Kim Taeyeon, 28.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon,
Single.
Taeyeon stared at the dining table with drool flowing out of her mouth uncontrollably.
She had no idea what the special occasion wasthat made her parents invite her to come
over. They were living in the same city, but
being the responsible adult she was, she
lived in her own apartment in the central
town.
Two days ago, Taeyeon was peacefully
playing her PS VITA when her phone rang
loudly, successfully giving her a heart attack
and accidentally crushing her game.
Taeyeon wouldnt stop jabbering the poor old
lady for at least forty-five minutes and her
mothers ear literally burnt as a payback for
her deed. The point of her mothers call was
revealed in fifteen seconds: be back on
Saturday night for dinner.
Taeyeon was so grateful to have parents like
her mom and dad. They were annoying
sometimes often actually but whatever.
She loved her parents especially when her
mother made her favourite food chicken
cordon bleu.
Taeyeon ate greedily, not noticing the
disgusted look her parents gave her. Dont
blame her, however, she rarely ate that well.
She only ate properly when she had the
time, or when her lazy ass was not lazy
enough to make something other than
cereal. Taeyeon honestly cant cook.
In the middle of her meal, Taeyeons father
cleared his throat. At first she ignored it,
whatever her dad wanted could wait. Her
stomach? Not really. Then he purposely
coughed loudly to get her attention.
Yes dad? Taeyeon asked, barely glancing
at him.
Honey, we are worried about you. Her mom
spoke.
You are too skinny, darling. Do you eat
regularly? The older man participated in the
conversation.
You have bags under your eyes. Did you
sleep at all? I know youre busy but sleep is
important.
Yes and yes, mom and dad. Dont worry,
Im fine. Also, Ill be really glad if both of
you stopped staring at me like that and let
me eat in peace. Taeyeon smiled sweetly
with sarcasm written all over her face.
She continued eating but of course, her
parents werent nice enough to not annoy
her.
I want to ask you a question, honey. May I?
Her mom asked.
Cant it wait? Like a couple of minutes until
I finish my food?
No, actually it cant wait sweetie. Its
important.
Fine, shoot. Taeyeon answered
nonchalantly.
Are you getting laid regularly? Her mom
said. The question was dead serious and
Taeyeon looked up, horrified towards the
older male version of her. Suddenly her wild
appetite was gone and switched to nausea.
She knew it. Something will definitely come
up. Formal dinner with her parents was
always a disaster.
One time when they celebrated Taeyeons
graduation at her apartment, her dad wanted
to impress her about his cooking lesson and
set the kitchen on fire. Then there was
another time when Taeyeon brought her
girlfriend to meet them, her mom
deliberately (she admitted it) spilled a bowl
of ice cream on her girlfriends dress. The
first sentence that came from her girlfriend,
Hye Min, after dinner was Were through. It
has been eighteen months and she never
dated anyone ever since. There were still
many other stories about dinner, but she
preferred to not recall those times.
This one was definitely going to join the list.
Are we really talking about my sex life?
She asked, concerned.
Yes. Her parents answered at the same
time. Taeyeon rolled her eyes. It wasnt a
secret since they were all close but this was
still an awkward issue to discuss.
Im doing okay. That is none of your
concern. The petite girl shrugged, hoping
her parents would drop the topic. One sex
talk when she was a teenager was enough
for a lifetime.
Honey, you are not young anymore. Her
mom pleaded.
Im 28.
Late twenties.
Still twenties.
Darling. Her father said sternly.
Look dad, Im fine, I really am. Im an adult
and this is my private life, Id like to keep it
that way. She threw her hands up in the air
desperately.
The fact was, she had a lot countless of
meaningless one night stands for her own
good. And she wasnt going to share that
with her parents.
Were getting older, Tae. Her father pointed
to himself and his wife with puppy eyes.
*Here it comes* Taeyeon told herself, her
parents were about to ask for something
surprising and improbable for her to obey.
Taeyeon didnt answer despite her fathers
words as she knew better than to be hooked
by their fishing.
Okay, Ill just come right out and say it.
Her mom exhaled dramatically. She looked
towards her husband for approval and he
nodded in response. The doctor began to
shift in her seat to the corner of it, just in
case she had to escape.
We want a grandchild! She clapped her
hands happily like a kid receiving candy.
