Chapter 100

Wealthy people won’t mind spending a date in a six-star bistro, and Lee Sungmin was definitely not an exception. For three months he has been dating Kim Soeun and they’ve become more open with each other. She’s the type of girl that every guy would wish to have a date with. A lot of girls envy her for her ‘Princess Life’, just like how guys envy Sungmin for being close to her.

“So how’s your day?” She asked her while looking at the menu. As usual, she was well-dressed for the date. Her face looks youthful and vibrant, a perfect match for her sweet flowery scent.

 

“Nothing special. A typical day with the same work routine.” He shrugged. Up to now he wasn’t able to develop special feelings for her. He sees her like a little and nothing more. “How about you?”

 

Soeun took a sip of wine before answering. “Just so-so. I played golf with Father, watched an opera musical with Mother and my grandparents, and then I went shopping alone. Father’s bodyguards always follow me around and I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.” She spoke in a finesse manner while covering her mouth.

 

Sungmin laughed. “Boring, isn’t it? I guess we’re destined to be like this. Some people wanted to be lke us but they don’t know how complicated things work.” He shook his head.

 

“Oppa, I know this is kinda rude but I need to say this because I don’t wanna regret n the future. Do you really want to marry me?”

 

He felt uneasy when he heard the question. Saying yes would mean I’d be playing with her feelings and saying no would definitely offend her. He couldn’t think of a sensible answer so tried to avoid it instead. “How about you? What do you think? Ladies must have the first say.”

 

The fine lady grew serious. “Marriage is something special, in my opinion at least. People must marry someone they love so they could live happily. In our case, we have no choice but to obey our fathers. I don’t feel for you, and my heart only belongs to one guy.” She frankly said.

 

“And who’s the lucky guy?” Sungmin felt a ray of hope to stop the madness. “Can you tell me more about him?”

 

Soeun smiled. Just the thought of her beloved makes her happy. “I met him in America. He’s my classmate; my best bud. We’ve been on good terms for so long until he asked me to be his girl. He made me feel so loved and pampered. We can be ourselves when we’re together. He taught me how to ride a scooter and eat fastfood. The guy promised to be there for me even if I marry someone else. Kim Sang Bum; he’s the man who owns my heart.”

 

He plainly nodded. At least he knew that thye’re riding on the same boat; dragged to do something against their will. This is so wrong; I must do something. It’s risqué but it’s better than not trying at all. “I thnk we should do something to stop this wedding. I don’t want us to fool ourselves and end up hurting. We have our own lives, and we don’t wanna lose people we cherish, right?”

 

“You love someone else, too?” Soeun was surprised. He doesn’t talk much and that’s the first time he opened up.

 

Sungmin nodded.”She’s my everything, and I don’t wanna live without her. Her petite frame looks adorable, and her heart of steel makes her awesome. She’s just as radiant as her name, that’s my Sunny.” He proudly said. “I met her way back when I was a trainee, and I never stopped loving her up to now that she’s a part of SNSD.”

 

“Ah! The cute one. They’re pretty popular in America. You have a good taste for girls, oppa.” She praised. “But is she aware of this ‘arranged marriage’ thingy?”

 

“Neh. I feel guilty because I’m causing her so much pain. Yes, we do love each other, but fate dictate’s we’re not meant to be.” The guy breathed heavily.

 

Soeun touched his shoulder. “Mianhaeyo. I never thought my father would get me into this thing. I never intended to ruin your relationship. Oppa, let’s do what’s right. Come back to Sunny, and I’ll stand for Bum. We must learn to fight for ourselves.” It’s such a relief she grew up open-minded and strong-willed, surely not a piece of cake.

 

“Arasso. Let’s do it then. Let’s teach our greedy fathers a lesson.” Sungmin winked. “It’s our life, and we must rule.”

 

They both laughed after a firm handshake.

 

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Minister Kim can’t wait to see his daughter. “Is she inside?” He held the dressing room’s doorknob.

 

“She’s still changing her clothes, Sir. You better wait for her at the conference hall.” Sungmin convinced the old guy. “We are going to start soon so I guess it’s better for you to stay on your seat.”

 

“Arasso.” Minister Kim nodded. “Put your best foot forward!”

 

Sungmin was all smiles when he finally walked away. It’s showtime!

 

-----

 

The media’s been looking forward to this day, SuJu’s  Lee Sungmin will formally announce his wedding. He’s the first to tie the knot among all the group’s members. His lovely bride-to-be also garnered lots of attention for her beauty and elegance. Everybody knows she’s the flawless Kim Soeun who belonged to a family as influential as the Lees. The couple’s parents were there to witness the event.

 

“Annyeonghaseyo, Lee Sungmin imnida. I’m glad that you were able to come here today. As you all know, I’m here to make an important announcement. But before anything else, let me call my special girl.”

