CHAPTER 11

Hyun Joong carried So Min to his bed. He removed his shirt and continued kissing So Min. Hyun Joong’s fingers were fumbling as he started to So Min’s blouse. Unexpectedly, So Min held Hyun Joong’s hands and stopped him.

“Why, is everything okay?” Hyun Joong asked.

“Yes, but I have something to tell you,” So Min said.

“What is it?” Hyun Joong asked.

“This is awkward… but I’ve never been with a man before,” So Min said sheepishly.

Hyun Joong did not say a word immediately. He just kept looking at So Min. His eyes were full of tenderness. He lay down next to So Min and warmly touched her face.

“You don’t have to be shy about it. I think it is sweet.”

“I don’t know if sweet is the right word, but thanks for making me feel better.”

“You’re really beautiful So Min. As I’ve said before even more so when you are blushing,” Hyun Joong said while tracing So Min’s lips with his thumb.

Hyun Joong pulled So Min toward him and held her close. 

“Hhhmmm…this feels nice. I can hold you like this everyday and as much I would like to have you tonight, I think we should wait after the wedding. Only a few more days. I think we can handle that.”

“I know,” So Min said while her head was buried in Hyun Joong’s chest.

“But can you stay here with me tonight?”

“Yes. I’d like that.” So Min snuggled even closer to Hyun Joong.

So Min couldn’t explain the feeling. Hyun Joong was right. Being with him felt so good and so right. She felt she belonged to him. She didn’t think they could be this close considering they barely knew each other, not to mention the not so ideal circumstances surrounding their upcoming wedding. But for that moment there were no doubts in her mind. All she knew was she was at home in the arms of Hyun Joong.

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The next couple of days were like a blur for So Min. The wedding preparation had taken over her life and the days passed by so quickly. She and Hyun Joong didn’t see each other during those days. Phone calls were also few and far between. She was busy with the wedding preparation while Hyun Joong was busy with his work. The new business partnership had made his already hectic work schedule even busier. 

So Min was in her office enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet. She was thankful that Seung Ah was there for her. Seung Ah took care of the day-to-day operation of the studio whenever she was not available. If not for her, she wouldn’t know how to survive the craziness of the last few days. So Min was busy looking at her schedule for the day when her phone rang.

“Hey, I’m running to another meeting but I just wanted to give you a quick call to see how you’re doing.” It was Hyun Joong on the other line.

So Min was so happy to hear Hyun Joong’s voice. “Well, busy as expected but I think everything is set for the wedding.”

“Thanks for taking care of most of the details. Sorry, I couldn’t be there to help you.”

“It’s okay. You’re busier than I am so it just makes sense that I work with the wedding planner for the last minute preparations.”

“So are you ready for our big day tomorrow?”

So Min took a deep breath. “I think so.”

“Good. Sorry, I need to go. They are waiting for me in the conference room.”

“Alright. I’ll talk to you later then.”

So Min was ready to hang up the phone when Hyung Joong continued to speak.

“So Min.”

“Yes?”

“I miss you,” Hyun Joong said.

“I miss you too,” So Min replied with a smile on her face.

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It was her wedding day. So Min checked herself in the mirror. She was wearing a white strapless satin-faced organza ball gown with diagonally banded bodice and full tulle skirt. The subtle floral detail on the fabric was immaculately done. She was vey pleased how her wedding gown had turned out. Her designer did a wonderful job and she liked the way she looked in it. Next she checked her hair. It was styled in a lightly textured updo which complemented her gown. Not bad, she said. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone knocking on the door of her hotel suite.

“Ms. Jung, the ceremony will begin in five minutes,” announced by one of the wedding coordinators.

“Okay, thank you.” So Min replied.

So Min took a deep breath. This is it, she said.

The grand ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Hotel was buzzing and the guests were full of anticipation. The guest list included the who’s who of South Korea. Bankers, politicians, and artists just to name a few. The event was covered by the media. So Min and Hyun Joong personally didn’t want the publicity but they didn’t want their wedding to turn into a media circus either so they officially invited the press people.

The string quartet began playing Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D which signaled the start of the wedding procession. The procession started with the four flower girls, the ring bearer, and then Seung Ah, her bridesmaid. Finally, So Min and her father walked down the aisle. So Min was overwhelmed by emotions. She couldn’t help but feel emotional while walking with her father. She fought hard not to cry and kept her composure. And there he was a few feet away was Hyun Joong. He looked so handsome in his black tuxedo. 

