September 18, 2014

The fact that Ilana missed Jihoo was an understatement.  She missed him a lot.  The walk to work each morning seemed so long without him and the evenings especially.  The lunch hour passed quickly as the girls put finishing touches on the wedding favors and discussed the wedding in general.  Uee, Ilana, and Shancai took turns taking lunch with Abigaíl.  Uee and Ilana were allowed to overlap a half hour to spend with Abigaíl so that Shi-Yoon wasn’t completely alone for an hour.  He was being kind enough to volunteer taking a later lunch so that all the girls could take at least part of their lunch together.

 - “Did you guys book your honeymoon yet?”  Uee asked.

 - “Yes, We’ll be going from here to London, spending two nights there and then going to Maldives from there and possibly returning to London and then home again.  About two weeks total with travel time.”

 - “Wow!  Sounds awesome!”

 - “How does it feel, Abigaíl?  You’ll be the first of all of us to get married?”  Shancai asked.

 - “It feels surreal still.  I never thought I’d fall in love again, much less with Jaejoong,” she laughed.  “But I saw him changing, little by little and then he finally came back to the Lord and I was like ‘okay, this is for real’.  He’s the one I was supposed to marry all along.  Isabel was a gift in my mistake.  In her innocence, she was the one that reached out to him first.  She just saw someone who could be loved and not the prejudices I had.”

 - “Aww, you deserve it,” Shancai said.

Ilana smiled as she listened to the conversation at the table.  She was so happy for Abigaíl.  In the very back of her mind, she wondered if she too could have that happiness one day but she promised herself not to look too far forward in order not to panic and ruin everything by running away.  She was very happy the way things were at the moment.  And she couldn’t wait to see Jihoo again.  He was everything that was good about her day.

 - “Someone’s thinking about her namja chingu,” Uee teased.

Ilana continued with her craft, not paying attention that the conversation had swayed in her direction.

 - “We’ve lost her guys,” Abigaíl said.

 - “Ilana?  What time are you going back?  You don’t want ShiYoon and SungRyung Unnie to be angry.”

It took a few seconds for Ilana to realize they were talking to her.  “Oh?  Did you say something?”

All the girls laughed at her, making her look puzzled.  “Chica!  The last few minutes you’ve been smiling to yourself with a faraway look in your eyes.”  Abigaíl told her.  “It’s about time for you to go back, right?”

Ilana looked at her watch, a little embarrassed.  “Yeah, I should go back in about five minutes.”

 - “So, where does Jihoo disappear to every month?”  Uee asked.

 - “He does certain projects every month.”

 - “Well, since you’re not going to tell us what those projects are, tell him not to go away because you miss him,” Shancai said.

Ilana smiled at them again.  “It’s okay, it’s only a few days a month and it’s his job.  He wouldn’t be Jihoo if he didn’t take everything he did seriously.”  Yes, she missed him. She sent him a text each morning when she woke and it was usually ‘bogoshipo’ and then he replied ‘nomu bogoshipo' and then the process got repeated in reverse during the afternoon.  “Well, I better get going; I don’t want to get in trouble.  See you two when you get back.”  She said to Abigaíl and Uee, before leaving.

 - “Those two are so cute, you totally missed it Sunday,” Uee told Shancai.

 - “I’ve heard the stories circulating around the hospital of the two holding hands and smiling a lot more than usual.  I’m happy for Dr. Jihoo and Ilana, too.  Remember when he hardly ever smiled or interacted with anyone?”

 - “All that changed once he got paired up with Ilana,” Abigaíl commented.  “And then Ilana too began to open up more.  I think she was really lonely when she first came to New York but wouldn’t admit it.”

 - “Dr. Jihoo has always been quiet and rarely showed any type of emotion.  The only one who could break him out of his shell was Dr. Jaejoong.”  Shancai giggled.  “Then we’d see him angry because Dr. Jaejoong did something to irritate him but Abigaíl changed him too.”

 - “It wasn’t me,” Abigaíl said.  “It was all about the Lord’s work in both our lives.  He changed me, too.”

It wasn’t long before their lunch hour was over as well and the girls began packing things away.

Come the end of the day, an eagerly friendly face greeted Ilana outside of the hospital.

 - “Ilana!!!” JaeKyung grabbed Ilana in a firm hug, reminiscent of HyungJun’s hugs.

 - “Unnie,” Ilana awkwardly patted the girl’s shoulder.

 - “Ready to go shopping?”

 - “Not really,” Ilana thought, suddenly getting nervous at spending a few hours alone with this bundle of energy.  She smiled, for Jihoo she could do this.  “Guerae.”

 - “Arraso, let’s do this.  Hop in.”  JaeKyung was already going to the driver’s side of her VW Eos.  She had the top down; it was in the mid-seventies but Ilana wore a sweater over her dress.  She didn’t think she’d be cold, the sun actually felt wonderful after being in the air-conditioned hospital.

 - “Thanks for coming with me, Unnie.”  Ilana had just put on her seatbelt and JaeKyung was already driving off.

 - “Anieyo gwenchanayo!  I was ecstatic when you called!  Don’t forget, you’re part of F4 now, even more so.”

 - “Gomawo, Unnie,” Ilana smiled at the hyper girl.

 - “You don’t know how excited we all are for Jihoo and you.  I want to start jumping every time I think about it.”

