Gift

After hours of driving and messing with each other, we finally arrived at our neighborhood. As I expected, prying eyes followed Agent Helios' car as soon as we came in. It didn't help that it was Saturday morning, and lots of people were outside walking here and there doing their usual stuff.

It was a good thing the car was tinted, but as soon as I stepped out, our annoying neighbor, Mrs. Park, greeted me with a question she didn't manage to keep for herself.

"Ye-Ji'ya, you're back!" she greeted me with a smile, but her eyes were as malicious as ever. She wore casual clothes, probably on her way to the market. "I see you bought another luxury car. How amazing of you. Was it from a new sugar daddy? Come on, no need to be shy. Why don't you introduce me to some? Huh?"

Ugh. If only I were allowed, I'd kill her right now. This ugly, pesky ajumma! (married or middle-aged woman)

The people here always assumed that I was selling my body because I managed to buy our house and a luxury car. I'm not allowed to reveal my job about being an agent, and they wouldn't believe that I landed a nice, high-paying job since they never saw me attend any college university they knew of. Plus, I'm a woman and still young. How else could I get so much money in such a short amount of time?

'Haah… It's so annoying dealing with these kinds of people. Look at how the other neighbors already turned their eyes unto me, waiting for my answer.'

"You're still as nosy as ever, Mrs. Park," I replied sarcastically. "No matter how many times you don't believe it, I don't have a sugar daddy. Who says only men can earn lots of money?"

"Tsk, don't lie to me. You just need to share some nice info, and I'll be thankful and reward you once I land my own sugar daddy. How's that? Nice deal, huh?"

"You know what? I don't need to explain to you, so can you please, buzz off?"

"Come on, Ye-Ji'ya. Just introduce us to someone. My daughter, they'll surely like her since she's so—oh my goodness!"

She suddenly gasped in surprise. I turned around and saw Agent Helios behind me. So he already got out of the car, huh?

'Ugh… this is so embarrassing. I didn't want him to hear this kind of ridiculous stuff.'

"W-who…" Mrs. Park muttered, probably too stunned to see such a handsome man. "Oh, my, good sir. Who are you? It's the first time I've seen such a fine young man."

The other people started murmuring as well, curious to know who he was.

"A celebrity?"

"An idol?"

"He's so tall and good-looking!"

On and on, their murmurs went.

Agent Helios smiled his usual fake smile and greeted Mrs. Park.

"Good morning, ajumma," he rudely said, "I'm probably the sugar daddy you're talking about."

What the—what did he just say?!

"But let me correct you a little bit. The term sugar daddy is not quite right, you see," he continued. "Yes, I'm filthy rich, but I'm still young and very handsome, and I never found the need to shower her with money since she's so capable herself. Also, I'm her long-time boyfriend and now her fiancé, so if I ever hear you speaking so rudely again… well, who knows what I'll do?"

His eyes turned menacing, and he looked down at Mrs. Park. Then, he took out his phone and called someone.

"Good morning, dad," he said. "I just thought of a nice wedding gift for my beloved fiancée."

"Eun-Woo, what are you doing?" I tugged his sleeves and whispered. "Let's just come inside. There's no need to argue with these people."

But he just looked at me and turned on the speaker to his phone.

"Oh, a gift to Ye-Ji'ya," Mr. Young-Jae replied on the other line.

Oh my goodness, he really called his father!

"Sure, son. What did you think of?"

"Hmm… how about 'peace,' huh? It's a really nice gift."

"Hm? Peace? How are you going to give that?"

"By buying the whole neighborhood that she lives in. There's a lot of irritating flies here."

"Oh, I see. Sure, why not? Is that all? You should add some more. Renovate the surrounding area and turn it into an exclusive estate."

"Mr. Young-Jae, ahm… father, t-there's no need to go that far!" I blurted out in my surprise. "Please, no. That's too much. I don't need such—ahh…." I tried to stop them, but I couldn't believe that his father was agreeing to all this. Turning to Agent Helios, I called him and gave him the eye. "Eun-Woo, no!"

I shook my head and reprimanded him to stop this madness at once. But he pouted and acted sad like a sorry puppy. Oh my goodness, he's really keen on doing this, huh? Since when did he care about me? If this was part of the sweet boyfriend act, it's too much of a waste! There's no need to go this far.

He then held my hand and brushed my cheeks.

"I don't like it when my beloved fiancée is treated this way. You should have told me sooner. Then maybe you didn't have to suffer such insults all these years."

"But… but… It's…"

Ugh. What am I supposed to say?

While I was lost in my thoughts, Agent Helios pulled me close to him and kissed me.

'I can't believe this. What a show he's pulling off.'

But this time, his kiss wasn't as naughty, passionate, or irritating as before. For whatever reason he had, he kissed me gently and, rather, sweetly? Then, he smiled at me with that handsome face of his. At times like these, he really looks like a perfect angel.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

'H-huh? Why is my heart suddenly pounding? That's weird. Anyway, he probably wants to buy this neighborhood to make it his base or something else. Don't think it's an act of kindness. He's a stingy brat! I'm sure he had another plan in his mind!'

"I should have brought some insect repellent," he murmured.

"Huh? Insect repellent?"

"Ah, I meant bodyguards, so these insects can't even think of getting near you." He then turned to his phone again and continued talking to his dad. "It seems like there's a lot of things we need to prepare, dad. Can I borrow your competent secretary? And a couple of trustworthy people?"

"Go ahead, son. Use anyone as you please."

"Thanks, dad."

"Alright. I'll be in a meeting now. Talk to you later."

"Yeah, bye."

He turned to me and smiled.

"Now that it's settled, let's go and meet your mom."

"Ahh… right. Let's go."

And so, we finally went inside while the whole neighborhood was all too stunned to speak any further. If Agent Helios was serious about buying the area, I couldn't imagine how many people would lose their homes and livelihood just like that. And all because of a pesky gossipmonger. Oh well, she brought it upon herself and her family.

'I have to admit, though… that… kinda felt good. I've been used to defending myself and my mother all these years that I forgot how it feels to be protected. It feels… really nice, huh?'