Chapter 37:

The morning air was still, the silence of dawn stretching through the vast Tuscan estate. The only sound was the steady breathing of two people tangled in sleep. Ha-Joon stirred first, feeling warmth beneath him. His eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, only to realize his head was resting on something soft, Scarlet's chest.

His body stiffened, and his heart gave an unexpected jolt. He hadn't even realized when he had shifted in his sleep, but somehow, during the night, he had wrapped himself around her. Scarlet's arm was lazily draped over his back, her fingers tangled in his hair. For a moment, he simply lay there, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. It was oddly soothing. Then...

GONG!

A loud, earth-shaking sound echoed through the estate, making Ha-Joon jolt up in shock. Scarlet groaned, covering her ears.

"What the...Fuck!" Ha-Joon cursed, running a hand through his hair.

Scarlet, still groggy, rubbed her eyes. "What is that?"

GONG!

Another strike, as if someone was hitting a giant bell with all their might. Ha-Joon threw the blankets off and stumbled toward the window, throwing open the balcony doors. Across from them, Ha-Neul was already standing in his own balcony, his face blank, watching the commotion below.

Down in the vast garden, Ha-Neul's father, Uncle Kang, stood with a large ceremonial gong in front of him, striking it again with a wooden mallet. "Rise and shine, everyone!" he called out, his voice carrying through the entire estate.

From another room, an exasperated groan was heard. Then... "아이 씨발... 이건 무슨 개 같은..." (Ah, fuck... what kind of bastard is this...)

It was Sung-Hoon, his deep Korean accent laced with frustration. His voice was low, muttered under his breath, but still audible enough. "제발 좀... 새끼야, 밤새 안 자고 지금 또 울고..." (Please... this damn kid didn't sleep all night, and now he's crying again...)

True enough, Aimir's wails pierced through the morning air, a high-pitched, desperate cry that echoed through the corridors. From across the hall, Seung-Il grumbled, rubbing his temples. "That's it. I'm throwing that gong into the lake."

The estate slowly came to life as the family members stepped out onto their balconies, groggy and irritated. Ha-Joon sighed, turning to Scarlet. "I guess we're being summoned."

She groaned, still half-asleep. "It's six in the morning... who does this?"

"Apparently, Uncle Kang does."

Ha-Joon grabbed a robe and tossed one toward Scarlet. "Come on, let's go see what this is about before Sung-Hoon actually loses his mind."

By the time they reached the garden, most of the family had gathered. Sung-Hoon was there, but his face was unreadable. His wife hadn't come downstairs with their child, which made sense, Aimir was still screaming inside, and she was likely trying to calm him. Ha-Neul stood quietly off to the side, watching as his father beamed at everyone.

Uncle Kang clapped his hands together. "Good morning, everyone!"

Nobody responded. He didn't seem to mind. "Today, we're going to experience something truly special."

Ha-Joon raised an eyebrow. "And that required a gong at six in the morning?"

"Absolutely."

Uncle Kang gestured toward the distant hills. "We're heading to a local agriturismo, a family-run farm famous for its cheese-making. The farmer is a close friend of mine. He's going to show us how traditional Tuscan cheese is made."

Scarlet blinked. "We're making cheese?"

"Not just making it. Experiencing it. From meeting the animals to seeing how the milk is collected and processed."

Ha-Joon sighed. "I should've stayed in bed."

Uncle Kang ignored him. "But first, let's have breakfast."

The family moved inside to a long wooden dining table, set in the estate's grand dining hall. The smell of fresh-baked bread, eggs, and coffee filled the air, instantly waking up the sleep-deprived guests.

Sung-Hoon, still looking exhausted, sank into his chair without a word. His eyes were half-lidded, and he rubbed his temples as if debating whether to go back to bed. Scarlet sipped her coffee, grateful for the caffeine.

Ha-Joon leaned toward her, whispering, "I still don't believe we woke up like that."

She nearly choked on her drink. "We are never speaking about that again."

He grinned. "We'll see."

Across the table, Ha-Neul was silent, cutting his food without looking up. His father, however, was all smiles, chatting away about the farm.

Uncle Kang glanced at Ha-Neul. "You used to love visiting the farm when you were young."

