She Believed Me

Coree goes into the kitchen after she got home from the grocery store. "Let me help you," Han says as she takes a reusable bag from Coree's hand. "I am preparing dinner today, Han." Coree says with a smile on her face. She had previously told her son, Eun that she is going to make him a special dinner as he aced an exam in Western Architecture. Han smiles back, and gives her a tap on the shoulder. "This is well and good Coree, your son is growing up. You need more time with him." She wears the apron that Han hands her over, and replies, "Han, sooner or later my Eun will find a woman to spend his life with, I hope he finds the true one." "I thought you'd say you are afraid to be left alone when he gets married," Han says jokingly. They both laughed, as Coree says, "Well I hope it does not happen anytime soon." She continues to cook, and replies to her son's message that he might take a bus from his classmate's. He went to a friend's house after interviewing an engineer who happened to live a block away from his classmate's. She agrees, and continues to stir the soup she is cooking. Coree picks up the ladle and smells the soup, she smiles as she tastes it. "Eun will surely love this," she thought to herself as she smiles.

******

Eun is about to go home, he is in a powder room and is about to get out when his phone rang. "Hi son," his father says. Jae offers a ride home, but Eun tells him that he is about to go in about a minute. Jae tells him that Mari is outside, waiting for him. Eun dismisses the offer and hangs up, because he knows that his mother is waiting for him. He says goodbye to his classmate, and his parents. He walks out the gate and sees Mari in a car, with her windows down. "Hi Eun Lee." Mari says with a loud voice, so Eun walks to her car and says hi. He explains that he needs to get home because his mother is waiting for him. "I see," Mari says. "If you walk to the bus stop, it would take you a few minutes. And you know, buses don't come anytime you need them. There is a schedule for every trip. If you miss a trip, the next bus may arrive after half an hour." Eun seems dismayed, "Is that so?" he asks her. Mari smiles, "If I may suggest, you get in and I'll take you right next to your doorstep." Eun agrees and gets in the passenger seat. Mari continues to speak, she asks a lot of things about school, Yun-Oh and the BTS concert. "It's going to happen in a few days, are you excited," she asks. Eun tells her that he is excited, as Yun-Oh. "I'm glad she agreed to watch it with you" she tells him with a smile. Eun is having a good conversation, that he was unable to see that Mari took a different route. She asks him why he was in a classmate's, so he tells her that they have interviewed an engineer, in relation to a project, which is to be submitted in three month's time. "Why are you guys in a hurry, take your time and you'll get better results," she glances and smiles at him as she continues to drive. Eun feels a bit calm with her presence, he is able to hear what he wants to. He remembers his mother, who always tells him, "If you want to be better, don't follow through the deadline. Be early, be punctual. That's how you get things done." He feels like comparing the two women. He looks at Mari, and realizes she is way younger than his mother. She lets her hair down, her nails are done and her face is more youthful. His mama, on the other hand, is more focused on work. Coree's hair is always in a bun, her nails are trimmed but are not painted, her lips are pale. "I see why Papa likes you," he whispered. He did not realize that his whisper is loud enough for Mari to hear. "Wait, just now?" she says and laughs. Eun laughs along with her. The car stops after a few minutes, "Where are we? Why are we stopping?" Eun panics. Mari tells him that she is starving, Eun looks out, and sees that they are parked in front of a five-star restaurant. Mari smiles and unlocks the doors, and they both get out of the car. They get in the restaurant, as Mari hands over the keys to a man who will take the car to the valet. They walk in, and a lady greets them. They are seated near the window, Eun looks at his watch and sees the time that reads a quarter to seven. He is supposed to be home by eight, to have dinner with his mama. "What's the matter?" Mari asks as she notices him being troubled. "I, I need to," she cut him off. She is fully aware that he wants to get home to have dinner with his mother. "Eun, this restaurant is ours," she says with a beautiful smile. "What..do you mean?" "It's mine. I acquired this about a few months ago, and since I am engaged to your papa, consider it yours, too." She says as she takes a sip of the wine. Eun looks around, his eyes grow bigger at how beautiful the place is. The place is well lit, the menu is great and the people who dine look wealthy. "You might want to have dinner here with Yun-Oh after the concert?" she asks. He nods, so she continues, "Well then," Mari raises her hand and the waitress comes to her. She asks her to come to their table, the waitress walks to another woman who approaches Mari and Eun. She introduces herself as the manager. “Hi, Miss Mari So, I am Yeo Lin, what can I do for you?” Mari introduces the two, “This is Eun Lee, my stepson, I want you to treat him as you would treat me.” The woman smiles and nods at them, “He will be here in a week, with his friend, I want you to personally take care of them.” After Mari tells Yeo of her concerns, Mari and Eun continue to eat dinner. Mari tells him that she wants to see Eun happy with Yun-Oh. She knows that he likes her, and she supports him in making her his girlfriend. “But Mama said we’re too young,” he says. Mari tells him it is okay to fall in love at a young age, for as long as they respect each other’s boundaries. “I know you’re a smart kid and you get my point, right?” He nodded. They laughed and ate and lost track of time, until, “Oh my, it’s eleven!” Eun says as he picks up his bag. “We got to hurry,” Mari says. They both get up. Mari signals to the manager and they both get out of the restaurant. In a few minutes, Mari waves goodbye to Eun who is standing in front of their gate. “I am happy to know how nice you truly are, Mari.” She laughs a bit, and replies, “I have always been nice to you, Eun. I had so much fun, do not forget to remind Yun-Oh about the concert, and the lovely dinner,” she smiles as she drives away with her window slowly going back up.

******

Eun walks in, and turns the light on, closes the door behind him. “Lock it, will you.” He was surprised to see his mother sitting on the sofa. “Mama, I ,” Coree points to the door, Eun takes a few steps back and locks it. He walks to his mother afterwards and kisses her cheek. “You had fun?” “I am sorry Mama, my friend's mother insisted that we stay for late dinner.” She smiles at him, “Whose car was that?’ “It’s Nala’s father, he drove us all home.” Coree smiles, “I’ll go ahead and sleep, love you.” She goes up the stairs to her room, and Eun thought to himself, “she believed me,” and makes a sigh of relief before heading to his room upstairs.