In Three Years' Time (chapter 18 of 22)
Title: In Three Years' Time
Pairing: Dongwoon/OC
Rating: PG-13 to R/NC-17 (in later chapters)
Summary: Arranged marriages were something of the past, not commonly seen in this day and age. But contract marriages were different. With two parties both gaining something out of the union, this new form of marriage was slowly becoming an unsaid norm in certain societies; and Jaehwa and Dongwoon were no exception. What happens when two childhood friends, who let distance and circumstance drift them apart, are forced to enter a 3-year long union? Will they finally rekindle their friendship, even after realizing that they are no longer the people they once were, or will they drift further apart simply living side by side as strangers?
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22
Chapter 18
The next three weeks Dongwoon and Jaehwa seemed to have gotten closer, as he helped her pack and prepare for her move to Milan. He never once tried to tell her he loved her, he didn’t want to put that burden on her shoulders especially after seeing just how happy she was about moving to Milan to further her career and instead relished in the fact that he got to see her smile every day. Dongwoon went with her parents and his father to the airport to drop her off. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the first time they were forced to say goodbye at the airport a mere fifteen years earlier. He laughed at how naïve he was, back then, about thinking she was only a few miles away only realizing a few days later that she wouldn’t be there for him to play with. Now he was much older and he clearly understood what this would mean for them. He only hoped that this time, their time apart would mend their relationship and not destroy it.
Dongwoon reached out and hugged Jaehwa tightly who only sighed at their contact closing her eyes. He was the first to break off from the hug and sweetly kissed her on her forehead before saying, “if you need anything, you know who to call.” Jaehwa chuckled pleasingly at his offer before giving his arm a tight squeeze and bowing to everyone as she walked passed security. Only one year…Dongwoon thought to himself as he stared at the place where she had stood only seconds before. His arms were already feeling empty wishing he had only hugged her longer while his heart was already aching to see her one more time.
It had taken Jaehwa a good three days for her to finally get settled in her new apartment. Her company had arranged for her to live with 2 other women who had worked together with her back in Seoul. The three women were all in Milan for the same reason - to help with the upcoming runway shows. The other two girls were extremely helpful in getting Jaehwa adjusted to the lifestyle in Milan taking her to all the sights that she had yet to have a minute alone since she arrived. Jaehwa sighed with relief as she stared at her computer for the first time since her move. She had already called her parents telling them she landed safely in Milan and met her new roommates but she still felt out of the loop with things happening in Seoul.
After reading up on recent news and events in Seoul, she decided to check her mail knowing that her inbox would be flooded with e-mails from Soojin, Jinae and Heeyoung demanding to see pictures of her new “home.”
“Ugh…junk….junk….junk…” Jaehwa spoke out loud as she deleted the spam that invaded her inbox. “Hey Jae?” She read the subject line of an e-mail and glanced at the sender’s address that failed to sound familiar. She literally screamed out loud as she read the e-mail over and over again her eyes glued on the name of the sender at the bottom of the letter. Dongwoon.
Hey Jae,
I bet you’re surprised to get an e-mail from me huh? I figured that since you and I are going to be rather busy for the time being, this is probably the best way to keep in touch. At least I would like for us to stay in touch. (Except that this time around I’m going to be the one writing the e-mail first!) I know I have wronged you on so many different levels these past two years and an apology won’t cut it. Call me heartless or selfish, I probably deserve both, but I can’t think of a life without you in it. Why you have continued to show me nothing but kindness throughout everything still boggles my mind because I know I would hate me. I would be more than happy if you continued to write to me, and I hope that maybe we could start over as friends once more. I want you to know that I plan on writing to you every day but I don’t expect you to write back. So no pressure. You can write back if you want or simply delete this e-mail now, but regardless I’ll still write you and bore you with the events of my mundane life.
I’m not going to talk about how butt hurt I got when you didn’t call me to tell me you got in ok, because although I was, I forgive you. Instead I’m going to write a long and boring e-mail telling you about how to make the perfect bibimpap, which I taught myself, and if I say so myself tasted pretty damn fantastic. I’ll make it for you when you get back. Speaking of when you get back, how long are you there for anyways? Isn’t your trip over yet? Because it already feels like a year has gone by. You got some guts you know, leaving your best friend stranded in Seoul while you have fun in Italy…shame on you. I suggest you come here as fast as you can and help your lonely friend out!
