Everything happened so fast. One moment Ahyeong was in her dreamland then in another she was already on her way to the mansion, where the engagement ceremony was supposed to be organized. According to Baekhyun, it was their ancestral property that was built by his Great Grandfather. Anyone would have thought it was built yesterday if not for the traditional architectural touch to it.

“Seems like your parents has finally won the lotto after all the blood, sweat and tears they shed for years.” Na Jiho, her former bodyguard and current temporary assistant scoffed behind the wheels. It was true but somehow it left a bitter taste in Ahyeong’s mouth.

“Are you really going to become the scapegoat for their insatiable greed?” He narrowed her eyes at her. “You know, my offer is still available.” He tried to persuade the girl who sighed at his proposal.

“Oppa, I am going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine. Baekhyun is a good man and I trust him. His family is also nice.” She assured and that was the cue for Jiho to not prolong this conversation.

He has literally seen her grow in his career of 12 years and yet he still can’t fathom the fact that why she was letting her parents to treat her that way. Isn’t she already tired of their torture? Or maybe she has become too thick-skinned to actually feel anything to which her neutral and stoic expression was the evidence.

He has never seen her smile, laugh, cry or complain about her pathetic life. She almost looked like a pretty doll that that only knew how to obey her Master.

“I will bring your stuffs, you can head inside.” He spoke coldly. Ahyeong swallowed the hurt she was feeling at his crude behavior. She understands he cares for her but he just can’t judge her for being her parent’s puppet. Even though she took his offer to get away from her parents, what are the chances that they will let her go away?

No matter how much her parents hate her; she can’t do the same to them. She loves them because they are the only people she can call a family. It’s the least she could do make herself useful to them.

She just wanted them to look at her with love and adoration just for once and if this marriage is what it is going to take to finally make them love her; then she would do it happily.

She finds herself lucky though for marrying Baekhyun who was the epitome of a perfect husband, who has been good to her all this while. Maybe after all this pain she was finally going to have a happy ending.

She smiled before getting out of the car. The mansion was way too crowded for a private ceremony. Seeing everyone rushing here and there was already making her anxious.

“You are already here.” A female voice spoke from behind. It was Kang Hwajin, her future mother in law. Ahyeong turned around before greeting the woman.

“Let’s get you ready.” After saying so, she started walking towards the stairs with Ahyeong following her.

Ahyeong wanted to ask about Baekhyun’s whereabouts but didn’t have enough courage to do so. As much as she liked the chairman as her superior in the hospital, she somehow was intimidated by this version of her.

It wasn’t like she treated her in bad way or anything but sometimes she couldn’t help but feel that she didn’t had a very good impression on her.

“Are you nervous?” Hwajin asked as they climbed the stairs.

“A little.” She answered timidly.

“It is normal to feel that way. You know, Baekhyun’s father and I also got in an arranged marriage and I felt like dying during the wedding ceremony and with him being the sweetest man, he never left my side and actually assured me throughout the whole ceremony.” She paused in between to look back at Ahyeong. “I trust my son enough to say this that he will treat you like a queen so I expect you to be good to him too. I know I am being petty but I love my son too much that I get overprotective over him but there’s a reason for it. Once you become a mother you’ll understand my side.” This time her voice was laced with lots of emotions out of which she can comprehend only one, it was her unconditional love for his son.

“I promise I will be a good wife to him, no matter what happens I will stand by his side and never leave him.” Ahyeong said with full determination.

“I am going to trust you on this so don’t break my trust.” She cutely glared at her before smiling widely and Ahyeong smiled back at her.

*************

Baekhyun’s mother words kept ringing in her ear ‘be good to my son’. What are the chances that her parents are going to say the same thing to Baekhyun? She kind of envied Baekhyun for having such loving parents, gulping the lump she diverted her thoughts to the more positive things and she couldn’t help but smile at the fact that they are going to be her parents too after their marriage. All the negative thoughts she had for her mother in law has faded away and now she was seeing her in different light.

