Chapter 4: First Love Never Works

A trendy rooftop restaurant in the heart of Seoul, overlooking the glittering city skyline. The night was warm, and a gentle breeze swept through the open terrace, carrying the sounds and aromas of the bustling city below.

As the sun set over Seoul, Bu Chun-ae and Hwan arrived at the restaurant, their faces tense and their expressions distant. The venue was beautifully decorated with fairy lights, creating a romantic atmosphere. Bu Chun-ae looked radiant, but there was a hint of snobbery in her eyes.

Bu Chun-ae and Hwan sat across from each other.

The waiter approached the table and said, "Good evening. Welcome to Moonlit Terrace. Are you ready to order?"

Bu Chun-ae glanced at the menu and said, "I'll have the grilled salmon, please."

"I'll have the beef tenderloin. And can we also have a bottle of your finest red wine?" Hwan said, handing over the menu to the waiter.

"Certainly, sir. Your orders will be right up," the waiter said before he left.

Bu Chun-ae fixed her gaze on Hwan, saying, "You did not tell me you would already arrive; I just knew when you went to Madame Choi the other day."

"I know how busy you are; I would not want to bother you," Hwan said.

"Mom is asking when we are going to get married; it's been years since we've engaged," Bu Chun-ae asked while she put her hands under her chin.

"Do you want to marry me?" Hwan asked.

"I don't see why not; you are single, I am single, and we are at the right age to get married."

"But do you love me?" Hwan asked bluntly.

Bu Chun-ae's eyes were surprised by the question, "Why does it matter?"

"It does matter to me. Please consider my feelings also."

"Why? Have you fallen in love with some other woman?"

"Would you set me free if I am?"

The intense conversation had created a silent noise. Nobody said anything for a few seconds; they just stared at each other.

"I told you, I would think about that," Bu Chun-ae said.

When the waiter arrived with their orders, he placed the appropriate dishes in front of them. He also turned the glass around and poured the wine before leaving.

Hwan smirked. "I already know the answer." He held the fork and knife to slice his food. "I have been a good fiancé for years. I have taken part in your dinner dates, and I have been supporting you with all. I have, but you could not even consider my feelings."

Bu Chun-ae picked up the glass of wine, looked at it, and then smelled its scent. "I have been a responsible fiancée also; why don't you consider that too?"

"Don't let me be the one to break up with you," Hwan said.

Bu Chun-ae grinned and then drank the wine. "You're so dense, Yesung-a."

###

Hwan and his professor went to a huge and marvelous house with lots of paintings displayed on the walls. The paintings were a hybrid of traditional Korean art and geometrical abstract structures. They were sitting in a living room with gold accents on the sofa and tables. Hwan could not help but look around the house, which appeared to be a palace of artwork and gold.

Minutes later, an elderly man with slanted eyes walked down the staircase in front of them. He was dressed casually, but he was wearing an expensive gold watch on his wrist.

The professor stood up upon seeing him, which made Hwan stand as well.

"So, he's the student you've been telling me," the rich man said. "Please, sit down."

All three of them sat down. Hwan and the professor sat side by side on the sofa, and the rich man sat on the solo chair in front of them.

"Yes, sajangnim*, he brought his artwork for you to see," the professor said with a long white beard and thick eyeglasses.

*President or CEO

"Can I see it now?"

Hwan took the artwork on the left side of the seat right away. Before giving the canvas to the rich man, he carefully removed the cover. When the rich man held it, he examined the painting deliberately. His eyes were fixed on the artwork, and his lips were curled.

"You made this?" The rich man asked Hwan.

"Ne, sajangnim." Hwan said.

"What's your name?"

"Nam Yesung, my pseudonym is Hwan."

"I'm impressed."

"I never failed to recognize my students' talents, sajangnim." the professor said.

