Femme Fatale

Chapter 10: House Visit

It was 5th of March when I first saw her, my ideal type of girl, she with a cute aura and short hair, but the thing is … she’s my student. At first, I thought she hated me because when I tried to approached her, she brushed me off coldly. She talks with other professor but not me, though I’m teaching one of their major subjects. I’ve been thinking if my subject is too easy for her that she never looks interested on our lessons, or she’s just sleepy because we’re discussing theories first thing in the morning, or she really don’t like me as a person.

Until 7th of May, Nene L. Puth, finally talked to me and even asked for my assistance as her professor. I know that I shouldn’t see her as a woman but I was too happy that she noticed me, but of course there’s Poseidon O. Nevaeh to remind me that I’m Nene’s professor. Though Nene is already on her legal age, as long as we have this kind of student-professor relationship, I can’t make a move on her. I’m only 6 years and 2 months older than her, not much for age gap, but I must not cross the line, I guess I’ll wait for two more years before I can ask her out as a man.

8th of July 1979, second Sunday of the month, Dr. Tranter invited me and Poseidon to have lunch with him and Nene at their residence. It was supposed to be last Sunday but Poseidon had to go to Gangnam for his family event every first Sunday of the month and his late paternal grandmother had her birthday yesterday that his family also celebrates even if she already died 13 years ago.

“We don’t know what to bring so I just bought all the spicy foods and Don ordered beondegi from the restaurant.” entered inside the house when Dr. Tranter opened the door “Thank you for inviting us for lunch.” taking off my shoes before I walk in to the living room

“Oh, you shouldn’t have brought anything.” Dr. Tranter take the paper bag of food from me and Poseidon “Nene cooked enough food for us.”

“We can’t go here, empty handed.” Poseidon also handed out the champagne from their house cellar in Gangnam

“Thank you, and welcome to our humble home.” Dr. Tranter leading the way

“Ah, you’re here.” Nene almost done preparing the dining table when we come in to the dining room “What’s that Justin-samchon?” noticed the paper bag Dr. Tranter is carrying “I’m pretty sure that box contains an expensive beverage.” pointing at the box of champagne

“Apparently, they brought your least favorite foods.” Dr. Tranter placed the paper bags on top of the kitchen table

“Oh, spicy foods and beondegi.” Nene looks dismayed “Well, I’ll just serve it later when you guys go for a drink.”

“Good idea, rather than eating all of these by myself.” Dr. Tranter come back at the dining area “Go ahead and sit down, let’s have lunch gentlemen.”

“Least favorite foods you say.” grasping their conversation “Nene, doesn’t like what we brought?”

“No offense, but yes, this lady can’t tolerate spicy foods with her taste buds, sometimes I’m more Korean than her even though I’m a foreigner.” Dr. Tranter sit down on the chair beside Nene “At least we save you time and effort for cooking later.” speaking to Nene

“I see, we’ll just bring sweets next time.” sits across Nene while Poseidon sit quietly next to me

“Specifically, what dessert would you like?” Poseidon said after he take a taste of his meal “My older brother is kind of childlike so he knows everything about dessert, I’ll give it to you next time, as a token of appreciation for the delicious meal today.”

“You don’t have to Prof. Nevaeh; cooking is my hobby so I don’t expect anything in return.” Nene politely answered

“I’m not your professor today so please don’t call me that, I’m here as Justin’s friend, you may call me on my first name and I really do want to repay you.” Poseidon replied smoothly “Please tell me what do you want, I can get it for you, I don’t want to be indebted to anyone except for my family.”

“Alright, Prof. Nevaeh.” Nene covered her mouth “I mean Po-Posei-Poseidon … ahjussi.”

