[Wine Tasting]
-Winter Garden-
The melody of soft jazz music playing in the background, accompanied by the rain's faint sound outside the window as the two enjoyed their dinner.
It was on a Sunday night; Gyeoul had been requesting for a date night the whole week, but Jeongwon's bustling schedule wouldn't allow them to have the opportunity until that night.
Out of guilt to Gyeoul for frequently delaying their date, Jeongwon made a special reservation at the most well-known wine tasting restaurant in Seoul, which happens to be located not far from Yulje. As a very generous, humble, and frugal, Gyeoul didn't like the idea of him spending a somewhat large sum of money solely for a night out. Yet, Jeongwon insisted as it was a sort of apology for making her wait.
'Gyosunim, I had so much fun this morning...' Gyeoul started, full of enthusiasm. '...we went to the traditional market near your house to buy some food ingredients. And after that, we came over to your house, and Mama Rosa taught me how to make your favorite foods.'
Jeongwon put up a warm smile as he moved his hand to slice a portion of beef on the plate in front of him. 'Ah, is that so? Sounds fun! What did you make?'
Gyeoul covered her full mouth and hastily chewing the food, getting all excited to tell Jeongwon about her day. She briskly grabbed her drink and swallowed her food before wiping her mouth clean.
'Yes! We tried three kinds of food. Mama Rosa said you were a big eater in your younger years. Though I think you're still a glutton now, gyosunim...' she let out a faint giggle. 'But uhh, we started with a simple one.'
'Arasseo, I know I eat a lot, okay? Please don't attack me like that.' Jeongwon leaned his head back, holding back his sniggering as he was munching the food in his mouth. 'And then? What did you make?'
'Weonjo kimbap!'
Jeongwon's eyes widened. He dropped his utensils and clapped his hands strenuously. 'Waah! Jjinja? Eomma taught you how to make that?' he asked to make fun of her.
Gyeoul scoffed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. 'Ouh, it was pretty easy. I think I can call myself an expert now.' She proudly, while showing scorn of inferior.
Jeongwon nodded in approval. Giving her the recognition she indirectly asked for.
'Tell me more. What did you do next?' Jeongwon's cheeks puffed as he listened.
'Ne, gyosunim. After done with the cooking and had lunch together, Mama Rosa said she wanted to-'
An unwanted interruption appeared once Jeongwon's phone rang out loud. He shifted his eyes immediately to Gyeoul, checking on her reaction. She put up a calm but disappointed face for it intervene in the conversation she had with Jeongwon a moment ago. Nonetheless, Gyeoul nodded her head and smiled.
'It's alright, gyosunim. Please answer the call.'
Jeongwon got up with her permission and brought his phone with him, heading to the bar, still in a distance where he was visible to Gyeoul.
She continued to finish her food, though slightly missing the appetite. Gyeoul took a while to observe her surroundings; the place wasn't crowded, undoubtedly one of the reasons is because it's an elite eatery. There were other couples as well, not far from their table. She envied them, for they were holding hands and acting all sweet towards their partners. It's not because Jeongwon never gives her any of that; what she craved for are the attention and time.
Even when on a date, duty calls. It is not seldom, on a special occasion, Jeongwon had to leave for the hospital.
In a short while, Jeongwon returned to his seat. He looked up to Gyeoul, afraid she might've gotten angry at him. 'I'm sorry.'
'Aniyo, it's fine gyosunim.'
Realizing how the food on Gyeoul's plate was almost empty, he forged his eating pace and quickly finishing up. 'Oh, Gyeoul-ah, you were saying uh.. after lunch with eomma?'
'Ah, yes, gyosunim! Mama Rosa said she wanted to get a vase for the flowers she received from her friends, and so, we went to-'
The frightening sound of the ambulance siren wailing shocked them and possibly everyone else in the room.
He looked up to her again, but before he could say a word out, Gyeoul nodded her head. ' It's an emergency, gyosunim. They need you. It's fine.'
He left the seat again and went to the same spot he was before. Gyeoul tried to distract herself with various things, starting from finishing her drink, wiping the table, looking at the menu back to back. All sorts of things.
'Our special drink for the night.' the waiter came in and poured her a half glass of wine, the first one that night. 'Please. It's on the house.'
Gyeoul smiled brightly at him. 'Kamsahamnida.'
The waiter politely bowed. 'And I must say, that man right there is beyond lucky to have a special woman like you.'
Gyeoul blushed at the compliment, giving the man another smile.
'Enjoy.' He gave his final remarks.
It took Jeongwon a title longer this time. She felt lonely and sad. It was supposed to be a memorable and wonderful night for the two of them, but things don't always go the way we wanted them to be.
She took the phone out of her purse and getting herself lost in it. Gyeoul's eyes focused on the screen, and her thumb actively tapped on it. A couple of times, she'd smile at the content the phone offered. She got so immersed in it that she didn't realize Jeongwon made his way back to the seat across her.
'I'm sorry I ruined it.' He exclaimed.
Gyeoul didn't respond, still focused on her phone.
'If you don't mind, Gyeoul-ah... I'd very much like it to hear everything that happened today.' Jeongwon made another attempt. 'Please tell me all about it.'
He waited for her, staring at her lovingly despite the cold behavior she gave in return. Jeongwon turned his phone off and tossed it in his bag before going back to please his eyes with the most beautiful scenery in front of him.
'Beautiful.' he said to himself. 'How did I get so lucky?'
Gyeoul heard him. Crystal clear. But still didn't flinch. Jeongwon tilted his head left to right, admiring her. It was adorable and distracting at the same time.
'Gyosunim....' she blushed. 'Stop it. You're not allowed to do that.'
'Do what to be precise?' Jeongwon teased.
'Staring.'
He chuckled. 'Since when did it become forbidden to stare?'
'Ten seconds ago.' She said in a low tone, barely heard. Gyeoul still has the phone covering her face.
'I wouldn't have done it if you don't cover your pretty face with that phone.'
Gyeoul frowned at his comment. It was his fault that he left her all alone doing nothing.
'Please.' He begged. 'Look at me, Gyeoul-ah.'
'I'm sorry.' Jeongwon added. Spontaneously he pulled his chair over to sit next to Gyeoul. Out of shock, she placed down her phone and looked at him.
'Gyosunim!'
Jeongwon leaned in for a kiss.
She blinked a couple of times, couldn't process what just happened.
He did the same thing again; only this time, he pressed his lips more onto hers.
'Sunstruck red wine.' He said. 'It's sweet.'
'Gyeoul-ah.' Jeongwon called as he stroked her hair and held her hand, squeezing it gently. 'I'm sorry I made you upset. I'm sorry that this didn't go as smooth as we wanted it to be. I'm sorry because I couldn't seem to find the time to go out with you.'
'Gyosunim...' she caressed his cheekbone. Paying close attention to him. 'I understand. I was just selfish these days. I know you're busy, but I still asked you to-'
He shushed her out with another kiss.
'I love you, Jang Gyeoul.'
As red as wine, she ducked her head to hide her face.
'Gyeoul-ah, what do you say if we get another bottle and finish it at home because I have to drive us home. But since we have the rest of the night, I think we can kill time over a wine talk. Would you like that?'
Gyeoul raised her eyebrows and smirked.
'Very much.'