With each passing second her nervousness was increasing. What if she messes up? What if it turns out to be a dream? What if-

“Ma’am it’s time.” A staff escorted her towards the main hall.

The chaos from the morning was nowhere; instead it was pretty empty to be called a ceremony if not for the decoration

She could see many familiar faces from her family’s side but what made her eyes double in size was her cousin Oh Sehun, who was looking handsome as always dressed in blue suit paired with white shirt.

It’s been a long time since she last saw him. His presence was an unbelievable sight and she couldn’t help but chuckle slightly that maybe he has actually grown up to keep his grudge aside and be a good cousin.

She descended downstairs while her eyes were searching for Baekhyun and it didn’t take her long to spot him.

He looked like a prince in his White suit and the glow in his face radiating so much happiness that she just wanted to capture that sight.

He must have felt her gaze on him as he looked towards Ahyeong with his own wide smile while mouthing ‘Beautiful’. Ahyeong smiled shyly before mouthing ‘you too’ and started walking towards him.

But before she could reach him, she was embraced by someone tightly. The fragrance familiar, a gasp left when she recognized the unexpected guest.

“Imo, it’s you? Why? I mean how. I-I” Ahyeong babbled.

Sihyun parted herself from a baffled Ahyeong before ruffling her hair.

“Do you remember when talked to you about a handsome man?” Sihyun playfully asked.

“I don’t think so.” Spoke the now confused girl making the older woman roll her eyes at her.

“The guy I was supposed to introduce you, the one who is like my son.” Sihyun tried once again.

“Imo, I am getting engaged today and you are here setting me up. My fiancé is not going to like that.” Ahyeong giggled.

Sihyun facepalmed, this girl was sometimes so oblivious.

“Well, your fiancé is the guy who for some reasons met you before I could even introduce you to him.” Sihyun spoke with a sigh.

Ahyeong jaw dropped at the revelation. It can’t be.

“I guess it’s fate.” She added after a brief pause.

What are the chances in the world that one is going to meet their other half in such a dramatic way? Even to Ahyeong’s ears it sounded so crazy. It’s either a dream or maybe fate was real. They were fated. She felt like on cloud nine but a mere thought of Kyungsoo being her fate too made her smile fade.

They met the same way too. Her heart suddenly felt congested at the thought that maybe her fate became too generous and gave her two love interest only to complicate her life later.

Her feelings for Kyungsoo were a pure case of admiration and nothing more but what are the chances that her feelings for him are going to be constant. She was hungry and greedy for love so there are chances that-

“Hello everyone, I, Byun Minjoo, thank you all for coming here in such a short notice and becoming a part of our happiness. You see, like every parent I too wanted my only son to settle down. As you know today’s kids are really hard to convince so I already accepted that maybe I was never going to witness him get married but like always he proved me wrong. I can’t express how much happy I am today that I can’t believe my son has already grown up into a big boy. It just felt like yesterday that he was born and in few days he is going to start his own family-” Byun Minjoo paused to take a deep breath with his wife comforting him.

“Sorry that I am being such an emotional old man but I am just happy. I should probably stop here before I embarrass myself more.” He spoke before moving aside to give her parents to come up and speak. It was her mother who took the initiative to talk.

“Eve-” Her mother paused to wipe her tears. “Every mother has dreams regarding their daughter’s marriage and it feels so unreal that my lovely daughter is finally going to settle down.” Mina sniffled at her words before adding. “I don’t think I can speak anymore. I am grateful to everyone for becoming a part of our happiness.” She ended her emotional speech by dramatically hugging her husband who himself looked gloomy as if he was going to lose his only treasure.

If Ahyeong wasn’t aware of their acting skills, maybe she would have fallen for it too. In her peripheral she could see her grandmother rolling her eyes at the duo. Thankfully, it was dark where they were standing for no one to notice her actions.

As much as Ahyeong wanted to show them that their acting really affected her, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She was tired of it already.

“I request the lovely couple to come up in the stage to exchange their rings.” The host announced.

