TITLE : Listen to Your Heart
AUTHOR : Beautiful Colours
GENRE : Romance, Comedy
RATING : PG13
START : 20 March 2010
END : --/--/----
CHAPTER : Long
DISCLAIMER : I do not own any of the characters in the story =) This story is based on my imagination. The storyline is quite common but anything that seems familiar are just coincidence.

Prologue

I stood in front of the 5-way mirror admiring the girl in those mirrors. Reflections of a girl with smooth and pale complexion, mahogany velvety hair that was curled loosely down to her waist and full lips that curved into a bitter smile stared back at me. She wore a white long dress with intricate design cascading down in a spiral that look as if she was dancing when she walk.

Yes. That girl in her wedding dress is me. I’m a 17 years old girl and I am getting married today in the next 2 hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds but yeah, who’s counting? To whom you may NOT ask because even I myself have no idea who’s the lucky or maybe some of my friends back in Japan may say unlucky guy to marry a girl like me.

Yes. I’m in an arranged marriage like those in the olden age and I didn’t protest when my father announced that I am to be married to the son of the top company in Korea. The purpose of the marriage? Simple, to combine the top company in Korea and Japan together to form a POWERFUL and don’t forget to mention RICH alliance to conquer the universe!! Muahahahaha!!! Well not the universe actually but in the business. Can you see the picture? Good! It’s just like any other arrange marriage.

Why did I agree? Ever since I was young I was learned that if I follow the path my parents have set for me I’ll live happily. Disobey them meant chaos, unhappiness and torture. Take some for examples. When I was five my appa asked me not to run around the company but I did anyway and what happen? I was almost kidnapped by his evil vengeful ex-employee. Then my omma told me not to mingle with the maids and again I did it anyway. There’s a maid that I like to sit on her lap while she tell me stories and braid my hair. She got fired. What has that got to do with me? She has 4 kids to take care and now she’s jobless. The fact that she has to look for another work in another place and never see her again makes me sad. I still miss her until this day. After that, I dare not to play with the maids afraid that they will be fired too. In conclusion, follow the path makes my parents happy, keep people out of trouble and so I’ll be happy too. I think?

Omo... this is so nerve wrecking until I’m answering questions that no one ask. My thoughts are interrupted when the door creaked open and I jump in surprise.

“Ermm... are you the bride?” a young woman asked timidly.

“Yeh.” I was all smiles to see that finally someone else appeared besides the reflections in the room.

“Ahh... I was in the right place after all. I’m the make-up artist” she sighed in relief as she put all her stuff on the dressing table.

“Mianhe, I was late” she smiled apologetically.

“Gwaenchanayo. The wedding is only in...” I glanced at my pocket watch “two hours and 20 minutes” then it was all silence. She took out her make-up kit and arranged them neatly. She signalled me to sit and I obeyed quietly.

“Who’s the groom that you’re nervously waiting to be wed until you counted the minutes?” she started to say as she fixed my hair, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

“It’s... He's... I don’t know his name. It’s an arranged marriage” why am I telling her this?
“Oh. Mianhe. I thought you were a happy nervous bride”

“You don’t think I’m happy? Why? Aren’t all girls are happy when they get married, unnie? Erm... can I call you that?” I started to feel comfortable with her.

“Omo, sure you can. It makes me feel a bit younger” she giggles “but are you really happy dear?” she asked in a serious tone.

“I... am” I bit my lips in dilemma.

“Jjinja? Well, if I were you and I don’t even know my future husband’s name so surely I don’t know how he looks like or what kind of person is he, I’ll feel depressed” she expressed at length.

“You would? But following my parents decisions will make me happy. It's always been that way. Besides I do know that my future husband is two years older than I am and according to the rumours the maids gossiped he’s a very good looking guy” I objected in a sulk.

“If you say so” unnie gave in to my answer “but let me tell you a story. I was too in an arranged marriage to the son an acquaintance of my father before but I have already someone that I loved. Close your eyes” she commanded as she held my face to put on the foundation.

“At first I thought that it’ll be better if I just get married to that person anyway. It’ll make my parents happy and avoid embarrassment if I rejected it. I broke up with my boyfriend and avoid any contact with him. But as the day comes near, I get more and more miserable. I might think that it’s the best for everyone but what about me? I always thought about everyone’s benefit but I forgot myself. Marriage is a life long vow and in this situation you have to put yourself before anyone else”

“so unnie what did you do?”

“shh... don’’t move or else you’ll spoil the make-up. I ran away. Even though I know that it’ll dishonour my family and my parents won’t forgive me until their deathbed, I still pack my bags and leave in the middle of the night together with the man I love”

“Why?”

“Why? If I continue on with the marriage I might get suicidal. Also when I meet him, he was a jerk” she answered in a light hearted tone. Although I believe that she was not joking.

“But unnie, you have someone you love. I don’t have one” I said, feeling really depressed. Tears started to sting my eyes. “Unnie, I’m not ok with this marriage at all. You’re right, I don’t really know him but I still don’t want to disappoint my parents”

“shh... shh... it’s alright to feel that way baby girl. It’s normal. Don’t cry.” She cooed over me as she dabbed the corner of my eyes with tissue.

“What should I do?” I bit my lips hard and twirled a ribbon from my dress.

“Think. And make a choice. It’s ok to not have someone you love right now. Everyone has a chance in love. It’s your choice. You’re still young. Who knows someone out there is meant for you or maybe you’ll find love in this future husband of yours” her lips curled into a sincere smile.

“so unnie, did your parents forgave you?” I asked her while contemplating my situation.

“Uh-huh. They did” she smiled a joyful smile and made a peace (Y) sign with her fingers. Now I take a good look, unnie looks really cute.

“How”

“This is top secret and a sure win one” she whispered and gesture me to lean closer “just bring back home a grandchild for your parents” she blushed and giggled.

“Oh” I nodded and made an ‘O’ shape with my mouth. She looked at me and laughed.

“omo... you still have a long way ahead of you. I guess you’ve been cooped up in the house that you’re unaware of the world around you” she patted my head like a puppy sensing my confusion.

“Young mistress, you’re mother seek your presence. That is if you’re already done” Mrs Kim, my omma’s right hand maid entered the room and did a small bow.

“Yeh” I looked at unnie and she nodded at me. I stood up to follow Mrs. Kim but she blind-folded me.

“It’s bad luck if you accidentally meet the groom before your wedding” Mrs. Kim explained. As I was lead to the door, I could hear unnie said

“Remember, it’s your choice. Listen and follow your heart”