Chapter 18 - Maybe I'm in Love With You...

*Three Years Later*

People started coming in, filling up the hall where the wedding was going to take place soon. A series of congratulations were heard, either prompted towards the proud parents or towards the groom himself as they continued to greet their guests. It was going to be a grand celebration and even the groom himself was getting both nervous and excited. Just a few minutes before the wedding ceremony start, the groom excused himself and headed towards the flight of staircase which was usually used during emergency situations. On the way there, he had managed to grab hold of two of his friends with him.

Both friends were surprised with his actions but just followed him without any questions asked. The moment they reached the quiet stairs, the groom let out a loud sigh before burying his head into his hands, at the same time he was wiping his sweat which was dripping down the side of his face.

“Wae? You feeling nervous?” One of his friends asked with a smirk.

“Shut up.” The groom scowled before grinning. “Is this how you felt previously?”

“You bet.” His friend replied with a chuckle. “But don’t worry, after going through the ceremony, it was not so bad after all.”

“Sinchia? But what about the weird fainting spells that I heard Jieun mentioning about?” The other younger friend asked causing the first friend to scowl.

“If you know what’s best for you, then you better shut up.” The first friend gave a low growl.

“Relax hyung. I was just joking.” That younger friend raised his hands up and grinned.

“Onew, give him a break.” The groom said as he gave a light pat on his friend’s back.

“You give him too much face Yonghwa-yah. He needs to be taught a lesson once in a while.” Onew shot the younger man a dirty look.

“He doesn’t need to be taught a lesson.” Yonghwa said. “You’re just being a protective older brother that’s all. Just chill dude. They’ve been dating for three years already. You should get over it.”

Onew forced a grin. “Yah! I know! I’m just teasing him.”

“Yeah right. Whatever.” Yonghwa shook his head as he loosened the knot on his tie.

“Hey! Don’t do that. The wedding’s starting soon!” Onew exclaimed before pulling Yonghwa in front of him and fixing his friend’s tie properly.

“It’s choking me.” Yonghwa told him with a pout.

“Hyung, you’re acting like a baby.” Wooyoung told him with a sigh.

“You’d be acting like me when it’s you’re turn to stand on the altar!” Yonghwa told him with a glare.

“Alright! Enough fighting here. We should head out soon.” Onew said as he lightly pushed Yonghwa out of their hiding place. “Your parents must be looking for you already.”

“Onew, you’ll be there with me right?” Yonghwa turned to Onew while clutching his collar lightly.

“Aish! I’ll be by your side, don’t worry!” Onew lightly pushed Yonghwa’s cold hands down and straightened his collar. “I’m your best man. Just stay cool, ahrasso?”

“Ne.” Yonghwa nodded nervously.

Wooyoung looked at his two hyungs and grinned. Yonghwa’s before wedding reactions were almost similar to Onew’s. Onew had gotten married the year before to Hara and of course Wooyoung was there to witness every single detail of the wedding. He still remembered how Onew kept going to the toilet to calm himself down and how he almost fell unconscious a few times just before the wedding ceremony. Wooyoung and Yonghwa had a hard time trying to ease his nervousness away. But when he was there at the altar and saw his lovely bride walking down the aisle towards him, his nervousness immediately disappeared. Wooyoung still remembered how confident Onew was when he accepted Hara’s hand and brought her to stand with him at the altar. It was a wonderful sight.

“Hyung, at least you are not fainting like somebody I know.” Wooyoung whispered into Yonghwa’s ear with a soft chuckle. Yonghwa turned to look at his dongsaeng and grinned, knowing fully well who he was referring to.

“Let’s get you ready then!” Onew exclaimed as he rubbed both his hands together and grinned.

***

Seohyun smiled as she took a look at herself in the mirror. The wedding dress she was wearing looked perfectly good on her. She could not wait to let him see her in this wonderful gown. Today, he was the only person she wanted to impress. And could not wait to see him…

In a few minutes time, she would be walking down the aisle with her father by her side, towards him, the man whom she would be spending the rest of her life with. She had been waiting for this moment to come and she was glad that it finally did. After three whole years of dating, finally she was going to claim him as hers permanently.

“Yah! You should stop looking into the mirror already.” Seohyun turned to see Hara grinning towards her.

