Someone new as a part of me

Today is finally the day of the engagement. The ceremony is being held in the vast hall of the Castle Hotel. The setting has been decorated into a white garden concept with purple flowers adorned on every corner of the hall. The opening has already started 30 minutes ago, explaining why the hall is almost half full with invitees. At the main door, the Choi and the Kwon couple are standing side by side, welcoming the guests with opened hearts. They would consist of relatives, colleagues and friends of both families. It is a blissful day for them indeed.

"Annyeonghaseyo, Mr. and Mrs. Choi" a voice greets, showing up in front of the door

"Oh, Professor Shin! How are you?" Mrs. Choi welcomes her by giving a hug. Professor Shin returns the hug and bows politely at the couple

"I'm fine. Congratulations on your son's engagement" she says with a smile

"Thank you, professor. Aigoo... Knowing that you're a busy woman, we are very thankful that you could spare the time to attend Minho's engagement ceremony. Thank you" says Mrs. Choi with a delighted heart. She and her husband know Professor Shin very well. Since Minho frequently had injuries because of playing soccer, they had met her for quite often

"Not at all, Mrs. Choi. Minho is like a brother to me. Of course I wouldn't miss it for the world" she exclaims with a warm smile

 "Thank you, professor. Please, let us take you to your seat. The ceremony will begin momentarily" Mr. Choi announces while motioning his hand to the front table at the distance, prepared to guide her the way.

***

At the moment, Minho is standing in front of the mirror in his dressing room. He fixes the collar of his tuxedo and the bow on his neck as the final touch. He breathes out heavily and gazes deeply into his own reflection. Today is the day, Choi Minho. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Starting from this moment, you have someone new as a part of you. Kwon Yuri... I'll take care of you from now on, he promises to himself.

*Knock! Knock! The sudden sound awakens him into reality. He turns around to find the door slightly opened with a pretty girl peeping from behind.

"Hey, cousin!" the girl greets him excitedly

"Sooyoungie! You're here!" Minho recognizes the girl and he starts smiling brightly. The girl also smiles widely in return and hops into the room

"Wow, my cousin looks so handsome! Looks like you're ready!" she closes the door behind her and approaches Minho to pat him on the shoulder

"Yeah, I guess. I'm so nervous, Soo!" he mutters with a pouty face

"Hey, it's normal for you to be. Just shrug it off and relax a little!" she chuckles, giving encouragement to her dearest cousin. Minho giggles

"Maybe I should, huh? Oh, where are your parents?" Minho asks, suddenly remembered about his uncle and aunt

"Oh, mom and dad are already in their seats. They're talking to Uncle and Aunt Jung" Sooyoung explains while motioning her thumb to the hall outside. Minho's eyes widen a little

"The Jung family is already here? So Krystal is outside then! Why isn't she coming with you??" Minho whines with a pouty face. He hasn't seen her for a while now. It's like she suddenly stopped from keeping in touch with him

"Yah, Choi Minho! Are you really that clueless? Why would she come to your engagement anyway?" Sooyoung knits her eyebrows with a questioned face. She thought that he would at least get a hint, but seeing his expression, looks like he really doesn't

"W-Why? I'm her best friend... Why wouldn't she come to my engagement?" he slowly speaks out in a low voice after becoming silent for a moment. That does make sense, though. He's her best friend and friends should spare some time to attend a friend's important day. Perhaps, is she busy?

"Yah, Choi Minho! Have you forgotten? Ever since we were little, she has always liked you. When she hears that you're getting engaged, of course she's too hurt to even come and face you" explains Sooyoung. Since they were kids, Krystal frequently came over to play with them. Other than Yuri's parents, his parents are also close with the Jung family, explaining why Sooyoung and Minho are close with their youngest daughter, Krystal Jung. The three's relationship were so close since young that they used to be inseparable during gathering events

"So... she's not coming?" Minho dazes at the floor with a sad voice. He slowly takes a seat on the stool behind him to reflect. He feels so guilty all of a sudden. Minho is aware that Krystal always expresses how much she likes him ever since they were little, but he just thought that she was so cute and only sees her as a sister

