Of course, it wasn’t like the dish cleared the air around the table immediately. It did provide some breathing room, though. Grace managed to smile, after all. She looked at Minjoon with loving eyes before turning to smile at Kaya.
What a cheesy boyfriend you have, Kaya.
That’s what I fell for. I’m cheesy too, after all.
…Didn’t you say you liked his mature side before?
Minjoon looked at Kaya with a disappointed face. Kaya simply waved him over with a smile. When he nervously stepped forward, Kaya grabbed his two cheeks with her hands.
What happened next was obvious. Kaya pulled him in, and Minjoon stumbled back afterwards with a blush. The customers were all looking at him with a smile on their faces. Minjoon shouted at Kaya as quietly as he could.
What the hell are you doing at my workplace?!
Isn’t it exciting, doing stuff like this in a place where you shouldn’t?
For you, yeah, but I…
What are you doing? Now you’re making me feel embarrassed too. Stop acting like a little kid.
Last time you asked me to act more like one, and…
Tsk tsk, you’re an adult, stop taking that kid thing so much to heart.
Kaya hit back pretty hard to everything Minjoon said today. Minjoon just ended up glaring at Kaya for a second, before giving up.
It tasted like pomegranate, didn’t it?
Minjoon wondered what she asked for a second, but it became obvious what she was talking about when he licked his lips a little. Minjoon looked away for a second with an even redder blush. It was such an unthinkable thing for him, an Asian. Doing something like this in front of adults…
‘The American soul, huh. How shocking.’
Grace and Bruce didn’t really seem to mind, thankfully. Jemma was the one who seemed nervous, actually. She was supposed to be in high school by now. Her feelings must be going wild right now.
‘I never thought things would turn out like this.’
It was a bit of a surprise, but at least the general mood of the table got better. Minjoon turned to speak to Jemma.
How did you like the meal, Jemma? Was it good?
Y-yeah. I-it was as good a-as sister making it.
Oh, sounds like I made something absolutely amazing, then.
Jemma smiled. Her trembling lips didn’t let her form a full smile, but… To Minjoon, there was no brighter smile than this.
There’s a stereotype out there for rich and poor people. That rich people live a shell of a life, unfulfilling and boring. That poor people find happiness in the smallest things. Of course, this isn’t true. Sometimes, it does happen, but not often.
It’s hard for poor people to find happiness in nothing. A whip can make a horse run, but it could also make the horse simply give up. A life with only whips, and no carrots. How cruel was that?
‘…No, I suppose they did have a carrot in their life.’
Perhaps the family itself might’ve been a motivating force for them. No, for sure, it was. They might’ve been a deadweight to each other at times, but at the same time, they must’ve motivated each other well. That must be why they grew together so well. Minjoon looked at Grace.
You’re amazing, Grace.
Hm? What’s up with the compliment?
I was just thinking… It must’ve been hard raising such beautiful daughters in your situation.
Grace looked at him dumbly. Her eyes started reddening as she thought of the past. Bruce extended his hand to try to pat her, but flinched a little midway and gave up. Perhaps he thought he wasn’t even worthy of doing such a thing. Grace calmed down a little later, and looked at Minjoon with a smile.
Sorry, hearing that all of the sudden… Just messed me up.
Her husband– he really wasn’t one anymore– appeared after two decades. Telling her that he was finally successful. The reason he ran was simple. Debt crashed down on him when his business failed, and he needed to run from his family as a result.
She knew all this. But she didn’t care. He was the bad one for running. That’s what she thought, and that’s what she wanted to think. She didn’t want to like a person who ran.
But he came back. Like Moses. With a fruit called success in his hands. He was different from before. He could easily lead them back into peace and happiness. But this made Grace worried. She spoke with a trembling voice.
Bruce, I’ll admit it. You’ve succeeded. You can probably do more for Kaya than I could do for her. I always forced Kaya to walk by my side, but you can easily carry her and take her to places beyond where I could go.
Mom!
Kaya glared at Grace. But Grace didn’t meet the girl’s eyes. That was what bothered her the most. The thought of being a mother who couldn’t help. No, she could take that fact pretty well. But thinking that Bruce, someone who’s been missing for 20 years could be a better parent than her… Hurt her.
Right then, Bruce opened his mouth.
Grace, I’ve never even thought of such a strange thing.
Why do you think it’s strange? It’s a perfectly logical thing to think.
No, it’s not at all logical. Yeah, I’m rich now. I could buy Kaya a house and a car. But no matter what I do for her, I could never fill in your place as her parent. That’s what being a parent is like.
Grace couldn’t respond. She wasn’t really convinced. Kaya opened her mouth as well. She looked like a street thug with the makeup she had put on, but her words were incredibly soft.
Mom, do you remember that Italian restaurant back at the marketplace?
…I do. The chef always said he was Italian, but he turned out to be Finnish. Damn scammers.
The food was bad too. Al dente my ass, the pasta was bloated as hell. Plus, the tomatoes weren’t even that fresh. The pizza dough almost felt like baguette as well.
