Chapter 15

After a long discussion, Jun Su and I decided to put my illness behind us, and kept it from his parents.

“We can’t let them know,” I said. “They would worry.”

“I was gonna tell my mother so that she can look out for you while you’re preparing for our wedding. I want her to make sure you’re not overworked.”

“And you want to add to her stress by having her watch me 24/7? No, Jun Su. Don’t be crazy.”

“I guess you’re right,” he conceded. And we decided not to tell his family.

It was finally the day of my wedding. I woke up that morning and stared at the ceiling. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be waking up with Jun Su beside me. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be Mrs. Kim. I smiled to myself at the thought of it. I’d always imagined myself to be alone for life, until I met Jun Su.

I remembered lying to him about wanting the Stevie Wonder CD back when we first met. I’d told him that I wanted it as a present for my father. When he found out that I had no parents, he’d been livid.

“How can you tell such a lie?” he exclaimed.

“Come on,” I said. “Would you have let me have it just like that?”

“I might have,” he said.

“You liar!”

“Fine… I wouldn’t have,” he admitted.

“You see…”

“I can’t believe it,” he laughed.

“Neither can I,” I smiled.

Dae In came to pick me up and brought me to the stylist who was going to dress me, put on my makeup and do my hair. We arrived at the church 2 hours later and Dae In helped me out of the car after getting out first. She closed the door and started arranging my train as the driver drove the car away. We walked into the church and were greeted by Jun Su’s mother at the corridor.

“You look beautiful, my dear,” she smiled.

I was wearing a cream coloured, empire cut, strapless dress. The skirt was a little flared, but not puffy and it touched the floor with a little train extending out at the back. I had a short veil and around my neck, I wore the diamond necklace Jun Su’s parents had given me as an engagement present. In my ears were the matching diamond earrings.

Since I was an orphan and I had no relatives in Korea, Jun Ho was going to give me away. I met up with him at the door. Dae In gave me a hug before she walked into the church with Jun Su’s mother.

“Ready to go?” he smiled.

“What if I’m not?”

“I’ll have to haul you in, then. Cos that’s what Jun Su asked me to do,” he winked.

“Then I’ll just come quietly. I don’t want to be hauled around like a piece of meat,” I laughed.

The string quartet, Jun Su’s parents had invited, started playing, and the doors opened slowly. I linked my arm with Jun Ho’s and we started walking. There were about 200 people in the church, and each of them turned to look at me expectantly. What were they thinking? Were they judging me? Were they wondering why a family of Jun Su’s stature would allow their son to marry a nobody like me? I looked away from the crowd and focused on Jun Su, he was grinning at me, like he’d won the lottery. Beside him stood Yoo Chun, looking bored. As I passed the final row in the aisle, I turned to look at Dae In.

“Hwaiting!” she mouthed, and I smiled.

Jun Su extended his hand to me, and I took it. No turning back now. The memories of everything that we’d been through together flashed through my mind. From now on, there were new memories to make and a new life ahead. I felt like I was floating and I wasn’t even listening to what the pastor was saying. Somehow, I managed to automatically recite my vows when it was my turn.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the pastor finally said.

Jun Su turned to face me, and leaned down to kiss me. Cheers erupted in the church when he kissed me and as he pulled away, he smiled at me. There was something about his smile that day. It was different from the smiles he usually had. It looked at lot like contentment.

The church service was over and we were at the wedding reception. We’d taken advantage of the cool weather, since it was just the beginning of autumn, and decided to have the reception in tents, outdoors. Jun Su and I swayed slowly to ‘You Were Meant for Me’, our song. It was the very first song we’d danced to, as a couple, and Jun Su had made sure they were playing it at our wedding. As we danced, he sang softly into my ears.

The sky darkened, with night approaching. Jun Su and I changed out of our wedding finery and walked out towards the car waiting to take us to the airport. We were going to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. I stopped halfway down the pathway to the car, to throw my bouquet at the girls waiting. After I did, Dae In and Jun Su’s parents came to hug us.

