24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 15: Got to Blame in On Jesus

A dagger flew from outside and supposedly to hit Mrs. Kang head if not for Roro pushing the old woman away barely in time.

The few customers hid themselves behind the booths or under the table and grabbed anything within their grasp to defend themselves in case of the next attack.

Edith, Irene, and Sharon gathered around Hestia immediately to protect her from any harm while Baby chase after the hitman.

Roro jumped over the counter to help Mrs. Kang stand up and asked, “Are you alright, Mrs. Kang? That was a close call.” she looked at the dagger pinned on the wall. “Do you know that man?”

Mrs. Kang shook her head vigorously and said, “Must be one of the gangsters hired by the developer.” she put her hand on her chest as she catches her breath. “A businessman is interested in this land for a community development project. They’ve been threatening me because I refused to sell. I won’t leave this shop, this is my home, they have to kill me to get my piece of land!”

“And that’s exactly what they’re trying to do.” Roro used a small towel to pull the dagger out of the wall. “That hitman marked on point, this dagger meant to pierce your head and you’ll be dead by now. You’re not safe here anymore Mrs. Kang.”

“Still, I can’t leave this place. This is the fruit of my parents’ blood, sweat, and tears. I was born and raised in this house and this restaurant provides me financially until now. Because of this shop, my son, Shin-woo finished college. You can’t expect me to abandon this place just like that.” Mrs. Kang ranted.

“I know this place has a sentimental value, but how could you protect your property if you’re dead?” Roro retorted.

Hestia can hear their heated discussion clearly, although she’s not in a position to meddle with other people’s business, she sympathizes with Mrs. Kang as she knows exactly what it feels like to lost something with sentimental value.

She’s already on the driver seat of her Porsche as her security team is urging her to leave the place as soon as possible but before she starts the engine, she called out to Roro.

“Miss Hestia, Mrs. Kang is actually my mother’s friend. I would like to ask for your permission to stay here with her until I make sure she’s safe.” Roro sincerely asked to leave her duty for a while.

“Permission granted.” Hestia nodded. “Also, tell her to keep the place. I also have memories in her shop that I want to keep on reminiscing so I don’t allow her to sell.”

“Miss Hestia.” Roro curved up her lips into a smile while looking at Hestia with admiration. Of course, how could she forget that she’s working for the young lady of the Nevaeh.

Hestia drove off and returned to the research facility, when she arrived back to her office, she remembered she didn’t have lunch.

Fortunately, her ladies are considerate, in just an hour although late, Mrs. Seo brought a lunchbox meal set in her office when she already decided to skip lunch and look forward for dinner instead.

“Late lunch.” Bok-Joo Kim from the occupational health department approached Hestia with a small lunchbox on her hands.

“Mmm.” Hestia hummed in response.

“May I join you?” Bok-Joo asked although she already sat across Hestia without waiting for reply.

Hestia looked at Bok-Joo’s lunch box and thinks that everything in it were mixed while Bok-Joo was commuting from home, as the rice, vegetables, and meat are all together.

Bok-Joo noticed Hestia’s gaze on her lunch so she offered, “You want some. I cooked it personally so it’s definite delicious.”

“No, thank you.” Hestia replied perfunctorily.

“You must think that it’s unsanitary because of what it looks like. You haven’t tried bibimbap before do you?” Bok-Joo observed Hestia’s blank expression. “Seriously?? As far as I know you’re Korean and your family migrated here since ’63. Is it because the meals being serve to your family are only western cuisine?”

Hestia has Tuna Fish Salad on her lunchbox and Crème Caramel on the separate translucent box.

“That’s not it.” Hestia shook her head but she didn’t explain further as they’re not that close to have a conversation.

“Oh, if that’s the case then why you don’t seem to know what bibimbap looks like? Your eyes tell me that you haven’t seen this dish before in your entire life.” Bok-Joo teased.

“The bibimbap I know is in a seaweed roll …” not like your messed-up version. Hestia can’t tell Bok-Joo what she thinks so she just answered her precisely.

“I see.” Bok-Joo seemed satisfied with Hestia’s answer. “That’s a classy type of bibimbap. The bibimbap I know is a mixed of rice, vegetables, and meat in a bowl, in this case, my lunch box.”

“Mmm.” Hestia hummed. ‘That’s your preference, as for me, mixed food in bowl meant to go on the trash.’

“You’re not talkative or you just don’t talk to poor people like me?”

“I …” Hestia wanted to say that she’s uncomfortable with people regardless of their status but she rather keeps it to herself.

“Hahaha! I’m just messing with you.” Bok-Joo laughed. “I know you’re not like what everyone says you are. You’re an introvert, but those people who got nothing better to do but to talk rubbish about other people, says a lot of bad things about you.”

“Thank you, Kim Bok-Joo-ssi.” Hestia appreciate her thoughts but she already has a fair share of experience on people who pretend to be kind but actually has other intentions on approaching her.

“Geez. What are you thanking me for? I’m just saying what’s on my mind, and by the way I’m honored that you actually know my name. I don’t think I’m special to be recognize by you.”

“I also know that everyone calls you a weightlifting fairy.” Hestia blurted out though she meant to think it out loud.

“Ah, hahaha! Well, I’m not just beauty and brains but I also have the strength equivalent to a man. I’m not ashamed that I like weightlifting, not every woman can do that and not all men are that strong enough to lift some weights.” Bok-Joo stated confidently.

“I agree.” Hestia replied perfunctorily. ‘She’s indeed unique.’