Yes, they were. What of it?
I miss it.
Kaya smiled. Her eyes drifted over to Grace’s neck. To her past.
I remember loving that moment, going to that restaurant after work. I’m going to all sorts of luxury restaurants now, but… I still miss that flavor. I’m going to miss it, no matter what. And you were there with me, too. Father wasn’t. Nothing can change that. So stop thinking of such strange things. Please. If you do…
Kaya choked a little, and sniffed. Jemma hugged Kaya lightly. She seemed rather sad as well. Grace looked at Kaya with a complicated look.
…Right. I’m sorry.
Minjoon wasn’t sure what to make of this situation. Was it sad? Was it heartwarming? Well, in any case, it was a step the family had to take together for sure. But more importantly for now, there were other customers to serve.
He wanted to be next to them, but he needed to be in the kitchen.
‘People have places where they belong.’
The only thing he could do was wish for their happiness. Minjoon headed off to the next table. He smiled with the kettle in his hand.
How was your meal?
€
Obviously, the family didn’t heal completely after just one meal. They still needed time. Though, it was nice that the meal had a happy ending. As Kaya took Grace and Jemma back to their hotel, Grace opened her mouth.
You need to meet a good man. I don’t want you to suffer like I did.
Minjoon’s a good person, you know that.
Well, yeah. I’m talking about the next one.
…Why are you talking like I’m going to split up?
It’d be nice if you stay together forever. But it’s not common for people your age to maintain a relationship for that long, you know?
I’m going to marry him. Or just live single. So don’t say that.
Sure, sure.
Grace smiled. As Kaya looked at her with a dissatisfied look, Jemma smiled.
I’d love to see you two together.
Don’t worry. It won’t be far. We’ll even have a kid together. I even decided on a name. A boy would be Arnold, and a daughter… Agh, what was it again?
How many?
Two. More would be hard. Both for work and parenting.
You sound like you’re already married.
Grace looked at Kaya incredulously. Kaya smiled. At that moment, Grace could only agree with the idea that love made a person more beautiful. There was nothing about Kaya that didn’t look beautiful right now. Grace sighed.
I don’t know why you became the second most beautiful chef on that show. You looked so much better than that Chloe kid.
Chloe’s mom probably disagrees. Don’t worry about that. Who cares about rankings? Minjoon thinks I’m the prettiest, and that’s just fine.
Really?
Of course.
You need to be careful. It’s hard to always show your pretty side when you’re living together. You’re not burping and farting in front of him, are you?
No! …Probably.
Kaya responded confidently at first, but she became unsure of herself. Grace sighed. The girl was mature, but she did have a very childish side to her. That made her worried. Once they arrived, Grace looked at Kaya one last time.
I trust you. I can, right?
Of course. Don’t worry.
As Kaya walked back home, though, she started thinking about a bunch of things. Marriage. Children. They didn’t really sound real to her just yet. But they’ll become a reality, some time in the future. When she returned, she noticed Minjoon just arriving at home. Anderson dropped Minjoon off and took off without another word. Kaya asked Minjoon a question with a surprised look.
What the, where’s he going?
Said he had something. I don’t really know.
Is he doing that because of us?
I told him he didn’t need to. But it looks like he really does have something.
Weird. I didn’t think he had any friends. Do you know who?
I mean, it wasn’t like I could ask…
Minjoon smiled with a troubled look. Kaya thought of a candidate for a moment before smiling and pushing on Minjoon’s back.
Whatever. It’ll be nice being alone together. Let’s go in, it’s cold.
A bit later, the two settled in nicely in each other’s bed. The TV on one side was showing a certain program on it. The MC was someone Minjoon had seen multiple times on Rose Island. Minjoon spoke up first.
How was your mom?
She was fine. She isn’t that weak. No need to worry.
You?
…Who knows, I have different things in mind.
Kaya said this as she looked into her bag. What came out of it was a red sock. Minjoon smiled.
Does that sock have my present in it?
Nope, nothing.
Why’d you get it, then? You don’t believe in Santa, do you?
I got it for something else… Well, since Anderson isn’t here, I guess there’s no need.
Minjoon looked at her confusedly. Instead of responding directly, Kaya said something else.
I thought a little as I looked at my parents. How can I not become like them? How can I reach a relationship where we really love each other?
Did you find an answer?
Yeah. We just need to trust each other. That’s all. But.
Kaya put some strength into her voice at the end. But her next words were rather soft.
I don’t think we really trust each other.
Why?
…There’s something we haven’t done.
Minjoon didn’t really understand. They hadn’t done many things together. But soon, Minjoon looked at Kaya with a shocked face. Kaya turned back to look at the door in embarrassment.
This sock… I bought it to hang on that door.
Minjoon finally understood. Kaya opened her mouth.
…Can I?
Her words carried a lot of meaning. But at the same time, it was pretty straightforward. Minjoon answered. Kaya stood there for a moment, but soon walked over to the door.
The door shut. With the sock hanging on the doorknob.
<A Warm Christmas (3)> End.