“Take care of onni, Jun Su oppa,” Dae In told Jun Su.

“I will,” he smiled.

“Enjoy yourselves,” Jun Su’s parents said.

“We will,” I replied.

“You guys forgot about me?” Yoo Chun suddenly appeared.

“Yoo Chun,” Jun Su smiled, and they gave each other a brotherly hug.

“Have fun,” he winked at us, and we both laughed. Yoo Chun would always be incorrigible.

We got into the car and turned behind to wave as we drove off.

“Are you ready, Mrs. Kim?” Jun Su asked me as he took my hand in his.

“I’m ready, Mr. Kim,” I replied confidently, and he kissed me.

Chapter 14

After sending Yoo Chun and Dae In home, Jun Su started driving in a direction which was definitely not towards my apartment.

“Where are we going?” I asked him.

“To a doctor,” he said.

“I don’t want to see a doctor,” I said angrily. Why didn’t he understand? There was no reason for me to see one.

“Can you shut up for once and listen to me?” he said. His voice was firm and calm, but this usually meant that he was getting angry.

“There is nothing wrong with me, and if there were, I don’t wanna waste the time and money keeping me alive and suffering until the day I die. I’d rather die, not knowing, just like that.”

“You’re always thinking about yourself; how you want to live your life, how you want things done. And you’ve never spared a thought for those around you,” he said angrily.

“It’s my life. And who said that I’ve always lived it the way I want to. I’m marrying you because you want us to get married. Did I ever ask you to marry me? I didn’t. How dare you accuse me of being selfish?”

“If marrying me is such a burden, then don’t. I don’t need you to marry me if it’s such a big sacrifice to you. I don’t want to marry you only to have you die on me and my family, who already treat you as if you were their own.”

After hearing Jun Su’s outburst, I realized I’d gone a little too far. I never wanted to hurt him or his family and I do care about them.

“Jun Su-yah,” I said as I took his hand and squeezed it. He sighed wearily and he squeezed back. “Mian,” I said softly.

“I’m sorry too. Can we just go see the doctor?”

“Can we go another day? I’m not ready for whatever the doctor might say today.”

“Fine. I’ll make an appointment with my family’s physician. We’ll go sometime next week. Alright?”

“Ne,” I replied as I leant my head over to rest on his shoulder as he drove.

The next week came quickly, and I was in the hospital all day doing tests and getting every part of my body checked up. I had to run on a treadmill, hooked this machine which measured my heartbeat, I had blood tests, scans, x-rays taken and by the end of the day, I felt exhausted from it all. Jun Su was with me all the way, holding my hand whenever he could.

“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with you,” he said reassuringly. “Just bear with it, alright? I just want to be sure you’re healthy,” he added, and I smiled at him.

Just in case anyone wondered, I don’t have parents. I’ve lost them a long time ago and I’ve not been told whether they’d died or they’d just abandoned me. I could only hope now that I do not have any hereditary diseases.

It was almost 4pm when we finally ended up in Jun Su’s family’s physician’s office. Dr. Song had been the Kim family’s physician since Jun Su was a child and his word and health advice was always followed to the letter.

“So this is your wife-to-be?” Dr. Song asked Jun Su.

“Ne,” he smiled. “You’ve received the wedding invitation, haven’t you?”

“Yes I have. Thank you,” Dr. Song smiled as he opened up my file.

We looked on anxiously as Dr. Song scanned through the reports collected from the day’s tests. When he was done, he closed it and looked up at us as he clasped his hands together.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat your condition, my dear,” he said.

“Is there something wrong with me?” I asked.

“You have acute cardiomyopathy,” he said.

“Acute what?” Jun Su said.

“In layman’s terms, a minor heart failure,” Dr. Song explained. “It’s a type of heart disease in which the heart muscle is abnormally enlarged, thickened and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart muscle's ability to pump blood is usually impaired. Is there a history of this disease in your family?”

“I was pretty much orphaned, and no one has ever told me of what had happened to my parents.”

