CHAPTER 29

When the day of execution the plan arrived, Sungmin was the busiest among all. In order to not make Ryeowook suspicious about anything, she voluntarily went back and forth between the house and café. Yesung was already waiting at Ryeowook’s house to prepare for the special event. And even Sungjin was dragged along to help him. Since it was weekend, there are many customers came pooling out at the café that make Sungmin out of hands to finish her job.

 

Along the same afternoon, Kyuhyun who has just arrived at the café suddenly being pushed away just before he stepped into the café’s floor.

 

“Sungmin?”

 

“Get back into the car, Kyu. Hurry!” Sungmin hushed him, and pulled herself into Kyuhyun’s car too, on the passenger’s seat.

 

Kyuhyun stared blankly at the situation.

 

“Drive Kyu!”

 

He jerked away from the daze and started the engine. When he asked, Sungmin just demanded for him to drive to Ryeowook’s apartment. Kyuhyun didn’t even get the chance to ask other question since Sungmin so busy calculating something in her notepad. He tried to ask but get a scolding instead. His mouth completely sealed after seeing the frown deep on Sungmin’s. After a few minutes of silence on the road, they arrived at the destination. Sungmin hurriedly get out from the car and rushed into Ryeowook’s apartment.

 

Kyuhyun in fast speed followed Sungmin in order to not be left behind. As soon as he reached the room, he was greeted with a complete mess and…Yesung amidst of everything. He gawked at the whole situation but before he managed to gasp anything, Sungmin shoved him a packet of balloons in his hands.

 

“Blew it.” Sungmin ordered sternly and left him gaping there all alone.

 

His eyes roamed around the room till he reached the side and Yesung grinned at him apologetically. The elder patted the couch beside him for him to seat. He followed blankly.

 

“Sorry to drag you into this.” Yesung apologized as his hands get busy tying some pictures to a thin rope.

 

“No, it’s okay…” Kyuhyun trailed, “What’s going on, hyung? You’re preparing for some event?” he began to asked eyeing Sungmin by the corner of his eyes.

 

Yesung nodded, “A proposal to be exact.” He said shyly.

 

“Ahh…it’s nerve wrecking right?” Kyuhyun guessed and by the awkward smile from Yesung, he guessed it right.

 

Kyuhyun hid his smile to see the nervousness from Yesung. Any man would feel the same if they are in the same spot. And judging by the mess make by him, Yesung must be feeling worse.

 

“Ouch!”

 

Or someone else is.

 

Both of them were alarmed by the cried from the kitchen and turned at the same time.

 

“Baby girl?”

 

“I’m fine!” Sungmin fast replied from Yesung’s call.

 

Kyuhyun and Yesung looked at each other. They shrugged.

 

“Is it me or Sungmin is more anxious about this plan more than you, hyung?” Kyuhyun stated his mind out.

 

Yesung laughed softly, “No, you’re right. She’s been restless ever since the first day I told her about the plan. Which was almost a month ago.” He added, “She insisted that she’ll do everything. You know how stubborn she can be.”

 

Kyuhyun agreed by the side, nodding his head few times. Without much word said, he started doing his duty given by Sungmin just now. Occasionally he makes a chat with Yesung to ease the tension. After finishing his work, Kyuhyun leisurely get up from his seat and went towards the busy cooking Sungmin in the kitchen.

 

He gulped his saliva. Just looking at the visual of the dishes, his mouth watered. Everything looked absolutely appetizing. His hands slowly reached to one of the plate where a very delicious looking meat calling out for him. But, just as he about to touch it, a spatula immediately hit him, hard.

 

“Arghh!” he groaned out loud, “That’s hurt, Ming!” he rubs his hand trying to lessen the pain.

 

Sungmin gives him a deathly stare.

 

“Don’t touch.” She warned.

 

Kyuhyun sulked. Sungmin was seriously serious with the threat. He knew it was his fault for sneaking, but he still dissatisfied by the treatment he got.

 

“I just want to taste it.” He mumbled with a pout, resembling a little kid throwing a tantrum.

 

Sungmin hears it loud and clear even though he whispered the words. She sighed. Ignore the sulking Kyuhyun, she walked to her bag and take out something from it. She puts it on the table in front of the man. She tugged Kyuhyun’s shirt to attract his attention. Kyuhyun glanced at her by the tugging but surprised to see something on the table. A thermos.

 

“Take a bowl and spoon by the shelf on your own. I cooked some healthy chicken soup. ” Sungmin answered his unspoken question.

