Chereads / Traces Of The Heart / Chapter 18 - Graduation

Chapter 18 - Graduation

"Did she say yes?" Yun Jin asked with excited attention.

"Yes!!!" replied Jin Young, flashing a broad smile.

Yun Jin giggled with satisfaction.

"Well, I can only wish you well, my dear boy. As president, I ask you to be cautious. You know that nowadays anything can stir up public opinion, and you could be at risk. However, as a friend, you know that I particularly support you, I just ask you to be careful! Ga Eun could learn a thing or two from you, lol. Bring her over for a meal sometime." The president explained sincerely.

Day after day, Jin Young calmly approached Ah Reum, even though he could hardly contain himself. He held back because, above all, he wouldn't dare hurt her. He was determined to do anything to keep that happy smile on her face.

So even before expressing his feelings, he carefully paved the way for them. Although the company didn't explicitly forbid dating, it was still a delicate matter, especially as the premiere approached. Like the responsible man he had become, Jin Young confided in the president, exposing events transparently. He couldn't afford to hide anything, not if he wanted to protect his career and his beloved.

Unfortunately, the world is not devoid of evil; any false step and she could be slaughtered. However, this was never something Jin Young intended to hide, but to protect.

***

In his expansive, contemporary bedroom, Jin Young was facing the mirror, wearing a dark blue suit that highlighted his fair skin. His well-groomed hair contributed to the overall splendid image, and he radiated confidence and joy, fully prepared for the occasion ahead.

"Going to a wedding? Are you the groom by any chance?" Hak Seon joked, matching Jin Young's elegance as they crossed paths at home.

"No, it's her graduation today. I'm surprising her. She'll look wonderful in her flight attendant uniform, and I thought I'd play the part of a pilot, hehe" Jin Young replied with a happy, playful smile.

"Oh, yes, you mentioned. Your girlfriend is a stewardess! I didn't realize you were that fond of her... anyway, why not bring her over today? We should meet the woman who has captured your heart right away, hehe. And I thought you were going to marry Hyun Ah." Said Hak Seon.

"Dad, we need a day to hang out, just the two of us. I've been away for so long, and with everything that's been happening since I got back, we've hardly talked. I want to share who I am today and get to know you more. To start, I truly love Ah Reum. It was something unexpected and incredible that happened in my life, and she's the one I'm going to marry!" Jin Young declared firmly.

He continued: "Well, I was planning to bring her today, but she'll be with her mother this week. So, in a few days, I'll bring her, and we can celebrate passing the test together." Jin Young concluded sincerely.

Hak Seon listened attentively and suddenly felt the weight of the years they had been apart once again.

"Okay! Don't forget to congratulate her on our behalf. And sonny, I'm excited to find out about the man you've become, but for me, you'll always be my little boy! I'm sorry I was absent even after you came back..." Hak Seon expressed, his voice carrying a blend of pride and subtle sorrow.

In that brief moment, a feeling of longing embraced them as they exchanged those words. Ji Hyun arrived with flowers just as they lingered near the doorway.

"Son, these flowers are for her. I almost didn't make it. Wow, you look beautiful! Are you going to her graduation like this?" She inquired.

"Yes, it's a surprise! Thanks, Mom. She'll really like it. I've got to go; I'll see you later." Said Jin Young cheerfully before making his exit.

"He's very much in love, haha" commented Hak Seon with a smile.

Jin Hyun concurred. "Yes... I want to meet her as soon as possible! Honey, won't she be a problem for him?" She asked with a hint of concern.

Hak Seon sighed thoughtfully and responded: "Why would that be? Jin told me a few things today; it's not something simple—it's real love. If she loves him as he loves her, she can only help him. And that's what matters to me! The difficulties that will come, as they do in everyone's life, they'll get through together. Don't worry; our boy has grown up!" Hak Seon beamed with genuine pride for his son.

"You're right..." Jin Hyun conceded, still somewhat suspicious.

Jin Young soon arrived at Ah Reum's house to fetch her.

"Wow, who is this woman? A beautiful stewardess, will you make me fly? lmao" He joked with a flirtatious smile when he saw her dressed as a stewardess.

"Why do you say things like that? hihi" She said embarrassed and a little cute.

He laughs, with an even more flirtatious expression, nuzzles her and hugs her.

"You look so beautiful! I'm going to have to learn how not to be jealous every time you go to work like that!" Jin Young said after giving her a kiss on the forehead.

He soon notices that Ah Reum looks a little sad.

"Hm? Why the sad face? Has something happened? Are you nervous?" He asked worriedly.

"My mother hasn't arrived..." She replied in a sad voice.

"I see, she should be here soon, didn't you say it was an average of four to five hours from Tongyeong to here? It's a bit far, but love, even if your mother can't make it, you must be happy, very happy that day, hm?" Jin Young said, trying to cheer her up.

"I am happy! Very happy! But you know, it's been a while since I've seen her, and happy days like this should be shared with those we love." Ah Reum explained, this is really important to her.

"You're right! Tell you what, if your mother doesn't arrive, I'll go and get her!!!" Jin Young said vehemently.

Ah Reum laughed "Are you going to pick her up? lol"

"That's it, that's right hihi, you laughed! Now we can go! But I'm serious, I'm going to get her." He replied, willing to do anything to see her smile.

When they arrived at the aviation school, the sight of the place could teleport them to an airport, a crowd of flight attendants and even a pilot were there.

"Are you less nervous now?" Jin Young asked worriedly.

Ah Reum answered him: "I am! I'm not! My mom just texted me, she's coming straight here, but now that I'm here I'm more nervous, love, I'm graduating again haha but now as a flight attendant. I've been dreaming about this since I was 13..." She spoke with a mixture of beautiful emotions and nervousness.

"Oh, I can see your eyes watering, we're going to make a lot of memories on that day you dreamed of!" He said, wiping away her tears.

"Yes, we will! My pilot!" She said, smiling.

"Ah, so you realize lol? I wanted us to match hihi" said Jin Young with a smitten look on his face.

He quickly grabs the flowers from the trunk of the car, which is full of flowers, roses, tulips of the most varied and beautiful colors.

"Ta-daaa! I think I bought too many hihi

Congratulations my love!" He kisses her sweetly.

Ah Reum can't help it. "What are you doing hihi there are a lot of people here..." she says, dying of love.

"Just one more, hm? Just one more!" Jin Young said with a mischievous smile.

"It's a good thing your father didn't come!" Hyang Suk exclaimed, laughing.

"Mom!" exclaimed Ah Reum, very embarrassed.