“Hmm… then there’s nothing much we can do about it. I suspect that it’s a hereditary condition for you.”

“What do we need to do?” Jun Su asked. “Is it fatal?”

“It could be if she doesn’t take care of herself. You must have been really stressed lately. Have you experienced chest pains before the last one you had last week?”

“I’ve had them once or twice during my school days.”

“Well, I can only put you on medication and we’ll see if we can get it under control. If it gets worse, we may have to consider a heart transplant.”

“A heart transplant?” I exclaimed as I stared at the doctor. This was the reason why I hadn’t wanted to see the doctor. Never in my life had I ever had an operation and I didn’t want one to happen, ever.

“Sierra, calm down,” Jun Su said. “It’ll be alright.”

I turned and stared at Jun Su. He had no idea of the fear I was going through now. What if I didn’t get better? What if I don’t survive the operation? I felt cold sweat beading on my forehead as I was terrified by the thought of never seeing Jun Su again.

Chapter 13

Jun Su oppa and Sierra onni rushed down to the hospital with me as soon as I got the call. What happened? I can’t bear to imagine what had happened to Yoo Chun. As soon as Jun Su oppa stopped the car in front of the hospital’s main doors, I hopped out and ran in as fast as I could towards the registration counter.

“I received a call,” I said breathlessly, “about my husband, Park Yoo Chun.”

“Hold on,” the receptionist said as she clicked around on her computer. “He’s still in the ER area,” she told me.

“ER? Is his injury serious?” I asked her.

“I wouldn’t know. You can go see for yourself. It’s down this corridor, on your left,” she pointed.

“Kamsahamnida,” I said as I ran in the direction she pointed.

As I entered the ER and I felt intimidated by the atmosphere there. Doctors and nurses were bustling around and there were a few sick or injured people waiting to be treated. Where was Yoo Chun?

“Dae In,” I heard him call my name and I turned around. There he was, sitting on a bench with a neck brace on.

“Yoo Chun,” I ran to him and hugged him tightly as he stood up.

“Calm down or you’re going to break my neck,” he smiled as I looked up at him. He pushed my hair back and his hand rested at the nape of my neck.

“What happened?” I asked him.

“Some fool crashed into the back of my car. Thankfully, all I got was a little sprain on my neck.”

“And the other driver?”

“No injuries.”

“I came here expecting you to have an arm broken or something like that,” I said.

“You want that to happen to me?” he asked.

“No… I meant that I’d expected the worse. Thank god you’re fine.”

“Let’s go,” he said as he put his arm around me and steered me out of the ER. “This place is depressing.”

As we walked out, we met up with Jun Su oppa and Sierra onni.

“You’re fine,” Jun Su oppa exclaimed.

“Of course I am,” Yoo Chun smirked.

“Then why did you have to call us?” Jun Su oppa asked.

“My car was towed away,” he explained.

“You could’ve taken a taxi,” Jun Su oppa said.

“Fine, I wanted my wife to come and comfort me. You got a problem with that?” Yoo Chun half-shouted.

“No,” Jun Su oppa laughed. “No problem with that.”

I was feeling happy as we walked out together, the four of us. He actually needed me. How much longer do I need before his heart belonged to me?

[Sierra’s POV]

We walked out of the hospital after meeting up with Yoo Chun and Dae In. Thank god it was a minor injury. I don’t know how Dae In would take it if it had been serious. I smiled to myself. Yoo Chun finally admitted that he needed Dae In. I was so happy for the both of them.

As we reached the car, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I stopped and gasped at the impact of it.

“Sierra,” Jun Su grabbed me as I looked like as if I was about to fall over.

“I felt a pain,” I said, with my hand still pressing over my chest.

“Pain? Let’s go back in and check it out,” he said.

“No, I’ll be fine.” I said. I didn’t like hospitals, and I wasn’t about to subject myself to an examination willingly.

“Onni, come on. Let’s go back in and have the pain checked out,” Dae In urged me.

“You’re getting married soon. You have to be in good health,” Yoo Chun reminded me.

