PROMPTS

Guardians - 2

Jeong Hyeok shook off the strange feeling that came over him when he and Yoon Se-ri shook hands. Walking back to the private room, he opened the door and observed So-hye, Gwang-Beom and Se-ri chatting.

If he hadn't known better, he would not have believed that Se-ri's crescent shaped, smiling eyes would be capable of shooting pointed looks at him just a few minutes earlier.

"There you are, Oppa. We were just talking about how I scared you with one of my dolls when I was younger," So-hye said.

Jeong Hyeok moved in and sat beside his sister. "I was not scared."

"Yes, you were," So-hye refuted. To her audience she said, "He was. He had nightmares for days."

The sibling shared a look and in that moment, Se-ri knew that at the very least this man did care deeply for his sister.

Jeong Hyeok spoke. "Let me defend myself here. I would just like to inform our guests that you drew black circles under around the eyes of your doll and it looked like the one from the horror movie where the doll was possessed. And then, you crept into my room, made it hover over my face while I was sleeping and then you woke me up."

So-hye laughed. "And that's when he screamed."

Se-ri and Gwang-Beom laughed along with her. The image of this large, strong military man screaming because of the antics of a little girl cracked them up. Jeong Hyeok shyly smiled and touched the back of his ear recalling his sister's prank.

Oh, he has dimples, Se-ri noted. When Jeong Hyeok turned and caught her staring, Se-ri quickly looked away. They were soon done with the meal, which was thankfully a light affair after Se-ri and Jeong Hyeok's talk.

Gwang-Beom turned to Jeong Hyeok to ask, "May I have a quick stroll near the river with So-Hye?"

Jeong Hyeok turned to give his sister a questioning look. So-Hye nodded. "Alright. Let's meet back here in about 30 minutes?"

"One hour," Se-ri negotiated.

Jeong Hyeok cross his arms at her. "35 minutes."

"What a terrible compromise. Go 45," Se-ri challenged, copying his  stance.

"Fine. 45 minutes. Not a minute later," Jeong Hyeok said.

Se-ri smiled at him and turned to Gwang-Beom and So-Hye. "Have fun. Don't worry about being late. Just text us if you're running a little bit behind, okay?"

"HEY!" Jeong Hyeok protested.

"Go. I'll take care of him," Se-ri told the Gwang-Beom and So-Hye who quickly scrambled out.

"We agreed on 45 minutes," Jeong Hyeok reminded her.

Se-ri nodded. "Yes, but I don't want them to be worrying about that and getting into an accident just because they're rushing back. I'd rather have them safe."

"Fine," Jeong Hyeok agreed, seeing the rationale in her instruction. He did want his sister back safe. "I'll see you later."

"What? You're leaving? Where are you going to wait?" Se-ri asked.

"In the car," he answered.

"For forty five minutes?"

"Yes."

Se-ri sighed. "Just go with me. Chaperone me for a bit." Jeong Hyeok looked at her incredulously but she didn't allow him time to decline. She pulled him outside and led them to the stretch of makeup stores.