When Min Ho woke up, he was lying on the couch with a blanket over him. Sunlight was strongly seeping from the windows that he had to cover his eyes. He knew he wasn’t home, and for a moment, he wondered where he was. He turned to his side and saw the coffee table – a reminder of what had happened last night. When it hit him, he smiled and curled up. The smell of eggs and coffee wafted through the room, and he knew that Shin Hye was cooking breakfast for him.
Best. Morning. Ever.
He sat up and stretched. He didn’t even bother looking at the time, he knew he didn’t want to go just yet. He walked over to the kitchen where it looked like Shin Hye was busy cutting some fruit. She was dressed in just a shirt, shorts, and an apron. Since she had her back to him, she didn’t notice him at all. Min Ho walked up to her quietly and put his arms around her waist.
‘Omo, kamchagiya!’ Shin Hye jumped in surprise. When she looked to her side, Min Ho gave her a kiss on the cheek.
‘Good morning,’ he whispered, unable to let go.
Shin Hye laughed. ‘Oppa, I have a knife in my hand. I could have cut you,’ she said.
‘Then you’d have to take responsibility for me,’ he replied.
Shin Hye turned around and was now facing him. ‘Oppa, I have to finish cutting. And I can’t do that if you keep doing this,’ she pointed to his arms that still were tightly secured around her. ‘Sit down for a while, okay?’
Min Ho pouted and let go. Before he could turn around, Shin Hye tip-toed and gave him a light peck on the lips. ‘Oh, good morning!’
He smiled and made his way to the table, noticing that there were plenty of food ready.
‘Wow,’ he started to say. ‘So this is how it feels to have a wife,’ he picked up his chopsticks and ate a sausage. ‘No wonder men get married.’
Shin Hye turned around and glared at him, ‘Men don’t just get married to get free breakfast.’
Min Ho’s eyes sparkled with mischief, ‘I know. There are other perks, too.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘This coming from a man who actually slept when I told him to sleep.’
‘Ya, I told you I was tired! This is Jung Il Woo’s fault for waking me up yesterday,’ Min Ho replied defensively. Then he narrowed his eyes, ‘Why? Did you want to do something else last night? We can still do it now if you want.’
Shin Hye was quiet for a few seconds, as if trying to think about it. ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ Shin Hye said eagerly, removing her apron.
Min Ho looked up at her as he tried to process the situation. He tried to speak but no sound came out.
‘Let’s watch another movie,’ Shin Hye continued. ‘I really wanted to watch Miracle in Cell No. 7 with you last night. To see if you’re a crier.’
Min Ho exhaled and chuckled awkwardly. ‘You’re funny.’
‘Why? Did you want to do something else?’ She tilted her head and grinned.
‘Just sit down and eat,’ he replied, sulking. She’s good at this.
Shin Hye grabbed the plate of fruits and put it on the table. ‘Sorry this was all I could prepare. I didn’t really buy a lot of things at the supermarket yesterday.’
Min Ho smiled. ‘Are you kidding, this is more than enough. Thank you,’ he said warmly as he took another bite.
Shin Hye was already eating when her phone rang. She checked the screen and pursed her lips before stealing a glance at Min Ho. He caught her and squinted his eyes. She smiled and continued eating.
‘You have a call, you should probably answer it,’ Min Ho innocently pointed at her phone.
‘Eh? Ah, yeah.’ She cleared her throat before answering. ‘Yobuseyo?’ She stole a glance at Min Ho again.
Min Ho knew something was up and watched her carefully, his chin leaning on his hand.
‘Oh, Merry Christmas.’ ‘Omma? She went on a trip with Appa. I’ll tell her you called.’ ‘Ah, really? Tell her Merry Christmas from me.’ ‘Just at home.’ The caller must have suggested something crazy because she suddenly looked alarmed. ‘Anya, anya! You don’t have to! I swear.’ –laughed awkwardly and stole another glance-- ‘Yeah, I’ve been really busy but I saw a re-run yesterday. I’ll check it out when I’m free.’ She turned to the side slightly and lowered her voice. ‘Yeah, you looked good, oppa. Bye,’ she quickly hung up and casually placed her phone on the table. She started eating again.
When she looked at Min Ho, he was staring at her, smiling ominously.
‘Who was that?’
‘Hmm. A friend,’ she replied nonchalantly.
His smile faded. ‘A friend with a show.’
She nodded.
‘Is he famous?’
Shin Hye stopped herself from laughing. ‘Uhh. You could say that.’
‘Is he good looking?’
She smiled at him sweetly. ‘Not as good looking as you.’
‘Why did he call you so early in the morning?’
Shin Hye looked at the wall clock. ‘It’s already 9:30 A.M. oppa, it’s not really that early anymore.’
Min Ho closed his eyes and sighed. ‘He knows your Mom, and you know his?’
‘Are we playing a game?’
‘It’s Jang Geun Suk, isn’t it?’ Min Ho pointed at her with his chopsticks.
Shin Hye shifted in her seat uneasily. ‘He just called to say Merry Christmas.’
‘YA! Why did you answer it?’
‘You told me to!’
‘AISH,’ Min Ho pierced a sausage with a chopstick before putting it in his mouth and chewing forcefully. Shin Hye looked amused as she tried to brush it off by continuing to eat.