Taeyeon should be worried about her eyes,
since it bulged out impossibly wide.
WHAT?! No mom! No way! Taeyeon shook
her head furiously.
Why not? Her mom pouted. You said
youre an adult, Taeyeon.
Yes, but
No buts, you cant use that again. Her
mother continued, It is our dream to carry
our grandchild before we get our inevitable
osteoporosis.
Your mom is right, baby girl.
Guys! Stop it! First of all, you can prevent
that disease, you take yoga class every
week, besides, you just passed half a
century! Second, Im not ready. I can hardly
take care of myself, let alone another human
being! And lastly, I think both of you are very
aware of it too, I dont have a girlfriend.
Even if I have, it takes months and even
years to make a baby!
After the outburst, they all sat in silence.
Nobody dared to open their mouths. It was a
pretty good speech simple and clear.
We have a proposition for you. Again, her
father cleared his throat.
Im not down even for a sports car.
You can buy that with your own money,
sweet cheeks Her father smiled a
dangerous smile. It was a bad idea to go
over that night. Do you remember my old
friend? Dong Hwa? My best friend from high
school who grew up along with me.
Taeyeon furrowed her eyebrows. No.
Well, you were six months old when we
moved from the States. He chuckled and
Taeyeon rolled her eyes.
Honey, focus! His wife hissed at him.
Right. Um, he has a child, a beautiful
daughter
Wait, wait, wait. Are you talking about what
I think it is? Taeyeon cut her dad off.
Depends. What are you thinking? He
shrugged.
Id rather not mention it; its best I leave
right now. Its getting late. She rose from
her chair but stopped right away when her
mother pushed her shoulder down to sit still.
Honey, were trying to help.
I dont need your help.
Well you still have to listen
What if I dont want to?
Then youre a seditious daughter. Her mom
stated. Honey, straight to the point before
she runs.
Okay so, he has a daughter, his only child.
Very pretty. Shes a lawyer, smart just like
you and we wanted to introduce you to her.
He spoke cautiously. You know, since hes
my best friend, you guys should know each
other too. We can have family barbecue
sometimes or something.
There was certainly more than that. From
her fathers look, Taeyeon knew he tried to
hide something and she nodded her head
slightly, giving her dad permission to
continue.
So? What do you think?
Thats it?
Her mother slapped her husbands arm and
gave him a stern look. Taeyeon wondered
what could possibly happen after tonight.
Dont get her wrong though, she loved her
parents to death but sometimes, granting
their wishes was a hard thing to do. This
grandchild plan was pretty serious; it was a
whole new level of responsibility. She
couldnt just find a girlfriend and then have
a kid straight away. Taeyeon wasnt the kind
of person who falls in love easily, she had
only done it once, and it hurt like hell when
they didnt make it, and no, it wasnt Hye
Min.
Honey, I know it may be a lot to take in
right now but we kind of hope, you know,
umm maybe you and her could be more
than friends? Or how should I say it The
old woman rumbled.
You want me to marry her? Taeyeon dead-
panned.
Now you get me! Satisfaction washed all
over her face as if she had completed a
complicated task.
You dont have to marry straight away. Get
to know her first. Weve met her and we
thought shes perfect for you. We only give
you the best, right honey? Her father
glanced at his wife who nodded solemnly.
So? Her parents smile faded away as they
looked at Taeyeons blank face.
There were lots of scenarios playing in
Taeyeons mind. Lots meant thousands or
even millions. She looked back and forth at
her mother and father.
How about this? A year. Get to know her for
a year, if you really dont feel anything, we
will cancel the arrangement right away and
well never bring it up again. Never ever. But
we want you to really try. A year, honey.
Deal?
-----
Taeyeon didnt understand why she accepted
the deal. It could be because she didnt want
to disappoint her parents or maybe, just a
tiny bit of maybe (Taeyeon would deny it if it
was mentioned to other people), she actually
wanted to do this. It wouldnt hurt, right? Her
heart was made of stone anyway.
The week after the dinner went as usual.
Nothing major happened except that she had
the opportunity to do a boob job for the first
time in her life with Sunny. Though she only
assisted her friend since she had nothing to
do, but whatever. She couldnt believe she
havent done that before. Where the hell had
she been on her resident year?
So, what? Your parents want you to marry
that girl and have kids with her?