“Aish! I can look into the mirror for all I want.” Seohyun replied with a grin.

Hara laughed. “I know. I was like you previously.”

“Hey, how are you now? I heard from Onew that you are not feeling well.” Seohyun asked before standing next to her friend and held her shoulder lightly.

“It’s getting better actually.” Hara told her before grinning. “Especially now since I know the cause of the problem.”

“Ne? There’s a cause for it?” Seohyun raised an eyebrow. “And what would it be?”

“Hm, let’s say, a beautiful problem that will remain with me for the next eight months.” Hara raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

“Bo? You mean you’re, you’re…” Seohyun widened her eyes before creating large imaginary circles on her stomach using her hands. Hara just nodded shyly at her and soon both women were squealing before hugging each other tightly.

“This is great news Hara-yah!” Seohyun exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Of course you should. You are going to be my baby’s godmom.” Hara told her.

“Is Onew aware of it already?”

“Aniyo. I have to find a perfect momentum to tell him of the news.” Hara sighed. “Especially since he’s prone to fainting. You know that right?”

Seohyun nodded her head before laughing. “Who knows a tough and temperamental guy like him has this fainting spells attacking him whenever he’s nervous!”

“Oh! But he’s never nervous in the bedroom.” Hara smirked and Seohyun whined in disgust.

“Aigoo! How dirty can you get Hara!” Seohyun pouted.

“Yah! You’ll see how dirty you can get when you’re with Yonghwa tonight!” Hara teased.

The door of the waiting room opened to reveal Tony, Joori, Jieun and a little girl around the age of two in Tony’s arms. The three of them exclaimed happily to see Seohyun all dolled up nicely for the wedding ceremony.

“Aigoo! My future niece is looking so pretty!” Seohyun cooed the moment her eyes landed on Tony and Joori’s daughter, Hyerim.

“She chose the dress herself.” Joori said and all of them started laughing.

“Anyway, congratulations Seohyunnie!” Tony said with a large smile pasted on his lips. “Please take care of Yonghwa properly. He’s still a whiny kid who needs all the help he can get.”

“Ne oppa.” Seohyun grinned.

“Congratulations unnie. I hope you’ll be happy forever and ever and ever!” Jieun exclaimed before hugging Seohyun tightly.

“Thank you all of you.” Seohyun said with a tinge of sadness in her voice. All of them started coaxing her and told her to hold her tears until after the ceremony so as not to smear up her make-up. Seohyun nodded and soon they were called out to get ready for the ceremony.

***


Onew watched as Hara, who was the maid-of-honor for Seohyun, walked up the aisle with a wide smile. He caught her eye and gave her a wink which caused her to blush prettily. He noticed that she had this radiant look on her and he wondered why he had not noticed it before. He continued watching her as she stopped at the opposite side from where he was standing.

Then the wedding march started and soon Seohyun was seen entering the large hall with her father guiding her. They walked down the red carpet towards the altar where Yonghwa was loyally waiting. He had a loving smile on his lips as he watched in awe as his soon-to-be-wife neared him. Seohyun’s father placed her hand into Yonghwa’s waiting palm and left his place before giving Yonghwa a light pat on the shoulder.

Seohyun looked up shyly to see her handsome Yonghwa looking down at her. He pulled her up to the altar and both of them did their vows calmly. Before they knew it, they were giving sharing their first kiss as husband and wife. Seohyun finally allowed a lone tear to roll down her cheek, feeling the happiness seeping slowly inside her.

Both Seohyun and Yonghwa’s parents came running up to the altar to offer their most congratulations towards the married pair. Joori, Tony and their daughter joined them in the family exchange. Yonghwa went towards Tony to give him a brotherly hug whereas Seohyun and Joori had their fair share of hugs as well.

“Finally we are becoming sisters for real!” Joori squealed and hugged Seohyun tightly.

Along the side, Onew went towards Hara to give her a hug as well. The two of them were definitely still in love with each other even after almost two years of dating and a year with their bond in marriage. Hara loved Onew for who he was, the temperamental guy he would always be and Onew loved Hara for her feisty attitude and they both knew they were always fated to be together.

