I am in my room basically hiding. When HE arrives I will NOT be the one to open the door. I know I am a grown woman but I am as terrified as a thirteen year old girl. My hope is that Hae-in has forgotten all about my embarrassing crush. I have learned people don’t remember a lot of things, and I am hoping my thirteen year old self is one of those THINGS. I am also in deep battle with fear. What if he thinks I’m still interested in him? What if he thinks I am after him? What if he takes advantage of me? Okay, where did that last question come from? I don’t know him. I don’t even remember him that well…yeah right. I tell my brain to shut up. It rarely listens.
I glance out the window. I am tempted to wait by the window, but that would be creepy so I sit on the bed. Neighbor Song’s back door slides open. I break out in a sweat. Too soon there is a knock at the front door. Gong Yoo starts barking. The barking stops. I hear Hae-in say, “Hey buddy, long time no see.”
Auntie Ji An’s too cheerful voice says, “I will go get Yi-Seul.”
Great.
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Through the bedroom door, Auntie Ji An tells me, “Hae-in is here,” like I don’t know that. I am seriously tempted to jump out the window. I open the door. Auntie Ji An takes one look at me and whispers, “Why are you dressed like that?”
I am wearing flowered overalls and a t-shirt. These are my safe, do not attract a man clothes. I shrug and don’t explain.
She frowns at me and says, “You are going to regret that outfit.”
I follow her into the living room. Hae-in is holding a very happy Gong Yoo. For some stupid reason I feel jealous. I notice Hae-in is dressed in a pale tan suit. Where is he going dressed like that? When he sees me he grins at me. In that moment I realize I have inadvertently dressed like my thirteen year old self. HOW STUPID!
He asks, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” NO. I give Auntie Ji An a look. All I receive in return is a very bright self satisfied smile.
She hands me a small cooler with ice to keep the prawns and squid fresh. Even though I’m miffed, when she hugs me, I hug her back. She lets me go and takes Gong Yoo from Hae-in. She tells Hae-in, “Good luck with your interview.”
Hae-in and I head out the front door. The smell of Old Spice lingers in the air. Does he wear that scent all the time? Due to my deep affection for my grandpa, I find it to be a comforting scent. I doubt Hae-in would be flattered if I told him he smells like my grandpa. I notice a few cream colored dog hairs are clinging to his lapel, my hand starts to reach out to brush them off, but I stop myself.