“I’ll be fine,” I said stubbornly as I got into the car.

Jun Su sighed. He knew he couldn’t make me, so he gave in and we drove Yoo Chun and Dae In back home in silence.

Chapter 12

Our first kiss… it was everything I’d wanted it to be; sweet, melting and passionate. As he continued to kiss me, his hands stroked my arm while the other, he placed around my neck, sort of supporting my head. I became emboldened by my passion, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him down closer against me. He stopped for a moment and looked at me questioningly. He must have been surprised. Did he think I would always be sweet and innocent? I pulled him down and kissed him hard, and from then on, we didn’t stop.

I sighed with pleasure as he kissed and nuzzled my neck. My legs were now wrapped around his waist, and he seemed to be really enjoying this.

“Dae In,” he breathed against my neck.

“Hmm?” I murmured.

“I think I’m starting to like you,” he said, as he looked up at me.

I looked into his eyes and I really didn’t know if I should be happy or sad. He liked me. He just started to like me. What about my feelings? I liked him from the moment I met him. And now, I think I’m starting to love him. This honeymoon had opened my eyes to a new part of Yoo Chun I’d not seen. I think I love him already. I reached out my hand and stroked his cheek.

“Same here,” I replied.

For now, I won’t tell him how I really feel. Maybe later…

“Dae In,” I heard someone call my name, and I was jolted out of my reverie.

“Huh?” I said as I turned to look.

“Dae In,” onni repeated. “How do I look?” she asked me. I took in her entire outfit. She looked beautiful. I guess happiness does matter when you’re getting married. You tend to look extra radiant when you are happy.

“Gorgeous,” I smiled.

“Be serious, Dae In,” onni said. “I’m getting married in 2 weeks. There’s no time to make a new one if we don’t decide now.”

“You look fine!” I insisted.

“Are you sure?” she asked me, and I was close to exasperation. Onni was usually the decisive one. This wedding was turning her into a nervous wreck.

“She’s right,” Jun Su oppa said as he walked in. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, oppa,” I smiled. “You see what you’ve done to my onni? This whole wedding is turning her into a bundle of nerves. Can’t you guys just go get registered and be done with it? You don’t need a wedding banquet and all that,” I laughed.

“My mother would kill me,” Jun Su oppa laughed.

“And I do not want to be the cause of his death,” onni smiled as she walked over and put her arms around Jun Su oppa’s waist.

“You guys…” I laughed. “Enough PDA. I’m feeling left out.”

After the fittings, we went for coffee at a nearby café and discussed their honeymoon.

“I wanna go to Bora Bora,” Sierra onni said.

“What about tsunamis?” Jun Su oppa asked.

“What about them?” onni said.

“Aren’t you afraid another will strike?”

“If we’re that lucky, I wouldn’t be marrying you now,” Sierra onni joked and Jun Su oppa pretended to look aghast.

“Why not Hawaii?” I suggested.

“Ah… Hawaii sounds fun,” Jun Su oppa said.

“What about volcanoes?” Sierra onni piped in.

“Volcanoes?” Jun Su oppa said.

“If we’re that lucky to get hit by a tsunami at Bora Bora, we must be lucky enough to have a volcano erupt while we’re at Hawaii,” onni said with a serious expression.

I laughed as Jun Su oppa glared at onni. They were a hilarious pair. Their playful bickering and loving gestures; I can’t help but envy their relationship. Yoo Chun and I were always quiet and polite around each other. We didn’t joke much, and we definitely didn’t bicker. It could be the fact onni’s older than Jun Su oppa and Jun Su oppa being playful, will never take onni’s insults and comments lying down.

We were interrupted by my mobile phone. It was a number I did not recognize.

“Yoboseyo?” I answered.

“Are you the wife of Park Yoo Chun-shi?” a lady asked.

“Nae. Who am I speaking to?” I asked.

“This is the Seoul General Hospital. Your husband has been involved in a car accident. Can you please come down to the hospital?”

