Chapter 10: A GOOD MAN

A GOOD MAN

After the flinty lunch, Min-hee decided to serve coffee in the sitting room. The two men in the house deserted the soban as soon as it was cleared and the plates were taken to the sink for washing.

But when she entered the sitting room, she found Ki Woong alone, studying one of the photographs on the mantelpiece.

His eyes fixated on the photograph. "Your mother was very beautiful."

"Yes," she replied abruptly. "In every way."

"I see," he removed his eyes from the photograph and turned to look at her.

He could clearly see that she was off with his presence in the room. He continued, "The Vicar must be really lonely without his wife."

Head turning swiftly to the 'encroacher', eyes blazing like it was lit with thousands of candles and the tone of her voice coming off as defensive. "My father is not alone," she retorted, trying to control the exasperation in her voice. "He has his work . . . and . . . me. He do play janggi with Master—"

"Janggi?"

"Yes. With Master Hyun, the retired military general. Sometimes," she replied.

To her utmost surprise, her voice grew weaker because she knew he was somehow right. "And most importantly, he has God," Min-hee's voice trailed off weakly.

"I'm really sure he does," Ki Woong replied smiling. "But you know that's not the loneliness I meant."

Ignoring him, she asked instead, "Where is my father, anyway?" And then she proceeded to set the tray down on the coffee table between the two dilapidated divans that fringed the fireplace which shielded the ondol acting as a camouflage. She intentionally didn't want to pursue the subject he was brooding. Her father's way of life was none of his business.

The Dark Lord admired her poised way of doing things. His eyes danced more on the delicate hands that held the tray with gracefulness. Everything about her mesmerized him.

"He went to his study to fetch a book about the Manor which he would be lending to me," he forced himself to answer. But this time, his eyes were focused on her lips as she started talking.

"The past is safe enough. The future is delicate," she answered in a mysterious way that almost left her perplexed. "Your activities in that place agonize people."

"On my way here, everyone looked happy to see me," he said. "The elderly man that ran the tea shop offered me free tea and my neighbor, a lovely woman walking her dog, promised me a yoga mat, even though her dog didn't bite me. So I'm unaware of any kind of anxiety mounted towards me."

"Do you think this is funny?" She probed. "Everyone of us in this village will have to live with the ineluctable turmoil of your celebrity presence —" she dragged the words irritatingly. "— and deal with the repercussions when you get bored, tired and have moved on."

"You haven't been paying close attention, my darling." His voice was hard. "The Manor is going to be my home. The only one and I mean to make it work. Now shall we call a truce before your father comes back? And I take my coffee black without sugar next time."

"There won't be any 'next time' Mr Ki ," said Min-hee. "As this will be the first and the last time I have to serve you."

"Well," he said. "I have to rely on only dreams then."

Reverend Dae-hyun threaded into the sitting room, holding a red covered book that could pass as a tume. "I searched the study thoroughly but it was just in one of the pocket drawers of my reading table." He said breathlessly. "Things hardly stay exactly where you keep them." He shook his head tirelessly.

The statement Reverend Dae-hyun made was amusing to her. Things don't automatically grow legs, wings or any locomotive part. But she looked at her father affectionately knowing he didn't put things where they were supposed to be and also often forgot where he had deposited them .

"I appreciate it," Mr Ki Woong took the book from him, handling it gently. "Thank you. And I promise to take care of it."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He had noticed that his jagiya had been acting weird since she walked into the kitchen.

He knew it was because of the new face in their mist. A new face that wasn't new to her but was fresh to his sight. She was completely abashed and befuddled to the sight of this 'new' face

His jagiya loved the presence of visitors especially from the parish because she thought he needed those companies to feel happy and alive.

So, why the sudden change of attitude?

Ki Woong had told him earlier in the garden that his daughter felt uncomfortable with his presence. He knew he was old, but old age didn't stop him from seeing everything.

As he was old, he was wise. He had seen their body gesture, the way Woong looked at her and the way she reciprocated by being raspy with her words.

Of course, he was very much aware that Ki Woong was very popular and hence, the dislike his daughter has towards their new neighbor. And even at that, there was something more. Something funny. Like the two had met and somehow gotten off on a wrong foot.

He loved that his daughter would want to protect him. But, he hoped that she knew he wouldn't jeopardize their well being. And as such, whoever walked into their home and dined with them had been scrutinized.

The elderly man took notice of her heightened sense of protection—she never drinks coffee. At least not in the afternoon. And judging from all indications, she was there in the sitting room with him because of their guest.

Well, from his unblemished scrutiny, he came to a conclusion and had also perceived their guest, Mr Ki Woong to be a good man. Not perfect but good.

A good man who craved the attention of his beautiful jagiya.

Reverend Jeon Dae-hyun gave an obscure smile before gulping down the remaining of his warm coffee . . .