Chapter 21:

The tension in the air felt thick as Ha-joon stormed out of the room, leaving Scarlet standing in stunned silence. Her hands trembled slightly, but the feeling of anger rapidly overtook the confusion. What had just happened?

How could he say something so cruel, so callous? She didn't know what she had expected when she came here, but it certainly wasn't this. She had tried so hard to be understanding, to make this work. But Ha-joon's harshness was suffocating.

Without a second thought, Scarlet turned away, ignoring the half-empty dinner table that now felt like an unnecessary reminder of her failure. She had no interest in cooking, no desire to serve anyone, least of all Ha-joon, who clearly didn't want her here. She ascended the staircase, her mind racing, as the bitterness began to bubble up inside her.

Once she reached her room, she didn't bother with anything other than heading straight for the bathroom. The frustration, the hurt, the confusion, all of it was threatening to spill over, and she needed something to wash it all away. She stripped off her clothes, feeling the coolness of the tile floor beneath her feet as she stood in front of the shower.

The rush of hot water cascaded over her body, the steam swirling around her like a fog that obscured her thoughts. She closed her eyes, letting the water hit her face and run down her neck. How could Ha-joon say that to her? Why was he so cold? She had tried to be nothing but kind, and yet it felt like he was pushing her away at every turn. The anger surged again, more intense this time, as she gripped the shower wall, trying to steady herself.

***

On the first floor, Ha-joon had not fared any better. He entered his own room, slamming the door behind him. His breath was heavy, his heart racing with a mixture of emotions he couldn't quite pinpoint. He paced the room, trying to calm himself, but the image of Scarlet's face, her eyes filled with confusion and hurt, kept flashing in his mind.

How had it come to this? Why had he said those things? The anger that flared up so suddenly, the words that slipped out before he could stop them, it all felt like a mess. His hands curled into fists as he threw himself onto the couch, cursing under his breath.

"Fucking hell," he muttered. "How could she just..." His voice trailed off as he stared blankly at the floor. "Why does it have to be him? Of all people, why does ha-neul have to be the one?" His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and no matter how hard he tried to reason with himself.

The man was a thorn in his side, and today had just proven it. How could Ha-neul be so unaware of the weight of his actions? Ha-joon scoffed as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

"I can't believe this." His voice was low, almost as if speaking to the walls of the room itself. "And now I'm stuck here, dealing with all of this. I've got no one to blame but myself."

***

Meanwhile, at the front door of the house, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Ha-joon's aunt, the ever-present matriarch of the household, had arrived home from her errands. She wasn't the type to let things slide, and when she noticed the grocery bags on the floor near the entrance, she instantly decided to take matters into her own hands.

"하준씨의 아내가 그렇게 부주의할 수가 있나." (I can't believe Ha-joon's wife is so careless.) She spoke to herself, looking atnthe grocery bags from the same store she had met Scarlet.

As she walked into the house, she picked up the bags, her mind already made up. Her son, Ha-neul, was always so busy with work, and she figured it out. Her eyes scanned the kitchen, and she quickly started to unpack the bags, pulling out fresh ingredients with a satisfied hum. She had always enjoyed cooking, and today felt like a good day to whip up something special.

Pulling out her phone, she dialed Ha-neul's number, eager to share her thoughts with him.

"하늘아, 네 엄마야. 저는 하준이네 집에 있어요. 그리고 오늘 식료품점에서 스칼렛을 봤어요." (Ha-neul, it's your mother. I'm at Ha-joon's house, and I saw Scarlet today at the grocery store,) she began, her voice warm, yet filled with purpose.

"그녀는 정말 착한 여자아이이고, 친절하고 예의 바릅니다. 나는 이미 결정했어. 그녀가 바로 그 사람이야. 내 미래의 며느리." (She's such a sweet girl, so kind and polite. I've already decided, I approve of her. She's the one. My future daughter-in-law.)

On the other end of the line, Ha-neul froze, the words catching him off guard. He was sitting on the sight, his mind still tangled in the mess of emotions that had consumed him earlier. He hadn't expected to hear his mother speak of Scarlet in such a manner, let alone approve of her so quickly.

