By Zephyria 
From the smell of food filling the house to the busy movements of the housekeeper. Except for the large variety of dishes being prepared, it was a normal day, but the atmosphere felt somewhat hectic.
“Take it easy. It’s not like some grand person is coming.”
“How can I be careless when welcoming a guest?”
“Guest, my foot.”
I snorted and slid over to the housekeeper, picking up a piece of jeon from a plate and popping it into my mouth. Quickly, avoiding her gaze. My hands are faster than the eye.
“Oh goodness, eat when the table is set. If you keep snacking like that, you won’t be able to eat your meal.”
I was caught with my cheeks bulging while chewing and finally got scolded. With a sullen face, I sucked on my greasy fingers.
“They say food tastes best when you sneak bites while it’s being made. You have to eat it while it’s warm.”
“You said the guest is coming soon. It won’t cool down that quickly. Stop that and go get ready.”
“There’s nothing to prepare.”
“At least change your clothes.”
“It’s not like I’m wearing pajamas, and I’m not going out, so there’s no need to dress up.”
As I pouted and resisted, the housekeeper gave me a sidelong glance. Knowing who was coming today, she seemed exceptionally concerned.
Anyone watching would think she was welcoming a new in-law. I appreciated her thoughtfulness, but since there was no need to care about that old man, I felt a surge of spite.
“Why is this old man not here yet? I’m hungry.”
“What’s with that way of speaking?”
“It’s like a nickname between us.”
Since I was told not to even call him ‘Father,’ what else could I call him? I couldn’t exactly call him ‘Mister’ or ‘Grandfather.’
As I grumbled, the sound of the door I had been waiting for reached my ears. Since there was only one person who would open the door at this time, I ran to the entrance in excitement.
“You’re here?”
“Our Soo-kyung must have been very hungry.”
Kwon Yi-kang burst into laughter as he caught and hugged me.
You punk, you can laugh like that because you’ve never been hungry. You don’t know how sorrowful hunger is.
“Please come in.”
With me clinging to his side, Kwon Yi-kang looked back and spoke. I stared intently at Kwon Yi-kang’s father, who crossed the threshold with a reluctant expression.
“Are you not going to greet me?”
“Ah, yes. Welcome. You’re welcome here.”
When I spoke without hiding my lukewarm expression, a clicking sound of a tongue immediately returned. It occurred to me that we might actually make a good duo. I’d do the trashy rapping, and the old man would provide the beat with his tongue-clicking.
“Let’s just eat first. You came so late that I’m hungry.”
“You glutton. I suppose you spend all day at home doing nothing, yet make sure to eat your meals exactly on time.”
“Yes, your son told me to make sure I eat on time even if I have nothing to do.”
If you’re going to curse, curse Kwon Yi-kang, not me.
Since it was a criticism I didn’t need to worry about, I lightly ignored it and pulled Kwon Yi-kang’s arm. Whatever the case, let’s just eat first. Noticing my urgency, Kwon Yi-kang smiled and headed for the kitchen.
“Let’s start with the meal.”
The table was lavish, as the housekeeper had been working diligently. After neatly plating the dishes she had prepared hours ago, the housekeeper glanced at the visiting guest.
I don’t know why she’s so concerned; it’s not like he’s some grand guest. He’s just a diner.
“I prepared this because a guest was coming, but I’m not sure if it will suit your taste. Please eat quickly before it gets cold.”
I sat in the chair and picked up my chopsticks faster than anyone. Still, feeling a bit conscious, I hesitated to take food and looked around for a cue. Then, Kwon Yi-kang’s father, who sat down with an air of importance, began to speak.
“I……”
“Thank you for the meal.”
What was he trying to say at the table? Before he could even finish a sentence, I preempted him with a greeting and moved my chopsticks. I boldly picked up the jeon I had been sneaking before the table was set and chewed it, causing the old man’s brow to furrow as he looked at me.
“Have you received no education in etiquette?”
“I was taught not to talk while eating.”
I replied brazenly, erasing the memory of how much I talked during meals from my mind. Since no one here knew how talkative I was when eating at my own home, I felt no prick of conscience.
“The jeon is so delicious. This is my first time having homemade jeon.”
“Eat slowly.”
“The japchae is delicious too.”
“Glass noodles aren’t easy to digest, so just have a little.”
“The braised short ribs are the best.”
The housekeeper’s cooking skills were truly impressive. Especially the braised short ribs, which were the best of the best; I begged for them at least once a week. I did get scolded for saying I could eat them every day, though.
“Hmph, is there anything that doesn’t taste good to that mouth of his?”
