Nine: The after-party

The post-wedding reception party was currently in full swing after the important dances were out of the way. To name some, they included the dance by bride and groom- the highlight of the evening, saved by the groom as Mel sucked at dancing. The next dance was by the groom and his mother- which of course was flawless, then came the dance of the bride and her father- which was quite hilarious, considering the fact that both of them had three left feet, but enjoyable and emotional at the same time.

After the dances were out of the way, the guests had migrated to the floor to enjoy themselves, Mel too danced with the members and with every male present who asked her of the favour. In contrast, the groom was left alone as the younger female population was quite intimidated by him but he sure did the favour of dancing to the few brave ones who approached him asking. He willingly danced with his mother-in-law, Mel's cousin So-ah and her friend Ina.

Mel retreated to the tables when the dance floor started to get crowded with the guests and not to mention her heels were killing her. She rested her feet on the neighbouring chair and sat facing the dance floor on another chair. She could clearly see her friend Tae-hee being bullied by a gang of girls who considered him a good catch. She laughed out loud at his frightened expression.

Kai: what is so funny Baby?

Mel: (shaking her head) nothing, why aren't you dancing?

Kai: (sitting beside her) I am tired besides you aren't dancing either.

Mel: my feet hurt.

They sat in silence after that for a while until Mel decided to be a bit bold and rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her surprised but smiled faintly when he saw that she was now much more relaxed. He couldn't help but think back to their brief lip-lock. He had been tempted to deepen their kiss when he had felt her soft sigh against his mouth but he had broken it up with a much greater effort. That small kiss sure had tested all of his limits but he knew that they weren't ready for the next step yet. He wanted to make sure that they were on the same page when they took their relationship to the next stage. He couldn't help but wonder how it had taken so long for Min-Soe to come beyond her boundaries and initiate any physical contact between them. He didn't want to mess it up by being desperate.

His thoughts were cut short by his member's joining them at the table.

Mui: hey! Kai, why aren't you on the dance floor?

Kai: (glaring at him) I was tired of dancing.

Timo: (hitting Mui on the back of his head) bring me a glass of wine.

Mui: hey! Bro! Why did you hit me?

Timo: Vic isn't here, so you are our youngest now.

Mel: (surprised) where did Vic go?

Ray: he had to attend some clients, don't worry, he does this all the time.

Kai: What are you all doing here?

Timo: (sipping on another glass of wine) this wine is really good. We just came to check on you guys, since we didn't see you both dancing.

Mui: sis-in-law, would you dance with me again?

Mel: no Mui, my feet are killing me.

Ray: Mui, leave her alone now. She would be tired after the ceremony and all those dances.

Timo: (chuckling) yes, she did dance with every single male in this room except the staff.

Mel: (nodding) yes brother, I do feel so.

Their chatting continued for a while until both their mother's approached their table with a conspiratory smile.

Kai: (warily) Mom what have you planned this time?

Sun-hee: why would we plan something Kai?

Kai: because your smile says something else.

Cerise: (glancing at Ray) we just came to check how you were doing.

Mel: Mom-

Sun-hee: Min-Soe, come with us.

Mel stood up without another word and followed both ladies. Kai looked at their retreating figures bit mournfully before he was punched by Ray in the arm.

Kai: What was that for?

Ray: you looked quite sad about something, so I thought about cheering you up. After all, it's your wedding.

Kai: (frowning at him) why do I feel like you know something which I don't?!

Timo: (smirking) maybe we do, you might want to change into something comfortable first.

Back in her room, Mel looked at the pair of mothers who were hustling around going through clothing after clothing. So-ah came in behind them and pulled Mel to sit in front of the mirror. Without wasting another beat she started to work on her hairs and released them from the entire contraption. She proceeded to style them up in a much simpler fashion, which was easy for Min-Soe to handle. After So-ah was finished Cerise came up with a cream coloured, knee-length dress for Mel to wear. Mel didn't question them and silently went through all the hustle they were putting her through. She changed out from her wedding gown and into the much comfortable Grecian styled dress her which her Mom had picked out for her.

Sun-hee presented a pair of black sandals to go with the dress for her, which Mel wore without any qualms. After they were satisfied with her look, Cerise embraced her daughter tearfully.