Ilana laughed, hoping she didn’t decide to start jumping while driving.  Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Soho district and parked.  “So, what are you thinking of?”

 - “Mollah?  He’s got everything and everything is the latest style or trend, I guess.  I don’t really follow trends but I want to do something for him.  He does so much for me.”

 - “Ilana-yah, you know he doesn’t expect anything in return, right?”

 - “Deh, but I want to give him something."

 - “He likes those shirts you gave him.”

 - “Ara, but I already gave him handkerchiefs and shirts.  I want something more, something special.”

 - “I don’t think Jihoo would go for couple’s outfits, which would be too cute.”

 - “Anieyo Unnie,” Ilana laughed.

The two went from shop to shop but nothing was standing out to Ilana.  “Let’s just go over to Bloomingdale’s, it’s getting late and we’ll want to eat dinner soon.”

Ilana knew from experience that JaeKyung was always hungry.  “Arraso, isn’t there a café or something inside?”

 - “Yup, they have a great hamburger, that’s all I’ve tried so far.”

Ilana smiled at JaeKyung and followed her.  They’d been walking already for two hours and although Ilana wore comfortable shoes, she was getting tired.  “Unnie, let’s go straight to eat and we’ll continue shopping after.  My legs are going to fall off.”

 - “Lightweight,” JaeKyung scoffed.

 - “Deh!”

They walked into Bloomingdales and it just so happened they needed to pass by the jewelry and Men’s accessories in order to get to the David Burke café.  Ilana slowed down to look.  “Ooh, jewelry is a nice gift to tell someone special you care," JaeKyung suggested.

Ilana looked around at necklaces & bracelets but nothing really struck her fancy.  “Let’s go over to the men’s accessories.”  Ilana began to look at ties and pocket squares again but again nothing stood out.  She walked over to a case filled with cufflinks and tie clips and soon came across a beautiful pair of cufflinks that would go with almost any colored suit or just a plain white shirt that he liked to wear.  “Excuse me, sir,” Ilana said to the attendant.  “May I see these striped cufflinks?”

 - “Oooh, those are nice.  I think he’d like those.”

 - “They’re very nice and I’ve never seen him wearing anything like them.”  The cufflinks were stainless steel and were inlaid with striped Mother of Pearl and onyx in different shades.  They were unique, lovely, and could be worn on elegant and casual occasions.  Ilana took a quick look around, but there was nothing that compared to the pair in her hand.  “Unnie, I really like these.”

 - “Na do!  I think he’ll really like them.”

When the clerk rang her up at $415, Ilana’s only thought was “Jihoo is going to kill me.”  She smiled excitedly and gladly gave the sales attendant her card.

 - “Now, can we eat?”  JaeKyung was only half teasing.

 - “Deh, Unnie!”  The attendant would wrap it for Ilana and have it ready for when they were done eating.

 - "Look at you, all smiles," JaeKyung .

 - "Unnie, I'm excited.  He'll be upset that I spent money on him but he does it to me all the time."

 - "It's an F4 rule, they can spend money on their women but we can't spend money on them."

 - "That's a dumb rule."

 - "Deh, that's why we don't listen.  It'll be so daeback when we're all together again."

Jihoo and Ilana had arrived at Club Eden shortly after opening, surprising WooBin and JaeKyung with their presence.

- "Yo Jihoo, my man, what are you doing here?"

- "We can leave," Jihoo brought his hand back around Ilana's waist.

- "Sarang, be nice," Ilana half-whispered.  She waited for the eruption.

- "Yah!"  JaeKyung screamed.  "Omo!  Ilana did you just say what I thought you did!"

"Judging from their blushing, I'd say she did."

JaeKyung pulled Ilana into a hug while jumping up and down and WooBin was busy pounding Jihoo's back.

- "Chukahae," WooBin bowed to Ilana.  "It took you two long enough.  We could have had a wedding and a baby on the way by now."

Ilana's eyes must have grown twice there size and her face felt like it was on fire.  Jihoo chuckled and pulled her to his chest.  She didn't protest.  "All in God's time, WooBin.  We're going to take our time and enjoy where we are at this point.  "What about you two, we should be adding to the F4 family by now."

It was JaeKyung's turn to pretend to occupy her gaze elsewhere, making WooBin laugh at her.  "After we see the club well established, we can go back to Seoul and work on that.  For now, practice makes perfect, deh?"

- "Song WooBin!"  JaeKyung cried out.  He then took her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly to the delight of the nearby staff.

Jihoo and Ilana stayed for a few hours talking to WooBin & JaeKyung or dancing every ballad.

Jihoo and Jaejoong's family had just boarded the plane and were waiting for the captain to let them know they were taking off.  He had sent Ilana his usual text earlier but he wanted to hear her voice.  "She should be getting ready for bed at this time," he thought.  He decided to call anyway.

JaeKyung and Ilana had just arrived at her apartment.  JaeKyung lucked out and found parking on the street.  She wanted to pet Joy for a few minutes and Joy was all too happy to get attention.  Umma and Ajussi, according to the cat, spent too much time petting each other and not petting her.  She let out a loud meow for JaeKyung, advising her of all the happenings.  While JaeKyung picked up the cat, Ilana's phone rang.  She answered still laughing at the cat's complaining.

