AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 30

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

They exit the restaurant in Namyanju just as the last traces of twilight vanish over the hills beyond the Han River. Hyung-Chul heads west on the Gangbyeonbuk Expressway, back to Seoul.

 

Inside the car, an uneasy silence stretches between Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi. She distracts herself looking out the window, her heart heavy with dread. The thought of saying goodbye at her gate -- where so many memories linger -- feels unbearable.

 

Construction snarls traffic on the Yeongdong Bridge, so Hyung-Chul detours to the Seongsu Bridge. The Han River glimmers beneath them as they cross into Gangnam. They soon turn onto Apgujeong-ro.

 

The Galleria Department Store looms ahead, jogging Hyung-Chul's thoughts to the ring in his pocket.

 

Just minutes away from her home, Sun-Mi finally turns to him, her voice quiet, restrained. "Let me out here. I don't want to say goodbye at my gate."

 

Hyung-Chul glances at her, surprised -- he had not expected this, for them to part so suddenly. But he slows the car and pulls over at the next crosswalk, flicking on the hazard flashers.

 

He turns to Sun-Mi with a flicker of hope, searching her face for something -- anything -- that shows she still wants him. But she looks away, afraid her composure will shatter in front of him.

 

"I'm grateful to you," she begins slowly, each word carefully chosen, rehearsed for this moment. "In spite of the unreasonable things I said and did, you never gave up on me... Tomorrow... please don't see me off. I don't want you to watch me leave."

 

She pauses, glancing at Hyung-Chul, but his face is unreadable.

 

"I have to do this -- right now -- or I won't be able to. In London, I'll find my own way. Thank you, for everything you've done..."

 

A sad smile flickers. "Goodbye, Senior."

 

Hyung-Chul watches as Sun-Mi unbuckles and steps out of the car. -- What can he do, but let her go?

 

She stands at the curb, waiting for the signal to change. The irony stings. They met at a crosswalk. Now they part at one.

 

 

The "Walk" signal lights.

 

Sun-Mi takes a deep breath. Starts off slowly across the street, her steps slow, deliberate. Hyung-Chul watches her intently, snapping his last pictures with his eyes.

 

Sun-Mi blinks back tears, determined not to crumble until she is out of his sight.

 

 

Hyung-Chul grips the wheel, knuckles white. The sudden change had interfered with his plans. He deliberates his next step. Sun-Mi is almost halfway across. He has only seconds. -- Does he follow through now? Or hope for a better opportunity that may never come?

 

 

With a few more steps, she reaches the center of the crosswalk. Her back is to him now, her face hidden from his sight.

 

Finally, he acts. He throws open the door and stands. Calls her name loudly. "Sun-Mi!"

 

Sun-Mi stops, startled. Turns. Her face is a canvas of confusion and hope.

 

Hyung-Chul reaches her with a few bounding steps. He pauses to catch his breath.

 

Her brow knits as she waits.

 

"I have to do this -- right now -- or I won't be able to," he echoes her words.

 

 

Hyung-Chul gently takes Sun-Mi's left hand.

 

Her eyes move down to their hands, now joined together. Her breath catches. A familiar flutter -- those butterflies -- rise again.

 

From his pocket, Hyung-Chul produces the ring. It slides easily onto Sun-Mi's finger, as if it had always belonged.

 

She stares at it with disbelief -- Why here? Why now?

 

The practiced words vanish from Hyung-Chul's mind. He simply croaks out breathlessly, "Sun-Mi, will you... marry me?"

 

Sun-Mi's mind races, the thoughts jumbled. -- What about his betrothal to Joo-Hee? MBS? London? Her desire for more independence?

 

Hyung-Chul gazes deeply into her eyes. "Don't go... without me. Wherever you are, I want to be with you. For the rest of my life."

 

Sun-Mi is speechless. It feels like a scene from a TV drama. But the warmth of his hand, the sincerity in his gaze, the ring on her finger—all of it is real.

 

Tears spill down her cheeks. A smile trembles on her lips. Joy floods her heart.

 

Unable to speak, she nods.

 

"Sun-Mi, I love you."

 

Long seconds pass, the street fading as they gaze into each other's eyes.

 

Their lips meet -- tentative, electric. The kiss lingers. Her office tote drops from her hand, landing with a dull thud.

 

They break apart, briefly, breathless. Her hands find his shoulders. His arms encircle her waist. Their second kiss is deeper, fiercer. Their passions ignite, overwhelming any remaining reservations from being a public spectacle.

 

 

The light changes. Traffic surges forward, passing dangerously close. Blaring horns and angry shouts warn the oblivious couple. On the sidewalks, pedestrians stop, watching the unusual scene unfold. Some look for hidden cameras, suspecting one of those candid programs that catch people off guard.

 

But Sun-Mi hears none of it.

 

The arms holding her close, the lips pressed eagerly to hers, the sensations sizzling through her body -- these consume every sense. This man -- this kiss -- is her whole world at this moment.

 

Then, as in the TV dramas that fostered her youthful dreams, her world begins to spin.

 

This, she knows, must be love. True Love.