AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 01

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

After the stunning surprises at the wedding, followed by festive celebrations during the reception party held at Sun-Mi's Aunt's Arirang Restaurant in Soho, the limousine ride to the Thistle Tower Hotel in East London is quiet and subdued.

 

Sitting next to Hyung-Chul in the back seat, Sun-Mi reflects on her vows...

 

"Jin Sun-Mi, do you take Yoon Hyung-Chul for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part? ... I do."

 

Noting her wrinkled brow and tightly pressed lips, Hyung-Chul gently probes, "Your face is so solemn. What are you thinking about?"

 

"Here it is obedient..." she lightly taps her temple, " but not here..." she rests her palm over her heart.

 

Recalling Sun-Mi had expressed similar sentiments regarding her heartbreak over Kim Woo-Jin, worrisome questions immediately churn in Hyung-Chul's mind -- Why is she thinking about this now, on their wedding day? Is she already doubting his commitment to her? Or regretting that that she couldn't marry Woo-Jin instead?

 

"What do you mean?" he asks cautiously, girding himself for the worst of his suspicions. "Is it something I've said, or done?"

 

"It's not you, but me. My heart has vacillated for so long, am I really capable of keeping my vows?" Sun-Mi shares her concerns. "It's easy to say something, and even to believe what I said is true, but in the heat of the moment, my emotions take over..."

 

She looks at him anxiously, worry etched on her face. "So I've done and said many things I later regretted, because I thought I was right or I doubted you," she recalls the heated arguments, childish tantrums, and icy silent treatments she had subjected him to, "I even left you and went to another man," she rues. "How can I trust myself to be faithful and selfless for my whole life?"

 

"I was proud to boast that I believed in True Love and knew what it meant, but I was the worst person when it came to practicing it!" she derides her capriciousness. "All I cared about was my own happiness and fulfillment. I never asked what would give you happiness. What kind of girlfriend does that?"

 

Sun-Mi lowers her eyes remorsefully as tears run down her cheeks.

 

"And what kind of wife will such a foolish girlfriend make? I know I'm going to disappoint you! You must already be regretting it!"

 

 

Hyung-Chul reaches out and touches her trembling chin, raising it so she is looking into his eyes.

 

"You will never disappoint me," he promises, "and I will never regret marrying you, regardless of what happens."

 

He pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket and hands it to Sun-Mi.

 

As she daubs at her tears, Sun-Mi continues self-critically, "What do I know about being a good wife, or how to make my husband happy?"

 

 

Hyung-Chul takes her hand and squeezes it reassuringly, "It's simple. All you have to do is smile."

 

"Senior, you're joking me, right?"

 

"It's no joke," he affirms. "Your smiling face is the most beautiful. Seeing it always brings happiness to my heart."

 

 

Shortly, their limousine turns into the hotel drive and stops under the entrance canopy. Notified in advance of their pending arrival, the hotel manager is waiting to greet the couple and lead them inside. As Sun-Mi is still wearing her wedding dress, the newlyweds are the center of attention as they parade through the entrance and cross the lobby to the lifts.

 

 

For their wedding night, Hyung-Chul had reserved an executive suite. Finally alone, they stand together by the reception room's windows overlooking the Thames River, Sun-Mi marveling at the luxurious suite and the magnificent presence of London's iconic Tower Bridge outside.

 

"It's all so wonderful. This has been the best day of my life!" Sun-Mi gushes, her happiness bubbling over. "Thank you, Senior, for taking care of everything today." Then her brow creases. "But it must have all been terribly expensive. You didn't have to go to such extravagance for me -- I'd have been happy, too, with just a simple ceremony in the church and going back to our home tonight."

 

 

Beside her, Hyung-Chul focuses his attention instead on the radiant presence of his bride, transcendent in white -- like an angel from heaven -- still astounded that after all the years of waiting and hoping, she is actually his wife now.

 

"The look on your face when you saw the dress, and as you walked up the aisle on your father's arm amidst a field of roses, and as we came in here just now, those pictures I will always cherish," he replies, gazing at her lovingly. "You're the treasure of my life. I would give everything for my priceless pearl."