Chapter 11

It’s been 2 months since Jun Su proposed. I’m now at the bridal shop, getting fitted into my wedding gown. Unlike Dae In’s, mine wasn’t an imported designer creation.

“Don't you want a dress you could cherish forever?” Jun Su asked me.

“What makes you think only designer gowns are cherished? I don’t need such an expensive gown.”

“Let her be, Jun Su,” his mother piped in. “I’m already happy to see that my soon-to-be daughter-in-law in a practical woman,” she smiled.

Our engagement party had been a big but simple affair. Jun Su was beaming throughout the entire thing and I could not help but smile back at him. So this was the man I would be spending the rest of my life with. After we’d cut the cake, Jun Su held my hand to his lips and kissed it; everyone cheered when he did.

“Ch’uk’ahamnida!” Jun Su’s schoolmate, Chang Min, came up to congratulate us on his way out.

“Thanks for coming,” Jun Su smiled as he hugged him.

“No problem,” he smiled, then he turned to me. “Nuna, you have to keep him in check from now on,” Chang Min grinned.

“Don’t worry,” I laughed. “I will,” I said as I looked at Jun Su meaningfully.

“Chang Min,” Jun Su gasped. “How can you tell her that? Now she’s gonna think that she’s the boss of me.”

“But I am,” I smiled. “Am I not?” I added as I changed my expression to one of mock seriousness. Jun Su paused for a moment to study my expression. Chang Min looked on nervously as the tension that seemed to be brewing.

“Yes you are,” Jun Su laughed and I jabbed him in the ribs as I laughed with him.

[Dae In’s P.O.V]

I’m with Sierra onni at her gown fitting. Jun Su oppa was in the other room, getting fit into his tuxedo. I looked at my mobile phone; Yoo Chun hadn’t called. He’d been making it a habit to call me at least twice a day; before lunch and on his way home. I looked at onni, and I envied her happiness. I wasn’t as happy as she was before I got married.

I can still remember her face during her engagement party. She looked blissfully happy and so did Jun Su oppa. They looked like they were meant for each other. I caught them stealing glances at each other when the other was not looking, and I envied the looks of love they gave each other. Then again, my marriage hadn’t turned out too bad either. At least not as bad as I’d expected it to be. During the entire wedding banquet, Yoo Chun and I plastered smiles on our faces. As soon as we were alone, we stopped smiling. The ride to the airport was uncomfortably silent and the flight there remained pretty much the same. But despite all that, the honeymoon turned out to be a pleasant trip. If anyone wondered, yes, Yoo Chun and I have consummated our marriage. I wasn’t even expecting him to since he’d acted like he hated me before we got married.

It happened a few days before we were due to return to Korea. We’d been caught in the rain on our way back to the hotel from dinner.

“Go shower,” Yoo Chun said as he pushed me into the bathroom.

“But you’re soaked. I’ve only got a few drops of rain splashed on me,” I protested. Yoo Chun had taken off his jacket to shield me from the rain, a gesture which I would have never expected from him. I guess he was a gentleman after all.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, as he closed the bathroom door.

I emerged from the shower to find him sleeping on the bed, on top of the covers. He’d changed out of his wet clothes and was wearing a bathrobe. The bathrobe had come apart a little, and I could see his chest and his thigh peeking through it. It made me feel queasy. Actually, I’m not even sure that ‘queasy’ is the right word to describe it. Let’s just say I felt something that I’d never felt before around Yoo Chun.

“Oppa,” I nudged him. “Oppa, wake up.”

“Hmm?” he said as he opened one eye.

“Go shower before you catch a cold,” I said.

He looked at me with an odd expression. He’d never looked at me like that before. I could feel his eyes boring into me, as if he could read my heart. I was starting to feel nervous. He reached out one hand and looked at me expectantly.

“Nawa,” he said in his deep, warm voice and I had no other option but to obey. I put my hand in his and allowed him to guide me onto the bed. I was wearing a bathrobe too and my hair was still wet from washing it earlier. Yoo Chun lay me down beside him and his fingers came to comb through my hair, bit by bit, as he spread them out on top of the pillow I lay on. When he was done with that task, his fingers came to rest of my cheek, and he slowly traced a line down my chin.

