Requester
SMTownR


Characters
(GOT7) Mark Tuan x Ara Li


Genres
Romance, Angst, and Drama


Plot
Ara is forced to marry to Mark cuz Mark wanted a mother for his daughter. He chooses Ara because he sees how loving and caring Ara was to his daughter therefore Mark breaks off Ara's and Sehun's wedding.


Author
Charlot1081

 

    Sehun puts his arms around his girlfriend.  "Ara,"  He whispered as the evening breeze went past their bodies, "there's not too much longer until our wedding."  He reminded as he watched the fountain in the distance.

They are at a sort of resort where there is a fountain outside the building.  Outside on a balcony, Ara and Sehun are standing and watching the view.  "Oh Sehun,"  She started up her complaining, "you're not supposed to see me until the wedding, remember?"  She laughed as she hit his arm before holding it.

 Sehun smiles as he watches the stars and the moon.  "You know we don't always have to follow tradition."  He said with a touch of a devious tone.

"Sehun, go back to your room.  We just got here today, you know."  She tore out of his grasp to go back into her room.  "I'm going out to dinner with a couple of friends."

"It's dark out,"  He commented, "I don't want you ladies to go out at night."


Ara laughed and folded her arms.  "One of my friends brought along her cousin, remember?  It'll be fine!  His daughter's also coming along, so you know he's going to be very protective over all of us."  She included as she picked up her small purse.

"Why don't you go out with some of the guys?"  She recommended before fixing her hair in the full-length mirror and making sure her clothes were on well.

"Why can't I come with you?"  He pouted.

She narrowed her eyes at him before shaking her head.  "Whatever, you make my mother upset."  She gave up with raised arms as she opened the bedroom door.


They walked down the flight of stairs to the hotel lobby and see the group of friends.  Ara hugged each one and took a look at the cousin she had never met. 

"I'm Ara,"  She introduced with a bow, "you are...?"

"This is my daddy!"  The little girl jumped up and down as she introduced the man.


The man just looked down at the girl with a blank expression before looking back up at Ara.  "I'm Mark Tuan, Karen's cousin."  He gave a slight bow as his voice was a bit groggy.

Ara detected not-so-happy vibes from Mark.  "Oh, I see..  Who's this little sweetheart?"  She asked as she went down on one knee to be on eye-level with the girl.  "What's your name?"

"My name is Meili~  You're so pretty!"  The girl gave an excited tone.

"Awe~  Thank you so much, you're quite beautiful your ownself.  Where's your mommy?"  Ara asked as she held the little girl's hands.


Meili's expression went down a bit.  "Mommy's up in the clouds right now.  She likes birdies and-" 

"That's enough, Meili."  Mark told as he put his hand on her head.  "She might get the wrong idea."  He told.

Ara stood up tall to look up at Mark.  "What do you mean?"

"Meili's mother wanted to be a pilot instead,"  Mark said as she covered up Meili's ears.  "She didn't want the responsibility.."  He looked elsewear as the girl was sitting still.


Ara looked back at the girls and Sehun.  They were relatively silent with the exeption of a sigh from one.  "Well.."  Ara looked back at Mark.  "She needs a mom though.."  She looked down at the girl.

"Meili-ah,"  She knelt down again, "what do you say?  Should we have some fun eating tonight?" 

"Yes, yes!"  She squealed.  "I saved a lot of room!  I skipped having a snack on the plane~"  She told as she put her arms around Ara's neck.


Ara laughed as she stood up and held the young one close to her.  "Then let's go eat, hm?"  She suggested as she walked out of the building with the girl in her arms.

Sehun couldn't help but smile watching Ara naturally take care of the little girl.  "She'll make a fine mother,"  Mark predicted, "I hope I can find someone like that to help me with Meili.."  He told as she put his hands in his pockets while trailing behind the girls with Sehun.

"Yeah.."  Sehun agreed as they walk together.  "You trust her with your kid though?  You just met her."  Sehun laughed.


Mark chuckled and scratched his forehead.  "I don't know.. Karen says she's reliable, I'm really tired, and I know if I stay near her I will do something I regret."  Mark explained as they get closer to the group of girls that were walking to an eating building the resort has.

