Page 62 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘GEUNYANG?! Did you just say geunyang? Look at you, Tim! Starting to sound like a local! I’m so proud!’
Timira smiles sheepishly and points at Hanee in the background, who is now studiously poring over a sheaf of papers, her otherwise smooth forehead now creased into a million lines, her fashionably straight brows burrowed together. ‘That’s who I’ve been practising with,sensei!’
‘Oh, is that the cute assistant you mentioned? How cute is she! Can I adopt her?’
‘And then starve her to death? Like you’ve done to the hundred fish and plants you’ve adopted?’
‘Must you rub salt …’
Before she can finish the idiom, her video has vanished and been replaced by an unknown number starting with +82 flashing on the phone screen. The phone threatens to lurch out of her grasp, but she manages to grab on to it and press the answer button.
‘Hello, hello. I mean,yeobuseyo!’ she speaks breathlessly holding the phone, on loudspeaker mode, so close to her mouth that it nearly kisses the screen.
‘Timira-ssi, where are you? And why is your local number switched off? We’ve been trying to reach you for nearly an hour now. Everybody is here … well, most of us are. We looked for you and were told you’d stepped out almost as soon as you checked in. Are you safe? Is Hanee-ssi with you?’ The concern in the familiar nasal voice is unmistakable.
Hanee peeps from behind Timira and waves at the screen.
‘Honey, darling, it’s a voice call. He cannot see you.’
‘Yes. I can!’ Haneul replies, his worry partially replaced by adoration and amusement.
What? How?Panic-stricken Timira freezes.I can’t see him!
‘Because my video is turned off. Yours is not. Look at the bottom left corner of your screen.’
Haneul is now almost laughing. Timira groans.
Is he really even worried about me? Or he just wants to make fun of me?
Bringing his concerned voice back, Haneul asks again, ‘Are you sure you are all right, Timira?’
Familiar butterflies are back inside her stomach for an evening dance.
‘Yes, of course. Hanee and I were out on a recce and—’
‘And you lost all track of time? Got seduced by Jeju’s charm? Switched your Korean number off? Do you have any idea what time it is?’ This time, he uses his big-boy voice.
Ah, there it is. Nope, no concern for me. Boss just being the boss and showing who the boss is. Oh, well. Serves me right for crushing over him like a first-rate idiot and misreading all his signals.
‘I’m very sorry. We aren’t too far away. Be back in a flash!’
‘Hajima! Please don’t be back in a flash! Take your time, drive safe. Are you familiar with driving on Korean roads?’
‘Er, well, I can’t drive anywhere. What I mean to say is, I don’t know how to.’
Wow, as if he doesn’t think I’m enough of an idiot already …
‘Geogjeong maseyo, Daepyonim [Don’t worry, CEO sir]! I’ll drive and bring us back in one piece,’ Hanee saves the day by chiming in with her cheerful assurance.
‘Geurae, gomapta, Hanee-ssi. You might want to come back and explain why calls to your number have been going unanswered as well.Ildan, joshimae dolawayo[For now, just come back safely]!’
Hanee grimaces upon realizing she must have left her phone behind at the hotel.That’s why it didn’t ring for so long, shit!Shamefaced, she leaps off the hood and stretches her legs with grave intention. Haneul catches Timira looking embarrassed and trying not to meet his eye.
‘Timira-ssi, would you look at me, please?’
‘Ah, yes, Daepyonim!’
‘Stop with the “daepyo”, already! Just call me by my name,jaebal!’
