Love To Hate Me

.....

After a few moments, they had all finally finished their meal, and Mother Song offered to show Soo Min and Father Park a tour of the mansion.

Of course, Ryan reluctantly had to tag along.

The Song Mansion was listed in the top ten luxurious properties, and Soo Min could now see why. The interior space was decorated rather elegantly and overall quite spacious.

The theme throughout the property was mainly a modern theme of white and grey. It consisted of over fifty rooms, a balcony deck, a spa, three swimming pools, an elevator building, and other amenities.

Father Park and Mother Song walked enthusiastically, while Soo Min and Ryan trailed behind them, occasionally glaring at one another.

Mother Song then led them to the backyard, which was no less than a professional golf court. In short, it was massive!

When they entered the garden, Soo Min's face lit up seeing the whole variety of fruit trees planted and the gorgeous colorful bed of roses.

Ryan nonchalantly put his hands in his pocket wondering when this tour would be done.

"Mrs. Song, is it okay if I stay here for a little while? I really liked this place." Soo Min requested. She had never seen such a beautiful backyard and could tell how much effort the gardeners must have put into this place.

"Of course dear! Take as much time as you want. In fact, Ryan will accompany you!"

Ryan's eyebrows flinched and he protested, "What?! But Mother I—"

Mother Song shot a meaningful glare at her son, before heading inside with Father Park. "We will wait for you two inside, so take you time, alright?"

There was an awkward silence between the two of them. Initially, it was fine since their parents were around, but now especially after that kiss from the other day...

Ryan looked up at the clear skies and heaved a long sigh, before turning to look at Soo Min, who was busy admiring the beauty of a very big, full bloomed bright yellow rose near her.

Clearing his throat, Ryan said, "If you are done, can we go back inside, now?"

"You can go if you want, I'm going to stay here for a while." Soo Min said before walking over to the center area, where there was a hedge maze.

With gritted teeth, Ryan replied, "But I can't go inside by myself!"

Soo Min stopped right before the maze entrance, curious to find out what she might find right in the middle of it.

"Then do what you please." She nonchalantly said and walked into the dark green hedge maze.

"I just know I'm going to regret this! But—Hold on a second." Ryan frowned and unwillingly followed her inside the maze.

.....

After a lot of critical thinking and a few wrong turns, the two of them finally made it to the center of the maze.

Soo Min stopped and looked at the breathtaking view in front of her. It was a gorgeous white statue of a mother and her child, but what really made it so stunning was the fireflies that surround it.

There was a moment of peaceful silence.

Soo Min stared blankly at the mother and child statue as her mind wandered into the past, and soon a tear fell from her left eye.

Ryan raised his eyebrows when he noticed the sudden change in her expression, and trailed his eyes to where she was looking.

'It's just a statue isn't? Why is she staring at it like that?' Ryan mused.

He was not sure what to say and contemplated for a while whether he should even say something or not, before he finally spoke, "It's getting late, shall we go inside?"

Soo Min quickly wiped her tears away and straightened herself before turning around and said, "Yeah. Let's go!"

But as just as she was about to take a step forward, Ryan grabbed her wrist and Soo Min looked up at him, with furrowed eyebrows, saying "What?"

"The mansion's that way!" Ryan pointed out and Soo Min's turned pink in embarrassment before she quickly turned around and walked back.

.....

Back at the Mansion.

The two families sat in deep silence in the living room. Soo Min and Ryan were clueless of what was going to be in store for them.

Placing her empty teacup on to the glass table, Mother Song said, "Now then, shall we talk about the alliance?"

Soo Min and Ryan choked on their tea and coughed vigorously.

"What?!" Soo Min and Ryan yelled in chorus as they stood up abruptly. Hearing the word 'alliance.'