Uh-uh, Taeyeon shook her head. Get to
know her first. We wont talk about marriage
now. Ive never met her; I dont know what
she looks like.
Whatever. So a year? Sunny, for the
hundredth time that day, tried to confirm the
news her friend told her.
Yes, Soonkyu. Its not like anything could
happen. One year is a short time. Taeyeon
shrugged as she ate her sandwich.
You might want to keep your words to
yourself, Taeyeon. The universe will hear it
and usually, it throws in an unwanted gift.
Yuri spoke with her full mouth, that woman
could eat like a pig.
Im telling you guys nothing is going to
happen between us. The doctor reassured
her friends.
What if it happens? Sunny challenged. Yuri
nodded eagerly, still chewing her bacon
disgustingly.
Ill take your on-call shift whenever you
guys want for two months. But, if after a
year nothing happens, youll take mine. Got
it? She pointed her index finger at Sunny
who smirked smugly.
Youre on, Kim Taeyeon. They replied.
-----
What was the feeling when you were about
two blocks away from your destination but
youre still stuck because of traffic, with
heavy rain, in addition to the fact that youre
late for almost forty-five minutes from your
dinner with your folks and probably future
wife and parents-in-law?
Crap.
That was what Taeyeon felt. She had
promised her mother to be on time, even
five minutes early. But a patient came into
the emergency ward when she was about to
leave and it cost three hours of surgery so
she was stuck in the operating room. She
wanted to call her mother, but her phone
was dead what a day. She wondered if her
day could get any worse.
She parked her car in the lot and ran
towards the entrance of the restaurant.
Luckily she wore pants and running shoes,
and she didnt need to worry about her slip-
up since the rain was pretty heavy. A
waitress greeted her as she looked around to
located her parents. Um, reservation under
Kim? Taeyeon asked the waitress as he
nodded and led her upstairs.
She spotted her mother sitting near the
window and saw her wave her hand at her as
Taeyeon made her way towards the table.
There were five of them there and they were
all old people. Was she missing something?
Did her father seriously set her up with a
grandma? She thought it was his daughter.
Cant blame Taeyeon, she had a long day
and was a little delusional at that moment.
You didnt change your clothes! Why are
you wearing your scrubs? Her mother
hissed in a low voice when she kissed
Taeyeons cheek.
No time, mom. She replied and then
hugged her father who gave her a weird
smile.
Hey! Um Awkward.
Im Hwang Dong Hwa. This is Hyorin, my
wife and this is my mother. He offered a
handshake. *Thank god*, Taeyeon mentally
whispered to herself and happily shook his
hand, offering the same to the other two
women.
Tiffany is in the toilet. Shell be back soon.
Taeyeon smiled respectfully at the
information.
After a little chit-chat about her day,
Taeyeons food came. The others had
finished theirs whilst Taeyeon start to dig in.
Occasionally they shot a casual question to
her, and the food was delectable, which
made her forget the reason why she was
there until a girl with milky white skin
approached them.
Taeyeons jaw dropped to the ground as a
sly grin spread across the girls face. Your
brain only freezes at two times; one, when
youre dead, and two, when youre met with
a hard question Taeyeon was sure she
wasnt dead at the moment but her brain
had indeed stopped working.
The smell of her savory chicken teriyaki
couldnt wake her up the way the girls
hips move, the smirk on her face, her lips,
her eyes, her face its just, Taeyeon didnt
have the words to describe them. She was
thinking very hard to formulate an
appropriate sentence. Oh god.
Tiffany. The girl threw her hand at the
short girl.
Taeyeon stayed still with a dumb expression
all over her face as she couldnt figure out
how to speak properly. Then she felt her
mom poke her ribs that brought her back to
reality and before she could stop herself,
You wear too much make up, she blurted
out, earning another painful jab to her feet.
She turned her head towards her mother who
gave her a sharp glare and the grain faded
from Tiffanys face.
I mean, um, what is your name again?
Taeyeon smiled uneasily. If there was cliff
nearby, she would happily jump off for
embarrassing her family like this. Not only
she said some inappropriate words, she also
missed the girls name and her handshake.
Im sorry it was really rude, She chuckled
awkwardly. I, uh- Im Taeyeon. She added.
Awkward.
Tiffany. You arent fashionable yourself.
She subtly snapped at Taeyeon and the
latter rolled her eyes as Tiffany took a seat.
