Chapter 3

I immediately step back and look at the person who had just arrived. He stands with his arms crossed over his chest, and I can instantly see Mr. Kim's shadow in him, the same sharp features, the same tall build. As far as I can guess, they are about the same height too.

The young boy glares at me as if I owed him something. Was he upset because I was too close to Mr. Kim? I glance at Mr. Kim, who looks completely unfazed, unlike me, I was already shaking under that fierce gaze of that kid.

"Great, the food is almost ready!" Mr. Kim announces, brushing off the tension. "Oh, this is Iris, Martin's daughter. Iris, this is my son, Ryan."

He speaks so casually, as if nothing had happened moments ago. Did he really not notice my awkward gesture or did he just choose to ignore it? He doesn't seem embarrassed or guilty in the slightest, maybe I'm just overthinking.

I give a small nod to acknowledge Ryan, but he scoffs before saying, "Hey, Iris. Hope we get along well in the future..... since we're going to be living together."

That doesn't sound very welcoming. I try to force a smile as he stares into my soul.

"Ryan, cut it out," Mr. Kim warns with a smile, as if he already knows what his son is up to. To my surprise, Ryan smiles too.

"C'mon, Dad, I hadn't even started and you're already exposing me," he says.

Mr. Kim smiles gently and turns to me. "Go on, have a seat with him. I'll handle the rest."

I give a hesitant nod, even though I don't want to leave his side for his son, who is looking at me like I don't belong in this world. Ryan heads toward the dining table, and I reluctantly follow. I choose a seat across from him, but he stands up and pulls out the chair right beside mine.

"Are you into older men?" he whispers into my ear, making my heart skip a beat.

"What?! No!" I exclaim, leaning away from him.

He gives me a deadly stare and tilts his head. "Then what were you doing a few minutes ago?"

My throat tightens as I remember the moment. I swallow down the guilt and meet his gaze like he's the one with a few loose screws.

"What are you talking about?"

He scoffs and looks away.

"My dad isn't like other men who fall for cheap seduction tricks. It'd be better for you to drop any ideas about trying to win him over. There's a long line of women still hoping to capture his heart."

As if I couldn't guess that already. But why does he assume I'm trying to seduce his father? Do I really seem like the type? I frown and snap at him.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Whatever long line of women you're referring to has nothing to do with me. I've done nothing that requires an explanation, especially to you. And if I tell Mr. Kim what you just said to me, I doubt he'd be very pleased, right?"

He clenches his jaw, smiling ear to ear as Mr. Kim approaches.

"What are you two looking so serious about? Is everything alright? Iris, is he bullying you?"

I smile and shake my head.

"No, we were just getting to know each other."

I reply as Mr. Kim sets down the delicious dishes he'd prepared for us. My father arrives and takes a seat, leaving only one spot open for Mr. Kim. He settles across from me, smiling, and we pick up our chopsticks to begin.

"Oh, by the way, do you like your new room?" Ryan suddenly asks in the middle of the meal, making me halt in a mid chew and glance at Mr. Kim, who's already looking at me, waiting for a reply. I swallow and force a smile.

"I like it. It's beautiful." I replied and continued chewing on my food.

Mr. Kim exhales in relief and relaxes his shoulders.

"I'm glad you like it. Ryan told me to make everything pink, saying girls like pink the most. I was skeptical but it turns out he knows girls better than I do."

"Of course, Dad!" Ryan chimes in.

So he's the one responsible for making the room pink. I turn sharply to glare at him, forcing a smile through clenched teeth.

"Should I say thanks?" I whisper.

He shakes his head and pouts playfully.

"No need. The pleasure is all mine."

My father bursts out laughing knowing how much I hate pink.

"She hates pink," he blurts out. I shut my eyes in embarrassment, knowing Mr. Kim is already looking at me.

"Is it true? See, Ryan, I told you it wouldn't work, but you insisted---"

"It's okay, Mr. Kim. I like it. Don't worry about it," I quickly assure him.

