TSS 15

Chapter : 15

“…It’s just… that gifts come to the house. Like orchids…”

Hayeon smiled sadly.

Her only task at home was taking care of the occasional potted plant her father received as a gift. Naturally, the plants she tended were usually orchids or bonsai.

“They’re not exactly what’s in fashion these days, though.”

Hayeon smiled sheepishly. They were expensive, so it felt awkward to give them away carelessly. They were gifts, after all. Moreover, delicate plants like orchids couldn’t be cared for properly by anyone but her.

‘It suits them… two useless things together.’

Hye-yeon often said that. Since they couldn’t be thrown away anyway, they might as well leave them with something equally useless.

I wondered what I, being useless too, should pair with.

She added:

“Isn’t it amazing? Our old man, thinking he’s got some sophisticated hobby, buys expensive orchids every day but can’t take care of them. Wow. Another reason for you to marry Na Hayeon.”

Yet, Geonhyung seemed almost impressed. Leaning on the passenger seat door, he smiled at Hayeon, showing his teeth.

“Of course, no matter what anyone says, I’ll do it anyway.”

From the first moment he smiled at her, Hayeon had made up her mind. What could be a more wonderful life than living with a woman you fell in love with at first sight?

“Oh, of course, if that someone is our old man, it might be different… oh, I mean, my grandfather.”

Hayeon looked at him worriedly. After acting so headstrong, he was suddenly concerned about his grandfather? But what Geonhyung added was completely unexpected.

“My grandfather… if he doesn’t like something, he hits. But Hayeon, you won’t displease him, so it’s fine. He has similar tastes to mine.”

“Hits…?”

Hayeon asked, frightened, and Geonhyung waved his hands as if to reassure her.

“No, no. Hitting is only for family… well, just my father and me, actually. And it’s not like he hits recklessly. You may have heard, but our grandfather is a bit…”

“Oh…”

Hayeon nodded as if understanding. So the rumors her sister had heard were true. The founder of Ise Financial, once a notorious figure.

‘Where on earth did my sister hear such rumors?’

Probably from her fiancé. Hayeon thought, swinging her legs like a child.

Damn, she’s cute.

Watching her, Geonhyung furrowed his brows. Small, round knees, long slender legs beneath, tiny feet like toys.

‘Is she even human…?’

She looked like a porcelain doll. The sensation of her feet he had touched just a moment ago was still vivid on his fingertips—soft, very soft. Geonhyung’s hand unconsciously reached toward her.

‘…Crazy.’

But he couldn’t just grab her legs out of nowhere. No matter how dark his desires were. Actually, the problem was that they were too dark. If he held those beautiful legs, what would he want to do next? He had never even cared about a woman before. No wonder Taeseon called him a stone Buddha.

‘Mother. If your plan was to drive your son to ruin, you’ve succeeded.’

He blamed his mother for the sake of it. It was all because of her nonsense about pre-marital purity. In truth, it was just that Hayeon was too beautiful.

…Anyway, it’s the mother’s fault.

Perhaps because some reason still kept his rationality in check, Geonhyung’s hand stopped just in time. His hand, which had wandered aimlessly, moved again toward the top of Hayeon’s head.

“This feels nice.”

He murmured as he stroked her hair, almost as if offering an excuse. Indeed, the sensation wasn’t unpleasant. Her thin hair slid smoothly through his fingers, and it felt quite satisfying. No, he needed to say it properly.

Was there any part of Na Hayeon that Geonhyung didn’t like?

“Really?”

Hayeon also enjoyed it when he touched her hair. It was strange, since she usually hated anyone touching her hair. Because of that, her hair had grown very long, past her waist to her hips. Not that her easygoing personality alone would have caused it.

‘I’m going to cut that hair.’

It was still a chilling memory. In the middle of the night, waking up to find someone standing next to her bed holding scissors. She had never felt such fear in her life.

But Geonhyung touching her hair was fine. Above all, it felt familiar.

‘Maybe because his hands are big…’

No, perhaps it was because his hands were warm. Feeling his touch, the icy walls around her heart seemed to slowly melt away.

