Page 98 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Whoa, whoa! You okay there, Miss?’
Mina’s coach, who has been keeping a little distance in order to give Rodrigo and Mina space, rushes over. As do some of the housekeeping staff who have been meticulously wiping sweaty benches and mopping shoe stains off the floor.
Mina shuts her eyes and is embarrassed to open them when she realizes she’s in Rodrigo’s arms.
Why did it have to be him? And why is my heart racing? Geurae, must be from the shock!
She recalls the afternoon in Jeju when she and Rodrigo met formally for the first time. How gallantly he had saved Timira, how like a thorough gentleman he had introduced himself to her and enquired about her work, how at the lunch with her father and Haneul Rodrigo had offered her his jacket. Her heart skips a beat, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine as well as making her uneasy.
Argh! What is wrong with me?
Rodrigo helps her back on her feet.
‘Easy, easy. Do you feel all right? Is your head spinning? Would you like to sit for a sec?’
Can you NOT be nice to me?!
‘I’m okay. You can relax. Everyone, it’s fine. I’m fine!’
Rodrigo slowly removes his hands that had been so far supporting Mina’s waist and back, and lets them hang by his sides.
Funny how she tries to look tough and yet her body felt so soft in my hands. I wonder if that good-for-nothing fiancé of hers has ever really taken care of her!
Mina, mopping up the sweat all over her body with a towel, starts to walk towards the lockers when Rodrigo calls out her name. Again.
‘Say, Mina-ssi, fancy a coffee?’
With you?
Mina’s stomach is rumbling and she has been planning on grabbing a late-night meal at the Parkview. She loves the view of the Namsan while tucking into grilled chicken and veggies, her favourite post-workout meal. Although it’s night-time now and the view looks, well, a little different. Tall, proud and majestic like a mountain. But it’s a human.
I should turn him down. I must. It’s most inappropriate for a player contracted by my company to be seen with me outside of work, in public. To say nothing of the fact that it’s Rodrigo!
‘Are you worried about being seen with me?’
Mina looks at Rodrigo incredulously. He seems to have read her thoughts.
‘Well, your reputation does precede you …’
Why hasn’t he mentioned Timira even once? Is he waiting for a suitable opportunity to talk about her and ask for my help in helping him win her back?
‘And yet you haven’t rejected the idea outright. There is hope, I’d wager!’
Mina blushes and tries to think of an appropriate response.
‘Don’t you have a “friend-date” in a bit?’
‘Oh, I can reschedule that. If the hotel can move things around for you, I can too!’
Mina makes an unsuccessful attempt at not turning red.
‘Oh, c’mon, Mina-ssi. Where’s your sense of adventure? In any case, ladies love my company! And it’s just a coffee. Haven’t asked you toramyeon meokgogallae, have I?’ Rodrigo winks cheekily. His tone suggests he’s relaxed and only joking but there’s a hint of sadness underneath that Mina doesn’t miss. He has made it abundantly clear through both words and in his actions that he wishes to win Timira back, yet seems to have made no progress so far.
He is obviously still in love with Timira. This whole ‘bad boy’ façade is just that, a façade. I’m sure of it. Why am I worriedthat he might be trying to flirt with me? Or is it me that I don’t trust? Oh, whatever! It’s just a coffee. Why am I overthinking it? Not like I’m doing something immoral and unethical. Or am I?
Just then, her phone buzzes. It continues to vibrate. Frenetically!
‘I’m familiar with spam calls. But spam texts?! Please read them, Mina-ssi, before your phone hangs! How will your dear fiancé reach you then?’ Rodrigo says teasingly.
