Ch 16: Head to Toe So Player
2264 Words
Player, not the person engaged in sports or leisure game, but someone who plays with the feelings of other people.
Usually a good-looking person who knows how to get people’s attention by talking smoothly and acting coquettishly.
‘Head to toe so player.’ Hestia thought as she met the guy that her mother arranged for the fourth matchmaking date.
“You’re more beautiful in person than the photo.” Joo-Hyuk Nam complimented Hestia with a charming smile on his handsome face that could drive a few groups of ladies crazy.
“Oh, really. Thank you then.” Hestia replied out of courtesy.
Joo-Hyuk stares at Hestia like a predator to its prey while he pulled the chair for her in a gentleman manner.
“Thank you.” Hestia bowed her head slightly as she takes her seat.
“I heard this isn’t your first matchmaking dat. Do you mind if I ask you what exactly you’re looking for a partner?” Joo-Hyuk didn’t beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
“Courtesy is the most important factor I’m looking for a guy.”
“Uh-huh, I always treat everyone with consideration.” Joo-Hyuk nodded as he keeps his eyes on Hestia sitting across him. “What else? Since you’ve said it’s the most then there must be other factors that I should be aware of.”
“A guy who can understand from the opposite point of view.”
“That’s also the same with being considerate but I know what you mean, you want someone who can see different perspective in a given situation in order not to misunderstand the other party and avoid unnecessary argument as possible.” Joo-Hyuk elaborated.
Hestia didn’t expect Joo-Hyuk to be someone who thinks out of the box with her simple statement. “Mmm.” she nodded in agreement as she thinks that Joo-Hyuk isn’t that bad at all.
“I think I got the first two factors what about the third one?”
“Someone who I can always interact with a smile. Seeing a guy like him will probably make me feel better as well.” Hestia explained more this time since she recognizes Joo-Hyuk’s personality.
“Do you agree with me that I’m not a boring person and I could probably make you feel better every time we’re together?”
“Huh?” ‘The nerve of this man!’ Hestia thought before she let out a laugh. “Haha, well yes and no.”
“What do you mean yes and no? You’re making me confuse here, Ms. Nevaeh.” Joo-Hyuk smiling playfully at Hestia as he leaned back on the backrest of his chair and tapped the table lightly with his fingers.
Hestia can see that Joo-Hyuk is a proud man and with his ego he can’t take any rejection so she has to go easy on him for now. “Yes, you’re not a boring person and No … I’m too busy with my career so I don’t think I’ll have another free time after this.”
“It’s alright I can adjust with your schedule.” Joo-Hyuk shrugged.
‘I thought you’re smart can’t you see read between the lines?!’ Hestia thought. “Are you too idle Mr. Nam?” she asked with a hint of annoyance and frustration in her tone.
“I’m an international model with a tight working schedule but I can make time for myself and make sure that I won’t be a loner in the future.” Joo-Hyuk answered in all honesty.
‘That’s why he looks like someone who came out straight from the magazine, he’s a model, and an international model he said.’
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I thought you were just an heir to the Nam family who’s just waiting for his father to passed on the business while spending time with your friends doing nothing in particular but have fun in living a comfortable life.” Hestia ranted.
“Oh, that must be your previous dates that’s why you have the same impression on me.” Joo-Hyuk rubbed his forehead. “Though you’re almost right except for the fact that I’m just messing around with my friends. I’m actually serious with my career as a fashion model and I’m thinking of establishing my own company once I’ve saved up enough money for my working capital.”
“That’s impressive!” Hestia sincerely praised Joo-Hyuk. “You want to create your own company with your hard-earned money.”
“Uh-huh. My father doesn’t like me being a model, he prefers me to work on his company. But while I’m this young I don’t want a job behind the desk and working with a repetitive job from morning until evening. That’s actually boring for me, no offense.”
“Some taken, though I understand your preference.” Hestia replied. “Why don’t we order our meal now?”
“Oh, we’re actually waiting for the set of meal to arrive. I already ordered based from what Mrs. Nevaeh told me you like to eat.”
“How much does my mother told you about me?” Hestia voiced out what supposed to be kept on her mind.
“Pretty much everything about you. I think Mrs. Nevaeh likes me.”
‘Then why don’t you date my mother. Oh no wait, Papa will kill you if you dare to take interest with Mama as a man!’
“I see.” Hestia smiled faintly.
“I’m even informed that you had brunch before you left your residence earlier as you woke up late because of working overnight. Is being a psychologist requires too much hard work or you’re just a workaholic yourself?” Joo-Hyuk asked with concern.
“I’m not a psychologist but a psychometrician. I’ve corrected Mama too many times before about my job title but she thinks it’s just the same but in fact they’re different.” Hestia responded.
“I never heard of that profession before. I only know psychologists who does therapy session with patients having a hard time living. I personally went to see one before because of my stress at work.” Joo-Hyuk said as he noticed the waiter coming in to serve his ordered food. “Oh, our food is finally here!”
“Sorry for the wait Mr. Nam.” the waitress apologized as he put the orders on the table one by one from the food cart.
“It’s fine Baek-Ha-ssi. We are not in a hurry.” Joo-Hyuk smiled at the waitress who suddenly blushed on his charm.
Hestia looked at the waitress name tag and the name written on it is an English name ‘Rebecca’ and not the Korean name that Joo-Hyuk called the waitress. ‘They probably know each other.’
“Orders complete, Mr. Nam.” Baek-Ha bowed her head slightly to Joo-Hyuk before turning to Hestia. “Ma’am. Anything else?”
