AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 15

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

After church, they drove to ON River Station, a floating restaurant moored in the Han River off Apgujeong-dong. The Caf� & Restaurant on 2F served a brunch buffet, and Sun-Mi, having skipped breakfast in preparation of the pending feast, heaped her plate full with fresh seafood from the serving tables.

 

Their reservation was on the river side, and they watched the passing water traffic while indulging themselves with the delectable food and wine. Appetites sated, and more, Hyung-Chul found himself gazing, not at the scene outside the window, but at the face of his lovely bride-to-be.

 

 

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Sun-Mi asks when she notices his attention focused on her.

 

"You look beautiful."

 

"You always say that," she recalls the time they had dined at a table near this one, on the night she had invited Hyung-Chul to join her in celebrating her 25th birthday.

 

"Because it's true," he presses his point, speaking loudly enough so the diners at the next table turn to look. "You're the most beautiful woman in the world in my eyes."

 

"Senior, you're embarrassing me," Sun-Mi whispers, red-faced. "People are listening!"

 

"That's because I want them to hear," he insists, not letting up. "I'm proud to be with you!"

 

 

"What do you want to do for the wedding?" Sun-Mi abruptly changes to a subject not focused on her.

 

"I don't know, how about you?" he wisely defers.

 

"Well ... I've always imagined having a big wedding at a top hotel, like the Shilla, where the celebrities go," she enthusiastically shares her dream.

 

"Uh-huh. Anything else?" he prompts.

 

"My dress would be pure white, the fitted bodice and full skirt embellished with intricate beading and sparkling crystals. It would have a long, dramatic train, and a flowing veil of sheer tulle trimmed in lace and crowned with a circlet of delicate flowers, " she regales him with the details.

 

Picturing Sun-Mi resplendent in an elegant wedding dress, he nods agreeably.

 

"I'd have red roses, my favorite, for a bouquet. Then there'll be flowers everywhere, so the room has the fragrance of a garden. Daddy will walk me up the aisle to Wagner's 'Bridal Chorus'. And everyone would be there, to see me and celebrate my big day."

 

She sighs, "I want it to be the most wonderful and happiest day of my life."

 

"But aren't you forgetting something ... important?" he suggests with a puckish grin.

 

 

Sun-Mi's brow wrinkles as she puzzles, then her face brightens. "Oh, yes! I forgot. Now we'll have to do the ceremony in a Catholic church, and have the banquet later, in the hotel," she concludes. "What your mother wanted, right?"

 

He nods in agreement, "That's right. But I was thinking of something else."

 

"What's left?" she wonders aloud.

 

"I'd like it to be the happiest day of my life, too," Hyung-Chul hints with a wink.

 

 

Sun-Mi's cheeks flush. "I'm sorry! I didn't intend to make it all about me," she apologizes. "It will be the happiest day of both OUR lives, right?"

 

"And I hope to make each day after that happier than the day before," he vows, reaching over to squeeze her hand.

 

Tears of joy spring up in Sun-Mi's eyes. "Senior," she murmurs quietly, "I love you, so much."

 

Hyung-Chul gazes across the table, entranced, his heart swelling with joy at her devoted confession. "Me, too."

 

 

"Excuse me," their waitress interrupts, "is there anything else you want?"

 

"We're done," Hyung-Chul answers, releasing Sun-Mi's hand.

 

"I know this is a little out of line, but could I have your autograph, please, Announcer Jin?" the waitress asks Sun-Mi. "I listened to Musical Postcards all the time, and took your advice to heart concerning being patient with my boyfriend. Now we're engaged to marry."

 

Congratulations!" Sun-Mi enthuses with a wide smile. "What is your name?"

 

"Just make it to Han Su-Hee."

 

She provides a piece of paper, on which Sun-Mi scrawls a note and signs with a flourish and returns.

 

"Thank you! I can't wait 'til I tell all my friends that I served your table!" Su-Hee gushes as she leaves to settle their bill.

 

 

"You've become quite the celebrity," Hyung-Chul compliments her. "You should be used to the public looking and listening."

 

"People are fickle," Sun-Mi remarks. "Maybe tomorrow everyone will hate me."

 

"Whatever happens, I'll always be your Number Two fan," he declares his allegiance.

 

"Number Two?!" she exclaims. "Only to that level?"

 

"Isn't your father your Number One fan?" Hyung-Chul reminds her.

 

"Not once we marry," she smiles sweetly as she reaches over and places her hand in his. "Then that privilege is yours."

 

Her gesture warms his heart. "It's a big responsibility," he quips playfully, but his expression is solemn. "I hope I can do it half as well as he has."

 

"It's not about who does it better," she encourages him, "Just keep on doing as you are, that will be enough."