It was a week later after the first meet after a decade; Kai was enjoying his breakfast when his mother brought up the topic again.
Sun-hee: have you proposed?
Kai: (surprised) what?
Sun-hee: (exasperatedly) Kai! Are you even on this planet? You will be marrying in less than 3 weeks and you haven't even proposed to Min-Soe yet.
Kai: (trying to hide his folly) I was planning to do it tonight.
Sun-hee: stop lying. I know that you haven't spoken to her after that day.
Kai: (defensive) I was about to call her now.
Sun-hee: how? You don't even have her number!
Kai: (gulping) um- can you please give me her number?
Sun-hee: (looking up at the sky) when did you become like this? Fine, I'll give you her number but she isn't in the country.
Kai: (confused) Where is she then?
Sun-hee: I am more informed about your fiancé than you are. Are you sure that you are marrying her?
Kai: She is your daughter-in-law, of course, you would know more about her than me.
Sun-hee: (grinning widely) that is true, unlike you I've been in touch with her constantly. She is a very sweet girl. Don't mess it up for yourself and us.
Kai: (rolling his eyes) I promise you, I won't Mom. So where is Min-Soe right now?
Sun-hee: she is in Syria.
Kai: (wide-eyed) WHAT!? Really!
Sun-hee: she is there for her job. They had to shoot a documentary there and she had to lead her team.
Kai: b-but it is dangerous there. You are sure she said Syria?
Sun-hee: (nodding) yes I am sure. Who are you calling now?
Kai: your daughter-in-law!
Sun-hee: she won't pick-
Kai: (frustrated) why isn't she answering?!
Sun-hee: She will answer only after 10 in the night.
Kai: what am I supposed to do then?
Sun-hee: you should've thought about it before you were being ignorant of her.
Kai: I wasn't ignoring her Mom. I was just busy.
Sun-hee: (shrugging) it won't work this time.
Kai: when is she coming back?
Sun-hee: I think she will leave tonight.
Kai: (feeling relieved) that's good.
Sun-hee: but she will stay in Shanghai for two days before coming back home.
Kai: (getting up to leave) I am finished.
Sun-hee: where are you going?
Kai: I have a proposal to make haven't I?
Sun-hee: (smiling) send us pictures.
Woo-bin: you are very wicked love.
Sun-hee: (shrugging) I had to do something to get your son back on his toes.
Woo-bin: why did you lie about Syria? Min-Soe has been in Shanghai for 3 days.
Sun-hee: you saw the results love.
Woo-bin: that I did.
***
Mel opened her eyes the next morning to the sharp knocks on her room door. She looked at the time and it was just 5:00 in the morning. She tried to get her scrambled brain to start working again. The knocking continued, giving up on waking up completely she peeped through the hole to check who it was. She could only see a black hood. Giving up on her inspection she opened the door.
Mel: (rubbing her eyes) who is it?
Kai: Whoa!
Mel: (wide-eyed) K-Kai?!
Kai was partially shocked after looking at her. He wasn't planning on surprising her because he assumed that she would be awake by the time he had arrived at the room. He had tried reaching her but it was futile. Now she stood in front of him, mouth hanging open, hairs all over the place, eyes were swollen and she was standing there in just a simple white bathrobe and flip-flops. He couldn't understand why but her appearance did turn him on- just a little bit. He managed to compose himself faster than her.
Kai: (clearing his throat) let's talk inside.
Mel: (nodding) o-ok.
She moved aside to let him in and closed the door after herself.
Kai: (patting the bed beside him) won't you sit?
Mel: (shaking her head) If I sit, I'll sleep.
Kai: I am not disturbing you right?
Mel: (shaking her head forcefully) don't think so- yawning- give me a minute and please order a strong cup of coffee for me.