 

The first time Hyung-Chul had alluded to a pearl in conjunction with Sun-Mi was at her 25th birthday, when he had gifted to her the pearl and periodot anklet which she'd worn every day since. But he had never called her his 'priceless pearl' until now, and grateful tears wet her eyes.

 

"Am I really that important to you, Senior? I still can't fathom why," she questions, at the verge of turning on the spigots again.

 

"I'm not sure either," he jokes lightly, "If you ever find out, tell me."

 

They both laugh, averting Sun-Mi's pending deluge. then Hyung-Chul pops the cork of a bottle of champagne that was chilling nearby. He pours both flutes and hands one to her.

 

"To you, Mrs. Yoon Hyung-Chul," he toasts.

 

"To you, Senior," she responds.

 

They touch their glasses with a clink of crystal and tip them up, sharing contented smiles as they sip together, looking out at the view.

 

 

"What do you want to do now?" she asks when their flutes are almost empty. "It's too early to go to sleep just yet."

 

"I was thinking the same thing," he answers. "So I decided, first we have to make some changes."

 

"What kind of changes?"

 

"Are you going keep calling me 'Senior' forever? Isn't 'Husband' more appropriate now?"

 

"Why? I've always called you Senior from our first date in London, and it never bothered you before."

 

 

"Now that we're married, people will look at me funny if you say 'Senior' in front of them!" he complains.

 

"Since when did you become so afraid about what other people think?" she challenges him, holding up her hand with thumb and forefinger held close together, to show how small his courage is. "You're being a coward!"

 

"You're copying me!" he protests, remembering how he had done the same to her when suggesting they date publicly, after feting her at the MBS 20th anniversary celebration in front of their colleagues.

 

"Now you see what it feels like, how society is!" she chides.

 

"Regardless, I insist on 'Husband', and being my wife, you should respect my decision! he dictates, sticking stubbornly to his position.

 

"I thought marriage was based on mutual respect and compromise," Sun-Mi counters, moving closer to rest her hands on his shoulders as she looks up at him, doe eyed. "Marital harmony is most important, isn't it?"

 

"Certainly," he concurs, his rigid stance loosening under the spell of feminine persuasion.

 

"Every woman can call her spouse 'Husband', but my husband is special," she states, "You're not like any other man, so 'Husband' just seems too mundane."

 

The idea that Sun-Mi sees him as unique among men puffs up Hyung-Chul's ego, "Then, what do you suggest?"

 

"Most couples say 'Dear' or 'Old Man' or other terms to refer to their spouse," she posits, her voice dripping soothing honey, "And no one thinks that is unusual, right?"

 

 

Sun-Mi gazes at Hyung-Chul with admiration and anticipation, her sparkling eyes, ringed by long, dark lashes, captivating. He follows the delicate line of her nose down to her mouth, slightly pursed, the full, luscious lips parted invitingly to show two even rows of dazzling, pearl-white teeth. Her scent wafts into his nostrils, the heady perfume diverting his thoughts from their disagreement, enticing him to other, more tantalizing prospects.

 

"Of course," he agrees. "Everyone does that."

 

Sun-Mi's smile widens at his concession. "I knew you'd agree with me -- Senior!" she crows, her face lighting up jubilantly.

 

It takes Hyung-Chul's endorphin-dosed brain a full second to figure out he'd been had. "Hey, you tricked me, you little imp!" he calls her out.

 

Sun-Mi playfully sticks out her tongue, followed by a smug grin. "Senior is so smart, to know already he should listen to his wife!"

 

 

He laughs, blissful in their light-hearted exchange. "Okay, you win."

 

"No, WE win," Sun-Mi declares. "Like Father Kim pronounced -- What God has joined together, let no one separate -- whatever happens in our lives, happens to both of us -- for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer -- we win or lose together."

 

She leans into him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Now that's settled, is there anything else?" she wonders aloud. "Hmmm...?"

 

Hyung-Chul wraps his arms around Sun-Mi, embracing her tightly, murmuring into her ear, "I thought we could do this, for five minutes."

 

Her eyes flash disappointment as she grumbles, "What, a five-minute hug? Is that the best you could come up with?"

 

 

Five minutes later, Hyung-Chul sweeps Sun-Mi up off her feet into his arms, announcing, "That, my Dear, was just the beginning." Carrying her toward the bedroom, he promises, "The best is yet to come!"