All she needed was a closure from her past relationship for her to open her heart fully to a new love. And when Bogum gave it to her, she was able to accept Jongin with open arms. She hoped and still hopes that Jongin would be the one.

And when he said ‘okay’, she thought her heart would burst from various emotions that she couldn’t explain. It’s her first relationship after 9 years and first with a younger guy. Jongin became the only exception from her ‘no younger guys’ mindset. She would be lying if she’d say that she’s not nervous. But right now, the thought of just falling head over heels for him is enough to ease her anxiousness.

“So…you’re an official couple now?”

The twinkling on Hyeri’s eyes were the evidence that she’s really happy for Areum. And when the latter nodded in reply, Hyeri squealed in happiness before standing and hugging her friend tightly. “I’m so happy for you Areum.”

Areum smiled and patted her friend’s back. “Not that obvious,” she commented before they both pulled away.

Hyeri held Areum’s cheeks lovingly. “I hope that he’s going to be the right man for you. The thought of you getting married at last makes me so happy.”

A hint of pink shade came to Areum’s cheeks before biting her lip. “Me too. I hope he’s my Mr. Right,” she muttered and Hyeri giggled like a teenager before returning to her seat. Seeing Areum because of her overflowing emotions was enough to make Hyeri feel like a very satisfied friend. She knew that it was hard for her friend to let go and accept Jongin. Bogum’s a very good man and he gained back Hyeri’s respect when he decided to give way for Areum and Jongin’s budding love for each other.

“So…are you both talking about marriage now?” Hyeri suddenly asked. Areum looked a bit flustered because her cheeks became even redder.

“We haven’t talked about it yet but we decided to go slow since there are still many things that we don’t know about each other,” Areum replied, playing with the straw of her shake.

Hyeri nodded. She respects their decision. Areum’s been hurt badly in the past and Hyeri knew that it took a lot of courage for her friend to open her heart and accept someone new. “How did your mom react when you told her?”

Areum chuckled. “Well, she was very happy. My aunts were also there when I told her so you could only imagine how loud the house was.”

Laughter filled the air. “I bet they’re dying of happiness. I hope Jongin will be okay once you formally introduce him to your aunts.”

“At least now, I will not have to hear them tell me to get a guy,” Areum huffed.

“But they might ask you when you two will have your own cute kids,” Hyeri commented with a playful grin. Areum blushed. Her friend’s giving her weird thoughts. “Tsk, you’re turning into a tomato. So innocent,” she continued.

Areum rolled her eyes before chuckling. “Shut up.”

“After the wedding night~ I wonder~”

“Hey.”

“Okay. I’ll stop,” Hyeri commented, throwing her hands in surrender.

Areum looked to her phone and saw a message from Jongin.

From Kim Jongin: Traffic T^T Are you still at Hyeri’s café?

A small smile came to her face before sending a reply.

To Kim Jongin: Yeah. Drive safely.

It didn’t even take a minute for him to reply.

From Kim Jongin: If only I could let the car fly to be there quickly, I would’ve done it a long time ago. I miss you already.

Areum bit her lip, stopping herself from smiling even brighter. He’s really a smooth talker.

To Kim Jongin: You saw me yesterday. How could you send replies when you’re driving anyway? Eyes on the road, Mr. Kim.

From Kim Jongin: The light’s red, soon to be Mrs. Kim.

Mrs. Kim…That just made her heart skip a beat.

Areum sent a ‘not so amused’ cat emoticon after much thinking.

From Kim Jongin: You look like the cat. Cute.

She stared at her phone. What should I reply to that? With her cheeks flushing red, she typed a reply.

To Kim Jongin: Meow.

She put her phone on the table in regret after pushing the send button. She couldn’t believe she’s doing childish things that kids might be doing when they’re dating. Jongin’s bringing out her childish side.

“You really are in love, Lee Areum. Your face says it all,” Hyeri commented and Areum looked at her friend. The former had a Cheshire like smile, teasing her.

Areum touched her cheeks and sighed.

“Hey, it’s a normal thing even at our age. Even having two kids, I couldn’t help but fall for my husband more and more. This baby here is the evidence,” Hyeri commented while patting her tummy. “Smiling like a fool is normal when you’re in love.”

“I know,” Areum shyly admitted.

“Oh, your boyfriend’s here.”

“What?”

