Chapter 5: Mr. Popularity
"Ri Tae Yoon-ssi!"
Three elderly women greet Tae Yoon after he opens the gate. Each is holding a Tupperware which I think contained dishes.
'Omo! I think we're getting free foods today!' My ears perk up with the thought and I smile subconsciously.
But aside from the foods they bring, each ahjumma brings her daughter as well. The first one creeps to her mother's shoulder acting shy. Another one is constantly brushing an invisible strand of hair behind her ear (I hope she does not graze the back of her ear though). While the other one with full make-up keeps on smiling.
"Omo! You have grown more handsome and taller!"
"I thought an actor visited our village. If I only knew it was you, I should have visited yesterday!"
"You are a Ri, indeed. Look at you!"
The ahjummas simultaneously praise Tae Yoon. Since I can't see his face I wonder what his reaction was, could he be smiling smugly like how cheeky guys would? Or is he shy? All I know is that he scratches the back of his head and mutters greetings in his lowest voice ever. The flattery does not stop there and after a while, the ahjummas are already introducing their daughters who turn out to be all acquainted with him before. It's just that he seems to have no remembrance at all. He tilts his head up trying to rack his brain then ends up nodding when obviously does not remember them. My guess.
"You and my daughter were in the same school before," says ahjumma 1.
"She was your partner in the candle dance in junior high," says ajhumma 2.
"My daughter was the village muse and you escorted her way back," says ahjumma 3.
Blah. Blah. Blah. From what I'm hearing, Tae Yoon was the campus crush, the neighborhood's boy-next-door, and the village's male pride. Well, I won't disagree with that. The man in front of me is handsome... insanely handsome. The type who you only see on tv screens and magazines. So I won't be surprised if the village ahjummas want him to be their son-in-law.
Aside from his looks, he is really tall. Now, even towering me with his broad shoulders and back, the visitors I suppose have not even noticed me yet behind him. Me, peeking through a gap between his waist and the gate for he only opened it up to his left shoulder. But don't get me wrong. I'm not the type of woman who falls for looks. Tch!
"If you need someone to help clean the house, just call us okay? We're just a block away," says ahjumma 1.
"The weather's getting hotter. If you have problems with your shower, my husband's a plumber, just message us, our number is plastered all around here. Alright?" says ahjumma 2.
"Cha! If you need anything, my store is open for you 24 hours for you," the third ahjumma says, earning her, incredulous looks from the others.
That's funny! They are all vying for Tae Yoon's affection. I can't help but snort which does not left unnoticed by Tae Yoon. He looks down in my direction briefly.
"Here. My daughter made a special kimbap for you, Tae Yoon-ssi. The mangoes are freshly picked, you'll love it!" says ahjumma 1.
"Ehem, this kimchi is fermented really well and my daughter made the paste. You may keep it for a few days. It's so tasty," says ahjumma 2.
"I don't know about those they brought, but my daughter prepared a spicy crab stew. The crabs were even alive when they were boiled."
The two other daughters look impressed for a second but wrinkled their noses after. Proud of herself, the daughter of the third ahjumma has her one eyebrow raised to them. But I doubt she did the cooking. She has fake fingernails, come on!
"Thank you so much," Tae Yoon replies, embarrassed by the attention he is getting. He brings his hands in front to receive the Tupperwares. But I think the ahjummas have a different idea.
"Oh! I think you can't hold all of these, let me help you bring it inside," one of the ahjumma said.
"No. It's okay," he replied with a hint of panic in his voice.
But all seem eager to get inside the house. The gate is pushed abruptly so it hit my temple, making me jerk away with pain: "Awww!".
I close my eyes shortly from the pain and when I open my eyes, they are all looking at me surprised. They have already stepped inside the gate.
I glance at Tae Yoon who just sighs heavily.
"Ah... annyeong haseyo!" I greet, trying to sound cheerful while I slightly bow to them.
"Wh-who? Who are you?" The third ahjumma asks, bewildered. They all look stupefied.