 - "Hello?"  She didn't look at the ID; there were only two people that would call at that hour, Jihoo or Kike.

 - "Ah, eottoke, Ilana has forgotten about me, since this afternoon."

 - "Sarang!"

 - "Jihoo-yah, annyeong!!"  JaeKyung shouted from her spot on the couch.

 - "Is that JaeKyung?"  Jihoo asked puzzled.

 - "Deh, Na was bored and JaeKyung and I had dinner."

 - "Ah, deh.  Na just called to say we'll be leaving soon."

 - "Aww, bogoshipo, Na can't wait until tomorrow."

 - "Nado.  Na will see you at lunchtime, deh?"

 - "Sarang, won't you be too tired to work?"

 - "Anieyo, na can sleep on the plane, unlike someone else."

 - "Yah!  It's not my fault!"

 - "Ara, sarang, Na was just teasing.  Na will see you tomorrow, saranghaeyo."

 - "Saranghaeyo," she said softly, before terminating the call.  "Bogoshipo," she said to herself, "nomu bogoshipo nae sarang."

 - "What time is he due in tomorrow?"

 - "Around lunchtime," she smiled.

 - "Arraso, you get some rest.  He'll be here before you know it and you don't want him to think you haven't slept."

 - "Majayo (that's right), Unnie, I'll get scolded for sure.”

September 19, 2014

The morning crawled.  Ilana thought for sure every clock had to be broken.  It was only ten A.M. and it felt so much later.

 - "Chica, I can hear you sighing."

 - "Huh?"  Abigaíl was laughing at her.  "Oh," she realized what she had been doing.  "Sorry."

 - "What time will Dr. Jihoo be here?"

 - "Sometime around noon, he's supposed to call."

 - "Try and get some work done, until then."

 - "I will," she said a little embarrassed.

Ilana did throw herself into her work and before she knew it, she was being startled by her phone ringing.  Jihoo had practically jumped off the plane, upon their landing in Tetaro.  Thankfully there was a shower onboard the aircraft.  He'd be going straight to the hospital upon landing and this way, he didn't have to shower when he got there.

Saying goodbye and thank you to the Kim family, Jihoo met his driver and made his way back to Upper Manhattan, only stopping to pick up food at the Japanese restaurant, before arriving at the hospital.

 - "Yeobosayo?"  Ilana answered properly.

 - "Meet me at the garden."

 - "Annyeong hasseyo to you too," she smiled.

 - "Saranghaeyo, pali."

 - "Aish!  Deh!"  Ilana terminated the call.  "I'm out, Shi-Yoon," she said.

 - "Deh, enjoy your lunch."  Neither Abigaíl nor Uee were back but were due any minute.

Ilana took off practically running to the elevator.  When she arrived at the rooftop garden, she didn't see him at first but knew where to find him.  Sure enough, popping out from behind their favorite planter, he smiled at her.  She walked quickly towards him but tried to retain some sense of decorum.  He met up with her midway and took her in his arms.

 - "Bogoshipatso," he kissed her forehead.

 - "Nado, nomu bogoshipatso."  She relished in his scent, just a little longer and held him tightly just a little longer, not wanting to let go just yet.

He scrutinized her for a few seconds.  She gave him a puzzled look.  "Na want to make sure Ilana is well.  I never know what I'm going to find when I come back."

 - "Pabo," she smiled at him anyway.

 - "Meokga (let's eat).  I stopped and picked up sashimi."

 - "Kansamnida, you shouldn't have."

They sat in the shade of the planter with containers of food spread out between them.  The restaurant they liked to frequent was small but had an excellent quality of fish.  She had been there to witness the chef/owner refuse his order of seafood because it wasn't to his standards.  "Mmm, the toro and the salmon are the best."

 - "Deh, how was your week?"

 - "Choah, na kept busy with the girls, finishing up wedding favors.  I need to pick up my dress tomorrow.  When do you pick up your tux?"

 - "Na already have a black tux, I just need the vest and tie to match your dress."

 - "Ahh."  She smiled thinking his lifestyle was so different from hers.  How many people had a tux in their closet?  But then again, perhaps her Father did as well, she wouldn't know.  Actually, if he had a tux, it'd still be in his closet.  Everything in their room was just as they had left it, sixteen years ago.

Jihoo noticed Ilana had temporarily left him.  He reached over and took her hand, breaking her reverie.  "Sarang, where did you go?"  He asked when she made eye contact with him.

 - "Mianhae, just wondering how we're so different, yet so similar."

 - "Wae?"

 - "Anieyo," she waved it aside.  "Nae pabo."

 - "Deh...," he began, making Ilana mock-glare at him.  "Sarang, tell me."

 - "Aish, later.  It's not important, chincha."

He doubted that by the look of sorrow that had crossed her face.  "Arraso, later.  Na will not let you forget."

 - "Ara!"  She rolled her eyes at him, making him give her his 'serious' look.  That usually never worked on her, it just made her laugh and he knew it.  That was exactly the point, to see her smile.

 - "What does Ilana want to do tonight?  The Kims want us over for dinner sometime this weekend or week, since the wedding is next week.  Not tonight.  Tonight, na want to spend time with you."

Ilana smiled, she too wanted to spend time with him.  "What should we do?"

 - "Na Enjoyed watching a movie, we can do that again."  Jihoo had enjoyed having her in his arms, more than anything.