She didn't wait for his reply before running off into the bathroom. He was left confused but did as she had asked him. He did order three cups of coffee instead of one. Judging by her state he somehow understood that she would need a lot of coffee to stay awake. He wanted to hit himself on the head for appearing unannounced but her mother's words had made him worry for her pretty good. She came out a few minutes later, hairs now tied in a messy bun and face washed. Right on cue, the coffee was delivered too. He helped her to a cup and then poured one for himself. He quietly assessed her body for any injuries. He had read that Syria was a dangerous place and she had just returned from there.
Kai: you are fine right?
Mel: (sipping the hot beverage) I am good. Why do you ask?
Kai: I heard that you were in Syria and I had read somewhere that it was quite a dangerous place-
Mel: (smiling) Kai I wasn't in Syria.
Kai: w-what?
Mel: I didn't agree with that project as the wedding is approaching and if I got stuck there then I have no idea how many days I would've been there. Instead, I just agreed to our project in Shanghai.
Kai: (turning red as a tomato in embarrassment) oh I see.
Mel: So what brings you here?
Kai: I heard from Mom that you were returning to Shanghai tonight so I preponed my visit.
Mel: yes! I remember now. You have a show here in three days, for the New Year celebration.
Kai: you know?
Mel: (shrugging) it's my job to know.
Kai: right! I didn't think you would be sleeping. I just assumed you would be awake. I am sorry.
Mel: No, it's ok. I slept quite late last night. You don't have to be sorry. I am glad you came to visit as soon as you landed.
Kai: (surprised) what gives that away now?
Mel: your clothes. You are pretty known for your airport fashion.
Kai: did you do your research on me?
Mel: (blushing) I am a fan too.
Kai: (feeling pleased) I did come here early on a purpose.
Mel: and what is that?
Kai: I had to ask you personally for a date. So would you go out with me tonight?
Mel: (surprised) s-sure.
Kai: (pecking her cheek) I'll pick you up at 8 tonight then.
Mel was in shock after the little peck. She just nodded at him wide-eyed and he left the room chuckling, living her behind in a daze.
***
That night Kai came to pick Mel at exactly 8:00 PM but to his surprise, she wasn't in her room. Feeling annoyed he called her. She answered this time on the first ring.
Mel: (breathless) I am sorry; I will be there in two minutes.
Kai: You aren't in your room yet?
Mel: In the lift now, two more minutes.
Just as she had said the doors to the lift opened and he could see Mel bending down to catch her breath. Her right hand was at her waist while a coat was hanging from her left hand. She looked up and immediately hurried out of the lift.
Mel: Kai, I am sorry.
Kai: (taking her bag and coat from her hands) did you run?
Mel: (nodding) I w-was struck in t-traffic.
Kai: (opening the door for her) come on, let's get you in first.
Mel: (entering her room gratefully and sitting on a couch) thank you!
Kai: (giving her a glass of water) you could've called me instead of running.
Mel: (gratefully accepting the water) my phone ran out of battery. I charged it in the cab, then I saw the time and I knew I was late. (Standing up) give me 15 minutes, please. I'll get ready.
Kai: (pulling her by the hand and making her sit) catch your breath first. You can get ready later.
Mel: But won't we be late?
Kai: no, the reservation is after 9:00.
Mel: (resting her head on the couch) thank god! I didn't make you wait for long, did I?
Kai: don't worry, I came just minutes before you.
Mel: (walking to her closet) we aren't going anywhere fancy.
Kai: how could you tell?
Mel: you aren't going for a formal look tonight. It's casual yet chic.
Kai: (looking down at himself) you really do amaze me.
Mel picked out a blood-red off-shoulder dress which fell to her knees. She also chose a pair of black heels to go with them. She held the dress in front of her and then compared it with Kai's outfit. Satisfied with her choice she went into the bathroom. Kai had seen her quiet inspection and was smiling inwardly. She startled him by being observant sometimes but he couldn't blame her as he too was naturally observant when it came to her.