Hara grabbed Onew’s collar to give him a kiss and Onew complied willingly. It was not everyday that Hara would show her affection towards him in public. Then he felt her trailing her lips towards his ears. Onew bit his lips, trying his best to stop the moan from coming out of his lips.

“You’re going to be the most sexiest daddy ever…” Hara whispered into her husband’s ear and she felt him froze. Hara started to panic and pulled herself back to see Onew’s reaction. But he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. This time, it was Hara’s turn to freeze.

“So are you trying to tell me that we’ll be having our own little Hara or Onew soon?” Onew asked in a low whisper.

“Ne. Are you happy?” Hara asked a bit too unsurely.

Onew chuckled and rubbed his nose against her cheeks. “Of course I am. I’ve been hoping to hear this news from you since a few months ago. I’ve been trying hard you know.”

Hara pulled back from Onew’s embrace to see him winking at her slyly. She scowled. “So the monthly question of ‘are you having your period?’ is just to check if I was pregnant? Damn you Lee Jinki!”

“Ssh! Not so loud baby. People will look.” Onew grinned before planting a soft kiss on Hara’s lips to shut her up.

***

“Look at them, acting all cuddly like a newly-wed couple.” Jieun frowned as she watched the too loving exchange between her brother and her sister-in-law.

“Why? Are you jealous?” Wooyoung grinned as stood behind Jieun and hugged her firmly. He rested his head on top of her shoulder and sighed. “We could be like that too you know.”

“What do you mean?” Jieun turned her head to look at her boyfriend.

“Well, I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a while now.” Wooyoung said before shyly burying his face into Jieun’s shoulder.

“Yah! What are you saying?” Jieun turned around till and cupped Wooyoung’s blushing face in her hands.

“I-I… Oh God, how do I do this?” Wooyoung bit his lips, still smiling shyly.

“You are making me nervous Mr Jang Wooyoung.” Jieun pouted her lips as she placed her hands on her hips.

“I-I…” Wooyoung could not bring himself to ask that question to her. He was obviously nervous. Big time.

“Pali!” Jieun squealed. Deep inside her heart, she knew what he wanted to ask of her.

“Well, I-I…”

“Will friends of the bride and groom please come here and take a picture together with them?” Both Jieun and Wooyoung turned to see the photographer calling out to them.

Jieun sighed. “Later then…”

“Yup. Later.” Wooyoung nodded his head before pulling Jieun’s hand and headed towards the newly wed.

***

Yonghwa and Seohyun stood in the middle of the dance floor awkwardly. Then as soon as the slow music started, Yonghwa pulled Seohyun close to him and together they started to sway their body to the sweet music. A few seconds later, their friends entered the dance floor, dancing to the music together with them. Onew with Hara, Wooyoung with Jieun and finally Tony with Joori. Yonghwa and Seohyun looked at their friends and grinned wide. It was going to be a fun night and they were going to enjoy the moment together as the music continued to play the song ‘Maybe I’m in Love With You’…

Chagaun gaseumi eoneusae jogeumssik
Noga naeryeonna bwa niga deureowasseo
Geurigo nado mollae nae gaseumeul chaewosseo

Eonjenbuteoinga jibe doraomyeon
Neoreul tteoolligo inneun nae moseubeul
Bomyeonseo nae mam soge niga inneun geol arasseo

Maybe you’re the one
Maybe eojjeomyeon
Eojjeomyeon niga
Naega gidarin banjjogingeonji

Maybe it is true
Eonjena neomu
Gakkai isseoseo mollasseonnabwa
Baby I’m in love with you

Cheoeumen mollasseo naega neol ireoke
Tteoollige doel jul saranghage doel jul
Ni mamdo jebal ireon nae maeumgwa gatgireul

Maybe you’re the one
Maybe eojjeomyeon
Eojjeomyeon niga
Naega gidarin banjjogingeonji

Maybe it is true
Eonjena neomu
Gakkai isseoseo mollasseonnabwa
Baby I’m in love with you

Neomu neutjin anhatgil
Ijeya kkaedareun nae mam badajugil
Neutge aratjiman ijeya aratjiman
I maeumeun jeoldae heundeulliji anha