“Don’t worry about my mouth and just eat. You’re saying some pretty unpleasant things while getting a free meal at someone else’s house.”
“What?”
“Don’t you remember when I first went to greet you? You acted so superior and mistreated me over a single meal. I’m just doing as I was taught.”
You reap what you sow. That’s how life works, yet a man who has lived as long as he has doesn’t know that principle.
As if to show off, I pulled the plate of braised short ribs in front of me and devoured them, sucking the sauce off my fingers. Seeing the old man’s chopsticks heading toward the crab plate, I quickly grabbed a piece of seasoned crab and placed it on Kwon Yi-kang’s bowl.
“Darling, you must be tired from working so late. Eat a lot.”
Seeing the blocked chopsticks move toward the jeon plate, I quickly grabbed the last remaining piece.
“Maybe it’s because it’s homemade, but it’s so delicious. You try some too, Darling.”
I made a humming sound as I pushed the piece of jeon I had bitten into toward Kwon Yi-kang’s mouth. Even though I was giving him something I’d already eaten, Kwon Yi-kang accepted it without hesitation. Watching this, the old man let out a dissatisfied groan.
“……What on earth are you doing?”
“I’m eating. You should eat too, old man.”
I took a large spoonful of rice, chewed it, and smiled brightly. I simply ignored the fact that the tips of the chopsticks the old man was holding were trembling.
“Your face has become so gaunt lately, Darling. What kind of company works people like that? Whenever I see companies like that, the Chairmen and CEOs never seem to come to work. I guess they don’t know how hard it is because they don’t work and just use their subordinates.”
Speaking this right to the Chairman’s face felt incredibly refreshing. Even if he’s the son, he should let him leave on time. Isn’t it a mindset of trying to use him for free just because they’re family? It’s not a ‘family-like’ company; it’s just a fucking company.
“I’ll be leaving on time from now on.”
“It’s because you work too hard, Darling. You have to know when to cut it off. If you do everything just because people complain, they’ll develop bad habits.”
“Right.”
“If they make you work overtime, ask for more money. What kind of company has no conscience?”
“You’re only saying such carefree things because you’ve never worked in a company. There are plenty of people who cling to pant legs begging for work.”
The old man, having found a flaw, quickly interjected with a reprimand and clicked his tongue. I don’t know why he’s so confident when this isn’t something to be proud of.
“It’s only natural to be paid more for the amount of work done. Making someone work without paying is the mindset of a highway robber. Sigh, it’s so sad that our child has to live in such an unreasonable world. I’ve lost my appetite because I’m so sad. I should stop eating.”
I stood up, holding a rice bowl that was cleaned spotless without a single grain left. I put the empty bowl in the sink and rinsed my mouth with water, glaring at the old man who led the way in creating an unscrupulous society.
“Finish your meal. I’ll go brush my teeth.”
“Okay.”
Leaving Kwon Yi-kang and his father behind, I headed to the bathroom. With a toothbrush in my mouth, I brushed my teeth combatively, thinking of Kwon Yi-kang’s father who would be eating.
I don’t know why he came today, but whatever he’s thinking, I’ll show him a reality different from his expectations. The image of him screaming to get rid of the baby was still vivid in my mind.
Even though the child was an unexpected windfall, who is he to tell me to get rid of the child in my belly? Just because he’s Kwon Yi-kang’s father? The parents of the child are me and Kwon Yi-kang. He didn’t contribute a single bit to making the child. I’m the one who put in the effort, along with Kwon Yi-kang, yet he acts as if he has some kind of right.
Thinking about it again, anger surged. Brushing my teeth with the power of rage made them exceptionally squeaky clean.
After drying myself off and coming out, I saw the father and son sitting in the living room, having finished their meal. The housekeeper, who had brought out coffee just in time, gave me a subtle signal.
“What about mine?”
A coffee ban had been issued because I was pregnant. Recalling the sad memory of my hidden mix coffee being thoroughly raided by Kwon Yi-kang and tossed into the trash, I asked:
“Burdock tea.”
“……The worst-tasting one.”
“It’s good for your health.”
Probably good for the baby. If he’d just put a bit of sugar in it, I might have drunk it for the sweetness, but drinking it plain was utterly tasteless. It had a subtle taste of dirt. I didn’t even eat dirt when I was broke.
I trudged over and sat down next to Kwon Yi-kang. Leaning my head weakly on his shoulder, I stared intently at the old man sitting opposite us.
When our eyes met, neither of us looked away, as if we were in a staring contest. Just as my wide-open eyes began to feel dry and tears started to well up, the old man clicked his tongue with a “Hmph” and blinked. I flashed a triumphant smirk.