 

The cameras were all set to a small entrance in front. Sungmin offered a hand to help her in.

 

Sunny proudly walked in as her boyfriend held her hand, much to their surprise it wasn’t Kim Soeun.

 

The guy was firmly holding her hands as he talk, “No wedding bells for me, we’re in a relationship.”

 

Minister Kim stood up and angrily screamed. “YOU PUNK! WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER?!”

 

“Over here!”

 

A lady who sat on the corner removed her hat. She was with another handsome guy. “Father, he is my boyfriend. His name is Kim Bum and we’ll get married as soon as possible!”

 

“GET THEM!” Minister Lee shouted. Eight guards immediately approached.

 

“RUN!” Bum exclaimed. He sprinted with Soeun through the backdoor.

 

Sunny and Sungmin fleeted out and waited for the two at the carpark.

 

“There they are!” The short girl pushed her boyfriend in the car. “Start the engines! Ppalli!”

 

The guards were chasing after them real fast.

 

“HOP ON!”

 

Sungmin drove swiftly as soon as Soeun and Bum sat on the passenger seat.

 

“Whew! That was close!” Soeun was almost out of breath.

 

Bum took his hanky and wiped her forehead. “You’re sweating a lot, my angel.”

 

The fine lady can’t help but giggle. “Gomawo. Ah! Anyway, I’d like you to meet Sungmin-oppa and his girlfriend Sunny-unnie.”

 

“Bangapsumnida.” The flower boy beamed his appealing grin. “Kim Sang Bum imnida.”

 

Sungmin saluted as he look through the mirror. He was so engrossed to driving that he wasn’t able to talk.

 

The short girl looked at the couple. “Annyeong! You guys look good together. My name is Soonkyu, but you can call me Sunny.”

 

“Uh-oh…” Sungmin slapped the steering wheel. “We’re jammed in traffic!” They were stuck in the middle of a long road. “Damn it!” He saw a familiar black car on the side mirror. “They’ve found us now!” The guards were following them on track.

 

Sunny rubbed her forehead. Think Soonkyu, think! She looked closely at the stoplight. “If that won’t turn into green in five seconds, we must get out of this car and run, arasso?”

 

5…

 

4…

 

3…

 

2…

 

1!

 

“Time’s up!” Sungmin had lost his patience. “We go this way, and you go that way. Period!”

 

All four stepped out of the car and ran on separate ways. The guards saw them and split into teams.

 

“Catch us if you can!” Bum shouted. He didn’t let go of his girl’s hand as they run.

 

Soeun saw a scooter along the sidewalk. “Bum-oppa! Let’s go!” She carelessly hopped on and wore a helmet. “Wear this.” She handed him a spare one.

 

“This is not ours!” The flower boy complained. “I taught you how to ride a scooter but not to steal one!”

 

The guards were getting closer and closer.

 

“No choice!” She forced him to ride the scooter. “We have to do this. Mianhaeyo.” They sped off in no time, away form the guards and into the road of only-God-knows-what-lies-ahead.

 

-----

 

Sungmin and Sunny laughed off as they run. “Isn’t this fun?”

 

Four men in black were following them quickly.

 

They ran all the way to a busy marketplace packed with people.

 

“It pays to be short!” Sunny was quite enjoying the chase.

 

Sungmin looked at her in panic. “Hold my hand and follow me.”

 

The guards’ eagle eyes still saw them among the bustling crowd.

 

The short girl looked back only to find out they’re getting closer. “They’re coming!”

 

Thanks to his ‘come-what-may-I-won’t give-up’ mindset, Sungmin thought of getting in a pickup truck. “Come here!” He helped his girlfriend to hop on its rear.

 

“They’re surely find us here!” Sunny snapped.

 

“Watch.” He winked and stood up. “ANNYEONG YEOREOBUN! Lee Sungmin here!”

 

The mob turned their heads toward the pickup truck. Some quickly took their phones to take photos and record the moment.

 

“Aish! Are you nuts?”The short girl nudged her boyfriend’s leg.

 

“Trust me.” He pulled Sunny up and proudly smiled. “Lee Soonkyu is my girlfriend and I LOVE HER!” Sungmin shouted.

 

The guards can’t go any nearer. There’s too much people surrounding the couple.

 

Sunny shyly bowed. “Annyeonghaseyo, Sunny imnida.”  She didn’t know what to say. “Today is Friday!” She looked at her boyfriend as if saying Eotteokhae?! Eotteokhae?!

 

Sungmin waved at the crowd before turning to her. He held her chin and gave her a passionate kiss. It’s as if the world suddenly stopped to watch that instance.

 

Left without any means to get through the mob, the guard decided to call it day and just enjoy the view.

 

“Father won’t have the guts to harm you now. We’ll be all over the news in no time!” Sungmin chuckled.