Matching Set (필연) Chapter 15 (열다섯)

“I thought you said you don’t play video games?” Valerie asked as she sat on the arm of the couch beside 종현 watching as he played against one of the young boys.

“I don’t anymore.” He didn’t take his eyes off the screen making sure he was still crouched behind the wall ready to ambush the other team.

It had only taken him a round or two to get himself reacquainted with the games but once he did, he was ready to win. The kids all sat around their eyes glued to the screen to see who would win the battle. And that’s when he saw the last opposing team member fall right into his trap.

      “Fire!” He shouted as his character stood from his crouched positions and laid waste to his opponent in front of him. The screen lit up with the word ‘VICTOR’ and the room erupted into the children cheering, hooting, and hollering while the young boy who lost shook his head in shock and defeat.

And when 종현 turned to his side he saw Valerie jumping up and down as well, her one hand holding her dress up on her chest while bouncing up and down with the girls around her who were gently tugging on the tule skirt with excitement.

He didn’t think twice about putting his arm around Valerie’s waist to pull her to him, her chest flush against his and press his lips to hers. Her small jumps stopped immediately, and her free arm wrapped around his neck tugging him closer to her, causing him to stumble a step, but he caught himself as he continued to kiss Valerie as if his life depended on it.

And she was kissing him back with such a fury he felt like he couldn’t catch his breath. Her arm around his neck moved so that her hand could run up into his hair and his grip on her waist tightened. He wanted her. Desperately. Every single part of her.

“아들!” A loud yell came from behind him and him and Valerie jumped apart.

And there at the door stood his mother, her eyes wider than he had ever seen, her mouth parted slightly and her cheeks going bright red. He had never seen such an expression, come to think of it, he had never seen any kind of expression on her face. He saw from the corner of his eye Valerie bowing a multitude of times to his mother.

“어머니, Valerie Parker를 소개할게요.” He reached out to Valerie, grabbing her hand and weaving his fingers between hers, “내 여자친구. But you already know all of that.”

“안녕하세요. It’s nice to see you again Mrs. Park.” Valerie bowed a final time.

His mother dipped her head coldly, her eyes had finally returned to their normal scowl as she her hands made a small clap before weaving into themselves.

“You need to get back to the event 종현.” She reprimanded. “Your speech was supposed to start fifteen minutes ago but no one could find you.”

He didn’t like the way his mother’s eyes roamed Valerie as she spoke. He tugged Valerie’s hand to pull her closer to him.

“You have to go now huh?” the young girl whose name he found out was Lindsay sad with a pout her eyes dimming with sadness.

He glanced at his mother who was watching with a raised brow at his interaction with the child. He let go of Valerie’s hand, to pull at his suit pants in order to crouch down to Lindsay’s level. It also helped him adjust the slightly obvious enjoyment he had stretching the crotch of his pants.  

“Yes, I need to take your 공주 back for a little bit.” He grabbed Lindsay’s hand. It was so small, so frail. It broke his heart to see all those kids, stuck in the hospital. “But I’m sure I can convince her to come back with me another day. How does that sound?”

Lindsay’s eyes lit right back up with hope as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He brought her tiny frame to him with a small squeeze before letting go and standing to face Valerie whose eyes were reddening with tears rimming her bottom lids.

He grabbed her hand and they walked towards his mother to leave the room.

“When you get married, we better be invited to the wedding!” Lindsay shouted making all the children laugh and caused him a good chuckle as well. But when he saw his mother’s top lip with disgust he knew they needed to get out of that room before she said something, most likely reprehensible in front of the kids.

When they were in the hall his mother’s dagger eyes were shooting between him and Valerie.

“어머니, 죄송합니다. My behavior in there—” He tried to explain.

“We will discuss that later.” She tossed up a hand as she cut him off. “Right now, we need you back in that ballroom and giving your speech. And as for you,” She pointed to Valerie who 종현 pulled so tightly to his side it was like they were conjoined at the hip ready to defend her from any evil his mother spilled out of her mouth. “Your shoes are still in the lobby. We wouldn’t want anyone stealing $2,500 shoes now, would we?”

“I- I – I’m sorry they’re how much?” Valerie stuttered.