Set In Stone (Xiumin)

“What?” I demand, “Married?”

“Yah, not so loud,” he says quickly. He leads me a little further from the house. “I’m not sure, it was just a hunch I had.”

“You really think they’re setting us up?” I exclaim, though I make sure to lower my voice, “What kind of choice does that give us?”

“We’d have to agree to it,” Minseok says, shaking his head, “My father is a cruel man, and he could easily make things difficult for your father.”

“Why would he do that?”

“I think our parents are the sort of people who would want to secure their children’s future financially,” Minseok answers.

“By keeping all the lovely money in the family,” I say dryly. “I can see why you would think they might be planning that… but surely my father wouldn’t force me into a marriage with…”

“Me?” he questions, “Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, I didn’t mean-”

“I’m the son of your father’s best friend and business partner,” Minseok snaps, “It’s not that unlikely, is it?”

I sigh. “I suppose you’re right. I’m going to have serious words with my parents-”

I’m cut off by a hand grabbing my wrist.

“Don’t say anything,” he says dangerously.

“Why not?” I complain, trying to shake my wrist from his tight grip.

“Because you might give them the idea,” Minseok explains, “I know what your mother is like.”

“Excuse me?” I utter, “You should watch your mouth, Kim Minseok.”

He lets go of my wrist.

“You should show me some respect, Jung Hyerim,” he states. “A marriage to me would be most beneficial.”

“I fail to see any benefit,” I drawl, starting to walk away.

“The future can be uncertain,” he calls after me, “Nothing’s set in stone. Would you really protest to being my wife?”

“Is that a proposal I hear?” I mock him, pausing to throw him a scowl. “I don’t see why our parents should decide our future, just for money’s sake.I hope you’re wrong about this.”

“I hope so, too,” he agrees, trailing after me, “I don’t want my marriage to be arranged.”

“You probably have someone else in mind,” I snap.

“Oh, is that because you do?” Minseok asks, his tone insulting.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I grumble.

“Hey,” he says, trying to take my arm.

“Stop it.”

“Our parents saw us leaving the house arm in arm, so we should enter the same way,” Minseok says pointedly.

“Fine,” I utter, linking my arm with his and plastering a smile on my face.

“Ah, you’re back,” says my mother, as we enter the living room again.

“Yes, thankfully I didn’t disappear off the face of the earth,” I remark. Minseok hides a smile.

“Sunwon was just asking about university,” Mother adds.

“Oh?”

“I was just interested in the course you are doing,” Minseok’s father says with a smile, “My accountant’s assistant has gone on maternity leave, so I thought you might be suitable.”

I laugh at his suggestion. “Well, I’ve got enough qualifications in Accounting, but I’m not sure you’d want me managing your money.” I sit down next to Minseok’s mother.

Sunwon laughs along with my father.

“Don’t think like that, Hyerim,” he chides, “You know we think of you as family.”

I steal a glance at Minseok who observes from the other side of the room. His face is serious but his eyes slightly narrow beneath those dark brows.

“Hyerim,” says his mother, “Your hands look cold.” She takes my hands in hers. “Did you have a nice walk?”

I nod. “The estate looks lovely at night time,” I reply vaguely. Minseok looks down at the floor.

Kyungok smiles. “Perhaps you should wear a coat next time,” she advises, rubbing my cold hands.

“I’ll make certain of it,” Minseok says with a nod.

“Our son certainly knows how to treat a lady,” his father says proudly.

“Sunwon,” Kyungok says, “Of course he does; I raised him.”

“It’s difficult to find a nice young man these days,” says mother.

I laugh nervously. “That’s funny, I’ve met plenty,” I retort.

“But you still rejected them all,” Mother replies.

“Obviously.”

“Don’t you want to get married someday?” Kyungok asks quietly. I sigh, finding myself smiling at her kind tone.

“One day,” I deliberate.

“You’re twenty three now,” Mother points out.

“I’m glad you remembered my age,” I reply, standing up. “Excuse me.” I bow and leave the room, the carpet in the hallway masking my footsteps. I pause beside a hanging curtain, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Maybe Hyerim would like to go home,” Kyungok suggests.

“Her behaviour shouldn’t dampen the mood,” my mother argues, “I’m having wonderful evening.”

“As am I,” Sunwon agrees.

“I’m glad to hear it,” my father chuckles, “It’s nice to be able to see you more often.”

Yeah, my father and Sunwon were best friends at university, but have lived far from each other since before I was born. Now that they’re business partners, and live in the same city as each other, they see each other more often. Which is nice and all, but it means I have to tag along at every dinner with the Kims.

“Should someone go and see if Hyerim is alright?” Minseok asks. I quickly head towards the downstairs bathroom.

“I’ll go,” I hear Kyungok say. I turn around before she comes out into the corridor. “Everything okay, dear?”

“Yeah, I…” I press my fingers to my temple.

“Are you unwell?” Minseok’s mother asks in concern.

“A slight headache,” I lie.

She comes up to me and takes my arm. “You’d better go home and get some rest,” she says.

“That’s probably a good idea,” I agree, letting her lead me back to the living room.

