Eun Hye was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when Min Jae rushed downstairs in a flash and asked her, "Babe, why aren't you ready yet?"
Eun hye stopped stirring her soup as she looked at her husband in bewilderment. "Honey, It's only eight O'clock. The book fair will only begin after noon. We have plenty of time."
"Oh!" That was when Min Jae turned to look at the time. He sheepishly smiled at her. "Haha...yes we do have time."
Eun hye rolled her eyes as she turned back to her soup. Once all the dishes were set on the table, she looked at her husband who was squirming on his seat.
She sighed. "Babe, let's eat up before we head out to the mall."
He whirled his head swiftly to her with his eyebrows scrunched up. "Mall? Babe, don't you have enough dresses already? Can't you pick one from them?"
Eun Hye inhaled sharply. She proceeded to sit down but her eyes were glaring at Min Jae.
"The book fair is held at Starfield COEX Mall!" She exclaimed in annoyance.
With that, Min Jae coughed rapidly as he tried to hide his mistake. Eun Hye shoved a glass of water at him. Min Jae smiled in return before he gulped a mouthful of water.
"But since you mentioned shopping, I remember I don't have a perfect dress for the fair. So, let's go for shopping first before heading out to the fair."
Now, Min Jae coughed for real upon hearing his wife's words. He patted his chest and while he did so attentively, he felt a pair of eyes drilling into him ever so sharply. He gulped, turning his head to face her narrowed eyes. It was written all over her face, how she was waiting for him to say anything against her idea.
In fact, she was challenging him with her chin up.
"Sure! Let's go. Let's pick a dress for you, Babe," he said as he nodded vigorously.
"Now? Isn't it too early? Let's head out at 11."
"But babe--"
Eun Hye looked at him with a not-so-sweet smile and asked, "But?"
He shook his head hurriedly before saying, "Nothing. it's nothing babe."
He patted his chest for he had evaded a terrible disaster now. However, he groaned inwardly when he thought of getting late to the event.
Meanwhile, Eun Hye was looking at him through the kitchen space and chuckled seeing his distressed face.
*******
- 11 AM -
Min Jae was pacing back and forth as he nervously watched the clock ticked away. He didn't want to hurry his wife, but each minute felt like an hour to him.
Soon, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs and turned around to look at his wife. His eyes widened in awe at his beautiful wife.
Eun Hye was dressed in a white knee length dress with her hair let loose. Her current appearance was the epitome of a graceful and pure lady, befitting of her social class. Min Jae couldn't help but took her into his embrace.
"Babe, you look gorgeous."
Eun Hye smiled hearing his praise, but she still said, "This is not perfect for the occasion."
"Babe. whatever you wear. It would be perfect on you."
She wrapped her arms around his neck as she teased him, "But I want to go for shopping since it's your first-time taking the initiative."
He smiled stiffly. "Sure babe."
Eun Hye laughed as she pecked him, "So let's head out to Starfield then."
Min Jae nodded along. Then, he looked at her again only to find her laughing at him. His lips curled up as he pulled her against him and leaned down for a kiss. He only let her go when both of them were out of breath.
"I know you love me, babe"
Eun Hye chuckled as she let him pull her along to his car.
********
(COEX Center, Gangnam-gu)
Min Jae dropped his wife near the entrance while he went to park his car. Afterwards, He rushed towards Hall A where Seoul International Book Fair 2021 (SIBF) was held.
As Min Jae passed by the entrance, a guy came up to him and passed him a catalogue.
Min Jae thanked him before he continued towards the hall. While he walked, he went through the catalogue. He saw that apart from Bluebell, there were few other authors who were invited.
He ignored the others as he went through Bluebell's information. The catalogue gave a brief idea on how the author started off from writing poems to writing books online and how she got her work published under PERSEA BOOKS which was a well-known publishing company in New York.
He smiled goofily as he read how her books were well perceived and how she got the bestseller title. Her works had successfully made anyone who read cry or laugh along with the characters.
Min Jae didn't know how long he had stared at the catalogue but he was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a tug on his sleeves.
He looked up to find his wife's curious eyes and he waved her the catalogue. She read through it before snorting derisively.
"They shouldn't bother giving you one as you know about her more than them," she said.
Min Jae laughed upon the authenticity of his wife's words was. He didn't know why but he was always eager to check anything related to Bluebell and her works.
Eun Hye pouted her lips. "I'm more worried about the meet and greet now. What if she's pretty? What if you become attracted to her?"
Min Jae chuckled. He took her hand into his and kissed it gallantly. "Then you would have to keep me in a leash so that I won't go for anyone else."
She laughed at his words. Little did he know how much his words calmed her down. Eun Hye was always worried on what to do if her sister returned. She didn't know how to keep up with the facade.