THE WEDDING PLANNERS

(A/N): another long chapter so do read it patiently...and sorry for the late update... :(

The bell hung on top of the glass door rang, vibrating into the whole area of the Old Town Cafe. It indicated that a customer had entered the shop so a man, standing by the counter instantly raised up his head.

“Welcome!” he greeted cheerfully, smiling up to the customer but his smile faded once he recognized that person. So Eun stood straight, trying to arrange her face so that it won’t look so awkward. At last, she curved up a thin smile.

“Annyeong, Lee oppa...” she addressed him like usual, using the similar friendly and warm tone that she would always use to call him. Lee Joon felt his heart silently melting. He always be a man with a stony heart but as destiny brought him to meet So Eun, Lee Joon was aware that kindness was the one that melted his heart back – to become a human again, to love again. He bit his lips hesitantly before he nodded.

“It’s good to see you again...”

“It’s good to see you too...” So Eun chuckled while Lee Joon rubbed his hair out of awkwardness between them. So Eun then trailed her eyes around the cafeteria. “Don’t you ever think about inviting me for a seat???”

“Oh, yeah! Please...help yourself...” Lee Joon immediately welcomed her and he moved around to break the rigid air among them. He walked over to a small table that situated at one corner of the shop and pulled a chair for So Eun to sit.

“Thanks...” she said once Lee Joon had pulled the chair back for her to settle down there. Lee Joon simply flashed her a smile and ran over to the counter. So Eun watched in silence as he grabbed up two cards of menu and hastily made his way back to her.

“Here...just choose anything you want...it’s on me today...” he told her, placing down the cards in front of So Eun on the table. She laughed as So Eun raised her hand to start checking the menu. “It’s on you??? Is it okay to do so???”

Lee Joon thought it over for a minute before he finally smirked. “It’s fine...the boss is not around today and I don’t think it’s a mistake to treat your friend, right???”

So Eun stopped reading once she heard him. She slowly trailed her eyes up to him again, reading his face with uncertain look before Lee Joon chuckled.

“Why??? We’re not friend???” he questioned her while So Eun sighed. After the kidnapping incident, Kris had forced his father to quit Lee Joon as her bodyguard. Since then she had never see him again. She heard about the news that Lee Joon had started to arrange his new life by working as a waiter at this cafe. Of course the news came from Si Hoo – the only one left as her bodyguard. That was why So Eun decided to make things clear with him now. For the first time after all these 7 months, she finally found her gut to find him again. It wasn’t because she was afraid of him or something but...it was only now when So Eun thought that she could finally forgive Lee Joon for all that he had done to set Kris and her apart.

“So Eun sshi???” she blinked her eyes once Lee Joon snapped her out from her thoughts. So Eun lastly curved up a broad smile and nodded.

“Of course we are friends, Lee oppa...I won’t be calling you like this if I’m not accepting you as a part of my life...” So Eun explained to him and Lee Joon smiled even wider now. He giggled.

“I’m extremely relieved to know that...thank you, So Eun sshi...for forgiving me...” he told but So Eun shook her head.

“No...I’m the one that supposed to thank you...if that incident didn’t happen, maybe Kris and I won’t know how much important we are to each other...” Lee Joon snorted once she mentioned about her husband. He threw his sight outside of the glass wall, next to where So Eun was sitting as he kept his hands inside the pockets of his uniform. Lee Joon swallowed hard, hesitated to ask.

“Em...speaking about Kris...how are both of you doing??? Is your marriage okay???” he knew that his heart was still feeling worried about the fact that Sooyoung was still living together with the couple. Even when the master mind of the kidnapping case was her but Lee Joon took full responsibility on it. He was more than willing to be blamed alone by Kris and So Eun rather than to hurt So Eun if she knows that Sooyoung was the real culprit behind this. So Eun narrowed her eyes on his weird sense of concern but she briefly gave him a nod. “It’s never better...”

Lee Joon let go of a relief sigh, nodding his head again while So Eun smiled assuringly to him. But then they were interrupted when a sudden call came from So Eun’s phone. She smiled sheepishly to Lee Joon and hastily picked out her phone from inside her bag.

“Hello, So Eun’s here...” she greeted the caller without checking on the caller ID. Then So Eun widened her eyes.

“Omo! I almost forgot about it! Sorry, Clara! Sorry, I really am...wait up there! I’ll rush there immediately!” So Eun slightly shouted to the caller before she cut off the line and stood up. Lee Joon watched her from behind questioningly as So Eun slung her handbag onto her shoulder and picked up her paces toward the exit door.

