08 ∞  where wedding bells (may) begin to ring

YOONA - - -

“Yuri’s house is… huge. Wow.” Sooyoung exclaimed, her jaw dropping as we stepped into the Kwon’s home for lunch at Yuri’s request. I giggled at her astonished face and watched as her eyes widened at the sight of Yuri’s family living room. Yeonhee had the same expression her face, but thankfully for her she was slightly better at hiding it.

“Easy, Sooyoung.” I said, patting her on the shoulder and laughing. She made a face and I watched her go around the living room hand in hand with Yeonhee.

Yuri’s home really was very beautiful inside and out. It was lavish but not overly so… and it still had that cozy feeling. My eyes landed on the family portrait above the fireplace and smiled. They were quite a happy family. It was very endearing.

“The last time I was in a huge house was when we surprised Changmin on his 20th birthday.” Yeonhee said, looking interestedly at the paintings adorned all over the walls. My heart did a small backflip and I tried to regain composure.

“Right, his house was pretty large too.”

Sooyoung was busy, fluffing out a cushion and hugging it, smiling widely.

“Yeah, but Changmin’s house was a lot bigger than this one. And a lot colder, remember?” she said, hugging the cushion tightly and laughing. “I was so scared when we met her mother too.”

I smiled unbeknownst to myself. I remembered that day perfectly. Kibum had suggested visiting Changmin at his family home for his birthday and the four of us drove all the way over there with bags filled with cake, chips and soju. When we arrived, we (except Kibum) never expected Changmin’s house to be so… grand. Kibum said we had to hide the things we brought and he expertly (and by expertly, he told us to climb an old ladder he pulled out from somewhere) led us straight to Changmin’s room. I wasn’t very coordinated then and I slipped somewhere… Changmin caught me just in time I fell.

Unfortunately, it was then his mother saw us. After that, we were treated to a (cold) birthday dinner and were delivered home before we could even give our presents.

“We never got to give our presents! I had gotten him really good mitt.” Sooyoung mused, studying the intricate embroidery on the cushion (what was with her and cushions?) she was holding.

“I had made him those butterscotch cookies he liked so much.” Yeonhee echoed, and looked at me waiting to for a reply. I tried to look nonchalant. “Hey, Yoong. What did you bring him?”

I shrugged. “A H.O.T album to tease his inner Pop idol fanboy self and a book by Ha Jin called Waiting. He said he liked books.”

Sooyoung laughed. “Oh my Gosh, I remember that! He liked Kangta, right? Man, what a girl!”

“You liked him too.” I teased, and she stuck her tongue out at me.

“Hey!” Yuri’s voice rang out and a few moments later, we saw her running down an elegant stairwell. She had her hair tied back and was smiling widely. I felt a tinge of jealousy looking at her fresh and beautiful face.

It’s no wonder he’d agree to marry her. She’s gorgeous. I frowned and scolded myself inwardly. No, you have a boyfriend, Yoona. And Changmin doesn’t – shouldn’t – matter anymore.

“Let’s go out in the garden. The lunch is already set.”

“Yey food!” Sooyoung cheered, grabbing Yeonhee’s arm (just as Yuri’s grabbed mine) and we scrambled out into the garden happily.

The lunch was a breathtaking one. Even Sooyoung was taken aback. We settled in our seats and happily started to eat and chat. Yuri told us funny stories from her childhood and we shared ours as well. I had to laugh at myself for being foolish for a moment. Yuri was a good person and a wonderful friend. I could trust her.

“My my. I didn’t know we had visitors!” Mrs. Kwon said, appearing at screen door that led to the garden. We stood up to greet her and Yuri gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“How was your meeting, Mom?” Yuri asked, picking at her chicken and feeding it to her mother (which she took without second thought. Sooyoung and I smiled.)

“Oh I decided to bring it here.” She motioned for someone inside and my insides turned icy in the moment I realized who it was. Sooyoung reached out for my hand and Yeonhee shot me a surprised and worried glance. I held my breath.

“Ladies… Yuri, this is Mrs. Shim – Changmin’s mother and your future mother-in-law. She arrived from Japan earlier today to discuss the wedding plans.”

Yuri stood up and bowed gracefully. Mrs. Shim did the same, and extended her hand to shake hers. Then her eyes were me, and it rose slightly. I stood up to bow as well, but I was so nervous that I think it see