Ji-Eun.
The Madam thought to herself that this secretary was not all that simple and would probably be a threat to her son's relationship with Ji-Eun. And Jaehyun thought that the Madam would feel something off between his relationship with her potential Daughter-in-law.
"I've already called the Boutique ahead of time," Oh Jaehyun made the first move to break the awkward silence and gestured to the Madam. "They're already waiting for you. We can always-"
"Jaehyun," Ji-Eun said in an admonishing tone. "You're off work. You're here as a family member. Or would you like me to call Father?"
Please don't make it worse... he silently pleaded as he glanced at the Madam, who watched their interaction silently, her expression unreadable.
"Alright," he nodded as he stepped away from the couch. "We should probably get going."
Song Su-Won smiled as she nodded. Whatever her thoughts were, she put them aside and turned her attention back to Ji-Eun.
"Auntie," Ji-Eun said. "I'm not sure how this goes, but the Boutique won't have anyone else besides us today. You can eat or drink there if it takes too long..."
"My dear, please don't worry about me. I'm here to help you with your dress, so I should be the one fussing," she held her Daughter-in-law's hand firmly.
As Ji-Eun nodded and turned her head back a bit to address Oh Jaehyun about something, Song Su-Won sent a quick message to someone on her phone.