“I’m so sorry, Lee oppa...I can’t stay longer to drink or eat anything...but I’ll come again for a visit later, okay??? Till then!” So Eun rapidly told him. She waved her hand before she pushed the door to open wide enough for her body to slip out from it. Lee Joon blinked his eyes on her sight but he looked around anxiously before he ran after So Eun.

“So Eun sshi! Wait up!” Lee Joon followed her until he managed to grab So Eun by her wrist. So Eun stopped furthering her steps forward as she turned around to frown at him.

“What is it, oppa??? Can we talk later??? I’m late to help Clara right now...” So Eun said as she glanced down nervously on her wrist watch. Lee Joon nodded but he tightened his grip on her hand, making So Eun to furrow on his face.

“I...I just want you to be happy...remember to enjoy your life the most and send my regard to Kris...I believe that he can be a very good husband for you...he will take care and protect you, So Eun sshi...” Lee Joon advised her before he slowly pulled So Eun inside his embrace. He closed his eyes tightly and locked his arms around her waist, savoring the moment when he could feel her warmth so close to him. So Eun felt her body stiffened for a while but she understood it and patted Lee Joon on his back.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Tiffany stood waiting exactly before the door of Exo’s practice room. She leaned her slim body against the wall behind her as she folded her arms across her chest. She had been waiting for the time when Lay will finally finish his daily practice and wanted to ask him out for a dinner.

“Thank you for your hardworking! See you guys tomorrow!” she straightened her body back on her feet when she caught sound of Lay’s voice. Running footsteps could be heard approaching the door before it finally opened and Lay stepped out from it. Tiffany grinned broadly.

“Lay sshi...” she was about to call for him but Lay shot her a glare once he saw her there. It made Tiffany to stop talking and frowned to him.

“If you’ve got something to talk, then do it tomorrow...excuse me for now...” Lay simply concluded to stop their conversation even before it started. It pissed her off so much, anger building high inside her heart but Tiffany resisted it and she could just watch as Lay hastily made his way toward the nearby elevator to leave the company. As he disappeared, Tiffany groaned out loud.

“That bastard! He must be looking for his so called wife!!!” Tiffany stamped on her foot in dissatisfaction. But the she sighed, feeling stupid when she waited alone there so she decided to head back straight to her home. Once she turned around, Tiffany was stopped as she caught sight of a well-known producer – Mr. Gong. Of course she recognized him; this man was always the one that succeed in producing many reality shows and interesting TV programs. A legend of highest rank! Tiffany thought as she bowed down when the man stopped in front of her.

“Well, hello Tiffany sshi! It’s been a while since we met...” Mr. Gong said as he laughed out wickedly. Tiffany tried to paste her fake sweet smile too but she ended up shrugging uncomfortably.

“Yes, nice to see you again...what brings you here to our company, Mr. Gong???” she asked, pretending to sound interested even when she wanted so bad to escape from this old man. Mr. Gong chuckled but he held out a dark brown file from his right hand to give it toward her. Tiffany eyed the file suspiciously.

“Of course I’m here not to waste my time, Tiffany sshi...I’m here looking for you...” he answered but Tiffany raised up her eyebrow and pointed down to the file, still didn’t take it to her hand.

“Really??? And what does this file got to do with it???”

“How about check it out first???” Mr. Gong was trying to play along with her so Tiffany slightly lost her patience and she grabbed away the file from him. Flipping aggressively on it, she browsed through the content until her eyes caught sight of the main title. Tiffany stopped on it and she focused her eyes on the bold, all capital letters font.

“Invitation for the program, WE GOT MARRIED???” she read the title in very strange tone as Mr. Gong laughed upon seeing her disbelief expression.

“Yes, Tiffany sshi...believe it or not but we’re going to film another new couple starring you and your partner in our latest episode inside this show...so, since I sent you this invitation personally here...I hope you’ll agree with me...” he informed her the whole matter while Tiffany bit her lips. She wasn’t thrill about the offer because she wasn’t in the mood to get involved with any other idols except Lay right now. So she sighed and closed the file back.

“Well, unfortunately Mr. Gong...I’m not in the mood for all of this...go find someone else that excited to join your puppy love show...I’m out of it, sorry...” Tiffany declined lazily to him as she handed Mr. Gong with the file back. She smiled and bowed down to him before she took her steps passed him to walk away. But as she walked, something clicked inside her mind. We Got Married. This reality show was one of the most popular shows right now. If she could drag Lay to join it with her, the public will see them together and he will eventually forget about Ara. Tiffany stopped walking once the evil idea stuck inside her mind. She cleared and spun around.