Haha, you know I’m playing with you. Anyways, just know that I’m very proud of you and the people over in Milan won’t know left from right when your designs hit the runway.
Much love, Dongwoon
Jaehwa re-read the letter almost three times with a permanent grin etched her face that stretched from ear to ear. He sounded so unlike himself in that e-mail. On second thought, he sounded a lot like that thirteen-year old boy she left at the airport so many years ago, the boy she wanted to marry. Dongwoon felt pathetic as he re-read the e-mail he had sent to Jaehwa. The lack of reply from her was killing him as thoughts of him sounding too desperate that it turned her away cluttered his mind. But oddly enough he didn’t care if he sounded desperate, because those were the exact things running in his head since the moment she left. He refreshed his inbox a few more times before retreating back to the pile of paperwork on his desk defeated.
-- Fourteen months later --
“Ahh home sweet home,” Jaehwa said as she walked out of customs with her bags and entered the meet and greet area where Soojin, Jinae and Heeyoung were screaming her name at the top of their lungs. It had been so long since she saw her friends that she carelessly left her cart stranded in the middle of the walkway and ran to hug her friends.
“Girl, Milan did you good!” Jinae shoved her lightly as Jaehwa smiled and twirled in a circle for everyone to embrace her new look. She didn’t exactly changed the way she dressed but there was a different aura about her. She grew out her shoulder-length hair and let it fall in light waves as it reached the middle of her back. She still preferred to not wear makeup but the style of clothes she wore seemed to scream out that she was a top fashion designer now. The four girls talked nonstop about Jaehwa’s experiences while living in Milan on their way to the small restaurant that Heeyoung owned. Despite being tried from the flight, Jaehwa was famished and craved for some good Korean food. The women walked into the restaurant as Heeyoung held the door for them.
“Yah! Is the place even open?” Jaehwa asked in confusion, “why is it so dark in here?”
“SURPRISE!!!” The lights flickered on and Jaehwa staggered backwards as she screamed terrified by the room full of people who were now shooting streamers out of little bottles at her. A large sign hung off the ceiling saying “Welcome Home Jaehwa.” Her friends behind her laughed as they realized they got their friend good, as her face had turned considerably pale.
“My Jae!!” Yumi whined as she pulled her still shocked daughter into a hug. “I missed you so much!” It took Jaehwa a few minutes before she regained her senses and laughed at herself after playfully hitting all her three best friends before hugging them again. Jaehwa greeted all her friends and family that came to welcome her home feeling so honored that all these people were happy to see her back. Among them was Daesung, who slowly made his way to say hello.
“Hi.” Daesung started but was cut off when Jaehwa hugged him.
“I missed you chingu! You know it couldn’t have hurt to call more often!” She said jokingly as she punched him in the arm.
Daesung chuckled, “I did call.”
“What? You called once the entire time I was there!” Jaehwa spit out recalling that the only time he did call was to wish her a happy birthday.
Daesung admitted his fault quickly, “arasso, I’m sorry chingu. But I’m glad your back.” He said with his trademark killer smile. Jaehwa made sure she made her rounds as everyone ate, thanking them all individually for taking the time out of their busy schedules to welcome her back. But she couldn’t deny the bit of disappointment when she failed to see one person; Dongwoon. As the gathering progressed into the night, most of the guests filtered out and only her closest friends and family remained as they all sat around telling stories while they drank. Escaping the noise for a brief moment Jaehwa retreated onto the veranda breathing in the Seoul air that she had missed so much as she smiled widely when she exhaled.
“Missed Seoul that much huh?” A voice behind her said. Jaehwa twirled around to see Dongwoon standing in front of her. He looked the same yet something was different about him. There was a sense of maturity along with an underlying playfulness in his smirk that caused goose bumps to scatter across her skin.
“Sorry I’m late. Being project manager for our newest merger is a lot harder than I thought, and it’s taking a lot longer than expected.” Dongwoon had been waiting for this moment since he saw her walk through security at the airport over a year ago. She was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her, as her long hair draped over her shoulders and blew lightly in the wind. He slowly made his way toward her and held her close in a hug wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Jaehwa shut her eyes and inhaled his musky masculine scent as she melted in his warm embrace not wanting to let go.
Her head pressed against his chest, she mumbled, “I missed this.”
Dongwoon reluctantly let go of his grip on her waist and pulled away from her. “What?”
