Epilogue

Written in the Stars

8 months later

Hye Kyo wakes up to the bright sunlight streaming from her window. She slowly gets up from the bed then proceeds to the bathroom and checks her reflection in the mirror. It’s nice to see the happy and glowing face staring right back at her.

The past few months with Joong Ki have been amazing. He’s such an attentive and loving fiancé and she couldn’t be more grateful. True to his word, he didn’t rush her. Instead, he respected her enough to let things flow on her preferred pace, first was to let both of their parents know about their relationship, then their friends. And when everything’s finally settled, that was when they started planning for the wedding, which got everyone overjoyed.

She could still remember her friends’ faces when she told them she was bringing someone along to their regular dinner get together. At first, they looked so happy to hear that she finally decided to try her luck on dating once again, after her constant refusals to participate in dates set up for her by her friends. Anticipation was clear in their eyes when they waited for the ‘lucky guy’ to show up when Joong Ki entered the room with Hye Kyo clinging unto his arm. To say that they were surprised is an understatement. They were shocked. Extremely shocked that they even asked one another if they were seeing things right. And when they realized that it really was Joong Ki holding their friend, they stood up and greeted them happily.

Today is the day, she thinks to herself, smiling while preparing to freshen up for the day. They have come all the way to Serenity Resort for the wedding. They chose this place since aside from it having the perfect scenery for a garden wedding, it’s close to Hye Kyo’s heart.

Planning the wedding went smoothly since this time, they hired a wedding coordinator. A real one and not someone they just made up just like what they did when they were faking the engagement. They both shared their thoughts and told the coordinator what they wanted while the coordinator presented them with ideas and proposals to choose from, based on their preferences. In the end, they agreed on a dreamy garden wedding with lots of flowers since Joong Ki said it was like a dream come true for him to be marrying Hye Kyo. While the concept for the reception would be an Elegant Bel Air Estate Wedding with lanterns and lights shining almost everywhere, to give the illusion of being surrounded by the stars.

The morning goes by fast with all the last-minute changes and finalizing wedding whereabouts and now, she’s seated in her robes in front of the dresser, having just finished with her makeup. While everyone around her fusses over her as well as their makeup and gowns, Lee Jin enters the room and makes a beeline to the bride. Upon seeing her best friend, Hye Kyo immediately smiles and Lee Jin approaches her to give her a small box along with one long-stemmed rose.

“A gift of love from the groom,” she says as Hye Kyo flashes her a confused look. Earlier, she also sent him her gift through Ah In – a Rolex Submariner Date Gold & Steel watch with a note attached to it that says:

From this moment on, I dedicate all of my time loving you.

See you at 5pm.

Sarangheyo.

–Your future wife

P.S. Don’t be late. I’ll be the one in white.

Though she sent him that gift, she didn’t expect to receive one back. After all, he’d been showering her with love and gifts in the last few months that she couldn’t ask for anything more. She had everything she wanted and more.

To adorn your beautiful ears.

I can’t wait to marry you.

See you in the aisle.

I’ll be waiting.

I love you forever.

-The man who’s desperately in love with you

She laughs softly at the dedication, thinking back on what happened last night. She and the girls as well as both her and Joong Ki’s parents arrived a day early at the resort to make sure the preparations were going smoothly while the guys decided to stop by the nearest city for their stag party.

She was in the middle of talking with her girlfriends about making sure that all the ‘somethings’ were covered, something new, something old, and the like, when her phone chimed. It was Big Boss.

He had been sending her secret messages all day long, complaining that the guys were stopping him from using his phone or from contacting her. She rolled her eyes first before opening the message.

Big Boss: Time’s moving so slow. I miss you already.

Aigoo, we aren’t wed yet and he’s already too clingy, Hye Kyo thought to herself with a smile, which Lee Jin caught.

“Who is it?” Lee Jin asked, confused as to why her best friend was smiling and Hye Kyo showed her the message. Everyone else scooted nearer to read.

“Aigoo, so clingy!” she said and Hye Kyo gave her a look which seemed to say ‘I know, right?’

“But so sweet,” Ji Won said. “I want a boyfriend like him.”

“You already have one!” Hyo Joo told her, while taking a sip of her tea.

“I know, but Jin Goo could be so cold sometimes. I wish he were expressive,” she sighed while the others rolled their eyes at her. Ji Soo started to lecture her about being patient when Hye Kyo’s phone rang and she excused herself, making her way to her room upstairs. Last year, they decided to renovate her mother’s favorite cottage, adding more rooms to it and another floor. It pretty much looks like a mini-mansion now, just the way her mother envisioned it to be when she was still alive and they decided to keep it exclusive for family and friends’ use.

“Yeoboseyo?” Hye Kyo answered while taking the stairs.

“Why didn’t you answer my message?” the voice from the other line whined. What did she say earlier? Yup, clingy.

“I was about to, but we were in the middle of something,” she defended.

“Really?”

“Really. What? You don’t believe your fiancée now?” she joked.

“Hye Kyo, I miss you,” Joong Ki said, earning a smile from her. “Hye Kyo? Are you still there? I said I miss you”

“Yes, I am and I heard. I miss you too,” she answered.