 - "Chincha?"

 - "Deh, whatever Ilana wants to see, or should I go through your movies again?"

Ilana thought the hardest to watch was Pride and Prejudice, but to ensure it's something he enjoyed, he should pick.  "Jihoo can pick, that way if you don't find something you like, we can find something online to watch."

 - "Arraso."

Come five, Ilana was only too happy to leave work, unlike earlier in the week, when she was going home alone.  The evenings had always been long and tedious which led her to volunteer at the children's hospital.  But, she was only allowed to go twice a month and not consecutively.  She usually saved a visit for when Jihoo was out of town.  That alleviated one night of boredom.

 - "Ready?"  Jihoo was already at her desk.

 - "Deh, kaja," she smiled, entwining her fingers through his.

Like the previous Friday, they split up for Jihoo to change and Ilana rummaged through her refrigerator.  This time, Jihoo didn't try to startle her on his return.  He did take her by the waist as she was studying the contents of her refrigerator.  "What about chicken quesadilla's?"  She asked.  It was fast and filling and she was in luck to have purchased avocados earlier in the week.

 - "Choah."

 - "Anja, this won't take long."

 - "Anieyo, what should I do?"

 - "Anja."

 - "Ani."

They repeated the game a few times until Ilana conceded.  "Arraso!  Cut the chicken strips into little pieces and I'll chop onion and cilantro."  That done, Ilana grabbed tortillas from the fridge and shredded Monterrey Jack.  She smeared the skillet with olive oil and stuffed a tortilla with cheese, chicken, onion, and cilantro and cooked both sides until the cheese was melted and the tortillas browned.  "Cut this into a few pieces and I'll cook the ones you prepped."  Jihoo had already piled three more tortillas with toppings.   "And slice some avocado."

 - "Arraso," he got to work with the avocado, nibbling a bit as he cut.

Less than fifteen minutes later, they sat down in the living room to watch a movie and eat.  Jihoo had rummaged through her collection of movies, mainly classics, to pick out another of her favorites.  He picked 'Emma' in an old BBC series.

Jihoo chuckled, sometime later, at the matchmaking Emma.  "Reminds me of SungRyung Noona."

 - "Wae?"

 - "Did Ilana not know, she's our resident matchmaker?"  Ilana shook her head.  "Jaejoong, Abi-ssi, you, and me, were teamed for a reason.  I might add she has a 100% success rate."

Ilana couldn't help but smile.  They finished eating and sat on the couch.   Jihoo lifted Ilana's legs onto the couch.  "Yah!"  She protested before he placed a cushion at his back and lifted his own legs to sandwich her between him and the couch.

 - "Igeo choayo (I like this)," He said.  Ilana was a little hesitant at first, but his hand never wavered from around her shoulders and of course, she loved his fresh scent.   No matter what time of day it was, he smelled wonderful and it was a comfort to her.  How many times now, had she cried in his arms and his warmth and scent comforted her.

Getting drowsy, they paused the movie.  "Should we get some ice cream downstairs?"  There was an ice cream shop next to the building.

 - "Mmm, are you sure?  If you're tired, we can watch the rest tomorrow?"

 - "Ani, I'm on call this weekend and Na want to spend as much time together as possible.  We'll get ice cream and come back."  Getting up first, he then pulled Ilana up too.  "Kaja."  Throwing on their shoes, they were soon out the door.

Jihoo made them a huge sundae with several toppings.  "Yah, Jihoo-yah, is someone else joining us?"

 - "Ani, Ilana can use the calories," he teased.

 - "Gee, thanks," she said in mock annoyance.

 - "Anieyo," he mocked her back.  "Open," he said before he Ilana saw a spoonful of ice cream coming at her.

After their ice cream craving was satisfied the pair returned to Ilana's apartment and re-started the movie.  Snuggling up on the couch again, Ilana thought it would be a good idea sometime soon to move the chaise lounger to face the television.  Jihoo played with her hair as they watched.  She had it down, so he could easily take a strand at a time and twirl it around his finger and then release it or run his fingers through it.

 - "Sarang, you’re making me sleepy," Ilana mumbled, trying to keep her eyes open.

 - "Mmm," he said but didn't stop.  He felt her smile against him.  Thankfully the movie would be over Soon, he too was getting sleepy.

September 20, 2014

Somewhere around four A.M., Jihoo woke feeling a weight on the left side of his body and his arm had fallen asleep.  When he opened his eyes, he realized he wasn't in his room.  The weight it turned out was Ilana with her arm draped on top of his stomach, one leg over his, and Joy using their joint legs as a pillow.  Smiling, he figured he should get up before she woke startled at being in his arms.  Slowly, he rolled off the couch, annoying Joy.  Ilana scoot towards the warm spot he had left.  Smiling, he placed the cushion under her head and went for a blanket.

With a kiss on the cheek, he tucked her in tight, turned off lights and television and went into the guest room.  He was not in the mood to trudge to his own bed.

Ilana would be the first to wake up later that morning scolding herself for falling asleep again.  She let out a surprised shriek when Jihoo came into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around her from behind.  "Paboya, it's me."

 - "Jihoo-yah!"  She smacked his hand.  "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

He laughed at her, kissing her cheek.  "Ani."

Ilana turned to face him; he didn't relinquish his hold on her.  "Jihoo-yah, why didn't you wake me up?  And why did you not knock or call before barging in unannounced?"  That upset her more than anything.