"어머니, 잠깐만요." (Mother, wait,) Ha-neul replied, his voice tinged with disbelief. "오늘 그녀를 만났어요? 정확히 무슨 이야기를 했나요?" (You met her today? What exactly did you talk about?)

His mother let out a soft laugh, clearly amused by her son's response. "아, 우리는 오래 이야기하지 않았어요. 하지만 당신은 그녀가 좋은 사람이라는 것을 즉시 알 수 있습니다. 그리고 그녀는 이미 나에게 아주 좋은 인상을 남겼어요. 나는 그녀가 당신에게 완벽한 사람이라고 생각해요. 걱정하지 마세요. 내가 결정했어요. 그녀가 이 가족의 일원이 될 거라고요."(Oh, we didn't talk for long, but you could tell immediately that she's a good person. And she's already made such a good impression on me. I think she's perfect for you. Don't worry, I've already decided, she's going to be part of this family.)

Ha-neul's heart sank as his mind raced. How could this be happening? He didn't know what to think anymore. He was happy, like so much happy, he almost feel like crying.

너무 사랑해요, 엄마, 정말 정말 사랑해요! (I love you so much, love you so so much, mother!) ha-neul said feeling really very excited.

His mother's tone softened, but there was no mistaking the firmness in her words. "하늘, 여보, 스칼렛은 이 가족에게 행복을 가져다 줄 수 있는 사람이에요." (Ha-neul, darling, Scarlet is someone who can bring happiness into this family.)

Ha-neul knew she had his best interests at heart, but something about this situation felt all wrong. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that things were spiraling out of control, and there was nothing he could do to stop it, and maybe he didn't want to stop it too.

"알았어요, 어머니."(Alright, mother,) he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation. "매우 감사합니다." (Thankyou so much.)

His mother's voice brightened. "좋아요. 이제 걱정하지 마세요. 오늘 저녁은 제가 만들 거예요. 저는 이 행사를 축하하기 위해 특별한 것을 만들겠습니다. 하준 씨와 그의 부인도 와서 나와 함께 가세요. 그녀가 바쁘지 않을 때만."(Good. Now, don't worry, I'm going to make dinner tonight. I'll make something special to celebrate the occasion. You, Ha-joon, and his wife should come and join me. Only if she's not busy.)

As the conversation ended. Downstairs, in the kitchen, Ha-joon's aunt continued to prepare dinner, unaware of the storm brewing just beneath the surface. The smell of her cooking began to fill the house, the familiar scent of home-cooked meals grounding her in the moment.

She hummed softly to herself as she worked, pleased with the thought of welcoming Scarlet into the family. But in the rooms above her, Ha-joon and Scarlet were both caught in their own battles, struggling to make sense of the chaos their lives had become. She didn't know that the woman she was thinking was Ha-joon's wife was no one else than scarlet.

***

Ha-neul arrived home, his heart still racing from the conversation with his mother. He was overflowing with excitement, the warmth of his mother's approval filling him with joy. When he entered the house, he was greeted by the familiar scent of his mother's cooking wafting through the air, a comforting reminder of home.

His eyes immediately found his mother, and without thinking twice, he walked over to her and enveloped her in a tight hug.

"어머니, 정말 사랑해요!" (Mother, I really love you!) Ha-neul said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

His mother laughed softly, holding him close as she stroked his back.

"알아요, 내 아들. 나도 사랑해." (I know, my son. I love you too.) She pulled back, smiling brightly.

His mother's smile deepened. "오늘 저녁, 그녀와 함께 저녁 먹자고 하준씨와 약속했어요." (We're having dinner tonight, and I asked Ha-joon and his wife to join me.)

"그렇군요! 기대돼요!" (I see! I'm looking forward to it!) Ha-neul said, practically bouncing with joy.

His mother shook her head. "하늘아, 먼저 하준씨를 불러와." (Ha-neul, first, go upstairs and call Ha-joon down.)