"You do have a good eye, Jeong-hoon." The rich man said to the professor. "I would like to introduce myself..." He dug into his back pocket to reach his wallet, and then he opened it to get a calling card. He handed over the calling card to Hwan. Hwan courteously received the calling card from him.

"My name is Bu Hyun-woo; I own a company and an art museum. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yesung-shi." the rich man said.

"No, it's my pleasure to meet you, sajangnim." Hwan slightly bowed his head.

"How much is this painting?" Bu Hyun-woo asked Hwan.

Hwan and his professor looked at each other first.

Hwan swallowed for a second before he stared at Bu Hyun-woo. "I know I'm just a new artist, but I need money for my aunt's immediate surgery. Will it be alright to sell it at the price of the surgery?"

Bu Hyun-woo slightly smiled. "Since I'm amused by this artwork of yours, I think I can give you that."

"Jeongmalyo*? Gahamsamnida, sajangnim!" Hwan bowed his head.

*Really? (formal)

"Appa*."

A girl going down the staircase called her father.

*Daddy

"Chung-ae, look at this painting." Bu Hyun-woo called her daughter.

Bu Chung-ae came down the staircase to walk toward her father. She looks exactly the same age as Hwan while wearing a lavish dress. She stood next to her father and held the canvas to observe the artwork. She examined it with distinctive eyes as she slightly gazed at Hwan.

"How could he make this?" Bu Chun-ae asked his father.

Bu Hyun-woo slightly chuckled. "I told my daughter about you earlier; I think she loves it also," he said to Hwan.

"I don't think a student like him would do this," Bu Chun-ae said.

Kim Jeong-hoon and Bu Hyun-woo laughed.

"Did you really create this?" Bu Chun-ae asked Hwan.

"N-n-ne, I did," Hwan said, unsurely.

"I don't believe you," Chun-ae said.

"I-I-I really did," Hwan stuttered.

"I never taught him that, Chun-ae-shi." Kim Jeong-hoon said. "He did it on his own."

"Make another one. If I like it, we'll display it in our art museum." Bu Chun-ae challenged Hwan.

"N-ne?" Hwan asked.

"Make me another one; we'll display it in our art museum. You might become the next Kim Sang-soon."

"Arasseo, I'll make another one for you," Hwan promised her.

###

The apartment was a cozy, modern space in the heart of Seoul. It's a spring evening, and the apartment is lit softly and comfortably. A cozy sofa, a sizable window with a lovely city view, and a small dining table with seating for two can all be found in the living room.

"Mayu, I'm so excited for tonight's dinner!" Cha Hea said enthusiastically.

Mayu smiled and said, "I've prepared a special menu for us tonight. Get ready for a mouthwatering experience!"

Mayu was preparing a variety of vibrant ingredients while rushing around the kitchen. Cha Hea sat at the table, scrolling through her phone and occasionally peering over to catch glimpses of Mayu's culinary wizardry.

Mayu called out from the kitchen, "Hea-a, could you please help me set the table? I've just finished making the kimchi pancake batter."

Cha Hea stood up, "I'll take care of it!"

Cha Hea arranged the table, meticulously placing plates, chopsticks, and napkins in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

She lit a couple of scented candles, adding a warm and cozy ambiance to the room.

Mayu emerged from the kitchen, carrying a sizzling hotplate filled with mouthwatering Korean barbecue, accompanied by an assortment of side dishes.

"Here it is, the highlight of our meal - Samgyeopsal!" Mayu proudly said.

"Wow, it looks amazing!"

They sat down at the table, facing each other. Mayu expertly sliced the grilled pork into bite-sized pieces and placed them on a lettuce leaf, followed by a spoonful of rice, a smear of spicy ssamjang sauce, and a side of kimchi.

Cha Hea took a bite and said, "This is so good, Mayu-a!"

Mayu smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it."

They continued to eat while having lively conversations. As they finished their last bites, Mayu presented Cha Hea with a homemade dessert: hotteok, a sweet Korean pancake filled with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Cha Hea was delighted, "Mayu-a, you're spoiling me tonight!"