Mr. Gong had already continued walking toward the lift but Tiffany quickly called out to him. “Em...pardon me, Mr. Gong...”

“Huh???” the man paused in front of the elevator as he watched Tiffany approached him with devilish smile on her pretty, cunning face. She stopped beside him and rested her hand on his shoulder.

“If you want me to join your program, then let me choose my groom...” she informed him but the producer snorted to her. “I thought you said you’re uninterested about it...”

“Hmmm...yeah...if you plan to marry me with some moronic idols...but I’ll only agree to one person...” Tiffany nodded her head, tapping the tip of her fingers playfully on his arm. Mr. Gong frowned, curiosity built up inside him regarding the special idol that managed to attract Tiffany in joining his show.

“Then who is it???”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

“Excuse me, sir...but Mr. Wu from Wu Trading is here to see you this morning...” Mr. Choi looked up from the document inside his hands to the desk phone when his secretary announced through it. He frowned – as far as he could remember, he hadn’t arrange any kind of meeting with this biggest CEO from the number one most establish company in Korea. Not to mention about zero appointment made by Mr. Wu himself in order to see him personally like today. It was indeed, very strange – well, scratched that – it was interesting.

Mr. Choi cleared his throat before he beamed his head toward the phone, “Well then, send him in...”

A couple of minute after that, he heard the sound from the wooden giant door that led into his office was being opened by someone. Mr. Choi tilted his head and he instantly caught sight of Mr. Wu, walking with confident and shoulders straight inside his strip black suit that made him to look even more elegant and pricy as a businessman. Mr. Choi smiled but he gazed down back to his document.

“Welcome, old friend...please, help yourself with the seat...” he simply said and gestured for Mr. Wu to walk over toward a set of sofa that situated outside from his desk area. Instead of obeying his order, Mr. Wu stopped walking nearby his desk as he kept his hands inside his pockets.

“Be nice, Choi...it’s been a while since we met...” Mr. Wu commented shortly to him, making Mr. Choi to chuck and glanced up again on his face. He raised his eyebrow.

“Don’t think that I don’t know your trick, Wu...you won’t be here as solo without your dogs if it’s not about a very ‘important’ deal...and by the way, I am, nice to you...” Mr. Choi ended his spicy reply by laughing a little. He did mention about ‘dogs’ that also referred to Mr. Wu’s lines of bodyguards. It result in making Mr. Wu to roll his eyes but then Mr. Choi got up from his seat and slung an arm casually around his shoulders once he stood next to him.

“Come, come...let’s talk over there...it’s a lot more comfortable than standing here...” he invited and they started walking approaching the couch.

“What a shame...I almost forgot the meaning of comfortable if I don’t own your help for today...” Mr. Wu began, heading straight to the real business on why he was here. Mr. Choi shrugged once he landed his on the couch across from Mr. Wu.

“Sounds scary...but I’ll do my best to help you, friend...it had been a long time since we get involved in our long and profitable relation...how’s your son, by the way???” Mr. Choi suddenly changed the topic to Kris now. These two families were familiar about each other since Kris and Sooyoung were little kids. Their children were making friends to each other while the parents tended to mingle together by their business and politic bonds. Mr. Wu snorted.

“Kris is doing fine...but I’m a bit sensitive when you didn’t mention about Clara...she’s my daughter too...” he answered while Mr. Choi face palmed himself.

“Aigoo...really sorry about that...you know how I am getting older these days...I only pictured Kris and Sooyoung in their diapers, when they were chasing each other but I left out that sweet little one...pardon me...I bet Clara is doing great too...” he concluded and Mr. Wu nodded.

“Yes, she is...well, enough for the family...I’m here to talk about cooperation...let’s be business friends together again, Choi...you would want to invest in our trading right???” Mr. Choi sighed went his prediction about Mr. Wu was a down right bingo. He thought it over for a long silence, biting his lips. Everyone knew that Wu Trading was a big and stable company. He won’t be defeated if he invests his share and penny to the company but...at what cost???

Mr. Choi turned to stare back on Mr. Wu’s face as he read closely the slice of hoping sense shown on it. At last, he sighed, “Wu...you know I’ve never count on you...but to wash away the doubt inside my head, I need at least a single token as a guarantee...”

“Guarantee???” Mr. Wu furrowed to him while Mr. Choi nodded optimistically. “Yeah...”