“I’ve finished talking with Yi-kang. He says you’re determined to go through with the marriage.”
At the old man’s words, I turned to look at Kwon Yi-kang, and he gave a quiet nod.
What does he mean, “congratulating” the marriage? He still looks displeased. As expected, it seems Kwon Yi-kang dragged him here by the collar. Still, since Kwon Yi-kang’s efforts were commendable, I answered obediently, “Yes.”
“This place is too cramped and not suitable for raising a child, so you shall move houses.”
“To where?”
“You must have been here once before. Move into that house.”
“Ah, you mean the house where you dragged me and yelled at me to get an abortion?”
Surely it wasn’t that gentleman’s house on the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do; that left only one option. At my question, the old man let out an uncomfortable cough.
“I’m sure it’s not the case, but I’m asking just in case…… we aren’t going to be living together, right?”
“It is my house; why would I be the one to leave?”
We aren’t exactly on the best of terms, so there’s no reason to be forced to live together. To think he’d want to live in between a newlywed couple—it seems the old man has completely lost his sense of tact.
I shook my head firmly, telling him he was talking nonsense.
“I’ll just live here. Just the two of us, cozy and happy, with the old man’s son.”
“I mentioned it because there are staff members and the house is spacious, thinking you could raise the child comfortably, and this is how you respond? You truly are an ignorant brat.”
“Why would I go live in someone else’s house when I have Kwon Yi-kang’s?”
He was a man who had belittled me just for having a single meal; I could easily imagine the nagging I’d endure if I moved in, with him acting superior because it was his house.
“It’s obvious you’d act like you’re doing me a huge favor just because it’s your house. There’s no need to live while facing you and getting stressed.”
“Father, stop joking and let’s speak seriously. You have a promise to keep.”
When Kwon Yi-kang, who had been quiet, pointed this out in a low voice, the old man let out a groan. It seemed he hadn’t even discussed this with Kwon Yi-kang. Then again, there was no way Kwon Yi-kang would have agreed to such a thing.
“Here, this is the house you’ll live in.”
Pulling a folded envelope from inside his suit jacket and tossing it onto the table, the old man frowned deeply with a look of dissatisfaction.
As I opened the envelope and reached inside, a few photos came out. There were shots of the building from the outside and the interior. It had a lawned yard and the building looked spacious; it certainly wasn’t bad.
It was just that I felt uneasy because I didn’t know the old man’s motive for giving this up so readily.
“Do we have to move?”
I looked up at Kwon Yi-kang and asked.
We could just live here. This place is plenty spacious and nice. There’s no reason we must live in a bigger house, nor is there a reason it has to be a detached house.
“Father said he wants to give it to you as a wedding gift.”
He doesn’t look like that at all?
Even though a face as crumpled as if he’d chewed on a stone was right before me, Kwon Yi-kang lied effortlessly. If the old man hadn’t been present, it was a voice that would have fooled me, though I might have had slight suspicions.
“Is he really giving it as a wedding gift?”
The answer was obvious, but I asked for confirmation. At my question, the old man, who was scowling, met Kwon Yi-kang’s gaze and nodded with a face that clearly showed he was being forced.
“Let’s say so.”
If that’s the case, just say so; why say “let’s say so”?
I toyed with the corner of the photo, gathering my thoughts for a moment. Whether it would be better or worse to move into this house. What would be the advantages over the apartment where Kwon Yi-kang and I currently live.
“Then please change the title first.”
“Look at that! Already eyeing the family assets.”
“You said it was a gift. Doesn’t that mean you’re giving me the house? If I’m living in a house under the old man’s name, I’d rather just stay here. I already have a place to live, so why would I move into someone else’s house?”
If I lived in a house under his name, I wondered what he’d say to me. It’s obvious he’d use the house to swing his power and belittle me. If things went south, there’s a hundred percent chance he’d tell me to get out.
“Are you truly intending to marry that fellow?”
The old man finally raised his voice. As he pointed a finger at me while clutching the back of his neck, Kwon Yi-kang wrapped his arm around my shoulder as if to protect me.
“Father. Stop teasing Soo-kyung and just say what you promised.”
This is “teasing”? He looks genuinely annoyed.
The current situation Kwon Yi-kang sees and the one I see shouldn’t be different, but no matter how much people’s thoughts vary, could they be this different?
Wondering if I was the strange one, I glanced at him, and Kwon Yi-kang, who had been frowning, noticed my gaze and smiled softly.
“My son, whom I raised so preciously, of all people, with such a wretched brat……. What sin did I commit in my past life…….”
“It seems you must have saved the country about three times in your past life.”
“Shut your mouth!”
