Rowan and Bomi’s Problem

Rowan and Bomi were, and still are, too young to get married: she had just turned 18, and he was almost 19. Both were just starting college, but fate, or rather, their little daughter Crystal, decided it was time for them to settle down, so Rowan proposed, Bomi accepted, and the wedding took place. But there was a catch: despite his young age, Rowan already had a past, which Bomi thought was behind him, but unfortunately it wasn’t.

It turns out that, before marrying Bomi, Rowan had already been dating another woman, someone he had met before he met Bomi.

The “third wheel” is Penelope Morris, a flea market vendor. All Bomi knew about her was that Rowan had a brief fling with her, but it didn’t work out because she was a bit older than him, though not by much, since Penelope is also a young adult. When Rowan met Bomi, he tried breaking up with Penelope, but she wouldn’t give up, and Rowan, unfortunate as it was, fell for her all over again.

So he kept seeing her even after moving in with Bomi, promising himself every day that he would break up with her so as not to keep cheating on Bomi. But whenever he was face to face with Penelope, he just couldn’t work up the courage to tell her, and he found himself trapped in a sort of double life: days and afternoons with Bomi, and the evenings with Penelope.

Bomi began to sense that something wasn’t right because Rowan would come home very late at night, sometimes even in the early morning. Clearly, there was another woman, and it had to be Penelope cause she was the only relationship Rowan had had before her. So Bomi tried to confront Rowan about it, but he didn’t admit to any guilt because, at that time, he believed he would break up with Penelope, problem solved. But he kept putting it off because, even though he loved Bomi with all his heart, deep down, he was still very obsessed with Penelope.

That was when Bomi discovered she was pregnant…

The news took them both by surprise. Having a baby wasn’t part of their plans, especially at their age. But Rowan of course wasn’t going to leave her alone with the child, so they got married in a whirlwind wedding.

Getting married wasn’t exactly what Rowan had planned either, but he didn’t mind because, despite everything, Bomi is the love of his life, and he couldn’t imagine being married to anyone else.

Yes, it was a bit rushed, but that didn’t make it any less joyful; in fact, it was wonderful. They couldn’t go on a honeymoon because they didn’t have the money, but they celebrated together at the Ullim Temple café.

On their way back, outside their house, they got all romantic, and a passerby shouted a joke at them, something about love, which they didn’t even notice, that’s how in love they are.

Then, Rowan asked Bomi to dance with him.

They danced right there on the sidewalk.

Once inside and dressed more comfortably, they got ready to continue their celebration, but just then, Rowan’s phone rang. It was Penelope.
Rowan: (Lowering his voice) Uh, sorry, I’m busy right now. I have to hang up.

Of course, he didn’t tell her what he was busy with. I mean, Penelope knows Rowan lives with his steady girlfriend, but it never even crosses her mind that he just got married! As for Bomi, her stomach dropped because she knows full well who called. Though now she’s a little more at ease knowing that she and Rowan are married and that they’re going to be parents soon. Sure it won’t be long before Penelope disappears from their lives.

Anyway, that doesn’t matter now. It’s time to celebrate, and Rowan wants to start with some adorable photos of Bomi.
Rowan: Say cheese.
Bomi: Cheese!

Nothing can upset Rowan and Bomi, at least not right now.

But the next day, while Bomi is sleeping…
Rowan: It’s Penelope again. I can’t keep hiding from her, I have to answer.

Well, Penelope managed to convince him to go see her right now. Rowan doesn’t know what to do. After all he’s in the middle of his honeymoon.

Finally, after thinking it over for quite a while…
Rowan: Okay. I’ll go there, talk to her, and be right back before Bomi wakes up. She won’t even notice I was gone.

As soon as he gets there, once again he couldn’t resist…

Following their passionate encounter, Rowan decided to tell Penelope the truth: he’s now a married man and is about to become a father. Penelope was shocked.

