Present
Between heaven and hell: Read my storyI look at myself in the mirror, I have my bridal make up on, my hair looks perfect but one thing is missing.... I'm not smiling. I don't feel like a bride at all, I'm not ready for this. I'm just 22 years old, I have dreams, I want to explore the world but everything is crushed by this arranged marriage. I have absolutely no say in this mess, why do I even care? The joy in my life has long gone since 4 years ago, since I lost two precious people in my life. I don't care what is waiting ahead of me anymore, I'm doing this for the sake of everyone's happiness, for Kris, for my mother.
We met our mother last year, Kris and I were on our way home when we saw a woman we have missed so much in our life. Our mother. After 14 years of waiting, we have lost hope but it seems like fate is not that cruel. People say when you lose something, you gain something. I lose him and our baby but I get my mother back. It was tough at first, to communicate with your long lost mother. I was 5 when she left us to get her proper treatment and to see her healthy again, married to other man it was bittersweet.
Kris didn't even talk to her and cried his heart out as soon as we reached our penthouse. Yes, we have moved far from the condominium we used to stay. To leave all those bad memories away, to start anew. Eventually, we go back to where we were before with new additions. Our stepfather is a nice, gentle man. He loves our mother and us as well. He has a child from his first marriage, a girl, named Amber Liu, my new bestfriend. She's older than I am but she prefers me to call her by her name, she used to live in LA but now she's here to stay.
"Smile Areum! Smile!" Amber gives me a back hug, kissing the top of my head. I hold her arms closer to my body.
"Do you think it's time for me to get married?" my voice was mellow and sad, I can never lie to Amber, she knows me that well.
Amber moved to stand in front of me, cupping my cheeks. "You still have time to decide before you say 'I do' "
I shake my head, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath. " I should do this right? For everyone?"
"Think about yourself, not others. Any decision you make, we will always stay with you" Amber's blonde locks reminds me of him, my very first love. I will never erase him in my memories and my fiance knows that. I told him everything about my past, not really the details but he knows much to accept me and my broken soul. Oh Sehun, he's a son of my step-father's friend. He has a nice family with amazing people.
They didn't hesitate to agree on this marriage even after they found out that I was pregnant at 17, lost my child and my lover. I was depressed, I tried every possible ways to kill myself, I have those shameful scars on my body but Sehun didn't mind that. He said he loves me for who I am and he was there through my treatments and even hurt himself while trying to save me from cutting myself. He saw every ugly side of me and yet he's going to take the vow, to take care of me forever.
How can I not fall in love with him? I love him, I really do...but I don't know if it is as much as my love for the other guy...
"Areum-ah, let's go" said Kris walking in his new suit. He's going to walk me down the aisle, I couldn't be more happier than that.
"Sure"
Amber grabs my wrist, turning me to face her. "Are you really sure?" She whispers, I quietly nod, forcing a smile to Kris.
"Baby girl, you're still my lil sis no matter what happens,get that?" asked Kris,kissing my nape. I wrap my arms around him, I'm so going to miss my brother,to wake him up every morning, cooking for him but I'm not going far away.
"I love you Kris, thank you for taking care of me for all these years" fresh tears was filling my vision as those words came out from my mouth. 'I'm afraid Kris, I'm afraid I'm going to hurt Sehun. He deserves someone better than myself'. I can't say that to Kris, I don't want to worry him anymore.
"I love you too sister, you were never a burden to me. Now it's time for you to build a new life, a family"
The heavy double doors open revealing the young bride in a Pnina Tornai's dress. Eyes are fixed on the beautiful bride just like her name.
"Amber can you at least wear a dress for your sister's wedding?"
"No daddy, I'm not going to be who's not me" Amber gives her stepmother a hug, smiling at Areum who's walking down the aisle with Kris. Behind the veil, she could see how Areum is in a dilemma, she's against this marriage and into it at the same time.