Ha-Neul nodded slightly but didn't comment.

Sung-Hoon finally spoke, his voice low. "As long as we don't have to milk the cows."

His brother laughed. "No promises."

After breakfast, they were all prepared to leave, piling into the waiting cars, heading toward the rolling hills where the farm awaited them. Ha-Joon leaned back in his seat, looking at Scarlet. "Looks like we're spending the day in the countryside."

Scarlet, watching the scenery pass by, smiled softly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this." And for the infinite time in a short while, Ha-Neul, watching her from the front seat, wished he could be the one sitting beside her.

***

As the cars pulled up to the farm, the scent of fresh earth and hay filled the air. The rolling Tuscan hills stretched in every direction, the golden glow of the morning sun bathing the landscape in warmth. Sung-Hoon stepped out of the car, stretched, and immediately made his decision. "Yeah, I'm not doing this."

Seung-Il snorted. "Didn't even try to pretend you were interested."

Sung-Hoon raised a brow. "Would you like to wake up at six AM after dealing with a crying baby all night and then squeeze a goat's teats?"

Aaira scoffed as she looked at him in disgust. "Hey! Language."

Sung-hoon sighed and said. "It is what it is."

Seung-Il considered it. "Fair enough."

Meanwhile, Uncle Kang had already stepped forward, greeting an older man with a warm handshake. The farmer, dressed in simple overalls and a sun-worn hat, beamed at the guests.

"Benvenuti alla nostra fattoria! Welcome to our farm!" he greeted in a thick Italian accent. "I am Marco, and this is my son, Luca."

Luca, a man in his late twenties with strong arms and a friendly smile, stepped forward. "We are honored to have you here. Today, we begin with the milking process."

Esme, being several months pregnant, was immediately ushered toward the seating area under a shaded pergola with the rest of the older family members. Mrs. Kang, Mr. and Mrs. Wi, and the Rogers all sat together, already giving each other sidelong glances, tensions between the in-laws had yet to ease.

Uncle Kang turned to the rest of the family. "Alright, everyone, let's get our hands dirty."

Sung-Hoon groaned. "No, thank you." He turned on his heel and started walking toward the shaded seating area. "I'll be over there, where normal people sit."

Aaira shook her head, adjusting Aimir in her arms. "Coward." she handled Aimir to sung-hoon as she rolled her sleeves.

"I take that as a compliment," Sung-Hoon called back.

Luca led the group toward a rustic wooden barn where several sheep and goats stood in their pens, bleating softly. The earthy smell of hay mixed with the faint musk of livestock.

"If you want the full farm-to-table experience," Luca explained, "you need to start at the source, the milk. The quality of fresh milk directly affects how good the cheese will be."

Ha-Joon and Scarlet exchanged a glance. They had been assigned to work together, while Ha-Neul, either by choice or sheer luck, was left to do his own work separately. Scarlet stepped toward one of the sheep, cautiously reaching out to touch its wool. "It's so soft."

Ha-Joon smirked. "That's nice, but we're here to milk it, not cuddle it."

Luca demonstrated the process first, kneeling beside a docile goat. "You must be gentle but firm. Place your fingers like this..." He wrapped his fingers around the udder and gave a smooth, practiced pull. A stream of milk squirted into the metal bucket below.

"Now, you try."

Ha-Joon and Scarlet kneeled beside their assigned sheep, glancing at each other before hesitantly reaching out.

"Alright," Ha-Joon muttered. "How hard can this be?"

The answer: very hard. Ha-Joon squeezed, expecting milk to come out immediately. Nothing happened. Scarlet tried to mimic Luca's movements, but her grip was too hesitant. She barely managed a few weak drops.

Ha-Joon huffed in frustration. "Are we seriously failing at milking a sheep?"

Scarlet glared. "It's not as easy as it looks!"

Luca chuckled, watching them struggle. "Patience, my friends. The animal can sense if you're nervous."

Ha-Joon sighed. "Great. Now I have performance anxiety in front of a sheep."

Scarlet snorted. "Well, this is the first time I've ever milked anything in my life."

Luca tried to encourage them. "Try again, but relax. It's about the rhythm."

They attempted again, and after a few tries, they finally managed to get a steady stream going. Scarlet grinned triumphantly.

