Crazy Match, Crazy Guy - CHAPTER 2 - Part 1

Wooyoung, standing in front of the vanity after taking a shower, applied face and skin lotion, then grabbed a blow dryer. The loud, buzzing sound of the motor echoed in her ears.

Oh my goodness! What have I done!

How many hours have I stayed in the hotel room?

Their appointment time was 6 p.m., and they had checked in around 6:30 p.m., and she left the room at 11:50 p.m.

I must have been crazy to spend that much time in bed with this guy I just met at the blind date.

“Ugh! What should I do now?”

Wooyoung stared blankly at her long hair that fell down to her waist, blowing in the air, feeling a sense of confusion and frustration.

She felt like her life had been strangely twisted because of yesterday’s incident where she had acted recklessly.

Ring. Ring.

Wooyoung picked up her phone, which had been ringing since earlier, she hesitated to put it down when she saw the caller’s name, but ultimately pressed the answer button.

• • “Hello?”

“Yeah. Why?”

• • Finally, the call went through. Were you intentionally not answering my calls?

“I’m just not in the mood to talk right now.”

• • Why? Did something go wrong with the date yesterday? Or rather, isn’t it a good thing if it did?

“Ah, I don’t know. Let’s talk later.”

• • Why? What’s going on?

“Later. Let’s talk when we meet later.”

• • Well then, let’s have lunch together. Join me.”

“I’ll check my time and then I’ll call you.”

After ending the call, Wooyoung placed her phone down and quickly tidied her dry hair with a comb. Then, she headed downstairs to the first floor. Since it was past 9 o’clock, she assumed that only the cleaning lady would be at home, but she saw her dad in the living room.

“Dad…”

“You’re up late.”

“Sorry.”

“Go get something to eat first. Then come back here, I have something to discuss with you.”

That something must probably be related to yesterday’s blind date.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“Today’s Sunday.”

“Ah.”

Wooyoung entered the kitchen, got a glass of water, then gave a sheepish smile to the auntie who was preparing breakfast.

“Auntie, do we have any soup or something. I feel a bit queasy.”

“We have instant soup. Would you like me to heat that up?”

“Yes, please.”

After heating the soup in the microwave for a few minutes, the hot soup was quickly ready. The savory aroma wafted up, tickling her nose, and only then did she realize that she hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon until now.

I can’t believe I didn’t even eat dinner, and just doing that all evening. I’m crazy.

Looking at her shaking her head with a frustrated face, the auntie asked.

“Why do you look like that? Does it not taste good?”

“Huh? Oh, no.”

As she blew on the soup and slurp it, the auntie walked over and sat down next to her.

“The guy you met for the date yesterday, he’s really good-looking, right?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“They say he has the looks of a celebrity, is that true?”

It’s not just celebrity-level looks, but rather beyond this world’s standard of attractiveness. And his stamina, how strong it is… Wait, why am I even thinking about this?

“…Yes.”

“I hope things work out well with that guy.”

By ‘work out’, she probably means marriage.

But Wonyoung hadn’t considered marriage yet.

Just because she had slept with Jang Tae Jin didn’t mean she should marry him. It was too archaic to hold someone accountable just because they slept together.

“If it’s destined, it will work out.”

After finishing her soup quickly, Wooyoung went back to the living room.

Where did he go?

She looked in the study, but her father was nowhere to be seen. Wondering if he was in the garden, she went outside to find his dad playing with Chorong, their recently turned 5-year-old standard poodle. Chorong had become his dad’s cherished child after her.

“Oh, you’re here? Chorong!”

At the call of her name, Chorong came running and playfully rubbed against her legs. Her curly fur seemed like it was due for a grooming.

“Dad, shouldn’t we groom Chorong? The weather is getting warmer.”

“I already planned to take her to the groomers this afternoon.”

“I’ll take care of Chorong, and you can get some rest, Dad. It’s your day off, so you should take a nap or something.”

“Mr. Kim, the groomer, will take care of Chorong.”

“I can do it though…”

“You have somewhere to go with me in the evening.”

“Where?”

“I got a call from Jang Tae Jin. He wants to invite us to dinner.”

Wooyoung’s mouth dropped open like a well-cooked clam.

What the hell is with this guy? Why is he moving so quickly with everything? This is driving me crazy, seriously.

The afterglow of sex hadn’t even worn off yet. How could I look him in the face today when every tingling sensation in my body reminds me of what happened yesterday.

“He must have liked and shown interest in you, judging by how quickly he scheduled dinner.”

“Um, but I have plans for the evening…”

“What could be more important than this? Besides, I really like Jang Tae Jin. There’s no better occasion for you to meet your potential future husband.”

“But I don’t want an arranged marriage.”