“Say it out loud...” It was a crystal clear to Mr. Wu, this man that he was about to deal with was a very cunning and witty person. It was a dangerous threat to agree with whatever his condition was but...Mr. Wu had no choice for now – he needs to save his trading first. Mr. Choi suddenly laughed out loud at him before he giggled – a hideous sight for an old man.

“Well...just to let you know that I prefer for us to be a real family instead of just business buddies...” Mr. Choi hinted to him but Mr. Wu shook his head. “But I don’t catch that...I only have one son which is married by now and a young little daughter...obviously not suitable to fit with your only one princess, right???”

Mr. Wu guessed to him but Mr. Choi curved up his most wicked smile. He said, “Don’t be so innocent, Wu...you’re a businessman not any lame gardener who only watch over the vegetables...I’m sure that marriage is just a piece of paper to you...and my Sooyoung is lot more better than a random wedding planner, don’t you think???”

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Yoo Bi ah!” Yoo Bi briefly raised up her hand to wave at her friends. They walked ahead of her, parting away from this last lecture for today and headed straight to home. But she wasn’t feeling so right. Yoo Bi dropped her hand onto the table and she laid her forehead there, supporting her aching head on the thick reference book.

“Thank you, professor...see you again!” Min Hyuk was still standing in front of the slide, switching off the LCD. He nodded his head and smiled to every group of his students that walked passed him to leave the hall. Then he gazed up on the rows of seats until his eyes spotted Yoo Bi. She sat alone and didn’t seem to make any move to dismiss from his class. Min Hyuk frowned and climbed up the stairs to approach her.

“Hey, there...is everything okay, Yoo Bi sshi???” he asked her once he stopped by the side of her table. Yoo Bi raised up her head once she heard him and she shook.

“Yes, it’s fine...I’m just...suddenly feeling distracted and my head is aching...” Yoo Bi replied him truthfully as she massaged her forehead with her right hand. Min Hyuk furrowed but he stretched his hand to place it on her forehead and checked on her temperature. Yoo Bi chuckled and softly pushed his hand away.

“I’m not having fever, prof...it’s fine...I’m heading back now...” she assured him with a weak smile but Min Hyuk noticed that her face had started to turn pale. Yoo Bi gathered her books and stationary before she stuffed it inside her bag. Then she patted Min Hyuk on his shoulder to walk away.

“See you tomorrow, prof...” she simply said her farewell and took her steps down the stairs. Min Hyuk watched her small and slow paces from behind. He was worried about her because it was clear to him that she wasn’t okay right now. She looks so pale and her body motion wasn’t that stable either. Yoo Bi stopped walking once she felt her vision was suddenly filled with blackness. Her hand grabbed on the arm of a chair next to her as she gripped tighter on it to support her body.

“Yoo Bi sshi???” Min Hyuk panicked once he saw it and he hastily moved down to her.

“Yoo Bi ah...” he called out again when he finally stood beside her. Yoo Bi shook her head, trying to indicate that she was okay but Min Hyuk noticed that her whole face was sweated right now and her body was shivering. He immediately touched her on both of her shoulders, making Yoo Bi to face her body on him.

“Don’t scare me, Yoo Bi sshi...tell me...is your headache is that bad??? You want me to send you to clinic or the campus infirmary???” he suggested to her but Yoo Bi shook her head and bit her lips to restraint the pain she felt claiming inside her head.

“No...my...husband is waiting for me...he promised...to pick...” before she managed to finish her sentence, Min Hyuk immediately widened his eyes when Yoo Bi’s body collapsed inside his waiting arms – fortunately he stood in front of her! Min Hyuk supported her body and carried her at once – princess like.

“Yah, Yoo Bi sshi! What’s wrong with you??? Wake up!!! Oh no...I’ll send you to the hospital!” he was babbling alone as Yoo Bi had already closed her eyes and became perfectly still inside his arms. Min Hyuk stormed out from the hall and left it open without being lock. As they disappeared from north wing of the building, Luhan appeared from the south wing of it. He was whistling to himself as he kept his hands inside his pockets and walked approaching the hall.

“Hmmm...lecture hall B...it supposed to be here...” Luhan read the board hung on the door before he poked his head inside. Strange, it was empty with no one inside it. Luhan rolled his eyes and took out his phone.

“Aigoo, my baby...I thought she said to come and pick her here...and where is she now???” Luhan mumbled alone and he started to dial for her number. He put up the phone on his ear and listened to the beeps, counting the second when Yoo Bi would pick up his call. But instead of it, Luhan was a bit startled when he heard the familiar song that used to be the ringtone of Yoo Bi’s phone. He put down his phone, still didn’t cut the line as Luhan walked entering the hall.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

“Erk...” Ara gritted her teeth, confused by her own sight now. She must be wrong when she agreed to come with Kyuhyun for a dinner. Instead of a dinner, maybe he was bringing her to attend a ball, more like party inside an extremely exclusive restaurant. She watched Kyuhyun led before her to the entrance as she hastily called out to him.