Sihyun patted Ahyeong’s back to make the girl move towards the stage.

Ahyeong snapped out of her reverie only to have everyone’s eyes settled on her. She slowly walked towards the stage and climbed the stairs.

She stood next to Baekhyun who gave her his comforting smile before looking forward.

“Now the couple should exchange the rings.” The host announced once again.

Ahyeong’s mother passed the ring towards Ahyeong which she accepted without hesitation.

She looked at Baekhyun who was now looking at her with some kind emotions she failed to decipher. He stretched his left hand out for her to slip the ring. Ahyeong took a deep breath before slipping the ring.

The hall resonated with the sound of claps.

Baekhyun smiled softly before slipping the ring in her ring finger. With that everyone was congratulating each other with so much fervor that it was impossible for Ahyeong to comprehend that were they really that happy for them, especially her side of family.

There was one exception though. Her own cousin who was giving her stink eyes so openly. She diverted her gaze from him to look back at her fiancé, who was now getting dragged away from her by his own relatives.

She almost wanted to pull him away from them but kept her demons inside. But the way they were handling him like a baby made her burst into laughter before she could control it.

“Aren’t you too happy for ruining someone’s life?” Someone spoke from behind, which belonged to none other than Oh Sehun.

“What do you mean by that?” Ahyeong retorted coldly. He scratched his head while chuckling.

“What if I told him about your past?” He spoke sharply, his gaze accusing.

“As if he is going to believe you.” Ahyeong answered confidently.

“Try me.” He challenged before moving past her towards Baekhyun. Ahyeong watched them with her batted breath. What if really tells him about her dark past? Without much contemplation she walked towards them but was stopped by her mother who tightly gripped on her hand.

“Don’t you dare do something that’s going to ruin this evening.” Han Mina gritted between her teeth with a smiley face. Ahyeong tried to smile sweetly at her mother but the vicious grip from her mother was unbearable to the point and she was almost tempted to swat it away.

“You really succeeded in scoring Korea’s richest family’s future heir, for your daughter.” Her grandmother, Na Mihee laughed hysterically while her mother nodded her head as if she achieved something great.

“I have really given birth to such a competent daughter but I can’t say the same for you.” Mihee narrowed her eyes at Ahyeong before continuing, “I bet on my whole property that your incompetent daughter is never going to last in this marriage for even a single day let alone a year.” She snarled.

“What if her marriage actually last for a year?” Her mother negotiated.

“Then I will give all of my property to you instead of Mira.” She declared nonchalantly. “But I don’t think it’s happening anytime soon, not in this marriage though maybe next one.” The old woman laughed out loudly as if it was some kind of funny joke.

Ahyeong who was witnessing all this drama in front of them, silently felt like jumping out of the window. She was treated like some kind of animal being sold in an auction with bets made on her.

How could they treat something as pure as marriage as some kind of trade? What if someone from Baekhyun’s family overhears them or what if Baekhyun himself hears any of it? What is he going to think about her dysfunctional family?

She was feeling ashamed of being a part of them, being like them. She felt disgusted at herself for even thinking that Baekhyun is ever going to like her if he comes to know about her real self, the damaged one.

Her aunt barged in to let them know that everyone was looking for them. Ahyeong internally thanked the heavens for stopping their nonsensical talk for the time being.

“Ahyeongie!” Baekhyun called for her as soon as she stood next to him. His happiness instantly wiped away her downheartedness.

“Where were you?” He asked curiously

“Grandma wanted to talk to me.” Ahyeong replied with a huge smile, trying to hide her discomfort.

“I talked to her too. She seems like a great woman.” Ahyeong almost couldn’t believe her ears but it wasn’t a lie though. Na Mihee was a chameleon, who will only act sweet with someone if they were beneficial to her.

“I am glad-.” She paused when she noticed her fiancé gazing at her cousin a little too coldly.

“Are you okay?” She asked the distracted male who looked back at her surprised before nodding his head with a smile.