Hyeri nodded towards the door and when Areum turned, she saw Jongin entering. He was wearing a simple black shirt that suddenly reminded her of that night when she first saw him at the club. It made her realize how their relationship got to this certain point. She used to treat Jongin like a nosy kid but right now, he’s the man who’s making her heart beat like crazy.

Jongin nodded at Hyeri with a smile and the latter returned the greeting. “I thought you were stuck in a traffic,” Areum commented and Jongin looked at her.

A playful smile formed on his face. “I abandoned the car. I ran here because I missed you too much.” He’s really casual with his pick-up lines. Areum rolled her eyes.

“Aigoo, let me take my exit here before I get diabetes,” Hyeri stated, chuckling before taking her leave. Jongin chuckled at her statement. He sat on an empty chair before fishing his phone from his pocket.

“Do you want some fruit shake?” Areum asked.

“I’m fine. I just had coffee before I came here,” he replied. He tapped on his phone for some seconds before showing his phone to her. “Meow?” His voice sounded y while saying that single word. The grin on his face wasn’t helping at all.

“Why?” Areum questioned, flustered. Sending it wasn’t really a good decision.

“Nothing really. I couldn’t believe you sent it,” he replied, still grinning.

Areum knew that he’s having fun teasing her. “Why? Do I look like a person who can’t act cute? I have a lot of cuteness.” Ugh. That sounded so wrong, Lee Areum.

Jongin chuckled. The sound of his laughter was sending tingling feelings to her spine. His eyes smiling even captured her then and there. “I know. I know that you’re cute, Lee Areum. And that’s one of the reasons why I love you.”

She internally squealed like a kid when he said those words. Kim Jongin’s bad for her health. He’s sending her to a free fall after a roller coaster ride with his words and actions. She cleared . “I know. That’s why I love myself too,” she replied before standing.

“Let’s go,” she continued and Jongin stood too. He followed her to the car with a playful grin.

Letting the conversation go on would only take a toll on her heart. Kim Jongin’s a very bad addiction and Areum’s getting hooked – not really considering any rehab.

“Hi unnie,” Mira cheerfully greeted when Areum turned around. She almost had her heart fall on the ground.

“What are you doing here?”

Mira batted her lashes and smiled. “I’m visiting someone.”

“Who?”

“Don’t worry. It’s not Jongin oppa. I’m visiting Wonwoo oppa.”

Areum’s brows bristled. Wonwoo? “You mean Doctor Jeon?” she asked in surprise. Mira nodded right away. “Why?” Areum asked again.

“I like him.”

This girl’s blunt as usual.

“I heard from Jongin oppa that you two are officially dating,” Mira stated. “Despite his looks and the way he talks, he’s actually a dummy. He’s a very good guy.”

Areum unconsciously nodded, smiling. “I know.”

The surprise hug from the younger lady took her by surprise. “Unnie, take care of him. I always acted like a brat when I was with him but he never told me to get lost even though I know that I’m sometimes irritating.” Mira pulled away and stared at Areum. “I never saw him look at a girl like how he looks at you. He’s sincere and I can assure you that so please take care of him.”

Mira’s surprisingly likeable. Areum nodded in reply and Mira smiled even brighter. The latter leaned closer to Areum’s ear, trying to whisper something.

“He’s still a .”

Areum’s ears heat up. Mira looked casual as usual after saying that. “I know him. I know his beliefs and how his mind works,” she explained to a flustered Areum. That just went from an emotional send-away to a hundred percent unexpected turn.

“I’ll check on him again this afternoon,” Wonwoo stated. Upon hearing his voice, Mira turned to his direction.

“Oh, unnie, I need to go,” she bid, waving her hands. “Have fun,” she continued before running to Wonwoo’s side.

H-Have fun? O-On what? Red cheeks Areum asked herself as she looked at Mira who was already animatedly talking to Wonwoo.

“Why are you here?” Wonwoo asked in surprise.

“No solid reason. I’m just here to visit you. By the way, thanks for coming with me to the mall yesterday,” Mira replied, smiling. Areum asked herself if that’s how she looked when Jongin’s always telling her those greasy lines of his. Wonwoo looked genuinely flustered by how blunt Mira was. He was trying to keep a straight face but his lips curving upwards were difficult to stop.

“You’re welcome. Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. Are you going to eat lunch now?”

Wonwoo nodded. He scratched the back of his neck as if he was shy about what he’s going to say next. “Do you want to eat with me? I know a great place.”