"I'm sorry, Minho-ah. I should've persuaded her more" she slowly approaches Minho and softly his back. Like Minho, Sooyoung is also an only child. Even though they are the same age, but Minho is a bit fragile compared to her, explaining how Sooyoung always acts as the mature one and ended up acting as the big sister. The relationship between the two is a lot closer than just cousins

"No, it's okay. I'm sure you already did" he mumbles in a low voice and sighs deeply. Is that why she suddenly cut the connections with him? He just realized that ever since his parents announced the news of his engagement two weeks ago, Krystal started to avoid his calls and text messages. Is this why?

"You know, when she found out about your engagement, she called me to clarify the news. I went to her house to find out from her parents that she had locked herself in her room. She cried for days. I tried talking to her, but turns out she was really depressed over it. She didn't even bother to know who you're getting engaged to. She didn't want to hear a word about it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I didn't want you to worry since you're busy with the whole engagement thing" Sooyoung explains to him about her state. Minho is a bit surprised of her situation. She is hurt up to that extent?

"But how is she now, Soo? Is she okay??" Minho asks anxiously. His expression is filled with concerns about Krystal

"I'm not sure. Hey, don't worry, okay? I'm sure she's trying to move on. Maybe it's a good thing that she didn't come. Moreover, Uncle and Aunt Jung never even once blame you, Minho. I mean, what could they do to stop her from liking you? Although Krystal is like this, they still support your decision, Minho-ah" says Sooyoung, trying to tell him that everything will be alright. Knowing Minho's personality, she knows that he's already feeling guilty about it

"No, this can't do. I have to call her. I have to know that she's okay" Minho immediately stands up to reach his bag hanging on the rack. He quickly digs everything inside it to take out his cellphone. He's about to dial her number when Sooyoung suddenly stops him by tugging onto his arm

"No, Minho! Don't! It's best for you not to bother her right now. She needs some space. Just give her time until she's ready to face you like she used to in the past" Sooyoung persuades him with pleading eyes. She too feels bad about what happened to Krystal, but she also has to let her realize that life goes on and that Minho is just not the one for her

"Don't, okay? The ceremony is about to begin. Don't think about it and focus on Kwon Yuri. She's about to be your fiance any minute" she holds his cheek softly as a source of comfort. Minho breathes in heavily and slowly locks his phone back. He turns his face to the side, trying to hold the tears that are already welling up in his eyes. He never wanted to hurt her. He loves her like his own sister. Krystal is that important to him

"Hey! What's with the gloomy face?" Sooyoung pokes his cheek teasingly, trying to cheer him up. She pouts her face when Minho doesn't react to her joke

"Hey, don't be such a baby. I wonder how you can get engaged this early when you're still a crybaby" she snorts with a mischievous smile, trying to distract his attention. Minho suddenly chuckles a little, finally starting to acknowledge her sense of humor

"See! Now that's the Minho I know. You look ugly when you had that gloomy face on. If you keep doing that, I bet Kwon Yuri will think twice of getting engaged to you" she nags jokingly at him with her hands onto her hips. Minho bursts into laughter even more

"Okay, okay. I get it. But... I need your help, Sooyoungie. Can you do me just this one favor?" he asks while gripping his hands together, trying to plead as cute as possible

"Depends. What kind of favor??" she asks with her arms crossed and her eyebrow raised

"Can you please check on Krystal after the ceremony ends? Just to make sure if she's okay" Minho flashes a small smile with his big, round eyes

"Okay, okay, I will! I'll head over to her house later. I promise, okay?" utters Sooyoung after a moment of silence. Minho can finally smile in relief. She just rolls her eyes. Seriously, this kid. When he insists on doing something, no one can stop him. Sooyoung decided to give in anyway. She'd do anything as long as Minho forgets about the guilt he's feeling inside.

*Knock! Knock! Another sound can be heard from the door. Minho and Sooyoung turn around to find Mr. Kwon slightly opening the door. The both of them immediately bow to him in respect.

