24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 30: Everywhere I Go They Be Like

Hearthof left to his penthouse after drinking wine with Hestia.

He was anxious before that he already lose to Ves on Hestia’s heart but he was wrong.

Both of them are just friends to her and nothing more because Hestia said it herself that she’s never been in love with anyone.

If it’s just a rival he could compete until one of them wins, but the problem lies with the one they pursue instead.

Pursuing the woman, he loves since childhood is harder than he expected and the worst thing he can’t do anything about it but wait until she’s ready to fall in love.

The next day, since it’s Valentine’s Day, he ordered a bouquet of pink roses to Hestia, though he knows that she doesn’t have a particular flower that she likes, he presumed that any pink flower will do since her favorite color is pink.

Aside from the flowers a box of chocolates was also delivered to Hestia’s suite, that’s why the children were delighted when they saw what the hotel staff brought to their room aside from their breakfast that morning.

Needless to say, the children had a blast the whole afternoon and even pleaded to Hestia for an extreme ride that made everyone wet instead of the roller coaster that Hestia strictly forbode since the children’s height didn’t reach the limit also Hebe’s condition, so it was definitely a no.

After having dinner, Hearthof drove Hestia and the children to their residence and helped the latter to carry the children to the guest rooms since they’re all staying at the South Mansion until tomorrow morning.

“Thank you very much for helping me out this weekend.” Hestia thanked Hearthof sincerely as she sends him off.

“What friends are for?” Hearthof chuckled. “Also, I made something out of it, so it’s not that bad at all.”

“Yeah, they want to celebrate their birthdays on your amusement park so you’ll be making a profit from their parents.” Hestia said.

“Well aside from that, I actually had fun. We were like a family of five for two days, you and the children made my weekend worthwhile.” Hearthof hinted but Hestia took it as a joke.

“Maybe you should start going on blind dates. Though those dates were forced upon me, it’s not that bad to meet new people at all.”

“I meet new people every day in the hotel so I don’t think I need to go with that dates. I’ll just waste my time and theirs since I’ve got no plan to be in a relationship with women I’ll be arranged to meet. I prefer meeting someone unexpectedly, just like how we met when we were kids.” Hearthof explained.

“Oh, stop reminding me of how we met, that was so embarrassing.” Hestia flushed red when she suddenly reminisced the past. “You don’t know how awkward it was for me when I thought that you were a beggar along with your friends but it turned out that you’re my music teacher’s son.”

“Yeah, I still remember how shocked you were when we met again and introduced to each other.” Hearthof chuckled. “But I don’t think anyone will think of me as a beggar now.”

“Well, you always wear a suit and with your domineering aura that all company president has, only a fool will take you for someone who’s struggling for money.” Hestia gave Hearthof a once over.

“Nah, you know I’m not someone who’s domineering, people are just intimated with my eyes and that’s not my fault.” Hearthof chuckled. “Anyway, I’ll be leaving first. I’ll see you next week.”

“Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. I’ll be out next weekend. I’m going to attend a seminar at Germany so I can’t hang out with you.”

“Only you?” Hearthof thinking of his work schedule.

“Unfortunately, Ruby and Anna is coming too since it’s an overseas symposium, they like going out of the country so much so it’s impossible for them to miss such opportunity.” Hestia snorted.

“Should I come with you? I’ve never been to Germany before so I would like to go too. Take me with you, please.” Hearthof pleaded with his small eyes and pouted like a child.

“Hahaha, I’m not going there for leisure so I won’t be able to accompany you around.” Hestia laughed. “Besides aren’t you busy?”

“Not at all, I only read and sign documents everyday in the office and it’s no fun at all. Your niece is actually right, working behind the desk is boring.” Hearthof stated as a matter-of-fact. “Don’t worry I won’t bother you at all, I just really want to come. I could even go to hotels and observe while you’re in the seminar.”

“You just add up that work-related matter to convince me, right?”

“That will be my reason, why I’m coming with you. Although, initially I just want to hangout with you.” Hearthof said truthfully.

“Up to you.” Hestia shrugged. “But we’ll be leaving by Friday morning. I’m bringing all my ladies with me since I’ve got no place to stay in Germany and I’ll be staying in a hotel. You can also bring your security team with you since we’ll be using my plane anyway.”

“Are you hinting something?” Hearthof raised his eyebrows as he crossed his arms over his chest while thinking of what’s on Hestia’s head until he finally realized her plan.

