Going to their house this time is not as nerve-wrecking as the first time. If there are other surprises that awaits, I won't falter. I am not as mindful of how I look this time, so I put on a long baby-pink A-line pleated satin skirt and a mint green sleeveless cowl-neck chiffon blouse and a flower printed blazer. I made 2 different Danish pastries, wienebrød and kanelsnegle and put them in 2 different boxes.
He parked his car at the same spot he parked last time we are here. Secretary Mo ushered us to orangery again. Jae-yin were all smiles when she saw us. So, I guess there are no unexpected guests this time.
"I'm glad you can make it…what did you bring this time?" she got curious with the boxes.
"Danish pastries…" I announced.
Jae-woo introduced me to his father. For the first time in a long time, I got nervous in meeting someone.
"Thank you for the invitation." I said calmly. No, I won't apologize for last time.
"Thank you for coming. We apologize about last time," he responded. I was astounded.
"It's fine. We shouldn't be dwelling too much about what had already happened…" I replied. Half of it I'm meaning to say about the 2 Sundays ago and also talking about the distant past.
Although it was still awkward sitting there listening about trivial stuff. I felt much better. I have the feeling that they are avoiding the topic about my father. I know it is premature to talk about it given that we just practically started getting to know each other.
"You'll have to teach me how to bake one of these days…" his mom exclaimed.
"Count me in…" Jae-yin seconded while they are devouring the pastries.
"Honey, I don't think you'll have time to learn cooking or baking at this stage…" Ji-hwan commented.
"Why not?"
"I can do the cooking, don't worry…" he replied.
"I could do that, you can come to the Loft, I am usually not that busy on Saturdays…"
"Loft?" his mother asked.
"Her apartment, she's calling it her loft…" Jae-woo answered.
"But how did you learn to bake?" Ji-wan asked.
I noticed that Jae-woo's dad is not the talkative type. But he seemed to be observing attentively.
"Didn't I tell you? She owns a restaurant in Copenhagen…"
"And you're also a chef? An author, a PhD and businesswoman… Jae, you should be ashamed of yourself…" Ji-hwan teases.
"I am actually. I still can't believe I am too lacking compared to her…"
"Come on, I'm not an actual chef…"
"Are you certain about your invitation?" his Mom is stull hang up on my invitation.
"Awww…of course. Unfortunately, I won't be available for the next 3 weekends."
"That's a shame, you got me excited…" she remarked. I can see the disappointment in her reaction.
"I'm sorry I was mindlessly blabbering; I didn't realize my schedule. I'm going to holiday with my family in the Philippines for 2 weeks…" I notified. I can see in Jae-woo's reaction that he is also surprise.
"It's fine. Don't worry."
There was an awkward silence at the car when he brought me to the Loft.
"You're going to holiday for 2 weeks?" he finally broke the silence when we arrive at the Loft.
"Marcus will be here on Friday. You remember Soo-ah's wedding on Saturday?"
"Yes. But you didn't tell me about your holiday…"
"It's an Easter break that we arrange every year. It was usually 3 weeks, but I just managed to get 2 weeks off. I'm sorry if I forgot to mention that…"
"So, those 3 months that I am expecting to spend with you will be reduce to at least 2 months if we're lucky…"
"Reduced? Why are you talking like as if there's an expiration date with this relationship?"
"I didn't mean it like that…"
"You're not so sure about being with me wherever I go, right? Were you just sweet talking me back then?"
"I didn't mean it like that. I am trying my best to work that out…"
"It's not definite. You are trying your best. Ok, so what seems to be the problem now?"
"Shouldn't we be more transparent when making up this kind of holiday decisions?"
"You can come if you have time…I told you it is an annual thing... I forgot to mention last night…"
"Ok."
"Ok, what?"
"I'll come; I'll check my schedule…"
He casually just uttered. I chuckled of how cute he can be.
"You think your all cool, huh?"
"I am though…."
"I think our arguments are getting ridiculous, lately…" I exclaimed.
"It's getting exciting, at least we can discuss anything…just don't get easily offended…"
"Me? I don't think I'll be the first one to get offended."
He ended up staying at the Loft again until the next morning. He went to Busan to check the server farm by Tuesday. All these meetings and travelling he's doing makes me feel concerned towards him. He wanted to make everything stable before moving with me to Copenhagen, he said.
"When will you have time to join us with the holiday?"
"On your birthday…you think I forgot that…?"
"You know, my birthday is the decided RTR anniversary? We don't usually celebrate it the traditional way…"
"I will make sure to clear my schedule…"
"I'm technically your boss…do you think the company will go bankrupt if you'll miss out a week?"
"Not really but we'll get backlog of work after that…"
"You'll manage though right?" I'm trying to act cute which is really ridiculous at my age, but I want to convey my enthusiasm to spend time with him.