The following series is a work of fiction. It explores potentially controversial themes such as Sexual Harassment. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Reader discretion is advised.

Chapter 1

Stay calm.

“What did you just say?”

“Let’s get married.”

This is really happening. Okay, let’s keep calm.

“Okay, so-”

“-Yes.”

“What’s that?”

“I asked you to marry me.”

Hari’s mouth became dry. “A ma...marriage?” Her hand became slippery with sweat as she held the phone to her ear.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” He sounded impatient through the line.

“I mean, this is a serious matter. A marriage. Haha.” Hari tried to ease the conversation with a forced laughter, but the only response was silence on the other end of the line. It felt as if he was telling her not to laugh. Hari lost her smile.

“I am a little taken aback by a proposal through the phone,” she said. “I think this talk needs to be delivered in person. This is a life-changing decision. And I-”

“Okay then, let’s meet up,” he interrupted.

“Sorry? Meet up? No! That’s alright. We can still talk through the phone. I’m sorry but I’m going to have to turn you down. I have no interest in a marriage.”

Though Hari was worried that she came off too harsh, the guy on the line seemed unbothered.

“Then why did you accept this blind date?” he asked.

“Well, that’s because…”

Complicated thoughts crossed Hari’s mind. There were things she couldn’t tell him. All she could think about was punching her friend Youngseo, who had begged her to go on the date as a favor.

“…I just felt like it,” she finished.

“You just felt like it?”

Hari could tell that he was losing his patience. She felt herself getting smaller and smaller. She’d made a fool of herself on the day of the date, but now she just felt pathetic. She knew she needed to cut him off for his own good.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. We don’t go on blind dates hoping to get married…”

Sensing how stupid this excuse sounded, Hari stopped talking. There was another silence.

What else do you go out on a blind date for, other than as the first step toward marriage?

Taking a deep breath and bracing herself against the pain, she began to speak.

“May I ask why you want this marriage? I doubt it was love at first sight. I mean, look at me.”

I talked nonsense on the date while he didn’t even care to say anything back. So, why now? Why is he asking me to marry him?

“What if it was love at first sight?” He was persistent.

“What? Oh, I doubt it!” Hari began to blush, catching a glimpse of herself and her granny panties in the mirror. Her flutters went away. “All jokes aside-” she began.

“Let’s meet. How’s 7 at the place from yesterday?”

“No, no! I’m not available tonight.”

“Okay, then,” he pressed on. “I’m busy during the week, so how’s the weekend?”

“No please, you’re a busy person,” she countered. “There’s no need. I’m not going to marry! I’m actually into women. I have no interest in men. I’m serious! I love women! Goodbye!”

Hari quickly hung up.

Are you out of your mind? You go crazy over men. Even on the date ,you went on about how much you love your men.

She reddened with embarrassment as she thought about the things she had said on the date. “He’s going to think I’m actually crazy,” she admonished herself. “You know what? It doesn’t even matter. It’s not like he’s not weird, too! The date lasted one hour, and a day later, a marriage! He’s a total psycho!”

Hari pulled herself together and took a second look at herself in the mirror, granny panties and all. Somehow, she felt proud.

“Taemoo Kang,” she said, “You’ve got yourself some fine taste in women!”

Her pride, however, didn’t last. She soon began to feel her embarrassment rising again, and when it peaked, she began to scream.

“AHHHHHHH! What do I do? How did I go on a date with my boss?”