"I heard from Jae-woo about what happened after I left. It such a shame I have to miss that eventful day…" I joked.
"My parents wanted to apologize about that day. And they wanted to invite you again if you're free this Sunday…"
"I'll think about it…"
"My dad also wanted to talk to you about something…"
"If it's about them…I don't think I'm ready for that…"
I know she got my point. I need to be ready to meet them. I need to know if my family is ready for them. And I need to make sure that when we confront about the past, that we are absolutely sure that everything is ready then.
"How are you and my brother?"
"We're doing great. Amidst everything that's going on, we are at least open in talking about everything…"
"Have you ever talked about future plans?" she looked concern.
"Not really. Not yet."
"I apologize for being nosy."
"It's fine. It's just natural."
"I guess that's the nice thing about you. You are very open minded."
"I don't think there's a reason to be dwelling on petty things. It is just a waste of time."
Nam Jae-yin, she might look like a snob because of her sophisticated look but she is as carefree as I am. I like her. But if my situation is not like now, if she met the Ara Rivera before 5 years ago, would we ever have this kind of talks? Would she even approach me?
It's the second time I am staying at Namdo's office. And I am assigned to the production team and I met Han-nah in there. The bachelorette party of Soo-ah will start at her place. We are going to surprise her there, and then after we had some drinks we'll get to the city in a limousine and head to Lotte Hotel to stay overnight. Seo-hyun called me up after lunch to catch up. They still seem oblivious about me. Aside from me being a writer which she was too excited about, she didn't know anything else. I gave her a bracelet and a set of pearl hair pins.
"Han-nah, I think I have to go home first to bring my car, I will just take the cab to come to Soo-ah's," I informed her when we met at the lobby by 5.
"Of course, Miss…"
"What can I bring?"
"It's already enough that you handled the hotel reservation, Miss…" she asserted.
"See you in a while…"
I went home to get the gift and change to a more comfortable clothing and to have some clothes to change into. We are going to have a slumber party at the hotel after we turn around the city. I am just happy that I won't be the oldest in the group tonight. Based on what Han-nah said, her aunt and Soo-ah's mother is also coming.
Soo-ah seemed so happy, and I am so happy for her. She looked excited and is ready to be married. Roo-ni is one lucky guy. I got too emotional thinking about it. We had an eventful run. She always had my back. Leaving Seoul after my Phd is proving to be an emotional farewell. This is the hard part of making friends in this place, the idea that they are just a phase that I will go through and might never see again is too painful to think about.
Then it hit me, future plans. How are our future plans? Didn't he say before that he will be with me no matter where I am? Is he willing to live with me in Copenhagen? Or in the Philippines? Or wherever else I may decide to stay? I think it's time for us to talk about our relationship. Openly with no fears and to finally acknowledge where it's heading. Then the conversation from the other day flash on my mind.
-----Flashback at earlier conversation------
"Do you still have plan about marriage?"
It got awkward after that. What was I thinking about asking her that? I never considered that she might have reservations of getting married again. I might have mindlessly expected that it was natural to bring it out since we are talking about the future.
"Isn't that the natural progression in a normal relationship?"
"We don't have a normal relationship though…"
"Do you have plans after 3 months?" I have to ask her. Although, I'm scared of her reply, I needed to know where this relationship is going.
"Are you asking about my plans in general or in our relationship?"
"You know what I mean…"
"Well, I'm going back to Copenhagen, start finishing the third book in my trilogy and finally take-over running my company, but I still have to travel at least 4 times to the Philippines for quarterly RTR meeting. I wish to have a normalcy in my time with Marcus and hopefully if we can work it out, I would love for you to come with me…" she stated.
I look at her and smiled. So, I am part of her future plans, after all.
"And if we cannot?"
"Are you saying we cannot work it out? Aren't you the one who promised to be with me no matter where I am?"
"You remembered, huh?"
"I did and I'm holding you responsible for that."
Of course. I mean it. But it might be harder than I anticipated. I held her closer to me. Three months. I don't really know if I will get excited or scared. That's a long wait until then.
"If it's hard…we'll figure it out then…" she continued.
"Marriage is off the table, huh?" I repeated.
"What will marriage add to this relationship that we don't already have? As long as we are committed, and we respect and trust each other…should it not be enough?"
"Are you against marriage because of what happened?"
"Not really. I just don't think it's necessary. Do you want to get married?"
Do I want? I stop and think. It must be nice, seeing her walking down the aisle. To show the world that she's mine.
"Not particularly…" I lied.
"Can I ask you something?" she look at me intently.
"You know you're making me jumpy when you suddenly become serious like this?"
"Do you still love Seo-hyun?"
That was an unexpected question coming from her.
"Why would you ask that…?"
"You got separated and divorced not because you fell out of love, you were blindsided by her infidelity. If they didn't cheat, you are still married to her…"
Make sense. But thinking about it now, it seems that it's been ages since I was married to her. I cannot even imagine being with other women other than the one I am with right now.
"That was history, I loved her. Of course, I still care about her as a friend, but I cannot see myself with anyone else but you."
-----end of flashback----