Seo Gwangjin (2)
Even with all that, Gojin immediately recognized the man. It was Seo Gwangjin, Seo Ahri's father, and he looked like he was ready to explode.
"Who is this playboy?!" Seo Gwangjin bellowed, pointing a trembling finger at Gojin. "Who dares to take advantage of my sweet, innocent daughter?"
Seo Ahri tried to intervene. "Dad, wait, it's not what you think—"
"I know exactly what's going on here!" But Seo Gwangjin cut her off, waving his hand dismissively. "Do you think you can just waltz in and seduce my daughter with your pretty face and smooth words? Not on my watch!"
Gojin was too stunned to respond. He wasn't there by choice but because Seo Ahri had made it impossible for him to decline her offer. Besides, he didn't care about their private business, but the man was slowly going out of the line with his paranoid claims.
Gojin opened his mouth, but no words came out because Seo Gwangjin was yelling at the top of his lungs. He took Gojin's silence as a confirmation of his worst fears and rolled up his sleeves to teach the brat a lesson.
"See? He doesn't even deny it!" Seo Gwangjin roared, taking a step closer to Gojin. "I've seen your kind before, boy. Preying on innocent girls, using them for your own selfish needs. Well, you won't get away with it this time!"
Seo Ahri's frustration was boiling over and she yelled, "Dad, stop it! You don't know what you're talking about!"
But her father was on a roll and couldn't be stopped. Not when he had seen his daughter bring a boy over without asking for his permission. She was his daughter. She should have at least told him about it.
In other words, Seo Gwangjin was upset with Ahri. But instead of talking it out with his daughter, Seo Gwangjin took out his anger on the only one he could.
"I'm not letting you ruin my daughter's life. I'll have you thrown out of here! Better yet, I will make it so you can't even walk!"
Gojin finally found his voice. "Sir, I think there's a misunderstanding—"
Seo Gwangjin ignored him and continued his tirade. "Misunderstanding? I don't think so! I know exactly what kind of person you are. A scoundrel! A rake! A… a Casanova!"
At this point, Seo Ahri had had enough. She jumped up from her seat and, with a ferocious growl, leaped at her father. The room erupted into chaos as she locked him in a sleeper hold, her arms tight around his neck.
The bodyguards, who had been standing by the door, looked at each other in panic. They didn't dare intervene, knowing that Seo Gwangjin adored his daughter and would have their heads if they laid a hand on her, even if it was to protect him. So, they just stood there, watching the scene unfold.
"Dad, apologize to Gojin!" Seo Ahri demanded, tightening her grip.
Seo Gwangjin's eyes bulged, and he flailed his arms, trying to free himself. "I… can't… breathe…"
"Apologize!" Seo Ahri insisted.
"I'm… sorry…" Seo Gwangjin's face turned redder, and he gasped for air.
But before he could finish his apology, Seo Ahri had already knocked him out. His body went limp in her arms, and she gently lowered him to the floor.
"Did you just… knock out your dad?" Gojin stared in shock, his mouth agape.
"Don't worry, he is used to it," Seo Ahri shrugged, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "He'll be up in no time."
The bodyguards rushed forward, unsure whether to help their unconscious boss or applaud Seo Ahri for her impressive display of strength. They decided on the former, carefully lifting Seo Gwangjin and carrying him to a nearby couch.
"Sorry about that," Seo Ahri said nonchalantly, turning back to Gojin. "He can be a bit dramatic when it involves me."
"A bit?" Gojin blinked, still processing what had just happened. "He almost had my head."
"Yeah, well, now you know why I don't have many friends." Seo Ahri chuckled, amused by the whole situation. "But don't worry. My father is a softy on the inside. He won't touch you or your family if I ask him."
Softy and a gangster? I don't think so.
As the bodyguards fussed over Seo Gwangjin, who was starting to come to, Seo Ahri turned to them and barked, "Stop standing around like idiots! Get some water and ice for Dad!"
"Yes, Miss!"
The bodyguards scrambled, nearly tripping over themselves to fulfill her orders.
***
"Ah, you're awake," Seo Ahri said, arms crossed, trying to look stern but worried about her father.
Gwangjin rubbed his neck and sat up, blinking a few times. He saw Gojin and immediately got to his feet. But when he saw the look on his daughter's face, he calmed down.
Thanks to that, they could explain everything to him and Gwangjin smiled, understanding that the boy wasn't all that bad.
"Kim Gojin, I must apologize for my earlier behavior."
The sudden change in demeanor took Gojin by surprise and tried easing the situation, but did a terrible job at it.
"Uh, it's okay, Mr. Seo. All water under the bridge..." he said.
"You're a smart one, aren't you?" Seo Gwangjin nodded. "But you see, I love my daughter too much to let a bastard like you steal her away—"
Seo Ahri's eyes narrowed sharply, and Gwangjin quickly corrected himself, "I mean, I'm just a bit overprotective. So let's put our differences aside."
He extended his hand for a handshake. Gojin hesitated for a moment, then took it. As soon as their hands clasped, Gwangjin pulled Gojin closer, his cheerful expression got replaced by a deadly serious one.
"If you ever make my daughter cry," he whispered, his grip tightening, "that will be your last day on earth."
Gojin swallowed hard, but nodded. Just as quickly, Gwangjin released him and stepped back, the friendly smile returning to his face.
"Well, then! I expect lots of grandchildren from you two!"
Seo Ahri's face turned beet red.
"Dad!" she shouted, grabbing a glass cup from the table and flinging it at him.
Gwangjin ducked, and the cup sailed past him, hitting one of the bodyguards square on the nose.
"Ouch!" the bodyguard yelped, clutching his nose. Blood trickled between his fingers, but he gave Seo Ahri a thumbs-up. "Nice aim, Miss."
"That's my girl! Feisty and fierce!" Gwangjin chuckled. "Be good kiddos! Also, I'll send someone over to help Good-jin get started."