He hugged her again, seeing she was upset and rightly so.  It was never discussed but he knew she didn't give him her passcode so he could come in at any time.  "Sarang, we fell asleep together and when Na got up you would be missing my body heat..."  This scenario did not help Ilana's nerves.  She tried to wriggle out of his arms but he held her firmly.  "If Na took you to your bed, you would be cold.  Anyway, Ilana moved right into the warm spot Na had left.  Na decided to tuck you under a blanket instead."

 - "Hajiman you didn't knock?"

 - "Na didn't leave.  It was about four A.M. when Na woke and was too tired to go out in the hall and to my own room.  Na slept in your guest room."  Ilana realized he was in the same clothes from the previous evening.  "Mianhae, na didn't think you would mind."  He kissed her forehead and then rained little kisses all over her face.  "Does Ilana forgive me?"

Ilana realized that she was okay with that scenario, had he just opened her door, then that would've been a problem.  He had traveled all night and worked and then spent time with her.  No, she couldn't begrudge him a bed at four A.M.

 - "Deh, just don't make it a habit," she looked as serious as possible.

 - "Deh!"

 - "Anja and I'll make breakfast," she said.

 - "Anja, juseyo, Na will make breakfast."  They went round and round for a while.  Jihoo won and Ilana went to shower while he was cooking.  They did cleaning and errands together for the rest of the day.

September 26, 2014

The week flew by in wedding preparations and for Abigaíl, meeting some of the other Kim family members.  Neither Jihoo nor Jaejoong would be seeing their significant others that evening.  Jaejoong's friend Kwon Jiyong had arrived a few hours earlier and they would be spending a few hours reminiscing over dinner and a few drinks.  Jaejoong's getting plastered days were over.

Jihoo knocked on Ilana's door, wanting to say goodnight before he went out with Jaejoong, Jiyong and Abigaíl's brother-in-law.

 - "Jalja," Jihoo said, as he walked in.

 - "Yippeun," she said, giving him a hug and a teasing kiss just next to the corner of his lips.  Ilana stepped away from him, earning her a bit of a sour face.  She circled him, making sure his suit jacket was straight and checked his tie, then looked at his wrists.  "Ani, these won't do," referring to his cufflinks.

 - "Ah, chincha?"  He said, mocking her Judgment.

 - "Deh," she said earnestly.  She hadn't thought of when she would give him her gift but this seemed like a perfect opportunity.  "jamkkanmanyo," she excused herself and ran to her room and ran back out.  The package had been carefully concealed, just in case Jihoo went into her room.  "Tada!"  Ilana handed the small parcel to him.

 - "Wae?"  He wanted to scold her for spending money on him, but she was practically jumping up and down with excitement.  Not a second after he observed this, she was jumping up and down with Impatience.

 - "Yah!  Pali!!  Open it!"

 - "Chincha?"  He wanted to keep watching her act cute.

 - "Jihoo-yaaaah!"  She wined.

He laughed at her impatience and drew her in for a kiss.  He gave her a quick peck, covering half her lips with his.  She drew back in shock but he just smiled at her.  He caressed her cheek, "does Ilana want me to open it now?"

She was struck mute and nodded her head shyly, heart beating fast.  "Arraso, hajiman Na wish, you wouldn't have spent money, gomawo."

This got her talking again.  "Ah, but Jihoo can spend money on me.  Na don't live as splendidly as Jihoo but I have my own money thanks to Appa, his chingu, and Umma's talent,” Ilana stood proudly before Jihoo, daring him to say something.

 - "I see, Na better open it now," he chuckled.   Unwrapping the parcel and seeing the box, he looked at her suspiciously.  In other words, wondering how much she spent.  He lifted the lid to find an exquisite pair of cufflinks.  He took one out and studied it.

Ilana stood by anxiously as he studied the cufflinks.  He wasn't saying a word, did he hate them?  Were they too ornate?  The ones he wore were simple but very elegant.

As Jihoo studied the cufflinks, he knew his yeoja had good taste, despite as she said, she didn't live as splendidly.  He studied her worried look with a quick glance.  "Yippeaun," he said, truly touched.  He knew they had cost her a good amount and they suited him well.  She had put thought into the purchase.

Ilana breathed a sigh of relief.  "Chincha?"

 - "Chincha.  Will Ilana put them on for me?"

Ilana went to work removing his other cufflinks and replacing them with the new ones.  Once done, they looked striking against his black suit.  "Wau, those do look nice."

 - "Greomyo, nae sarang picked them out."

 - "Let me take a picture.  JaeKyung Unnie will want to see the end result."  Ilana grabbed her phone and took the picture.

 - "Ha JaeKyung?"

 - "Deh, she kept me company while I shopped."

 - "Ah, that's why she was with you the other day."

 - "Deh."  Ilana looked at the time.  "Sarang, are you keeping your driver waiting?"

 - "Deh," Ilana smiled at his stalling.  "Gomawo, na don't expect gifts from you.  Nae Sarang is my most precious gift."

 - "Ara, na say the same, but Jihoo doesn't listen."

Jihoo touched his forehead against hers.  "We're both stubborn.  Does Ilana trust me?"

 - "Deh."

 - "Close your eyes."  She complied, although curious.

