22 Family Bonding

Once we finished breakfast, we headed out as Agent Helios suggested. As to where we're going, I had no idea since we didn't even plan this out. He just decided it on his own. It's a weekend, so he should be taking a day off, but he's willingly spending that precious day off with me and my mother. I wonder why?

'Maybe he doesn't have anything better to do for the weekend? No. He's probably using this time to gain proper intel on my mother's personality. It could come in handy in the future. Now that I think about it, I should do the same for his father. That's if I'll ever get another chance to meet him when he's so busy.'

The first place we went to was the spa since mom mentioned her back was aching. She simply murmured it so softly, but Agent Helios caught on immediately and decided with that. And being the rich guy he was, of course, he brought us somewhere fancy once again, much to my mother's surprise.

"Eh? I-isn't this that spa where all those celebrities go to?" mother asked when she saw the place.

She was surprised when she saw Eun-Woo's car, but she didn't think much since she's not familiar with cars and their prices. But this luxurious spa—she's definitely aware of its prestige. And the cost to book a room here? It's too much for normal people.

"Are you sure this is fine?" mother pressed on. "You don't need to spend too much on this old lady. I'm good with the normal spa in the mall or somewhere nearby."

"I insist, mother," Eun-Woo replied. "You're working so hard that your back is aching already. You should get treated by professionals."

"Aigoo, you don't need to impress me. I already approve of you, so let's go somewhere… less expensive, hm?"

"Oh, if it's about the cost you're worried about," Eun-Woo replied, "then you don't need to worry. We own this place, so we get a free pass." He then smiled so innocently, bragging in the most inconspicuous manner.

Mom's eyes widened in shock. She immediately glanced at me, and I just shook my head and pressed my temples.

"Eomma, you see… actually he's—"

"A chaebol?!" she blurted out. "Wait, when you introduced yourself this morning… you said your last name was Jeon, right? Y-You don't happen to be the son of…."

"Yes, mother. My father is Jeon Young-Jae, the owner of Jeon Holdings and many other businesses."

"Oh my! That's…" she was at a loss for words.

She looked at me again, and I tried to explain, but my words jumbled up. Eun-Woo explained in my stead as we walked inside the spa. The staff greeted us and ushered us to a place he had arranged before coming. As we sat on the couch and the staff prepared, mother continued asking.

"Are your parents okay with this marriage? We're not on the same level as your family, so I thought—you know, like those things that happen a lot in dramas?"

"Ha-ha-ha! You don't have to worry about that, mother. We already met with my dad, and he really liked Ye-Ji. He approved the wedding and even begged her to send him an invitation since I might tease him and not send one."

"Woah? Really? So those dramas are just dramas after all, huh?"

"You should meet him sometime. He's a kind father and dotes on me a lot. That's why I thought not to send him an invitation since he might cry and cause a scene at the wedding. Ugh. It's the last thing I want to see."

"Ha-ha-ha! Your father sounds nice. You must have gotten your warm personality from him."

"Uhm… maybe?"

"How about your mother?"

"… Oh," Eun-Woo paused before replying. "Ahm, unfortunately, my mother is no longer…."

Hearing that, I flinched from my seat. And here I thought his parents divorced. It turns out she had already passed away. So that's why he told me not to bring up his mother when we met his dad.

"Oh my goodness, my mouth! I'm so sorry, dear."

"It's alright, mother. You didn't know. Besides, I'm used to it now. She's been gone since I was a child."

"Aww, poor child. Don't worry. I'm sure your mother is watching over you wherever she is now, happy to see you grow up so well and be the kind of man you are now."

He smiled warmly toward mom.

"Thank you, mother."

And so, after the depressing talk, we got treated to a luxurious massage, manicure, pedicure, and all sorts of pampering that could be done within the establishment. By lunchtime, Eun-Woo took us to a fine-dining restaurant nearby with a beautiful view of the ocean. It seems like he and his dad liked the ocean.

After that, we went to the luxury fashion district again and bought a lot of things for mom—clothes, shoes, jewelry, bags, and tea sets since she loves tea so much. I bugged him many times that I'll pay him back for everything, but he insisted they were gifts.

By dinner, we went to another fine-dining restaurant and enjoyed the evening scenery. Lastly, we watched a movie together since my mother said she missed doing that with me and that she'd like to share our little family bonding with Eun-Woo, which he happily accepted.

Haah… What an exhausting day. It was fun nonetheless. It's been a long time since I properly went out with mom. Whenever I go home during weekends, I mostly coop myself up in the room, busy researching stuff about my father. I didn't notice I'd been neglecting her all this time. If it weren't for Eun-Woo insisting we hang out, I wouldn't even realize it. I guess, in a way, I should thank him for today.

But that thought immediately dissipated when we were dumped into my bedroom by my own mother.

"I'm so sorry, my dear. I forgot to clean the other rooms, so you two will have to stay in the same room tonight," my mother cunningly said.

'Forgot to clean the other rooms, my ass. She deliberately did that!'

"You're going to get married soon, so this is fine, right?"

She then tossed a change of clothes for the both of us—matching pajamas—and closed the door. I was about to say sorry to Eun-Woo for everything and thank him when he suddenly reverted to his usual self, dropped his fake smile, and told me in an expression colder than ice…

"I'll sleep on the bed, and you sleep on the couch."

Right. I should have known not to be fooled by his amazing act. Yup. This is the real him—the usual rude, arrogant, and sadistic him.