Hearing Ga-yeong's words about cooking for him, Alex didn't feel happy for the affectionate warmth and the hospitality. Instead, he let out one big eye-roll that almost sent his eyes to the ceiling and, with an amused smile, caught the house's mistress by the shoulders to stop her:
"Stop right there and look at that big stomach of yours. What you are cooking inside your personal oven is almost ready, why can't you behave yourself? Who said that I have not eaten yet? Your husband?"
Feeling the undeniable weight on her shoulders, Ga-yeong looked at her destination so close yet so far away. The corner of her mouth twitched as she felt speechless, but more than that, helpless, and she couldn't help but express all of that with a laugh:
"Are you really likening my womb to an oven!?"
"If not, what else? If you don't believe me, we can wait until you push little Bruce Lee out and ask him if it is warm inside. For now, come, sit down."
Alex let out another eye-roll, less exaggerated this time, but pulled Ga-yeong over, then gently but determinedly pushed her to the sofa which was even farther from the kitchen.
"It is Brandon Lee, not Bruce Lee. And his father's 'Lee' is different from the famous actor's 'Lee', don't keep teasing him like that. He is not even born yet, what kind of uncle are you?"
The pregnant woman's smile turned wry, but she found herself unable to resist, not like she really could, actually. Arriving at destination, Alex didn't push her down, but held onto her to help her sit down without abrupt movement. Then, he put a pillow behind her before finally replying with a matter-of-fact casualness:
"Brandon or Bruce, how different are those two names? He must be feeling happy to be compared with a legend before even being born."
Ga-yeong could say nothing at the forced logic. She let out a chuckle and shook her head as she settled in, leaning back with the light exhale of someone finding support for a weight at last. Despite the protests voiced or left unvoiced just earlier, she could not hold back the gentle smile that crept up her lips when Alex took care of her and ensured she was comfortable.
The playboy took another pillow which he placed on a stool he brought before Ga-yeong to let her rest her feet. Then, he went to the kitchen to wash his hands and came back with a glass of water for her, turning himself into the host and her the guest. Finally, he settled down on the sofa, lying down and very naturally resting his head on Ga-yeong's lap before questioning while looking up:
"Why are you alone at home?"
Ga-yeong looked down with a helpless but affectionate smile, the maternal glow of her upcoming maternity peeking through, and touched her stomach before replying:
"You know I don't really feel comfortable having others around me at home, so I sent the housekeeper away as soon as she was done."
Alex stopped his action of raising his phone to resume the game he had paused, and raised an eyebrow. He could understand her. He could relate to her, and he could empathize, but that didn't prevent him from letting his lips curl up with deep disapproval:
"Ga-yeong, I can indulge you in many things, anything in fact, but not this one. In your state, you can't remain alone at home. I don't allow it."
Looking into Alex's brown eyes that showed no inclination to compromise as they focused on the screen of his phone, Ga-yeong pouted and turned her head away.
Without taking his eyes off his phone, Alex curled his lips up in amusement and teased:
"You could try that on your husband, he will be coming up soon. Maybe that will work on him."
Feeling a sidelong glance from the pregnant house mistress, Alex continued, seemingly placating, but with a hint of mischief hidden in his tone:
"How about this? I will hire a dozen housekeepers for you. It might not be better than having one constantly hovering around you, but by having them rotate by the hour, you will not be bored seeing the same old faces and I will also be at ease. What do you say?"
Ga-yeong froze, going slack-jawed in a cute expression of shock. And she had every right to be shocked, because just imagining what Alex was saying, a dozen or so people walking back and forth around her around the clock was already enough to leave her feeling an illusion of suffocation. It was as if her heart was not pumping for two persons anymore, but for three, or more, and without any preparation or adaptation.
She looked down, but was too shocked to say anything. Alex took a look at her, meeting her gaze with amusement, then let his smile soften:
"Of course, there is another alternative, and that will be to spend the rest of the time before your labor at the hospital. I will ensure you get a five-star service, but under guard of the best doctors if not citywide, then worldwide."
"Hurgn!"
Ga-yeong choked, stifled and frustrated. The hope that had just risen at the beginning of Alex's words crashing back straight into the depth of her stomach as she exclaimed:
"Alex!!!"
Taking a deep breath and exhaling in indignation, Ga-yeong couldn't help but poke the head on her lap with her finger, amused but frustrated:
"You say that I have to take care of myself, but you are also the one to tease me all the time. Is that your way of caring?"
Alex laughed, unapologetic, and still focused on his game:
"If I don't tease you, who will? Your husband who you have wrapped around your finger with your gentle face?"
Wrinkling her nose deeply, Ga-yeong shot the young man a soft glare lacking in sharpness, and let out a helpless exhale under the smile in his brown eyes. Ignoring his words, she returned to the topic:
"There is a third choice, isn't there?"
Though phrased as a question, the words carried a certainty that had Alex smile deeply and glance up with a meaningful expression:
"Guess?"
Taking her finger back from the head of short brown hair, Ga-yeong stroked her stomach, helpless but resigned. She could indeed guess the third choice, as Alex had alluded to it before. And she knew that he was waiting for her right there. But…
After a while, Ga-yeong exhaled and asked in a mutter:
"Won't that be a bother?"
Alex simply smiled, and didn't bother to say more.
Ga-yeong bit her lower lip lightly, hesitant and indecisive. After a while, she let out:
"Do I have no other choice?"
*Clack*
Ga-yeong glanced at the door, then back at Alex. The latter smiled without meeting her eyes, displaying a hint of anticipation on his face:
"Your husband is back. Ask him, he might be able to save you."
Ga-yeong looked down at him, then at the new arrival:
"Mark~"