Oh Sehun is stunned by his future wife's beauty, for this special day, he dyed his hair brown and has a black tux on. Areum likes black better than white. He will do anything. everything for her. He didn't fall in love at the first sight but soon, he realised that his feelings towards her is far more than just a friend. He would die for this woman. They are the same age but still, Sehun is ready to take the responsibility to take care of her, far more ready than Areum.
"I hand my sister to you and I believe she's with the right man. Cherish her, care for her. I wish for your happiness" said Kris letting go of Areum's hand.
"You look gorgeous as always" whispers Sehun to my ear, that helps me to calm down. His voice always soothe me, clearing my mind and I love that about him.
We hold each other's hand, I have my eyes on him and his on mine. My heart is beating fast, Sehun's palms are sweating, he must be as nervous as I am. Somehow,he smirks and lip sync ' too long'. I hold my laughter not to burst out loud. The priest is taking so long to read the who -knows- whatever- I -don't- listen-to stuff.
'Be patient' I told him and he rolls his eyes, annoyed, 'boring'.
The priest finally finish his talk. Sehun's lips turn to a smile as if he's never annoyed.
"I, Oh Sehun takes Wu Areum as my wife and I will cherish her and love her for the rest of my life, I do" He winks at me not meaning to be flirty but it seems so to the guests that they cover their mouth surpressing their laugh.
"I Wu Areum takes Oh Sehun as my husband for now and forever,I do"
"You may kiss your bride"
Sehun pulled me in his arms before leaning closer,touching his lips on mine. "I love you" he mutters. I smile before biting his lower lip.
He wince pulling away. "What was that for?"
"For being too funny- Aaaahh!" He carries me bridal style, stepping down the altar. He smiles proudly before shouting " I'm married! Areum is mine!"
My face turns red, this is so embarassing and the fact that we hired someone to actually video tape the whole ceremony. I have to bear with this moment for the rest of my life as Oh Areum, why does it sounds funny to me? I like Wu better but, Sehun is my new world now,my new beginning.
Tokyo, Japan
"Papa!!!!!" a girl with pale white skin, full lips run towards a man in a black suit with a perfect sun-kissed skin. The man carried his 4 years old daughter in his arms, showering her with kisses.
"I miss you papa"
"How was your day baby girl?"
"Great, I have to walk on my toes longer than usual and it's tough but I can do it" answers the small girl, hugging her father's neck.
"That's very good, I love it when you are in your tutu's" Kai opens the door for her, putting her down in her car seat.
"Papa... when can we see mommy?" she fidgets with the hem of her dress, not meeting her father's eyes.
Kai his daughter's cheek, he's always sorry for not being a good father to his little girl and not raising her like normal families with mom and dad. Kim Nara only has her father and her grandparents. She has her mother's look, the only part that she inherits from her father is her full lips and her heavy sleeper trait. Waking her up is never easy.
"If you continue to be good, we can see mommy soon"
"That's what you said long ago and we still never see mommy" she pouted, looking at her bracelet which actually belongs to her mother. It is a silver bracelet with an airplane charm, Areum never love typical things.
Kai sighs in defeat. "What makes you ask for mommy? Is Papa not enough for you?"
"No...." she whines, crossing her arms. " Yui and Haruna told me that their mama braided their hair to class but Kato sensei was the one who did it for me."
"So you're jealous that their mama did that for them but not you?"
"Yes" she answers in Korean, Nara can't really speak korean that well but she's trying. Japanese is her first language as she's raised here.
"Then next time, papa will braid your hair for you, sounds good?" He fastens her seat belt , placing her bagpack beside her.
"But papa doesn't know how to"
"Papa will learn it from Kato sensei later and you can show off to them as their papa probably doesn't know how"
"Papa is the best!!" she gives him her thumbs up before pouting her lips again. Kai smiles, leaning closer to peck her lips. "I love Papa the most!"
"Papa loves Nara the most after mommy"
"Papa!!"
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comments please T-T. I need it, please do appreciate my effort,don't be silent readers,it makes me sad
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