Maybe you’re the one
Maybe eojjeomyeon (Maybe)
Eojjeomyeon niga (niga)
Naega gidarin banjjogingeonji

Maybe it is true
Eonjena neomu (eonjena neomu)
Gakkai isseoseo mollasseonnabwa

Baby I’m in love with you
Baby I’m in love with you
Baby I’m in love with you
Baby I’m in love with you
Baby I’m in love with you
You Know

***

Yonghwa felt his friends and brother pulling him up towards the mini stage. He gave a slight chuckle as he looked back down towards Seohyun who was now seated on a chair in the center of the dance floor. She had that loving gaze in her eyes and Yonghwa felt that wonderful bliss gripping at his heart.

“Go on say a few love words to your brand-new wife!” He heard Onew catcalled and he gave out a nervous cough. Soon the guests were chanting together asking him to say something to his bride.

Yonghwa smiled shyly as he accepted the microphone which was suddenly shoved towards him. He cleared his throat before blowing into the microphone. “Uhm, hi everyone!” Yonghwa started with a nervous grin.

“Um, yeah, so I am a married man now. And that pretty lady there,” Yonghwa pointed towards Seohyun, “is my lovely wife.” Every one in the room were cooing and Hara was the only one squealing in her high-pitched voice. “Seo Joohyun, I know I’ve said it before, but right now, I am going to say it again.” Yonghwa said, now with a serious tone to it.

“It’s been three long years. And I assure you, my love for you is still strong as ever. The day when you accepted my proposal, I was the happiest man on Earth. I love you too deeply and you know that. I still remember the first time I saw you. You were beautiful, with that loving look in your eyes, I was smitten. Did I ever tell you that your voice sounded like bells?” Yonghwa asked and Seohyun laughed before nodding. “That laugh there, that’s the bells I was talking about.”

“Joohyun, I am standing here, among all these guests here who had witnessed us tying the knot as husband and wife, I promise you, with all my heart, I will always treasure you. I will always love you just like I did when I first saw you three years ago. I will always care for you and I promise you, I will never push you away. I really, really love you Joohyun-ah…” Yonghwa said, his voice faltering at the end as tears ran down his cheeks. The audiences clapped their hands as they watched the love emanating from the groom himself. Seohyun even stood up and walked over to her husband before pulling him into a hug. She then grabbed the microphone from him and smiled.

“That has been his promise to me for these past three years and I swear to God, he had never broken any of it. I love you too very much, yeobo.” Seohyun said into the microphone. That simple reply from her caused the audiences to clap their hands again and soon they witnessed again the exchange of a loving kiss between the bride and the groom. It was a lovely start to their marriage life and both Yonghwa and Seohyun were aware of that.

***

Jieun was busy trying all the different kinds of cakes and fudges on the food table when suddenly she felt someone tugging at her hand. She turned around to see a boy of about the age of nine grinning mischievously at her. She raised an eyebrow questioningly. Then he handed her a piece of folded paper before running away towards the busy crowd ahead.

Jieun frowned, getting a bit confused with the boy’s behavior. She looked at the folded paper in her hand and opened it slowly.

‘Come to the garden. Alone.’

Jieun frowned as she read the note over and over again. It sounded mysterious but curiosity got the better of her and soon Jieun found herself walking out of the hall towards the garden situated at the back of the building.

The garden was brightly lit and it looked beautiful with flowers blooming here and there. She suddenly felt like a little princess and twirled herself around, enjoying the calm scenery before her. Then she stopped when she saw a silhouette of a man standing a few meters away from her. She squinted her eyes to get a clearer look at him.

“It’s me.” Jieun heard him saying as he walked forward towards her confidently. Jieun gave a sigh of relief when she saw that it was only her boyfriend, Jang Wooyoung.

“You gave me a shock there!” Jieun exclaimed as she held a hand to her heart.

“Well, I wanted to show you my mysterious side.” Wooyoung shrugged.

“It worked well, I must say.” Jieun nodded her head in agreement.

“I tried my best.” Wooyoung told her.

“Um, good job.” Jieun grinned.

Jieun watched as Wooyoung walked towards her, that serious look still etched on his face. Jieun tilted her head, trying her best to read her boyfriend’s mind.