"What do you mean?"  Sehun asked.

"Just.."  Mark smiled and sat down next to him as the girls sat at a group table next to theirs.  I might fall in love..  He answered Sehun in his mind.  "How long have you two known each other?"

Sehun played with the wrapper that his straw came with.  "Our families have been friends for a little while, but we've only been dating for a few months.  Ara's mother is tired of waiting for grandkids, and my mother wants to marry me off too." 


Mark nodded and took a sip of his drink.  "Do you love her?"  Was his question.

"That's a good question,"  Sehun laughed as he leaned on the table to look for Ara, "I love her but I hate her, you know?"  He told with a slight chuckle.

Mark raised his eyebrows and scratched his neck.  "How do you mean?"

"There are a lot of things about her that I just can't stand.  But at the same time, she makes me smile."  Sehun confessed as he waved to Ara.

Mark noticed the girl wave to both Sehun and him.  He waved back with a small smile before returning to Sehun.  "Love is strange that way, huh?" 

"Guess so.."

"She really seems nice, you know.  I would make sure it's love before you figure out you're just friends."  Mark suggested as he drank down all of his beverage.

He motioned to the waitress that he needs a refill before hearing Sehun click his tongue.  "You need to talk to people a bit better than that, Mark." 

Mark looked at the other male with a sarcastic smile.  "Sorry, Hyung.  I know how it feels to realize it's not love."  He sighed and motioned the waitress a 'nevermind.'  He stood up and left the table.  He then walked to the girl table and put his hand on Meili's head.

The girl looked up while having the straw still in .  "Yes, Daddy?"  She asked, wiping some milk off of her chin.

"It's time to get going."  Mark told.

The girl whined.  "Daddy.. I haven't even eaten yet.."  She pouted.

The girls at the table started muttering.  "I'm really tired, Meili.  It's time to go."  He said as he rubbed his eye with a quick, silent yawn.

Ara pursed her lips as she made a decision.  "We'll keep her and bring her back to your room when we're finished."  She suggested. 


Mark looked at his daughter who automatically put her arms around Ara.  He sighed and scratched his head.  "No, I just.. no, come on, Meili."  He told as he put his hand out for Meili to take.


Meili stood up with a pout and walked out of the restaurant with Mark.  Ara sighed and looked down at the table.  What a jerk.. Was her thought. 


***

It's a couple days later.  Mark sits outside on a bench watching Meili go to town at the playground the resort has.  He sighed and crossed his ankles as he held his coffee tighter.  The beverage has cooled down but is still warm.  He raised his eyebrows when the little girl attempted to jump up to the monkey bars that are at least eight feet in the air.

He chuckled when she went down the slide with cheer.  "She seems like a lot of fun,"  He heard a newly-familiar voice next to him, "how is she when she's at home?"

Mark looks at the girl he met the other night.  "She's tired when she gets home, but is still energetic.."  He answered as he gave her more space on the bench.

"How old is she?"  She asked as she crossed her legs and clasped her hands together in her lap while watching Meili.

"She turns six next month."  Mark answered before sipping on the coffee.

Ara sighs.  "You've been taking care of her alone for that long?"  She asked, receiving a hum.  "Is it hard?"

"Are you just here to make me depressed?"  Mark wondered while turning toward Ara.  "Don't you have a boyfriend to go be lovey-dovey to?"


Ara narrowed her eyes at the man.  She read the tiredness in his eyes and relaxed her expression.  "No, not currently."  She answered.  "We're not supposed to see each other, but he likes to break the rules sometimes."  She scratched her neck.

He hummed and folded his arms. 

"Sometimes I feel like we're just friends, you know?  He teases me and bothers me like I'm still his classmate."  She mumbled and looked down at her nails. 


Mark raised his eyebrows and was about to stand.  However, her hand went on his.  "I'm sorry."

"For what?"  He questioned.

"I'm making you upset, but it's truly not my intention."  She answered when they made eye contact.  "I've just been thinking about you ever since the other night, and I wanted to make sure everything is okay."

