The Substitute Bride

"Is Isla back?" Kay asked enthusiastically. Although Isla was reluctant to speak with her, she couldn't avoid greeting her neighbor in a civil manner. "Yeah, I'm back, Kay. How have you been lately?" Isla asked, barely forcing a smile on her face.

"I've been doing all right, " replied Kay, who was well known for having a big mouth in the village. "Our Isla is such a beautiful girl. You look just like what your mother when she was about your age, " Kay praised, gripping Isla by her hand and observing her carefully.

"Do I? Thank you, " Isla replied pleasantly. "You're looking very young as well, " continued Isla.

"You always speak out pleasing words just as you did when you were a little girl, " Kay said and laughed, amused by Isla's compliments. "Isla, you will be thirty after New Year, right?" she asked.

"Yeah, " Isla answered. "I will turn thirty next year, " she continued. Upon hearing Kay mentioning her age, Isla had guessed what Kay was gong to say next.

"Are you still single?" Kay asked. "I don't mean to lecture you, but for a woman, marriage and having a child are the most important things. You're not getting any younger. You should marry a good man so that your parents won't worry about you, " she continued while taking Isla's hand, when Isla didn't respond.

"You're right. I will get married as soon as possible, " Isla returned patiently. She nodded or answered in agreement, no matter what Kay said to her. She just hoped that Kay could finish soon and leave her alone.

"Your parents have worked so hard all their lives to provide a good education for you. You should return their favor and help them to stop worrying about you. Am I right?" Kay went on as she saw Isla nodding, "I happen to know someone who is about your age. If you agree, I will arrange for you to meet him if you are

er he walked up to Jina.

"Aron, I'd like to introduce you to someone. This is Kay, " Jina introduced with a gloating expression. Jina look Aron up and down. 'He is handsome, he knows how to dress well and his car look quite expensive, ' she thought with satisfaction.

As Isla observed Jina's smug look, she suddenly understood why Jina had insisted on bring Aron here.

"Hello, Kay, " Aron greeted.

Kay gazed at Aron with jealousy. She felt a sense of deja vu, like she had seen him somewhere before.

She observed Aron discreetly. "This... is Isla's boyfriend, " Kay responded, looking embarrassed.

"Yes, he is, " Jina nodded. "Didn't you say that only a married man would be interested in Isla? See? My daughter is an excellent girl, " Jina said proudly.

"Aunt Jina, if there isn't anything else, I will excuse myself first. I need to carry those presents from the trunk and put them in the house, " Aron said respectfully, with a charming smile.

"I will help you, " Isla followed. She finally found an excuse to get away from there. "Aron, sorry. I didn't think that mom..." Isla apologized to Aron.

"Really, I'm cool with this. You don't need to feel sorry, " Aron reassured her with a smile.