“Em...Kyuhyun sshi...wait!” Ara slightly shouted and Kyuhyun glanced over his shoulder to her. Ara stood still on her feet; never make a move to follow him. Kyuhyun smiled, “What’s wrong, Ara sshi???”

“Are you sure about this place???” she asked, rolling her eyes over the crystal door that already opened wide to welcome them inside. Kyuhyun chuckled but he turned around and walked over to her.

“I am more than sure...are you forget the fact that I’m a prince??? There’s nothing that I can’t afford...come, you’ll like it inside here...and someone very important to me is waiting for us...” Ara frowned when he mentioned about that ‘someone’. But she chose to drop the matter and followed when Kyuhyun held her hand, entwined it together with his and he dragged Ara to walk inside.

She was totally amazed by the decoration inside it. Ara felt hung opened when she focused her eyes on the golden chandelier decorated high on the ceiling. The tiles below were so extravagant too as Ara could see her own reflection inside it when she stepped on it. A soft, calming melody could be heard came from a corner inside the restaurant when Ara saw a pianist sat there, playing the piano to entertain the customers. The seat arrangement was very unique and private here. Each table was separated and circled by a long, lacy black curtain that created a small area like room to give the customers a romantic feeling and privacy to enjoy their meal. A waiter came to bow at Ara and Kyuhyun once he welcomed them and Ara continued to follow as he led them into one of the table. From outside of the curtain door, Ara narrowed her eyes upon seeing a woman sitting inside there. Around the table, stood about four to five men guarded her.

“Here we are...” Kyuhyun whispered to her, stopped walking before he pulled aside the curtain and pushed Ara by her shoulder to step inside. She followed robotically and paused on her feet when the woman she saw just now was looking up to her. They exchanged curious looks with each other before Kyuhyun stood next to Ara. They both were facing the woman. As Ara eyed her, she noticed that this woman was probably in her early forties. She looks mature but sophisticated with that black glasses covered her eyes. She set it off, revealing her face fully to Ara and Kyuhyun when he started to speak.

“Hello, mother...as I promised you...I’ve brought this girl to see you today...” mother??!! Ara heard her head silently screaming. So this woman who sat exactly in front of her was a queen??!!! That was very enchanted and magical and overly melodramatic! Ara tilted her head to a side, looking at Kyuhyun but he smiled and pulled Ara by her waist to step closer to the table. She swallowed hard when Kyuhyun’s mother was narrowing her eyes on her, checking her up and down.

“Meet Go Ara sshi, mother...she is one of the planners inside the wedding company that I work on now...” Ara awkwardly bowed down to her and put on her fake smile. The woman never opens to reply but she gave them a nod.

“Sit then...” she ordered shortly and Kyuhyun smiled. He motioned for a waiter to pull the chair for Ara before they settled down facing his mother.

“So, Go Ara sshi...don’t you know who I am??? I bet there’s no need for introduction at my side, right???” the woman started, leaning her body against the chair as she crossed her arms. She peered to Ara through her sarcastic eyes as Ara bit her lips. When Kyuhyun didn’t seem to take over the question for her, Ara knew that she needs to pluck up her courage and answer this woman. She cleared .

“Em...actually, I don’t really paying attention to any of the royal relatives...forgive me, your Highness...but I don’t think I’m worth to know you...” Ara tried to make her voice sounded polite but the woman smirked to her.

“That’s rubbish! If you don’t be familiar with the royalists...then how on Earth do you want to join the family??? It’s such disgrace!” the woman snapped to her but Kyuhyun shook his head, signaling for his mother to calm down. Ara glared to him from the corner of her eyes. What the Hell that she was talking about??? Since when did she intend to join this alien royal family huh??? Ara started to feel the heat was on inside the restaurant despite the well-functioning air conditioner. She stopped herself from blowing over to this woman but her body was stiffened when Kyuhyun suddenly rested his palm on her hand. He squeezed it harder as Ara watched him questioningly.

“Mother, I hope you don’t be too harsh and strict with Ara sshi...she’s still new to this...give her some time to understand us...” he said calmly but the woman shrugged.

“I don’t know, Kyuhyun...but I doubt your decision to marry this girl...” Ara widened her eyes and spontaneously looked up to her once she caught the words uttered by that woman.