“Yoo Chun,” I whispered. I didn’t dare say anything else.

“Shh…” he said and he bent down to kiss me.

Chapter 10

My doorbell rang repeatedly and I squinted at my clock. It’s 9am on a Saturday. Who could it be? I rolled off the bed onto the floor on all fours, slipped on my Mashimaro slippers and padded sleepily out of my room, towards the front door. When I opened it, Dae In attacked me with a hug.

“Onni!! Omigod! Onni!!” she squealed.

“Dae In… waegurae?” I said sleepily.

“You’re getting married? I just heard from Yoo Chun,” she said excitedly as she took a step back.

“Oh… that? Yea. Jun Su proposed yesterday. Come on in,” I said as I turned around and walked in.

“Aren’t you excited?” she asked.

“I’m scared shitless,” I replied as I yawned again.

“Huh? Why?”

“I’m getting married, Dae In. It’s a huge deal!”

“Haha! Of course it is,” she laughed.

“But of course, it won’t be as huge as yours.”

“Well, Jun Su’s family aren’t as rich as Yoo Chun’s and mine, but Jun Su’s the eldest. So it could end up a real big event.”

“And that’s exactly what I’m not keen on.”

“Why?”

“I’m nobody. I’m a foreigner. I’m not from an elite family. I feel so inferior next to you guys.”

“Nonsense, onni! You’re one of us. Social background does not matter.”

“You have such an illustrious social background. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Onni… I’m sure that’s not the kind of girl Jun Su’s parents want for their son. They’re more liberal than most of the rich families I know.”

“I hope so,” I sighed.

Just then, I could hear my mobile phone ringing from my room.

“Chamkan,” I said to Dae In as I ran into my room to get it. I looked at the caller ID and frowned when I saw it was Yoo Chun. What did he want now?

“Yoboseyo,” I answered.

“Congratulations,” he drawled.

“What do you want?” I said curtly.

“I called to congratulate you, and I get hostility?”

“Thank you, Yoo Chun,” I said as sweetly as I could as I walked out to the living room. “You must want to talk to Dae In,” I added.

“What? She’s there?” Yoo Chun said.

“Chamshimanyo,” I said. “Dae In, your husband,” and I handed my phone to her.

“Who?” she asked.

“Yoo Chun, your husband,” I laughed.

“Oh…” she laughed. “Yoo Chun,” she answered, “What’s up?”

I sat there and watched her converse with him. I can picture him churning out his lines, convincing her that this was some friendly call to congratulate me.

“Nae,” Dae In said, “see you at home,” and she hung up.

“You guys are so sweet,” I smiled.

“Don’t tease me, onni,” she laughed as she handed my phone back to me.

“But you are,” I insisted. “I’m glad that things are turning out well for the both of you,” and I meant it.

Even though Yoo Chun did not stop calling me, I could sense now that he did care for Dae In. I know now that he wouldn’t want to hurt her. Perhaps someday, he would be able to put all this behind him and devote himself to her.

“So when’s the big day?” Dae In asked.

I smiled and I told her every single detail of the whole meeting I had with Jun Su’s family yesterday.

Chapter 9

“Weren’t you looking for Jun Su?” I asked him.

“Stop acting all innocent,” he said. “You knew I was looking for you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I tried to walk off. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Leave me alone,” I yelled at him.

“You really don’t have a shred of feeling for me, do you?” he asked.

“No,” I said as I glared at him.

“Fine, leave,” he said.

I walked off as fast as I could and I didn’t dare turn back to look at Yoo Chun. I’d thought that he’d finally put everything behind him. It seem like he hasn’t. How can I make him see that I will never reciprocate his feelings?