“I can’t wait for it to be tomorrow already,” he said.

“Yeah, but it’s just a few hours more,” she said and remembered something. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be enjoying your stag party?”

“I’d rather hear your voice,” he said on the other line, making her blush. Even up to now, he could still set butterflies in her stomach.

“Aigoo, I’m already marrying you tomorrow. You don’t have to make me fall for you more,” she said as she sat in her bed, facing the door.

“But I mean it,” he answered, making her smile again. Sweet. “And besides, I don’t like it inside. The strippers kept on coming at me,” he added and her smile faded.

“There are strippers there?!!!” she almost shouted. She was standing up by then. “You’re watching them?!! Where are you! Song Joong Ki! Don’t you dare…”

“I was just kidding,” Joong Ki chuckled on the other line. “It’s just us guys. And besides, with a beautiful and y fiancée like mine, no other woman would be worth watching. I already have the best.”

“Bad joke,” Hye Kyo huffed, crossing her eyes across her chest, thankful that no one’s in the room with her. Otherwise, they’d laugh, thinking about how childish she was acting.

“I’m sorry, won’t do that again,” he said and she answered with a hmph. “I love you. Only you”

“Fine! Love you, too. Now why don’t you focus on your agendum there and stop bothering me?” she said, still a bit annoyed.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked.

“Yes”

“Okay, but can you do one thing for me first?” he asked and she rolled her eyes. What could he possibly need her to do now? “Can you turn around?” he said and she couldn’t help but question what a silly request he was asking. She turned around anyway.

She was about to tell him off about how absurd his request was when a sight surprised her from her balcony door. She immediately dropped her phone on her bed and ran towards the door with a grinning Joong Ki behind it. She opened the door and was welcomed by the sight of her handsome fiancé, looking at her with adoring eyes. She felt her heart skip a beat.

“W-what are you doing here? W-what…” she started to ask, still not believing that her fiancé was standing in front of her when he pulls her into a tight embrace.

“Hello, future wife. I missed you,” he said as he nuzzled against her neck, inhaling her scent.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at your stag party?” she asked.

“I am, but I escaped,” he said with a laugh and she pulled back slightly to see his face.

“You escaped? Won’t they go looking for you? It’s your stag party after all,” she said and he smiled, touched at her concerned and brushed a strand of hair covering her face.

Oh God, she’s so beautiful and she’s all mine, he thought to himself as he smiled at the woman who’s going to be his wife in a few hours.

“Don’t worry about them, they’re having too much fun. I doubt they’d notice I left,” he said. “And besides, I needed to see my fiancée,” he added charmingly.

“Speaking of that, we’re not supposed to see each other 24 hours before the wedding. It’s a tradition,” she said, trying to pull away from the embrace.

“Tradition schmudition,” he sulked, looking so adorable that she laughed. “I missed you, you know. Didn’t you miss me too?”

“But we saw each other yesterday,” she tried to reason out.

“Only briefly. We only saw each other for about an hour and even then you were busy talking to the coordinator,” he pouted, missing all the attention his fiancée used to give him before they got so busy with the preparations. If it were him, he’d whisk her away and just get married in Las Vegas, he couldn’t care less for as long as it’s her gets to marry, but she deserves this. She deserves the best and that’s what he’ll give her. He’ll make all ends meet to give her the dream wedding she has always wanted.

“Aigoo, what a baby,” she said as she squinted at her soon-to-be-husband. Her heart couldn’t help but swell with love for him. This guy who has always been good to her, who always sought what’s best for her, who gave her his heart wholeheartedly without asking for anything back.

She could still remember those nights she laid awake thinking about him, thinking about how he was doing, if he was fine. If he thought about her the way she always dis about him. If ever there would come a point when their paths would cross again and they could continue what they once started.

But fate was good to them. The universe conspired for them to meet again and gave them another try. And now, here they are. She was going to marry him.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” she asked him quietly.

“As ready as I could ever be,” he answered with a smile and it was clear in his eyes that he was sincere. “What about you? Are you ready? No cold feet or something? I’m giving you one last chance to run,” he joked.

“I am, but to be honest, I’m a bit scared,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “What if something goes wrong? What if you fall out of love with me? What if…” She doesn’t like that her doubts are starting to consume her again.

“I thought I already made it clear that you’re the only one who owns my heart?” he said, but she was still looking down. He reaches for her face. “Look at me, Hye Kyo.” She still doesn’t budge.

“Please, sweetheart?” he pleaded and she finally obliged, meeting his gaze. “Let me tell you the truth, I might put on a brave front, but I’m scared, too. Yes, the future is scary, it may seem unpredictable, but one thing I’m sure of is my future belongs with you. With everything we’ve been through, I’m confident that we’ll get through anything...”

“…I’m not worried that we aren’t going to make it. I believe that our love is strong enough to overcome any challenge that may come our way. I love you and you love me. And the both of us being on the same page is what’s important, right? We’re partners and we’ll fight to win this love together,” he said and she finally nodded, her doubts starting to fade away while he pulls her for a hug. Indeed, a love like theirs is strong enough to withstand everything.