"I did it!"

Ha-Joon grinned as well. "We are officially one step closer to becoming farmers."

Across the barn, Ha-Neul was silent as he worked on his own sheep. Unlike Ha-Joon and Scarlet, he wasn't struggling. His movements were smooth, focused, and practiced, as if he had done this before.

Luca noticed and nodded approvingly. "You have a natural touch."

Ha-Neul barely acknowledged the compliment, keeping his eyes trained on his task. He could hear Scarlet and Ha-Joon bickering as they worked together, their playful energy filling the barn. Every now and then, Scarlet would laugh, and Ha-Joon would tease her in return. Ha-Neul felt something bitter settle in his chest. This is how it's going to be now, isn't it?

No matter how much he tried to avoid it, he kept getting confronted with the sight of them growing closer. It wasn't just an act anymore. There were moments, small, fleeting moments, where Ha-Joon wasn't pretending, and Scarlet wasn't reminding herself that this was all fake.

And Ha-Neul hated that it was happening right in front of him. Once the milking was done, Luca led the group toward the cheese-making station, where the fresh milk would be used to start the process of turning into cheese.

Scarlet wiped her hands on her apron, looking pleased. "That wasn't so bad."

Ha-Joon rolled his shoulders. "Speak for yourself. My hands are cramping."

Scarlet giggled. "Oh, come on. It was fun."

Ha-Joon smirked. "You're only saying that because you finally got the technique right."

As they walked toward the next station, Ha-Neul trailed behind the group, keeping his distance. From the shaded seating area, Sung-Hoon called out lazily, "Are we done yet?"

Seung-Il glanced at him. "We haven't even started making the cheese."

Sung-Hoon groaned. "Kill me."

Aaira chuckled as she rocked Aimir in her arms. "You should have just stayed in the room."

Sung-Hoon slouched further in his seat. "Believe me, I considered it."

As the group prepared for the next part of the farm experience, Ha-Neul took a deep breath, steeling himself. This trip was going to be long.

***

Inside the farm's rustic kitchen, the scent of fresh milk and burning firewood filled the air. The walls were lined with wooden shelves stacked with cheese wheels, their aging process evident in the varying shades of yellow and white. Large copper pots gleamed under the warm light, ready for the next step of the farm-to-table experience.

Luca clapped his hands, gathering everyone's attention. "Now that we have fresh milk, it's time for the most important step, curdling. This is where the milk transforms into curds, which will eventually become cheese."

Ha-Joon, standing beside Scarlet, eyed the large pot warily. "Transform, huh? Sounds like magic."

Luca chuckled. "In a way, it is. But it's really just science and patience."

Each participant was given their own copper pot, with Scarlet and Ha-Joon sharing one, Ha-Neul working alone at a separate station directly across from them, and Seung-Il handling his own. Aaira moved around, assisting them all in small ways while Luca provided instructions.

Luca took a ladle and poured the fresh milk into his demonstration pot. "First, we gently heat the milk. Not too hot, not too cold. If we mess up the temperature, the curds won't form properly."

He gestured for them to start. Everyone carefully poured the milk into their respective pots and lit the small stoves beneath them. Scarlet leaned forward slightly, stirring with focus. "It's like making a delicate dessert."

Ha-Joon frowned as he stirred. "If by delicate dessert, you mean weird science experiment, then yes."

Scarlet laughed, glancing at his pot. "You're stirring too fast."

"I thought speed was good."

"No," Luca interjected, smiling. "Slow, steady, and with love. Cheese is made with care, not aggression."

Scarlet smirked. "Hear that, Ha-Joon? Be gentle."

Ha-Joon shot her a playful glare but slowed his movements. Meanwhile, across from them, Ha-Neul was working in near silence, his movements smooth and precise. He followed Luca's instructions without needing any corrections, his mind focused solely on the task.

Seung-Il, on the other hand, groaned. "This is taking forever. Why can't we just... I don't know, speed it up?"

Luca shook his head. "Cheese-making is about patience, my friend."

Aaira chuckled, adjusting Aimir in her arms. "Seung-Il and patience don't go well together."

"Bitch..." Seung-Il muttered under his breath, but he kept stirring.