His eyes soften, and my father tries to suppress his laugh.

"See, Dad? Iris likes it. And if she doesn't, I can always switch rooms with her. As long as she doesn't mind sleeping in my bed."

I almost choke on my food and whip my head toward him. My father, oblivious, doesn't seem to register the implication, but Mr. Kim glares sharply at Ryan.

"Ryan. Enough."

Listening to his father's warning, Ryan rolls his eyes in annoyance.

"I'm kidding. You know, Dad, I'm not interested in her."

Hah! Sure.

Meanwhile, his behavior suggests otherwise. Yet hearing him say it aloud makes the sting of it hit harder. What does he mean, he's not interested in me? And why must he say it in front of everyone ? Couldn't he just keep it to himself?

I glance at Mr. Kim and our eyes meet for a second. He quickly looks away, tense and slightly flustered. It's moments like this when I wonder if the two are really blood related at all.

"Ah, what a pity! I was thinking of setting you two up for a date. She broke up two months ago and has been taking out all her frustration on me. Now that you're 'not interested' in her, I guess I'll just have to bear it until she finds someone new."

Perfect. My father never fails to humiliate me.

Ryan laughs, and Mr. Kim looks at me with concern.

No, don't look at me like that, Mr. Kim. I'm not some tragic case.

I turn to Ryan, smirking.

"Well, it's mutual then. I'm not interested in you either."

He shrugs like he doesn't care, and I continue eating. Mr. Kim finally relaxes and I can almost sense the tension melting from his shoulders. Perhaps he felt the pressure of making sure I wouldn't be hurt by his son's behavior. I give him a soft, genuine smile.

"The food is delicious, Mr. Kim. Thanks for the meal."

I rise from the table and walk to the kitchen to wash my bowl. A few moments later, as I'm drying my hands, Mr. Kim appears, looking slightly awkward.

"Iris... I hope you won't---"

"You don't have to worry about it, Mr. Kim. I've handled worse 'kids' than him."

I reply before he can finish, making him raise an eyebrow before he laughs.

"You sound like you're here to babysit him."

I smirk inwardly. I can, if you want.

"Anyway, what he meant by 'not being interested in you' might not be what you think. He's not interested in girls... he's been chasing a guy he likes since middle school."

That's definitely Too much information for a lifetime. But it tells me one thing , Mr. Kim knows and accepts his son's sexuality. He must be the coolest father. Meanwhile, if it were mine, he'd have tried every way possible to make me 'normal' instead of accepting me.

"I hope you won't distance yourself just because of that----"

"Mr. Kim, I'm not that kind of person. You can rest assured , I'll be good to him. It just might take some time for us to build a bond."

He smiles, a sigh of relief escaping him. His gaze is so deep, so captivating, that if I stare too long, I fear I'll lose myself in it.

"You're more mature than you look."

My face instantly lights up at the compliment. Somehow, it feels like all the awkward moments are worth it for those words.

"Oh, and you can always change the things in your room if you want," he adds.

I smile and shake my head.

"Let it be. It's not that bad. And if I change it too soon, Ryan might never raise a hand of friendship toward me."

He raises an eyebrow, nodding in respect for my reply. But as soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize how awkward they sound , like I'm trying to be a mother figure rather than a friend. I wince inwardly, excusing myself and quickly making my way to my room.

My heart races as I walk away, and I can feel Mr. Kim's gaze burning into my back. I don't have the courage to turn around.

He must be thinking I'm trying to seduce him too. Ahhhh... I've ruined my image in front of him in a single day. Wait, why am I worrying about what he thinks? What he understands doesn't matter. What am I hoping for?

"What's wrong with you, Iris? He's a married man , a father with a son of almost your age. You shouldn't feel anything for him. It....... it must be the law of attraction."

If something is forbidden, it only becomes more tempting.

To be continued....