It was my parent’s wedding anniversary. I called her when she messaged that she would just drive at the venue by herself, “Why can’t we go together?”

“I need to drive Kyuhyun oppa to the airport.”

“Why do you need to do that? He doesn’t have any other friend but you?”

“You go ahead, I’ll just pop out.”

She said ignoring my question.

At the party, she came a few hours later wearing a white and mint green dress. Her hair was let loose again and her face was free of unnecessary make up; exactly the way I love seeing her the most. She was just the girl I fell in love with. I came to meet her by the door and hugged her tight.

“You look just like the first time I saw you,” I smiled lovingly, I couldn’t help it.

“I do?” she smiled sweetly then suddenly changed to her deadpan face, “Don’t be fooled by what you see on the outside. It’s still me.” She pulled away from my embrace but took my hand to walk to where my parents were greeting guests.

“Omoni, Abeoji…” she greeted as she hugged my parents.

They love her too.

She handed her gifts.

“Aigooo, my favorite future daughter-in-law.”

“Appa, she’s the only daughter-in-law you have.” I laughed but stopped when I saw that tiny glare she shot at my direction.

I shouldn’t have said that bad joke.

“So you should get married soon!” my mother replied.

“Aniyo, Omoni… we’re not getting married,” Seohyun shook her head then looked at me, “Yet.”

I nodded.

We took our seat at the farthest corner of the small garden away from everyone else. I looked at her but she tried to avoid my gaze, “I love you…”

“I love you, too,” she brushed the hair off her face.

“Do you, really?” I said as I ran a hand on her arm but she took my hand away.

“Yes, I love you; you should know that by now,” she stood, “I’ll get us something to drink. What do you want?”

I followed and took her hand, “Let me get them.”

She looked back at me seriously then said, “No… sit.”

I sat and waited for her.

~~~

We were cuddling on her bed one night, she was gently rubbing my palms with her fingers and I decided to tell her. It was a routine; I would tell her my schedule every day. She didn’t ask for them but I just feel the need to tell her, to remind her that I don’t have anything to hide from her.

“I’m going on a business trip in the Philippines.”

She looked up at me with those big pools then down on our intertwined fingers, “How long?”

“Three days. I will email you our itinerary once I get it.”

“You don’t have to.”

She sat up and straightened her clothes but I held her wrist. She was trying to mask her disappointment. I pulled myself up, then embraced her and kissed her temple.

“I would love it if you could go with me,” I whispered by her earlobe. I would be very busy then but just to assure her, I would do anything.

“No,” she shrugged and got up, leaving me on the bed.

I sighed and got settled to sleep. After awhile, I felt her weight on the bed beside me so I turned to her and she rested her head on my arm that I sprawled on her pillow. She hugged me tight.

I love it when she does that.

It was one of those moments I could really feel her love.

“Hyun…”

“Hmmm?”

“I love you.”

She looked at me and smiled tenderly, “And I love you.”

It made me happy so I pulled her closer to me. “In case you change your mind, you tell me alright?”

“In case I change my mind about w