Tricking My Cold Lover

Iseul was uneasy, feeling his forehead form droplets of sweat as they stuck around at the airport, waiting for Yeona's family to come out.     

Yeona reached for his hand and said, "You look so funny, nervous."     

"Aren't you nervous?" Iseul asked, wiping his face with a handkerchief.      

"I am, but they are my parents. Either way, they will accept our decision - my decision especially," said Yeona. She turned to fix his tie and tipped-toed, reaching for his face. She pecked on his lips and said, "I love you."     

"Noo-na! Over here!" Iseul and Yeona turned to find her younger brother, Ji-hoon. He was waiving at them happily from the airport's arrival area.      

Behind him were Yeona's parents. Her mother, Mun-Hee had a big smile on her face, but Yeona's father, Dong-Hyun gave a poker face.      

Yeona hurriedly dragged Iseul to meet them, introducing her family one by one. "Mom, dad. This is Iseul, my fiance."     

Ultimately, regardless if Yeona was pregnant or not, the two had decided on tying the knot.      

"Hmmmp. Fiance huh?" Said Yeona's father.      

Yeona's mother elbowed her husband, hushing down his reaction. She smiled at Iseul and said, "It's nice to meet you, Iseul."     

"It's nice to finally meet you. Thank you for flying over to visit. Yeona and I have planned out a tour during your quick stay." Iseul shook the hands of Yeona's parents and her brother before offering to take their luggage.      

Giving Iseul a fist bump, Yeona's brother said, "Nice to meet you, bro. Damn, you are tall."     

Iseul first brought the family to Yeona's apartment. Her father insisted not to spend on a hotel for their short vacation.      

For their lunch, Iseul brought them to a luxury restaurant, the same where Anton and Yanmei often had steak, going around town with the use of the company car.      

As they were on the road, Yeona's father said, "I invited your aunt and your cousin for our lunch." He paused all of a sudden and added, "I hope it's okay, Yeona. I told them you were already engaged. I hope that would end the conflict between you and your cousin."     

Yeona faked a smile and said, "I don't know, dad. You haven't really seen them in their worst behavior." She sighed and said, "I hope you hadn't but I suppose it's fine."     

Iseul saw the gloomy expression on Yeona's face as he glanced at the passenger seat. They had not talked about her aunt and her cousin at all. Yeona did not seem to care so Iseul never probed about that part of her life.      

Only when they arrived at the restaurant, did Iseul found the chance to ask, "Everything okay?"     

"I hope so. I just hope my cousin will not cause any problem," revealed Yeona, right after getting off the car.      

Unfortunately, Yeona's fears were realized. Just after settling in their assigned table, her aunt and her cousin came... with her ex-boyfriend.      

It was because Yeona's ex-boyfriend broke up with her for her cousin that her relationship with her nearest relatives had turned from bad to worse. She became determined to leave their care.      

As soon as she got a raise, having been chosen as Yanmei's assistant, she found her own place to live in the city.      

Seeing her cousin, Haru, proudly clung on to her ex-boyfriend, she sighed, trying to hide her irritation. Still, she greeted them with respect. Bowing down, Yeona said, "Thank you for coming aunt. Cousin."      

Turning to Iseul, she introduced him. She said, "This is my fiance, Iseul. Iseul, this is my aunt, Soo-A, my cousin, Haru, and her boyfriend, Tae-hwan."     

Iseul extended his hand and greeted them.      

They all shook Iseul's hand, but Tae-hwan's eyes were fixed on Yeona. He said, "I - I never thought I would see you again, having a fiance, Yeona."     

Yeona's cousin was quick to smack on Tae-hwan's arm, hurt that it was even brought up. She said, "We should be happy for her, Tae, Oppa. She has finally moved on from you. Haha! I thought she would forever be broken-hearted over you."     

Iseul felt a pang in his chest. He gazed at Yeona with a puzzled expression and only then did Yeona explained, "Tae-hwan and I used to be together, Iseul. He is now... Haru's boyfriend."     

Yeona reached for Iseul's hand and squeezed it firmly. With her eyes, she tried her best to tell him that Tae-hwan was her past and nothing more.      

Addressing the words of her Tae-hwan and cousin, Yeona looked back to them and said, "Me, finding someone else, it was bound to happen. I'm surprised that the two of you aren't married yet?" Referring to the furthest seat from her and Iseul, she invited them to settle down. "Please take a seat."     

When everyone was comfortable, Yeona's father said, "I think it is best that we do not mention about the past anymore. Obviously, my daughter is happy, already wanting to get married."     

Shifting his gaze from Yeona to Haru, Dong-hyun said, "I hope we can put the past behind us because we are still family."     

"Of course, uncle. It was only Yeona who had been ignoring us all these years, staying away, not visiting," said Haru.      

Yeona sighed and said, "I have no reason to visit. Besides, I am very busy working for a reputable investment company."     

"Oh, yes. That's right. How could we forget Yeona's success!"Yeona's aunt sarcastically exclaimed.      

Looking around, Soo-A added, "This is a very expensive restaurant, Yeona. You must earn well for yourself to have lunch here, or maybe your fiance does."     

"What work do you do, Iseul?" Soo-A asked. She determined the restaurant arrangement was made by Iseul.      

"Oh, yes, future cousin-in-law, what work do you do? Looking at your suit, it looks expensive! You must be a bigshot!" Suggested Haru.      

"Yes, Iseul. Do tell us about yourself," added Yeona's mother, Mun-Hee.      

Iseul gazed into the intriguing eyes of Yeona's family. He casually and yet, proudly answered, "I am part of Anton Yeong's security, working for him for over ten years now."     

Haru immediately scoffed. She said, "A security? Haha! And here I am feeling insecure that my cousin was finally getting married! Apparently just to security!"     

It was because Tae-hwan was an accountant that Haru felt so proud of having stolen Yeona's ex-boyfriend.      

Yeona and Tae-hwan were classmates who came from the same town and attended the same college. They were practically best friends before they became a couple after college. Unfortunately, after moving to the city and chasing for their dreams, their years of friendship went down the drain.      

Yeona lost to Haru in the most painful kind of betrayal, catching them, doing the deed at her aunt's living room apartment after returning home from work.      

Hearing Haru's harsh words, Yeona's parents frowned. They were a family of humble beginnings that they did not mind whatever Iseul's profession was. They were only concerned that they may struggle to pay for their son's tuition should Yeona start a family of her own.      

"I'm - I'm so sorry, Yeona. It's just that." Haru leaned over to Tae-hwan and said, "I did not expect that you would downgrade from an accountant to a security."     

"If you are here to insult my fiance, then I'd rather that you leave!" Said Yeona. She slammed her hands against the table and said, "He is part of Anton Yeong's security. Do you realize the kind of requirements it is to stand next to Anton Yeong and his family?"     

Yeona pointed to her cousin and Tae-hwan, saying, "You and you! You would not even get a chance to eye the Yeongs with your level of skills!"     

"Yeona, it's okay. I am not offended. They are free to make their own assumptions," said Iseul. He gestured for her to return to her seat. Only after caressing Yeona's back did Iseul say, "Character, and not the circumstances, defines a man."