"Why couldn't we just meet them at the apartment?" Greta moans at me as I drag her through the crowd inside the food hall we arranged to meet.
"I think Bryant's scared of you and figured you're less likely to murder him in a public place." I jest and spot a server to our left.
"Excuse me. We have reservations under the name Park. Party of four."
It's crazy busy in this place, given it's not even seven pm yet, but it's a bar and restaurant in a trendy part of the city, so I guess it's to be expected even if it's a weekday night.
The girl motions for us to follow her to a desk by the corner, where she checks her computer screen and then points us in the direction of the hall leading to private rooms at the back.
"Room fifteen. Two are already here." She smiles sweetly, and we move off to head down the dim mood-lit hallway with a lot fewer people milling around. Holding hands and dressed for formal dining tonight. Greta, for once, is in a black jersey dress over heeled boots, while I opted for a navy cotton shirt dress over sandals. We even went for a bit of glam and did our annual Christmas makeup for this. Tired of being locked up in hiding the last few days while the worst of the press wave happened. We are so over sitting on the couch watching daytime television and movies while the world had itself some drama over my existence.
I couldn't turn on the TV or scroll my cell phone without seeing reports about me, my life, tragic accident, and so many pointless repeated blogs on my return. Everyone has an opinion and a theory, and it gave me an excuse to stay inside and dodge life for a while. Jyeon hated that I wouldn't go anywhere with him and showed up almost nightly to check in after work. Jyeon was right, though, that they found something new to dramatize after only a few days, and my story is fast falling by the wayside. I didn't even have to endure an interview or pushy reporters.
We find the room and open the sliding paper doors of this Asian fusion bar to see our companions already sitting on the floor at the low Japanese-style table. Leaning heads together, immersed, as they read through or watch something intriguing on Jyeon's phone. Looking very much like two teen boys from my past who were always glued at the hip and up to no good ninety percent of the time. I pause for a second to enjoy the familiar sight, and it warms my heart to see them this way. Like we were back a decade ago, and nothing has happened to change how we once were.
"We're here," Greta announces bluntly, eyeing up Bryant as though he's the devil incarnate, and then chooses to sit precisely opposite him after taking her shoes off. I know she's going to try and intimidate him all night, and I giggle at her as I follow and slide down beside her. I know she has this weird bee in her bonnet about Bryant that I don't quite understand, given he's been nothing but pleasant to her. I think he left a lasting impression the first time he challenged her in the Tarry shack. She is one to hold a grudge. That's evident because no matter how much she sees Jyeon, she still gives him the ice queen act.
"Evening, ladies. You look stunning." Bryant smiles warmly, casting eyes over both of us before lifting the digital menu and handing it to me. "We already ordered a few minutes ago. So dive in." It's an iPad service where you press in what you want, and they bring it to you. Convenient for places like this with closed dining rooms.
"This place seems pricey," Greta observes, eyeing up the tablet in my hand and then shrugs when I offer her a choice on the screen. She shies away from technology most of the time and trusts my food judgment. I click on a few things I know we'll both eat and lay it back down when I'm done.
"It's not like any of us here are poor," Bryant adds matter-of-factly and then feels the death ray of Greta on his downturned face and shifts uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes.
"Speak for yourself." She snorts.
"So, what's the occasion. You were mysterious on the phone. Dress up for dinner, and here's an address. Why are we here?" I cut to the chase, pulling Jyeon's attention to me. Moving my cutlery aside to prop my elbows on the table, Jyeon finally puts his phone down. Sitting up and smiling at me properly as his eyes scan my outfit with appreciation.
"Socialising. I wanted to hang out with you now things are calmer, and you said it annoys you that I always leave Greta behind. So, we have a double date. You two look gorgeous, by the way." He winks at Greta with a smug playboy smirk and get's a scowl in return. She's not swayed by his charm, even if we no longer suspect him.
"I would rather eat my shoes than date this dodgy asshole. Lawyers are the spawn of Satan." Greta huffs and goes to focus on placing her napkin on her lap.
"Hey. I'm a very upright and moral lawyer. I happen to have a code I stick by." Bryant protests shifting the center water jug out of Greta's reach with a subtle move, and I find it amusing how much she does put the fear of god into this boy. Bryant isn't exactly small and feeble. He's a very tall and buff guy who works out religiously, and she did think he was hot before she knew who he was. Tall stupid-looking one in a white t-shirt, I think she called him.
"Why did we have to come somewhere so public and upmarket?" Greta is too used to small island living, and I know she's complaining because this is far from her comfort zone. She feels exposed and self-conscious especially given the price of the food I showed her.
"I was going to suggest my place and pizza, but then I wasn't sure how you would take that." Jyeon locks eyes on me, hinting he would have liked it better if it was his place, and it rekindles a question that I keep putting off asking.
"Where is that exactly? You don't live at home anymore, so where do you live? I have been curious since you took me to see your mother."
After the little scene with Claire a few days ago, I know he definitely does not live with her, and knowing he and his mother are at a weird cold war over my disappearance, I guess he found himself somewhere else to live. It's not that important, I guess, but I still wonder.
"I bought a penthouse apartment about ten minutes from OLO. It's convenient and nice to have my own space after living my whole life under my parents' thumb. I can take you there and show you when you're ready. Give you a tour."
"Yet you wanted her to go back and live with your mom?" Greta cuts in snarkily, saving me from responding to the offer of seeing his man pad, and Jyeon smiles and flexes his brow. He's pointed out a couple of times that he finds Greta's protective instinct over me as something cute. He likes her even if she doesn't like him, and he appreciates the way she looks after me. He admitted just the other evening when she left the room that it makes him relax knowing I always have her by my side. That knowing she's been the one who loved me these past two years and helped me heal was a gift.
"Maybe not my best idea. I didn't think it through. Yeah… I get it. I'm not the clearest of thinkers when it comes to Sohla. I never have been. It was a dumb idea, and I apologize." Jyeon looks down at the phone on the table, somewhat sheepish and awkward for a second, yet it gives me weird butterflies. The more I see him lately, the worse my stupid inner reactions to him are getting. And him admitting to being wrong. I should film it for prosperity as Jyeon of the past was never wrong.