Ha-neul nodded and made his way up the stairs, the weight of the moment pressing down on him in the best way possible. He hadn't met Ha-joon's wife yet. When he reached the top of the stairs, he hesitated for just a moment before knocking gently on Ha-joon's door.

"형, 계세요?" (Hyung, are you there?) he called out, waiting for a response.

The door opened a crack, and Ha-joon's face appeared, his expression hard, almost distant.

"왜?" (What is it?) Ha-joon asked, his voice lacking warmth.

Ha-neul smiled brightly. "어머니가 저녁 먹자고 하셨거든요. 하준 씨와 부인도 함께 오세요." (Mother said we're having dinner. You and your wife should come down too.)

Ha-joon's gaze flickered behind him, and for a moment, there was a strange, almost uncomfortable silence. Ha-neul, oblivious to the tension in Ha-joon's room, smiled again, his excitement shining through.

"어디 계세요? 부인도 함께 오세요?" (Where's your wife? She should come too.) Ha-neul asked.

Ha-joon's jaw clenched, his eyes briefly flickering with something Ha-neul couldn't place. "아내가 준비를 하고 있으니, 당신은 떠나고 우리가 간다." (My wife is getting ready, you leave, we're coming.) His words were careful, calculated, and full of an unspoken edge that Ha-neul didn't catch.

"아, 알겠어요." (Ah, alright.) Ha-neul replied, nodding. He didn't think much of it, assuming they would follow shortly after. "그럼 두 분이 오실 거죠? 그럼 저는 어머니께 가서 말씀드리겠습니다." (Then you two will come down later, right? I'll just go then and tell my mother.)

Ha-joon hesitated for a moment, as if weighing something in his mind. "지금은 괜찮아. 내려갈 때 알려줄게." (It's fine for now. I'll let you know when we're ready.) His voice was tight, clearly holding something back.

Ha-neul, though, still grinning from ear to ear, didn't pick up on the discomfort in Ha-joon's tone. "알겠어요! 그럼 나중에 봐요!" (Alright! See you later then!)

He turned to leave, but just before he could go down the stairs, Ha-joon's voice called out.

"하늘, 잠깐만." (Ha-neul, wait a second.)

Ha-neul turned, a questioning look on his face.

"무슨 일이야?" (What is it?)

Ha-joon's expression was strained, but he forced a smile. "아, 그냥... 오늘 저녁은 좀 특별할 것 같아. 빨리 내려와서 기다려." (Ah, just... tonight seems like it will be special. Go downstairs and wait for a bit.)

Ha-neul nodded, oblivious to the underlying tension. "알았어요! 기다릴게요!" (Okay! I'll wait!)

As Ha-neul made his way back downstairs, Ha-joon stood in his room, staring at the door, his hand clenched into a fist. He exhaled sharply, running his fingers through his hair as his mind swirled in confusion and frustration. He didn't want to see Ha-neul right now.

He didn't want anyone interfering, especially not with Scarlet. But he was cornered. The lies, the secrets, everything was becoming too tangled. And it was all because of his own choices. As the sound of Ha-neul's footsteps faded, Ha-joon sank down onto the bed, his head in his hands. He didn't know how much longer he could keep up this facade.

Ha-joon took a deep, almost resigned breath as he walked up the stairs, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The weight of the evening's events felt like a heavy fog, suffocating him with every step he took toward Scarlet's room. He couldn't shake the feeling of irritation gnawing at his chest, his emotions simmering in a way he could barely control.

Reaching her door, he knocked sharply, the sound echoing down the hallway. There was a pause, then the soft shuffle of footsteps on the other side.

"Come in," a soft voice called out. It wasn't an invitation, but more like an acknowledgment that he had arrived.

He pushed the door open without waiting for her to open it herself. The room was dimly lit, with soft yellow light spilling from the lamp beside the bed. Scarlet was sitting on the bed, her back slightly hunched, eyes glued to her phone. She looked up as he entered, her expression softening, but there was an underlying nervousness in her posture.

Without bothering to close the door behind him, Ha-joon stepped into the room. He stood in front of her, hands still buried in his pockets, his gaze unwavering.

