Myung Hwan's birthday that year was spent quietly with his family. His mother offered to throw a party for him. After all, he just came back after spending two years in the army and would leave again for two years. But he said he was not in the mood for parties. His closest friends from school were abroad, and he didn't feel like laughing around drinking liquor with some "close enough" friends.
So the day was spent eating delicious lunch from Chef Baek.
All the household staff waited in line to shake his hands and gave their well wishes to him. The rest of the day, he just sat with his parents, while his father watched the American world war series "Band of Brothers" for he didn't know how many times already, and his mother read at least half a dozen romance novels randomly.
The activity was so domestic and ordinary that he realized he missed it so much. His parents usually ran around to attend meetings, social functions, or working late to read monthly reports. There was a time when he was in primary school that they sat together like that every Sunday. Once. When Sang Kyu Hotels were only two, in Jeju and Seoul. Business was not this prosperous and Harabeoji was still with them.
He was not abandoned. He knew that. Life was just what it was. They had responsibilities. Three thousand employees worked for all their hotels around the world. And he didn't know how many more people depend on his mother's social organizations. He was sure all the time they invested was worth it.
It's just that...sometimes he's worried about their health.
"Abeoji?" he called for his father's attention.
His eyes glued to the TV screen, Lee Chung Ho responded with a "Yes?"
"Don't work too hard. Take care of your health."
Both his parents turned to him. His father paused the series, and his mother closed her novel.
"I know myself and when to stop and rest. So there's no need to worry," Lee Chung Ho assured.
"We're taking good care of ourselves," Kim Ae Mi added.
"Good," he smiled. "Keep it that way."
"That's why, finish school soon and take your place in the company," his father reminded.
"I will. So wait for me. Don't tire yourself out."
His father gave a thumbs up before playing the series again, a smile stayed on his face for quite some time.
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Ga Eun's birthday was less than a week after Myung Hwan's birthday.
He woke up late that day and after showering, he immediately searched for his mother. She was in her study, reading aloud her speech for the upcoming annual charity dinner.
"Ommoni," he called, "this is Ga Eun's birthday. Let's congratulate her."
Her mother looked at him with a bored expression.
"Myung Hwan-ah, this is 11 AM. Of course we've all congratulated her! From your Abeoji to the security, everybody has come to her and said happy birthday! You're the only one who hasn't!"
"Oh. I'm late then?"
"Better late than never. Go find her right now."
"Ahrasseo," he made his way out, "but, um—any idea where she is?".
"Last time I saw her, she was in the kitchen, opening up presents from the household staff."
"...I didn't buy her anything."
His mother looked up at him, "But Myung Hwan-ah! This is her 20th birthday! How could you forget it? We've given her a bracelet!"
"You and Abeoji?"
"Yes."
".....I'll buy it later."
Her mother sighed, "She's been living with us for so long. The house would be a total chaos without her. She cares for us all more than she cares about herself. And you can't even spare the time just to buy her a present? Tsk, tsk, tsk.....my dear, you are really—"
"I just didn't know what to give her."
"A classic reason," Kim Ae Mi said sharply.
He shrugged.
"Considering that I saw you once buying so many things years ago for your girlfriend...."
"It's different."
"But Ga Eun is a girl. Surely if you know what to give to a girlfriend, you'd know what to give to someone who is like a sister to you."
"I'll buy it today," he repeated.
"It's not about the gift. It's about how much you care. I think she thinks the same," her mother said, "I saw she was really happy and hugged one of the maids because she gave her a cup from clay that she made for her."
"She's that kind of girl," he nodded.
"She's that kind of girl. Go find her right now and wish her a happy birthday."
"Okay," he said, turning away and closing the door.
He found her alone in the spacious kitchen, stirring something in a small pot on the stove. It smelled good.
"Morning, Ga Eun."
She turned in surprise, "Oh, Doryeonnim! Good morning!"
"Happy Birthday," he said, smiling and offering his hand.
She reached it and they shook hands.
"I hope you will always be happy, healthy, and all your wishes will come true," he prayed.
"Gamsahamnida, Doryeonnim," she smiled back.
He peeked at the pot.
"You're making seaweed soup for yourself?" he asked, as it was customary for the Koreans to eat seaweed soup on their birthday.
"Oh. Aniya, Doryeonnim. The other maids already made seaweed soup for me."
"So, this is for who?"
"For Jin Yangie."