 

Kyuhyun blinked repeatedly and stare at her, confusion obviously written on his face.

 

“Soup?” he repeated the word.

 

“To cure your hangover.” She explained more.

 

Kyuhyun gets more puzzled.

 

Hangover? How did Sungmin know that he got a hangover?

 

“Cho umma called me this morning. She complained to me about you making yourself drunk again last night. That’s why you wake up with a headache this morning. She said she’s worry about you. Since I got the time this morning, I make some soup.” She nagged, “What’s your problem, Kyu? Why did drink so much?” she asked worriedly.

 

She and Kyuhyun stare into each other’s eyes, arguing mentally.

 

“It’s nothing.” Kyuhyun lied, averted looking at Sungmin, “I’m just stressing over work these days.” He makes excuse to support his stand.

 

Sungmin stares at him long. She’s not that relieved to hear the reason. She could almost sense a lie came out from it. But, judging from the look that Kyuhyun gave, she knew that Kyuhyun didn’t want her to pierce into the matter more.

 

“Don’t force yourself too much, Kyu. You’re not that young.” Sungmin mocked.

 

“Yah!”

 

Kyuhyun protested. Sungmin laughed and Kyuhyun also followed laughing. Their tense cleared away. Kyuhyun was really moved by Sungmin’s concern. Sungmin being Sungmin was the best and he’s thankful that she didn’t change much. Happily, he skipped towards the shelf and takes a bowl to eat. He served it well and eat, smiling gleefully while watching Sungmin hassling here and there on the counter.

 

Yesung on the other hand, watched the scene entirely. In his head, he questioned the situation whether Sungmin is just too innocent or just hiding the feeling she had for Kyuhyun. What he can see, Sungmin really care about Kyuhyun and so did the other but their relationship seems…too complicated.

 

A deep frown formed on him. Thinking about the couple, aren’t really helping him anywhere. He seriously didn’t understand the relationship between those two. True, Sungmin already got Siwon but watching her and Kyuhyun together, he can’t help but to think they are more compatible than the other man. Reflexively, he sighed. For the meantime, he needs to forget about the couple and focused back on the EVENT!

 

It must be a success! He determined and continued with his work of arts.

 

 

 

/////

 

 

 

“Taeminie, have you seen Sungmin?” Ryeowook asked, after noticed Sungmin was not in her usual spot in the café.

 

Taemin shakes her head left & right.

 

“She didn’t tell you anything about where’s she going?” the girls denied again.

 

Ryeowook’s puckered into a pout.

 

“It’s strange. Minnie is not someone who leaves in this peak hour. Where could she been?” She said, to herself.

 

“Noona…I’ve done my work.” Came Sungjin from the back, with a box.

 

Ryeowook turned to him and asked him the same question. Sungjin as expected lied about Sungmin’s whereabouts to keep the plan hidden. And Ryeowook absolutely believe in it by the confident look he gave. She shrugged it off and unexpectedly, Sungmin appeared in front of her in a blink of eyes. She noticed the hectic look on Sungmin and wondered but the girl assured that everything is alright.

 

“I’m okay, Wookie.”

 

“But, you’re sweating.” Ryeowook retorted.

 

Sungmin giggled, “Maybe because I’ve been running around.” She reasoned.

 

“Sungminie…”

 

“Come on Wookie. You promised me to help me decorating new cakes.” Sungmin didn’t give her a chance to talk back and pulled her into the kitchen.

 

Ryeowook sighed and followed her lead. They had fun together creating new flavors for the café. Sungmin purposely did that to attract Ryeowook from thinking much about her frequent disappearance of the day. More than that, Sungmin just wants to savor the moment where her best friend belongs only to her. After closing the café together, as planned, Sungmin volunteer herself to send Ryeowook home. They have a small talk and reached the apartment in no time because it wasn’t that far in the first place.

 

Ryeowook walked a few steps forward from Sungmin’s car after saying goodbye to her.

 

“Wookie.”

 

Ryeowook turned behind to Sungmin’s call. But, instead of continue, Sungmin just stare at her.

 

“What is it, Minnie?” asked Ryeowook, puzzled with Sungmin’s strange behavior.

 

She got silence. After for some time, Sungmin shakes her head slowly and smiled.

 

“I love you the most, Wookie.” She confessed out of the blue.

 

Ryeowook looked at her confusingly. It’s normal to hear Sungmin’s confession but what’s weird was the tone used. She can almost sense something from it.