“Nothing.” Hestia winked at him.

“I see.” Hearthof nodded as they had a tacit understanding.

“Anyway, it’s getting late. Good night, Thofy.” Hestia chuckled as she mentioned Hearthof’s nickname. “I actually like it.”

“Argh! You’re making fun of me again!” Hearthof shook his head as he walked backwards. “I just made that up because of your nieces, Juku don’t even call me that.”

“Well, you’ll be known as Thofy in my family from now on. Drive carefully … Thofy … hahaha.” Hestia watched Hearthof drove off before she entered the house with a mischievous smile on her face. “I suddenly want a hot chocolate.” she then ordered Baby to prepare a hot chocolate drink for her along with cookies.

Although Hestia only eats healthy foods, sweets are exemptions!

The next day, Hestia sent the children to school before going to work, their parents as well as hers weren’t back yet that morning so she had to be the responsible aunt.

When she arrived at the office, everyone was looking at her like she’s an animal in the zoo with scrutinizing gazes, unlike the usual stares that she gets and she can easily ignore.

 ‘Am I in the front page of newspaper again?’ Hestia thought as she regrets for not making it a hobby to read news.

Thus, she took a newspaper in the lobby naturally and went straight to her office with perfectly concealed anxiety.

She made a quick look on the articles since there wasn’t a single photo of her neither Hearthof on the frontpage, and she only sighed in relieve when she confirmed it herself that there’s no news about her again.

‘But why do they look at me like that?’ Hestia pondered.

During lunch break, Hestia was having a late meal because she didn’t notice the time as she was too focused at work.

Bok-Joo came at the pantry a few minutes later and joined Hestia naturally to have late lunch together.

Though they’re not friends, Bok-Joo is Hestia’s colleague that the latter isn’t wary of.

“Those children are your nieces and nephew?” Bok-Joo asked after swallowing her first mouthful meal.

“What are you talking about?” Hestia questioned confusedly.

“Oh, I saw you and that guy friend of yours on the news last night. Your group of five walked behind a reporter who was broadcasting on the amusement park.” Bok-Joo said nonchalantly.

Hestia frowned as she recalled all the events happened yesterday and she definitely missed that part because her attention was only for her family and friend. “Did everyone watch the late news?”

“Probably not but those who noticed you …” Bok-Joo trailed off.

“Told someone and that someone told another one until everyone knows it with exaggerated background stories.” Hestia completed.

“Exactly, you know you’re regarded as a celebrity so it’s not unexpected. Some still can’t get over with the rumor about you two before and now people are talking that you two already have a family and married secretly.” Bok-Joo sighed before she took another mouthful of her lunch.

“That’s ridiculous!” Hestia exhaled through her nose to suppress her anger. “That’s why everywhere I go they be like.” she mimicked how everyone looked at her that morning. “They all thought that I already gave birth to three children when I’m still a virgin until now.”

Bok-Joo almost choked when she heard Hestia’s last words as she didn’t expect it at all because she classified her as a type of girl who already lost her virginity in high school since she graduated from a foreign school. “That’s … amazing!”

Hestia narrowed her eyes at Bok-Joo and said, “You actually thought that I’m not because I went to a foreign school from elementary to high school?! That’s actually a Christian school!”

“Not because it’s classified as a Christian school means that all students there are honed to be saints.” Bok-Joo retorted. “You can’t change the fact that it’s still a foreign school and most students there are westerners.”

“Blame it on Hollywood, those movies made it normal for high school students to make out anywhere even at the hallway.”

“That’s how westerners were introduced to us, so not my fault.”

“Anyway, we’re going off the topic. So, let’s just set things straight. Yes, I’m still a virgin, and I’m proud of it because I’m walking on the right path that most people made a wrong turn.”

“Well, guilty.” Bok-Joo suddenly flushed red. “I gave it to Joo-Hyuk yesterday after our romantic candlelight dinner.”

Hestia was taken back and asked concernedly, “Will he take responsibility of you? I never thought that you’ll give in easily.”

“Why are you regretting now that you let him go?” Bok-Joo finished her meal. “You can’t take him back now.”

“That’s not what I meant. Are we seriously talking about this again? How many times do I have to tell you that I only had a good impression about him but I never thought of getting together with him? He’s all yours, alright? I’m not your rival.” Hestia explained.