“Ahjussi??!” Poseidon looking at Nene in disbelief “I just turned 25, three months ago, and you’re calling me ahjussi?! Hey, just call me Don!” frowning

“Hahaha, you’re the first to call him ahjussi!” laughing out loud at Poseidon “Do you look that old, my friend??” patting Poseidon’s shoulder

“Sorry … sorry … I don’t know how to address you, I didn’t mean to offend you, Don it is, just like how Meghan-unnie call you.” Nene said shyly

“Fine, apology accepted, but do I really look old for you to call me ahjussi??” Poseidon still on the topic

“No, to be honest you look like someone at my age, are you sure I can just call you Don, without any indications you’re older than me??” Nene said

“My younger brother and younger sister call me Don only, so I don’t mind being called by that nickname, besides I’m used to westernization.” Poseidon

“So, call me Seaof only.” I appealed to Nene “Don’t put anything else on my name, you’ve been cooking for us for five times now, yeah … I’m counting.” getting embarrass “You’re our friend’s daughterlike so we can be your older brothers too, uncles are too much we’re still on our 20’s.”

“Oh alright, I’ll take note of that, Don and … Seaof.” Nene replied with a sweet smile on her face that I feel like I’m melting slowly

“Going back, you haven’t told me yet what you want, Nene.” Poseidon said suddenly when he noticed my reaction at Nene’s smile

“Uhm … nothing in particular, but I want cherries to be the main ingredient of a dessert.” Nene replied to Poseidon “A jar of cherries is fine with me.”

“Nah, I can’t just give you as simple as that, I’ll get you the best cherry dessert, next time.” Poseidon eating with gusto

“Don, rarely give something to a girl because girls always give something to him.” teasing Poseidon’s act of kindness

“I told you it’s a token of my appreciation, I don’t have any motive behind it, unlike someone I know.” Poseidon getting back at me

“Yeah, let’s just eat.” taking a spoonful of my meal “You’re really good at cooking, Nene, Hammond is very lucky to have you as his girlfriend.”

“Pfft …” Nene almost spit out her food “Sor-Sorry …” coughing

“Here.” Dr. Tranter handed her a glass of water “You, alright??”

“Thanks …” drinks the water “Woo …” wiping the tears in her eyes “That must be the reason, Hammond’s girlfriend hates me so much.”

“You mean, Hammond and you … aren’t together??” trying hard not to be happy with the revelation

“No, of course not.” Nene shaking her head “Hammond is just like a brother to me and so am I to him, where did you get that rumor?!”

“I just thought of it, because you two are always together and you’re close with each other, sorry I shouldn’t have made conclusions on my own.” I said

“Well if you think about me and Hammond like that, then the others might have the same thought as you.” Nene turn to Dr. Tranter “Should I start seeing someone to clear the misunderstanding about me and Hammond??”

“And who is this someone, that we’re talking about?!” Dr. Tranter raised his eyebrows “Are you going to date one of those suitors of yours??!”

“No, I prefer someone older than me, probably five years or more but less than ten.” Nene acting cute at Dr. Tranter “What do you say??”

“It depends, I don’t reprimand you to have a boyfriend but whoever that man is bring him to me first before you start dating him.” Dr. Tranter said

“Wow, you’re stricter than my father with my sisters!” Poseidon reacted “Even us brothers we’re not like that towards our sisters.”

“I’m Nene’s guardian so I won’t just let any man hit on her, she’s the only I have … don’t expect me to hand her over easily.” Dr. Tranter said seriously

“Do you always say no to Nene’s suitors??” I ask instinctively

“I don’t have to, Nene rejected them on her own, even those famous models, Jack and I didn’t have to say a word, Nene declined them.” Dr. Tranter

“Please keep this secret of mine that I’m still single up to this age.” Nene turn to me and Poseidon

“It’s not something to get embarrass for, so why do you want to keep it as a secret?” Poseidon said coolly “Is there a rule that you had to date someone when you become a teenager and it’s a shame if you don’t have anyone to be with??”

“Don, has been single until now and he’s proud of it.” patting Poseidon’s shoulder “This friend of mine don’t need nobody else, but he already found the woman he wants to marry it’s just that this woman is still nowhere to be found.”