Then there come side commentaries from the three daughters who seem to have found their tongues.
"Omo, is he already married?" One of the daughters gasps in horror.
"Is she his girlfriend? She isn't so pretty! How could that be?" The other daughter exclaims.
"Daebak! Look at her, I couldn't believe that exactly is his type!" The one with full make-up says.
The rivals joined forces in an instant.
They whispered as if I can not hear them. How dare them insult me! Wait till they see me in my full glory. My ears are burning and if we were in a cartoon, I think smoke has already accumulated at the top of my head. But for the DISHES sake! For I saw the mothers held the Tupperware tightly away after seeing me, I force myself to smile.
"No! I'm not his wife nor his girlfriend. We have no relations with each other," I tell them while waving my hands exaggeratedly. I glance at Jeong Hyeok for support but he just stares at me somberly.
"Then who are you? Why are you in this house?" The daughter with full makeup inquires with her arms folded in front of her. True to her appearance, she is the prime antagonist.
"I... I am... Actually, ... I am Mr. Ri Tae Min's..." I stutter while thinking what to say. I can't tell them the truth. Their piercing gaze makes me want to say anything that could appease them.
"Ah, I am Mr. Ri Tae Min's fiancee. Ahm, Tae Min-oppa I mean. Yes, his brother and I are getting married soon," I say finally.
I can see Tae Yoon's eyes widen in surprise, when I glance at him shortly, then roll down in obvious fluster with my statement.
"If she is Tae Yoon's brother's girlfriend then she is...."
Then as realization dawns on the daughters, the three greet me happily immediately, thinking I'll be their sister-in-law in the future. Hee!
"Oh! Eonnie! Nice to meet you!" says the daughter of the first ahjumma.
"Annyeong haseyo!" The second one bows to me.
Wow! The power to be Tae Yoon's sister-in-law.
"Tae Min-oppa has a strange taste indeed," says the one who mentioned about 'type' but with a relaxed expression now.
What did she mean? I choose to ignore her. Tch!
"Whoah! Tae Min is already getting married? I guess he'd change once he's a family man," the ahjummas say to one another.
After everyone greeted me, they give us the dishes finally and they went home.
* * *
As soon as Tae Yoon puts down the two Tupperwares he is holding, he glares at me with a frown. I put down the Tupperware in my hand first then snap at him:
"Why?"
"Tae Min-oppa?.... My brother's fiancee? Tch!" He scoffs and furrows his eyebrows more at me, "What were you thinking when you spurt that nonsense, huh?"
It is my turn to scoff at him, "What do you want me to say? The truth that we are strangers and we're living in the same house? I'm just new in this neighborhood, I just want to live peacefully and I couldn't afford to be scandalized!"
"Even so, you should not have said that hastily."
"Why? Was it better if I told them I am your girlfriend?" I ask, leaning on one foot and crossing my arms in front of me.
He stops shortly then looks somewhere else. Avoiding my gaze, he replies softly that I almost could not hear, "I did not say that."
"Did you see how they stared at me a while ago?.... They looked like they will eat me alive just thinking I am your girlfriend!"
He glances at me shortly.
"-and who would have known your popular here, tch!" I eye him annoyingly.
"It's not something new," he replies simply. His unconcerned air sounds more cheeky to me. I should immediately drop the subject before he gets cheekier.
"-that's why it's better for them to think that I am your future sister-in-law," I conclude.
"Sister-in-law. Tch!"
"Who knows? I could be your sister-in-law for real," I say, crossing my arms in front of me.
He laughs sarcastically.
"Why? Does he already have a woman?" I inquire.
"Women," he say, emphasizing its plurality.
"Then, I'll just think I'm one of them," I say nonchalantly as I lift the lids of the Tupperwares.
I can feel him stare at me unbelievably.
"Waah! They look so delicious!" I cry happily.
"Those are mine, though," he snap. Pouting his lips. He can be a little childish, I realize.
Baby Joon-ie. I chuckle lightly but my smile diminishes quickly, remembering my current ordeal. Sigh.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone