/A Perfect Day for A Love Declaration/ Day Eight
a perfect day for a love declaration
day eight ★ where wedding bells (may) begin to ring
"Yuri's house is... huge. Wow." Sooyoung exclaimed, her jaw dropping as we stepped into the Kwon's home for lunch at Yuri's request. I giggled at her astonished face and watched as her eyes widened at the sight of Yuri's family living room. Yeonhee had the same expression her face, but thankfully for her she was slightly better at hiding it.
"Easy, Sooyoung." I said, patting her on the shoulder and laughing. She made a face and I watched her go around the living room hand in hand with Yeonhee.
Yuri's home really was very beautiful inside and out. It was lavish but not overly so... and it still had that cozy feeling. My eyes landed on the family portrait above the fireplace and smiled. They were quite a happy family. It was very endearing.
"The last time I was in a huge house was when we surprised Changmin on his 20th birthday." Yeonhee said, looking interestedly at the paintings adorned all over the walls. My heart did a small backflip and I tried to regain composure.
"Right, his house was pretty large too."
Sooyoung was busy, fluffing out a cushion and hugging it, smiling widely.
"Yeah, but Changmin's house was a lot bigger than this one. And a lot colder, remember?" she said, hugging the cushion tightly and laughing. "I was so scared when we met her mother too."
I smiled unbeknownst to myself. I remembered that day perfectly. Kibum had suggested visiting Changmin at his family home for his birthday and the four of us drove all the way over there with bags filled with cake, chips and soju. When we arrived, we (except Kibum) never expected Changmin's house to be so... grand. Kibum said we had to hide the things we brought and he expertly (and by expertly, he told us to climb an old ladder he pulled out from somewhere) led us straight to Changmin's room. I wasn't very coordinated then and I slipped somewhere... Changmin caught me just in time I fell.
Unfortunately, it was then his mother saw us. After that, we were treated to a (cold) birthday dinner and were delivered home before we could even give our presents.
"We never got to give our presents! I had gotten him really good mitt." Sooyoung mused, studying the intricate embroidery on the cushion (what was with her and cushions?) she was holding.
"I had made him those butterscotch cookies he liked so much." Yeonhee echoed, and looked at me waiting to for a reply. I tried to look nonchalant. "Hey, Yoong. What did you bring him?"
I shrugged. "A H.O.T album to tease his inner Pop idol fanboy self and a book by Ha Jin called Waiting. He said he liked books."
Sooyoung laughed. "Oh my Gosh, I remember that! He liked Kangta, right? Man, what a girl!"
"You liked him too." I teased, and she stuck her tongue out at me.
"Hey!" Yuri's voice rang out and a few moments later, we saw her running down an elegant stairwell. She had her hair tied back and was smiling widely. I felt a tinge of jealousy looking at her fresh and beautiful face.
It's no wonder he'd agree to marry her. She's gorgeous. I frowned and scolded myself inwardly. No, you have a boyfriend, Yoona. And Changmin doesn't - shouldn't - matter anymore.
"Let's go out in the garden. The lunch is already set."
"Yey food!" Sooyoung cheered, grabbing Yeonhee's arm (just as Yuri's grabbed mine) and we scrambled out into the garden happily.
The lunch was a breathtaking one. Even Sooyoung was taken aback. We settled in our seats and happily started to eat and chat. Yuri told us funny stories from her childhood and we shared ours as well. I had to laugh at myself for being foolish for a moment. Yuri was a good person and a wonderful friend. I could trust her.
"My my. I didn't know we had visitors!" Mrs. Kwon said, appearing at screen door that led to the garden. We stood up to greet her and Yuri gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"How was your meeting, Mom?" Yuri asked, picking at her chicken and feeding it to her mother (which she took without second thought. Sooyoung and I smiled.)
"Oh I decided to bring it here." She motioned for someone inside and my insides turned icy in the moment I realized who it was. Sooyoung reached out for my hand and Yeonhee shot me a surprised and worried glance. I held my breath.
"Ladies... Yuri, this is Mrs. Shim - Changmin's mother and your future mother-in-law. She arrived from Japan earlier today to discuss the wedding plans."
Yuri stood up and bowed gracefully. Mrs. Shim did the same, and extended her hand to shake hers. Then her eyes were turned on me, and it rose slightly. I stood up to bow as well, but I was so nervous that I think it seemed just a bit shaky.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Shim... it's been a while." I greeted, my eyes cast down afraid.
"It certainly has... Yoona-shii, correct?" I nodded. "You look quite well now than when you were a few years back."
"She's very pretty, isn't she?" Yuri piped in, grinning from ear to ear. I was surprised, and prayed Mrs. Shim wouldn't take it in the wrong way. "I think she's beautiful and she's a really good friend to me too."
"Yes, she is quite attractive," Mrs. Shim said, smiling slightly down at Yuri. Her eyes went back on me and I could feel chills run down my spine.
Mrs. Kwon's hand on my shoulder was warm and comforting, snapping me out of my stupor. She looked at me with a smile on her face. "I'm afraid I have to ask you for another favor, Yoona-shii. Would it be alright?"
I nodded, smiling weakly. "Of course, Mrs. Kwon. What's the occasion?"
She smiled, looking at Yuri and rubbing her daughter's arm adoringly. "Well, my daughter's wedding reception of course."
I stiffened.
"I met with Mrs. Shim today to finalize the arrangements. The food for the reception was the only thing we couldn't agree on and I suggested having your business run it again. Would that we alright, if it's such short notice?"
I could tell Sooyoung, Yeonhee and even Yuri's eyes were on me because they had stopped talking. All of them I could feel were apologetic and sad. I could feel Mrs. Shim's eyes on me too and I felt my insides grow heavy.
You're strong, Yoona. Come on. You can take this.
I cleared my throat and waved it off, smiling brightly for Mrs. Kwon.
"I would be delighted to extend my business' service."
Mrs. Shim smiled, looking at me with her sharp eyes. She extended her hand and shook my hand this time. Her hand was surprisingly warm.
"Good. Because the wedding is a month from now."
And time stopped.
+ + +
"What do I owe this pleasure, Mother?" I said sarcastically, opening the door in disdain when I realized who it was standing there.
"I believe I didn't raise you to talk to your elders in that tone, Changmin," my mother replied, smirking at me as she stepped inside my apartment. I shook my head and walked back to my office. She followed and watched me as I began to read reports from the firm I worked for in Japan.
"The arrangements for your wedding with Yuri is under way."
I didn't reply.
"This marriage will be mean very well for your father's business, Changmin. And she's quite beautiful... Yuri. Charming too. You'll learn to love her... eventually."
I made a strangled sound of disgust but she ignored me and continued:
"Im Yoona... the girl you introduced to your father and I at your 20th birthday was there at the Kwon's home today. She had catering business."
I stiffened, the beating of my heart increasing several beats at a time. I breathed deeply. "Yes, she does. She runs it with Kibum."
"Wasn't she your girlfriend?"
I shook my head, looking straight into my mother's sharp gaze. "No. We were just friends."
"I see. Nevertheless, she grew up quite nicely."
I nod curtly, trying to look indifferent. Casual. "I suppose."
My mother gave me an indescribable look and sighed. I turned back to my work - trying my best to ignore her and keep the thumping of my heart at bay.
"Working hard?" she said, eyeing my desk and the bundle of paper and folders on top of it.
I swirled a pen inside my mouth and nodded, not bothering to look up and answer her.
She moved slowly; first laying her coat on an empty chair before walking very slowly behind my chair, her heels clicking on the floor. She looked at my desk and made a sound. I stopped reading, setting the paper down. With two hands on my desk, I sighed and looked at her expectantly. I knew she knew I was waiting for her to speak but ignored me and continued to study my desk and my office.
"What is it?"
"You also grew up well, Changmin."
I nodded. "Yes."
"I did quite a good job, don't you think?"
Huh. "I suppose." I said, shaking my head and returning to my work. I heard where this one lead to before.
"You are a very mature, handsome and intelligent capable young man. Working as a junior associate in a top firm in Japan after only two years. You are every bit the perfect son."
But -- Of course, there is always a but.
"But--" I started to feel angry. There it was. "--You're not happy."
There it was not. I looked at her confused and she smiled delicately, moving gracefully behind my chair. She put two hands on my shoulders and gave them a soft squeeze, warmth and comfort relaxing them and reminded me of better days in my childhood. I forgot how warm her hands were.
"You're not happy, Changmin. And I believe it is my fault."
I shook my head. "I'm content, Mother. That is enough."
She squeezed again, almost hugging me.
"No, it is not," she whispered, letting go of my shoulders and stepping away from my chair and my desk. She took her coat and started to walk out the door. "I am going now to rest. I'll see you in the morning. We should have breakfast."
I stood up, feeling angry and attacked. I tried to keep my tone even. "Mother. What is this about?"
Mother turned to me, a small smile on her face. She walked back and peered at my desk again before tapping a small frame I had at the end of it. My gaze followed and was surprised. It was a picture of Yoona and me (and Kibum actually, but he had left before this last shot was taken) from a digital photo stall. The picture had us looking at each other (I was attempting to make a funny face and she was laughing at me) and smiling - our faces I realized looked relaxed and... happy.
I looked back up at my mother, confused. She smiled again, pulling me into a soft hug. I let her, surprised and uneasy.
"Your heart is in the right place, my son. Use it."
My stomach twisted in knots when her words finally began to make perfect sense.
God, even my mother knows.
"Your happiness is important to me, Changmin..." she trailed off, letting me go and turning back to leave. She stopped mid-step from the door and looked back at me one last time.
"The question is...would you be willing to take it?"
Comments? :)
day eight ★ where wedding bells (may) begin to ring
"Yuri's house is... huge. Wow." Sooyoung exclaimed, her jaw dropping as we stepped into the Kwon's home for lunch at Yuri's request. I giggled at her astonished face and watched as her eyes widened at the sight of Yuri's family living room. Yeonhee had the same expression her face, but thankfully for her she was slightly better at hiding it.
"Easy, Sooyoung." I said, patting her on the shoulder and laughing. She made a face and I watched her go around the living room hand in hand with Yeonhee.
Yuri's home really was very beautiful inside and out. It was lavish but not overly so... and it still had that cozy feeling. My eyes landed on the family portrait above the fireplace and smiled. They were quite a happy family. It was very endearing.
"The last time I was in a huge house was when we surprised Changmin on his 20th birthday." Yeonhee said, looking interestedly at the paintings adorned all over the walls. My heart did a small backflip and I tried to regain composure.
"Right, his house was pretty large too."
Sooyoung was busy, fluffing out a cushion and hugging it, smiling widely.
"Yeah, but Changmin's house was a lot bigger than this one. And a lot colder, remember?" she said, hugging the cushion tightly and laughing. "I was so scared when we met her mother too."
I smiled unbeknownst to myself. I remembered that day perfectly. Kibum had suggested visiting Changmin at his family home for his birthday and the four of us drove all the way over there with bags filled with cake, chips and soju. When we arrived, we (except Kibum) never expected Changmin's house to be so... grand. Kibum said we had to hide the things we brought and he expertly (and by expertly, he told us to climb an old ladder he pulled out from somewhere) led us straight to Changmin's room. I wasn't very coordinated then and I slipped somewhere... Changmin caught me just in time I fell.
Unfortunately, it was then his mother saw us. After that, we were treated to a (cold) birthday dinner and were delivered home before we could even give our presents.
"We never got to give our presents! I had gotten him really good mitt." Sooyoung mused, studying the intricate embroidery on the cushion (what was with her and cushions?) she was holding.
"I had made him those butterscotch cookies he liked so much." Yeonhee echoed, and looked at me waiting to for a reply. I tried to look nonchalant. "Hey, Yoong. What did you bring him?"
I shrugged. "A H.O.T album to tease his inner Pop idol fanboy self and a book by Ha Jin called Waiting. He said he liked books."
Sooyoung laughed. "Oh my Gosh, I remember that! He liked Kangta, right? Man, what a girl!"
"You liked him too." I teased, and she stuck her tongue out at me.
"Hey!" Yuri's voice rang out and a few moments later, we saw her running down an elegant stairwell. She had her hair tied back and was smiling widely. I felt a tinge of jealousy looking at her fresh and beautiful face.
It's no wonder he'd agree to marry her. She's gorgeous. I frowned and scolded myself inwardly. No, you have a boyfriend, Yoona. And Changmin doesn't - shouldn't - matter anymore.
"Let's go out in the garden. The lunch is already set."
"Yey food!" Sooyoung cheered, grabbing Yeonhee's arm (just as Yuri's grabbed mine) and we scrambled out into the garden happily.
The lunch was a breathtaking one. Even Sooyoung was taken aback. We settled in our seats and happily started to eat and chat. Yuri told us funny stories from her childhood and we shared ours as well. I had to laugh at myself for being foolish for a moment. Yuri was a good person and a wonderful friend. I could trust her.
"My my. I didn't know we had visitors!" Mrs. Kwon said, appearing at screen door that led to the garden. We stood up to greet her and Yuri gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"How was your meeting, Mom?" Yuri asked, picking at her chicken and feeding it to her mother (which she took without second thought. Sooyoung and I smiled.)
"Oh I decided to bring it here." She motioned for someone inside and my insides turned icy in the moment I realized who it was. Sooyoung reached out for my hand and Yeonhee shot me a surprised and worried glance. I held my breath.
"Ladies... Yuri, this is Mrs. Shim - Changmin's mother and your future mother-in-law. She arrived from Japan earlier today to discuss the wedding plans."
Yuri stood up and bowed gracefully. Mrs. Shim did the same, and extended her hand to shake hers. Then her eyes were turned on me, and it rose slightly. I stood up to bow as well, but I was so nervous that I think it seemed just a bit shaky.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Shim... it's been a while." I greeted, my eyes cast down afraid.
"It certainly has... Yoona-shii, correct?" I nodded. "You look quite well now than when you were a few years back."
"She's very pretty, isn't she?" Yuri piped in, grinning from ear to ear. I was surprised, and prayed Mrs. Shim wouldn't take it in the wrong way. "I think she's beautiful and she's a really good friend to me too."
"Yes, she is quite attractive," Mrs. Shim said, smiling slightly down at Yuri. Her eyes went back on me and I could feel chills run down my spine.
Mrs. Kwon's hand on my shoulder was warm and comforting, snapping me out of my stupor. She looked at me with a smile on her face. "I'm afraid I have to ask you for another favor, Yoona-shii. Would it be alright?"
I nodded, smiling weakly. "Of course, Mrs. Kwon. What's the occasion?"
She smiled, looking at Yuri and rubbing her daughter's arm adoringly. "Well, my daughter's wedding reception of course."
I stiffened.
"I met with Mrs. Shim today to finalize the arrangements. The food for the reception was the only thing we couldn't agree on and I suggested having your business run it again. Would that we alright, if it's such short notice?"
I could tell Sooyoung, Yeonhee and even Yuri's eyes were on me because they had stopped talking. All of them I could feel were apologetic and sad. I could feel Mrs. Shim's eyes on me too and I felt my insides grow heavy.
You're strong, Yoona. Come on. You can take this.
I cleared my throat and waved it off, smiling brightly for Mrs. Kwon.
"I would be delighted to extend my business' service."
Mrs. Shim smiled, looking at me with her sharp eyes. She extended her hand and shook my hand this time. Her hand was surprisingly warm.
"Good. Because the wedding is a month from now."
And time stopped.
+ + +
"What do I owe this pleasure, Mother?" I said sarcastically, opening the door in disdain when I realized who it was standing there.
"I believe I didn't raise you to talk to your elders in that tone, Changmin," my mother replied, smirking at me as she stepped inside my apartment. I shook my head and walked back to my office. She followed and watched me as I began to read reports from the firm I worked for in Japan.
"The arrangements for your wedding with Yuri is under way."
I didn't reply.
"This marriage will be mean very well for your father's business, Changmin. And she's quite beautiful... Yuri. Charming too. You'll learn to love her... eventually."
I made a strangled sound of disgust but she ignored me and continued:
"Im Yoona... the girl you introduced to your father and I at your 20th birthday was there at the Kwon's home today. She had catering business."
I stiffened, the beating of my heart increasing several beats at a time. I breathed deeply. "Yes, she does. She runs it with Kibum."
"Wasn't she your girlfriend?"
I shook my head, looking straight into my mother's sharp gaze. "No. We were just friends."
"I see. Nevertheless, she grew up quite nicely."
I nod curtly, trying to look indifferent. Casual. "I suppose."
My mother gave me an indescribable look and sighed. I turned back to my work - trying my best to ignore her and keep the thumping of my heart at bay.
"Working hard?" she said, eyeing my desk and the bundle of paper and folders on top of it.
I swirled a pen inside my mouth and nodded, not bothering to look up and answer her.
She moved slowly; first laying her coat on an empty chair before walking very slowly behind my chair, her heels clicking on the floor. She looked at my desk and made a sound. I stopped reading, setting the paper down. With two hands on my desk, I sighed and looked at her expectantly. I knew she knew I was waiting for her to speak but ignored me and continued to study my desk and my office.
"What is it?"
"You also grew up well, Changmin."
I nodded. "Yes."
"I did quite a good job, don't you think?"
Huh. "I suppose." I said, shaking my head and returning to my work. I heard where this one lead to before.
"You are a very mature, handsome and intelligent capable young man. Working as a junior associate in a top firm in Japan after only two years. You are every bit the perfect son."
But -- Of course, there is always a but.
"But--" I started to feel angry. There it was. "--You're not happy."
There it was not. I looked at her confused and she smiled delicately, moving gracefully behind my chair. She put two hands on my shoulders and gave them a soft squeeze, warmth and comfort relaxing them and reminded me of better days in my childhood. I forgot how warm her hands were.
"You're not happy, Changmin. And I believe it is my fault."
I shook my head. "I'm content, Mother. That is enough."
She squeezed again, almost hugging me.
"No, it is not," she whispered, letting go of my shoulders and stepping away from my chair and my desk. She took her coat and started to walk out the door. "I am going now to rest. I'll see you in the morning. We should have breakfast."
I stood up, feeling angry and attacked. I tried to keep my tone even. "Mother. What is this about?"
Mother turned to me, a small smile on her face. She walked back and peered at my desk again before tapping a small frame I had at the end of it. My gaze followed and was surprised. It was a picture of Yoona and me (and Kibum actually, but he had left before this last shot was taken) from a digital photo stall. The picture had us looking at each other (I was attempting to make a funny face and she was laughing at me) and smiling - our faces I realized looked relaxed and... happy.
I looked back up at my mother, confused. She smiled again, pulling me into a soft hug. I let her, surprised and uneasy.
"Your heart is in the right place, my son. Use it."
My stomach twisted in knots when her words finally began to make perfect sense.
God, even my mother knows.
"Your happiness is important to me, Changmin..." she trailed off, letting me go and turning back to leave. She stopped mid-step from the door and looked back at me one last time.
"The question is...would you be willing to take it?"
Comments? :)