“Just making sure that you haven’t changed your mind. I’m no match when it comes to you. Sorry …” Bok-Joo sighed. “I just love him so much that I don’t know what to do if he left me for another girl or he fell out of love with me. I already gave him my everything and I can’t afford to lose him.”

“The main reason, I don’t want to fall in love.” Hestia shook her head as she felt sorry for the lost soul in front of her. “Look, I know we’re not friends but we’re the closest strangers so let me give you a piece of advice. Get a hold of yourself.”

“I won’t be myself anymore if I lose him.” Bok-Joo replied.

Hestia laughed sarcastically as she can’t get through with Bok-Joo anymore because the latter is already drunk in love. “I better go back to work. Thank you for solving the mystery for me, I wouldn’t know that I’ve been caught in camera on TV news if it weren’t for you. I’ll give you a souvenir when I returned from Germany.”

“Ah right, speaking of Germany, I forgot to book a flight last week and now the only available seats are first class as the economy was already fully booked when I checked this morning. You don’t have to bring me a souvenir because I’m going too, Ryeo backed out the last minute because of his father is hospitalize. Will you give me a ride instead?” Bok-Joo looked at Hestia expectantly.

Hestia nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll add your name to the list of passengers.”

“Thank you!” Bok-Joo smiled at Hestia brightly.

“You’re welcome.” Hestia walked off and went back to work in her office until evening.

When Hestia arrived at home, she almost didn’t recognize her parents because they both got tanned.

“Ma, Pa, whose idea is it?” Hestia gestured to their complexion.

“No one, we both lost track of time while playing beach volleyball with our new found friends.” Rhea replied as she welcome Hestia home with a hug and kiss on the cheeks. “We even had barbecue at night while jamming with Elvis songs.”

“You two really knows how to have fun despite of your age.” Hestia said half-jokingly.

“It’s not about the age, Tia. Your mother and I are forever young so we’re enjoying life to the fullest.” Cronus replied disapprovingly.

“If Mama isn’t menopause yet, I might be expecting for a baby brother or sister because you two always having a blast!”

Rhea blushed and Cronus snickered, just enough reaction for Hestia to confirm that her parents are still active in bed.

Despite Rhea turning 64 in four months and Cronus at 54 in few weeks, Hestia’s parents just love each other too much.

Her parents are the rarest kind of relationship among married couples, they’ve been together through thick and thin, life and death, an ideal couple that everyone envies.

But still, regardless of Hestia’s parents almost fairy tale relationship who are living in their happily ever after, she’s still reluctant to fall in love.

Her parents just got lucky to find each other, but most of the people stumbles on the wrong person.

She knows that if she falls in love, she falls hard and deep in a way that she’ll lose herself whether for the better or worse that’s the variable factor she doesn’t want to take a risk.

Love can make the smartest person a fool, the proudest to insecure, the strongest to vulnerable.

However, a certain someone made Hestia confused since he kissed her on public which was much more than a friendly gesture.

Ves made Hestia’s heart beat faster as time goes slower around them as he makes her feel that they’re the only people in the world and nothing else matter.

Hestia tried to brainwashed herself to not to think about what happened at the airport that day but every night in her dreams, it just keeps on repeating over and over again that sometimes she just wished to fast forward but most of the time she wanted to hit the pause button if there’s any.

Every time she wakes up, she has to face the endless battle and fight her feelings but the moment Ves shows up, she always ends up accepting his invitation, and that terrifies her.

Hestia knows Ves very well and he’s not good at expressing what he truly feels verbally so he shows it with his actions.

Words without actions are meaningless but actions without words are confusing since people doesn’t know what others are thinking.

Although, Hestia knows what Ves actions meant, she doesn’t know exactly what he was thinking when he kissed her.

It maybe just an urge to kiss since they’ll be separating from each other again after a long time they haven’t been spending time together or he really professed his love for her through that kiss.

Few days later, it’s finally Friday.

The rumor about Hestia’s secret marriage and having her own family already died down when other people who knows her sisters and brothers-in-law brought the issue into light.

“If Mrs. Seo, Mrs. Joo, and Mrs. Hyun aren’t married, they might go in pair with your three guards too.” Hestia whispered to Hearthof when she noticed that they’re even in numbers.

Anna and Ruby brought along their boyfriends, as well as Bok-Joo only that Joo-Hyuk insisted to tag along since he can’t be parted with his girlfriend too.

“So, you admit that we’re a pair too?” Hearthof said half-jokingly as he leans towards to Hestia.