***

Once the milk was warmed to the right temperature, Luca grabbed a small vial and held it up. "This," he said, "is rennet. It's a natural enzyme that helps the milk solidify into curds. Just a few drops will change everything."

He demonstrated, carefully adding the rennet into the pot and stirring it in. "Now, you do the same."

Scarlet took their vial and carefully measured out the drops. "Like this?"

Luca nodded. "Perfect."

Ha-Joon, watching her, took his own vial and tried to mimic her movements, but he accidentally squeezed too hard, causing way more rennet to drip into the pot.

Scarlet gasped. "Ha-Joon!"

"What? More rennet means faster cheese, right?"

Luca laughed. "No, it means ruined cheese."

Scarlet groaned, but Luca took a look at their pot and hummed. "It's not entirely ruined. Just... let's see what happens."

Ha-Joon sighed. "Great. My cheese is going to turn into some kind of mutant."

Meanwhile, Ha-Neul had added his rennet smoothly, without error. He barely looked up, but he could hear everything happening between Scarlet and Ha-Joon. He clenched his jaw slightly and continued working.

***

After a few minutes, the transformation began. The milk thickened, separating into soft, white curds and a yellowish liquid known as whey. Luca grinned. "Look at that. The magic is happening."

Scarlet looked fascinated. "It's really working."

Ha-Joon, however, frowned at his pot. "Mine looks... weird."

Luca peered inside and scratched his chin. "Well, the curds are a bit firmer than usual because of the extra rennet, but they're still usable."

Scarlet let out a breath of relief. "At least it's not a total disaster."

Luca handed them wooden spoons. "Now, you gently cut the curds. This helps them release more whey."

Scarlet carefully slid her spoon through the curds, cutting them into even sections. She smiled as she got the hang of it. "This is oddly satisfying."

Ha-Joon, however, was struggling. His curds were firmer than everyone else's, making them harder to cut. He pressed too hard, and they broke apart in an uneven mess. Scarlet sighed. "Ha-Joon..."

"I know, I know. 'Be gentle,'" he mimicked in a high-pitched voice.

She smacked his arm playfully. "I don't sound like that."

Across from them, Ha-Neul had already finished cutting his curds perfectly, each piece uniform in size. He barely looked up, but he caught the moment when Scarlet leaned close to Ha-Joon, helping guide his hand over the spoon. Their faces were inches apart. His grip on his own spoon tightened.

"Good," Luca praised Ha-Neul. "You're a natural."

Ha-Neul merely nodded, but his gaze flickered back to Scarlet and Ha-Joon before he returned to his work. The process continued as they let the curds sit, watching as more whey was released. Scarlet wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead and looked around.

"This is more work than I thought."

Luca nodded. "Cheese-making is an art. But the reward is worth it."

Ha-Joon groaned dramatically. "The only reward I want is a nap."

Scarlet rolled her eyes but smiled. "At least try to appreciate the process."

Ha-Joon glanced at her, seeing the way her eyes lit up with excitement. He sighed, then smirked. "Fine. But only because you're enjoying it."

Scarlet laughed. "Good."

Meanwhile, Ha-Neul continued to work, keeping his expression neutral. But the longer he listened to them, the harder it became to ignore the ache growing in his chest. Meanwhile , Ha-joon and Scarlet. This was just supposed to be a game to them. Just a performance. But... they're starting to forget that, aren't they? And in the mean time ha-neul hated that he had no power to stop what was happening.

***

As they continued their work in the farmhouse kitchen, the air was thick with the rich scent of fresh milk and warm curds. The group had settled into a rhythm, stirring and cutting as Luca instructed. Just as they were finishing the curd-cutting process, the door swung open, and an older man with salt-and-pepper hair and kind eyes stepped inside.

"Ah, there you are," Luca said with a warm smile. "Everyone, this is my father, Marco."

Marco greeted the group with a friendly nod, but his gaze settled on Scarlet and Ha-Joon. "Mr. Kang asked me to personally assist the two of you," he said in a thick Italian accent. "A newlywed couple should experience this process properly."

Scarlet and Ha-Joon exchanged a quick glance. They were still getting used to the idea of pretending to be married, and with every passing day, the line between reality and pretense blurred just a little more.

