My Love... by My Side [COMPLETED]

29: One More Test

She arrives at the hanok and finds Youn standing there, waiting for her. It's only been two days, but she feels somewhat awkward around him. She walks towards him.

"Let's talk inside..." she opens the door for him. He walks in, takes a deep breath, and begins to speak.

"I love you!" she turns around and looks at Youn.

"Did you mean it?"

"Yes."

"Then, why do your actions speak differently, Youn? Why are you hurting me?!" she asks, yelling her lungs out. Rae is a calm person, actually, and she is very strong. But right now, she isn't herself.

"I admit I was wrong. But if you were in my shoes, you would probably do the same," says Youn.

"Oh yeah, like raping your girlfriend?" Rae sarcastically asks him.

"I know I did wrong to you..."

"I just want to know why you did that to me, Youn? What's your defense? You said you love me, but you hurt me so bad that I almost think you are unforgivable! Now tell me about it?!" it looks like the conversation is going down a bad path. Now, Youn can imagine how Yoo-Ji and Kevin's conversations began.

"I saw you hug him. Jackson."

"That's it? You're mad because of that?!"

"I love you, okay! I can't bear myself seeing you in someone else's embrace! I love you to death! I am jealous, yes, I am! Because he once had you, and he can have you again!" the second step, open up your feelings. Okay, I hope this will go somewhere.

"How can you love me when you still have doubts about me, Youn? How can you call this love when you're always living in fear that I might leave you for someone else?" tears begin to roll down her cheek.

"I don't know, Rae! Maybe because I see how perfect he is for you. A wealthy man, having a good relationship with your brother... and married you once for quite a long time. Five years is not a short time. He knew you so well, maybe better than me... And I started doubting myself," Youn slumps himself on a couch. He runs his fingers through his hair.

"Youn..." she comes towards him and holds his hand, kneeling in front of him.

"I love you because I know you love me so much and I feel safe around you. I don't want to end up in a relationship with a guy who has an attitude like my dad. You do know how my life was before, don't you?" she cups his chin, making him look into her eyes.

"I've told you many times. He is my past that I don't cherish at all. You are my past, my present, and my future. And for that, we need to fix this before we end up having a bad term in our relationship in the future. I love you. I will always love you. Trust me, please?" says Rae.

"I trust you... I promise, okay? But you need to promise me you won't get near him. Ever again, okay?" she nods, giving her promise to him.

"I love you, Rae. I can't live without you. These two days have been the worst days I've ever encountered in my life," he hugs her tight, caresses her hair in the most lovely gesture.

"Me too... can't eat, can't sleep, can't breathe... I miss you so much!" says Rae, laying her head on his shoulder.

"I promise I will do better in this relationship..."

"Promise?"

"Promise!" Youn says. He brings her into a deep kiss. She finally sits on his lap, enjoying the kiss she has been longing for so much.

Looks like the weather has returned to normal again.

Or, it might just be the beginning of a storm?

--------------------

Two weeks later.

Summer ends on a bittersweet note for Youn and Rae. They still work things out, but it wasn't as easy as they thought. Once the heart is wounded, it leaves a scar. It might heal, but not the scar.

But Youn's determination and love surpasses the doubts in this relationship. He shows how much he has changed for the better. He wants to prove that he is indeed serious about this relationship.

And with that, he proposes to Rae during a family gathering, in front of his mother. It's not shocking news, actually, since both of them have been in love with each other for a very long time.

Rae is on her way to a dress store, a few miles away from Rose Town. She has an appointment for a dress fitting. The wedding will be held in two months, during winter, so she needs to prepare everything.

Youn is busy with last-minute preparations for the competition, so she came alone. The phone rings, and she picks it up immediately.

"Love..."

"I've just arrived..." she smiles when she hears that voice.

"Gosh, I miss you so much!"

"You should come along if you miss me that much..." as she's talking over the phone, she already arrives at the store.

"Mom said it's bad luck to see a bride in a wedding dress before the wedding," she giggled, imagining his reaction when he said that. He must look so cute.

"Okay, I'll accept that. But for the final fitting, you need to follow me," says Rae. She already sees the store assistant walking towards her.

"Gotta go, baby. I love you..." says Rae. She cuts the call after Youn gives her a smooch over the phone.

"Hello, I'm Natalie... You are Mrs. Wu-Andrews?"

"Yes. Nice to meet you. Can I ask where Marjorie is?" she feels weird to see someone else taking over the appointment because she made the appointment with someone else, but ends up meeting someone else.

"She's having a family emergency this morning. So I'm covering for her today. Please have this juice," she politely hands her a glass of orange juice.

"Oh, it's fine..."

"We provide a free drink for customers today. Weddy Wednesday Special," Rae feels uneasy but since she came from far and will end up being in this store for quite a long time...

Why not?

She takes the glass and sips it little by little.

"Come... let me show you the room..." Natalie smiles at her. Rae feels excited and nervous at the same time.

After a few moments, she is torn between a sleek cut of silk long dress or a vintage ankle-length dress. She hums as she tries to choose between these two dresses.

Suddenly, she feels her head spinning. Like someone is pounding from inside out. She feels like vomiting, but she doesn't. She tries to balance herself on the chair. Vomit and spinning... could it be...?

There's no way she's pregnant! She is so damn sure about that.

She slowly slides from the chair, blacking out alone in the fitting room.

-----------------------

Youn feels uneasy. He has been waiting for Rae's call for almost two hours now. Is she having trouble choosing a wedding dress? He chuckles as he imagines she might be torn apart in front of thousands of dresses by now.

"I'll pay for them all, as long as you love it," he says, looking at her picture taken during their engagement day. He can't believe she finally belongs to him. He has waited for so long.

"Please God, make things easier for us. I love her so much!" he prays.

Then, he hears a ping. He quickly reaches for his phone. He receives a file sent to him. It could be work-related or from the wedding planner. He slides open the file.

And his heart drops at an instant.