“Father, Soo-kyung is currently pregnant. I believe I’ve explained sufficiently, but was it not enough? Or shall we end it here for today and talk again separately?”
His voice was stiff, so I tried to check his expression, but the hand gripping my head wouldn’t let go. I struggled, burying my face in Kwon Yi-kang’s chest.
After a moment of exchanging glares, the old man, who was panting heavily, took a deep breath.
I didn’t particularly want to make excuses, but I didn’t see the need to be misunderstood, so I explained in a relatively kind voice.
“I’m not asking for it to be in my name; I’m just saying put it under Kwon Yi-kang’s name. Who said I wanted it? It’ll all be the son’s anyway when you pass away, so just think of it as handing it over a bit early.”
It’s not my parents’ assets, so I have no reason to be greedy. I’m not even particularly greedy for it. I’m only saying this because he said he’d give it. If he’s going to keep the title, he shouldn’t have mentioned giving it as a gift.
At my words, the old man’s clenched fist trembled. Whew, whew. He closed his eyes and repeated deep breaths, remaining silent for a while as if his anger hadn’t subsided.
It’s not like I said anything I shouldn’t have. I didn’t insist on taking it; wasn’t it the old man who came here specifically to give it? Besides, did I ask for it for myself? I told him to give it to his son. I didn’t ask for a piece of the inheritance, yet he’s incredibly sensitive.
As I grumbled in dissatisfaction, the old man glared at me.
“If it weren’t for the child…… I would never have had to look at that brat’s face. Hmph.”
“Even if there were no child, you’re still mine, right?”
“Of course.”
Kwon Yi-kang answered affectionately, rubbing his lips against my temple. I gave a sly smile and hugged his waist provocatively.
“You’re both acting out. Both of you! What sin did I commit to suffer this in my old age……. The saying that raising children is useless is exactly right, exactly right.”
“Everyone just finds their match.”
“That mouth of yours!”
I didn’t say anything wrong, yet he gets angry for no reason. Adults always get angry when they run out of arguments.
“If you keep acting like this, I won’t see you anymore. You came here today saying you had something to talk about, but you’ve done nothing but get angry. You were the one who said you’d come, and you were the one who said you’d give a gift or whatever. And then you come here and just insult me.”
I’m not some punching bag. I want to stop being insulted now. I said I wouldn’t see my Alpha father and grandfather, and now Kwon Yi-kang’s father comes and insults me.
I want to do prenatal education too. It’s not that I don’t want to; it’s that everyone around me tries to devour me the moment they see me, so what am I supposed to do?
“I don’t need a house. I’m living well, so don’t just come here and get angry. I won’t move, and I’m not expecting anything to fall into my lap, so don’t make a fuss. From now on, if you want to see your son, see him at the office, meet him outside, or call him to one of your many houses.”
It’s not like I was waiting for some great wealth and honor. I just had a meal with him in good spirits because Kwon Yi-kang said his father was coming. From now on, even if he calls, I won’t go, and if he says he’s coming, I’ll decline.
Anyway, I’ve never heard anything good when getting involved with adults.
Pouting, I stood up from my seat, and Kwon Yi-kang stood up with me. Gently stroking my back, he looked steadily at the old man.
“It would be best if you left now.”
“…….”
“Let’s talk next time. Slowly. I will come visit you.”
“Just change the title, can’t you! Just change it! You’ve gone blind for an Omega and no longer care for your father.”
“I don’t need it. As you said, there’s no reason for us to be entangled in any relationship in the future, so don’t worry.”
“Look at that temper.”
“You’re no different.”
The pot calling the kettle black. I don’t know who’s the pot and who’s the kettle, but it was certainly not something for a person with an equally bad temper to say.
“I’m tired, so I’m going to lie down. Goodbye.”
Still, since he was Kwon Yi-kang’s father, I said goodbye politely and went into the room. A loud voice erupted behind me as I closed the door, but I shut it as if I couldn’t hear him.
Ugh, that old man. I expected he wouldn’t say anything nice. I was a fool for hoping, based on Kwon Yi-kang’s words about congratulations, attending the wedding, or finding a house.
I thought that if the old man went so far as to visit the house just to have a meal and talk, then it wouldn’t be a lie. It seems it was just a lie.
No, if he was going to be like that, why bother coming all this way? We aren’t on the kind of terms where we can face each other and eat a meal amicably. The passion he showed in coming all this way just to get angry is truly impressive.
I don’t know if his intention was to bring me closer to his father, but at the very least, he could have played along with Kwon Yi-kang’s efforts. It was a meeting that reaffirmed that Kwon Yi-kang’s father and I are completely incompatible.