Ha-Neul, standing across from them, didn't lift his head, but he heard every word. His hands stilled momentarily before he resumed his work, his grip tightening around the wooden spoon. Marco clapped his hands. "Now, we move on to the most delicate part, shaping and pressing the cheese."

Marco walked over to the table where the cheese molds were laid out. "This is where we truly give the cheese its identity," he explained. "We take the curds and gently press them into the molds, removing as much whey as possible."

He demonstrated by scooping a handful of curds and pressing them into a circular mold. "You must be firm but careful, just like with love." He smiled. "Too much force, and you ruin the texture. Too little, and it won't hold its shape."

Scarlet listened intently before reaching for the curds. She took a handful and carefully began pressing them into the mold, her fingers gently smoothing the surface.

"Like this?" she asked.

Marco nodded approvingly. "Yes, perfect. You have a natural touch."

Ha-Joon, however, frowned as he grabbed his curds. He tried to press them in, but they crumbled in his hands. "Why is mine falling apart?" he muttered.

Scarlet giggled. "Because you're being impatient."

Marco chuckled. "Patience is key, my friend. Try again, but this time, use your hands as if you are shaping something delicate, like a flower or..." He smirked. "The face of your beloved wife."

Scarlet and Ha-Joon both froze for a moment, a slight blush creeping up their cheeks. Ha-Neul clenched his jaw, still not looking up.

Ha-Joon cleared his throat. "Right... okay." He tried again, this time focusing more, pressing the curds gently. To his surprise, it started to take shape properly.

Scarlet leaned closer, observing. "See? You're getting it."

Ha-Joon smirked. "Maybe I just needed the right motivation."

Scarlet rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered. Marco watched them with a knowing expression. "Cheese-making is not just about food, it's about connection."

Once the cheese was properly shaped, Marco brought out small bowls filled with herbs, cracked pepper, and even truffle shavings. "Now, we add the final touch, flavor. You can choose to mix these into the curds before pressing or coat the outside afterward."

Scarlet reached for the herbs. "I think a touch of rosemary and basil would be nice."

Ha-Joon eyed the truffle. "I'm going all in. Truffle sounds fancy."

Scarlet laughed. "Of course, you'd go for the most expensive one."

Ha-Joon winked. "Only the best for my wife."

Scarlet's fingers paused in their movements, and for a brief second, she forgot this was all an act. Ha-Neul, listening quietly, exhaled sharply. Marco chuckled as he helped them mix the flavors in. "You know, cheese-making is perfect for a newlywed couple."

Scarlet blinked. "Oh?"

Marco nodded, smiling. "It's a hands-on activity that requires teamwork, patience, and understanding. It brings two people closer together."

Scarlet and Ha-Joon exchanged a glance. Marco continued, "The romantic setting of a Tuscan farmhouse, the rolling hills, the shared experience, this is something you will always remember."

Ha-Joon smirked. "Well, I do love a good story."

Marco gave him a knowing look. "And one day, you will tell your children how you made cheese together on your honeymoon."

Scarlet choked on air. "O-our children?"

Ha-joon smirked and said. "Honeymoon...?"

Marco smiled and nodded. Ha-Joon coughed as well, but he quickly recovered with a grin. "Of course. The little ones will love this story."

Marco chuckled. "Exactly."

Ha-Neul's hands fisted at his sides. He couldn't stand hearing this anymore. He pushed away from his station and walked toward the window, needing a moment away from the conversation.

Scarlet's face was still warm, and she tried to shake it off by focusing on her work. She pressed the last of her curds into the mold, making sure it was firm and perfect. Ha-Joon did the same, though he kept sneaking glances at her.

For a moment, neither of them remembered this was fake. It felt real, the laughter, the teasing, the way they worked together. Ha-Joon looked at Scarlet and realized how easily they had started blending into each other's lives. And Ha-Neul, standing in the background, realized it too.

He swallowed hard, his eyes finally meeting Ha-Joon's. Ha-Joon held his gaze for a moment before slowly, deliberately, reaching for Scarlet's hand and squeezing it lightly. Then, he turned back to his cheese, smiling as if he had just won a silent battle. And Ha-Neul, feeling like he was losing a war, looked away.