Jae sent a glare Chun’s way before taking Dara’s hand and pulling her to his side.  

Laughing, Chun handed him a fresh wineglass and a spoon.

“What, are you kidding me?” Jae asked. “You want me to bang on a wineglass to get attention?”

Chun shrugged then tossed the spoon aside. Then he put his fingers to his lips and emitted a shrill whistle.

“Everyone, I’d like your attention please. Jaejong here has an announcement for us.”

“Thanks, Chun,” Jae said dryly. Then he turned to face the room filled with Sandara’s friends and relatives. And they were all staring at him expectantly. All wanting him to make this moment perfect for Dara. Hell. No pressure or anything.

He cleared his throat and hoped like hell that he’d manage to get through it without sticking his foot in his mouth.

“Sandara and I invited you all here tonight to join us in celebrating a very special occasion.” He glanced fondly down at Dara and squeezed her hand. “Dara has made me the happiest of men by consenting to marry me.”

The room erupted in cheers and applause. To the right, Dara’s mom and dad stood beaming at their youngest child. Hyungsuk nodded approvingly at Jae while Dara’s mother wiped at her eyes as she smiled at her daughter.

“It’s our wish that you’ll all attend our wedding to take place four weeks from today and help us celebrate as we embark on our journey together as man and wife.”

He held up his wineglass and turned again to Dara whose entire face was lit up with a breathtaking smile.

“To Dara, who’s made me the luckiest man alive.” Everyone raised their glasses and noisy cheers rang out again as everyone toasted Jaejong and Sandara.

“Quite an eloquent speech there,” Chun murmured in Jae’s ear. “One would almost think you meant every word.”

Jae ignored Chun and slid an arm around Dara as they braced for the onslaught of well-wishers pushing forward.

His head was spinning as he processed face after face. Bright smiles. Slaps on the back. Admonishments to take care of “their girl” as everyone in the family seemed to have a claim on Dara.

She was everyone’s younger sister, daughter, best friend or person in need of protection. It bewildered him and annoyed him in equal parts that everyone in Dara’s family seemed to think she was incapable of taking care of herself. Nothing in his relationship