Ahyeong could feel the tension between the two males. She definitely knew something did happen between them that made them act this way and it scared her that maybe her cousin did spill something, but the way Baekhyun was acting said a different story altogether.

He was a gentleman towards her throughout the whole ceremony, never leaving her side for even once as if someone might steal her away from him.

“Text me when you reach home.” He requested in his serious tone before he opened the passenger seat for her.

Ahyeong nodded her head before wishing him good night.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” She asked hesitatingly trying hard to not play with her fingers.

“I have some work to take care of in the office.” He smiled sheepishly while scratching his nape. “Why did you ask?” Ahyeong let out an inaudible ‘oh’ at that before adding.

“Will it okay with you if I came to your office tomorrow?” She asked as she looked down at her feet.

There was a brief silence before he spoke.

“I will tell my secretary to pick you up; text me the time, okay?”

Ahyeong snapped her head to look at him in surprise not expecting the male would agree, she smilingly nodded at him.

Ahyeong looked at the bag she held in her hand for the nth time before directing her gaze towards her reflection in the Elevator’s door. As Baekhyun promised he did send his secretary to pick her up.

At first she was about to refuse him but in the end she agreed due to the ruckus created by some crazy paparazzi, courtesy to the news of their engagement that spread like a wildfire.

From what she saw in the news, it only spoke about her and Baekhyun parent’s but there was zero to none information about the two respective heirs. It was a good thing that their private life wasn’t compromised.

As the lift doors opened, Baekhyun secretary who apparently introduced himself as Mr. Go gestured her towards the hallway that led them to Baekhyun’s office.

“Miss Shin, you can enter.” He informed her before opening the door for her.

Ahyeong didn’t know how to react exactly. Act surprised because she has already seen this office in her dreams or act as if it was her first time. One of the very reasons why she insisted on coming here was because she really wanted to confirm if anything regarding this Baekhyun was similar to the Baekhyun from her dreams.

“You are here.” Baekhyun softly smiled at her.
“Come sit here.” He gestured towards the couch, the same couch they were seated last time when he confessed his inner feelings to her and the same place where-.

Ahyeong gulped down the lump before sitting down.

After a few moments Baekhyun joined her too.

“What will you like to drink, Tea, coffee or something else?” He asked while throwing his head back on the headrest before closing his eyes. He looked tired and it succeeded in making Ahyeong feel guilty for taking away his personal time.

“No, it’s fine. I actually came here to give you this.” She put the small bag near him making the male open his eyes.

“What is it?” He asked tracing the ribbon of the bag.

“A gift for you, open it when you get home.” She said before getting making Baekhyun look up at her in confusion.

“I should leave now.” She smiled softly at him before grabbing at her clutch.

“So you came all the way here to give this and not to spend time with me.” The male spoke playfully.

“Actually, I have to take care of some stuff.” Ahyeong lied not really intending to let him know about her actual intention behind it. Right now, he needed rest more than anything and her presence was doing the opposite.

Baekhyun let out a small ‘oh’.

“I understand.” He said before standing up. “Let me you out.”

Cookie Clip:

Kyungsoo can see the changes in her.

When he first met her, she looked like she has lost all hopes in her life. The beauty she held, sometimes felt like a mask that successfully hid the pain in her eyes and her smiles were the fakest of all.

She was so easy to read but at the same time she was a mystery. He wanted to know what made her this way. Why she genuinely smiled and laughed only in the presence of her friends but with others she was stiff with her expressions and only gave her reserved smile as if she was doing some kind of favor to them.

But right now this version of Ahyeong he has come to know is the most beautiful out of all. Wedding glow is real and she hasn’t even got married yet. He must be a really good man, to have finally broken her walls little by little and has opened up Ahyeong. The dark clouds above her have been replaced with the sunshine and its warmth has reached her heart finally.

She looked so happy and he couldn’t help but smile at the woman who was blushing profusely with all the teasing from her friends.

Sneak peak of Author’s Mind:

Well it was a chapter with two major revelations and frankly I don’t have much to say. Thank you for reading this story.