"I need you to come downstairs," he said, his voice flat and cold, as if the words held no more meaning than the air in the room. "I'm introducing you to some people."

Scarlet blinked, clearly surprised by the directness of his tone. She stood up immediately, her mind racing.

"Okay... but..." she hesitated, her hands shaking slightly as she looked him up and down, noticing the cool detachment in his eyes. "I don't know... what am I supposed to wear? I wasn't expecting..."

"Just get ready for something decent," Ha-joon interrupted, his tone sharper now, not even offering a hint of warmth. He turned to walk toward the door, but Scarlet's voice stopped him.

"Wait, Ha-joon..." She rushed forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him back into the room. "I'm sorry, I know I haven't been... perfect," she said, her voice laced with an apology. Her eyes were wide, almost pleading, and she could feel her heart hammering in her chest.

Ha-joon didn't look at her as she held his arm, his gaze fixed ahead, focusing on nothing in particular. His face remained impassive as he pulled his arm gently away from her grasp. "Let go," he said quietly, but the words were final, like an unspoken command. "I'm downstairs. Get ready."

He didn't wait for her response and simply turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving the door half-open behind him.

Scarlet stood there, her mind a whirl of confusion and hurt. She wanted to call out, to ask him what was going on, why he was treating her this way, but she didn't. She just stood there, her hand still hanging in the air where she had tried to stop him, unable to move, unable to even breathe for a moment.

It was the same feeling that had plagued her since she had arrived here: a strange, almost suffocating distance between them. No matter how much she tried to close the gap, it always seemed like Ha-joon was pushing her away. It made her question everything, her purpose here, her feelings, her place in this house. But she couldn't think about it now. She had to prepare.

Her eyes turned toward the wardrobe, and she moved to it mechanically, as if the motions were on autopilot. She began to pull out a few dresses, running her fingers over the fabric, her mind still clouded with doubt. She tried on a few different options, each one feeling wrong in its own way. One was too formal, another too casual, and none of them seemed to be what she wanted.

After a few more minutes of searching, Scarlet finally found the perfect dress. It was a simple, elegant black dress, form-fitting yet modest, with a neckline that wasn't too low and sleeves that covered her arms. It was something she could feel comfortable in without feeling overexposed, a perfect balance of presentable yet not too flashy. She smiled faintly as she held it up in front of the mirror, pleased with her choice.

She quickly slipped out of her current clothes and changed into the dress, pulling it on with practice ease. The soft fabric hugged her figure, and she felt a wave of relief. She wasn't sure why she cared so much about impressing anyone, especially Ha-joon, but for some reason, it felt important. It felt like a way to at least do something right in a situation that seemed to constantly be spiraling.

Once the dress was on, she took a moment to adjust it, making sure the hem fell neatly, and then began combing through her hair. Her fingers worked through the knots with a precision she hadn't known she still had, trying to make it look as neat and polished as possible. Her reflection stared back at her, the face of a woman who was still trying to find her way in a world that kept pushing her further into confusion.

She finished with her hair, pulling it into a simple but neat style, then turned her attention to the makeup. She didn't want to overdo it, she never did, but she added a little bit of foundation to even out her complexion and a hint of mascara to define her eyes.

Finally, she was ready. She stood in front of the mirror for a moment longer, taking in the image of herself. She looked... acceptable. It wasn't anything special, but it would have to do.

With one final glance at her reflection, she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. Her heart was still racing from the nervousness, but she forced herself to walk confidently toward the stairs. She had no idea what awaited her downstairs, but she had to face it, whatever it was.

Scarlet was halfway down the corridor, her thoughts swirling with the evening ahead when her phone rang, cutting through the thick silence of the house. She pulled it from her purse with a slight frown, not recognizing the number. When she saw the name on the screen, her heart skipped a beat. Ha-neul.

With a quick breath, she answered the call, her fingers trembling slightly. "Hello?"

"Scarlet," Ha-neul's voice came through the line, his tone low but steady. "I heard you met my mother today."