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that, what do you mean he already found but nowhere to be found??!” Nene getting confused at my statement

“Hey, I’m still here, please stop talking about my private life.” Poseidon almost done with his meal “Do you want me to tell them how many girls you’ve dated before? … You’ve got a lot of stories to share with your dating experiences.” about to give them wrong impression about me

“Well, I’m proud of my first three relationships.” getting myself cleared “My first named Sophie, she’s my childhood sweetheart and we dated since first to third year of high school, we broke up before the summer vacation because we both fell out of love to each other.” everyone seems interested about my story so I continue “Gwyneth, my second, I dated her three months after Sophie and I broke up, she’s my best friend since I’m a freshman, when she kissed me first I kissed her back and then we dated for almost two years but because of long distance relationship  we broke up too.”

“That’s when your family moved here in Busan, right?” Nene done with her meal

“Yes, and two months after Gwyneth and I broke up, I met Daryl but we dated for only eight months, our relationship didn’t work out fine … then after a month I dated Lee Ilya and everything messed up.” scratching my head “But since I become a professor, I never date anyone again.”

“I can testify to that statement.” Poseidon raised his hand “He told me, he wanted to be serious now, and he’s really doing his part since then.”

“Well, I want to settle down, but just like Don here, I want to chose my own bride, we’re both against arranged marriage.” proposed a toast to Poseidon even if we’re only drinking water “Though Meghan is a good choice of your parents, bro.”

“I don’t have romantic feelings for Meghan, she’s just my girl best friend and nothing more.” Poseidon shaking his head “We’re both clear about it.”

“You even rejected Meghan-unnie in front of us and she just accepted it like she already used to you taking her down.” Nene stand up from her chair

“That’s the reason, she’s the only girl I can hang out with aside from Jinjoo, of course.” Poseidon helping out to clean the dining table

“Yeah man, the fact that she really likes you won’t change, but I’m amaze how Meghan never give up on you no matter how many times you rejected her, she still stays by your side.” putting my the stuffs I used on the sink “I never seen such a dedicated lady like her, even though she knows you already love someone else and you would never love her back.”

“We’re almost the same, I also have this unrequited love for someone I don’t know if she really exists or just my imagination, but I’m still holding on to something that might be false hope to begin with.” Poseidon stares at the view outside the window at the kitchen “I’ll help you wash the dishes.”

“Huh?? Do you know how to wash dishes???” Nene completely in shock “You don’t look like someone who knows any household chores.”

“Is that an insult??!” Poseidon put his hands on his waists as he turns to Nene “I’ve been living independently for almost two years now, I know how to do simple chores, should I prove it to you?” this is the second time I see him irritated to Nene today

“It’s not an insult but if you got offended then I’m sorry.” Nene bowed slightly at Poseidon “But I don’t think it’s a good idea to let the guest wash the dishes, let Justin-samchon do it.” turn to Dr. Tranter who’s watching the two

“If Don wants to do it let him be, besides he volunteered it’s not like we told him to do it.” Dr. Tranter put his glass beside the other glasses “Thanks for saving me the trouble of washing the dishes.” patting Poseidon’s back “Let’s go to the living room and let these two do the work here.”

“Justin-samchon, you’re just passing your work to our guest.” Nene frowning at Dr. Tranter

“Are you in-charge of washing the dishes?” following Dr. Tranter to the living room

“Yes, she only cooks but I’m doing all the work here at home.” Dr. Tranter sighs heavily

“That’s why you called it babysitting instead of taking care of her.” sits on the couch beside him

“If you could only see her bedroom, it’s a total mess even though we only go here every weekend, her bedroom looks like she’s using it every day.”

“Justin-samchon are you badmouthing me to Seaof?” Nene walk in to the living room and sit beside Dr. Tranter

“I’m just describing what your bedroom looks like.” Dr. Tranter crossing his arms when the doorbell suddenly rings “That’s for you, Nene.”

“Fine, I’ll get the door.” Nene stand up and walk towards the door to open it for her visitor “Hammond, what are you doing here??!”