With his hand under her hair at the base of her neck, he kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose and when she smiled, he brought his finger to her lips first, then his own lips.  He kissed her briefly, just barely touching her lips, almost like a whisper that's barely audible.  She stiffened but didn't pull away.  Her eyes flashed open and he smiled down at her.  "Saranghamnida," he said formally.

 - "Nado sarang; nomu saranghaeyo."  She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest, feeling herself getting emotional.

 - "Yah," he hugged her back tightly.  "Should I stay?"

Ilana pulled back and wiped her face before he did.  "Anieyo!  Ka, have fun.  It's my turn tomorrow.”

 - "Majayo (truly)?"

 - "Deh!  You're keeping the driver long enough."  Ilana playfully pushed him out the door.

 - "Joy-ah, take care of Umma," he said before Ilana closed the door.

 - "Joy-ah, it's just you and me tonight."  Ilana sat on the couch and looked for a drama to watch.

Jaejoong, Jihoo, Jiyong, and Alonso, Abigaíl's brother-in-law had finished dinner at a steakhouse and were now enjoying a few after dinner drinks in the VIP lounge at Club Eden along with WooBin.  JaeKyung was in the office manning the club.

 - "To happily ever after," WooBin raised his martini.  "Gunbae!"

 - "Gunbae!"  Everyone followed suit.

 - "Tomorrow one of New York's most eligible bachelors will be officially off the market," Kwon Jiyong said.

 - "He's been off the market this entire season," Jihoo teased.

 - "Yo, I gotta say, when it hits you it hits you," WooBin added.

 - "Speaking as the ex-Don Juan of Seoul," JiYong commented.  "Dude," speaking to Jaejoong.  "You gonna invite Seonghyun?"

 - "Andwae," Jaejoong said bitterly.  "He insulted Abigaíl and isn't a good friend.  Na don't have a reason to invite him."

 - "Alcohol makes poor company," Alonso said.  Jaejoong had told him some of what had transpired the night he ended up drunk in front of his parents’ home.  "The only difference between the two of you is your forgiven, he's not."

 - "Deh," Jaejoong knew what Alonso was trying to say.  'Don't be a hypocrite'.

WooBin began to laugh.  "It's begun; Abigaíl already has the last word.  Dude, you got to make it seem like it's her idea."

 - "My sister-in-law is not going to fall for that."

 - "Mmm, I think it's JaeKyung-ah who makes it seem like it's your idea," Jihoo said.

The table erupted in 'O's'.  "Yah!  There's time to win and a time to concede.  Jaejoong will learn soon enough."

 - "Don't worry, WooBin, he's a fast learner," Alonso said.

Laughter ensued.  "Gomawo, guys, for coming,"  Jaejoong said, once the laughter died down.  "Thank you for being a witness to my wedding on Sunday.  I never thought in a million years, I'd be doing this."

 - "Yo man, even Don Juan and Casanova turned over a new leaf.  And Ajussi over here too."  WooBin slapped Jihoo on the back, to his annoyance.  "The things we do for the love of that special woman."

 - "Guys!  I want to propose a toast to old friends and new family.  Gunbae!"

 - "Gunbae!"

The guys spent several hours talking, laughing and reminiscing their crazy Shinwa days, much to Alonso's amazement.  The guys drank in moderation, something previously unheard of.  WooBin had a business to run, Jaejoong had all but quit, Alonso drank only a few beers, Jihoo was always in control, and JiYong just went with the flow.

 - "My turn to toast," Alonso said.  "To my new compadre, Jaejoong, this is going to be the craziest wedding the Garcia family has ever seen.  Korean and Mexican, I can't wait.  Salud!"

 - "Salud!"

 - "I believe it's my turn," Jihoo said.

 - "Aigoo, I'm in trouble now," Jaejoong laughed.

 - "To...good choices..."  He paused, everyone was waiting.  "...and to Jaejoong who finally made them."

 - "Yah!"  Jaejoong said above the din of laughter.  "Just wait until you and Ilana get hitched, as they say.  Then it's my turn to abuse you to your face."  Jihoo put on his blank face and shrugged.

 - "Jihoo is capable of eloping to avoid it," WooBin put in.

 - "Who knows, maybe we will," he smirked.

 - "Yah!"  Jaejoong yelled.  "Don't you dare!"

 - "Gwenchana, Jaejoong, I know how to find him."  WooBin gave him his "Mafia Prince" face.  "They wouldn't get far."

 - "Is it my imagination or you guys are scary?"  Alonso said a little wary.

The three chuckled.  "You don't know the half of it," JiYong said.

 - "Don't worry; they're quite harmless, now.  Their women keep them in check."  Jaejoong covered his head with his arms to avoid getting beat up by WooBin and Jihoo.

The next hour or so, passed in exactly that fashion, they finished their night at Jaejoong's house playing pool and having gimbap, his mother had laid out for them.  By this time, the four men, WooBin had to stay behind, had removed their jackets and loosened their ties.  Jaejoong had meant to comment on Jihoo's cufflinks earlier but forgot.  "Yah, Jihoo-yah, those cufflinks aren't your usual style."

 - "Mmm," was Jihoo's only reply.

 - "What's his usual style?" Alonso asked.

 - "Monochromatic, silver or white or gold, occasionally black.  But that's several colors."