But in the end, she accepted the situation, that from now on, she would be the “other woman”. As for Rowan, he didn’t even mention breaking up. Just looking Penelope in the eyes made him back down. But he knows he’ll have to break up with her eventually cause he can’t keep doing this to Bomi and their baby.

He doesn’t want to repeat his father’s story; just thinking about it makes him furious with himself. He doesn’t want to be irresponsible, nor does he want to complicate Bomi’s life or even Penelope’s. Neither of them deserves this. Sooner or later, he’ll have to muster the courage to put an end to this situation.

The next morning, Bomi noticed Rowan was somewhat pensive. She instantly sensed it had something to do with his sneaky get-away the night before. He thought she hadn’t noticed, but of course she had.
Bomi: Row, is everything okay?
Rowan: Yeah, why?
Bomi: I don’t know, you look… worried.
Rowan: Not worried, just a little nervous about the job interview.

Not entirely untrue, because he does have an interview at Neo Chemi in a few minutes. He has to start working right away to support Bomi and the baby, but what really worries him isn’t the interview, but how will he tell Penelope they have to break up. And above all, how will he tell Bomi that he’s been seeing Penelope. Once she knows, will she forgive him?

Anyway, it’s 5 p.m., and Rowan is arriving for his interview with Dylan Adams, a Neo Chemi executive, who, interestingly enough, has the same name as Rowan’s grandfather. Is that a good sign?

He and Mr. Adams hit it off right away, plus Rowan is more than qualified for the job (remember, he’s the son of a Time Traveler from the future!), so he ends up getting the position.

When he got home, he told Bomi the good news. They both celebrated with a dance, but the moment was ruined when Bomi asked him again if something was bothering him lately, and out of the blue, she brought up Penelope Morris.

Rowan: Here we go again, Bom? I told you, Penelope and I broke up long ago.
Bomi: Really? Then why are you still seeing her?
Rowan: I’m not seeing her.
Bomi: Row, please, I’m not stupid. Just tell the truth.
Rowan: All right, I saw her a couple of times, but it’s over now, okay?
Bomi of course didn’t believe him and wouldn’t talk to him for the rest of that night.

Rowan’s first day on the job at Neo Chemi.

It’s an interesting job, and it takes his mind off his problems with Bomi, who has been very angry and also very emotional because of her pregnancy.

Rowan: I have to make it up to Bomi for all the pain I caused her. These days should be happy for both of us, but I’ve ruined them. I need to do something about it, and soon.

Anyway, he needs to stop thinking about his personal problems for now and focus on work. It’s a very fulfilling job; he wouldn’t want to lose it.
Rowan: Mom will be proud of me when I tell her about Neo Chemi. Maybe I’ll become a great scientist like her someday.

During lunch, his worries return. What if Penelope doesn’t understand? What if he can’t leave her? What if Bomi leaves him? He certainly couldn’t bear that.

His train of thought is interrupted when his boss, Mr. Adams and coworker Juhan Jeon join him at the table, so it’s time to put his thoughts aside and strike up a conversation.

And back to work. Staying busy helps Rowan take his mind off his problems.

But just before he leaves, he gets a message from Penelope. She wants him to come see her after work. Rowan doesn’t feel like going, but maybe this is his chance to break up with her? He’ll have to make up some excuse for Bomi to explain why he’s out another night.

Once at Penelope’s house… It’s clear he won’t be able to break up with her today either. She has a kind of spell over him.

The evening was ruined anyway because a burglar broke into the house while they were having dinner. Penelope called the police, but they never showed up.

She had to take care of the burglar herself. Good thing she’s in great physical shape!

Doesn’t mean she didn’t get the scare of her life.

While Rowan continued eating dinner as if nothing had happened. It’s not that he’s a coward, but if he’d hit the thief, maybe the thief would have hit him back, and how was he going to explain to Bomi how he’d gotten those bruises?

Penelope: Or maybe you’re just vain and didn’t want to ruin your pretty face? I wish you’d stop thinking about yourself or what will affect Bomi and think about me for once!

(To be continued)