Dinner With The Other Woman
Min-Ju spent the rest of the week at home resting and watching whatever was on TV. She pushes her off the bed to get ready for another boring day. Su-Hyung was downstairs making her coffee.
As she was walking into the kitchen and noticed that Su-Hyung looked skinnier and paler than he did before. He looked like he lost a lot of muscle and she couldn't remember the last time she saw him workout.
"Have you been eating Oppa*? You look like you lost weight." She couldn't shake the worry away from her voice
"What? I think the heat has made you see things" He said surprised by her observation he had tried hard to hide it from her
"I'm not..." She tried to say but her phone rang. It was an unknown number but Min-Ju knew who that was.
Min-Ju was not ready to really talk to the person that is dating the person she cheated with.
"yeoboseyo*," She said answering the phone after the 3rd ring
"Hi, it's LiQiu. I asked JinHai to give me your number. I want to have dinner with you. I know you dated JinHai and..." She sighs before continuing "The last year he changed and I want to get to know and help him. You know him the best so... what do you say?"
Min-Ju didn't say anything for a while until LiQiu asked if she was there
"Um yes... I'm here. Sure I would love to"
"Great tonight at 7 I'll text you the address" That was that Min-Ju finally had a chance to breathe
"Who was that?" Su-Hyung asked, making Min-Ju jump. She had forgotten he was here.
"Just a new friend I met. I'm having dinner with her tonight so don't wait up" Her answer was vague and Su-Hyung knew it
"I have a meeting with a Chinese businessman at 3 I'm gonna head out now"
"Wait why so early it's only 10 in the morning"
"I... um, have to do something today. I have to go now" Now it was his turn to be vague. He kissed her on the lips and got ready for work
Min-Ju hurriedly texted BiYu and told her she was coming over
"Why would you agree to that?" BiYu asked still in a daze but that woke her up
"I don't know. I felt bad for her"
"You feel bad for the women REALLY?!"
"I'm a cheater and yesterday night he told me he loves me and wants to be with me... I just can't"
"But your mArRiEd and he is in a relationship. I can't support you with... I don't know running away with him without hurting the people you care most about."
"I never said I was running away with him... I just... I don't know... But she said she wanted to help him with something... I heard he was in trouble and I wanted to help him. Does that sound so bad" Min-Ju said sounding defeated
"You really don't know do you?" BiYu asked, "Know What?"
BiYu hesitated before speaking again "JinHai... He started drinking a lot when you left. He regretted his decision not to move with you to Korea. He... you know he would cry and blame himself. When that didn't work in torturing himself he started drinking... then he met LiQiu 8 years ago and we all banned together to help him."
"What do you mean 8 years ago didn't they only date for 2?"
"She liked him and asked him out... But he never got over you but we persuaded him to give her a chance... she has helped him a lot... That's why he got bigger and stronger because exercise is his way out. She helped him find that." Min-Ju closed her eyes and put her hands on her face
"I'm gonna have dinner with her and hear what she has to say," Min-Ju said walking out of the BiYu's house.
Min-Ju walked into the restaurant with LiQiu waiting for her. They greeted each other with a bow and a handshake. It was awkward and uncomfortable for both of them "I had ordered for you. I- I asked JinHai what you liked" She said pointing to the steak and miso soup
"Thank You," Min-Ju said, sitting down with her hands cold and sweaty.
"I wanted to talk to you" LiQiu started clearing her throat twice "JinHai is... was... he drank a lot before I met him but he never told why"
"If he hadn't told you I don't think it is my place" Min-Ju replied
"Yes I know but he changed recently... I'm scared he is drinking again..." Min-Ju couldn't say anything she only gave her a small smile "I never knew and I guess no one told me. What was he like before he started drinking,"
Min-Ju's throat dried up. "He was smart. He wasn't like he is now. He had a beautiful smile that reached his eyes." She said smiling to herself
"I haven't seen that smile, I guess"
They talked about how JinHai was before she left for Korea. They talked about how he used to love animals, drawing, and frankly sleeping. Seeing him now he doesn't sleep he works until his heart gives out.
They talked about LiQiu's life before meeting JinHai and how she had dreams about becoming an international reporter but had to give that up because she worried that if she leaves JinHai he would go back to his own habits. But Min-Ju doesn't mention that she was the one that caused his drinking problem. Her guilt is getting to her and she starts to blame herself the more LiQiu mentions JinHai.
They keep on talking but Min-Ju doesn't share anything about her past. JinHai mentioned once that he couldn't tell LiQiu that they were once more than friends. She couldn't tell LiQiu that without JinHai's input.
Once dinner was over, They could say they had fun as they said their goodbyes as LiQiu's car pulled up. LiQiu whispered into Min-Ju's ear "No woman could love a cheater and not pay the price for it." She said with a condescending smile as she gets into her car leaving Min-Ju stunned.
*Oppa 오빠= Older brother or friend
*Yeoboseyo 여보세요= Hello (only on the phone)