 

“Minnie…are you okay?”

 

Sungmin nodded, with the widest smile.

 

“I gotta go, now. See you tomorrow, Wookie.” she planted a quick peck on Ryeowook’s cheek for the last time before boarding inside her car.

 

She made a last honk and drive away from Ryeowook’s apartment. Ryeowook continued on staring the car until it completely disappear from her side. She heaves a weary sigh and walked into her apartment lot. She noticed that Sungmin and the others have been acting strange for that entire day but she just couldn’t figure out why.

 

She pushed in the key and turned making a click sound to which alarm another person who’s already inside the house. As soon as the door opens, a sweet smell went through her nose in an instant. She frowned and widened upon seeing flowers trails on the apartment floor. With butterflies in stomach, she takes forward in slow motion. A step she took, new surprises started to appear into her sight. There are pictures hanging by the wall along the hallway, which makes she unconsciously smile. It was her pictures with none other than her lover, Yesung.

 

In each of it, contains her memories that they created together since the first time they got to know with each other until recently. Including there are also pictures of her and their friends alongside with it. After a few steps of walking, the road of flower ended with a blank picture piece. She picked up the piece and couldn’t help but to wonder why.

 

“It’s for today.” A voice chirped behind her, answering her inner thought.

 

In swift, she turned and meets up with her boyfriend’s eyes, wearing a casual but still look gorgeous just the same. She was out of words to react with the suddenness but a smile bloom nonetheless.

 

“Oppa.” She called, sounded so sweet to the ear listening.

 

Yesung smiled widely. He walked forward approaching Ryeowook and stops exactly just a few inches from her.

 

“I hope you don’t mind me wearing just casual.” He commented.

 

Ryeowook laughed at the statement. He just knows how to create a joke in any moment available.

 

“You look gorgeous just the same in whatever you wear, oppa.” She exclaimed, brushing away some invisible dusk on Yesung’s shoulder.

 

Yesung seems satisfied by the answer since his lips kept smiling all the way.

 

“Here.” He hands in a bouquet of flower to her.

 

“Thank you. It’s beautiful.” Ryeowook compliment sincerely.

 

Yesung grinned, “Now…would you be the honor of joining me for a simple dinner?” he extended his hand to which Ryeowook gladly accept.

 

The walk was just short distance but Ryeowook was still mesmerized with everything ready inside. There are more flowers and candles making a rail towards the dining table. She’s quite surprised to how her boyfriend managed to pull it out alone. But, for the mean time, she decided to just enjoy the moment. Until she was comfortably seated on the chair, Yesung escorted her like a real gentleman.

 

“I hope you will enjoy your dinner.”

 

“Did you cook it oppa?” Ryeowook questioned, really amazed by the varieties of food served on the table.

 

Yesung awkwardly scratched the back of his nape, “It’s Sungmin actually.” He answered, once again surprised Ryeowook.

 

“Sungmin? When? She’s been helping me the whole day at the café today.”

 

“Let’s just say…she managed to slip between times to come here. She was so persistent and to speak the truth, she’s the one who’s been helping me in preparing all of these.”

 

Ryeowook giggles. She should have expected it to be so. Sungmin has always been the only one that concerned about her.

 

There’s a gentle smile appear on Yesung to hear the laugh. He looked at his lover full of love. The room was really romantic with the dim light around. Using the situation, he slowly reached Ryeowook hand and gasped it tightly into his own. Not right away saying something, he just gazes at the eyes long. Ryeowook also look at him with the same sincerity.

 

A tick was suddenly heard and a beautiful melody enchanted inside the house.

 

Oneuldo nae gieogeul ttarahemaeda

I gil kkeuteseo seoseongineun na

Dasin bol sudo eomneun niga nareul butjaba

Naneun tto i gireul mutneunda

 

Ryeowook’s breathe almost stop.

 

Her lover is singing. Her lover that has never sung before is actually singing. Did the world have change? She couldn’t help but questioned.

 

And yet, her smile still bloomed. More than shock, of course she is much happier to get the special treatment. Her mind couldn’t decide what to do in that moment but to just enjoy husky and deep voice singing.