“What??? Marry???” she asked in disbelief, turning to Kyuhyun for explanation but Kyuhyun tightened his hand on her.

“I’m sorry, mom...but no matter what kind of doubt that you have on Ara sshi, I’m afraid that you need to chase it away from you because...I’m not changing my mind...I want to marry Ara sshi...she’ll be my only princess...I love her...” Ara felt her jaw dropped in shock and surprise as she listened to his confession. What was this all about????!!! She didn’t understand a single thing about this!!! As she tried her best to control her mix-emotion, Ara glanced around the table. Her eyes stopped, fixed on a figure standing behind the black curtain next to this table.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

“This is brilliant, unnie! Truly!” Clara grabbed So Eun by her shoulders and hugged her a little too tight. So Eun coughed but she managed to smile and gave Clara pats on her back.

“I’m glad that you like it...” she commented, chuckling but suddenly So Eun felt someone slipped a hand under her arm and pulled her away from Clara’s embrace.

“Enough manipulating my wife!                You got your prom party ready so be grateful now...” Kris shot his little sister a glare from the corner of his eyes while Clara stuck out her tongue at him.

“Stingy! Your wife is just helping me to plan the occasion and I am, very grateful to her! I’m not trying to steal her or something so don’t sweat it!” they started to argue until So Eun had to stand between the siblings to set them apart.

“Okay, okay...nobody is stealing anything here...Kris, stop being such a kid! I’m your wife, forever! And you Clara, listen to me and keep quiet!” So Eun scolded both of them as she pushed Kris and Clara away on their shoulders. The older brother raised his eyebrow to his younger sister but Clara snorted and looked away.

“Whatever! I’m too happy for now...I don’t have any time to argue with a lame old man!” Clara rolled her eyes to Kris, his brother narrowed his eyes to her before Clara giggled and skipped away. So Eun laughed, shaking her head as she stood side by side with Kris to watch Clara. She wandered around the grand hall where So Eun had arranged everything for her school to hold their prom party here. Clara looked very satisfied with her idea and planning so it made So Eun to feel relief and delighted about it. At last, she could find chemistry between herself and that sister in law.

“Thanks for helping my sister and getting along with her...” Kris bent down his face toward So Eun and landed a kiss on her cheek. So Eun grinned but she circled her arm around his waist and rested her head on Kris’s broad chest.

“It’s nothing, Kris...we’re family...I should have been helping her earlier in anything that she needs...” So Eun replied and gazed up on his face. They stared to each other before they exchanged wide, sincere smile. Kris pasted his forehead on hers as they giggled and laughed together.

“Oh, omma! Appa! You guys are here?” Clara who stood nearby the entrance of the hall waving her hand toward the Wu couple once she spotted them. Mr. Wu and his wife just arrived from their office and they headed straight to this hotel when Clara informed that Kris, So Eun and her would be here too. Mrs. Wu waved back toward her daughter but once she landed her eyes on So Eun and Kris, her smile was swept away and she dropped down her hand. Mr. Wu stopped walking too, fixing his eyes –filled with sympathy toward his son and So Eun. He let out a heavy sigh, glancing back to Mrs. Wu before they stared emptily on each other.

“They are happy, aren’t they???” Mr. Wu heard his wife whispered to him. He closed his eyes, thinking for a minute before he snapped open it back and focused his sight on Kris and So Eun. The couple was now walking hand in hand as they cornered around the hall. Kris stopped next to a big vase decorated with fresh blooming red roses. He plucked one of it and tucked the rose on So Eun’s right ear, praising her that she was beautiful before he pinched So Eun by her cheek. So Eun yelled, pretended to be hurt but then they burst out laughing together. Mr. Wu swallowed down the pain he felt inside his own heart. They looked so happy right now so how can he be so cruel by determining to destroy their happiness and break their marriage??? Wasn’t that Mr. Wu only hoping the best life for Kris??? If So Eun could give him that life, why would he want Kris to let go of his wife??? Mr. Wu cursed inside his heart as he shook his head.

“I have to do this...I’m not doing this just to save the company...but I’m doing this to protect everyone...there are so many life that are living inside the company...if I’m fail and the company is sold away, it means I’m breaking many hearts along with it...that’s why you need to believe me that I’m doing this for everyone...I’m doing this to protect us, our family...” Mr. Wu explained to his wife but personally, he was in the middle of convincing his own heart. He held out his palm to Mrs. Wu, seeking for her support. Mrs. Wu stayed silence, reading the expression on his desperate face. She understood that Mr. Wu would never intend to hurt anybody but sometimes, reality could be the worst fact ever. Lastly, she sighed and placed her palm inside his hand. They entwined it together as Mrs. Wu squeezed harder on it.

