Chapter 1

"I know! I'm sorry! What do you want me to do now?!"

My dad yelled while driving on a narrow, empty road. Our luggage was being carried in a separate vehicle ahead of us. I was already pissed off, but seeing the neighborhood made my blood boil.

"Who the hell told you to invest everything in that small piece of land?!"

I snapped back.

Don't get me wrong. He's a great dad, except for his terrible habit of gambling and recklessly investing in stocks and other risky ventures. We used to own a huge house built by my grandparents and a popular noodle shop. But after getting married, my dad began squandering his parents' savings, hoping to strike it rich overnight.

We lost everything because of him.

Now that my grandparents are gone, there's no one left to stop him, basically he does whatever he wants.

"I understand why Mom left you," I muttered.

He hissed, "She left both of us. Tch. You won't understand. At least I'm going to meet my childhood friend, someone who does understand me."

"Don't tell me your friend's a gambler too?!"

"What's going on in that head of yours? No! He's the most decent friend I've ever had. His wife left him and their son for a rich guy."

I shut my mouth. That sucked. I knew money mattered in life, but people should think before making lifelong commitments. Otherwise, they just end up destroying lives.

If she wanted someone rich, then why the hell did she marry him in the first place?

"So you both got dumped. Now you're just two lonely men," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Speak for yourself. I can accept my part, but he isn't a loner. He still gets plenty of offers-dates, marriage, you name it, even though he has a 17-year-old son. Oh by the way, his son is a really nice kid. You'll enjoy his company."

I knew why he was telling me that. We were about to move into his friend's house.

We'd be living upstairs, while his friend and his son stayed on the ground floor.

He stopped the car, and we both got out without saying a word. I looked around the neighborhood and suddenly felt like I'd been transported back to the early 2000s. Everything was so vintage and old-fashioned that I nearly cried thinking about my future I*******m life.

I looked up at the building where our luggage was being carried inside. It wasn't exactly old, but it wasn't modern either. In front of the wooden house building, there was a garage where a few racing cars and bikes were parked. Near the garage, an old asian woman was peeling onions and garlic on a wooden cot placed right on the roadside.

I tried to smile at her, but she gave me a cold, questioning look. Her eyes flicked between my father and me, as if she were trying to recognize us.

"You're here!"

A raspy, hoarse voice sounded behind me, sending a chill through my entire body. I turned around and saw a tall, masculine man with a tattoo on his right arm. He wore glasses and a mask and held a bag of vegetables. His eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly at my dad.

"Ah! Jackson!"

My dad rushed over and hugged him, making the man chuckle as he lightly patted my dad's back.

"How've you been?" he asked, without even glancing at me.

But my eyes were glued to him. Even without seeing his full face, I could tell by his sharp jawline, visible collarbone, and overall physique that he looked like he had walked straight out of a fanfiction. There was no way this man had a 17-year-old son.

"Don't get me started. Anyway, this is my daughter, Iris. Iris, this is my friend Jackson Kim, I told you about him earlier."

He finally looked at me, and the moment our eyes met, my breath hitched. I smiled through burning cheeks and bowed politely since we both are asian.

"Hello, nice to meet you, Mr. Kim."

He nodded slightly, smiling with his eyes. His gaze lingered on me for a good four seconds before he turned back to my dad.

"Mr. Kim? You should call him Uncle..."

"But he doesn't look like an uncle!"

They both blinked at me in surprise before breaking into laughter, and I could feel my face heat up even more.

"Let her be," Jackson said with a grin. "Iris, you can call me whatever you like. Don't mind your dad, he's a total boomer."

"As if you're not?" my dad scoffed. "I'm only a few years older than you. No matter how young you look, you're aging too."

Jackson laughed heartily, and I found myself smiling just watching him.

"Yeah, yeah. We're both getting old."

Suddenly, his eyes shifted toward the old woman peeling garlic and onions. He strode over to her with a gentle voice and a warm smile.

"Let me take care of that. I'll return it this evening after I finish peeling."

She smiled at him, the first smile I'd seen from her.

"I can do it. If you stop me from working, my hands will forget how to move."

But he gently took the bucket from her hands anyway.

"Save your energy for making your delicious kimchi. For now, you need to rest-doctor's orders. Come on, let me take you to the garage. It's empty right now, so you can sleep peacefully. I turned the AC on a few minutes ago, and there's a blanket on your bed."

We watched him help her to her feet and guide her inside. And in just those few minutes, a deep respect for Mr. Kim grew in my heart.

He returned, and my dad immediately asked, "Is that the Grandma who used to give us candies back in the days?"

Jackson nodded, and my dad gasped.

"I almost didn't recognize her! I should go greet her properly. You guys go inside, I'll be back in a few minutes."

And just like that, he left me alone with a man I barely knew.

Who leaves their daughter with a stranger in a new house?!

How was I supposed to act naturally, knowing it was just the two of us for now?

I turned toward Mr. Kim, only to find him already looking at me.

"Should we go inside, or wait for your dad to come back?" he asked, as if he could read my thoughts.

I smiled, awkward and flustered, but also a little reassured.

Now I understand why my dad trusted him so much.

He was a genuinely considerate man, the kind who didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable.

"Let's go inside first.... Mr. Kim."

To be continued