 

Neol bogo sipdago

Tto ango sipdago

Jeo haneulbomyeo gidohaneun nal

 

Niga animyeon andwae

Neo eobsin nan andwae

Na ireoke haru handareul tto illyeoneul

Na apado joha

Nae mam dachyeodo joha nan

Geurae nan neo hanaman saranghanikka

 

Na du beon dasineun

Bonael su eopdago

Na neoreul itgo salsun eopdago

 

Niga animyeon andwae

Neo eobsin nan andwae

Na ireoke haru handareul tto illyeoneul

Na apado joha

Nae mam dachyeodo joha nan

Geurae nan neo hanaman saranghanikka

 

Nae meongdeun gaseumi

Neol chajaorago

Sorichyeo bureunda

 

Neon eodinneungeoni

Naui moksori deulliji annni

Naegeneun

 

Na dasi sarado

Myeot beoneul taeeonado

Harudo niga eobsi sal su eomneun na

Naega jikyeojul saram

Naega saranghal saram nan

Geurae nan neo hanamyeon chungbunhanikka

Neo hanaman saranghanikka

 

The song slowly moved into the ending. There’s a shade of pink left on Yesung’s cheek to show how embarrassed he is to do something he never did before. Only God knows how much courage he had to build to actually sing in front of his lover, even though there are only two of them available at that moment.

 

Ryewook undoubtedly clapped after the performance ended. She applauded for her boyfriend’s sweet voice and also courage that he shown. She understood him the most after all.

 

“I knew all along that you have a golden voice, oppa.” She praised, making Yesung’s heart flowered and shyer.

 

Yesung didn’t give her any reply. He glanced away shyly from her eyes. His hand slowly moved and took something from the pocket. He holds it in his hand tight before he took back Ryeowook’s hand into his and slipped something into Ryeowook’s finger.

 

The lover was stunned.

 

“Just like the song. If I live my life again, and even if I am born over and over again, I can’t live without you for a day my love. You’re the one I will keep. And you’re the only one I will love. Yes…I’m sure, I am happy enough it I could be with you.” He professed.

 

Ryeowook’s eyes getting watery by the proposal’s words.

 

“Kim Ryeowook…” Yesung called her name soft but firm the same, “Would you…be a forever lover, a best friend and a wife for a turtle owner like me?” he proposed, though sounding ridiculous but special in its own way.

 

Ryeowook chuckled. A lone tear fall from her eyes slowly.

 

“Yes. Yes, I will.” She nodded willingly.

 

And that’s the answer that he need. Yesung smiled widely before he got up from his seat with Ryeowook’s hand still in his and kneeled down. He planted a kiss on her hand.

 

“Thank you.” He thanked.

 

They sealed the special moment with a kiss. A new relationship was borne.

 

 

 

////

 

 

 

Sungmin’s thoughts were full with Ryeowook. She can almost picture every moment that Ryeowook had with Yesung now. She’s positive that she will say ‘yes’. But, her feels. She feels a bit lost.

 

Stupid me.

 

She scolded herself for thinking bad about her best friend. She opened the main door of the Lee mansion and immediately greeted by the head maid.

 

“Welcome home, agasshi.”

 

Sungmin replied her with a smile, “I’m home, nanny.”

 

“Where are the others?” Sungmin asked, as she lets the head maid taking off her coat.

 

“They’re in the living room, agasshi.” Replied the old woman, “They’re waiting.” She added for the last time before she excused herself away after a bow.

 

Sungmin walked in slow steps towards the living room. She was still in deep thought. But, just as she gets closer to the destination, something else happened.

 

Pang!

 

“AHHH!” she shrieked spontaneously by the cracker bang right into her face.

 

Sungmin eyes widened. Standing in front of her at the moment are three people, with a different but the same lopsided grin altogether.

 

“Welcome home, baby girl.” Donghae the first to greet her, “Would you care for a karaoke session with me?” she suggested shoving a microphone in her hands.

 

“Or you can join me for a dance?” Eunhyuk by the side added.

 

“OR!” Sungjin came up front, “A movie marathon with me?!” he proposed, didn’t even hide his excitement.

 

“Chose one!” they said in unison, echoing inside the house.

 

Silence. Sungmin blinked. Once, twice and thrice after that. The scene she came across just now was exactly like a virtual simulating game that she played one time ago. She can almost see alphabets of ‘ABC’ on top of Eunhyuk, Donghae and Sungjin’s head respectively representing the choices she should made. A wide smile slowly formed on her lips.

 

“I chose all!”

 

She launched herself into the open arms of her family. They laughed together. All Sungmin’s anxiety vanished completely.

 

My family is jjang! She praised inside.

 

That night, she had the best quality time ever with the people she loves the most.

 

 

 

TBC