“You’ll always have my faith...I know that we can get through all of this...” she conveyed her husband and Mr. Wu curved a thin smile. Then they exchanged firm nods between them before Mrs. Wu let go of his hand and walked over to So Eun and Kris.

“Em...ehem...” she cleared once she stopped behind them. Kris and So Eun were busy enjoying the view of Seoul city through the glass wall but they turned around once they heard her.

“Oh, omma...you’re here...” Kris greeted his mother while So Eun smiled and bowed down. “It’s been a while since we met each other, omma...very sorry that we rarely pay a visit to your home...”

Mrs. Wu replied with a smile but she reached out her hand and tapped So Eun on her shoulder.

“Since we’re rarely gathering together...why don’t we have a talk??? Girl to girl...” their mother suggested and So Eun agreed at once. She clapped her hands in excitement.

“That’s great! Kris, I’ll see you later...okay???” she tugged him by his sleeve but Kris snorted.

“You should ask for my permission, omma...if you want to borrow my wife...” he sulked before So Eun smacked him playfully on his shoulder. “I told you to stop being so selfish! I need to spend time with your other family members too...”

“Yeah...and it won’t take until an hour straight, Kris...just a few minutes chit chatting...” Mrs. Wu defended her daughter in law until Kris rolled his eyes at last.

“Okay...just 20 minutes...I’ll have a talk with appa in the meantime...” Kris concluded and he kissed So Eun swiftly on her forehead before released their entwined hands. So Eun blew a goodbye kiss to Kris before she giggled and blushed when Mrs. Wu shook her head upon eyeing their romance.

“Hehehe...pardon us...let’s talk over there omma...” So Eun immediately changed the topic and she slung her arm with Mrs. Wu’s arm before they arranged their steps approaching a bench that situated outside the door of the hall. Mrs. Wu followed her in silence but she was actually battling hard inside her head. She didn’t even find out a way to tell So Eun the truth about matter that was happening in their family.

“Annyeong, appa...is everything alright???” Kris touched Mr. Wu on his shoulder. His father stole a quick glance to Kris but he simple smiled and resumed watching Clara from a distance. The old man grinned alone upon seeing Clara was ordering the hotel’s workers to setup the arrangement inside the hall and she made some cute aegyo to gain their attention on her. Kris followed the direction of his eyes and it fixed on his sister. He chuckled.

“You love this family, don’t you???” Kris paused laughing when Mr. Wu suddenly asked him. He narrowed his eyes on his sideway face before he rolled his eyes.

“Of course I am...what kind of question was that, appa???” it was Kris’s turn to shoot him a question before Mr. Wu spun his body around to face his son. Kris gulped down his throat when he could smell the awkwardness wrapping the atmosphere around them – something wasn’t right here. Mr. Wu furrowed his eyebrows to him, keeping his hands inside his pockets and he asked again instead of answering Kris.

“Then are you willing to do everything despite anything for this family???” Kris frowned to him. Biting his lips, he kept his mouth shut for a while before he nodded. “I will...”

Mr. Wu wasn’t feeling confident on his answer. He highly doubted that Kris would listen to his request for now. But he needs to try his luck first since he promised Mr. Choi already. Mr. Wu swallowed hard down his dry throat and he looked up to stare straight on Kris.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

“Yoo Bi sshi...” Min Hyuk leaned forward from his chair toward Yoo Bi when he saw the girl shifted her body on the bed. Yoo Bi finally opened her eyes after about two hours fainted. Her eyes scanned around until it stopped on him once she spotted Min Hyuk sitting next to the bed.

“Min Hyuk sshi???” Yoo Bi called him and she tried to support her body to sit up. Hastily, Min Hyuk got up from his chair and offered his hands to help her.

“There you go...” he said once Yoo Bi managed to sit straight and leaned her head on the iron board of the bed. She glanced around the white room. “Where...where I am now???”

“Don’t worry, Yoo Bi sshi...you’re in the hospital now...you suddenly collapsed after my class finished...luckily I was there to save the day...” Min Hyuk told her jokingly and it earned a chuck from Yoo Bi. She nodded her head for a minute, paused before she shook it aggressively – finally remembered something.

“No! If I’m fainted and you sent me here, then how about my family??? How about Luhan oppa??? Have you told him???” she started to ask in panic as Min Hyuk bit his lips. Actually, he totally forgot to inform her husband because he was too worried about Yoo Bi. Min Hyuk narrowed his eyes before he slowly shook his head, smiling plastically to her. “Em...not yet because...I don’t know his contact number...”