Scarlet blinked, her thoughts momentarily derailed. She had no idea how Ha-neul had found out. The meeting had been brief, almost inconsequential. But as she thought back to the woman in the market, speaking rapid Korean with a warmth that didn't quite match the stiff formality of the place, the pieces clicked together.

She smiled faintly. "Yes, I met her. She was your mother?"

There was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line. "Yes, that's her. I know she didn't speak much, but she seemed to like you. She mentioned you were... charming, even though she couldn't understand much either."

She hadn't expected to make such an impression, especially given the language barrier. She hadn't even really understood most of what the woman had said, but she had smiled and nodded, trying to be polite.

"She was cute," Scarlet said, her voice light. "I didn't understand a word, but she seemed kind."

There was a pause, then Ha-neul's voice softened, almost hesitant. "You know, I've been wanting to tell you something for a while now. I don't know how to say it, or where to start, but..." He paused again, and Scarlet could hear the hesitation in his words. "I think I'm in love with you, Scarlet."

Her breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know what to say, the words caught in her throat. Ha-neul continued, as though speaking to himself more than to her.

"I think I've loved you since we met in Venice. Or maybe it was Zurich, at the airport when I disturbed you with my clumsy ways and you glared at me like I was a nuisance." He let out a soft laugh, but there was an edge of nervousness in his voice. "I don't know... Maybe it was the way we kept meeting by chance in different places, like Venice, Zurich, and now Paris. It felt... inevitable. And I can't help but believe that there's something more here."

Scarlet stood frozen in the hallway, her hand gripping the phone as she listened to him. Her mind was spinning, processing everything he had just said. She hadn't expected this. Not from Ha-neul, not from anyone, really. She had always seen him as a friend, someone she could trust, someone who had been there in moments of need. But love? She didn't know how to respond.

Ha-neul's voice broke through her thoughts, his tone more earnest now. "I love you, Scarlet. I really do. And... my mother liked you too. I know it's a lot, but before I take any step further, before I let this go any deeper... I need your approval. I need to know if you feel the same, or if there's even a possibility of us being something more."

She slowly turned, walking toward the nearby sofa and sitting down. Her fingers curled tightly around the phone, her heart aching with the weight of his confession. She had never expected to be in this position, never imagined that someone would confess something so deep to her.

But the truth was, she didn't feel the same way. Not in the way he wanted her to.

"I..." she started, her voice soft and almost broken as she gathered her thoughts. "Ha-neul, I really care about you. You've been such a good friend to me, and I can't tell you how much that means to me." She paused, her eyes closing for a moment as she took a steadying breath.

But when she continued, it was with a firmness that she hadn't expected to find in herself. "But I'm not capable of a relationship. Not right now. I have my own reasons, things I can't explain or even put into words, and I hope you understand."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Her heart sank, knowing how much he must be hurting, knowing that her rejection, even though polite, still stung. She could hear the slight crack in his voice when he spoke again, but he tried to sound steady, to hold onto the semblance of composure.

"I understand," he said quietly, his voice tight. "I just... I needed to tell you, to be honest with you about how I feel. I didn't want to hide it anymore. But I respect your decision. I just hope, in time... maybe things could be different. I don't want to pressure you, Scarlet. I just wanted you to know."

She closed her eyes, her chest tightening further. "Thank you for understanding, Ha-neul," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I really do appreciate your honesty. I hope you know that... and I hope you can forgive me for not feeling the same way."

Another long silence stretched between them before Ha-neul spoke, his voice gentler now, but still carrying the weight of his emotions. "There's nothing to forgive, Scarlet. I just... I'll be here, no matter what. As a friend, if that's all I can be."

Scarlet nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her. She felt a lump form in her throat, the sadness of the moment settling in. "I'm sorry, Ha-neul," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt you."

He exhaled slowly, the sound quiet but final. "I know. Take care, Scarlet."

With that, the call ended, and Scarlet sat in the quiet of the hallway, her heart heavy, her mind still trying to process everything. She had just lost a piece of something she never thought she could lose.