“Nothing.” Hestia averted her gaze from the waitress and focus on the meal in front of her instead. ‘It’s none of my business.’
“You may go back now.” Joo-Hyuk dismissed Baek-Ha after noticing Hestia’s change of mood.
“Then call me if there’s anything else. Enjoy your meal Mr. Nam and Ma’am.” Baek-Ha exited the private room while pushing the food cart out and looked back at Joo-Hyuk and Hestia one last time before she closed the door.
“She was my classmate in high school.” Joo-Hyuk stated. “She married after graduation to our math teacher and instead of pursuing college she chose to be a housewife.”
“I see.” Hestia nodded. “Why is she working in the restaurant now?” she asked for the sake of making their conversation flow.
“Our teacher died last year, leaving her with three children. She’s not just working for her children but also in-laws as our teacher was their only source of income. Now that he’s gone the burden of being the breadwinner to the family passed to her.” Joo-Hyuk explained with a sad expression on his face.
“That’s unfortunate. Life isn’t really fair to other people.” Hestia sighed helplessly. “So, we must live well and diligently.”
“Touché.” Joo-Hyuk pushed his plate with sliced steak in front of Hestia. “Let’s exchange.”
“You don’t have to …” Hestia met Joo-Hyuk’s expectant eyes that she can’t refuse so she just agreed with him. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” Joo-Hyuk took Hestia’s plate and sliced again the meat into bite-sized. “Anyway, we were talking about your profession before, care to elaborate it for me?”
“Oh sure.” Hestia talked about her chosen career to Joo-Hyuk.
Her previous dates were only concerned about her family background and not about her own stuff.
Although Hestia is comfortable with Joo-Hyuk’s personality, she still doesn’t trust him completely.
Her brothers told her not to trust a guy who seems to be perfect there’s a high possibility that she’ll get hurt in the end.
After having lunch at the restaurant, Joo-Hyuk brought Hestia to watch a musical concert as he knows that she loves music.
“Should we grab dinner first before we go to our separate home?”
“Oh, I actually promised that I’ll be having dinner with my parents tonight so I have to get home before 6pm.” Hestia lied her parents must be having their sweet time together and obviously her presence is unwanted.
“I see. Then let’s have lunch together again maybe Saturday or Sunday next week? Whichever suits you.” Joo-Hyuk staring straight at Hestia’s face with expectation.
“I …” Hestia is about to refuse when suddenly an arm drapes on her shoulders.
“We have an appointment next weekend and she’s not available on the remaining weekends because of her field work. Next month, she’ll be busy with her family matters aside from her job of course. As for next year …” Hearthof looked at Hestia in his arm before turning his gaze again to Joo-Hyuk. “She’s still busy.”
“Who?” Joo-Hyuk looking at Hearthof and Hestia in puzzlement.
“Ah right, where are my manners?” Hearthof snapped his finger and Benny came to his side.
Benny took out a business card and handed it over to Joo-Hyuk.
“Hearthof Goddesseth … you’re the president of the Goddesseth Hotel??” Joo-Hyuk looked at Hearthof incredulously then to Benny who’s more fitting to be the president of a company.
“Amadeus Goddesseth is my stepfather.” Hearthof is already used to people doubting who he is, since he’s a Korean managing the well-known grand hotels in America.
“Ms. Nevaeh …” Joo-Hyuk seeking support from Hestia.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Nam. I really appreciate your effort and I had fun with your company but Hearthof is right. I’m quite busy and I don’t think I have time to meet you anymore.” Hestia bowed her head slightly as she apologizes for rejecting him.
“No worries. If we’re really meant to be then we’ll meet no matter what. I’ll leave first then.” Joo-Hyuk turned his lonely back against Hestia and walked away dejectedly.
Hestia watched Joo-Hyuk leave and sighed, “He’s actually the best date I ever had so far.”
“You were about to reject him anyway so you don’t have to be sound like you’re regretting that you pushed him away.” Hearthof rolled his eyes inwardly as he held back his anger. ‘How dare this woman go on a date while I’m away?!’ Hearthof thought.
“I’m just saying.” Hestia removed Hearthof arm on her shoulders and keep a distance from him. “How come you’re here?”
“I saw you by chance so I stopped by to say hi.” Hearthof replied.
“Well you didn’t just say hi but also drove my date away. You want to grab dinner with me?” Hestia put down her defenses since it’s Hearthof, she can be by her true self and not the usual timid girl.
“Sure.” Hearthof agreed immediately. “Anyway, did you miss me?”
“Huh? Why would I miss you??” Hestia walked along towards her car that is parked on the roadside.
“I was in New York City for five days and I just got back here in Seoul now.” Hearthof felt aggrieved.
“Oh, I didn’t notice. I’m actually busy with office work this week to keep my mind off from my missing necklace.” Hestia opened her car door. “Do you want to take a ride with me?”
“Give me a minute.” Hearthof talked to Benny and gave him instructions, he’s supposed to meet a client this evening but he chose to be with Hestia instead.
“I understand, president. I’ll go now.” Benny bowed his head slightly to Hestia when he met her gaze, and turned around to leave with Hearthof’s car.
“You send Benny away? You should’ve just told him to follow us.”
“Nah, he got something else to do.” Hearthof gets in at the passenger seat. “You have to take me home later.”
“No problem. You helped me get rid of my date anyway. Let’s have Japanese cuisine tonight. I suddenly crave for seafood, tempura to be exact and a pudding for dessert.” Hestia started the engine.
- Writer
