Without You - Part 8
“I see.. well, do you mind if I invite you to CNBlue chat group? You know, just so that we can update things easier.”
I stared at him. That sounded like a strange offer, but I didn’t really mind.
“I’m fine with that.”
“And with this, we are ready to launch Grow’s single in two weeks,” I said to my CEO.
“Great,” he said, smiling brightly. “Is it only me or did you get a lot more cheerful this past week?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, you used to look grumpy every time I gave you extra tasks like this,” he said. “You used to even mumble ‘And who is the CEO?’ right in front of my face.”
It’s true that I felt good this past week, but if I told him the reason he wouldn’t stop asking for more. He was nosy about my private lives.
“Well, I am just thinking that if you want me to be the future CEO then I need to learn to enjoy this anytime soon.”
“That’s the spirit!” he smiled even wider. “I can’t wait for my days to be an owner so I can just sit down and see my savings account going up while you are working.”
“You’re not even that old, you know,”
“I know, but all the works made me feel old.”
I sighed.
“Okay then, if you don’t have anything else to say, I’m gonna go out to have my lunch.” I said, standing up.
“So busy, this future CEO.” He said, half chuckling. “Go, have your lunch.”
“I will. See you,”
And with that I closed the door.
Ping!
CNBlue chat group notification. Since when did I automatically smile just to see it?
I just met the caterer and the manager gave me some menu options. When will we meet again?
It’s Seohyun.
Tonight? Do you have time?
“Whoa, hyung. I just knew that you’re a fast typer.”
“Omo!” I looked at my right side and I saw Jonghyun’s face right beside mine. “Yah, how could you just come like that?!”
“It was you who asked me to wait here for a lunch together.”
“But you shouldn’t peek at my phone!”
“I’m in the group too, for God sake.” he shook his head and walked in front of me.
I should just let him off this time. I looked at my phone screen again and I saw a reply. It was a yes.
“You know what, Hyung? I’m actually happy to see you like this. It’s just that I thought this kind of reaction should’ve been caused by a girl you’re actually marrying.”
That thought came up every once in a while. I tried to shrug it off but he kept reminding me all the time.
“I know, Jonghyun-ah. I know.”
***
“I’m home!” I said by the time I got in to the house. It was usually empty, but today Omma came.
“Oh, Yonghwa!”
I heard quick steps from the kitchen and in no time I could see my mom approaching me. I walked to her and gave her a warm hug.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“I’m better because I see you now,” I said.
We were still in a hug until Omma said. “Oh, Jonghyun, Minhyuk, Jungshin!”
She released the hug and went to the three guys. “Come, give Omma a hug!”
They happily hugged her back. It was always like this. She loved them like her own children, and so did their moms to me.
“I’m cooking, Yonghwa-yah.” She said. “By the way, it’s so rare to see you here before evening. You didn’t even come back to the dorm. What’s the occasion?”
“You haven’t told Omma?” Minhyuk whispered.
I just shook my head.
He rolled his eyes and gave me a long sigh.
*
“So… that’s the story.”
I was looking at Omma’s expression carefully and I didn’t find significant changes in them.
But now she was staring at me and I was confused.
“Seohyun accepted just like that?” she asked.
“Yes. I asked her not to, but she said it was okay.”
“Did she tell you the reason why she accepted this?”
“Mmmm… she said, if she was in Hee Young’s place, she might have done the same thing. She didn’t want her career to collapse, too.” I said.
She stared at me again.
“Did you think about what I told you last time?” she said.
Now it was my turn to be silent.
“I guess you choose to be all manly and just keep your promises, don’t you?”
I couldn’t answer to that.
She sighed.
“Well, I also think that promises are meant to be kept, but lifetime choices should be taken very seriously.” She said. “I didn’t raise you to be all logical as a man. Feelings are for all humans, and there is no reason for a man to hide them just because it doesn’t generally depict how a man should act.”
I could only look at the table in front of me.
“And for this, Yonghwa.” She continued. “It’s your loss.”
*
Just like three meetings ago, tonight we would also see each other at my house. The problem was, I forgot to tell Seohyun that my mother was home. I felt bad when I saw her surprised face when she saw Omma opening the door. But I was even more surprised that my mom hugged her as a greeting. And there was no ‘Hello’ or ‘Nice to see you again’. It was ‘I’ve been missing you’.
So while I was standing behind Omma who was hugging her, I saw her shocked face. I decided to say something so she could respond.
“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. Omma is here,” I tried to smile.
She looked at me, still opening her mouth, but then after two split seconds she said, “It’s okay.”
She hugged my mom back and said, “I miss you too, Omoni.”
“Let’s come in, Seohyun-ah. I’ve cooked a lot for today.”
And with that I saw them got in to the living room, leaving me with still an open door.
*
By the time they sat together in the sofa, they had been chatting about just everything. At first I saw Seohyun a little bit stiff, but after some minutes she looked naturally happy. It was really as if they met every day. If this went on, I was afraid that we would have to wait for another hour. That was definitely not good for my starving stomach.
I was going to ask my dongsaengs for help, but they were busy munching the snacks my mom brought from home. It was hopeless.
“Omma?” I finally said.
“Ne, Yonghwa?” she answered in a middle of a laughter.
“I am a little hungry. Shall we continue the conversation on the dining table?” I smiled.
“Oh, right! It’s dinner time!” she said. Standing up, she continued, “Let’s go, Seohyun-ah. You must be hungry, too.”
She dragged her wrist but she almost came back to take her bags.
“Let me just take it,” I said.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
*
In the dining room, we finally talked about the wedding preparations while having dinner. My mom was quieter than she previously was, but we managed to talk about the important things.
I ate my last rice on the bowl and said, “I’m good with that. What else do you have to do next?”
“I’ll go to look for the wedding dress tomorrow.” She said.
“You will?” Omma asked.
“Ne, Omoni. I’ve talked to Hee Young and it seems that it’s not a good idea for her to come out and look for the dress herself. She found paparazzi outside her house and she can’t even come out to the doctor as of now. So I asked for her measurements and it turned out that our sizes match. The only difference is I am just a few centimeters taller. With that, I’ll try the dresses on and send the pictures to her so she can choose.” She said.
“You trying on wedding dresses will mean highlights in the next day’s news.” Jungshin said.
“I can imagine some titles. ‘Seohyun is getting married to a mysterious man’,” Minhyuk said. “Or is it ‘imaginary man’?”
She pouted to Minhyuk and answered, “Well thank you for pointing that out. Marriage and a man are unfortunately still in my imagination for now.”
I was so near to step on Minhyuk’s foot if only Jonghyun didn’t tap my arm.
“But, I’ve found a perfect place to avoid those highlights.” She continued.
“Really?” Jonghyun asked with an unsure tone.
“Our stylist has always dreamed of having a boutique for wedding dresses. Ever since we started working together years ago, she has been saving both money and designs for her dream. A few months ago, she finally found a place for the boutique but she is still decorating for now. Even so, it is already loaded with many dresses and they are very gorgeous. I told her about our problem and she is willing to help. She is very trustworthy, too.” she said.
“Well, so far it seems like the heavens made everything easy for your wedding to proceed,” Jonghyun said.
“Can I go with you?” Omoni said.
Seohyun almost choked her last bite. But she still answered, “Ne?”
“I can go with you before coming back to Busan tomorrow evening. Can I?” she smiled, asking her.
That didn’t sound like a good idea.
“Omma…” I started to say something.
“Why, Yonghwa? Can’t I see it? You haven’t introduced me to your fiancé, and now just to see her wedding dress you won’t let me?” she said.
“It’s not like that, Omma…”
“So?”
“It’s just…”
I couldn’t answer, really. I was waiting for the other three guys to help me, but they looked just as clueless.
“I think it’s okay, Omoni.” Seohyun answered.
“Hyun…”
“It’s okay, Oppa. Why not, right?” she said, smiling.
I saw the stares of the two women in front of me. One was friendly, the other was demanding. Who am I to resist?
“Okay, okay…”
***
I was happy to see Omoni again, and I didn’t feel hurt too much when I realized that now was really the time to stop thinking that she might be my mother in law in the future. I started to accept that her kindness to me was no different than the love she gave for Minhyuk and Jungshin. But when she said she wanted to come for the wedding dress fitting, my heart was squeezed again. A bit more than I thought it should.
Here I was, waiting for Omoni to come in Soo Kyung unnie’s unfinished boutique. The design was bright yet vintage, and it was stunning. I never thought bright and vintage could go along well together, but she was able to pull off that feeling in the boutique. It looked cheerful yet classy, I thought it clearly depicted the image of wedding and marriage-happiness and everlasting.
“Do you want to see the dresses first?” Soo Kyung unnie’s voice awakened me.
“No, unnie. I’ll just wait for Omoni to come first.” I said. “By the way, this place is amazing. Brides are going to love this.”
“Amen to that.” she smiled.
“If only I am not who I am, we can come together and still not make any fuss. I hate to always come everywhere with people separated just to avoid news.”
“I’m sure you’ll regret being the person you’re not now. Be grateful, Seohyun-ah.”
Before I answered anything, my phone rang. I took it quickly.
“Ne, Omoni?”
“Seohyun-ah, I’m in front of the stairs. Are you up there?”
“Ne, Omoni. I’ll go down to see you.”
“No, no. Stay. I’ll be there right away.”
She hung up the phone, but I still went downstairs.
By the time Omoni saw the place, she was speechless. She didn’t even get to say a ‘Wow’. She just covered her mouth and looked around the place, walking around to touch things.
“See, unnie? Even Omoni is impressed.” I said, smiling.
Omoni suddenly stopped her step and looked at Soo Kyung unnie. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should’ve greeted you first.”
“It’s okay.” she smiled, and bowed. “I’m sorry, how should I call you?”
“Just call me Omoni, it’s fine.” She said.
“Ne, Omoni,” she bowed once again before extended her hand. “I am Seo Soo Kyung. You are my first customer, I am really honored to be of service.”
Omoni took her hand warmly, and said, “Aigoo.. Please don’t be too formal. This is also the first time for me to look for wedding dresses again since my own wedding.”
Three of us chuckled.
“So, shall we look at the dresses?” she smiled.
*
We tried lots of wedding dresses. The feeling was awkward. It was mainly because I felt happy at first every time I looked at myself in the mirror, but by the time I finished trying it on, getting praises from Omoni and Soo Kyung unnie and it was time to send the pictures, I realized that this was not for my wedding. It was like I felt flying in the air while I was actually just falling.
At the very last dress, Omoni couldn’t stop saying that it was very beautiful. I agreed to it, too. It was a pure white silk dress, on the bottom it was covered by soft layers of tulle and the top part had embroidery and Swarovski details. The arm and some parts around the chest and back were transparent but still embroidered. It showed off an elegant silhouette of the body, looked feminine and classic. I didn’t have any dream wedding dress design, but this looked perfect. Then again, it was not my wedding.
I finished sending all of the pictures to Hee Young and while waiting for her response, I thought I should just change. So I stood up from the comfortable sofa and walked to the changing room.
“Wait, Seohyun-ah!”
“Ne?”
I looked at my back and heard a snap sound. I just realized that Omoni took a my photo.
“Omoni?”
“Stand in front of the mirror again, I wanted to show my husband and Daehyun how you look in that wedding dress.”
“But, Omoni…”
“Please?”
I couldn’t resist to that. So I just stood in front of the mirror again and tried to smile.
“Beautiful…” she said. “Now I wanted to take another picture.”
She walked to me and stood beside me. She adjusted the camera and put it in front of our faces. She got closer and said, “Let’s take a selca,”
“Ne?”
“Just think of me as a fan. I always wanted to take a photo with you. I promise I won’t brag this to my friends,” she said. “One, two…”
Snap.
I managed to smile. I managed to smile because I saw our image on the screen before it was captured. It was beautiful, Omoni was very beautiful. And she reminded me of someone I sadly was still in love with.
***
“Wait a minute.” I said in the middle of a conversation with a producer. It was a message from Omma.
Wait. It was an image. It was Seohyun from the back view, her head tilted back. The expression showed that she didn’t know the photographer would take her picture. There came another message from Omma.
Look at how beautiful this girl is.
There was a picture with that comment. It was Seohyun’s view from top to toe in a very beautiful wedding dress. The image was different from her in wedding dress years ago when we were on that show. Now she was… stunning.
Omma sent another message.
Now it’s time to see two women that you love the most. Don’t say no, you know it’s true.
It was Omma’s selca with Seohyun.
My fingers moved by itself. A few seconds later, the picture had become my phone wallpaper.
***
The wedding dress fitting was done within several hours. That day I had no other schedule, so Omma asked me to come to CNBlue dorm with her to spend more time together before she came back. I agreed after knowing that no one was home and she just came to put some side dishes in the fridge. I planned to come to the dorm too anyway. This time we just went out together, with me changing my clothes and wore that short hair wig.
When we got there, there was a woman who was carrying a baby greeted us. It seemed like she knew Omoni, they were chatting right away but I just bowed.
“I’m really sorry but I really need to go out to the convenient store to buy some milk but nobody’s home. I wanted to take the baby but she was unwell. Do you mind to take care of her for just a little while?” she said after some minutes.
“Oh my… Of course you can trust her to me.” Omoni said.
“Thank you. But wait a minute, I’ll bring her necessities for you. You know, just in case,” she said, walking inside her apartment. “Would you please hold her for a second?”
“Sure,” Omoni answered, taking the baby to her arms.
When she was inside, Omoni said, “She’s a neighbor next to the guys’ dorm. We once met in a convenient store near here and when we got home we just realized that we went to the exact same direction. She has been my friend ever since. The mother of this baby-her daughter-passed away when she gave birth to her, while the father needed to work every day. She can’t trust baby sitter so she decided to just take care of her granddaughter all by herself. She is a great woman,”
My eyes got teary while looking at the baby, and when I was about to say something, the woman returned.
“Everything you’ll need is in the bag. I’ll come back very soon,” she said.
Omoni took the bag and said, “I know. No need to rush, she’ll be fine with me,”
“I know. Thank you!” she said, walking to the elevator.
“Let me take the bag for you, Omoni.” I said.
“Oh, thank you.”
After that she typed in the password and the door opened. We both got in and I put the bag on the nearest sofa.
“Seohyun-ah, do you mind holding the baby for a little while? I’ll just put the food in the fridge real fast,”
“Ne?”
She gave me the baby and I suddenly had her in my arms. She was so cute, and she was looking at me. I was afraid that she would cry, but nothing happened. So I just smiled and took her walking around a little bit.
Holding a baby always gave off a peaceful feeling. Always. I always took more time to hold my cousin’s baby every time we met, because somehow the baby radiated positive aura and it was as if my energy was recharged really fast. For someone single and heartbroken like me, I wished it was not too weird to dream of having a baby on my own. I honestly wanted to have my first baby before 30, but the problem was I couldn’t even look for a prospective father.
I tried to speak with the baby and waited for her response. After a while, she seemed to be interested in a button on my blouse, because she kept holding it. She also pulled it as if she wanted to take it to her grasp. She was so cute that I was thinking to just take her to the dorm and showed her to my unnies.
While pulling the button, her eyelids were starting to droop. She must be sleepy. So I started to sing her a lullaby, and she fell asleep just in a few minutes. I kissed her forehead and just continue singing.
I walked to Omoni’s direction and said, “She’s sleeping, Omoni.”
“Oh, really?” she said, still doing something in the kitchen. “She must feel comfortable in your arms,”
“I feel comfortable holding her,” I said.
After that I just sat down looking at her. I couldn’t stop smiling. The baby was amazing.
Not so long after, Omoni sat beside me and peeked at the baby.
“It’s sad for her not to have a mother in such a young age,” she said.
“It is,” I said, not taking my eyes off of her.
“But her father is very kind. He is always busy but she always gets his time in weekends and everyday in the evening.” Omoni continued. “Wait, why don’t I introduce you to him?”
I chuckled. “You don’t have to, Omoni. I’m fine like this for now.”
She just smiled to my answer.
We were both just staring at the baby when suddenly the door clicked.
It was Yonghwa Oppa. Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be working?
“Oh, you’re here?” Omoni said.
“Ne,” he said. “Oh, Hyun?”
“I’m sorry, Omoni asked me to come with her but I plan to come back to the dorm,” I said.
“It’s okay, just stay here for a while.” He said. “Is she the neighbor’s baby?”
“She is. Her grandmother asked me to take care of her for a little while,” Omoni answered.
“I see…” he said, walking closer to us. “She’s sleeping?”
“Ne.” I said.
He was looking at the baby, and said, “May I hold her?”
“You might wake her, Yonghwa-yah,” Omoni said.
“No, Omma. I’ll be careful.” He insisted. “Give her to me, Hyun-ah,”
I didn’t know that he liked kids. Maybe it’s because he was going to be a father soon.
I carefully moved the baby to his arms. She was shaken a little bit, but she still slept soundly. I saw Yonghwa Oppa smiling.
It was a beautiful picture. Yonghwa Oppa and a baby.
Ding dong!
“Ah, I think it’s her grandmother.” Omoni said, standing up and walked to the door.
“I haven’t even held her for a minute,” Yonghwa oppa said.
“She’s your neighbor, there will be some other time,” I said.
“Right,” he smiled, still looking at the baby.
“You’ll be a good father,” I said out of the blue.
“How do you know?” he asked, looking back at me.
“I don’t know. Looking at you holding the baby, it just gives off that feeling,” I said.
He smiled.
“Yeah, I hope so.” He said. “I’m just a little worried about parenthood,”
“Really?”
“Because the child is not mine.” He said.
“Sorry?”
“Hee Young’s child is not mine.” He repeated. “I’m not the father.”
(to be continued.)
Author's note:
Hello, everyone! It’s been a long long time….
So in this update you saw Yong’s mother and Hyun reunion (for you who thought it was between the two mothers, I’m sorry if my language in the previous update leads you to different meanings), Hyun in a wedding dress, and Hyun with a baby
I’m pretty sure that you’re glad with the fact that Yong is not a father yet
See you in the next update!
I stared at him. That sounded like a strange offer, but I didn’t really mind.
“I’m fine with that.”
“And with this, we are ready to launch Grow’s single in two weeks,” I said to my CEO.
“Great,” he said, smiling brightly. “Is it only me or did you get a lot more cheerful this past week?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, you used to look grumpy every time I gave you extra tasks like this,” he said. “You used to even mumble ‘And who is the CEO?’ right in front of my face.”
It’s true that I felt good this past week, but if I told him the reason he wouldn’t stop asking for more. He was nosy about my private lives.
“Well, I am just thinking that if you want me to be the future CEO then I need to learn to enjoy this anytime soon.”
“That’s the spirit!” he smiled even wider. “I can’t wait for my days to be an owner so I can just sit down and see my savings account going up while you are working.”
“You’re not even that old, you know,”
“I know, but all the works made me feel old.”
I sighed.
“Okay then, if you don’t have anything else to say, I’m gonna go out to have my lunch.” I said, standing up.
“So busy, this future CEO.” He said, half chuckling. “Go, have your lunch.”
“I will. See you,”
And with that I closed the door.
Ping!
CNBlue chat group notification. Since when did I automatically smile just to see it?
I just met the caterer and the manager gave me some menu options. When will we meet again?
It’s Seohyun.
Tonight? Do you have time?
“Whoa, hyung. I just knew that you’re a fast typer.”
“Omo!” I looked at my right side and I saw Jonghyun’s face right beside mine. “Yah, how could you just come like that?!”
“It was you who asked me to wait here for a lunch together.”
“But you shouldn’t peek at my phone!”
“I’m in the group too, for God sake.” he shook his head and walked in front of me.
I should just let him off this time. I looked at my phone screen again and I saw a reply. It was a yes.
“You know what, Hyung? I’m actually happy to see you like this. It’s just that I thought this kind of reaction should’ve been caused by a girl you’re actually marrying.”
That thought came up every once in a while. I tried to shrug it off but he kept reminding me all the time.
“I know, Jonghyun-ah. I know.”
***
“I’m home!” I said by the time I got in to the house. It was usually empty, but today Omma came.
“Oh, Yonghwa!”
I heard quick steps from the kitchen and in no time I could see my mom approaching me. I walked to her and gave her a warm hug.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“I’m better because I see you now,” I said.
We were still in a hug until Omma said. “Oh, Jonghyun, Minhyuk, Jungshin!”
She released the hug and went to the three guys. “Come, give Omma a hug!”
They happily hugged her back. It was always like this. She loved them like her own children, and so did their moms to me.
“I’m cooking, Yonghwa-yah.” She said. “By the way, it’s so rare to see you here before evening. You didn’t even come back to the dorm. What’s the occasion?”
“You haven’t told Omma?” Minhyuk whispered.
I just shook my head.
He rolled his eyes and gave me a long sigh.
*
“So… that’s the story.”
I was looking at Omma’s expression carefully and I didn’t find significant changes in them.
But now she was staring at me and I was confused.
“Seohyun accepted just like that?” she asked.
“Yes. I asked her not to, but she said it was okay.”
“Did she tell you the reason why she accepted this?”
“Mmmm… she said, if she was in Hee Young’s place, she might have done the same thing. She didn’t want her career to collapse, too.” I said.
She stared at me again.
“Did you think about what I told you last time?” she said.
Now it was my turn to be silent.
“I guess you choose to be all manly and just keep your promises, don’t you?”
I couldn’t answer to that.
She sighed.
“Well, I also think that promises are meant to be kept, but lifetime choices should be taken very seriously.” She said. “I didn’t raise you to be all logical as a man. Feelings are for all humans, and there is no reason for a man to hide them just because it doesn’t generally depict how a man should act.”
I could only look at the table in front of me.
“And for this, Yonghwa.” She continued. “It’s your loss.”
*
Just like three meetings ago, tonight we would also see each other at my house. The problem was, I forgot to tell Seohyun that my mother was home. I felt bad when I saw her surprised face when she saw Omma opening the door. But I was even more surprised that my mom hugged her as a greeting. And there was no ‘Hello’ or ‘Nice to see you again’. It was ‘I’ve been missing you’.
So while I was standing behind Omma who was hugging her, I saw her shocked face. I decided to say something so she could respond.
“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you. Omma is here,” I tried to smile.
She looked at me, still opening her mouth, but then after two split seconds she said, “It’s okay.”
She hugged my mom back and said, “I miss you too, Omoni.”
“Let’s come in, Seohyun-ah. I’ve cooked a lot for today.”
And with that I saw them got in to the living room, leaving me with still an open door.
*
By the time they sat together in the sofa, they had been chatting about just everything. At first I saw Seohyun a little bit stiff, but after some minutes she looked naturally happy. It was really as if they met every day. If this went on, I was afraid that we would have to wait for another hour. That was definitely not good for my starving stomach.
I was going to ask my dongsaengs for help, but they were busy munching the snacks my mom brought from home. It was hopeless.
“Omma?” I finally said.
“Ne, Yonghwa?” she answered in a middle of a laughter.
“I am a little hungry. Shall we continue the conversation on the dining table?” I smiled.
“Oh, right! It’s dinner time!” she said. Standing up, she continued, “Let’s go, Seohyun-ah. You must be hungry, too.”
She dragged her wrist but she almost came back to take her bags.
“Let me just take it,” I said.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
*
In the dining room, we finally talked about the wedding preparations while having dinner. My mom was quieter than she previously was, but we managed to talk about the important things.
I ate my last rice on the bowl and said, “I’m good with that. What else do you have to do next?”
“I’ll go to look for the wedding dress tomorrow.” She said.
“You will?” Omma asked.
“Ne, Omoni. I’ve talked to Hee Young and it seems that it’s not a good idea for her to come out and look for the dress herself. She found paparazzi outside her house and she can’t even come out to the doctor as of now. So I asked for her measurements and it turned out that our sizes match. The only difference is I am just a few centimeters taller. With that, I’ll try the dresses on and send the pictures to her so she can choose.” She said.
“You trying on wedding dresses will mean highlights in the next day’s news.” Jungshin said.
“I can imagine some titles. ‘Seohyun is getting married to a mysterious man’,” Minhyuk said. “Or is it ‘imaginary man’?”
She pouted to Minhyuk and answered, “Well thank you for pointing that out. Marriage and a man are unfortunately still in my imagination for now.”
I was so near to step on Minhyuk’s foot if only Jonghyun didn’t tap my arm.
“But, I’ve found a perfect place to avoid those highlights.” She continued.
“Really?” Jonghyun asked with an unsure tone.
“Our stylist has always dreamed of having a boutique for wedding dresses. Ever since we started working together years ago, she has been saving both money and designs for her dream. A few months ago, she finally found a place for the boutique but she is still decorating for now. Even so, it is already loaded with many dresses and they are very gorgeous. I told her about our problem and she is willing to help. She is very trustworthy, too.” she said.
“Well, so far it seems like the heavens made everything easy for your wedding to proceed,” Jonghyun said.
“Can I go with you?” Omoni said.
Seohyun almost choked her last bite. But she still answered, “Ne?”
“I can go with you before coming back to Busan tomorrow evening. Can I?” she smiled, asking her.
That didn’t sound like a good idea.
“Omma…” I started to say something.
“Why, Yonghwa? Can’t I see it? You haven’t introduced me to your fiancé, and now just to see her wedding dress you won’t let me?” she said.
“It’s not like that, Omma…”
“So?”
“It’s just…”
I couldn’t answer, really. I was waiting for the other three guys to help me, but they looked just as clueless.
“I think it’s okay, Omoni.” Seohyun answered.
“Hyun…”
“It’s okay, Oppa. Why not, right?” she said, smiling.
I saw the stares of the two women in front of me. One was friendly, the other was demanding. Who am I to resist?
“Okay, okay…”
***
I was happy to see Omoni again, and I didn’t feel hurt too much when I realized that now was really the time to stop thinking that she might be my mother in law in the future. I started to accept that her kindness to me was no different than the love she gave for Minhyuk and Jungshin. But when she said she wanted to come for the wedding dress fitting, my heart was squeezed again. A bit more than I thought it should.
Here I was, waiting for Omoni to come in Soo Kyung unnie’s unfinished boutique. The design was bright yet vintage, and it was stunning. I never thought bright and vintage could go along well together, but she was able to pull off that feeling in the boutique. It looked cheerful yet classy, I thought it clearly depicted the image of wedding and marriage-happiness and everlasting.
“Do you want to see the dresses first?” Soo Kyung unnie’s voice awakened me.
“No, unnie. I’ll just wait for Omoni to come first.” I said. “By the way, this place is amazing. Brides are going to love this.”
“Amen to that.” she smiled.
“If only I am not who I am, we can come together and still not make any fuss. I hate to always come everywhere with people separated just to avoid news.”
“I’m sure you’ll regret being the person you’re not now. Be grateful, Seohyun-ah.”
Before I answered anything, my phone rang. I took it quickly.
“Ne, Omoni?”
“Seohyun-ah, I’m in front of the stairs. Are you up there?”
“Ne, Omoni. I’ll go down to see you.”
“No, no. Stay. I’ll be there right away.”
She hung up the phone, but I still went downstairs.
By the time Omoni saw the place, she was speechless. She didn’t even get to say a ‘Wow’. She just covered her mouth and looked around the place, walking around to touch things.
“See, unnie? Even Omoni is impressed.” I said, smiling.
Omoni suddenly stopped her step and looked at Soo Kyung unnie. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should’ve greeted you first.”
“It’s okay.” she smiled, and bowed. “I’m sorry, how should I call you?”
“Just call me Omoni, it’s fine.” She said.
“Ne, Omoni,” she bowed once again before extended her hand. “I am Seo Soo Kyung. You are my first customer, I am really honored to be of service.”
Omoni took her hand warmly, and said, “Aigoo.. Please don’t be too formal. This is also the first time for me to look for wedding dresses again since my own wedding.”
Three of us chuckled.
“So, shall we look at the dresses?” she smiled.
*
We tried lots of wedding dresses. The feeling was awkward. It was mainly because I felt happy at first every time I looked at myself in the mirror, but by the time I finished trying it on, getting praises from Omoni and Soo Kyung unnie and it was time to send the pictures, I realized that this was not for my wedding. It was like I felt flying in the air while I was actually just falling.
At the very last dress, Omoni couldn’t stop saying that it was very beautiful. I agreed to it, too. It was a pure white silk dress, on the bottom it was covered by soft layers of tulle and the top part had embroidery and Swarovski details. The arm and some parts around the chest and back were transparent but still embroidered. It showed off an elegant silhouette of the body, looked feminine and classic. I didn’t have any dream wedding dress design, but this looked perfect. Then again, it was not my wedding.
I finished sending all of the pictures to Hee Young and while waiting for her response, I thought I should just change. So I stood up from the comfortable sofa and walked to the changing room.
“Wait, Seohyun-ah!”
“Ne?”
I looked at my back and heard a snap sound. I just realized that Omoni took a my photo.
“Omoni?”
“Stand in front of the mirror again, I wanted to show my husband and Daehyun how you look in that wedding dress.”
“But, Omoni…”
“Please?”
I couldn’t resist to that. So I just stood in front of the mirror again and tried to smile.
“Beautiful…” she said. “Now I wanted to take another picture.”
She walked to me and stood beside me. She adjusted the camera and put it in front of our faces. She got closer and said, “Let’s take a selca,”
“Ne?”
“Just think of me as a fan. I always wanted to take a photo with you. I promise I won’t brag this to my friends,” she said. “One, two…”
Snap.
I managed to smile. I managed to smile because I saw our image on the screen before it was captured. It was beautiful, Omoni was very beautiful. And she reminded me of someone I sadly was still in love with.
***
“Wait a minute.” I said in the middle of a conversation with a producer. It was a message from Omma.
Wait. It was an image. It was Seohyun from the back view, her head tilted back. The expression showed that she didn’t know the photographer would take her picture. There came another message from Omma.
Look at how beautiful this girl is.
There was a picture with that comment. It was Seohyun’s view from top to toe in a very beautiful wedding dress. The image was different from her in wedding dress years ago when we were on that show. Now she was… stunning.
Omma sent another message.
Now it’s time to see two women that you love the most. Don’t say no, you know it’s true.
It was Omma’s selca with Seohyun.
My fingers moved by itself. A few seconds later, the picture had become my phone wallpaper.
***
The wedding dress fitting was done within several hours. That day I had no other schedule, so Omma asked me to come to CNBlue dorm with her to spend more time together before she came back. I agreed after knowing that no one was home and she just came to put some side dishes in the fridge. I planned to come to the dorm too anyway. This time we just went out together, with me changing my clothes and wore that short hair wig.
When we got there, there was a woman who was carrying a baby greeted us. It seemed like she knew Omoni, they were chatting right away but I just bowed.
“I’m really sorry but I really need to go out to the convenient store to buy some milk but nobody’s home. I wanted to take the baby but she was unwell. Do you mind to take care of her for just a little while?” she said after some minutes.
“Oh my… Of course you can trust her to me.” Omoni said.
“Thank you. But wait a minute, I’ll bring her necessities for you. You know, just in case,” she said, walking inside her apartment. “Would you please hold her for a second?”
“Sure,” Omoni answered, taking the baby to her arms.
When she was inside, Omoni said, “She’s a neighbor next to the guys’ dorm. We once met in a convenient store near here and when we got home we just realized that we went to the exact same direction. She has been my friend ever since. The mother of this baby-her daughter-passed away when she gave birth to her, while the father needed to work every day. She can’t trust baby sitter so she decided to just take care of her granddaughter all by herself. She is a great woman,”
My eyes got teary while looking at the baby, and when I was about to say something, the woman returned.
“Everything you’ll need is in the bag. I’ll come back very soon,” she said.
Omoni took the bag and said, “I know. No need to rush, she’ll be fine with me,”
“I know. Thank you!” she said, walking to the elevator.
“Let me take the bag for you, Omoni.” I said.
“Oh, thank you.”
After that she typed in the password and the door opened. We both got in and I put the bag on the nearest sofa.
“Seohyun-ah, do you mind holding the baby for a little while? I’ll just put the food in the fridge real fast,”
“Ne?”
She gave me the baby and I suddenly had her in my arms. She was so cute, and she was looking at me. I was afraid that she would cry, but nothing happened. So I just smiled and took her walking around a little bit.
Holding a baby always gave off a peaceful feeling. Always. I always took more time to hold my cousin’s baby every time we met, because somehow the baby radiated positive aura and it was as if my energy was recharged really fast. For someone single and heartbroken like me, I wished it was not too weird to dream of having a baby on my own. I honestly wanted to have my first baby before 30, but the problem was I couldn’t even look for a prospective father.
I tried to speak with the baby and waited for her response. After a while, she seemed to be interested in a button on my blouse, because she kept holding it. She also pulled it as if she wanted to take it to her grasp. She was so cute that I was thinking to just take her to the dorm and showed her to my unnies.
While pulling the button, her eyelids were starting to droop. She must be sleepy. So I started to sing her a lullaby, and she fell asleep just in a few minutes. I kissed her forehead and just continue singing.
I walked to Omoni’s direction and said, “She’s sleeping, Omoni.”
“Oh, really?” she said, still doing something in the kitchen. “She must feel comfortable in your arms,”
“I feel comfortable holding her,” I said.
After that I just sat down looking at her. I couldn’t stop smiling. The baby was amazing.
Not so long after, Omoni sat beside me and peeked at the baby.
“It’s sad for her not to have a mother in such a young age,” she said.
“It is,” I said, not taking my eyes off of her.
“But her father is very kind. He is always busy but she always gets his time in weekends and everyday in the evening.” Omoni continued. “Wait, why don’t I introduce you to him?”
I chuckled. “You don’t have to, Omoni. I’m fine like this for now.”
She just smiled to my answer.
We were both just staring at the baby when suddenly the door clicked.
It was Yonghwa Oppa. Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be working?
“Oh, you’re here?” Omoni said.
“Ne,” he said. “Oh, Hyun?”
“I’m sorry, Omoni asked me to come with her but I plan to come back to the dorm,” I said.
“It’s okay, just stay here for a while.” He said. “Is she the neighbor’s baby?”
“She is. Her grandmother asked me to take care of her for a little while,” Omoni answered.
“I see…” he said, walking closer to us. “She’s sleeping?”
“Ne.” I said.
He was looking at the baby, and said, “May I hold her?”
“You might wake her, Yonghwa-yah,” Omoni said.
“No, Omma. I’ll be careful.” He insisted. “Give her to me, Hyun-ah,”
I didn’t know that he liked kids. Maybe it’s because he was going to be a father soon.
I carefully moved the baby to his arms. She was shaken a little bit, but she still slept soundly. I saw Yonghwa Oppa smiling.
It was a beautiful picture. Yonghwa Oppa and a baby.
Ding dong!
“Ah, I think it’s her grandmother.” Omoni said, standing up and walked to the door.
“I haven’t even held her for a minute,” Yonghwa oppa said.
“She’s your neighbor, there will be some other time,” I said.
“Right,” he smiled, still looking at the baby.
“You’ll be a good father,” I said out of the blue.
“How do you know?” he asked, looking back at me.
“I don’t know. Looking at you holding the baby, it just gives off that feeling,” I said.
He smiled.
“Yeah, I hope so.” He said. “I’m just a little worried about parenthood,”
“Really?”
“Because the child is not mine.” He said.
“Sorry?”
“Hee Young’s child is not mine.” He repeated. “I’m not the father.”
(to be continued.)
Author's note:
Hello, everyone! It’s been a long long time….
So in this update you saw Yong’s mother and Hyun reunion (for you who thought it was between the two mothers, I’m sorry if my language in the previous update leads you to different meanings), Hyun in a wedding dress, and Hyun with a baby
I’m pretty sure that you’re glad with the fact that Yong is not a father yet
See you in the next update!