Keeping Up Pretences

"Congratulations on your discharge, Yeo Ri-ah," Jin Goo says, passing over a gift bag to the girl.

Yeo Ri, Gun, Jin Goo's family, as well as In Guk, had gathered for lunch at a restaurant in order to congratulate Yeo Ri's release from the hospital. It had been suggested by Jin Goo and Heo Woo Seung had arranged everything.

This was her first time meeting Mrs. Heo, so she was extra careful in maintaining her expressions. She didn't want to seem rude, after all.

"Thank you, Jin Goo-oppa. In Guk-oppa too, you two have done so much for us," Yeo Ri said gratefully. "And you too, Uncle Heo," she smiled slightly. Only the two of them knew that the smile was fake and that she was merely keeping up pretences.

"It's nothing," In Guk waved his hand sheepishly. "We haven't even done much. Yeo Ri-ah, thank you for being alive. Thank you for staying strong and working hard until now," he offered her a sincere smile, his voice lathered with melancholy.

Yeo Ri lowered her head with a demure smile. Only she knew what was going on in her head right now.

She had indeed worked very hard in the past year. Because she had spent too long in a hospital bed, she had to attend physical therapy to learn how to walk again. To get rid of her trauma, she met with Dr. Hong everyday, trying out various methods to at least reduce her phobia. Now, she could finally walk and talk like normal. Although it would be difficult for her to get used to getting touched by others, she was at least able to feel comfortable with Gun, her closest family.

"Yeo Ri-ah, we've ordered all your favourite food. Dig in," Jin Goo pushed a plate closer to the girl, encouraging her to eat.

"Thank you," Yeo Ri says. However, she made no move to eat since the elders have yet to touch their chopsticks.

"Miss Lee Yeo Ri, you're prettier than I've heard," Mrs. Heo commented. She measured the girl with a peculiar gaze but still maintained a perfect smile befitting of a politician's trophy wife.

"I'm very flattered, ma'am. Thank you for the compliment," Yeo Ri replied with a bobbed head. She did not know what kind of attitude she should take up with this woman who, perhaps in a parallel world, could have been her mother. She hadn't displayed any hostility to her who was the illegitimate daughter of her husband, but perhaps it could be because she was not aware of the affair.

"Well, that's enough talking. Shall we eat?" Heo Woo Seung steered their attention with a clap. He secretly glanced at his wife pensively. The woman knew about the affair, so he was cautious in letting the two interact with each other. He didn't know if his wife had a good or bad impression of his illegitimate daughter.

Heo Woo Seung hid his thoughts and picked up his chopsticks. He chose a large piece of tangsuyuk and placed it on top of Yeo Ri's bowl of rice, "Here, eat. You're all skins and bones; now that you've recovered, you should eat more," he says, a trace of concern and affection flashing behind his eyes.

Yeo Ri lowered her head and uttered a short 'thank you'. She had the urge to say a scathing remark to the man, but held herself back. It was not good to be openly hostile in public. After all, they might think she was rude since the others were oblivious to their history.

"Here, Oppa, you eat it. It's been hard on you this past year." Yeo Ri picked up the piece of pork and passed it over to Gun instead. It was childish and petty, but she didn't want to eat it simply because he gave it to her.

Gun did not notice her inner thoughts. He felt warmed by her gesture. He smiled, "Thanks, Yeo Ri-ah. I'll eat it well."

Mrs. Heo watched the whole play while keeping up her smile. It looked as if she had detected the spitefulness behind Yeo Ri's otherwise normal actions, but who knew what she was thinking about.