ERIC’S EOMMA

CHAPTER 18

My usual boring day includes simply working and meeting the same folks. It didn't have anything really exciting about it. I keep remembering that boy I met at PC BANG; back then, I walked home without asking about his identity, even though he already knew mine.

"What are you thinking, Miss Yujin?" Mrs. Yeom appeared unexpectedly at my desk.

"No, I'm simply planning for our next project."

"You're working much too hard. Try to take a day off later so you can rest and not think too much."

"Because it's my job." I smiled at her.

"Okay, keep going with your work. I just want to have a look around." Mrs. Yeom smiled back at me.

Concentrate! There isn't time to think about anything else. I try to finish my task quickly to avoid working overtime. I'm just lazy if I have to work nearly 24 hours a day. Too much sitting made my waist and buttocks ache.

Ten hours later after work, my phone rang.

[Yes, Eric?]

[Yujin! Do you have any plans today?]

[No, I just completed work and am going to go home.]

[Great! I'll be there in 10 minutes.]

[What? Why?]

[I'd want to take you to dinner at a French restaurant.]

[But, you know, I'm not wearing fancy clothing because I don't care about my appearance at work.]

[I know, I know—just wait in front of your workplace or at the bus stop. I will be there.] He insisted.

Eric's car come a few minutes later, and he immediately opened the back door.

"I've prepared a change of clothes for you; dress up and put on this lovely outfit." He said this joyfully as he handed me a bag full of clothing.

"I got a bad feeling; why did he buy me this dress all of a sudden?" white gown, black blazer, and high heels? "It's not at all my style." In the workplace restroom, I muttered to myself.

After 30 minutes...

Because of my dress and the heels, I was wearing, I walked awkwardly. Why are these heels so small and so tall? I feel like I'm about to fall out.

When I walk up to him, I see Eric's eyes and mouth wide open. I had no idea what to do with such an expression.

"Eric, Eric, Eric." I waved my hand and yelled out to him, but he did not answer, not even blinking. "Eric!" I tapped him on the shoulder.

Eric looked at my face and said, "I don't know what to say, haha... "Please come in, princess." He speaks softly while bowing his body.

"What's the matter with you?" "He is really strange today." I feel uncomfortable.

"Is the restaurant so fancy that I have to dress this elegantly?"

"You'll discover it afterward." He touched my hair gently.

I still had a bad feeling—would I also be having dinner with his family? I was thinking of meeting Eric's eomma. My heart was racing just thinking about it. I am nervous the rest of the way to the restaurant.

When we entered the French restaurant, Eric pointed to a woman's table. From behind, I noticed a woman with her hair in a tidy bun. I could only sigh since I knew what was about to happen. Eric and I approached her.

"Mom." Eric hugged his mom.

"Eric, finally showing up, together with... your name?" His eomma cast a glance at me.

I lowered my head.

"Hello, Auntie, and good evening. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Park Yujin."

"Oh, my goodness. Eric, you have wonderful taste in women; she is gorgeous."

I smiled a little shyly. "Thank you, Auntie, you also look beautiful; the black dress you are wearing is wonderful and charming on you." Yes, it's lovely, but my mother is far prettier. My mind keeps saying it.

"Oh my, that's not true." Eric's mother blushed and covered her mouth. "Let's take a seat and order any food you like." She softly held my arm.

"She's the girl I've been telling you about, Mom. Do you think she matches what I've been telling you?"

"She surpasses my expectations; you appear to be a good person and gorgeous."

I bow at her. "Thank you so much, Auntie; I also thank you for the gift you gave me before."

"You don't have to say it anymore; it's a natural thing for me to do."

His eomma was indeed pleasant and lovely. It's no surprise that Eric often mentions his mother, and I'm not sure why Eric's father would have an affair with another woman if he had such a wonderful wife. If I were a man, I would never cheat on a lady like this.

His mother returned her gaze to me as she softly grasped my hand in hers. "Sorry, Aunty, what's the matter?"

"You have beautiful skin; even your hands are delicate, and your face appears to be 17 or 18 years old." "I forgot to ask you how old you are."

"That is, I am 24 years old."

Her eomma sighed with relief, holding her hand to her chest. "That's a good thing. "I assumed my son was seeing a girl much younger than him."

"There's no way I'd do that, Mom; it's simply strange." Eric's brow furrowed.

"I'm truly sorry, my dear; Eric can be so immature at times. I've wanted to see you for a long time, but the timing isn't always right." She tightened her grasp on my hand even further. "But why do you like Eric?"

This was the same inquiry as her brothers'. Her expression was hesitant.

"It's difficult to describe why, but what I've seen thus far is that Eric is a kind person."

"God bless you, my dear." Her eomma glared at Eric. "Eric, why are you so different when you're around us?" she disbelief. "You know, he's an emotional, impatient person."

"Don't embarrass me, Mama. I'm not really like that." Eric grumbled.

"Sometimes, yes."

"But he's a sensitive, soft-hearted person with a lot of nice qualities."

"Eric isn't typically like that, but after hearing your story, he may change." His eomma smiled as she looked at Eric.

"Mama, being kind is in my nature." He patted his chest and smiled confidently.

"You must treat this girl nicely, Eric." She pointed at Eric.

His mother gave me a warm smile. "I hope you stop by the house; Eric's youngest sister is waiting for you; she's curious to learn drawing from you. Ha, ha, ha." She laughed gracefully.

"Yes, Auntie." I blushed and grinned.

"I love Korea, especially the food, but I brought you here because I also want you to know about French cuisine." "I hope it suits your taste."

"French cuisine is also great, Auntie."

"Glad to know that, my dear, I'll cook it for you someday; by the way, you speak French so well; did you study it at university?"

"Mama, she only learns from books and YouTube." Eric expressed his enthusiasm.

"I'm not asking you; I'm asking your girlfriend." His eomma shook her head.

"What Eric mentioned is true, Auntie, if only because I learned the language via books and YouTube."

"You are a bright girl; your parents should be extremely proud to have a daughter like you."

They used to be proud, but what can they say about a daughter like me now? When I remember that, I can only smile faintly. Eric's eomma is kind, but I'm still curious about the time Eric will meet my family. Perhaps I simply need to be patient. Maybe I won't have to wait long to bring them together. Waiting takes extra patience.

"If you come by the house, Auntie will show you photographs of Eric when he was a baby and tell you about his past." His mother spoke to me in hushed tones.

"I hope you don't say anything strange about me, Mom." He pouted.

The dinner served was delicious. The conversation went extremely smoothly, and it felt like his eomma did not hate me.

To be honest, I'm not sure how to be a wonderful daughter-in-law; I'm not excellent at winning people's hearts or faking them. I'm still unsure whether I'm ready to marry. What happens if the people around me discover my real nature? Will they be okay?

"How do you feel about my mother? She's pretty and kind, right?" he boasted.

"Your mother is lovely, but you'd be fascinated if you saw my mother up close."

"Really?" His pupils dilated. "Ha, ha! I'm sure your mom is lovely, as seen by your lovely face." He laughed.

"How come your mother took a taxi home?" "I could have gotten a taxi."

"My mom is the same way; she always told me I should treat my love like a princess."

"Yeah, but your queen is your mother." "I'd be sorry if she took a taxi."

"Take it easy; my mom knows you're a wonderful woman, which is why she ordered me to drive you home."