It wasnt a hundred percent Taeyeons fault
though, Tiffany did wear tons of make up.
Taeyeon couldnt help but speak her mind.
Tiffany, honey. Im apologise for my
daughters behavior. She doesnt mean that,
right, honey? The question towards Taeyeon
was so stern that she had no choice but to
mumble yes quietly before she continued
eating.
Its okay, Mrs Kim. I understand. Tiffany
answered politely.
So, Taeyeon, your father said a lot about
you. Tiffanys mom broached. Taeyeon
chewed quickly and swallowed her food
before answering. Good things, I hope. She
said blandly.
He likes to exaggerate sometimes,
Taeyeon smiled sweetly, earning a chuckle
from all except Tiffany. It wasnt that
Taeyeon looked at the girl for her reaction to
the lame joke, she just you know
glanced at her because there was something
behind her. Lame excuse, Taeyeon.
Oh, its good, Taeyeon. You inherited his
intelligence indeed. Topping your class?
Thats so his thing! Impressive! Tiffanys
father chirped proudly.
It wasnt that great. I was doing okay.
Taeyeon replied. She received a lot of
compliments all the time, but that didnt
mean she was used to it. It made her feel
uncomfortable, to be honest.
And modest! Tiffanys grandmother
cheered. Perfect for my granddaughter!
Taeyeon smiled tightly, holding back her
tongue. She didnt want to be rude for the
second time. Everyone at the table was
happy, except for the main characters,
Taeyeon and Tiffany.
A few minutes after the chattering died
down, her father clinked his glass. Id like
to propose a toast. To the Kim-Hwang clan!
May we unite forever! Tied up by our
daughters! Again, everyone except the two
girls raised their glass. Well, Tiffany did
raise her glass in a painfully slow motion
and then stop immediately when Taeyeon
opened her mouth.
Dad, marriage is still a long way from now,
remember? We get to each other first, right?
Um, a year? Taeyeon tried to give her dad
subtle clues to their deal.
Her father ignored her and her mother
narrowed her eyes at the doctor, efficiently
silencing her. Im just saying. She
whispered into her mothers ear.
Stop saying anything, her mother hissed.
Then they all toasted their glass.
I have an announcement. Darling, please be
quiet. Taeyeons mother stated to warn her
daughter to not release any ignorant
comment. We want to give both of you a
present. She started slowly. Yes, there is
plenty of time to get to know each other but
the faster the better, right? She questioned,
and everyone nodded. Taeyeon began to
shift uncomfortably in her chair.
*Here we go* She thought.
We want you to move in together so were
buying a new apartment for you! Its in the
middle of the city with a wonderful view in
the day and at night. Her mother clapped
her hands excitedly.
Its really romantic, Tiffanys mother
added.
You guys could chill out on the couch while
staring at the God painting when the sun rise
and set!
Yes, Ive seen it and I like it. You guys will
love it! Your children are going to love it. It
is a perfect place to start a family,
Tiffanys grandmother didnt miss a beat.
Then, they started chattering again, leaving
the kids out. They talked like Taeyeon and
Tiffany were going to marry the next day
and have a baby by the day after the next.
Taeyeon stared at Tiffany silently to ask for
help but she didnt look like shed give any
comment anytime soon. Youd agree to do
this? The shorter girl whispered and Tiffany
shrugged nonchalantly.
Theyll get anything they want, anyway, why
bother to argue? She replied.
Taeyeon couldnt believed the woman before
her. Well, yeah, maybe she didnt have
anything to complain about. But Taeyeon?
She had a lot to complain. It wasnt fair for
her to be forced into something like this.
Um guys? If I may? Taeyeon raised her
hand. She knew her mother was glaring at
her but she ignored the older woman. Look,
thank you, really, for the present but ugh!
Her mother stepped on her foot. As I said I
uh thank you. But I cant move out from my
apartment because there is no time fixed on
when I get called in to the hospital,
sometimes in the middle of the night
because of patients in the emergency room,
and I have to be at the hospital fast.
However, Tiffany can, well, stay move in
and join me at my place if she wants to, of
course. Taeyeon then prayed for God, Allah,
Buddha and whoever who could hear her
prayers to make Tiffany say no.
Im down with that. Tiffany declared.
And Taeyeon officially confirmed that her
life was over.