Chapter 22

Nari

After having dinner with us last night, Tae left. Each time we parted, it got harder even though we saw each other almost daily, and I spent every weekend with him. He brought me a fluffy grey teddy bear, a hot water bottle, painkillers, flowers and chicken noodle soup. I sighed as I cleaned up the equipment in the treatment room.

"God, if you're going to get all lovesick on me, leave already. It's your wedding next weekend," Warren said as he pulled his glasses down his nose to look over them at me.

"Have you ever been in love?" I said with another sigh. "I don't like feeling like this, but then I do."

He chuckled before he pushed his glasses back up over his eyes. "Yes, allowing yourself to be vulnerable to someone else is terrifying, but if it is reciprocated, then it's also the most beautiful thing in the world."

"Oh, that's beautiful. Is it an original Warren quote, or did you rip it off from someone?" I said with a chuckle.

"All of you youngsters are so rude," he said, tossing a rolled-up paper towel at me, which I batted back towards him. "Can you pick that up? My back isn't what it used to be."

"You're only fifty-three, Warren," I said, rolling my eyes before I picked it up.

Someone knocked on the door. When I stood up, I saw Salma poking her head in.

"Sorry to disturb you guys, but a gentleman is here to see you, Nari," she said. "His name is Mr Jeon."

I frowned because everyone knew who Tae was in the practice. Salma was the receptionist, so she had met him on a few occasions.

"Oh, shit," I whispered as I realised it might be Tae's Dad. "Is he old and grumpy like Warren here?"

"Hey!"

"Yes," Salma said with a snort. "We still love you, though, Warren."

I watched as she vanished, and I pulled my phone out to send Tae a quick text message to let him know his Dad was here. Jason was due to pick me up to return to the apartment today.

"Is everything okay?" Warren asked.

"Yes, it's Tae's Dad out there. He doesn't really like me or the fact that we are getting married."

"Typical wedding drama. My father-in-law still hates me, and he has dementia."

"Ouch. I don't know who I feel more sorry for."

"I'm beginning to see your future father-in-law's point,"

"Ooooh, low blow. I like it," I said but glanced at the door nervously.

"Go and see him. I will follow you out and linger around the reception desk."

"Thanks, Warren."

"No problem," he said as he stood up. "I need you guys to get married and have kids since my numbers are dwindling."

What a fibber. The practice was always busy.

I took a deep breath and opened the door.

When I stepped outside, I saw him in the reception area. He stood looking around with his hands behind his back. He still had that air of arrogance that got my back up.

"Mr Jeon, how can I help you?" I said as I walked towards him with a fake smile.

"Ms Choi, is there somewhere private we can speak?"

"There is no one here since we close for lunch."

"Fine. I will be frank with you. How much do you want to get out of my son's life?"

I stood there shell-shocked as he looked at me expectantly. It was creepy because he was an older version of Tae, but their personalities were worlds apart.

"I don't think you understand, Mr Jeon. We love each other," I said, narrowing my eyes on him. "So I want nothing from you."

"Love," he scoffed. "He is my only son. I know your family is mediocre at best over here and in Korea."

Tae had open eyes, and although he was more devious than me, I always thought it was because he had to be in business. I had to wonder how much of it he picked up from his Dad because he seemed to take delight in putting other people down, and this was the second time he had insulted my family.

"If that's all you came to say, I suggest you leave, Mr Jeon. I will marry Tae next Saturday, and nothing you can say or do will stop me."

"Listen here, you gold-digging whore. My son deserves someone with a similar background."

I'd had enough. My parents had always taught me to respect my elders, but respect was earned.

"Respectfully, Mr Jeon, fuck off," I said, almost cringing at cursing.

I didn't see it coming. He was so fast that he smacked me on my face, and I fell towards the chairs and hit my forehead on the corner of the wall.

I heard Warren shout to Salma to call the police as he rushed towards me and helped me sit up. Warren was checking my face and then my eyes, but I was trying to look for the psychotic fucker who hit me.

"He ran out of here. I'm going to move you to the chair to get you off the floor, okay? I don't want blood stains on my rug," he said.

I smiled but then moaned when I touched my lip. There was blood on my fingertips.

"I must have cut my lip on my teeth," I said in a daze.

"Uh, your forehead is bleeding too," Warren said as he helped me up and sat me on the chair.

Salma came over with wide eyes, but she held a first aid kit in her hand.

"No, take some pictures. I want him prosecuted," I said, trying to feel my forehead.

I had a feeling that Mr Jeon was used to getting away with hitting women. My mother was cheerful and healthy compared to Tae's mum, who had barely said two words the night we met her.

The phone rang at reception, and I realised that mine was always on silent mode at work. I reached into my pocket and saw eighteen missed calls and a series of messages. The front door burst open, and Tae stood there looking around until Warren moved out of the way.

Tae's eyes snapped onto me, and he practically snarled before rushing towards me. He crouched down, and his fingers gently touched my jaw and cheek. The adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins seemed to vanish, and a rush of emotion took over as I realised what his father had done.

Tae saw my face crumble, and he moved to sit next to me, but he picked me up and sat me on his lap as I held him and began to sob against his chest.

"I'm sorry, but I told him to fuck off," I wailed and began to cry harder.

"Shh. I would have done the same," Tae said softly as he rubbed my back.

"He offered me money to leave you and called me a gold-digging whore, though," I said as I paused to wipe my nose on the back of my hand.

"He what?" Tae growled as his hand stopped moving against my back.

"It's why I told him to fuck off, and then he slapped me or punched me. I don't know, it happened too fast," I said before I started crying again because now my cheek and my head began to throb.

"It was a punch. I'm sorry I didn't get there fast enough, Nari."

"It's o-okay, Warren. You have a bad b-b-back," I stuttered, trying to stop myself from crying.

This wasn't a good omen for the wedding.