Hyun Joong couldn’t take his eyes off So Min. She looked beautiful and elegant in her wedding gown. He was proud that she will soon become his wife. I’m a lucky man, he thought.

The ceremony lasted twenty minutes and they were pronounced husband and wife. There was a loud cheer from the crowd when they kissed. So Min saw her mother wiping her tears away. She blew her mother a kiss and smiled at her. 
During the reception So Min and Hyun Joong moved around from table to table. They thanked their guests and took pictures with them. So Min briefly was able to meet some of Hyun Joong’s colleagues, especially, Mrs. Hwang, Hyun Joong’s assistant in New York. They also met the press and gave them the opportunity to take their pictures.

At the end of the reception So Min and Hyun Joong prepared to leave for the airport for their honeymoon. So Min said goodbye to her parents and gave them a big hug. She couldn’t help but cry in front of them.

“Oh, So Min. Please stop crying. Go and have fun. We will see you when you get back from your trip,” So Min’s mother said.

“I’m sure Hyun Joong will take good care you. Right son?” So Min’s father said.

“Of course, Dad,” Hyun Joong responded.

Hyun Joong felt so good to able to call So Min’s father Dad. Finally, he had someone he can call Dad. 

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So Min and Hyun Joong discussed a few destinations for their honeymoon. They considered Jeju, Bali, and Maldives but eventually they agreed to go to Hawaii. So Min had been there a couple of times and she really liked the place.

They arrived in Honolulu at eleven o’ clock in the evening. The flight was long but So Min and Hyun Joong didn’t mind. They held hands most of the time and stole kisses from each other while no one was looking. They also used the time to get some rest since they were exhausted from the wedding.

The stretch limo was already waiting for them when they finally exited out of the airport. The driver took them to Kahala Hotel & Resort. They checked in and went to their room. 

“Wow, this room is really nice. Very impressive,” So Min said.

“Of course, I reserved the Presidential Suite because my wife deserves nothing less.”

“That’s so sweet. Thank you.”

“I’m starving. Let’s call for room service,” said Hyun Joong.

“I’m hungry too. Yes room service sounds good.”
“Is there anything in particular you’d like to order?”

“Not really. Surprise me. Order for me please.”

Hyun Joong got busy looking at the room service menu while So Min looked around and checked their suite. First she checked the master bedroom which was dominated by its luxurious four poster bed. So Min blushed thinking this was the place she and Hyun Joong will be spending most of their time in the next ten days. She opened the sliding door leading to the balcony and felt the nice breeze coming from the ocean. This is heaven, she thought.

“So Min, where are you?” asked Hyun Joong.

“I’m in the bedroom.”

Soon Hyun Joong followed So Min. He saw her standing on the balcony, her beautiful hair being blown away by the ocean breeze. He began to approach her and wrapped his arms around So Min’s waist.

“Happy?” asked Hyun Joong.

“Very much so. I’m glad we picked this place. It’s gorgeous out here.”

“But not as gorgeous as my wife.”

Hyun Joong started kissing So Min’s neck. So Min turned around and was about to kiss Hyun Joong when the doorbell rang. It was their room service.

Hyun Joong ordered an assortment of sushi and an order of wagyu beef with potato fondant. Hyun Joong also ordered a bottle of Krug champagne and fresh strawberries. 

“I hope you’ll like what I’ve ordered,” Hyun Joong said.

“I’m sure I will. It looks great.”

So Min and Hyun Joong enjoyed their sumptuous meal. While having dinner they talked about the wedding and how happy they were since everything went well. They were thankful there were no unpleasant surprises, not even from the media people.

After dinner, So Min went in the bathroom and showered. So Min changed into her black sheer lingerie made of lace.

When she walked out of the bathroom she saw Hyun Joong sitting on the bed. Hyun Joong didn’t say a word. He just looked at So Min and admired how attractive and y she was. He could see the silhouette of So Min’s body from where he was sitting. So Min felt a little awkward.

“Come sit next to me,” Hyun Joong said while extending his right hand.

So Min walked toward the bed and sat next to Hyun Joong. Hyun Joong touched So Min’s hair, her face, and her lips. He started kissing So Min’s shoulders and pulled down the straps of her lingerie. Hyun Joong started kissing So Min’s lips while exploring her body with his hands. His kisses started soft and gentle and then became more urgent.

So Min removed Hyun Joong’s shirt and touched his muscular chest. Each touch brought tingling sensation all over Hyun Joong’s body.

“Oh, So Min,” moaned Hyun Joong.

TO BE CONTINUED