Mayu laughed, "It's just a little something to sweeten the evening."

Cha Hea took a bite of the hotteok, savoring the gooey and sweet filling, and nodded in approval

"Mayu-a." Cha Hea said while chewing.

"Yeah?"

She swallowed first, "Do you want a blind date?"

"Not sure."

"My friend's friend has broken up with her girlfriend. He wants to date a foreign woman for a change."

"I would, but I would not do it for free." Mayu grinned at Hea.

"Araso, tell me. What do you want?"

"For two weeks, you'll do the chores."

"That's easy."

"Give me his number."

"I'll ask first, then I'll text you tomorrow," Hea said after chewing.

###

Spring in Seoul was a beautiful season defined by mild temperatures and blooming cherry blossoms. Mayu took advantage of the nice weather by planning a romantic date in one of Seoul's beautiful parks. She chose to go to Yeouido Park, which was famous for its stunning cherry blossoms, which covered the park in delicate pink hues during the spring season.

The entrance to the park was enchanting, with the sight of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere. As she walked, she came across a cozy spot with a bench nestled under a canopy of cherry blossoms. She decided to take a break and sit there, savoring the moment. She brought out a picnic basket filled with delicious treats she had prepared.

Mayu's rest day has come. She decided to schedule the blind date for that day in the afternoon.

She received a text message from her date. She messaged her back by saying where she was and what color she wore. While waiting, Mayu read the text of Cha Hea in the meantime. The message contained information about the man she had to meet. He graduated from a business school in Seoul, and his family was wealthy. He broke up with his girlfriend a few months ago. He's currently interested in the arts because his sister runs an art gallery.

Minutes later, while she was reading on her phone, a man approached her.

"Excuse me, are you Mayumi-shi?" the man asked.

Mayu looked at him. "Annyeong haseyo." She stood up to greet him and bowed her head.

"Annyeong haseyo." He insisted on a handshake and at the same time bowed his head. "I am Bu Chung-hee, nice meeting you."

Mayu looked at his entire body. The man looks handsome with his slanted eyes. His nose is slightly sharp, and his lips are wide and thin. He was wearing jeans and a blue casual shirt, but he looked younger.

Mayu reached out her hand for a handshake, "I am Mayumi Acda."

"Let's take a seat," Bu Chung-hee. "You are a Filipino?"

"Ne, but I grew up here, my family needed to go back to the Philippines when I was in senior high. How about you?"

"I grew up here."

"My friend said you want to date a foreigner? May I know why?"

He chuckled, "I'm a fan of The Return of Superman. The kids with half-foreign blood look adorable. I want to have one."

Mayu awkwardly laughed, "J-jinjjayo*?"

*Really (formal)

"How about you? Do you want a Korean boyfriend?"

"It does not matter to me."

"Have you ever had a Korean boyfriend before?"

"None so far."

"Jeongmalyo*?

"It's a choice."

"What do you mean?"

"I know a cheater."

"Not all men would do that to you."

"I wasn't sure about that before."

"Sorry about that."

"Is it okay to ask you about what happened between you and your ex?"

Bu Chung-hee slightly smiled, "She does not want to live the life that I have. She got tired of it."

"How long have you been together?"

"We've been together since senior high."

"Whoa, jinjjayo? First love?"

He chuckled and nodded, "Yes, she was."

"They said first love never works."

"I guess that is right."

Mayu stared into his eyes to see his feelings. The rejection still lingered in his eyes.

"Are you ready to have a new relationship?"

"To be honest, not yet. My friends forced me to have blind dates to get over her."

"Blind dates would not help you move on. It's yourself."

He smiled with sadness. "I guess."

"I think I could be your friend instead of your date."

"You mean that?"

"Why not?"

"I was actually doubting if I should come here."

"Be comfortable."

Bu Chung-hee smiled, "Thanks, I am."