Cerise: I can't believe you are now a married woman sweetie.

Mel: (gulping back her own tears) Mom, don't cry.

Sun-hee: she is my daughter too now, Cerise. I promise you that she'll never have to miss you.

Cerise: (hugging her oldest friend) thank you Sun-hee.

Mel: Mom, where is Papa?

Cerise: (wiping away her tears) he is just outside the door.

Mel hugged her mother one more time and she pecked her forehead in return. She then proceeded to meet her father who was waiting for his daughter tears filled in his eyes.

Mel: Papa?!

He just pulled his little girl in a hug and patted her head, while tears flowed freely from his eyes. Mel was still not ready to let her emotions get better of her. She held back her own tears so as not to burden her parent's.

So-ah: (softly) Mel, it's time.

Nodding Mel followed her cousin, still holding tightly to her father's hand. When they came out of the chapel, everyone had already gathered outside cheering and clapping for the newlyweds. Mel's eyes found Kai standing- now dressed in a casual set of black jeans, a dark blue t-shirt and a black blazer. His face was blank but it lit up as soon as he saw her. She turned towards her parents and hugged them both but this time a lone tear escaped her strict boundaries and made its way on her cheek. She pulled back and quickly wiped away the traitor tear.

Mel: (smiling) both of you promise me that you would take care of each other. Mom, you won't stress out about everything and Papa, you will be careful about your health.

Cerise: yah Min-Soe, you are only married, don't forget your parent's so soon.

Mel: (chuckling) yes Mom. I will miss you. I love you both!

Cerise broke out into tears once again but this time she recovered quickly as Mel's father was there to comfort her.

Kai: Mom, Dad, I will take good care of Min-Soe. She is my responsibility now.

Cerise: (nodding) we have given you our most treasured possession Kai, make sure she is happy and healthy.

Kai: yes mom, I promise you.

After the goodbyes were said the couple were sent off in a black sedan, which was to both of their surprise was being driven by Ray.

Mel: Ray?

Ray: (chuckling) I am here to take you both to your surprise.

Kai: Surprise?! Yah! Where did you run off to, leaving me alone with Timo and Mui? They gave me such a hard time.

Ray: They were supposed to keep you busy. We planned a little surprise for you guys.

Mel: was this what Vic left for?

Ray: (nodding) yes, you guys rest up for a while; this ride is going to take some time.

Mel nodded once before moving farther to the window and resting her head back on the headrest and closing her eyes- trying to silence the hurricane of emotions which had swelled up inside of her.

Kai looked at her puzzled but decided to give her the space she clearly looked in need of. After almost an hour into the ride, Kai recognised the road they were taking.

Kai: Ray, are we going to Shinhwa resort?

Ray: (nodding) yes.

Kai: (looking around the car and cursing) aish! Ray, stop the car at a mart and get some chocolates.

Ray: (confused) why?

Kai: (still looking around) I don't think Min-Soe has her bag with her, she would soon need them.

Ray stopped the car at a fuel station which had a mart alongside it. Still in confusion he got down from the car and went to bring the chocolates as his friend had asked. Min-Soe woke up when the car stopped; she looked around in confusion at first and then shuffled towards her husband.

Mel: are we there?

Kai: (shaking his head) not yet, we just stopped to run a little errand.

Mel silently nodded her head and rested it on his shoulder. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she once again closed her eyes- this time feeling contented. Kai was surprised by her sudden change in mood but he wasn't a fool, he quickly encircled his arm around her to hold her properly. When Mel felt him embrace her, a small smile graced her lips in gratitude. Ray came back with variety of chocolates stuffed in a bag and passed them to Kai still looking confused.

Kai: Thank you. Min-Soe gets motion sickness when the road is curvy.

This time Ray understood why his friend had a sudden craving for chocolates. Kai rolled down the window beside him, in order to let Min-Soe feel comfortable for the remaining drive.

The woman in question whom they thought was sleeping was in reality aware of their small exchange. She couldn't help but fall a little more for the person who was now her husband. The word still did scare her but now it was her responsibility to accept the reality and her growing feelings for him.