Mira smiled brightly before nodding. “Okay.”

“I think they’re dating.”

Areum gasped. She almost jumped when Sojin appeared out of nowhere. “You almost gave me a heart attack,” she muttered, turning to the nurse.

“Sorry. What do you think about the two of them?” Sojin asked, nodding towards Wonwoo and Mira.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think they’re dating?”

“I don’t know.”

Sojin hummed before crossing her arms in front of her chest, thinking deeply. “I’ve seen that girl with Doctor Jeon yesterday and he was holding some shopping bags for her. They actually look great together. I think they’re really dating.”

“Hey, stop minding other’s business,” Areum commented and Sojin pouted.

“Okay. So when are you two going to tie the knot? People in this hospital are already setting dates for your possible wedding.”

Areum raised a brow. “What?”

“People are excited that you’re dating Doctor Kim,” Sojin replied. “Speaking of the soon to be groom…” she nodded to Areum’s back. The latter turned around and saw Jongin walking towards them.

“I’ll wait for the answer, Doctor Lee. I’ll take my leave for the two of you,” Sojin mumbled before walking away.

“What were you two talking about?” Jongin asked. Nothing much. Sojin just asked me when we’ll get married. Actually, people in this hospital have their eyes on us. That’s what she wanted to say but she just shut .

“Ah…a patient’s chart,” Areum lied and Jongin raised a brow. “Did you see Mira? She was just here a while ago,” she continued, trying to change the topic.

“Yeah, I saw her. She said she’s going to eat lunch with Wonwoo.”

“I see.”

“How about you? Do you want to eat?”

“Are you done with your rounds?”

Jongin nodded. “How about you?”

“Yeah. I also just finished. So…let’s go eat?”

“Okay. Where do you want to go? Ah, I saw a newly opened restaurant. Do you want to go there?”

“Sounds okay to me,” Areum replied as they walked to the nurse’s counter to sign some patients’ charts. Her mind’s already out of the building and her stomach’s already growling. She quickly placed her reports and signature before she looked at Jongin who was already waiting for her to finish up.

“Ready to go?” he asked and she nodded in reply.

They were almost out of the hospital when someone called Areum. They both turned around.

“Doctor Lee, we need you at the emergency room. It’s about a patient,” the nurse informed and Areum turned to Jongin. He just smiled before nodding.

“Sorry. Lunch might wait for a while,” she muttered.

“Doctor Kim,” another nurse called out. “Someone wants to talk to you on the phone. It’s on hold.”

Areum and Jongin looked at each other and sighed. “Don’t miss me too much,” he whispered and Areum rolled her eyes, hitting his arm lightly.

“Okay,” she answered before they parted ways.

Responsibility comes first before growling stomachs.

The house was quiet as Areum opened the door to enter. “Mom?” she called out, putting her bag on the couch before proceeding to the kitchen where she would always be preparing food for dinner. Taeyong’s still not home. It’s either she’s still at school or at the dance school. She looked around, trying to think of where her mother could be. Is she in her room?

She poured herself a cold drink and downed it in just a matter of seconds. Putting the glass down, she heard something coming from her mother’s room. Carefully and quietly to not disturb her mother, she walked to the room. She pushed the door slowly and saw her mother sitting on her bed, looking at something that she was holding. Her eyes were puffy and she looked like she’s slightly sobbing.

“Mom?”

Her mother lifted her face and when she saw her, she wiped her tears immediately. “You’re already home?”

Areum walked to her side and sat on the bed. A small smile came to her face when she saw the picture of her father that her mother was holding. “I miss dad too,” Areum commented, hugging her mother before patting her back.

“I wonder how he would react if he’s still here to see you and Jongin,” her mom stated, turning to Areum.

She chuckled. “I think Jongin would have a hard time convincing dad.”

“But Jongin looks like a good man. Maybe he’d treat him like a son-in-law right off the bat,” Mrs. Lee held Areum’s hand. “Areum, I don’t mind if you get married soon or even later. I just want you to be happy.”

“Mom,” Areum muttered before leaning on her shoulder. They stayed quiet as they just held hands. “Honestly, I’m scared that I might get hurt again.”

“Getting hurt is part of being in love. It’s an evidence that your heart is not numb. I know that you were hurt badly when Bogum left but I think that it’s the right decision to let yourself open up to a new love.”<