The Man With Hidden Intentions

That afternoon.

Yeo Ri sat in the living room alone.

Everybody else had left the house because they all had something to do, so she was left alone, accompanied by the housekeeper who was up on the second floor, doing some cleaning.

A soap opera was playing on the television. The acting was subpar and the plot was rather cliché, so Yeo Ri was barely paying attention to the show.

Yeo Ri picked up her phone, then put it down. Then, she picked it up again.

She wanted to invite Min Chae and Jang Mi out to play, but Hyuk and Gun's advice was lingering in her head. Don't leave the house alone, they said.

Yeo Ri sighed.

"So bored..." she muttered.

Suddenly, the front door opened.

Yeo Ri perked up, thinking that at least one of the four men were back.

"Oh?" Heo Woo Seung noticed the girl sitting in the living room, her body turned to look at him.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She quickly got up and bowed in greeting, "Welcome back, Uncle."

"...Yes, I'm back." Heo Woo Seung stilled for a split second. A complicated gaze flickered on his face. Casually, he approached the girl, "Are you all alone, Student Lee Yeo Ri? Where's Jin Goo?"

"Jin Goo-oppa and the rest had something to do. They said they'll be back by dinnertime," Yeo Ri replied. "Ah, please just call me 'Yeo Ri', Uncle."

"...Okay, then, Yeo Ri...-ah," Heo Woo Seung says with a slight difficulty. "Still, I can't believe my son left his guest all alone in the house," he shook his head disapprovingly.

"No, no. I'm the one who insisted on staying at home," Yeo Ri politely dissented.

"That's right, Yeo Ri-ah," Heo Woo Seung acted as if an idea crossed his mind. "Have you eaten lunch? Would you like to accompany Uncle to eat? I have something I want to talk about," he smiled, urging her to accept the offer with his eyes.

"L-lunch?" Yeo Ri stuttered. She was slightly creeped out by the sudden invitation, but did not want to seem rude. "I've eaten alrea—"

Just before she could decline the offer, her stomach grumbled.

Yeo Ri's cheeks flushed.

So embarrassing! She knocked herself on the head inwardly. The timing was... impeccable.

Heo Woo Seung smiled knowingly. "Do you like western food? Or should we eat Korean food?"

"I... I'm fine with anything, Uncle," Yeo Ri shuffled her feet awkwardly.

"Let's go, then," Heo Woo Seung ushered her to follow him with a good-natured smile.

Yeo Ri quickly grabbed her coat and followed after the older man.

Outside, a black car was parked. A man waited by the side.

The man opened the car door for them, acting extremely polite. Then, after the two entered the car, he moved to the driver's seat and started the car.

"To the usual restaurant," Heo Woo Seung told the man.

"Yes, sir," the man nodded, a relaxed, but still polite smile hanging on his face.

"What's your favourite food, Yeo Ri-ah?" The older man smiled towards Yeo Ri.

"Um..." Yeo Ri fiddled with her fingers. "Jjajangmyeon... and tangsuyuk," she replied quietly. Yeo Ri wasn't very picky, and because she grew up in poverty, she rarely had a chance to expand her food palate.

"Oh, that's good, that's good!" Heo Woo Seung chuckled happily. It was good that his favourite restaurant served the two dishes.

"Yeo Ri-ah, how's your studies? Is there any problems at school?" The older man asked the girl, an amiable look on his face. Although they had only met recently, he easily took up the role of a close elder to the girl.

"No, everything is fine. My grades are... okay." Yeo Ri felt that it was strange for someone who had only known her for a short time to be asking such personal questions, but because he was an elder, she politely answered him.

"I see. If there's anything, don't hesitate to tell Uncle, okay?" He continued to smile. "It is my duty to make the lives of today's youths better, after all."

"Yes..." Yeo Ri nodded with a small voice. He was acting overly-friendly which was making her uncomfortable.

Luckily, they arrived at the restaurant quickly.

Heo Woo Seung had already reserved a private room, as if he had been expecting to entertain a guest.

"Just order whatever you want," Heo Woo Seung handed her a menu, motioning for her to look through it. "Do you like meat? The bulgogi here is delicious," he commented.

"Ah... yes..."

Yeo Ri ordered a bowl of jjajangmyeon. Although the price made her eyes go wide, it was still the cheapest thing on the menu. However, as if not noticing Yeo Ri's anxiousness, Heo Woo Seung ordered plenty of dishes that was enough to fit the whole table.

Soon enough, the orders arrived and Yeo Ri could only watch with amazement. She felt slightly intimidated to touch the enticingly gorgeous and delicious-looking dishes though the delectable smell was making her mouth water.

"Go ahead and dig in," Heo Woo Seung says, smiling in amusement.

"T-then, thank you for the food," Yeo Ri excitedly raised her chopsticks, picking up a piece of the bulgogi that he had recommended. Placing it in her mouth, she hummed in happiness. "So delicious!" She exclaimed.

Heo Woo Seung watched her with an indulgent smile. Unbeknownst to the both of them, there was a sense of guilt and sorrow behind his gaze as he looked at her.