http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMUMZAaNmCw

Davichi- Stop the Time

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It had been two weeks since Haewon had returned to Canada. Still, she didn’t feel like she was at home. Her chest felt hollow, and she hardly smiled. If she did, it was a fake one to make the others around her happy. She, herself, would never be able to feel happy again.

Haewon stood like a mannequin while the employees at the bridal shop dressed her up in a beautiful white wedding dress. They fixed the long train around her and even did her hair elegantly with a tiara on top.

“Mrs. Wu, you look lovely! I’m sure your future husband will be smitten when he looks at you in this wedding dress!” The employees gushed.

Haewon didn’t reply. Absentmindedly, she stared at the ground, refusing to look at herself in her wedding dress.

“I think we’re ready. Please step onto the stool and turn around, miss.” One worker asked.

Haewon automatically did as told. Another employee put a fake bouquet in her hands. Haewon gripped onto it with a solemn expression.

“Here we go. In one, two, three.” The velvet curtains parted.

Kris looked up from the magazine and froze. His eyes grew wide, and his heart skipped a beat. In awe, he put the magazine down and stood up. He could not tear his gaze away from his future bride. “Alana…” Kris walked up to her. He looked her up and down, let out a laugh of disbelief, and examined her once again. “You look…you look absolutely amazing. You look like an angel that just dropped from the sky.”

*I sure don’t feel like one after what I’ve done to you and Luhan oppa.* Haewon raised her eyes to meet his gaze.

“See! We told you he would approve!” The dressmaker winked.

Haewon felt even more depressed seeing how happy Kris was. She turned her gaze to the mirror. The dress was absolutely gorgeous. It was fit for a goddess, and she did not deserve it. She wasn’t being fair to Kris. Most of all, she wasn’t being fair to herself. *What am I doing with my life? I have to face the truth. In order to do that, I have to go through pain first. I shouldn’t be scared of hurting someone for one moment when I might end up breaking their heart for eternity.*

Haewon dropped the bouquet. Kris picked it up and held it out. “Alana, here.”

She didn’t move. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe. Tears flowed in her eyes.

Kris gave her a worried, perplexed look. “Alana?” She looked up into his eyes, and he could see fresh tears trail down her cheeks. His eyes rounded.

“Alana…” Kris whispered.

“I’m sorry. I have to go.” Haewon spun around and ran to the back.

Kris stared at his extended hand with the bouquet still in it. What did that mean?

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Inhee poured coffee into her mug. Humming, she stirred cream into the coffee. As soon as she picked up the mug, the front door burst open. Inhee turned around to see Haewon fleeing inside. She blinked in surprise, “Oh, Wonnie. Are you and Kris done looking at the dress already?”

Without a word,  Haewon darted into her room.

Inhee grew curious of why her niece was acting so strangely. She went up to the door and knocked. “Haewon? Is something wrong?” Inhee opened the door and went inside to find Haewon sitting on the bed with a numb expression. “Haewon, what’s the matter? Did you have a fight with Kris? You came home so soon. I thought you were going to pick dresses with him and then go have dinner.”

“I’m not…” She whispered. “Not what?” Inhee prompted.

“I’m not doing this. I can’t fool myself and everyone else anymore.” Haewon shook her head.

Inhee grabbed her hands. “Wonnie, I don’t understand. Tell me what happened-“

“I can’t marry Kris oppa. I won’t.” She stated, making Inhee freeze. “W-what are you talking about? Did Kris upset you in any way? Is that why you’re suddenly acting like this? I can talk to him if you want-“

Haewon grew frustrated. She yanked her hands away from her aunt and stood up. “No, auntie. Kris oppa has been nothing BUT nice to me. He’s kind, he’s gentle, he’s loving, he’s agreeable, and he’s willing to do anything to make me happy. Kris oppa is perfect.” Haewon whirled around and stabbed a finger to her chest. “It’s me that’s faulty.”

Inhee slowly stood up. “What…do you mean?” Her stomach twisted in dread.

Haewon gazed at her, broken and at her wit’s end. “No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to fall in love with Kris oppa. As perfect as he, I can’t marry him.”

“B-but he loves you!” Inhee claimed.

Haewon looked exasperated. “Have you been listening to me? I don’t love Kris oppa.”

“I-I don’t understand. You agreed to wed him. You were all right until…” Inhee stared at her with comprehension. “Until you went to Korea…” She whispered in trepidation. “You saw him again, didn’t you? You met Luhan.” “I did.” Haewon confirmed.

“CHO HAEWON! HOW COULD YOU?!” Inhee cried out. “You are engaged to another man, but you saw Luhan?!”

“I didn’t think I would see him. I admit, I was hoping to, but I didn’t know I would meet him ag