"Hey, guys. Is it okay for me to come in?" Mr. Kwon asks with a smile while looking at the two

"Uncle Kwon, of course! Please, come in!" Minho welcomes him into the room with a delighted heart. Mr. Kwon opens the door wider and takes a few steps towards them

"I hope I wasn't disturbing your time together" Mr. Kwon smiles with his hands inside his pockets

"Oh, no. We were just finished talking anyway" smiles Minho in reassurance. He glances at Sooyoung whose standing next to him

"Uncle Kwon, let me introduce you to Choi Sooyoung. She's a close cousin of mine from my dad's side of the family. Sooyoungie, this is Uncle Kwon Yoon Seung. He is Yuri's father" Minho introduces the two to each other

"Annyeonghaseyo, it's very nice to finally meet you. I'm very close to Minho. I look forward to being friends with your daughter, Mr. Kwon" she bows politely with a bright voice

"Annyeong, Sooyoung-ssi. Yes, now that Yuri is part of your family, please take care of her well" Mr. Kwon nods his head slightly with a chuckle

"Yes, I'm sure we'll get close in no time" she chuckles in return

"Okay, I think it's time for me to go back to my seat now. I'll see you outside, Minho! I'll leave you two alone to talk" she glances at Minho. She bows once more to Mr. Kwon and walks out of the dressing room

"Uncle Kwon, what brings you here? Is it time already?" Minho asks him in curiosity the moment Sooyoung left the room

"No, not yet. It'll start momentarily. I just came here to tell you something" explains Mr. Kwon with a small smile

"What is it, uncle?" he gazes at him with soft eyes

"I just want you to know that Yuri is very important to me. Apart from she's the heiress of my wealth, above all she's my one and only daughter. I love her so much, and I hope you'll love her the way I do" he confesses with eyes expressing how much she means to him. Minho stares deeply into his eyes. He truly understands. Yuri also means a lot to him as well. He smiles in sincerity

"Uncle Kwon, please put your trust in me. I promise to make your daughter happy for the rest of her life. I won't ever let her spill her tears. I'll support her no matter what happens because she is that important to me too. I love her. Please believe in me" he bows his head in front of him, asking him for his trust to take care of his daughter. Suddenly a pair of hands is holding tightly onto his shoulders. Minho slowly lifts his head to find Mr. Kwon already b with tears in his eyes

"Yes, I believe you, Minho. Thank you... for loving my daughter. I always knew you're the one for her. Welcome to the family, son" he gently pulls Minho in to hug him tightly. He has always loved Minho as his own son ever since he was little

"Thank you. Thank you for accepting me into the family, Uncle Kwon" utters Minho while returning his hug with a smile.

***

Meanwhile, a girl beautifully dressed in white is looking closely at her own reflection in the mirror. She looks so beautiful, yet her expression is all gloomy and sad. She continues to stare from the top of her head to the end of her feet. Today is the day, but how nice would it be if she's getting engaged to the one she truly loves? But she has no choice. Her dream is important to her too.

Just endure it for a while, Yuri. You will find happiness soon enough. It's not the end of the world. In fact, this is a step towards achieving your goals. It's the beginning of a way better life than you had before. Grasp the chance of taking over the hotel tightly into your hand, and when you do, you'll have Donghae by your side next. Donghae-ah, wait for me. You promised me that we'll be together when all of this comes to an end. I'll make sure to end this in every possible way. I'll get back to you. I'll surely will...

= = = = =

Have you guys heard the song Love Yourself by Justin Bieber? Haha I'm not a big fan of him but I just heard this song of his lately on the radio and I fell in love instantly! And forgive me for not being the most updated person on the planet HAHA cos I rarely know what's hot these days. But anyway, yeah I'm very addicted to the song and I played it on repeat for the whole time I'm writing this chapter. It's a shame I didn't know earlier hehe... So here's another chapter for everyone. Subscribeee ^^ and if you have any nice songs that you want to share with me just feel free to leave a comment and recommend it to me. Sincerely, the left out introvert :p