Chapter 13: SUDDEN URGE

"So you came after all."

Min-hee heard the bosom baritone voice filled with amusement which she had come to abhor.

As the dark lord opened the car door, he said, "You know, for a fleeting moment I thought a migraine, or fever brought on by a prolonged shower might have stopped you from coming."

"And I was scared you would have me produce a doctor's note," Min-hee replied, lifting her chin with confidence as she walked beside him into the hotel, completely aware of his candid appraisal that had swept her from head to toe the moment she came out of the car.

Almost wincing to the light guidance of his hand on her back. She noticed that his hand was on her back when he reluctantly pulled away to let her in first when the commissionaire held the door open for them.

With his hand on her back, he took her across the spacious atrium to a bar which was subdued with lighting and small comfortable armchairs grouped around tables, most of which were occupied.

"It's very busy," she said, praying in her heart that the Grand Signeil was too expensive and too far away from Bukchon to attract anyone who might recognize her.

"It's always like this here during the weekends. At least that's what I was told," Ki Woong replied as a waiter appeared and ushered them to an empty table concealed in a corner. "I thought of ordering dinner in my suite, but I decided you'd probably feel more safe and comfortable in the dining room. At least on our first date."

Min-hee, who had already sunk into the luxurious cushions, sat up immediately with a jolt.

"Suite?" she echoed. "You have a suite here?"

"Of course. Any problem?" He responded as he leaned back on the luxurious cushions intimidatingly in his dark charcoal suit and off-white collarless shirt. "I've been here on and off for several weeks. I thought it would be easier to deal with the purchase of the Manor from a place close to it." He smiled at her. "And you were absolutely right about the food," he added sweetly.

"Hold on," Min-hee said with her left hand in the air, trying to digest everything he had said. "You knew all about it—about here already . . . and you didn't say anything! You just let me ramble on—"

"Oh dear," He interrupted, smiling at her. "It's not that at all. You cook really well and so, I thought a good cook will also have good taste. With that I'd anticipated being directed to the next best kitchen apart from yours."

"I see."

"And as you'd suggested eating here then I won't be suspected of any ulterior motive. It's just good." Ki Woong nodded to the still-hovering waiter. "I've ordered champagne cocktails," he added. "I hope you like them."

Min-hee replied with a meek voice. "You know perfectly well I've never had such a thing in my life."

Ki Woong smiled at her in a way that seemed as if he was reaching out to her. And with that smile, he scratched his right eyebrows and said, "I'm glad to be making the introduction."

"And in case that was a slip of tongue, this is not a first date!"

The dark brows lifted. "Oh wow! Quite fascinating."

"What is fascinating?"

"I had no idea we've met before—in a previous world."

"You should understand what I meant. This isn't a date and not of any kind." She drew a shaky breath and continued, "I'm here because I had no choice at all. And for some reasons, you've made my father think that you're actually a good guy. So you should know, I don't share his opinion."

"Why's that?"

"The answer to that question is the leisure I only should enjoy."

Ki Woong laughed heartily. "You're good. Really good, honey."

"And I'd like to know how the hell you came to be sitting in our kitchen anyway."

"Oh. That's very easy," he said. "I'd invited a worker up to the Manor this morning to give me an estimate for the cost of the clearing grounds. As he was about to take his leave, I simply asked him if he had any knowledge of the gorgeous brown-haired woman I'd seen around. And when he asked if the woman has long hair and wears adornments around her ankles, I was taken aback."

"What's shocking about the jewelry around my ankles?" She asked irritatingly at him. "Plus you have not answered my question."

"Patience, honey. I'm getting to that," he whispered.

Crossing his legs, Ki Woong relaxed on the cushion and let his eyes peered narrowly at his goddess sitting opposite him. "Nothing at all. I was surprised that he could describe you quickly and with that I made my own enquiries."

Min-hee scoffed. "I see. And who was this worker?"

"Tae Junsu, a well—"

She interrupted. "What? You—"

Their drinks arrived which made Min-hee to abruptly swallow her remaining words. Ki Woong signed the check, casually adding a tip, while she stared at him, stunned but ready to explode.

"You asked Tae Junsu?" She blurted out as soon as the waiter departed from their table.

