Chapter 7

The last floor was for the meetings of the strong families.

With the receptionist, they entered one of the private rooms on the floor.

She seemed to smile more and stare at Kale a lot.

She bowed her head as they entered the room.

It was a gorgeous room.

From the table, chairs, and the drawings on the walls everything gave the feeling as if the room was a painting itself.

Ari seemed used to this.

she walked up to her place only to be stopped by him.

He held the chair carefully for her.

This time she didn't say thank you or meet his eyes.

She simply sat down.

He remained behind her.

While hovering over the menu she noticed he still didn't move.

She turned her head to look at him.

He was staring ahead living in his world.

He won't sit? Is he waiting for me to tell him? She thought.

Her eyes naturally fell on the female staff whose eyes didn't leave Kale.

This woman had a shy smile on her face, she seemed happy that he was but the miss' bodyguard.

Ari could read her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and looked back at the menu while coldly saying, "Sit with me."

She spoke to him with a professional tone.

He slowly walked up to the seat in front of her and sat down.

Ari noticed, even when he walked by her she couldn't hear him walk.

The only way she knew he did was because she saw his black suit by the side of her eye.

He must be trained to not make a sound.

The female staff hurriedly gave the menu to Kale.

"Would you like me to run you through the menu?" spoke the female staff.

Ari didn't raise her head but raised her eyes to watch him.

He kept reading and didn't answer.

"We have two specials today-"

"Miss Soo will be choosing for me," he interrupted as he handed back the menu.

The waitress didn't have time to feel bad about him stopping her, because she was lost and her eyes widened as she met his.

He nodded slightly with his head and smiled politely at her.

The waitress held the menu to hide her cheeks and lips.

Ari could see her shying and smiling behind.

She raised her head, staring at him suspiciously.

"You can choose whatever you want," she said coldly.

"My choice wouldn't be as good as the owner's," he responded calmly as he met her eyes.

Ari kept looking at him.

She turned her attention to the menu.

"I am guessing you are not picky with your food."

"I am, that is why I chose your recommendation."

Ari paused for a moment.

She took a deep breath silently and handed the menu to the waitress and ordered some food for the both of them.

She wasn't in the mood for long courses.

The waitress ran away in a hurry after bowing to them and giving Kale a last look.

Ari was finally left alone with him.

She looked at him, finding him staring at the fabrics on the table.

Her eyes focused on his fingers, gently caressing the patterns.

Ari was lost for a moment until he stopped suddenly.

She regained her composure.

She slowly raised her eyes to find his staring at her.

Ari didn't shy away this time.

They remained quiet for a moment.

"You seem popular with the ladies," she said.

she didn't know why she was feeling a bit mad about it.

He didn't respond.

Yeah, he must have nothing to say.

Or maybe, I am being hard on him for these unknown feelings I am having...

For now, let's put them aside, she thought.

"Did uncle Han do a sort of tournament before he chose you?"

"No, I merely stood before him, and he chose me."

Ari was surprised. "What do you mean? Then how did he assess your strength?"

"Hmm," he tilted his head thinking.

This made Ari's suspicions grow even more.

"You should ask him." Kale wouldn't lie, so it would be better if it was Han who came up with the lie.

It seems like he didn't want to answer.

Well, she can check with her uncle later on.

The servers came in and prepared the food for them.

They ate quietly and didn't exchange words.

The food ordered by Ari wasn't of Korean cuisine but the only course featuring western delicacies.

That was why both of them were eating with forks and knives.

Ari thought he wouldn't be familiar with western etiquette.

But this man knew the use of the different forks and knives without asking her about anything.

Koreans most use chopsticks, spoons, and scissors when eating.

Not only did he know he was also majestic in his actions.

She took a moment to stare at him as he picked up a piece of medium rare steak to his mouth.

This man was handsome and composed even while eating.

"Do you, travel a lot?" she asked after a moment.

He swallowed his food, rested his fork on the table, and cleaned his mouth with the napkin before meeting her eyes.

"Yes," he responded calmly, and turned back to his food.

Ari shook her head a bit and kept eating.

He doesn't seem to like talking while eating.

Ari kept thinking while they ate silently.

This man may attract attention but he never acted upon it and is also very good at avoiding it.

He was also good at cutting people off, even if it was her, he wasn't doing something he wouldn't do, or giving hope for someone he wasn't interested in.

But this is how playboys act before breaking your heart.

So she stopped thinking about it for now.

As much as she was curious he didn't seem like he would talk much right now.

She will uncover him with time.

Ari suddenly tilted her head confused.

Why am I curious about him this much in the first place?

She raised her eyes to look at him to try to understand.

She found him, lost in his thought while shaking the wine in his hands.

This was the first sip he was gonna take ever since the wine was placed.

His starry eyes looked calm, lonely, watching the motion of the wine behind the glass.

He raised it slowly and closed his eyes.

Ari watched, as the glass touched his soft lips.

The movement of his apple and neck as he swallowed.

Only after he put the glass down and pushed it by the side to cut the meat that she looked away. but she was still staring blankly at the food in front of her.

I am only curious because he is my bodyguard.

Only, that.

Yes.

Yes.

She kept thinking as if she was persuading herself.

They didn't take long to finish after that.

They haven't spoken to each other ever since.

Kale followed behind her to the car again.

This time she waited for him to open the door.

And he did without saying a word.

Ari sat on the back seat this time.

Kale walked around to the driver's seat.

"To your house, miss?" He asked while he met her eyes in the mirror.

"Oh, yes."

Ari was reading her father's text.

It seems like her uncle accommodated the house next to her for Kale and he will be notified soon.

Normally the bodyguards live in the same house.

But her father was still protective of her as of now.

She was glad this was taken care of like this.

But what was this feeling she was having?

Hmm...

Suddenly Ari received a call from her uncle.

"Hello?"

"Yes uncle, is everything okay?"

"Oh yes, my dear I am still drinking with your father."

"Did you call for me to pick him up?"

"No no, he will be staying with me. Is Kale still with you?"

"Yes," she raised her eyes to look at him, he was still focused on the road.

"Can you give him the phone?"

"He is driving, should I put it on speaker?"

"Hmm," her uncle seemed deep in thought.

Ari grew suspicious.

Kale suddenly parked the car close and turned it off.

"I can take the call," he said as he looked back.

This was more suspicious to her.

She still spoke to her uncle, "We stopped for a moment I will give him to you."

"Oh oh thank you, my dear."

He seemed happy, too happy.

Ari looked at Kale suspiciously as she handed him the phone.

"Put it on speaker," she whispered to him.

He didn't say a word and pressed the speaker button.

"Yes, master Han."

This action surprised her.

He didn't even hesitate.

"It's uncomfortable if you call me that sir Kale. I just noticed I didn't have your phone number to notify you about your accommodation."

Why was her uncle speaking politely to this man?

"I don't have a phone. And for such matters, Miss Soo is my contractor so please run things by her rather than directly with me. I am sure you understand this puts her in a bad position," spoke Kale coldly.

The air around him changed.

Her eyes widened. Was he speaking up for her? It is true that it's weird for him to be directly involved but he was the one who recruited him. And speaking so informally to her uncle, this was the first time she has seen someone do that.

But this pressure exuding from this man.

He wasn't playing.

"Alright sir, I will abide by your words. I will let Ari know the details," spoke Han after a long pause.

"Thank you, master Han," said kale politely this time and handed her the phone.

Ari was staring at him blankly.