He remembered now that back when they were in school, she had isolated herself because of being observant. The other kids bullied her and called her a weirdo. Truth be told, he had been smitten by her back in the school when they had been partnered up by the teacher for their project. Even back then she hadn't talked much with him. He had wondered back then, how was she not affected by his charm but the more he thought about it, the more alluring she had been to him. He had known her to be an introvert from their school days but in two visits he could see that she had grown up in a good way. Her eyes sparkled with knowledge and wit. Her words flew more naturally and her confidence was hard not to notice. He was lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice her coming out from the bathroom, now fully dressed and ready to head out with him.
Kai: (surprised) you are beautiful Min-Soe.
Mel: (flushing) Thank you, Kai.
Kai: (taking her hand) shall we?
Mel nodded once and hand in hand they went out.
***
The dinner was a quiet affair; they spent the time talking about each other's past decade. They didn't notice that it was already nearing midnight in the time they had spent trading stories and looking back at their school days. By the time they had to pay the cheque, it was already around 11:00. They walked out of the hotel once again, hand in hand but this time it felt more natural and didn't take any effort. The couple had taken their first step at knowing each other. They had for sure developed a mutual friendship between themselves.
When they came back to her room Kai held her hand for a moment longer and Mel couldn't stop herself from asking.
Mel: would you like to come in for tea?
He was more than happy to accept her offer and naturally he followed her inside. In the time they were waiting for the tea to arrive Kai broke the silence.
Kai: Min-Soe?
Mel: huh?
Kai: you aren't forced to marry me are you?
Mel: no, why do you ask?
Kai: you are a smart, intelligent and beautiful woman. I still can't wrap my head around the idea that you would agree to an arranged marriage.
Mel: Same goes for you Kai. Are you forced to marry me?
Kai: no I am not. At first, I had my doubts but maybe our parents were right.
Mel: (shrugging) I trust them. They have never given me a reason to not to.
Kai: I can agree with you on that. So you might already know that I have a huge history after becoming an idol.
Mel: (nodding) I am aware of them.
Kai: you have no questions about them?
Mel: (shaking her head) I don't have any but yes I am sorry that you had to go through a very hard time after some of those scandals. I am happy that you could find the strength in yourself to stand back up again.
Kai: t-thank you, I guess.
Mel: I think the tea is here.
Kai swallowed down his emotions which had threatened to spill out after hearing her words. She was aware of his hard times and the time when he had gotten lots of hate and her eyes clearly said that she didn't judge him for a single second. He composed himself enough when she came back with the tea tray.
Mel: (pouring the tea for him) I had a good time tonight. Thank you very much.
Kai: I should be thankful.
Mel: (handing him the tea) here you go. I think you were pointing to a particular scandal when you brought it up. Am I right?
Kai took the tea from her but placed it back on the table and nodded at her with serious eyes.
Mel: (casting down her eyes) I really did believe that you would never do something like smoking marijuana but the criticism was a lot and as a fan, I couldn't take it anymore. I guess I did something stupid back then.
Kai: what?
Mel: I hacked into the department's website and leaked what government was trying to hide behind your scandal.
Kai: (shocked) that was you!
Mel: (shrugging) I know that was stupid but I was pretty naïve back then.
Kai: (with renewed respect) wow! Hey! Did you ever hack into my system?
Mel: (shocked) No!
Kai: but I should tell you the truth Min-Soe. It wasn't a cigarette like I said in the interviews.
Mel: then?
Kai: one night we had gone to clubbing after our concert. I was drunk beyond comprehension then I don't remember exactly how but I guess someone convinced me to go with them and I was separated from my group.
Mel: oh!
Kai: (hanging his head) I am lucky that Ray found me before I could do something much more stupid. I am thankful to him until today. He told me the next morning that I was about to inject that poison in myself the moment he came there looking for me.
Mel: (placing her hand on his) It's in the past now. Besides, I know that your test reports were fake.
Kai: what?!
Mel: (nodding) they were fabricated. I found out about it when I hacked into their system.
Kai: Really?! B-but why w-would t-they do t-that?
Mel: You know why but it's the truth. It had been planned for a long time.
Kai: (pulling her in for a sudden hug) Thank you so much Min-Soe-ah.