"Ne?"
"He's also having a birthday today."
"Whoa," he exclaimed, eyes widening, "you and your, um...boyfriend, have the same birthday?"
She turned to him. "Ne."
"How romantic."
She blushed, "It's,....uh. A—surprising coincidence."
"Same year?"
"Ne, Doryeonnim."
He looked completely amazed, "You guys are really—I don't know, fated? I mean, the same birthday! Like—twins!"
"It is special, I guess. Maybe you don't meet someone with the same birthday like yours that easily."
"The chance is like....one in a million."
She laughed. "Probably."
"You guys must be so alike."
Ga Eun frowned and thought about it. "We are," she laughed. "Doryeonnim, now that you said it, I guess we are so alike, Jin Young and I."
He nodded, his face betraying his amusement. "So you're going out with him today?"
"Ne, Doryeonnim. He's treating me in a restaurant. But he wouldn't tell where."
"A surprise?"
"Ne...."
"It's so good to be young and in love..." he teased, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"How old are you, Doryeonnim? You speak as if you're so old!"
"Still in my twenties....." he answered vaguely.
"Twenty...five, right?"
"Yup. You're accurate."
She stirred the soup and tasted it.
Myung Hwan stretched out his hand.
She looked at him, her eyes questioning his gesture.
"I'll help you taste it."
She stepped back and gave him the spoon.
He tasted it and commented, "This is good. Your Jin Yangie will be happy."
"Does it taste strange?"
"No. It's good."
"This is the first time I'm making this."
"Well, it definitely does not taste like a beginner's dish."
"Ah. Gamsahamnida. I'm relieved."
"Ga Eun, is there anything special that you want?"
"Ne? With what, Doryeonnim?"
"I don't know what to give you," he confessed.
"It's alright. Your birthday wish and prayer is enough for me."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure."
"Have a great day."
She beamed, "I think I will, Doryeonnim."
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Jin Yang reserved a place in one of the most popular restaurants in Seoul. He wanted the day to be special. And the day was indeed special. He had to use his savings to take her there, but for her, it's a meager sacrifice.
She loved the restaurant, enjoyed the delicious lunch, praised the live music, and chatted happily with him. "This is one of the best lunches I've ever had in my life, Jin Yangie. Thank you so much"
"Well, we're both 20 today, so we have to celebrate it with style."
He then ordered a small cake and they blew the candles together, eating everything to the last bit.
They went to watch a movie together afterwards, he reached for her hand and she accepted his. The movie was funny, sweet and romantic, the right movie to watch with your date.
They then stopped on a bench to give him time to taste her seaweed soup.
She put it in a container to keep it warm. And he couldn't stop saying how it tasted so good and how happy he was that she made it for him.
The next list on his agenda was ice skating. They raced each other, circled the rink, and held hands again, their laughter mixed together and made a nice ring.
Dinner was tteokbokki at a crowded food stall, because it reminded them of their high school days when they used to eat it almost every day.
On such a sweet day, for two equally sweet people, it wouldn't be strange to kiss, right? Jin Yang had badly wanted it for some time. He wanted to kiss her so much he lately lost concentration and just stared at her lips while she talked.
But he kept restraining himself, wishing for the right time, hoping that when it comes, she would be as willing as him.
And he decided the moment was that day. After spending a day with her, drowning in her presence, in a park near the Lee Family's House, beneath the moonlight, he stepped forward, reached for her, and placed his lips above hers.
She held her breath, but when his lips moved, she breathed out. It didn't feel wrong, like she thought it would. It didn't feel dirty.
Awkward, yes. Like a foreign language she never heard. But his arms around her felt supportive and she followed his lead. She closed her eyes and felt how he gently probed her lips open, as she slowly circled her arms around his neck.
They stood like that, as he explored her, and she gave in.
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Myung Hwan just got home after a charity function his parents held, alone and riding his own car. The night was still young and he was planning in his head on which movie he wanted to watch that night. His phone was flooded with invitations to spend the night in the most famous clubs in town, but he just didn't feel like it.
It was a mere chance that made his phone ring at that precise moment and he parked his car to pick it up, in front of a park near his house.
And there he saw them, under the lamp light. Kim Ga Eun was holding her boyfriend, kissing him like he was the only man living in this world.
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Author's Note:
This update is especially for those of you who like this old school story and have been waiting for it.
What do you think about this chapter? Please let me know.