7 Keep the storm raging on

(4 years ago...)

I've always loved Autumn.

From the color of the falling leaves to the temperature, everything is perfect.

As I take pictures, I can't help but feel a little bit emotional.

Oh, Seoul National University... This is my last year, I'll surely miss you.

 As I take pictures of the trees, I heard someone call my name...

'Kree! Let's eat! I brought Gyoza and Orange Juice, your favorites.' Jason is walking towards me, wearing a suit and a loosened tie.

'Hey, why are you here? You have problems at work?' I asked. It's hard to see him nowadays, He's either working late, or travelling outside the country. I guess being the CEO of one of the top companies in Korea is a tough job.

'Nah, everything's cool. I'm just tired of acting cold and I needed a break from working. I didn't even realize that it's Autumn already. Look at the leaves!' He pointed at the trees with a smile on his face.

'Hey, Kree! Do you want to get married during Autumn?' He suddenly asked.

'Huh?' My brain STOPPED working.

'I mean, if you'll get married in the future, do you like to hold the wedding ceremony during Autumn or Winter?'

Oh. Damn it. I got excited for nothing.

'I've always loved Autumn. So I'll get married in Autumn.' I replied.

'Me too. I want to get married in Autumn.' He looked at me, smiling.

'Let's go eat. I need to be back in an hour for a meeting.' He opened the box of gyoza and started eating.

What does he mean by getting married in autumn, though?

Shrugging it off, I went towards him and started eating with him.

---

(Today...)

As I passed by the trees on my way to see Jason, I kept thinking to myself...

[So we'll get that Autumn Wedding we dreamed of, huh?]

I've always dreamed of marrying Jason. I've imagined how the ceremony would be for almost a thousand times in my head.

Just the thought of spending the rest of my life with him makes me happy.

But , I don't feel the excitement anymore.

How could I? When I know that we're getting married not because of love.

But, because it would "BENEFIT" our families.

I've always believed that Love cannot be forced. So, marrying him now, when he loves somebody else, doesn't excite me at all.

I feel so low.

I shrugged the feeling off , I went inside the building and went straight to the rooftop.

'Hey JayJay, what's up?' I asked as I walk towards him.

[Have he seen the news?]

When, I stepped out of our house earlier, I already saw the news article of our Engagement announcement. I've even read a part of it that says...

 'According to an Insider, They've known each other for a very long time so It's just natural that they'll fall inlove'

[Well, if unrequited love is what you're talking about, then you're probably right]

He looked at me with excitement reflecting in his eyes. His smile was so bright, even if the sun has set, it lit up the whole rooftop.

I feel warm inside. Has he seen the news? Was he happy about it?

I suddenly felt a little bit of hope.

He took at a little black box from his pocket.

Wait..... Hold on.... is that even..

He opened the box and I saw a ring inside. The ring doesn't have a big diamond in the center but it looks so beautiful.

He looked at me and said..

"Kree, I'll propose to Claui tomorrow. Will you help me? Are you happy for me?"

Well, damn. I half heartedly know that the ring isn't for me. But, hearing him say it out loud still hurts.

As I look at Jason's radiant smile, I can feel my heart breaking.

How can I tell him that he can't marry her because our families announced earlier that He and I are engaged and will get married in 10 days?

'Jason. I-"

His phone rang. I saw that it was Claui who's calling him.

I saw warmth in his eyes while he's staring at his phone screen before he answered the phone.

'Hey babe. I was just about to call you. I-'

I can hear from where I sit that she was shouting.

'Babe, what're you talking about? I don't-'

And I heard the shouting stopped. She hang up.

Uh oh.

He's still on his phone though, looking for something.

Then, he stopped. Now he's just staring at screen with mouth hangin open.

Then he stared at me, his expression changed.

I saw anger. This is the first time that he looked at me like that.

'You. Did you agree to this? Do you even know about this?' His voice is calm, but I can see his hand shaking. He's furious.

'They told me earlier. My mom asked me to go home and I saw your Dad there...' I sighed.

'How can they do this to us? WE'RE NOT EVEN IN LOVE!'

Well, that hurt. That f***ing hurt.