Should I braid Hayeon’s hair?

Hayeon’s eyes sparkled as she opened them.

“The botanical garden…”

She pulled her hand gently away from his. It wasn’t that she disliked it. But if she stayed like that, memories she didn’t want to recall might resurface.

‘Oh, did I upset him…?’

She looked at Geonhyung cautiously. But he only withdrew his hand; there was no sign of embarrassment. Instead, with a reassuring smile, he asked:

“The botanical garden?”

“You asked where I wanted to go. On a date.”

“Ah, a date. The botanical garden… I don’t really know it. Do you have one you often go to?”

Geonhyung smiled even wider. The more he knew what Hayeon wanted, the happier he felt. It meant he had more ways to charm her beyond just shaved ice or animals.

Hayeon started chattering in a brighter voice.

“Oh, I’ve never been… but I like places like that. Lots of plants, lots of animals, that sort of place.”

“You’ve never been?”

Geonhyung paused. A botanical garden was a place far from his usual haunts. He would have to ask Taeseon. Well, it was not really a place that suited Taeseon either. But still.

‘…He can even find a wedding hall with a hidden top, so finding a botanical garden should be easy.’

By the way, are there botanical gardens near Seoul? Would they have to go far? If so, maybe going a bit further wouldn’t be bad.

“How about an arboretum? Bigger, wider, and with more plants.”

Geonhyung laughed lightly. Simply put, bigger meant better. But Hayeon’s expression changed instantly. Geonhyung, who had been calm, now looked worried. It seemed she had sensed the darkness in his mind.

I just want to go somewhere farther. It didn’t necessarily mean staying overnight.

“…The arboretum is a bit far, isn’t it?”

“Oh, no. I was just surprised.”

Surprised? Seeing Geonhyung’s puzzled expression, Hayeon awkwardly explained.

“Actually, every year… we go to the arboretum for summer vacation.”

“Ah, I see. Your father’s background might have influenced that.”

Hayeon’s father had been a professor at a famous foreign university, majoring in something related to the environment. Using his career, he had gained popularity.

“Ah, so it’s because of your father. You like plants and animals.”

The other day, Geonhyung remembered seeing her father on TV, passionately explaining global warming during a political debate. Nodding in understanding, he recalled it.

Yet, Hayeon’s expression was only worsening.

“…I guess that makes sense too.”

Muttering in a barely audible voice, Geonhyung quickly changed the topic.

“Then it might be too late to go to the botanical garden today, and your feet… Shall we head back?”

“Ah…”

Hayeon looked up at the sky. The summer sun was still high. But neither her mother nor sister had insisted they come back late like before.

‘Rather than…’

Today felt more like a tour of the wedding hall than spending time together, so leaving felt a bit disappointing.

‘Even my sister acted all professional…’

It’s nothing. Hayeon chuckled quietly. Geonhyung today seemed completely unflinching.

‘And we haven’t even kissed yet.’

Hayeon’s lower lip pouted.

Well, trying to talk about innocence and subtlety with her sister would never work. Better to…

Hayeon startled at her own thought. Maybe she was a little disappointed that Geonhyung seemed less interested today. Shaking her head, she quickly spoke.

“Um, well… there’s another place I like…”

“Your feet hurt, so no.”

“I-I’m not hurting!”

Geonhyung’s stubborn attitude made Hayeon more anxious. She thought of the apartment’s shared garden since her sister had suggested going to a park, but that might still be pushing it.

Yet, no other place came to mind. Taking a deep breath, Hayeon decided.

“Oh, right, we still need to eat.”

“Eat…?”

Finally, Geonhyung’s expression turned serious. Not having fed her yet, he felt a bit guilty and hesitant.

“I’m… hungry…”

Hayeon smiled as if acting cute. Her slightly parted lips revealed a tiny white fang. Geonhyung’s chest tightened. He realized for the first time how adorable a tooth could be.

Hayeon added in a playful voice:

“It’s not far from here.”

Even her voice was adorable. Geonhyung sighed unconsciously. Ha, Na Hayeon… where else could there be a girl like her?