“Lee Jieun, I stand here in front of you as your boyfriend.” Wooyoung started saying. “But I don’t wish to hold that title anymore…”

Jieun gasped. She stared at Wooyoung, not believing those words which was coming out of his lips. Was he playing around? Did he know that his words were hurting her?

“W-Why?” Jieun asked, her voice breaking slightly.

“I no longer want to be your boyfriend. I just don’t want to anymore.” Wooyoung said still staring straight into her eyes.

“D-Did I do something wrong? P-Please tell me…” Jieun whined as she grasped Wooyoung’s hands lightly. She was afraid that he would push her away, and she did not want that.

“No. You did nothing wrong.” Wooyoung shook his head. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to be your boyfriend anymore.”

Jieun let go of Wooyoung’s hands before burying her face into her hands. She did not want to allow Wooyoung to see her tears. She did not want to see how weak she had become because of his words. She cried the sadness to herself.

“Because, I wanted to be more than just your boyfriend.” Wooyoung continued saying as he knelt down on one knee in front of the woman who he loved so much. It hurt his heart to see her crying because of him. But hey, it was her brother’s idea to prank her and he had stupidly agreed to it.

Jieun brought her hand down her eyes to see the perfect picture in front of her. Her eyes widened when she saw Wooyoung holding out a ring seated inside a beautiful velvet red box. “W-What is this?”

“Um, this is a ring?” Wooyoung answered stupidly and he heard a deep growl coming from behind him. He gulped. He knew that growl well enough and it belonged to his his future brother-in-law, also known as Onew.

Jieun wiped her tears and continued to stare and Wooyoung in shock. “I-I don’t understand.”

“Lee Jieun, I love you very very much. I don’t want to be just your boyfriend, but I want to be your bestfriend, you lover, your soulmate… and most importantly, I want to be your husband. I want to be the man to protect you from harm. I want you for myself. I want to make you officially mine. I want you to be the only woman perfectly made for me.” Wooyoung said, his tone more confident this time round. “Will you be my wife, Lee Jieun?”

Jieun was stunned. She gaped. “You scared me, you made me think that you wanted a break-up and you made me cry. And now you are proposing and you think I would accept it so easily?” Jieun asked him, her eyes watering again and Wooyoung groaned inwardly, thinking that Onew’s plans had gone terribly wrong. “Because my answer will definitely be a yes!”

“Jieun-ah, let me explain… NEH?” It was Wooyoung’s turn to gape. “D-Did you just say yes?”

“I perfectly well said that.” Jieun grinned, her tears falling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

“WOOHOO!” Wooyoung shouted in happiness as he stood up and pulled Jieun into his embrace. They were laughing and hugging each other happily that they did not realize their spectators coming out from behind their hiding places and cheering for them.

“YAH! Hands off her! You’re not married yet!” Onew barked but earned a well-deserved smack on the head from Hara for ruining the moment.

“Wait! My ring!” Jieun whined as she pulled back from the hug to search for her ring.

“Aigoo! My bad!” Wooyoung grinned as he pulled Jieun’s left hand towards him and gently slipped on the ring onto her finger.

“So does this mean we’re engaged?” Jieun asked her boyfriend cum fiancé shyly.

“Um, I guess so.” Wooyoung rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

“Congratulations the both of you!” Joori and Tony appeared. Onew, Hara, Yonghwa and Seohyun joined them a moment later. The women were busy admiring the ring on Jieun’s finger whereas the men were giving friendly pats on Wooyoung’s back.

“Your plan almost failed Onew.” Yonghwa pointed out.

“Hey! But we did manage to make her cry.” Onew grinned slyly.

“Oppa! I am so telling appa on you!” Jieun threatened.

“Go on and tell him. He loves me too much to even raise his voice at me now.” Onew stuck out his tongue towards his sister. “And furthermore, I am finally going to give him a grandchild! He’ll love me more after this!”

“Bo? Does that mean Hara unnie is pregnant?” Jieun asked as she looked at Hara questioningly. Hara just blushed and nodded. “Ommo! This is like the best day ever!”

Everyone agreed.

Rounds of congratulations were passed around once again and everyone had to agree, that the day should end with something good as well. Heck, the story should end with something good as well, um like a happy ending? XD