Page 56 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
With a small wave, she disappears beyond the living room doorway, leaving Haneul, Mina, Stephanie and a giant elephant in the room.
* * *
Stephanie has excused herself on the pretext of taking a phone call. Haneul and Mina are now sitting in silence with a palpable tension hanging in the air. Mina is the first to break it.
‘I’m sorry, I did not mean to startle you. I thought Halmeoni knew why you are visiting …’
Mina can barely hide a smirk as she speaks.
‘What exactly is it you are trying to say? Can’t I visit my grandmother? Or do I have to report to you my every step?’ Haneul is angry at his plan for peace being thwarted by Mina.
‘You ran away, Haneul! You think that’s making anybody’s life easier? Least of all Timira’s?’
Smarting from Mina’s attack, Haneul takes a minute to ponder his next step.
‘Must you have alluded to the possibility of my being unwell to Halmeoni? Wasn’t it rather unnecessary to worry an eighty-six-year-old who has literally seen her only grandchild come back from the brink of death? Mighty thoughtful of you, Mina!’Haneul decides it’s best to guard his Achilles’ Heel, Timira, and use offence as his best defence.
Now realizing how thoughtless her actions were indeed, Mina stays silent.
Haneul continues to speak. ‘Why are you here anyway?’
Because I was worried about you! Because I’m jealous of Timira! Because I don’t want to lose you to her!
Mina wants to tell him all this but doesn’t say anything. Her pride doesn’t allow her. Haneul has made it amply clear that he does not love her, but she doesn’t want him to lose whatever little respect he might’ve had for her by appearing to be a jealous, immature, conniving lover.
‘Are you sure you aren’t sick?’ she asks instead, unable to hide her genuine concern.
Haneul, unmoved, continues to scowl and asks again, ‘Why are youreallyhere?’
Unable to hold back any longer, Mina speaks icily. ‘This really is abouther, is it not? I swear I thought you might actually be sick which is why you came here for therapy. I thought your injuries might be acting up again. Jeez, what an idiot I am! You’ve literally just run away! Fromher? Because you can’t handle a little competition? Because you can’t ask your parents or Halmeoni to get it for you?’
It’s now Haneul’s turn to stay quiet. Stung by the bitter truth in Mina’s words, he recoils and licks his wounds.
Mina isn’t about to relent, though. ‘You have a company to run, don’t forget. A company that you owe to my father. How do you think he’ll feel if he were to find out you are cheating on his daughter with your employee? And when he takes your company away from you, how will Halmeoni feel? The same Halmeoni who let you venture out on your own in the first place. Have you thought of how your actions could affect all those around you?’
Have you even thought of how you are breaking my heart?
She goes on. ‘I am no stalker. I came here as your concerned friend and fiancée. Instead of showing me a little gratitude, you are only throwing a tantrum like a child. Just because you cannot have a new toy!’
Haneul has had enough. ‘Who exactly are you calling a toy? Oh, and don’t tell me how to run my company. Why don’t you focus on your job and I’ll focus on mine?’
‘Timira! Who else? The shiny new toy that every manchild wants to play with!’
‘Watch your language, Mina!’
‘Or, what? Wae, is it hurting you? You like her so much?’ ‘Geurae, choha. Geuraeseo mweo? Eohjjeorago[Yes, I like her. So what? What do you want me to do]? Pursue her?
Will you let me? Tell me, are you willing to break off our engagement and leave?’
‘Ani. Naega wae[No. Why should I]? And what even makes you think she will have you? I don’t think she cares how rich and powerful you are here in Korea. You’ve always had whatever you’ve wanted. I think I’m going to enjoy this—enjoy watching you fight on your own for the first time for something you want, something your family can’t buy you!’
Haneul knows how privileged and fortunate he has always been. Life as achaebolheir has had its advantages. But Mina’s words are sharp and they cut him with very little effort.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll cheer you on. But you are mistaken if you think I’m going to leave, not when I can enjoy this ringside view. Tell me if you need my help, okay? Or don’t. Because my intentions may not be entirely noble.Him ne! Fighting!’
Mina cannot believe herself. She had no idea she had been holding back such a lot, and she has grabbed this little window to vent it all out. Her first feeling is one of relief, but that is soon replaced by nervousness about the consequences of her tirade that are undoubtedly bound to follow. Of course, she has no cluethat she has set in motion a chain of events, starting with the clarity that Haneul had sought when he decided to make the trip to Namhae.
Having said her piece, and without waiting for Haneul to reply, Mina storms out.
