It’s a Friday night and the newlyweds are out to party with their friends. They just got back from their 2-week honeymoon cruise trip where they visited beautiful places in Europe together and now they’re back to their usual busy lives where Joong Ki is busy preparing to take over their company while Hye Kyo is juggling her time between SGC and her jewelry business. But despite their busy schedules, they still managed to squeeze in some time to have lunch together and cuddle in each other’s arms after a long day’s work in their home, Joong Ki’s bachelor pad which they decided to renovate and expand.

A place which used to be just for one, has turned into a home for two, with everything in pairs from slippers to toothbrushes and bathrobes. The transformation is still a bit of surprising for the both of them, but Joong Ki can’t help but like that Hye Kyo is now officially part of his life. So far, everything’s going smoothly except for the little things that require some getting used to, Hye Kyo feeling something poking against her back every morning while her husband hugs her, for example. Thinking about it still makes her blush.

Joong Ki is as attentive as ever while Hye Kyo is fulfilling her role as a caring wife. She would always ask him about his day and would attentively listen while he tells her about all the meetings he had to attend and the files all piled up on his desk. She would always prepare his clothes and he couldn’t help but enjoy that his wife is coddling him in every way possible.

So, this is what it feels like to be loved by her, he thought to himself.

He, on the other hand, would always give in to Hye Kyo’s every whim, surprising her from time to time with her favorite flowers, massaging her feet when they’re tired of being in heels all day, and telling and showing her how much he loves her any chance he’s got. She feels so grateful and extremely blessed to have him as her husband.

He loves that he gets to wake up to her sweet kisses now instead of the annoying alarm in his phone. And she loves that he’s the last person she gets to see before she falls asleep and the first one as she opens her eyes in the morning.

He loves that he has her to come home to after a rough and draining day at work, a calming presence to comfort him despite his chaotic and bustling office work. And she loves that she has him to lean on when she’s feeling tired and vulnerable, her rock which acts as her support as she carries on with her copious responsibilities.

So far so good, they like to say as they enjoy their little bubble.

And now, after a week of being immersed in work and in each other, they finally get to hang out with both of their friends, who have become close since the two got back together, the two groups also surprised at how well they get along. It turns out Hye Kyo’s friends are not as snotty as the other group initially thought of while Joong Ki’s are actually fun to hang out with. Now, once in a while, they go out as a group.

“Finally, these two lovebirds have decided to grace us with their presence,” Ah In says as soon as the couple arrives and Hye Kyo rolls her eyes while Joong Ki pulls a chair for her.

“Yeah! We thought the honeymoon trip got extended with the way you guys are making yourselves scarce,” Chulhwa chimes in and Joong Ki playfully punches him in the arm.

“Guys, guys, let them be. You know how steamy things can get between newlyweds,” Jasper says and everyone laughs while Hye Kyo gives him a face. “Let’s not take it against them when they don’t show up often.”

“Yeah, like how you guys didn’t show up for weeks after your secret wedding?” Jiwon accuses. Jasper and Soo Jin married a few months earlier in Vegas without telling anyone.

“Hey! It was unplanned. This guy here thought it was a good idea that time,” Soo Jin defends herself as she gestures to her husband. “And besides, we’re having another wedding here, anyway and I’m getting you as my Maid of Honor,” she adds and Jiwon’s face immediately brightens up.

“Really??! I’m the Maid of Honor?” Jiwon, still, couldn’t believe what she has just heard. Soo Jin nods and she squeals.

“Ya! Stop screaming, my ears hurt,” Il Jung complains.

“What?! I’m just thrilled! I’m the Maid of Honor,” she squeals again and Il Jung has no other choice but to cover his ears.

“Always the maid of honor, but never the bride,” Ah In says and Il Jung gives him a hive five.

“Ya!” Jiwon scowls while everyone in the table laughs.

“Don’t worry, yeobo. You’ll be the bride soon. At the right time,” Jingoo says as he squeezes the arm of his annoyed girlfriend. Ever since Jiwon confronted him on how he was always so cold and not expressive, he changed. He has now become more open of expressing his emotions as well as his love for her.

“By soon, you mean when you finally gain the guts to convince your mother that you’re no longer a baby?” Jiwon accuses him and everyone bursts out laughing.

“So, what else is new?” Hye Kyo asks moments later but before anyone could answer, Kwang Soo makes his presence known. Even in a noisy bar, one could still pick out his laughter.

“Yooo! Guys. I missed you!” an extra-jolly Kwang Soo greets as he approaches.

“Says the guy who hasn’t shown his face in days,” Bo Gum says. “Which planet did you disappear to?”

“Ya! I was only busy.”

“Busy what? Collecting girls?” Chulhwa remarks and the guys laugh, their girlfriends/wives each giving them a look.

“Ya! What are you saying? I don’t play with girls. Well, at least not anymore,” he says proudly.

“Dude, are you saying you’re a changed man? ‘Cause that’s impossible,” Bo Gum teases while Kwang Soo scowls.