“Nene …” Hammond just embrace Nene “I can’t take it anymore; I broke up with her.”

“I want to say that I’m happy for you because you’re finally liberated but you look really broken-hearted right now.” Nene embracing Hammond back

“Is that Prof. Godeth sitting on the couch next to Justin-samchon?” Hammond noticed me staring at him

“Yes, and Prof. Nevaeh is washing the dishes at the moment.” Nene pulled away from Hammond “They’re here as Justin-samchon’s friends.”

“This is so embarrassing; he might think that I’m a crybaby.” Hammond said to Nene but I can clearly hear him

“It’s alright Hammond, come on in, talk to me.” Dr. Tranter gesturing Hammond to sit with us “We’re also having a drink later; you might as well join.”

“Yes, I think I need booze too.” Hammond sit right next to Dr. Tranter “She’s being too much, her jealousy is over the top, what’s wrong with her??!”

“She’s just being possessive; she thinks every girl near you is her rival, I know you’re sad but I’m relieved that you finally broke up with her.” Nene patting Hammond’s back “She’s not right for you, you can find someone else better than her.”

“Nene it’s rude to say someone is not good enough, you want to talk to me as a doctor in private or you want to talk to me as a friend in here?” Dr. Tranter place his hand on Hammond’s left shoulder

“I would like to hear a professional advice first, no offense Nene.” Hammond replied “But I’ll listen to you too later, promise.”

“Nene, serve tea in my room later.” Dr. Tranter leading Hammond to his room “I’ll just do my job as a psychologist.”

“He seriously loves the girl.” just saying my opinion to Nene who seems worried to Hammond

“Yeah, he’s totally smitten by that witch, but even I as a fellow lady don’t understand why she’s like that.” Nene sitting comfortably at the couch

She’s wearing a simple shirt and pants but she’s emitting cute aura that I can’t keep my eyes off her. How could Hammond just throw his arms around her?? I’m so envious with their closeness but I have to keep my cool and remind myself that Nene is my student and I’m her professor.

“Seaof …” Nene calling my name “Seaof …” waving her hand on my face “You want to play a game of chess with me?”

“Huh??” snapped out of my daydreaming “Sorry, what did you say?”

“Chess, would you like to play?” Nene taking out the chessboard from the shelf near the TV

“Sure, I would love to.” pulling myself together “You got a lot of boardgames at home.” looking at the shelf

“We prefer mental games here rather than physical.” Nene put the chessboard on the table and sit on the floor “What color would you like to play?”

“White, I want to do the first move.” sits on the floor across her “Are you good with chess?”

“No, but I know the basics.” Nene replied with confidence “It’ll be a shame if you lose to me.”

“I’m no good either but I have to win against you, am I?” arranging my chess pieces in order

“Ooh, should we go for a bet??” Nene done on her side “Whoever wins can give an order to the loser, loser must do whatever the winner order is.”

“Deal.” moving the pawn in front of the king “I better have the upper hand, in this game.”

“What a bold move.” Nene move the knight near her queen “My father taught me well how to defend my ground.”

We’re almost done with the game when Poseidon came in and make the move for Nene. Nene glared at Poseidon but the move Poseidon did make me choose between my king and queen, so I definitely chose the king to continue the game.

“At least you lose his powerful piece.” Poseidon reason out to Nene “You only have two bishops and knight to defend your king, but he got all the moves to him, you should choose the queen instead of his rook.”

“I’m just letting him defeat me, you know that?!” Nene frowning at Poseidon

“I don’t think that’s the case, your defense for the king is too hard to impenetrate but if you chose the rook over his queen then it’s game over for you, you clearly didn’t see his queen because you’re too focus to clear the path for your king.”

“Gosh, I thought I won’t hate you as a professor like everyone else but I think I might hate you as a friend.” Nene getting annoyed at Poseidon

“I don’t mind people hating me, but I do mind watching foolishness unfolding in front of me.” Poseidon ignoring Nene’s glare at her “Your game will be over after five moves but you might end it in three if you choose the wrong piece.”