Mark averted his gaze and nodded.  "It's fine.. Many women pity me, so I figured-"

"I don't pity you,"  She laughed and relaxed her hand as Mark has taken control over their hand-holding, "it must be hard for you to take care of her alone, but it's not like you hate it or anything."

Mark nodded and relaxed on the bench.  "Sometimes I feel like it could be easier if I had someone with me,"  He said softly while keeping eye contact, "sometimes I wish that it was actually love I felt for my ex-wife."

Ara was confused.  "What do you mean?"  She questioned.

"I thought I loved her, but in reality, my parents just wanted me to love her.  My friends told me to love her, and I guess I got brain washed."  He sadly chuckled.  "But I wouldn't take that back just to correct myself.  That would be selfish."  He slowly looked over at Meili. 

"Does Meili give you happiness?"  She asked softly.  She watched Mark nod.  "Then the past is just that—the past.  You're not proud of it, but it made you a stronger man and a loving father." 


Mark looked down at his hand that was being carressed by Ara's other hand.  He then looked at Ara with one, slightly-raised eyebrow.  "Does Sehun make you feel happy?"

"As a friend, Mark.. I don't think I love him like a husband.."  Her eyebrows twitch as she came to the realization.

He noticed her emotional change.  "Shh, I didn't mean to..  Please don't cry."  He let go of her hand to put his arms around her. 

"I'm about to marry him, Mark.. And for what?  For my parents' sake.."  She silently sobbed and held onto Mark.


Meili looked over at the two and pouted her lip.  She was about to walk over; however, she noticed another familiar person in the distance.  Sehun was watching with raised eyebrows. 

"Daddy!"  She called out.  "Daddy!  I want to go on the swing!"  She started running over when they disconnected from the hug.


Mark stood up to catch his child.  "Alright, let's go."  He carried her. 

As Mark was walking over to the swing set, she looked at Ara with a concerned expression.  Ara sat their confused as she watched the girl's expression return to being excited.  She scratched her neck and stood up.  He seems so sweet.. He deserves to be with someone..

She sighed.  I would take that place.. but Se-  Her thoughts vanished as she turned around to see Sehun still standing there in the distance.  It wasn't too far away, and he could probably hear their conversation from there.  He was probably looking for me or following me..

"Se-"

"Ara, we need to talk."  He walked up to her to take her wrist.  He was surprised when she took her wrist back.

"Sehun,"  She started with a huff, "stop following me.  You know how mad my mom got when you went to eat with us.  We'll talk later."  She told as she walked past the groom.


Sehun watched her figure walk away until he couldn't.  Then he turned his gaze to Mark.  He made her cry, was his thought as he actually did not listen to the conversation.  He watched as Mark let her be on the swingset and he went back to sitting down.  Mark held his back for a few seconds as Sehun was making his way to the bench.


"Hey,"  Sehun started up as he sat down on the other side, "don't think I didn't see what just happened."

Mark scratched his neck.  "Sorry, my back's been hurting since I got off the plane.  She told me to go sit down."  He explained as he pointed at his daughter.

"No, you idiot.. I mean I saw Ara crying in your arms."  He rolled his eyes.  "What did you do to her?"


Mark sighed and looked at the grass in the distance.  "I told her why I'm a single parent,"  He started out, "I told her that I didn't feel any real love for my wife and that my family kind of manipulated me into marrying her."

Sehun raised an eyebrow.  "So did they get upset when she left you?" 

Mark laughed.  "We moved out of country, but yeah.. they got mad."  He sipped on his coffee.  "Ara is a very sweet girl.  I don't need years of knowing her to know that characteristic."  He mentioned.

"What are you getting at?"  Sehun questioned.

The smile formed a sigh.  "She'll be a loving mother too.  Don't make her feel like the love is just friendship.  It hurts more than just being honest at the beginning."  He said as he clasped his hands together.  "Everyone in a family has wise words to give the newly-weds, and this is the advice I give." 


Mark finally looked Sehun in the eyes.  "Don't make the same mistake I did.  I know that without my mistake, I wouldn't have Meili; but just be careful with Ara, okay?"  He put his hand on Sehun's shoulder. 


Sehun looked down at his hands and sighed.  "You can force yourself to think a certain way.."

