Chapter 3

                                        

                                                  
House-warming Party
                              
As soon as we reached next door, much to my surprise- the guy from yesterday opened the door and greeted us. He bowed politely to us and smiled, showing his rabbit teeth. He was dressed in black and white flannel shirt with black jeans. "Good evening. I'm Kim Jiwon. It's great to have you here today, Mr. Lee and family." He said. Whoa, this guy here got a deep voice with cute teeth.
                              
"Oh good evening, too! We are so glad to be invited here tonight." Mom and dad smiled back at Jiwon. Psh, too much formalities. I almost forgot to bow at Jiwon until mom decided to push the back of my head downwards and I bowed immediately. I looked up and his smile widened, amused by our actions. I forced a laugh while secretly firing daggers at mom through my glares who was faking a smile at me.

                              
Jiwon's parents came towards the door to greet us and ushered us inside their house. I looked around the living room and noticed that a few people was already here for the party. They were chit-chatting and laughing with each other while having drinks. 
                              
Their house was fully furnished, I noticed. It was amazing how they could manage everything so quick despite the fact that they just moved in yesterday. Or probably this place was already furnished long ago? The white walls were spotless and the tiles were clean and shining. There were photo frames being hung on the walls, showcasing old and new photos of important events of their family. 
                              
Their black and elegant sofas also looked brand new with a glass coffee table located in the middle of the living room. Their 52 inches LCD tv was held on the wall, screening shows in high definition. Few decorations were added to the furnitures, making them looked a little less empty.
                              
"Thank you so much for the food, Mrs. Lee." Mrs. Kim thanked my mom and sent her a friendly smile as she laid her arm on mom's waist. "You're welcome. Well, it was actually that I made the cake and my daughter made the spaghetti. I hope the cake and spaghetti will taste fine and match your family's taste buds," Mom mused. "Wow, you have such a good daughter." Mrs. Lee looked amazed. "My daughter can barely cook. No, I mean, she hates cooking. I wished I have a daughter who can help me to cook, just like yours!" She said and a girl around my age cleared her throat with a dissatisfied look on her face.
                              
"Mom..." Jiwon said while smiling at her younger sister, amused at her reaction. When did he's never amused? I guess he finds everything that happens around him is amusing. "At least I helped, right?" Jiwon said to her mom, trying to win a point. His mom rolled her eyes and answered, "Yeah, sometimes. Just when he wants something."
                              
I held back a laugh at his mom's answer. Burn. But that answer didn't fade his smile away. He glanced at me as he caught me holding back my urge to laugh. He gave me one of those eyesmiles of his and I swiftly tore my stare away from him as I tried to look serious. "You kids get well with each other. We're going to set up the tables." Mrs. Kim ordered as she dragged my mom away. "Be nice." Mom mouthed at me with a warning look before she go and I rolled my eyes at her. Damn, these two moms are seriously going to be best friends from the looks of it. I thought as I watched them disappeared into the dining room with the dishes we brought.
                              
Our dads had gone for a while ago to have a friendly chat with the other men outside. And the only ones left at the living room were me, Jiwon, his younger sister and a few children playing around. Thank God for the children's laughter or if not, it would be so awkward. Silence, just like in the cemetery.
                              
"So, what's your name?" Jiwon finally spoke, breaking the silence as if he could read my thoughts. Probably he felt the same way as I am, too. But actually, talking to him was the least thing I wanted to do tonight because the events from yesterday were still stuck in my mind.