Trouble with the Curve

Chapter One | First Impressions

Eomeoni's voice has dropped down to a whisper as she reminisces on the information.

"She's a very humble woman. She made sure that her father didn't utilize the moment for the team's benefit. He seems like a nice enough man, but business is business. She is an honest and capable woman."

What does she mean by that?

"Her father?" My confusion is clear as Eomeoni looks back down at her thread with a sigh.

"Don't you know who Nurse Lee is, Ryan Jae?" The exasperation in her voice is confusing, but I simply shrug in response and shake my head. "I guess it wouldn't make sense why the daughter of a Chaebol family would work as a lowly healthcare worker," she mutters, chuckling at her comment.

"Eomeoni, what are you talking about?" I finally give in to my mother's apparent need for a clear-cut inquiry.

She looks up and her eyes glow like a cat taunting a poor mouse, "Nurse Lee is the daughter of the chairman of Lee Industries."

My jaw drops open as she sits up in her bed and stares me down.

"I know all about your arranged marriage. Just because you don't like speaking with your father doesn't mean I don't."

I flinch at my mother's suddenly firm tone, the guilt spinning through my body at her glare.

"I found out from my ex-husband that my own son was getting married. To a woman he's never met. Now while I don't know why you would sacrifice your option of love for a merger in the company, I know..."

While Eomeoni goes on a tangent about responsibility and familial ties, I hold in the snarky remarks regarding my father, not wanting to hurt her any further.

I sacrificed my 'option of love' because Abeoji is friends with the Head of the Oncology department and he said he'd ensure you had the best treatment in the world if I agreed to a 3-year contract marriage, but—

"At least you'll be marrying a woman with a heart of gold, I guess."

"Eomeoni, I'm not 100% sure that Nurse Lee is who I'll be marrying. Abeoji just said it was a member of the Lee family, but I'm sure there's more than just Nurse Lee in the entire family."

My mother laughs, "You'd be lucky to marry Miss Lee, Ryan Jae."

Ouch.

"Eomeoni, do I hold no special place in your heart? Maybe she's lucky to marry me?" I tease.

Eomeoni rolls her eyes and crosses her arms, her obvious preference for Nurse Lee written on her face.

"That woman is an absolute saint. Trust me, if you have the privilege of marrying her, I won't even discuss my frustrations with your father."

It wasn't the first time since my father had arranged for me to marry into the Lee family I had wondered what my future bride would look like.

"As long as she's beautiful inside and out, I'll be happy."

I excuse myself from my mother's side so she can nap and head to the staircase, egaer to avoid the wild pack of nurses eyeing me from their station on my way out of the Oncology Wing. I pass through unfamiliar hallways until I find a set of stairs to take me to the lobby and quietly walk down them.

Thinking about the tragic passing of the boy from earlier, my mind is wiped of worry about my upcoming marriage and the potential bride that was Nurse Lee.

Eomeoni has been wrong before. It seems silly to worry about such a thing when the important thing is if I follow through with my end of the deal, Eomeoni has the best chance of beating this thing.