 - "My guess is his girlfriend," Jiyong said.

 - "Woman, like to shake guys out of their habits as my brother in law, here, has already experienced, so I'll agree with Jiyong.  They were a gift from his new girlfriend."

 - "Fess up," Jaejoong playfully punched Jihoo in the shoulder.

Jihoo looked at his watch.  "I'm on call so I should get going.  Jaejoong, see you Sunday.  I'll be leaving first."

 - "Yah!  Chincha, did Ilana buy those for you?"

 - "It seems Jaejoong already knows the answer," Jihoo switched back to a more formal speech.  "There's no need for me to answer.  Jalja," he bowed and left the room before they could harass him further.  He secretly smiled as he got into the car.  He couldn't sneak anything past Jaejoong.

 - "Dr. Yoon, you must have had a good time," his driver asked."

 - "Mmm."

The three that were left also decided to call it a night.  "Alright, Bro, I had a good time, thank you."  Alonso fist-bumped his future brother in law.

 - "Kansamnida, Bro," Jaejoong back pounded Alonso.  "Eeliwah (come here), JiYong."  It was JiYong's turn for a back pounding.   "I'm grateful and blessed for the people God has put in my life.  You two and Jihoo and even WooBin who let me use his club to propose to Abigaíl."  Jaejoong was getting emotional.

 - "Good night, bro," Alonso said before walking out to meet the driver.

 - "Jalja chingu," JiYong said.  "See you Sunday."

When Jaejoong was alone, he prayed.   "Thank you Yesu for chingu and could you make Sunday come faster?"  Smiling, he went to his room.

September 27, 2014

The girls, Abigaíl, Luciana, Sylvia, and Ilana met at a spa not too far from Abigaíl's home.  Ilana didn't care for Jacuzzi’s, but they all sat in the steam room after their facials and before manicures, and pedicures.

 - "This is your last day as a single woman," Luciana said.  "There will be the two of you to make decisions now."

 - "I know," Abigaíl said a little defensively.  "We've done the marriage classes with Pastor Alex."

 - "So now you have to apply what you learned."  Luciana knew her sister was stubborn and although she lived under their parent’s roof, she still had freedom to make her own decisions.  This would be a change for her, having to defer to her husband.   Although, Luciana had seen Jaejoong slowly making decisions for them.  After a few rounds, Jaejoong usually got her to see things his way.

Ilana giggled at her friend's bristling face under her Sister's well-meaning advice.

 - "I wouldn't laugh Ilana; it'll probably be you on the receiving end of this conversation sometime soon."

 - "Me?"  Ilana was startled by Luciana's words.

 - "Don't deny it, chica.  We all know you two have been in love with each other for a while; you guys wouldn't admit it to yourselves."

 - "No...I just...had some reasons...I mean, I...just didn't see it more than a friendship."

 - "Chica, you're lying, I wish I could’ve taken a picture of your face when Dr. Jihoo was around or actually not around.  That's when I really noticed the change in you.  You talk less and laugh less when he's gone."

 - "He's a good friend, always has been," she maintained, as they laughed at her.  "Yah!  Stop laughing," Ilana complained, even if she was laughing too.  "Girls, I don't know about you, but I'm about done with this place, I can't breathe."  They'd been in the room a good twenty minutes.

 - "Yeah,” Sylvia said.  "I'm hot."

 - "Let's hit the shower girls," Luciana said.  "We don't want to be late for our next appointments."

An hour late, they were getting their manicures and pedicures.  They were mostly quiet, enjoying the special treatment.  But Ilana's mind was turning.  "Abigaíl, how did you know Dr. Jaejoong was the one?  I mean, you couldn't stand him at first. "

 - "Ilana, you and many others wouldn't believe me when I say, it was the Lord.  He gave me a heart for Jaejoong."

 - "But why would God care about you falling for Dr. Jaejoong."

 - "He's our creator, do you think he wouldn't care about our lives and how we live them?"

 - "Then why does he let bad things happen to His children."

 - "It's not that he lets bad things happen, sometimes they are the result of our own decisions and sometimes it's just our mortal nature."

Ilana heard what her friend was telling her but in her stubbornness, it was hard for her to understand.

 - "Ilana looks lost," Sylvia said.

 - "I understand the consequences of your actions," she knew this all too well.  "It's the mortal side I just don't understand and if he's all-knowing, then why does he let our weaknesses overcome us."

 - "He can help you overcome your weaknesses, you just have to ask.  But sometimes he has a reason for you to go through something.  It's a trial that you need to face in order to be stronger and help others going through the same thing," Luciana added.

 - "But why does anyone have to go through trials?"

 - "The only way I can explain it is we aren't perfect and things will happen," Abigaíl said.  "Either by our own imperfection or someone else's, why are you asking?  Are you and Dr. Jihoo okay?"

 - "If you need to talk about something, you can confide in us," Luciana said.

 - "No, it's nothing like that.  How...I guess I just asked how Abigaíl knew Dr. Jaejoong was the one because I feel like Jihoo is perfect and I'm far from it."

 - "This girl is in love," Sylvia giggled.

 - "Chica, no one's perfect!  And even if he were he loves you anyway.  Just like God does."

Ilana felt her cheeks burning.  "Alright!  That’s enough about me; did you guys pick out all your new furniture?"

