Page 35 of My Sweet Psycho

“There is no one here since we close for lunch.”

“Fine. I will be frank with you. How much do you want to get out of my son’s life?”

I stood there shell-shocked as he looked at me expectantly. It was creepy because he was an older version of Tae, but their personalities were worlds apart.

“I don't think you understand, Mr Jeon. We love each other,” I said, narrowing my eyes on him. “So I want nothing from you.”

“Love,” he scoffed. “He is my only son. I know your family is mediocre at best over here and in Korea.”

Tae had open eyes, and although he was more devious than me, I always thought it was because he had to be in business. I had to wonder how much of it he picked up from his Dad because he seemed to take delight in putting other people down, and this was the second time he had insulted my family.

“If that’s all you came to say, I suggest you leave, Mr Jeon. I will marry Tae next Saturday, and nothing you can say or do will stop me.”

“Listen here, you gold-digging whore. My son deserves someone with a similar background.”

I’d had enough. My parents had always taught me to respect my elders, but respect was earned.

“Respectfully, Mr Jeon, fuck off,” I said, almost cringing at cursing.

I didn't see it coming. He was so fast that he smacked me on my face, and I fell towards the chairs and hit my forehead on the corner of the wall.

I heard Warren shout to Salma to call the police as he rushed towards me and helped me sit up. Warren was checking my face and then my eyes, but I was trying to look for the psychotic fucker who hit me.

“He ran out of here. I’m going to move you to the chair to get you off the floor, okay? I don't want blood stains on my rug,” he said.

I smiled but then moaned when I touched my lip. There was blood on my fingertips.

“I must have cut my lip on my teeth,” I said in a daze.

“Uh, your forehead is bleeding too,” Warren said as he helped me up and sat me on the chair.

Salma came over with wide eyes, but she held a first aid kit in her hand.

“No, take some pictures. I want him prosecuted,” I said, trying to feel my forehead.

I had a feeling that Mr Jeon was used to getting away with hitting women. My mother was cheerful and healthy compared to Tae’s mum, who had barely said two words the night we met her.

The phone rang at reception, and I realised that mine was always on silent mode at work. I reached into my pocket and saw eighteen missed calls and a series of messages. The front door burst open, and Tae stood there looking around until Warren moved out of the way.

Tae’s eyes snapped onto me, and he practically snarled before rushing towards me. He crouched down, and his fingers gently touched my jaw and cheek. The adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins seemed to vanish, and a rush of emotion took over as I realised what his father had done.

Tae saw my face crumble, and he moved to sit next to me, but he picked me up and sat me on his lap as I held him and began to sob against his chest.

“I’m sorry, but I told him to fuck off,” I wailed and began to cry harder.

“Shh. I would have done the same,” Tae said softly as he rubbed my back.

“He offered me money to leave you and called me a gold-digging whore, though,” I said as I paused to wipe my nose on the back of my hand.

“He what?” Tae growled as his hand stopped moving against my back.

“It’s why I told him to fuck off, and then he slapped me or punched me. I don't know, it happened too fast,” I said before I started crying again because now my cheek and my head began to throb.

“It was a punch. I’m sorry I didn't get there fast enough, Nari.”

“It’s o-okay, Warren. You have a bad b-b-back,” I stuttered, trying to stop myself from crying.

This wasn't a good omen for the wedding.

---