I’m sitting in a cafe with Jun Su. It’s been more than 6 months since we started dating, and the day I dreaded was finally here. I was going to meet his parents. Jun Su stood up and waved as soon as they walked through the door. Jun Su’s mother was a beautiful woman; stylish and classy. Jun Su once told me that she was an aspiring actress before she married Jun Su’s father. Jun Su’s father was a very distinguished man. From the minute you see him, you can sense that he was refined and cultured, just like Jun Su. Following closely behind them was Jun Su’s brother, Jun Ho. I’ve met Jun Ho on several occasions and have found him to be funny and almost as adorable as his brother. Jun Su and Jun Ho were actually fraternal twins, but they looked nothing alike, save for a few common features. Jun Ho was much taller than Jun Su and I’d often teased him for being the shorter one, despite being older.

“Oma, appa,” Jun Su called out brightly as his parents approached the table. “This is Sierra.”

“Omoni, aboji,” I bowed.

“Please,” Jun Su’s mother smiled. “There’s no need to be formal with us. Just treat us as you would your friends.”

“Oh… I can’t possibly,” I said as I smiled. “You’re Jun Su’s parents.”

“Yes, and we will be family soon,” Jun Su’s father laughed and I could feel my face turning red.

“Appa,” Jun Ho said as he sat down. “Don’t embarrass the poor girl. If you scare her away, there won’t be anyone else to marry hyung.”

“Right,” Jun Su laughed as he put his arm around me.

We sat down and the waitress came to take the orders for their drinks. Jun Su’s mother started questioning me while waiting for the drinks to arrive.

“So, Sierra. You’re not local are you?” she said.

“Come on. Just take a look at her. Do any of our Korean girls look as exotic as she does?” Jun Su’s father exclaimed.

“Of course not,” she smiled. “And I’m sure you will have really beautiful children with Jun Su in the future.”

“Oma!” Jun Su exclaimed as I lowered my head and blushed again.

“Come now, Jun Su. We’re here today to see the girl you intend to marry. I think children are within the topics up for discussion today,” she said. “Right, Sierra?”

“Erm… ne,” I nodded.

“See…” Jun Su mother turned to look at him. “Your mother is never inappropriate,” she smiled.

“So where do you work?” Jun Su’s father asked.

“I work for a small language school. We cater to schools in need of substitute English language teachers.”

“How nice!” Jun Su’s mother exclaimed. “Our Jun Ho needs a lot of work with his English. Maybe you can help him.”

“Kamsahamnida,” Jun Ho smiled to his mother. “You’ve just advertised my stupidity to my future sister-in-law.”

“But you’re not doing well. So you need help, don't you?” she said.

“Ne,” Jun Ho sighed.

We were interrupted briefly when the drinks arrived. I took the opportunity to take a few deep breaths. They seemed to be really nice people. But somehow, I felt so foreign among them.

“So when would you kids like to get married?” Jun Su’s father asked and I almost choked on my coffee. Jun Su laughed when he saw my face.

“Actually, I’ve told them everything before they came to meet you today. Today’s meeting was just to confirm my decision,” Jun Su explained.

He stood up and fished his pocket to produce a box; a ring box to be exact. He knelt down on one knee in front of me and took my hands.

“Sierra, will you marry me?” he asked. I looked at his parents, and they were smiling happily. It was a relieve to know that they liked and approved of me, but it was also awkward to be proposed to in front of them. I looked at Jun Su. He was looking at me and his eyes were filled with hope. “Marry me?” he repeated. He looked so endearing and my heart was bursting with love for him at that moment.

“Yes,” I said as tears filled my eyes. Jun Su got up and hugged me as soon as I gave my answer.

“Ya… hyung, ch’uk’ahamnida!” Jun Ho said as he patted Jun Su on the back.

The other patrons of the cafe were looking at us with curiosity. Jun Su stood up and faced everyone there.

“I’m getting married!” he shouted and the entire cafe looked at him as if he’d gone mad. Then someone started clapping and everyone else followed.

“Jun Su,” I hissed at him and pulled him to sit down beside me. I was so embarrassed that I could feel my face burning. But at the same time, I felt like the happiest girl alive.