“I love you,” she said against his chest and he leans his head over her shoulders.

“I love you,” he replied back.

A few minutes later, he pulled away, took one more look at his future wife then smiled. “By tomorrow, you will be called Mrs. Song,” he said excitedly at first, but then started to frown which confused Hye Kyo.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, noting his change of demeanor.

“It’s like nothing’s gonna change. Your last name’s still the same,” he moped, knowing he couldn’t do anything about that and she laughed.

“But it’s going to be your last name I’ll be using and not mine. The thought is what counts, right?” she said, but he didn’t agree, still grouching. “I’m going to be your missus, your wife. …”

“But still…” he argued, his red lips pouting.

“Aigoo, I swear you’re really like a baby sometimes,” she said as she pinched his nose, causing him to scowl a little. “My baby,” she added and he finally smiled, liking the sound of it.

He then leaned in for a kiss when she stopped him with her hand.

“Not now,” she said, pulling away.

“What? Why?” he complained.

“No kisses tonight,” she said and his face fell. “We already broke the rule of not seeing one another 24 hours before the wedding, we should at least refrain from kissing,” she added matter-of-factly.

“Is there even such a rule?” he whined, looking like a kid who was deprived of his favorite candy.

“None, I made that up,” she laughed at how adorable he looked at the moment and he was about to argue when someone knocked on the door.

“Hye Kyo? Are you in there?” a female voice said.

“Eomma?” Joong Ki said as he and Hye Kyo exchanged panicked glances at one another. They immediately pulled away from each other and frantically thought of what they should do. Joong Ki just couldn’t be seen inside Hye Kyo’s room the night before the wedding especially by Mrs. Song. She’s very particular when it comes to traditions.

“What should we do?” Hye Kyo asked, her eyes widened in panic.

“I don’t know,” he said while trying to find out how to escape in this kind of situation.

“Can’t you just jump out of the balcony?” Hye Kyo was already pushing him towards the balcony doors.

“No, it’s too high. It wasn’t easy climbing the tree and jumping to your balcony earlier,” he said. He usually had a plan ready, but this time, they were completely caught off guard and his mind was reeling.

“Hye Kyo? Dear? Can I come in?” Mrs. Song said on the other side of the door, causing both Joong Ki and Hye Kyo to panic more. She could enter any minute from now.

“Ottoke. What should we do?” Hye Kyo asked, her eyes frantically searching the room. He couldn’t hide him in the bathroom or the balcony since Mrs. Song might unexpectedly go there and she very well couldn’t hide him under the bed, he wouldn’t fit.

“Are you okay in there Hye Kyo?” Mrs. Song called again. She should answer now or else Mrs. Song would just come barging in the room.

“Yes, wait a minute, Mrs. Song,” she said, hoping Mrs. Song would consider her request and wait for a bit when she saw something. Finally!

She grabbed Joong Ki by the hand then hurriedly pushed him towards the closet, having no other choice.

“Stay there for a bit. Don’t make a sound,” she said as she hid her surprised-looking fiancé behind her clothes. She actually felt bad for him since it had got to be crowded in there, but they didn’t have any other choice and their time was limited.

She closed the closet door slowly and composed herself before opening the door for a smiling Mrs. Song.

“Mrs. Song,” she said with a smile. “Is there something I can help you with?” she asked calmly but deep down inside, she was still shaking.

“Oh, nothing, Hye Kyo, I’m just here to give you something,” she said as she smiled at her future daughter-in-law.

“Please come in, Mrs. Song,” she said as she stepped aside to let her future mother-in-law in.

“Ah, you have always been so well-mannered. And please stop calling me Mrs. Song, you’re already part of the family and by tomorrow, you will officially be my daughter. Just call me eomeonim,” she said in a motherly voice as she held Hye Kyo’s hand and the latter smiled.

“Okay. Please have a seat, Eomeonim,” Hye Kyo said, gesturing her towards the chairs and trying out the word, which was still a bit foreign for her, but felt nice to be able to say.

“I just want to give you this. ‘Something old,’” Mrs. Song said as she gave Hye Kyo a small box, and the latter slowly took it, a bit surprised. She then carefully opened the box which revealed a vintage and intricately designed piece of jewelry.

“It’s a brooch,” Mrs. Song said with a smile as Hye Kyo looked up to her. “It was given to me by my mother and had been passed on for generations.” So that explained its antiquated charm. So beautiful.

“It’s lovely,” she managed to say, still charmed by the brooch, then looked up to meet Mrs. Song’s eyes, seeming to ask why she was giving it to her.

“Aside from the ring I gave to Joong Ki, I also some for his two siblings. I was planning on giving it to my daughter the day of her wedding, but unfortunately, she didn’t live long for her to get the chance,” she said with a sad smile and Hye Kyo reached out to comfort her.

“Anyway, I want you to have it,” she said when Hye Kyo was about to give it back, feeling like she didn’t deserve it. “I already thought of you as a daughter ever since your father introduced you to our family. And I couldn’t be more grateful…”

“When Joong Ki was younger, he used to keep to himself. He tried to endure everything until he no longer could, for fear that we might think of him as weak. He