“Hyerim isn’t feeling so well,” says Kyungok.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Sunwon says quickly, “I suppose you’ll be going now.”

My mother looks like she doesn’t believe me; which makes sense, considering my reluctance to come to dinner in the first place.

“You should have worn a coat earlier,” my mother chides.

“I didn’t bring one,” I state.

“I’m sorry, I should have-” Minseok begins.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I cut him off, resisting rolling my eyes.

“We’d best be going, then,” says my father, “It was great dining with you again.”

“As always, Jeonwoo,” says Sunwon, clasping his hand.

As we make our way to the front door, I give Kyungok a hug.It’s strange to say that she’s far more motherly towards me than my own mother.

“See you again soon,” she says, smiling.

I give a nod.

“Goodbye,” Minseok says politely, his mouth curling in a slight smirk. He can see right through my act.

I throw him a level gaze.“Goodbye,” I reply.

“I hope you feel better soon,” he adds. His mother goes to say goodbye to mine.

“I doubt I will,” I say in a low tone, “If you were right about your hunch.”

I’m not so sure, but he looks slightly injured at this. He’s probably just offended that I wouldn’t consider him a potential suitor; like he’s not good enough or something.

We say the remainder of our goodbyes before getting into the car that takes my parents and me back to our house.

“Hyerim,” my mother chides, “Weren’t you enjoying this evening?”

“She can’t help feeling unwell,” my father says.

I stare out of the window until we arrive home.

“Goodnight,” I call over my shoulder as I ascend the staircase.

“Get some rest, darling,” my father calls after me.

I go straight to my room and shut the door. Tossing my heels on the floor, I flop back on my bed.I fiddle with my small hoop earrings as I stare at the ceiling. Marriage… really?My parents had tried to set me up with guy after guy; I had rejected them all. What was the point in getting to know someone who was only hanging around because they might marry me for my money?

“Miss Hyerim?”I hear Jisoo’s voice from outside the door.

“Yeah?”

She opens the door.

“I didn’t know you were still here,” I say.

“Another maid left early, and I assumed Mrs Kim might want me to wait for you all to return,” she explains.

“Nari, was it?” I remark, sitting up. “I’m okay, though. You can go home, really.”

“It’s alright, Miss,” she insists, coming into the room and picking up my shoes.

“I just need to wash my face and get some rest…” I trail off, still thinking about Minseok’s words.

“Is something wrong?” Jisoo questions.

I think for a moment.“Close the door,” I say.

She does so, and I pat the spot beside me on the bed. Hesitantly sitting, Jisoo folds her hands in her lap. “Miss?”

“You don’t need to call me that,” I say, “How old are you?”

“I’m twenty one,” she replies.

“Then call me eonni,” I suggest, “You’ve been working here for, what, two years now? I would like it if you spoke comfortably.”

“Are you sure?” she asks.

I nod.“Of course, Jisoo,” I assure her, “Besides, how can I tell someone a secret if we’re only speaking formally?”

She smiles.“What did you want to tell me?”

“It was just something Minseok said earlier this evening.”

Jisoo nods, her face attentive.

“He thought that… well,” I ramble, “Please don’t tell anyone what I’m about to say.”

“Of course, not, Miss,” she says quickly, “I mean eonni.”

I let out a breath. “He thinks our parents are setting us up to get married.”

“Really?” she asks incredulously, “Congratulations.”

“No, not congratulations, I hope it doesn’t happen,” I fret.

“Minseok is very kind,” Jisoo considers, “And handsome, too.”

“I know that,” I sigh, “But I don’t want my parents to marry me off to someone I don’t like.”

“You don’t like him?”

“I suppose I like him, but you don’t just go marrying someone you like,” I say.

“I don’t want to speak for your parents, but they should allow you to make your own choice,” Jisoo agrees.

“Mm,” I say thoughtfully. “Do you like anyone, Jisoo?”

She blushes.

“Ooh, tell me who it is,” I say playfully.

“He’s a chef,” she says, “He actually works for the Kim family.”

“No, really?” I utter, “I wasn’t expecting that.” The name Kim just returns my thoughts to Minseok.

“He’s really lovely,” she adds, “His name is Kim Jongdae.”

“Are you seeing each other?” I question, a smile appearing on my face.

“We’ve been courting for a few months,” she admits, looking down as she blushes.

“That’s adorable,” I say.

“Hyerim,” I hear my mother call.Jisoo hurriedly stands up and I quickly remove my earrings, handing them to her. “Hyerim,” my mother says, opening the door, “You should be resting if you’re unwell.”

“I’m about to go to bed now,” I reply, “Goodnight.”

She just nods before leaving us alone.

“Congratulations,” I say excitedly, “Hopefully I can get you some time off so you can see him.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Jisoo says.

“I want to,” I say with a shrug, “It’s nice seeing someone happy.”

“Maybe you can be happy, too,” she adds.

“Maybe,” I reply.

“Goodnight, eonni,” she says, bowing before she leaves the room.

“’Night, Jisoo,” I call after her. I get ready for bed, crawl under the covers, and try to fall asleep.

Notes

Annyeonghaseyo~
I hope you are enjoying this story so far, I will be updating regularly.
Fighting~!