“Yup, I am,” he says, standing straighter and taller. “I got myself a girlfriend.”

“You what?” Ah In asks while Joong Ki chokes on his drink and Hye Kyo pats his back soothingly.

“You heard that right. I have a girlfriend,” Kwang Soo smugly says and looks behind him then smiles widely. “In fact, here she is right now. Guys, meet my girl, Hyun Kyoung,” he adds and everyone turns to look at a beautiful woman with short hair approaching.

---

The night goes by smoothly with happy chatters going around the table and drinks flowing. Hyun Kyoung seems to have blended well with the group and even appears to be enjoying herself while Kwang Soo smiles adoringly beside her before clinking beers with Il Jung.  Joong Ki, on the other hand, is not drinking, which Hye Kyo does not fail to notice.

“Are you alright?” Hye Kyo asks, leaning closer to him. “Why aren’t you drinking?”

“I’m fine,” Joong Ki answers as he squeezes her hand reassuringly. “And besides, I have to drive. I have to keep you safe.” He gives her a smile, which she returns.

“Are you sure? I can drive instead,” she offers and he nods, seeming to tell her that he’s sure, but the guys start to clink beers again and she notices the longing in his eyes. “Jagiya, really. I can drive, go have a drink. I’ll be fine.”

“But…”

“No buts, mister. This is an order,” she says, trying to mimic a stern expression. She doesn’t want him holding back from having fun just because he has to make sure he drives them both safely home.

“Aigoo, you’re such a bossy wife,” he says, laughing softly.

“Yes I am, now go ahead before I change my mind,” she bossily says and he nods.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says as he finally grabs a beer and takes a swig while she smiles.

A few minutes later, Hye Kyo excuses herself to go to the ladies’ room.

“I’ll go with you,” Joong Ki offers and Hye Kyo rolls her eyes at him. Aigoo, her husband can act overprotective sometimes, which she actually finds cute.

“I’m fine, I can manage,” she says, walking away before he could even follow.

Hye Kyo retouches her makeup before going out and just when she’s about to close her compact powder, someone approaches her.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Excuse me,” Hye Kyo turns to her left only to find a girl with big eyes smiling widely at her. “Sorry to be rude, but are you Song Hye Kyo?”

“Yes,” she smiles politely.

“Wow, it’s really you! I can’t believe it. I’m not dreaming, am I? This is real? Wow, your skin really does look very nice. You’re so beautiful!” she gushes while jumping excitedly. Who is this girl and why is she acting like this?

“Sorry, I think I’m really being weird here. It’s just that I’m a fan. I’ve been following you ever since. I’ve read almost every magazine you’ve been featured in well, that’s until I got really busy with work, I haven’t got the chance to follow your whereabouts that much,” she confesses shyly and Hye Kyo smiles, but before she could even utter a word, the girl continues talking nonstop again.

“Anyway, I heard rumors that you got married. Is it true? I don’t think it is, but if it is, well, he’s a very lucky guy to be marrying you!” she says and Hye Kyo couldn’t help but raise her left hand show the girl her engagement and wedding rings.

“It’s true,” she says with a smile, thinking that it’s her who’s lucky to be married to Joong Ki.

“OMG!!! It really is true. Congratulations!” the girl says excitedly as she leans in to take a closer look at the rings, gushing at how big the stones are. Her husband must be one very rich chaebol to buy her expensive rings like this, she thought to herself.

“If it’s not too much, can I take a picture with you. Please?” the girl asks, taking Hye Kyo by surprise.

“Here?” she asks, confused. Yes, the bar’s bathroom may have a nice interior, but still, isn’t it too weird to have their picture taken in here?

“Yes! I have to show it to my friends, they’re also big fans of yours,” she says and Hye Kyo finally finds herself agreeing.

“Uhm, sorry, but I have to go,” Hye Kyo says as she grabs her purse the moment they finish taking pictures. “It’s nice talking to you, uh…”

“Chae Won, my name’s Moon Chae Won,” the girl happily says, delighted that Hye Kyo gets to know her name.

“Okay, Chae Won-ssi. It was nice meeting you, but I really have to go. Bye,” she says as she goes outside the room and makes her way to the side of the jam-packed bar where her friends are seated. Her husband might already be wondering what took her so long.

Chae Won, on the other hand, stays frozen in the bathroom, still in shock that she finally got to meet the girl that she’s been stalking since she was young.

Wow, they’re not joking, she really looks beautiful and nice, too, she thinks as she retouches her makeup, hoping to look as beautiful as the woman she has just met.

“You okay?” Joong Ki asks the moment she takes her seat next to him. “You’ve been gone for a while.”

“Yup, there was a girl in the ladies’ room who wanted to take a picture with me,” she says and Joong Ki looks at her, surprised.

“Another fan of yours?” he asks, teasing her and she rolls her eyes then leans against him as they listen to Kwang Soo showing off in front of his girlfriend.

“Gosh, I love this song,” Lee Jin exclaims as the DJ plays a remix version of Rihanna’s