“Hey Don, if you want to play, wait for your turn, don’t interfere with our game.” either way I’m going to win because of the bet we made

“Wrong move, now your king is nowhere to hide.” Poseidon continue annoying Nene

“Checkmate.” ending the game with Nene “That’s a good game, Nene, you’re quite a hard to defeat opponent.”

“I’ll make a tea for everyone.” Nene stand up but she obviously looks upset that she loses “Have you think of the order you want to give me?” looking at me as she expects me to answer right away “Well, tell me about it later.” going to the kitchen

“So, you made a bet with her for that game, huh?” Poseidon arranging the pieces on his side “You’re going to ask her for a date?”

“If I’m crazy enough, I may do so, I guess I have to save it until the right time comes.” doing the same thing as him

“You’re not denying it my friend, what do you like about her anyway?” Poseidon doing the first move

“She’s pretty and a good cook, even if she eats the fastest among us, I also find it cute about her.” playing with him as we continue to talk

“There’s a lot of pretty girls in the campus.” Poseidon have my pawn first

“So, what, I already decided, I’m going to wait for her to graduate.” getting his pawn too

“You’re just making her one of the reasons for you not to be with someone else again.” Poseidon speaking the truth about me

“What’s wrong about that?” see his deceiving move “She’s a perfect distraction for me, don’t you think?”

“Focusing your attention to one instead of many, you really changed my friend.” Poseidon smirks at me as he gets my bishop

“I told you I can make it right, thanks to you, I learned to say no to temptations, though I should’ve done it before.” gets his knight

“I don’t think that’s the reason at all, you’re just fed up of doing the same thing on repeat that’s why it bores you now.” Poseidon get back at my knight

“How come you know me better than my own self?!” taking out his bishop

“You’re an open book, Seaof, that’s why most of the time you’re being taken advantage of people who only want to use you for their own benefit.”

“Is that one way of saying that I’m weak that’s why I’m easy to push around??!” putting up my defense against his next move

“You said it yourself not me, but that’s also the reason I’m staying beside you.” Poseidon gets my pawn

“If I were a girl, I’ll take that as your love confession to me, we might be going out by now.” making fun of his sincere statement

“I don’t think that will be possible, you’re not my ideal type of girl.” Poseidon get my last knight

“That’s harsh, have you ever said those words to any girls who proposed their feelings to you?!” taking out his last bishop

“I always turn them down politely to considerate their situation, but if things go out of hand then I can be rude too.” Poseidon take out my rook next

“Here’s your tea.” Nene put down the pot of tea and two cups on the space at the table “It’s still hot, just so you know.” looking at our game

“You want another game; this will be over soon.” asking her to join us

“I’ll serve Justin-samchon’s afternoon tea at his room first.” Nene going back to the kitchen to get another tray of tea “I’ll get back to you.”

“Don’t say it’s over until it’s actually over.” Poseidon still making his move

“I may not defeat you with physical games but I can take you on with a game of chess.” confidently doing my last move “Checkmate.”

“I told you it’s not over yet.” taking out my queen “That’s actually just another distraction and you fell for it.”

“Oh s**t!” realized what I’ve done wrong “Let’s play another round after this.”

“I thought you’re going to play with your crush?” Poseidon pointing behind me

“Really, Don??!” looking at my back but Nene isn’t there “You’re messing with me, are you?!”

“Of course not, I’m already winning, why do I have to use a cheap trick with you??!” Poseidon can’t keep his smile on his face

“Seriously, do you have to take that pawn out when I’m not looking??!” noticed the pawn missing in front of my king “Get it back, will you?!”

“Hahaha, so you’re actually paying attention to our game, huh?” Poseidon put back the pawn on its rightful place

“You think I want to lose to you, what winning are you talking about? I still have this move.” trying to turn the table “Definitely this game isn’t over yet, I can’t believe you’ve just done that.” smiling at his lame act “Checkmate, game over.”