 - "Yes!  We had been emailing each other pictures for like two weeks until we finally decided on keeping Jaejoong's bed, just new mattresses and grey-blue and white color scheme.  It was something we could both agree on.  Isabel's bedroom is all white with pink and white bedding.  Picking out our bedroom things was easier than picking out Isabel's, had I left him on his own; he would've spent a year's college tuition on her room."

 - "You know, chica, I think you're going to have your hands full with those two.  He'll never be able to tell her 'no'."  Ilana laughed at the mental picture Isabel flashing Jaejoong a cute smile and any thought of discipline going out the window.

 - "You're right."

 - "He'll figure it out soon enough," Luciana said.

 - "I don't know, Sis," Sylvia said.  "You should have seen him while we stayed at his house.  All Isabel had to do was fake cough and he gave her whatever she wanted."

Abigaíl shook her head.  "He knew she was faking, but thought it too cute to resist.  The first time he has to spank her for throwing a tantrum, he'll learn."

 - "Chica, Isabel is a good girl," Ilana defended.

 - "Kids know what they can and can't get away with.  She knows tía Ilana brings her gifts, so she behaves."

 - "Just wait until you have your own kids."

Ilana remained quiet after that, she had never planned to have kids.  "One day at a time," Ilana mumbled before she gave herself a panic attack.

Skin glowing and nails perfect, the girls sat down to dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant.  "Alright," Luciana said.  "We get to ask Abigaíl questions and she has to answer."

 - "What?  What kind of questions?"  Abigaíl was slightly nervous.

 - "Well, we won't be playing for shots, but you can only take a sip of your wine when you answer the question."

 - "Hah!  Chica, talk about weaknesses."  It was true; Abigaíl enjoyed a good glass of Wine on occasion.

 - "Don't be mean, Luciana," Abigaíl begged.

 - "We're just going to ask questions, how well you know your groom.  First word that comes into your head when you think about him."

 - "Dork, sweet dork," Abigaíl was already turning red and it was only the first question.

 - "Where was your first kiss," Sylvia asked.

 - "At the grand opening of his friend’s club and he proposed."

 - "What is his best feature?"  Ilana asked.

Abigaíl hesitated; of course, her sister would pick a delicious glass of wine to entice her.  "His lips," she mumbled and covered her face with her hands in embarrassment after her sip of wine.

 - "Where was your first date?"  Ilana asked.

 - "Should we call Jaejoong?"  Luciana threatened.

 - "No, no, no!  Jane's carousel, he got me mad and as an 'I'm sorry' he took Isabel and me to the carousel for over an hour and his mom prepared a picnic for us."

 - "Did you have a good time?"  Sylvia asked.  "I see you smiling don't try and hide it."

 - "Yes, I did.  He even rented a Dodge Journey just for the occasion and took us to dessert after.  I think by the time I got home, I was seeing him in a different light."

 - "First movie!"  Ilana shouted.

 - "Frozen, with Isabel at his place.  Now that I think about it, his parents were supposed to be home, but didn't show up the entire day."

Ilana laughed.  "Chica, don't you know the favorite pastime in Korea is matchmaking?  I think his parents had you pegged from the start."

 - "I'm sure of it, from what Alonso has told me."

 - "What do you mean?"  Abigaíl was confused.

 - "Never mind, God had you already in mind way before his parents did.  She doesn't have that much wine left, so make your questions count.  What was the first thing he gave you?"

 - "A headache.  Just kidding - flowers."  She had saved one of the purple roses and dried it.  She kept it in a vase on her dresser.

 - "What's his most annoying habit," Sylvia asked.

This was another one that made her hesitate, but she was almost done with her wine and the questions.  "The fact that he can make me forget what I was saying or angry about as soon as..." her face was turning bright red again and it's wasn't the wine.  "...as soon as he kisses me."  She took the last sip of wine.  "That's it, no more questions!"  The girls laughed at her and Luciana gave her her own untouched glass of wine for being a good sport.

Dinner finished, the girls discussed walking through the downtown before heading back.  "I need to really start packing for tomorrow."  Abigaíl had already taken most of Isabel's clothes and her American Girl doll as well as all of her own work clothes to Jaejoong's house.  Abigaíl still needed to pack for the honeymoon.  They would be leaving for London straight from the reception.  "Thank you, ladies, for spending the afternoon with me.  Thank you, Luciana and Ilana, for everything."  The two had split the cost of Abigaíl's spa treatments.  "I'm blessed to have my sisters and my newest best friend by my side tomorrow.  I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm nervous, I'm just a mess."  Abigaíl was getting teary as well as Ilana.  Luciana tried to be calm.  "Abigaíl, do you think you're the only bride to getting married?"

 - "No, but you know...I didn't listen last time, tried to do things my way.  Had I waited?"

 - "Abigaíl, do you think this blessing would have come any sooner?  Probably not, God has the perfect timing.  How would you know Mr. Right, before you realized who Mr. Wrong was?"

This made Abigaíl laugh.  "You know me; I have to cover all my bases.  Let's drop Ilana off at the station and get home.  It's my last night with my family."

If the chapter is boring, I'm sorry.  The wedding will have to wait until next chapter.  So tried to get the kid a KHJ do, but it didn't happen all that well.  I just don't know how they do it.    LOL!

Keep praying for HJ and his family.  May the Lord grant him peace and deliverance from this .