Vows and Bullets
Chapter 89: Chung Seo-Hyuk (Part 3)

Chapter 89: Chung Seo-Hyuk (Part 3)

***

[Still at Yoon-Ah POV]

"Yes, it’s me," his face was furrowed in worry. "Can you stand?"

"Y-Yes," I answered him while trying to look around.

I saw a Mythos agent from the shadow of the trees, probably about to rescue me if it wasn’t for Mr. Seo-Hyuk arriving a little earlier than them.

"Ah!" I suddenly yelped.

I tried to stand, but my knees were still feeble. Mr. Seo-Hyuk caught me in his arms and helped me stand up.

"I’m s-sorry for the trouble," I said as I tried to control my trembling body.

"There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. Come, sit here for now."

He then helped lift my body carefully and seated me on a bench.

"I was on my way back home from getting some groceries, and then I passed by here and saw you with those men. You didn’t look like you knew them, so I stepped in. I’m a little knowledgeable in martial arts, and thankfully, that helped," he explained as he patted my head and handed me bottled water to drink.

I see. How nice of him to help.

I took the water and opened it, but my fingers kept slipping on the cap, so he opened it for me.

"I know you’re still not okay, but I think we should get out of here first. I live nearby—just on the next turn," he said, pointing at the tall apartment nearby.

I was familiar with that place, and my mother was friends with the landlady. It had security cameras all around, so it should be safe, right?

Nodding my head, I tried to get up. He helped me again until I sat on the scooter. I handed him the keys, and he drove it up to his place. Then we went in, and he locked the garage.

The next thing I knew, we were in his apartment, and he took the medicine kit to help me clean my wound. It was only then that I noticed my knees were red with scratches since I felt a stinging pain when the medicine touched my wound. I probably got it when I knelt on the ground.

"Here, have some tea," he said, handing me a warm and pretty cup of tea. "It has a calming effect, so it should help you a little."

I just nodded again and sipped the tea. Thankfully, it did help calm me down. I was able to catch my breath, and my trembling body returned to normal.

"Mr. Seo-Hyuk, thank you for saving me. And I’m so sorry for troubling you like this."

"It’s nothing. What happened was dangerous! I didn’t think such people lived in this area. And to think I just moved in," he complained, looking pretty spooked about everything. "Anyway, you were in trouble, and I had the means to help, so of course, I would help."

Wow. That was really nice of him. And to think I thought badly of him... I’m so stupid! I’m really sorry, Mr. Nice Guy!

"I hope I’m not bothering you."

"Don’t worry, you’re not. I’m just about to make dinner, actually. It would be nice to eat with someone."

"Hm? Do you live alone? Where’s your brother?"

"He’s at my father’s house. Just a little family hiccup, nothing that serious."

He shrugged it off, but it seemed to weigh heavy on him.

’That’s probably why he looked so sad yesterday! Oh my goodness. I’ve got it all wrong! This is what happens when I read too many novels and manhwas. I overthink and imagine everything like those dramas! Haaah... I feel so bad.’

"You know what? As a thank you for saving me, why don’t you eat dinner with us from now on? My mom and dad wouldn’t mind! Plus, my house is a coffee shop, so people won’t talk, and if you have a girlfriend, she won’t get the wrong idea."

"Ha-ha-ha! You already have it planned out, huh?"

Mr. Seo-Hyuk laughed as he prepared the ingredients for dinner. He held the knife skilfully and chopped the vegetables finely. Wow. He looked really skilled in cooking.

"That’s if it’s alright with you, of course! I just wanted to thank you for today."

"Hmm... would that be fine? I don’t have a girlfriend, so... won’t your parents think I’m courting you?"

"Huh? Courting?" I asked, dumbfounded by the question. "Why would they think that? I always invite my friend to eat with us at home whenever we have the chance. My parents were okay with it. There’s nothing wrong with that."

His eyes widened for a moment, looking surprised by what I said.

"Your friend is... a girl, I presume?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"Ha-ha. That’s probably why it was okay for them."

"What? I don’t get it."

"It’s alright. No need to think too hard about it. Thank you for the offer, though."

"Eh? Then at least let me treat you to free coffee! I mean, strawberry frappé, or whatever you want! For a whole month! Or two? Or three?"

I thought hard about how to thank him, but I couldn’t think of anything beneficial I could give.

"Having dinner with me tonight is fine. Don’t stress yourself. I didn’t help you to get anything in return."

"Aww... you’re so kind. Thank you so much!" I said as I bowed so low, thanking him with all my heart. "Let me help you cook, please!"

"Can you cook?" he asked in a teasing way as if doubting my abilities.

Well, he really should doubt my cooking abilities. I apparently didn’t inherit my mother’s cooking skills, thus, why I’m always tasked with the counter when they need help, and NEVER in the kitchen.

"Okay. Fair enough. I’ll make the drinks then. Or maybe help you wash the vegetables or the dishes."

He laughed at me again.

’What’s so funny about lacking the skills to cook? Isn’t that normal? People who know how to cook are the abnormal ones, not me.’

And so, I helped him cook—I mean, prepare the meal. Then, we ate dinner together. I completely forgot to tell my mother about everything that happened, so while we were eating happily, I got a call from her, followed by a million words of nagging.

"Aishhh, seriously, mom! I got really scared, you know! Good thing Mr. Customer here saw me and helped! But please, stop nagging me. I’ll be back there in a few."

Scratching the back of my neck, I apologized to Mr. Seo-Hyuk again.

"Sorry about that. My family is a little rowdy."

"No worries. I understand. You all look fun to be with, actually."

"You’re so kind. How I wish all people were like you."

"Thank you for the compliment," he smiled. "If you’re done, I can take you home—just to make sure you’re safe. We don’t want them getting the chance to strike again, right?"

"Eh? But how about you?"

"I’m a man, and I’m quite good at fighting."

"But still..."

"It’s alright. I’ll be fine. You’ll still see me tomorrow buying another tea or frappé in a coffee shop."

"Ha-ha-ha! Alright. Thank you so much again."

With that, he accompanied me back home until I was in the arms of my crying mother and father. They already had it reported to the police, and those thugs were arrested for their misconduct earlier. Luckily, the CCTV in the park recorded everything. Haah... I sure wouldn’t want to experience something like that again!

Honestly, I’m so lucky Mr. Seo-Hyuk was passing by when it happened. What if he wasn’t, and the agent from Mythos came too late? Ugh. I can’t begin to imagine what could have happened.

From that day on, I was blessed with yet another friend—the very kind and ever helpful Mr. Customer slash, Mr. Nice Guy slash, the handsome Mr. Seo-Hyuk. On his way home, he even went back to me just to give me something.

"I almost forgot," he said. "Take these."

He then handed me a box full of chamomile tea.

"It’s the tea you drank earlier," he added, smiling kindly at me. "Just in case you... have trouble sleeping tonight. It should help calm your mind."

"Have troubles sleeping?" I mumbled to myself.

It took me a moment to realize what he meant, and when I did, I yelped again.

"Oh! Right! Oh my goodness, thank you so much! You’re such a nice person. Bless you forever, Mr. Seo-Hyuk! I hope you have only good days in your life!"

I bowed to him in thanks over and over but he just laughed at me and asked me to stop. And then, he finally went home. Woah, what an angel. How I wish all men were like him.

On the other hand, I didn’t get to do any drawing that night. My poor drafts... when would I be able to finish you? Oh well, at least I got great inspiration from what happened today! Wasn’t that very dramatic just like what happens in the movies? I just hope I won’t experience the same thing ever again.