✓ READY TO LOVE | JAKE

24 - All Over Again

Empty, meaningless days went on as Jake busied himself with his work. Neither Sunghoon nor Heeseung mentioned Soo Yun to him, only casually asking him if he was alright, to which he just replied with a simple I'm fine that they didn't really believe.

But seeing him busy and full of life as he worked made them feel a little relieved. He never mentioned Soo Yun and all he did was go to work, cook food for him at home and then park his car near Lotte World where he stared at the sunset and at the sparkling lake, even though it reminded him of Soo Yun, and he ended up crying sometimes but enjoyed the peaceful vibe.

Sunghoon's wedding was in two days, something that Jake feared the most because he'd have to meet Soo Yun there. She had lied to him and that hurt him, but he hurt her too.

He shouldn't have said that he regretted loving her because he didn't. It was quite the opposite, he was thankful and grateful it was her he fell in love with.

Soo Yun spent her days in her shop, sometimes at Sunghoon's place or just sleeping on her couch, picturing a smiling Jake cooking her carbonara in the middle of the night. Was it all nothing? Did he really regret it all?

She never thought Jake would say something that will stay in her mind and hurt her for so many days, maybe for a long time too. She knew very well that she had hurt him, gave him some empty hope and happiness that soon vanished away from his grasp.

But as she lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling, she couldn't help but remember her father. He always told her mother how he regretted marrying her as if it was her fault. And when the two of them passed away, she could care less about her father because he was an asshole. Because when he was still alive, at times, she hoped that one day she'd wake up and find him gone.

He was that bad of a father, a husband, and a person. 

However, Jake was nothing like him, he was sweet and caring and he made her happy. He was the only person that made her feel worthy of love, worthy of happiness, and care. He was her yellow person too. He still is.

The two remaining days went by, and it was finally the big day. Soo Yun stood in front of the mirror as she checked her dress and hair. She smiled, thinking she looked pretty. That wasn't usual, she usually went with decent or okay, but right then, she loved how she looked.

The dusty blue satin dress she got fit her perfectly, and the soft curls of her hair fell in cinnamon swirls to a face that was as sweet as a white chocolate button. She had no idea that in a few hours, Jake would have to remind himself how to breathe when he sees her.

"Are you ready?" Jay knocked on her door as she grabbed her purse and opened the door. And at the sight of her, he gulped. 

"I am. Let's go." She smiled, not noticing the way he quickly looked away from her, afraid that he'd fall in love with her all over again if he stared a little more.

"You look pretty." He said before he cleared his throat. "Let's go."

Smiling, she followed him into the car before he started driving. She would have liked it if it was Jake who drove her, she always had fun telling him about her customers and about everything going on in her life. However, she was happy that Jay was there for her too.

"Sunghoon must be nervous." She muttered, feeling her heart beat fast inside her chest. 

"Are you sure you're not the one who's nervous?" He laughed, placing a hand on her fidgeting fingers to stop her from doing that. "I'm sure he's fine, you know him. He must be the happiest man today."

"Right. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, I just hope everything will go well."

"I'm sure today will be amazing. I missed these vibes. It feels great to know that a friend is finally getting married to his first love." He muttered, looking at the road as he pulled back his hand. "I just think that you'll look the prettiest today."

Soo Yun laughed and playfully hit his arm. "Stop joking, you haven't seen Areum yet. I'm sure she looks gorgeous, I mean she's always so beautiful but imagine her today."

"Right." He smiled. 

The ride all the way to the church was just them bickering and laughing, and when they got to the hotel where the wedding was held, she quickly rushed to the room where her brother was. Some people walked out of the room as she bowed at them politely. 

"Your brother is still so famous," Jay muttered and she just smiled. 

But when she stepped inside the room, spotting her brother standing there, she just stood there and stared at him. "Soo Yun." He called when he saw her.

"You look handsome." She smiled, eyes glistening. "I can't believe you're g-getting married."

"Don't cry!" Sunghoon rushed to her before he pulled her for a hug. "If you cry now then I'll cry too. Do you want me to cry on my wedding day? Are you crazy?"

A chuckle left her lips as she pulled away and carefully wiped her tears. "No, no."

"You better stop crying." He warned playfully. "Now go see Areum, but do it quickly, I'm running out of patience." 

"Alright, Mr. Groom." She laughed and walked out of his room, looking for Areum's room. And when she stepped inside, the side of the bride sitting there was mesmerizing.

"Hello, Soo Yun." Areum smiled as she greeted her.

"You look... gorgeous." Soo Yun said, eyes sparkling. "Your dress is so beautiful."

"Thank you. I hope you get to wear one much more beautiful soon." She smiled and took her hand in hers.

"I hope you spend a happy life along with Sunghoon. I wish you all happiness and joy."

"Thank you, little sister," Areum muttered as she pulled Soo Yun for a tight hug.

And sometime later, the guests were sitting down while waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle. And before they knew it, the light turned a little faint as Areum and her father walked down together, arms linked.

Staring at them with glistening eyes, Soo Yun felt a little envious. Areum had an amazing father and she got to walk down the aisle with him, but Soo Yun's father was dead and even if he was still alive, she wouldn't have let him walk her to her soon-to-be-husband because he didn't deserve that.

But right then, her gaze shifted to the man who was standing across the place with his eyes glued to her. He looked quite surprised, mesmerized, and dazed.

"Jake..." Soo Yun mouthed as he just stared at her, not realizing that right then, he fell in love with her, all over again.