The Party (III)

Min-soo simply followed after the two women and engaged in some small talk, as they all knew that despite the fact that everyone else seemed engaged in their own conversations, it was clear that there was nothing more interesting to everyone else, than him, his Grandmother and Aunty Shin.

Perhaps the identity of and what the Young Miss of the Lee family looked like was on the same level of interest.

After all, aside from the fact that the guests wanted to get into the good books of the Lee family, the real reason they attended was for the opportunity to relieve their boredom, as a get away from their monotonous lives. It was only in events like these could people gossip, rumourmonger or engage in their own power games.

Min-soo however, could not care any less for that lifestyle. It was not because he could not or that he believed himself to be too honourable or some other misguided notion. The reason was rather simple, he just did not see the need to do so. His family name was both a sword and shield for him.

It was his best weapon and his best defender.

The gazebo he was being led to was around the back of the house and looked over a man-made small lake the Lee family had excavated. The water reflected the bright moonlight in a spectacular fashion. Min-soo could feel the romantic air.

Min-soo sighed at the missed opportunity. However, his youthful notions were quickly dispelled by the judgemental cough of his Grandmother and suspicious gaze from Aunty Shin.

Min-soo became confused as he felt the atmosphere was becoming rather strained. He had not expected his Grandmother to respond to those rumours like this. Was it not a small matter?

Min-soo hurriedly explained himself, "Grandmother, it's not what you think. I can explain. I didn't mean to reveal it to everyone. I should have asked for your opinion first. I'm wrong. Sorry."

However, Min-soo somehow felt that the situation had become worse, Aunty Shin's eyebrows were raised even further up, while his Grandmother began to shake her head with a disappointed expression.

"Ah… what am I to do? How can my only Grandson be like this?" His Grandmother, Oh Jung-hee lamented.

"Jung-hee, ahh… the young ones these days are more open to things." Aunty Shin chimed.

"At least we still have Seo-yeon." His Grandmother continued.

Min-soo could not stand this strange atmosphere anymore and asked in a confused tone, "Wait? What are you talking about? I feel like we aren't talking about the same thing."

"It's okay. We understand. We accept you for who you are. Be bold, brave and just do what you need to do." Aunty Shin responded as she patted him on the shoulder in an encouraging tone.

"What?" Min-soo asked in even greater confusion.

"Why did you not tell us you and the Young Master of the Kwon family were such good friends?" His Grandmother asked while stressing the 'friends' part.

"Wait. Wait. Grandma, Beom-seok and I are just friends…" Min-soo began to explain, but was cut off immediately by Aunty Shin.

"It's okay. We understand."

"Hang on. Wait. Grandma, Aunty Shin, you are definitely misunderstanding something."

"You don't need to hide it Min-soo. Everyone saw you and him hugging so intimately. It's okay. Even if your Father and Grandfather disapprove, while I am still alive, they can do nothing to you." His Grandmother responded passionately.

"No. Grandma. No. Seriously. I'm not gay. We aren't in a relationship. I think Beom-seok is just going through something. He just wanted a hug. I didn't get the opportunity to ask him. But seriously, I am straight." Min-soo answered seriously.

"Huh?!" His Grandmother and Aunty Shin both shouted.

"Seriously?" his Grandmother probed.

"Yes." Min-soo answered with an exasperated tone.

"Breasts or buttocks?" Aunty Shin suddenly asked.

Caught off-guard and still a little tense, Min-soo immediately responded, "Breasts." Before he covered his mouth and shouted an apology, "Sorry. Sorry." He then shut his mouth and stared at his feet in embarrassment.

His Grandmother and Aunty Shin burst out into laughter and shook their heads in mirth as they simultaneously lamented, "Lee men."

This only set them off more as they realised that both of their husbands shared the same interest. Min-soo however, felt that, at that moment, hell was more preferable than that gazebo.

He was sure he would never be able to live this down.

"Fine, fine. We believe you." His Grandmother reassured him happily.

"Yes, we do. However, there would have been nothing wrong even if you are gay. Love is not something that we can force and well everyone is different. It's your life." Aunty Shin added encouragingly.

Min-soo let out a big sigh of relief as the misunderstanding was cleared up. However, this was just between him and Aunty Shin and his Grandmother. How was he supposed to tell the others that attended the party?

No wonder despite the hungry gazes from a few women, as soon as he noticed them, he could see them shake their heads in his periphery.

Realising his quandary, Aunty Shin immediately asked, "Why not dance with Ji-eun tonight? That should stop the others from wagging their tongues."

His Grandmother only added fuel to the fire, "Come on, Min-soo, don't leave such a beautiful young lady to dance by herself. Don't you think that's rather cruel?"

Feeling as if he had no other choice, he reluctantly accepted, "Fine. Fine."

At least, that was how he appeared to his Grandmother and Aunty Shin. On the inside, he was rather excited. Dancing with an idol of his.

Aunty Shin and his Grandmother exchanged sly glances and smiled in triumph.

"Alright, I think we have spent enough time out here, we should get back to the party. I think everyone should be here by now, it would be rather rude to make them continue waiting for Ji-eun." Aunty Shin said as she shooed Min-soo out of the gazebo.

Min-soo smiled as he followed them back to the party.