“I’ll start by setting the rules.”
We sat facing each other at the large island table. A single piece of paper was placed in the center.
"Living together requires rules. After all, we're just living together under the guise of marriage."
“Right..”
"I'll set the first rule. The left is my room, and the right is Kim Yeo-ju's room. Let's not invade each other's rooms."
“I’ll set the second rule. Um… Please be home by midnight. If you’re going to be late, please let me know.”
"The third rule is absolutely no overnight stays. After the wedding, there will be a lot of photos taken, and if you're not careful, you might end up in the news, so be careful."
“Okay, I’ll be careful..”
I set ten rules. The last one was enough to make my heart pound in my ears.
“The last rule is.”
“Two years after the child was born,I'm getting a divorce.”
Divorce. Divorced at twenty-nine.
“Does it really have to be that way..?”
“Yes, I just need a company.“I’m not interested in things like playing house.”
To that person, this marriage, me, and the child... are just child's play. A somewhat vivid, that kind of play.
“Later… even later… will this rule change..?”
"That probably won't happen. As I said, I'm not the type of person who's home very often. So, there's no chance of us running into each other..."
“Okay.. I understand.. Let’s do that..”
So I signed in a corner of the paper.
•
•
•
“Baby..”
I came into the room and unpacked my luggage one by one.
As I put my luggage in the studio apartment where I used to live, it felt familiar yet strange.
Sitting on a high, soft bedHe carefully placed his hand on her stomach. He stroked it slowly and spoke quietly.
“Baby.. Mom.. I’m sorry.. I should have made you feel welcome.. But please grow up healthy..”
dripping-
“Ms. Kim Yeo-ju.”
"yes?"
“Come out for a moment.”
•
•
•
“What’s going on?”
“I’m talking about the wedding. How about having it this month?”
“This quickly..?”
"Is there a good reason for the delay? I'm getting married early, so it's fine, but Ms. Kim Yeo-ju..."
“There is nothing good.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to do it before your body gets heavier?”
"..all right."
I was out of breath and moved to get up from my seat first.
"wait for a sec."
"yes?"
“Still.. it’s a wedding,Pretend to be happy in front of others"I have to do something. Do you have a dress you want to wear? Or a wedding you want to have?"
“I haven’t thought about it yet..”
“Not only the wedding ceremony, but also the wedding photos will be covered in the news.”
He glances at his watch and says.
"I have some work left to do, so I have to get back to the office. Feel free to browse and contact my secretary about anything you like. I'll be on my way."
As if that wasn't a lie, he quickly went out and was left in a large house with several wedding magazines.
“I guess I’ll have to get used to this too.”