IT WASN'T like Joo Woori's 'danger radar' was broken.
She could just tell that the grandmother who picked her up when she was freezing in the bus stop could be trusted.
This grandma reminds me of my grandmother, after all.
"I prepared the bath for you," Grandma Choi said. "Go and take a warm shower. You're soaked from the rain."
Yep, Joo Woori went home with Grandma Choi.
Thankfully, the grandmother lived alone in a normal-looking house.
And I hope it stays that way.
"Thank you, Grandma Choi," Joo Woori said politely. "I'll take a bath now."
"Do you need to borrow my clothes?"
"It's alright— I have my luggage with me."
"Do you have clothes that are comfortable enough?"
Come to think of it, she did bring some pajamas.
But I brought the silk ones since I didn't want to look shabby in front of Park Seoham's workmates.
Now Woori was hesitating a bit.
It won't be comfortable if I wear the pajamas I bought.
She was seriously having a dilemma over that, and Grandma Choi didn't fail to notice it.
"I'll lend you my clothes, child."
Woori beamed, deciding to just accept the grandma's generosity since she was already there. "Thank you, Grandma."
***
Woori didn't find anything suspicious in the bathroom.
The windows were properly closed, the doorknob was working, and there were no hidden cameras inside.
She checked at least three times before removing her clothes.
Of course, he didn't take her time washing up, even though the warm water was tempting.
Hence, she finished her bath in just under ten minutes.
Woori quickly wore the 'pajamas' that Grandma Choi lent her.
Well, they weren't really 'pajamas.'
Just a regular sweatshirt and a pair of colorful, floral pants.
"You're done, child?"
"Yes, Grandma Choi," Woori said cheerfully while drying her hair with a towel. She already introduced herself earlier, but Grandma Choi kept calling her 'child' instead of her name. But she didn't mind. "Thank you."
"Child, I'm sorry, but I answered your phone while you were in the bathroom," Grandma Choi said, and the grandma looked apologetic while explaining. "It kept ringing, and the name on the screen says 'Boss.'"
Oh, it must be Park Seoham, then.
Yep, that was how Woori saved Park Seoham's number.
"I thought it was an important call from your employer, so I answered it for you. But maybe I should have just brought your phone to you instead of doing that. I apologize, child."
"It's alright, Grandma Choi. What did my boss say?"
"He said he'd come and pick you up, so I gave him my address. Is that alright? I didn't do something unnecessary, did I?"
"You did something helpful, Grandma. Thank you."
"I'm glad, then," Grandma Choi said, obviously relieved. "Let's eat some steamed sweet potatoes while waiting for your boss."
Woori smiled and nodded. "Yes, Grandma."
***
"GRANDMA, is there any house for sale in your village at the moment?" Woori asked while she and Grandma Choi were eating sweet potatoes on the porch. They were also watching the light rain. Fortunately, it stopped pouring hard a while ago. "I think I'd like to move here after I'm done with my work in Seoul."
"You're lucky, then," Grandma Choi said. "The former village head, Mr. Nam, is selling his house since he decided to live with his son in Busan. But he's selling it at a slightly high price since the house comes with a piece of land that you can use for farming."
"Oh, that's interesting. I've always wanted to try farming. How much is Mr. Nam selling his house for, Grandma?"
Grandma Choi did not only give Woori the selling price, but the grandma also told her everything she needed to know: the size of the house and its condition, as well as the size of the piece of land that could be used for farming.
To be honest, the price wasn't as high as she expected.
I guess Seoul's standards are different from the countryside's.
To be clear, Woori wasn't saying that the house and the land were cheap.
They're still expensive— I was just surprised that it's within my budget.
"Grandma Choi, can you introduce me to Mr. Nam?"
"I would if Mr. Nam were here. Unfortunately, he's in Busan with his son. But I can give you his contact number if you want."
Woori smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Grandma…"
She trailed off when a loud car engine disturbed the peace and quiet there.
Aigoo.
Why is he driving fast in a quiet neighborhood like this?
Yeah, Woori was pretty sure that it was Park Seoham driving the noisy car.
Oh, it was a Jeep, to be precise.
When the vehicle stopped in front of the house, the door to the driver's side immediately burst open.
Woori's eyes widened in shock.
Is he crazy?!
Park Seoham got out of the car without a hat or a face mask!
"Oh, I know that handsome kid," Grandma Choi said, beaming. "Isn't he a famous actor? Park Seoham?"
Haaah.
Congratulations, Park Seoham— you're popular even among grandmothers now.
"You're right, Grandma— that's Actor Park Seoham-ssi. I'm actually his manager," Woori said, smiling awkwardly. "Please keep this a secret from the other villagers."
Grandma Choi nodded but didn't get the chance to talk because…
"Joo Woori!"
Aigoo.
Why does this brat always yell my name?
"Present," Woori said in a tired voice, raising her hand as if she were a student taking attendance. "I'm here, so stop yelling my name as if I'm missing."
Park Seoham stopped before her and looked at her in disbelief. "How can you joke at a time like this, Joo Woori?"
"Seoham-ssi, we're not alone here. You're scaring Grandma Choi with your angry voice."
Thankfully, that was enough to make the actor calm down.
Park Seoham looked at Grandma Choi, flustered, before bowing his head apologetically. "I'm sorry for scaring you, Grandma."
"It's alright, child," Grandma Choi said kindly. "Come in and talk inside."
***
THIS IS awkward.
Woori and Park Seoham were now sitting across from each other in Grandma Choi's small dining room.
The grandma went to her room to give them privacy.
"Joo Woori, you're almost in your thirties," Park Seoham scolded her right away. "Why do you still get lost at your big age? You know how to read, and you have your phone. I know you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, but you can't be this dumb."
Ouch.
That kinda hurt, so she became defensive.
"I didn't get lost," Woori said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Kwon Ana gave me the wrong direction on purpose."
Let's see if you still don't fire me after I accuse your friend like this, Park Seoham.
***
Please ADD