Yoo Bi slapped a hand on her forehead and she opened her palm to him. “Hurry! Lend me your phone...I must tell Luhan oppa first...he must be dead worried by now...probably he had made the police report for my sudden disappearing!”

Min Hyuk blinked his eyes but he simply obeyed her request and handed Yoo Bi with his phone. She grabbed it from him and dialed straight to Luhan.

“Hello??!!” Luhan’s panic voice echoed through the phone until Yoo Bi had to shove it away from her ear for a minute. She rolled her eyes but she started speaking again.

“Calm down, oppa...it’s me...”

“Yoo Bi??? Are you there??? Oh God!!! I’m losing my mind here!!! Where on Earth do you think you’re going huh??? Tell me honestly Yoo Bi before I send a battalion of polices to find you!!!” Yoo Bi almost laughs when she listened to his furious tone. She was amused by his clumsy attitude but she was glad too. At least she knew that Luhan was actually cared about her. Yoo Bi shook her head.

“No, oppa...you don’t have to act so extraordinary like that because I’m doing fine now...I was stupid enough to pass out in my class so just go to the...” Yoo Bi darted her eyes to Min Hyuk, silently asking him to tell her the name of this hospital.

“The Seoul Main Hospital...” he answered shortly and Yoo Bi repeated it toward Luhan. Luhan sighed in relief over the line.

“Thanked God! I know that hospital and it just nearby from me now...I’m still at the mall, searching for you here...but it’s okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes!” without waiting for her reply, Luhan cut off the line – sounded so desperate to come here. Yoo Bi shrugged but she smiled and handed back the phone to Min Hyuk.

“Thank you...Luhan oppa will be here shortly from now...he’s at the nearby mall from here...” Yoo Bi told him and Min Hyuk bit his lips. “Yeah...that’s so close...”

Then she relaxed her body back, pulling the blanket upper to cover her body until her shoulders but Yoo Bi stopped when something clicked inside her. She glanced to Min Hyuk.

“Prof, what’s wrong with me??? What had the doctor told you???”

“Nah...nothing serious...you passed out because you’re too tired...and when they checked your blood condition, you seem to be lack in your hemoglobin...the doctor suggested for you to check further after this...you might have the symptoms of anemia...” Yoo Bi furrowed her eyebrows once he mentioned about that sickness.

“Anemia??? It’s not that bad, right???” she started to feel unsecure about it but Min Hyuk laughed at her.

“No...easy, Yoo Bi sshi...there’s nothing wrong with you...you’ll be just fine...but remember to take your rest properly after this...don’t burden yourself too much with your studies...and I’m sorry if my subject is included in one of the problematic courses for you...” Min Hyuk explained to her but Yoo Bi simply chuckled and rolled her eyes.

“Don’t worry, Min Hyuk sshi...I love your course...it never trouble me anyway...” she assured him and they exchanged broad smile together. Then Min Hyuk glanced down on his wrist watch.

“Oh! I forgot about how late I am for dinner...I promised to go out with my brothers...so, I’ll see you tomorrow? And are you okay waiting here alone???” he asked for her confirmation as Min Hyuk started to stand up from his seat. Yoo Bi gave him another nod.

“Sure...just get going...see you later! And professor, thanks for sending me here...” she winked playfully to him but Min Hyuk smirked and reached out his hand to touch Yoo Bi by her shoulder. Yoo Bi suddenly stiffened under his grip. She blinked her eyes on his face while Min Hyuk smiled warmly to her.

“No worries, Yoo Bi sshi...I’m at your service any time as long as you’re fine...” he told her softly. Yoo Bi tried to crack a smile but it died awkwardly on her lips when she realized Min Hyuk was leaning forward to her. The second after that, she was aware by the fact when Min Hyuk kissed her on her forehead. Yoo Bi instantly frowned in confusion. Min Hyuk stood straight again and grinned on her blank face.

“Keep healthy, dear...” Luhan balled up his hands into fists when he heard that man was addressing his wife as ‘dear’. First, he saw him kissing her on Yoo Bi’s forehead and now, he started to flirt around by calling her affectionately like that??!! Luhan slowly groaned under his breath and he peeked again from behind the door of that hospital room. His eyes went straight to Yoo Bi – she looked shock but the way she stared on Min Hyuk was...gentle. It made Luhan’s mind starting to be furious. What was this all about???

"I was supposed to be his wedding planner, not his bride!"