220 I am Not a Child of This Family (1/2)

The next day.

It was finally the day of the promised lunch.

Yeo Ri hadn't invited her brother along and went alone. It was probably a bad idea, but she didn't want to make Gun worry unnecessarily. There was already so much on his plate, after all. Rather, knowing Gun, he would probably try to convince her to give these people a chance once he found out how 'philanthropic they were'—given their background in the medical industry—and how 'they would be able to provide for her'.

Wearing a black face mask and a cap, Yeo Ri bounced on her heels as she walked to the bus stop. The thought that she would finally be free from those stifling adults made her giddy.

”Miss, the car is this way,” a familiar voice called out.

Yeo Ri stilled once she heard that voice. Raising her head to look at the person talking to her, she pouted.

It was Secretary Kwon, again.

He was still around?

She had thought that after her conversation with Heo Woo Seung, he would have pulled out Secretary Kwon from his duties of shadowing her every move.

”It's my job to look out for you, miss,” the man said upon noticing her disgruntled look. His tone seemed more perfunctory and distant compared to usual.

Yeo Ri observed the man's concealed displeasure with a slight frown. He probably found out about her fight with Heo Woo Seung, and thus did not think well of her, she supposed. Not that it mattered to her—it was Heo Woo Seung who selfishly made his employee act like her servant and follow her around all the time.

Yeo Ri's lips parted, thinking to chase him away, but an idea suddenly sparked in her head.

That's right, she thought, if she could use him...

Smiling sardonically, she nodded, ”Alright. Lead the way, then.”

Secretary Kwon watched the minute changes in her expression with apprehension. What was with that look...? The fact that Yeo Ri was following him so obediently without a fight somewhat unnerved him. He knew that his employer had a huge quarrel with his daughter, and she even wanted to cut off their relations. Being this good-tempered must have meant that she needed something from him.

He silently led her to the car, opening the door for her as usual.

”Where will you be going, miss?”

”Here,” Yeo Ri replied succinctly. Within seconds, his phone vibrated. She had sent him the location of her destination to him via text.

He quickly connected his phone to the car's navigation system and found out that she was on her way to a hotel. He did not question her reason; he knew she was working as a model and even had done an acting job recently—she was probably meeting with someone from the industry or something.

Due to traffic, it took them over an hour to reach the place.

”Follow me,” Yeo Ri said as she stepped out of the car, beckoning the older man with a tilt of her head.

Without saying another word, he left the car to the valet and tailed behind her closely.

Yeo Ri stopped by the reception desk to ask for directions. The staff manning the reception desk readily gave her the detailed explanation on how to get to the restaurant, then sent her off with a smile.

They rode the elevator in silence.

Ding!

Yeo Ri was greeted by a waiter, who asked her if she had a reservation.

Yeo Ri took off her mask and cap out of politeness, then smiled at the waiter, ”Yes, it should be under Han Myung Soo.”

”Ah!” The waiter nodded, ”Right this way, miss. They have been waiting for you.”

”Thank you,” Yeo Ri flashed another polite smile at the waiter before following him to a table.

The restaurant took up the whole top floor of the hotel. It had a classy interior, and the distantly arranged tables were sparsely populated. It was a nice place to relax and unwind, it seemed. It was quiet and peaceful save for a few clinks of utensils and the soft murmurings of the customers.

Since there were so little people, it was easy to find the elderly couple. The two immediately rose from their seats to greet the girl, smiling excitedly.

The waiter pulled out a chair for her, and once she sat down, the Han couple followed suit.

”How have you been, Yeo Ri-ah?” Mrs. Han asked, a smile tinged with affection hanging on her face. It made her seem more approachable and motherly, which was the effect she hoped to portray to make the young girl lower her guards.

”We've been meaning to meet you again. It's good that we can finally see each other,” Mr. Han added.

”Is it okay for you to be here at this hour? What about school?” Mrs. Han softened her voice, asking the girl with concern. She felt that it was strange how Yeo Ri came so early even though it was a weekday; she had expected her to come much, much later due to the general school hours ending at around 3 or 4 p.m. Did she not have school today, the old woman wondered.

Yeo Ri merely smiled in response, brushing off the subject, ”It's fine.” She did not feel like explaining to them on why she was not attending school. She didn't think that they were important enough to know that much about her.

”...I see,” Mrs. Han smiled awkwardly. She wanted the girl to elaborate, but clearly she was not willing. Na Hee Young turned her gaze towards the stranger who had arrived with her granddaughter. The girl made no moves to introduce him, and the man did not seem like he minded it nor took the initiative to do it himself—he merely stood behind the young girl, looking around with a straight face.

”And who is this?” She carefully brought up.

Yeo Ri casually glanced at the man behind her with a faint smile. Nonchalantly, she said, ”Ah, him? He's my guardian.”

It was not only the Han couple who were surprised; even Secretary Kwon, Kwon Tae Yang, himself was surprised by the girl's proclamation, though he immediately schooled his expression soon after. He made no move to refute or agree to her words, merely fulfilling his duty of accompanying her silently.

”Ah... I see...” Mr. Han muttered, trying to keep up a smile. When they had contacted Yeo Ri the other day, she did not mention anything about her guardian, so they simply assumed that the meeting today was a casual one, with the intention of getting to know one another and deepening their familial bond. ”Hello there,” he greeted.

The secretary acknowledged the two elderlies with a nod before resuming his surveillance. He had no idea why Yeo Ri introduced him as such, and he also did not know who the two were. Although he kept his eyes trained on anywhere else but the table, his ears were in full attention. He was interested in the conversation.

”Why don't you take a seat, Mr...?” Mrs. Han smiled politely, inviting him to join them at the table.

”Kwon,” the man answered. ”No. I'm fine.”

”...I see.”

”...”

”...”

The elderly couple had no idea what to do with the awkwardness that they felt. Although Yeo Ri was smiling, there was something about her that made it hard for them to talk to her. As for her guardian, he seemed so rigid and taciturn, appearing as if he was unwilling to partake in the meeting with them.

”S-shall we order some food?”

”No, thank you. I already ate at home.”