It’s Minzy’s graduation ceremony. Jaejoong, Yoochun, Seung Hyun and I were seated on the far back of the University Hall. They started calling all the graduates not a long while ago. I look over my left and I can’t help but shake my head at my friends as Minzy’s name was about to be called.

Jaejoong was howling Minzy’s name like some fan chant. And when they announced Minzy’s name, she stood up and Yoochun suddenly screamed.

“That’s my future wife!!!”

And as if my embarrassment couldn’t be any worse, Seung Hyun suddenly raised the LED lights banner which said ‘Congratulations Minzy!’ and waved it frantically howling along with Jaejoong and Yoochun. All I could do was bow in apology at the parents around us.

I’m probably the sanest person among us. Sometimes I wonder how in the world I ended up being friends with these three guys…but then again…I wouldn’t be sane if not for them. When I had nobody…not even my family, I had them. And to be truly honest, I don’t know if I’d be alive today if it weren’t for these three guys. Somehow they made me want to endure the darkest days of my life.

Each night during those darkest days I always questioned myself why I survived and my brother didn’t…every time I questioned myself before I go to sleep, I couldn’t help but wish to die in my sleep…but every following morning I always come up with different reasons to wake up each single day…Seung Hyun would end up getting beaten up by the boyfriends of the girls he hooked up with if I don’t wake up and go to school…Yoochun would end up being a puppet of his father if I don’t taunt him in going in for that audition he wanted to go in to but don’t have the balls to actually do it…Jaejoong would end up being a jaded apathetic person because of his parent’s death if I don’t take away that role in the group.

“You guys were so embarrassing!” Minzy scolded us as soon as she came towards us after the ceremony ended. Yoochun smiled at her widely and he locked her in his arms.

“I’m so proud of you.” He kissed the top of her head. He is such a cheesy .

“Now next thing on our agenda is to get married!” Yoochun exclaimed happily. Minzy slowly entangled herself from Yoochun’s hold and she walked towards Seung Hyun and me.                          

“Uhmmm…Hyun Joong oppa…Seung Hyun oppa…I was wondering…since Jaejoong oppa will be Yoochun oppa’s best man…I was wondering if both of you would be willing to bring me to the altar…” Minzy asked us hesitantly. Why would she even ask us? Of course we’re both giving her away. We’re her two older brothers. 

“I’d be honored.” I smile at her. Seung Hyun suddenly jumped towards her and gave her a back hug.

“That’s kind of a dumb question to ask Minzy because duh we’re definitely giving you away. You didn’t have to ask!” Seung Hyun replied happily.

*****

I asked the guys the guys to go straight ahead to Seung Hyun’s villa for the celebration and I offered to pick up the cake at Bom’s pastry shop. Little did they know, I had a surprise for them too.

I’m going to meet up with Jinah…Nana as what you all know her. I head on over to Jinah’s agency and parked my car a few blocks away from their building. I picked up my phone sent her a message that I was already here at our meeting place. Around fifteen minutes after that, her van arrived and she quickly stepped off from the van and I opened the car door for her.

I’m bringing her to Minzy’s graduation party celebration later at Seung Hyun’s villa and she doesn’t have any clue about it yet. It’s going to be her first time meeting the guys. She was wearing distressed denim shorts, plain white shirt, over a red plaid long sleeved shirt that she rolled up to her elbows, red Chuck Taylor’s, black baseball cap and sunglasses. I smiled mentally. How can she look so beautiful despite being so casual? She doesn’t know what she’s in for this day though. I guess I’d have to keep it from her too before she gets the chance to back out.

“Long day?” I asked her as I lean over and reached for her seat belt so I could lock her in. I know she’s only had a few hours of sleep because of rehearsals for her group’s comeback. She smiled tiredly and reached for my jaw, rubbing her thumb against my skin.

“I missed you…” She murmured. My heart had this little jolt after hearing her say those words, meaning every word of it. She reached over to me and kissed me softly in the lips. She held my eyes and smiled happily.

“There, I’m already recharged. What are we going to do today?” She asked excitedly.

This woman is full of surprises. The first time we met I had the first impression that she was a snob. But she had this drawing power in me that just made want to know more about her. At first I thought it was just the triviality of Jinah being a celebrity.  Then after that night we had over coffee I saw that like me, she had many layers of herself. And each and after every date I had with her, the urge to unravel and peel off her layers felt stronger. After months of dating her, I felt like she finally gave me the chance to see the girl behind the layers.

She’s sweet and warm and uninhibited in expressing how she felt to the few people she trusts. The layers she hid behind are a shield…some sort of protection from being hurt.  

“Am I dressed for our day’s itinerary?” She blinked like a doll. I looked at her from head to toe and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“You’re alright. Don’t worry.” I said cryptically.

“Why all the mystery though?” She asked dumbfounded. I didn’t answer and just started driving.

“Where are we going?” She asked a few minutes of driving. I stole a glance at her.

“I’m not telling.” I answered.

“No fair.” She muttered. I smiled. Her expression reminded me of a mad three year old girl because she didn’t get her lollipop.

I parked the car and walked around the car to open the door for her. She got out but she wasn’t speaking to me. She actually thinks that the no-speaking-card is going to work this time. I chuckled and pulled down her cap to cover her face and then I planted a quick kiss on her lips. I see her face getting a little red. I grabbed her hand and we started walking.

We walked inside Bom’s pastry shop and I tapped on the little bell.

“What are we doing here?” Jinah whispered but before I could reply, Bom came out donning chef costume and flour creases on her face.

“Where’s my cake?” I asked. She looked at me in surprise and then her eyes trailed on Jinah and then back to me. Bom raised her eyebrow.

“Well…well…well…” She took off her hat and walked over to us.

“I’m Bom.” She held her hand out to Jinah and she took it.

“I’m Jinah…” She told Bom her real name.

“I’m very glad to meet you.” Bom squeaked and then she embraced Jinah acting as if she knew her all her life. I groaned. Ugh. So typical of Bom.

“Bom. Quit it.” I warned and the woman just glared at me.

“We have no time to spare. I need the cake now.” I grated.

“Oh she’s definitely a keeper. You did great!!!” Bom gushed.

I shouldn’t have brought her here. It was a very bad idea. I mentally shook my head.

“What is going on?” Jinah asked me, a little bit flustered with Bom’s behavior.

“Bom you’re scaring her already. You know how new people you meet can only take a few small doses in order to get used to you.” Bom stomped her feet.

“Oh. Alright. Alright. Alright.” Thank goodness she finally backed away. She went behind the counter and got out the box of cake and she grumpily gave it to me.

“Promise me to bring her around again.” Bom pointed her index finger on me. I just looked at her icily.

Bom reached for her inside pocket and handed me a light pink envelope.

“What’s this? An invitation for a children’s party?” I looked at the envelope closely. I groaned in pain because Bom just slapped my arm.

“Don’t be a smart . That’s my wedding invitation. And you’re bringing Jinah as your date or you’ll suffer the consequences!” Bom warned. This woman is just impossible.

“Would you believe it? Here I thought it was impossible but wow…you’re finally getting married.” I said sarcastically earning another slap on my arm.

“FYI Dongwook oppa wanted to marry me as