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20 years later.
"Park Seong Hwa, will you marry me?"
Sitting in the back row of the pool area of the Seong Hwa family's house, Hong Joong was playing around with a glass of red wine in his hand while enjoying a scene on a small stage built in front of the pool area.
It's a scene where his eldest brother, Kim Bum Joong is proposing to his best friend, Park Seong Hwa to marry him.
Tonight was supposed to be just a birthday celebration event for Park Seong Hwa but why did it suddenly become an engagement party?
Because Kim Bum Joong is a person who is good at grabbing every opportunity in front of his eyes.
If he proposed to Seong Hwa in front of the audience of guests present that night, that means, Seong Hwa would not have any chance to reject the man's proposal.
Pfftt.
Why should Seong Hwa reject the proposal?
They have been an ideal couple since college days.
All the friends who know their family members very well know how Bum Joong seems to be made for Seong Hwa and Seong Hwa seems to be made for Bum Joong.
They both match very well.
It's only Hong Joong who doesn't want to accept that fact because-
"Are you regretting it, hyung?"
His slowly drunken eyes glanced towards the voice that appeared next to him.
"Regret for what, Yun Ho?"
"I don't know. How do I know. Maybe, fell regret because you were too late."
"Too late?"
"Too late to be honest about your feelings, hyung. That's what Yun Ho is talking about."
A voice came from the other side.
"And what do you mean, Yeo Sang?"
The man let out a bleat sound, obviously disgusted by the sluggish way Hong Joong's brain was moving.
"You love him and you're too late."
"I don't love him."
"You were the one who proposed to him first."
"That happened when we were both children, Yun Ho. Seong Hwa certainly won't remember that."
"But you obviously remember that, don't you? So why don't you take the initiative, hyung?"
"Yun, I'm not one to take other people's rights for granted. He's been with Bummie hyung since he was in high school."
"And you've been with him since you were both in kindergarten."
"Yeo Sang- wait a minute. Why are you two attacking me like this?"
"Uhm uhm, we're not attacking you, hyung. We.." Yeo Sang sighed. "
"'We' what, Yeo Sang? Look, if you two are worrying about my feelings, you two can stop it now. I'm fine. I'm happy for Seong Hwa. I'm so happy for my friend's happiness."
"Even though Seong Hwa hyung isn't really happy?"
"Yun Ho, are you questioning Seong Hwa's relationship with my brother-"
"All of us, hyung and that includes you, know how Seong Hwa hyung never loved your brother, hyung."
"He wouldn't have accepted the proposal so recklessly if he never loved Bum Joong."
"He only accepted the proposal because he loves his father and.. he probably can't bear to waste his time waiting for you anymore, hyung. You promised him. You two were probably just kids back then, but you promised him and you are too late. You're late, hyung. All right. You said you were fine, didn't you? We will not interfere in your affairs anymore. Yeo Sang, come on. Min Gi and the others want to go home."
Yeo Sang tapped Hong Joong on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Hyung, it's not too late. Yun Ho is just upset but you know, he didn't mean it. Me and the others will go home first. See you at the penthouse."
Seeing Yeo Sang and Yun Ho walk away, Hong Joong drank the entire red wine in his glass and sighed loudly.
His eyes returned to staring at Seong Hwa who was clearly faking a smile on his face.
Without him realizing, Seong Hwa's eyes met his.
'Tears?'
Seong Hwa just gave the man a soft smile before turning his attention back to his father's friends who were congratulating him.
Hong Joong then raised his back from his seat.
Before he intended to walk towards his car, he gave another look at the man who was now his eldest brother's fiance.
"I'm sorry, Seong Hwa hyung. I failed to keep that promise."