“I missed this more than anything.” Jaehwa said as she framed his face with her hands and stood on her tippy-toes reaching up to place her lips gently against his as she kissed him for the first time.
word count: 1844
Pairing: Dongwoon/OC
Rating: PG-13 to R/NC-17 (in later chapters)
Summary: Arranged marriages were something of the past, not commonly seen in this day and age. But contract marriages were different. With two parties both gaining something out of the union, this new form of marriage was slowly becoming an unsaid norm in certain societies; and Jaehwa and Dongwoon were no exception. What happens when two childhood friends, who let distance and circumstance drift them apart, are forced to enter a 3-year long union? Will they finally rekindle their friendship, even after realizing that they are no longer the people they once were, or will they drift further apart simply living side by side as strangers?
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22
Chapter 18
The next three weeks Dongwoon and Jaehwa seemed to have gotten closer, as he helped her pack and prepare for her move to Milan. He never once tried to tell her he loved her, he didn’t want to put that burden on her shoulders especially after seeing just how happy she was about moving to Milan to further her career and instead relished in the fact that he got to see her smile every day. Dongwoon went with her parents and his father to the airport to drop her off. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the first time they were forced to say goodbye at the airport a mere fifteen years earlier. He laughed at how naïve he was, back then, about thinking she was only a few miles away only realizing a few days later that she wouldn’t be there for him to play with. Now he was much older and he clearly understood what this would mean for them. He only hoped that this time, their time apart would mend their relationship and not destroy it.
Dongwoon reached out and hugged Jaehwa tightly who only sighed at their contact closing her eyes. He was the first to break off from the hug and sweetly kissed her on her forehead before saying, “if you need anything, you know who to call.” Jaehwa chuckled pleasingly at his offer before giving his arm a tight squeeze and bowing to everyone as she walked passed security. Only one year…Dongwoon thought to himself as he stared at the place where she had stood only seconds before. His arms were already feeling empty wishing he had only hugged her longer while his heart was already aching to see her one more time.
It had taken Jaehwa a good three days for her to finally get settled in her new apartment. Her company had arranged for her to live with 2 other women who had worked together with her back in Seoul. The three women were all in Milan for the same reason - to help with the upcoming runway shows. The other two girls were extremely helpful in getting Jaehwa adjusted to the lifestyle in Milan taking her to all the sights that she had yet to have a minute alone since she arrived. Jaehwa sighed with relief as she stared at her computer for the first time since her move. She had already called her parents telling them she landed safely in Milan and met her new roommates but she still felt out of the loop with things happening in Seoul.
After reading up on recent news and events in Seoul, she decided to check her mail knowing that her inbox would be flooded with e-mails from Soojin, Jinae and Heeyoung demanding to see pictures of her new “home.”
“Ugh…junk….junk….junk…” Jaehwa spoke out loud as she deleted the spam that invaded her inbox. “Hey Jae?” She read the subject line of an e-mail and glanced at the sender’s address that failed to sound familiar. She literally screamed out loud as she read the e-mail over and over again her eyes glued on the name of the sender at the bottom of the letter. Dongwoon.
Hey Jae,
I bet you’re surprised to get an e-mail from me huh? I figured that since you and I are going to be rather busy for the time being, this is probably the best way to keep in touch. At least I would like for us to stay in touch. (Except that this time around I’m going to be the one writing the e-mail first!) I know I have wronged you on so many different levels these past two years and an apology won’t cut it. Call me heartless or selfish, I probably deserve both, but I can’t think of a life without you in it. Why you have continued to show me nothing but kindness throughout everything still boggles my mind because I know I would hate me. I would be more than happy if you continued to write to me, and I hope that maybe we could start over as friends once more. I want you to know that I plan on writing to you every day but I don’t expect you to write back. So no pressure. You can write back if you want or simply delete this e-mail now, but regardless I’ll still write you and bore you with the events of my mundane life.
I’m not going to talk about how butt hurt I got when you didn’t call me to tell me you got in ok, because although I was, I forgive you. Instead I’m going to write a long and boring e-mail telling you about how to make the perfect bibimpap, which I taught myself, and if I say so myself tasted pretty damn fantastic. I’ll make it for you when you get back. Speaking of when you get back, how long are you there for anyways? Isn’t your trip over yet? Because it already feels like a year has gone by. You got some guts you know, leaving your best friend stranded in Seoul while you have fun in Italy…shame on you. I suggest you come here as fast as you can and help your lonely friend out!
Haha, you know I’m playing with you. Anyways, just know that I’m very proud of you and the people over in Milan won’t know left from right when your designs hit the runway.