"No you can't,"  Mark laughed, "placebo doesn't work with love." 

"I can't just break the wedding, you know."  Sehun suddenly said.  "Ara's been my friend for ages, but I never had the thought on dating her let alone marrying her." 


Mark watched as the other male sighed and leaned back against the bench.  "Better you than me, right?"  Mark asked.

"What?  You have feelings for her?"  Sehun regained his posture.  "No way, Mr."  He stood up with rage.

"Calm down.. Just wait three more days and get married to her."  He said as he stretched to throw his coffee cup in the trashcan.  "You two have made the decision on appealing to your parents, have fun with it."


Sehun huffed and stomped off.  Who does this guy think he is?!  Talking to me like this!  Just because Ara feels like a friend doesn't give him the right to-  Sehun stopped his thoughts and movements.  "She only feels like a friend to me.."  He realized as he looked at the sidewalk.

He shook his head.  "I'm just over-thinking.. of course I want to marry her."  He shook his head once more and stomped the rest of the way to his hotel room.


***

Another day passes and Ara finds herself in the lobby of the hotel building with Meili.  She had wandered off and was found by Ara. 

"You don't know your daddy's phone number?"  Ara asked as she brushed the little girl's hair.  "How about Cousin Karen, do you know hers?"  She asked with a smile.

"I'm not good with numbers.."  The girl gave a cute pout.  "Can you teach me the numbers?" 

Ara laughed and put her brush in her purse and sat back on the couch with Meili.  "The first number is six~"  She put her arms around the girl's stomach in a back hug.

Meili squealed with giggles.  "I'm turning six!"  She said excitedly. 

"That's right,"  Ara hummed, "what will you be in three years?" 

Meili clapped as she knew the answer.  "Nine!  Nine!  Is that the next number?"  She asked as she turned around ang smiled at Ara.


Ara nodded and the little girl's hair.  "You're learning quickly, Meili."  She said softly as she brought Meili into a hug.


Ara had texted Karen about ten minutes ago, in which Karen texted Mark that Meili was found.  Mark thought the first place Meili would go is the park, so naturally he went there first.  However, he just made it back to the hotel building.  He walked in silently and stopped in his tracks.

He saw as Meili giggling and jumping in Ara's arms.  He smiled without knowledge.  He looked down at the floor with blushed cheeks as he started making his way toward the couch. 

Meili saw him before turning her eyes back to Ara.  "Miss Ara, is it wrong that I wish you were my mommy?"  She asked with innocent eyes.

Ara looked at her with raised eyebrows.  "What do you mean?"

"You make me so happy."  The girl sighed as she rested her face on Ara's chest. 


Ara stayed silent as she patted the young girl's back.  After a minute or two, she heard someone behind them.  The person walked around the couch.  Ara saw that it was the father of Meili.

"Hey, sorry it took me a bit to get here."  He said with a smile.  "Is she asleep?"  He asked with a slight chuckle.

"Yeah, I think so."  Ara said softly as she looked down at Meili.  "She's really fun, you know." 


Mark smiled and nodded as he leaned closer to move some of Meili's hair.  He looked up from Meili to see that he was relatively close to Ara.  "Oh, sorry."  He backed up a bit.

"It's alright, Mark."  She kept her smile.  "You should take her up to your room and nap with her."  She handed Mark Meili.


Mark held his girl in his arms and was surprised that she didn't wake up.  "She's getting big," He laughed, "pretty soon I'll need someone to help me hold her."

"I'll help-"  She stopped herself.  "I mean.. I'm going to get going."  She scratched her head and picked up her purse.  She left without another word.


"She's perfect, isn't she?"  Mark whispered as he walked to the elevators.


***


"Sehun, we need to talk."  It was Ara's turn to visit Sehun.  "I'm sorry for breaking the rule, but this is really important."

Sehun let Ara into his room and closed the door.  They sit on the couch together and he holds her hand.  "What's up?"  He asked with a concerned tone.

"I think we should call off the wedding."  She admitted.

Sehun knew exactly how and why she said that.  "You like Mark, don't you?"  He asked with a sigh.  He watched her nod her head slowly.  "I guess I lost then."