Bok-Joo kept on chattering after swallowing the food in her mouth while Hestia replied to her when necessary until they’re both done with their break.

Since it’s Friday and Hestia don’t have someone to have some fun with at night, she just stayed in the office until late night to finish or reduce her workload piled on her desk like mountains.

The next morning, Hestia woke up late in the morning though she tends to wake up by noon, her mother asked Mrs. Joo to cut her 8 hours of sleep short.

Apparently, Hestia has a matchmaking date to attend today.

Hestia’s hair tied in a bun like a crown with a huge white flower pin on the left side of her head, along with the white sleeveless layered tulle above knee length dress that has tulle straps tied in a ribbon as if her shoulders are gifts.

“Perfect!” Mrs. Hyun praised Hestia’s appearance after she dressed Hestia like a princess.

Mrs. Seo, who’s in-charge of Hestia’s hair and make-up, gave a round of applause to their combine efforts.

“Alright, time for picture taking.” Mrs. Joo has the camera on her hands as she’s the one who’s in charge of taking photos for Hestia’s outfit for the day.

Not being a narcissistic but Hestia take her photo everyday to attach on her diary with a size of a photo album, that’s how she keeps track on her daily life which she started on her first day in high school and probably until she’s grey and old.

“Miss Hestia, just say a word and I look for sir Ves whereabout.”

“How come we’re talking about Ves right now?” Hestia snapped back to her senses after taking a candid pose for the photo.

“Miss Hestia, even Irene, the cold-hearted woman, can tell that you’re missing sir Ves.” Sharon stated as a matter-of-fact.

“That pose just now looks like you’re waiting for your lover to come back. Those longing gaze you had earlier could tell anyone that you’re missing him so much.” Edith added.

“I’m not!” Hestia denied. “I’m just sleepy since I only had six hours of sleep instead of eight because of this stupid date.”

The seven women just looked at each other and had their tacit understanding of Hestia’s denial.

“By the way Baby, stay home for now and take a rest. That wound on your left shoulder won’t heal need some time to recover. Mrs. Seo, Mrs. Joo, and Mrs. Hyun, I’ll leave Baby on your care. Edith check on Roro, she might need a back up just in case the same thing happens today on the ramen shop. I’m taking Irene and Sharon with me today.” Hestia instructed.

“Yes, Miss Hestia.” the six women answered in unison.

“But Miss Hestia …” Baby stepped forward. “I only have a scratch it won’t affect my duty guarding you.”

“That’s an order Baby not a request. You’re a human not a robot made of iron, and that wound has eight stitches so don’t tell me that it’s just a scratch. I may not be a healthcare worker but I know how serious it is.” Hestia sternly said.

Yesterday, Baby caught the hitman and had an inevitable brawl, though the man is a bloodthirsty killer, Baby on the other hand, had a training same with a soldier in special forces. Actually, all the staffs in the Nevaeh residences had military training before getting deployed to serve a member of the Nevaeh family.

When Hestia went downstairs, it was Cronus who saw her first and as a proud father that he always is, he complimented Hestia’s beauty that he confidently claimed from his genes.

“Papa, can I talk to you for a moment?” Hestia is about to drag Cronus away but Rhea came in at the exact moment.

“If you think that you can brainwash your father and convinced him to cancel your date today then that ain’t happening, Tia.” Rhea said coldly with a warning gaze.

“It’s a pity that Mama isn’t a police officer, she can prevent a crime from happening.” Hestia humored Cronus.

“I did consider criminology before but I prefer to be an architect.” Rhea ride along Hestia’s sarcasm. “What do you want to tell my husband, then?” she embraced Cronus’ left arm.

“Well, I want to talk some business matters to my father, mother.” Hestia stressed her two last words.

“Go on then. I was the former Vice-President of your father’s company, so I think I can relate to whatever business proposal you have if that’s really a business matter.” Rhea challenged.

“Fine.” Hestia resigned since she can’t win her mother. “Papa would you like to work on a community development project?”

“Alright, I’m listening.” Cronus listened attentively to Hestia’s proposal and the reason behind the project.

Hestia took a few minutes to summarize everything that happened yesterday and the information Irene gathered about the developer of the village.

“I’ll get done for you but what is it for me?” Cronus considered all the pros and cons of stealing a done deal project, he ain’t the president of the number one construction company in Korea for nothing, since they’re talking about business, he’s on a business man mode and not a father.

“What do you want from me then?” Hestia thought that Cronus will just agree since he always spoils her.

“You’re going to all the matchmaking dates that I arranged for you until you find the suitable partner that you want to marry.” Rhea interjected before Cronus speaks.

“Papa, is that what you want too?” Hestia leaned forward with a pleading look on her eyes that tells to her father to disagree.

“Well, I’m thinking of making you work on my company in the HR department since your profession coincides with their field of work. You could’ve assisted in the recruitment process.” Cronus looked at Rhea on his side before he turned his gaze back to Hestia. “But marriage is important in our family so I agree with your mother to her terms.”

“I think I can consider your idea Papa than Mama’s condition.”

“So, what’s it gonna be, take it or leave it?” Rhea challenged.

“I got to blame in on Jesus for telling people to ‘Go ye and multiply’.” Hestia snorted as she stood up to take her leave.

“Me and your father already complied six times and even animals have mating season, Tia.” Rhea countered.

“I know Ma, for six consecutive years your pregnant from Ter up to me. Also, I’m not an animal, I’m a human who can choose not to.”