Much love, Dongwoon
Jaehwa re-read the letter almost three times with a permanent grin etched her face that stretched from ear to ear. He sounded so unlike himself in that e-mail. On second thought, he sounded a lot like that thirteen-year old boy she left at the airport so many years ago, the boy she wanted to marry. Dongwoon felt pathetic as he re-read the e-mail he had sent to Jaehwa. The lack of reply from her was killing him as thoughts of him sounding too desperate that it turned her away cluttered his mind. But oddly enough he didn’t care if he sounded desperate, because those were the exact things running in his head since the moment she left. He refreshed his inbox a few more times before retreating back to the pile of paperwork on his desk defeated.
-- Fourteen months later --
“Ahh home sweet home,” Jaehwa said as she walked out of customs with her bags and entered the meet and greet area where Soojin, Jinae and Heeyoung were screaming her name at the top of their lungs. It had been so long since she saw her friends that she carelessly left her cart stranded in the middle of the walkway and ran to hug her friends.
“Girl, Milan did you good!” Jinae shoved her lightly as Jaehwa smiled and twirled in a circle for everyone to embrace her new look. She didn’t exactly changed the way she dressed but there was a different aura about her. She grew out her shoulder-length hair and let it fall in light waves as it reached the middle of her back. She still preferred to not wear makeup but the style of clothes she wore seemed to scream out that she was a top fashion designer now. The four girls talked nonstop about Jaehwa’s experiences while living in Milan on their way to the small restaurant that Heeyoung owned. Despite being tried from the flight, Jaehwa was famished and craved for some good Korean food. The women walked into the restaurant as Heeyoung held the door for them.
“Yah! Is the place even open?” Jaehwa asked in confusion, “why is it so dark in here?”
“SURPRISE!!!” The lights flickered on and Jaehwa staggered backwards as she screamed terrified by the room full of people who were now shooting streamers out of little bottles at her. A large sign hung off the ceiling saying “Welcome Home Jaehwa.” Her friends behind her laughed as they realized they got their friend good, as her face had turned considerably pale.
“My Jae!!” Yumi whined as she pulled her still shocked daughter into a hug. “I missed you so much!” It took Jaehwa a few minutes before she regained her senses and laughed at herself after playfully hitting all her three best friends before hugging them again. Jaehwa greeted all her friends and family that came to welcome her home feeling so honored that all these people were happy to see her back. Among them was Daesung, who slowly made his way to say hello.
“Hi.” Daesung started but was cut off when Jaehwa hugged him.
“I missed you chingu! You know it couldn’t have hurt to call more often!” She said jokingly as she punched him in the arm.
Daesung chuckled, “I did call.”
“What? You called once the entire time I was there!” Jaehwa spit out recalling that the only time he did call was to wish her a happy birthday.
Daesung admitted his fault quickly, “arasso, I’m sorry chingu. But I’m glad your back.” He said with his trademark killer smile. Jaehwa made sure she made her rounds as everyone ate, thanking them all individually for taking the time out of their busy schedules to welcome her back. But she couldn’t deny the bit of disappointment when she failed to see one person; Dongwoon. As the gathering progressed into the night, most of the guests filtered out and only her closest friends and family remained as they all sat around telling stories while they drank. Escaping the noise for a brief moment Jaehwa retreated onto the veranda breathing in the Seoul air that she had missed so much as she smiled widely when she exhaled.
“Missed Seoul that much huh?” A voice behind her said. Jaehwa twirled around to see Dongwoon standing in front of her. He looked the same yet something was different about him. There was a sense of maturity along with an underlying playfulness in his smirk that caused goose bumps to scatter across her skin.
“Sorry I’m late. Being project manager for our newest merger is a lot harder than I thought, and it’s taking a lot longer than expected.” Dongwoon had been waiting for this moment since he saw her walk through security at the airport over a year ago. She was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her, as her long hair draped over her shoulders and blew lightly in the wind. He slowly made his way toward her and held her close in a hug wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Jaehwa shut her eyes and inhaled his musky masculine scent as she melted in his warm embrace not wanting to let go.
Her head pressed against his chest, she mumbled, “I missed this.”
Dongwoon reluctantly let go of his grip on her waist and pulled away from her. “What?”
“I missed this more than anything.” Jaehwa said as she framed his face with her hands and stood on her tippy-toes reaching up to place her lips gently against his as she kissed him for the first time.
word count: 1844