"Hm?"

"He and I have been at odds since the other night.  I keep seeing him around and he keeps telling me to make you happy."  He confessed as he looked down at the strangely-patterned carpet.  "I guess what we feel for each other is just friendship, huh?"


Ara looked at him to see him have a comedic smile.  "Yeah.. I really like you, but not like how our parents want us to like each other."  She told.  "I'm really sorry, Sehun. You must hate me now."


He chuckled and pulled her into a hug.  "Of course not.  How could I hate you?"  He her hair.  "You look so natural with Meili, and I see the love in Mark's eyes as he looks at you."

"You do?"

"Yup.  I've been following you every day."  He laughed as Ara pulled out of the hug.  "Can't blame me for wanting to hang out.  We've been hanging out together all of our lives."


Ara smiled and nodded.  "True.. So you're not mad?"  She had to make sure.

"No, I want us to remain friends.  I want you to be happy with a man that really loves you."  He said as he held Ara's hand protectively.  "Our parents are going to freak out though."


Ara laughed and nodded again.  "So true..  Thank you, Sehun."  She hugged him once more. 


They stay like that for a little bit longer until they decided to go to the room that their parents are staying in.  There are currently only two days until the big day, and one of the days is just about over.  Being that it's after supper, the parents were starting to gear up for going to bed.

"Mom, we need to talk."  Ara started.

"Oh boy.. what's up?"  She asked she looked at the couple.  "And why are you two together?!  Don't you know you're supposed-"


"Ma'am,"  Sehun interrupted, "it's about the wedding.  We want to cancel it."


The four parents look their way and Ara's mother gasps.  "What?!  What do you mean?!"  She asked as she got closer to Ara.  "You better be joking.  Tell me that you're joking!" 


Even through the husband's coaxing, Ara's mother was still on fire.  "Mom, we realize that this isn't what we want.."  She said with furrowed eyebrows.


After countless minutes of arguing, the wedding was canceled and all of the guests and relatives were informed.  Sehun walked Ara back to her room.  Before she opened the door, her name was called.


"Ara,"  Mark called form the end of the hallway, "Sehun, why are you canceling the wedding?"  He asked as he gained his breath.

"Because he's my friend.. not my husband."  Ara confessed.


Mark held her shoulders.  "I hope what I said didn't make you think that I was trying to separate you two."  He looked at Sehun.  "That wasn't my intention, honest."

Sehun shook his head.  "No, you were right.  I don't have feelings for her like that.  And if she's the same way.. why should we get married?"

Ara nodded at Sehun's words.  "Thank you Mark.  You've helped us.."  She gave a small smile.  "And we can remain friends without having anything awkward come between us."


Mark saw true smiles in their expressions.  "Good then.. I hope you two will have fun together still."  He relaxed himself and stepped away from the couple a bit.

"Mark,"  She started, "is there anything else?"


Mark looked at Sehun who motioned him to speak.  "I.. I was wondering i-if.. no, you need some more time."  He scratched his neck.

"I didn't break up with Sehun, I don't need time."  She laughed.  "If you're asking me to be your girlfriend, it's a yes."


Sehun smiled and nodded.  "As her best friend, I bless your relationship."  He said formally.

Mark looked down and nodded.  "Meili really likes you."  He told.

"I like her too.  But you guys live farther away, don't you?"  She asked.


Mark confirmed with a hum.  "If you're willing to have a long-distance relationship, I'll do my best to make it work."  He promised.  "We'll wait for when you're ready to move with us."

Ara smiled.  "I'll talk with my parents about it.  Thank you, Mark."  She said as she got closer to him and put a kiss on his cheek. 


"I expect you to take care of her, Mark."  Sehun said as he walked past the other male to the elevators. 


Mark smiled and waved to the girl who went into her room.  "I promise to make her happy."  Mark said as he got into the elevator with the other male. 



 

Thank you so much for requesting again!
Sehun really seemed jealous at first, but Mark helped him realize his feelings.
I'm glad they ended up together and Sehun and Ara remained friends~
I feel like I didn't give you enough drama, and I'm really sorry for that :o


<3