"Yes," he said. "I want to use local labor for the renovations as much as possible. Why? He's not good?"

"Yes—I think . . . How would I know?" She swallowed. "I mean . . . You—You actually asked him about me."

"Mhmm. It's a useful way of gaining information."

"He will tell his wife that you did," she said icily. "And Tae Yumi is the biggest gossip hound in the entire village," she answered with her elbow resting helplessly on the arm of the cushion.

Min-hee was even surprised that Tae Yumi hadn't found out about her relationship with Geun and their late evening journey outside the village. Perhaps, the biggest gossip isn't infallible.

The dark lord shrugged. "The Tae Junsu I saw this morning was more interested in the plans for restoring the gardens to their former glory."

"You have no idea who Yumi is. She will make him repeat every word you've said to him. Every word, every gesture!" Min-hee cried bitterly. "Oh, God. This is really bad—a big disaster. And if anyone finds out about this evening. . ." Her meek voice trailed away weakly.

"A single man having dinner with a single woman," he replied. "Scandalous drama."

"It is not funny," she scowled at him.

"Nor is it tragic, darling, so cheer up." Ki Woong glanced around. "I don't see any lurking paparazzi, do you?"

"You think it won't happen? That the press won't be interested in The Dark Lord suddenly turning into a village squire?"

"I love the way you pronounced 'The dark lord'. Very electrifying," he said. "Maybe I should even grow a moustache that I can twirl."

"And maybe you should give up the whole idea," she said passionately. "Put the Aera Manor back on the market, so that it can be sold to someone who will contribute something valuable to the community, instead of causing it limitless suffering just to satisfy some sudden urge to be a landowner, and then you will just walk away when you get bored," She paused. "Which I suppose was what happened with your chains of entertainment companies and music labels."

"No," he replied. "Not exactly."

Ki Woong picked up his glass and touched it to hers. "But here's to sudden urges," he winked.

Min-hee scoffed and rolled her eyes but the dark lord was still talking, "Especially when they come at the end of a long and fairly detailed property search. Because I'm staying my darling, so you and the rest of the neighborhood will just have to get used to it," he said.

The dark lord allowed his eyes to travel from her beautiful face to her gracious slim neck. He imagined beckoning her face to meet his by wrapping his fingers around her delicate neck. His eyes journeyed back to her lips and he wondered why her lips looked more inviting but then, his eyes caught her fingers tightening round the stem of her own glass.

"If you're planning to throw that over me, I will reciprocate, causing exactly the kind of rumpus that you've been anxiously trying to avoid," he announced to her, smiling mischievously. "It's up to you darling. My advice—Try some and see that it's too good to waste it on meaningless gestures."

She renounced the glass, and reached for her bag. "You know what? I've had it. I'd prefer to go home."

Clicking his tongue, Ki Woong shook his head. "You leave me no choice but to follow you," he said seductively. "And I will be on my knees, crying for an acceptance—forgiveness for some private transgression. How about, 'Please don't leave, darling, at least for the sake of our baby.' That should get you on the front page of any newspaper published next week."

Min-hee sat transfixed on her seat, staring at him with horror, grasping at straws, studying the smirk on his face, and then, she unwillingly surrendered by dropping her bag on the empty seat at her right because she wasn't prepared to take such a risk.

"Good," he said. "Now, shall we begin the evening again? Thank you so much for giving me your company, Miss Jeon. You look so beautiful, and you are the focus of every man in the room."

His eyes held hers, making it impossible to look away. She said shakily, "Do you really think that's what I want to hear from you?"

"No," he said abruptly. "So let's discuss the menus they're bringing over to us instead. And please don't tell me you are not hungry, because I noticed you only picked at your lunch. And you said it yourself that the food here is exquisite."

"Indulge me, Mr Woong," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Why are you doing this?"

The Dark Lord lifted his eyes and stared into hers, smiling genuinely this time. His smile radiated beautifully, in an incredible way. "A sudden urge," he said. "That I found quite enticing—a delight. It happens sometimes."

He rubbed his nose gently but briskly with the tip of his index finger, "And now that I've satisfied your inquisitiveness, let's see what we can do for your appetite. Why don't we start with Guljeon?"

. . .