“Look beyond the concept of arrange marriage and see the man himself, as Jang Tae Jin. Then, he might appear differently to you.”

It’s true that he’s starting to appear differently. After all, she confirmed his passionate and vigorous nature yesterday.

“Go to a salon, do your makeup nicely, and dress appropriately.”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Do I really have to go?”

“Is that what you call an answer?”

“Ugh!”

With a sigh, Wooyoung crouched down and petted Chorong’s head as her tail wagged. Chorong’s eyes, oblivious to her situation, were simply bright and innocent.

Soohyuk, her dad, walked up to her and sat down at eye level with her.

“Are you resenting me?”

“No.”

“Sure?”

“Honestly, I can’t understand you’re rushing marriage to this extent. I’m only 26 and it feels too early to get married. Besides, I prefer working over getting married.”

“But you’re unemployed right now, aren’t you?”

“I’ll find a job soon. And I don’t think I’ll have the mental space to worry about marriage and such when I’m adjusting to a new job.”

“I’m not against you working. But I don’t think it’s a good reason for you not to get married. Plus, I made a promise to your mom.”

“A promise?”

“Before your mom passed away, she used to joke about it before that I have to make sure you marry a good-hearted man no matter what.”

Her mother had passed away from lung cancer around the time she graduated high school. Her dad had been in mourning for a while after her mother’s death, and it took him a year to recover emotionally.

“Character, she said! Not necessarily Jang Tae Jin.”

“Well, in any case, Jang Tae Jin is a good person, his character is not bad at all. Plus, he’s capable, and there’s hardly anything lacking, right?”

“Just because he seem perfect doesn’t mean we’ll be compatible.”

“That’s something you figure out as you live together. People adapt that way.”

“I don’t care if everyone does, I’m just not interested. And Dad, you said it yourself. You’ll leave the decision about marriage to my own will once I go on that blind date. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

“Uh-huh.”

Her dad hoped that she’d change her mind if she met Tae Jin in person.

Tae Jin was a genuinely pleasant guy, even when seen by others. It wasn’t just because he was his friend’s son but Soohyuk had known him since he was a child, more than anyone else did. Also, he had heard that his relationships with women were so clean that they were almost a waste.

He was intrigued, so he went as far as arranging a meet up between Tae Jin and her daughter, but Wooyoung remained steadfast in refusing marriage.

He did not know what to do with her anymore.

Seeing Soohyuk’s expression turn serious, Wooyoung sensed it and flashed a playful smile.

“Okay, considering your reputation and all, I’ll attend the dinner appointment tonight. But this is the last time, okay?”

“Sure, understood.”

It seems that this was the extent of what he could do.

There’s nothing else he could do anymore but leave the rest to Tae Jin now.

If it’s fate, their paths will continue; if not, it will come to an end. Everything can’t be force.

“Is that really true?”

“Yeah. But why were you out so late after yesterday’s blind date?”

“Huh? Ah…”

As the vivid memories of last night’s events flashed through her mind, heat rushed to her face in an instant.

“I don’t think it’s because you went out drinking alcohol.”

“Ah, so, Tae Jin and I quickly parted ways and I met a friend after.”

“Which friend?”

“Eunho. I met Eunho.”

“That’s strange. Eunho had dinner here last night, with me.”`

Oh my, now it’s all about matching up the consistency of the lie.

Why did this guy choose the day of the blind date to come to my house and have dinner?

What the hell.

“Oh, right. I got confused. I’ve been meeting Eunho so frequently that his name popped into my head without me thinking.”

“You girl, get your act together.”

“Yes. Chorong, do you want to go for a walk with your sister?”

Wooyoung quickly searched for the leash as Chorong wagged her tail and jumped up and down.

Surely he wouldn’t think I was with Tae Jin all night, right?

From the hallway, Wooyoung brought the leash and hooked it around Chorong’s neck.

“Be back within an hour.”

“Yes, dad. I got it. Let’s go, Chorong.”

With Chorong in tow, Wooyoung left their house, her face clouded with heavy thoughts.

Why did I do that yesterday?

To have a one-night stand, something I had never done before, with a man I met on a blind date. There’s no doubt that I was captivated by his face. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared to even dream of such a daring act that I had never considered before.

Thump thump.

As Chorong followed her steps, she spoke aloud to the dog.

“Chorong, what should I do?”

Her heart was already pounding at the thought of having to see Jang Tae Jin at the upcoming dinner.

Whether her palpitation was due to the emotions she felt in him as a man yesterday, or simply the embarrassment of having exposed everything about herself, she couldn’t tell. But one thing was certain – seeing Jang Tae Jin again would be awkward.

Maybe a one-night stand would have been better. At least that wouldn’t come with the awkwardness.

Throughout the walk in the park, Wooyoung’s pupils shook restlessly as if they were lost wanderers.