Chapter 2: My Time

       "I can explain...." I was fumbling with my words as my father looked at me as my two snickering brothers quietly enjoyed the scene. Even after they marry their wives, they aren't as helpful as I thought. I gave them a slight death glare before father signalled me to come forward as mother released a sigh.

"You better have... I didn't make an appointment with a lot of businessman's son for nothing, tell me, were they not 'husband material' enough for you?" as I put the tea and muttered a 'enjoy' to father. He smiled at me and asked Butler Kim to prepare the dishes since he knew I had school.

"No...아빠, they are wonderful people... couldn't be better," I mutter the last part quietly, "but they are not what I was hoping. Besides, I'm still in high school. Don't you think this will be quick?' I reasoned with my father.

He looked at me as the table was silent, and he sighed. I've tried to reason with him since he first mentioned an arranged marriage. My brothers might have been obligate since they got decent wives, and here I am, stuck with non-mature kids. I must go through things just to have my own love life.

"My daughter... the moment I find someone perfect, you will go on certain dates and –"

"and then will be wedded before college starts – father... that's the same tradition you do on every single one of us, please I'm asking you not to interfere with mine. They might have agreed –"pointing at my brothers –"but I thought I might have a chance to find love...."

"You don't understand I –"standing up from my seat –"I hope you agree to let me go."

Reasoning with the head of the family was never straightforward, but I couldn't help myself. Maybe you need to understand how hard it is to prove to your family that you can do anything yourself. Many people would disagree with me, but I'm tired of living like this. Growing up as a princess in the family, I learned I wanted to have a prince charming sweeping my feet away in a horse. Still, reality hits and I'm sure to burn those princess books that used to make little girls dream.

Don't get me wrong, dreaming and hoping is not a crime, but somehow there should be a limit to that.

I stood up from the chair, got a hold of myself, bowed down, made an excuse and headed out of the back porch to go outside.

I was about to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen when I felt a hand grab my forearm. Looking back to see one of my brothers, Hyunsuk, the eldest of the three.

"Oppa, please let go... I have to get going..." he looks at me and sighs.

"Please understand that father was worried about you, right? He is worried that he wouldn't be able to live a good life if he didn't see someone Father knows and trusts. It was hard for Jisung and me, too... but at times, we need to understand why he did it, alright?"

"I just want to find my own love and all... is that so much to ask?" looking down at my shoes, I felt my older brother hugging which surprised me. Hyunsuk doesn't hug anybody. Even his wife, Hyolyn unnie, told me he was a very unexpressive man.

"Just try for me, alright? Try to enjoy while you have and get along with the people he set up. You might find someone suitable." He let go, and I nod my head. There's nothing I can do to just comply.

"Good... I will be picking you up after school and go find some clothes for you, father told me you have someone to meet tonight, and it's a friend of mine, and he's a very good man." Hyunsuk told me I was ready to refuse, but I guess I could just try one more time. Just this time, if I couldn't find the right man, I would just bail on the family's name.

Nodding at him as I refuse to say anything more. The car was waiting for me, and I opened the door. I climbed in and was welcomed with a vanilla smell. They had actually changed the car seat into the scented one.

"To school, please, Mr Lee... and stop at the convenience store down the block. I haven't had breakfast." Mr Lee smiled and nodded, and off we went. It took about 10 minutes to arrive at the convenience store.

I was walking inside and saw the place was quiet. After greeting the worker, I walked into the other section, the ramyeon section.

"Ah... what should I get, the spicy one. I will be bloated because I'm not good with spicy food. Still, I'm in the mood or the regular one?" mumbling to myself as I looked at the possible selection I could get.

"I suggest getting this one. It's spicy but not enough to make you bloated," a brand of the noodle was passed on to me, and I looked to see a man who looked like his 179cm tall. His jet-black hair was swept upwards, and he wore a plain white shirt and jeans.

He looks like a full-course meal...

"But if you're looking for something – hey, are you listening?" I didn't realize I was daydreaming and eyeing him like a piece of meat.

He looks at me questioningly and then smirks, "Is my face that handsome?"

I snapped myself out of the trance. I was about to say something back when he then laughed loudly, a windshield kind of laugh.

"Who could resist me?" he was praising himself. I have never met someone so obnoxious in my life and so confident, but it was refreshing to see how severe my family is all the time.

Looking at him like a madman, he had straightened himself and turned into an earnest person as his ears turned red. He sheepishly awkwardly rubbed his neck, "Sorry... I'm not crazy."

"I- yes... th-thank you for the suggestion," grabbing the instant noodle in his hands. I quickly bowed down to him, went over to pay, started making the cup of noodles, and went to the water dispenser.

My heart was doing something weird, and I did not like it, but I couldn't help but think how funny he was.

Hurrying to make the noodles, I grab my things and head toward the car.

"Mr Lee to school please...." I was at school with the boy slightly on my mind.