Kamou's 27th birthday.
Juho pulled over outside a villa that was facing the sea. Kamou could look at the perfectly lit villa in confusion. She got out of the car but Juho stopped her from taking any step further.
"Wait here." He said as he hurriedly walked inside the villa.
Kamou's eyes landed on the car they arrived in as she waited for Juho. It wasn't the Audi that he usually drove. She looked closely at what seemed to be a brand new with some packaging still on. It was a white Mercedes S-class.
'When did he buy this new car?' she thought.
She was admiring the car when Juho came back. Kamou was about to ask him what was going on but he held her hand and rushed into the villa. The villa was beautifully decorated with flowers and colorful lights.
It looked like there was a party going on. Kamou got more and more conscious; she was in her bed pajamas. She entered the large living hall where the people were gathered.
"Happy Birthday." They all cheered with Juho in unison. Kamou looked confused at them.
"You forgot your own birthday?" Juho laughed.
Kamou didn't forget her birthday. She just didn't expect people to remember it. Birthdays were never special for her, she usually spent them alone. This was her first time seeing so many people wishing her and throwing a party for her. Her sister and best friend Gina was there, Juho and his friends, including Taehee. Her manager Miss Min was also present, Kamou considered her like an elder sister.
Kamou happily thanked everyone for their wishes. The atmosphere of the room was getting lively with every passing minute. Kamou was the center of attention, merrily talking to people, smiling with them. Juho stood at a distance, allowing her to enjoy the precious time freely. He looked at her laughing and having so much fun; his heart was overflowing with joy.
"Sister, come we have prepared a cake for you." Dara gently kept the cake on the center table in front of her.
Pretty candles were burning on the top of the cake for her to blow. Surrounded by people, with knife in her hands, Kamou was ready to cut the cake. She looked at Juho, he wasn't standing beside her.
"Juho, honey what are you doing standing so far away?" She shouted. "I want you next to me."
"Go stand next to sister-in-law or she won't cut the cake." Taehee joked. Everyone started laughing.
Juho stood beside Kamou and gestured her to blow the candles. Kamou closed her eyes to make a wish before blowing out the candles as she felt Juho's hand gently on her waist. 'I wish for this happiness to last forever. May Juho and I stand just next to each other just like this for the rest of our birthdays.'
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The party ended around daybreak, most of them had already left. Dara and Gina were the last to leave before Juho and Kamou. As the couple walked out of the villa, Kamou suddenly remembered about the new car.
"Juho when did you get a new car?" she said pointing at the white S-class.
"That's not my car."
"You rented that one? But I don't see yellow number plate." Kamou inquired.
"It's not rented. It's brand new, straight out of the showroom."
"It's a gift for you." Juho added.
"What...? Me?"
"Yeah, it's a birthday gift for you from my family." Juho replied as if it was no big deal.
"From Mr. And Mrs. Park? But why?"
"Mom was aware of your birthday so she and dad arranged for this present."
"Don't you think it's a bit too much." Kamou was shook. "How can I accept this?"
"I know you like it. I made sure to select the one that suits your taste." Juho boasted. "Think about it, parents usually give gifts to children on birthdays. My parents are a little extravagant, you'll soon understand the reason why they went so far."
"Will it be okay for me to accept it?"
"Yes. You don't have to think so much about it." Juho extended the car keys.
"I will need to thank with all my heart the next time we meet." Kamou said talking the keys from him.
"Your wish is going to be fulfilled soon. Mom has invited you for lunch."
"Today?"
"I told her you won't be able to make it but she insisted on me asking you." Juho replied.
"Why do you always have to decline her invite before asking me?" Kamou said irritated.
"It's your birthday so I guessed you would be busy." Juho explained.
"Nobody is too busy for family. I want to celebrate my birthday with them." Juho smiled back. "Sure babe. I'll drop a text to mom right away."
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In Juho's agency headquarters, the director sat firmly on his seat. Two other higher managers were present in the room. Kwan, Juho's manager stood with his head low.
"We have to do something to exercise control on that overconfident brat." One of the managers said with a smug face.
"What do you suggest Mr. Yoon?" The director asked.
"Director, if I may." interrupted the other one. "I heard that Juho caused quite a seen because of that actress. I have a proposal to settle everything once and for all."
"Go ahead, I'm listening." The director leaned forward in anticipation.
"We need to keep Juho away from public eye for some time. If the scandal of him playing the actress's knight and being involved with her blackmailer gets out, we are done. This is going to come back and bite us in the back." Mr. Chen said.
"You are right Chen, but we can't hide him. His album promotions are still in full progression." Mr. Yoon interjected.
"Enlist him into the military. As soon as his promotions are over, send him off." Mr. Chen advised. Everyone in the room was dumbfounded after hearing the suggestion.
Mr. Chen began to explain his motive, "Director, we have three potential benefits behind this military enlistment. One, Juho will maintain a low profile for about two years; his involvement will not get out in public. Secondly, two years is a long time; anything can happen in this time. Kamou and Juho may seem madly in love at this time but we all know how young love is. They wouldn't be able to preserve their cute little relationship, while Juho is away. Lastly, military enlistment is mandatory, Juho has to complete it anyway. The timing serves right, his album release has gained him enough popularity to sustain his fandom till his comeback."
"Bravo! Chen, your plan sounds seamless." The director cheered.