𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞

Episode 47

Bright, Joong, and Pond continued their shopping spree at the mall. Joong and Pond ventured into a luxurious gift shop, on the hunt for the perfect present for their soon-to-be brother-in-law, Win. A friendly saleslady greeted them and showcased a variety of options, from high-end cufflinks to designer watches.

However, none of them seemed to spark the right feeling. Joong, known for his sentimental side, then fixated on a beautiful crystal heart statue. This wasn't just any statue; it could be customized with engraved letters. Perfect! Joong envisioned a heartfelt message etched onto the crystal, expressing their warm welcome to Win into the family.

Meanwhile, Pond, still grappling with his upcoming arranged marriage, struggled to find a suitable gift. He eventually settled on something practical yet thoughtful, reflecting his own conflicted emotions about the whole situation.

Across the mall, Bright browsed a jewelry store, his heart set on finding the perfect gift for Win. He envisioned a piece that captured the essence of their love, something Win would treasure for years to come. Yet, nothing seemed quite right. The diamonds sparkled, the gold gleamed, but none of it felt personal enough.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, snapping him out of his jewelry reverie. It was Win, calling from South Korea. Bright's face lit up with a smile as he answered.

"Bright, you won't believe it!" Win exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "I just found the best bakery for our wedding cake!"

Bright's smile faltered slightly. He envisioned a grand wedding with a high-end, renowned bakery crafting their cake, a symbol of their extravagant celebration. "Really, baby? That's good. What brand is it? I hope they're some high-end bakery, right?"

Win hesitated, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice. "Bright, actually, it's not any high-class brand, but…"

"But win, our wedding is going to be grand," Bright interrupted, his voice laced with a touch of concern. "Are you sure they could match the standard?"

Win's voice grew firm. "Oh come on, Bright," he said gently, "it's our wedding, not a show for high society. It should be about what we like, not what they expect. I don't care what people think. I'm ordering this cake and cupcakes for our wedding from this bakery, that's it. And if you really love me, you won't decline it."

Bright, caught off guard by Win's determined tone, sighed. He realized his focus on appearances had overshadowed the true essence of their wedding - their love for each other. "Fine, fine, baby," he conceded, "don't get mad. And tell me when you're coming back. I'm missing you so much."

Win chuckled. "It's been only three days since I'm gone," he teased.

Before they could continue, a boisterous voice interrupted them. "Hey, you thief!" someone shouted, snatching the phone from Win's hand.

Bright's heart leaped into his throat. "Who is this? What did I steal?"

"You stole my best friend from me!" came the playful reply. Bright instantly recognized the voice – it was Taehyung, Win's best friend from college. Relief washed over him, followed by a wave of amusement.

"Well, what can I say?" Bright shot back playfully. "Your best friend is quite yummy."

A muffled shriek erupted from the phone. "Shut up!"

"But I gave you my best friend in exchange, right, Tae?" Bright continued, directing his question to the other end. "Jungkook takes good care of you, right?"

A content sigh escaped the phone, followed by, "We're going for a meeting. Your fiancé will call you later. Bye!" and the line went dead.

Bright laughed, picturing the playful banter between Win and Taehyung. Despite the distance, their bond remained strong.

He couldn't wait to be reunited with Win and celebrate their love with a wedding cake that reflected their true desires, not societal expectations. This phone call had been a much-needed reminder of what truly mattered.
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The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, but a heavy silence hung over the small bakery. Dunk, his brow furrowed in worry, clumsily poured a cup of coffee.

His hands shook slightly, causing the steaming liquid to spill onto a customer's shirt. Mortified, Dunk stammered apologies as Phuwin rushed over to handle the situation, offering the customer a heartfelt apology and a complimentary pastry.

Once the customer left, Phuwin took Dunk aside, his voice laced with concern. "Dunk, what's going on? You're completely out of it today."

Dunk sighed, the weight of their dilemma pressing down on him. "Phuwin," he confessed, "I don't know what to do. The money… Dr. Han's treatment… if we reject that Thailand order, how will we afford it?"

Phuwin understood Dunk's despair. Dr. Han offered their only hope for Fourth's recovery, but the treatment came with a hefty price tag. Rejecting the order from Thailand meant financial hardship, potentially jeopardizing Fourth's future.

As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the bakery, Phuwin, ever the resourceful one, hatched a plan. He leaned in and whispered his idea to Dunk.

"What if..." Phuwin began, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief, "we take the Thailand order but tell Auntie we rejected it? We can fabricate another order from a different city, something closer."

A flicker of doubt crossed Dunk's face. Lying to their aunt, the one person who had always cared for them, went against their nature. But the desperation in his brother's eyes, the unwavering hope for Fourth's well-being, was hard to ignore.

"Are you sure about this, Phuwin?" Dunk asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Lying to Auntie doesn't feel right."

Phuwin squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly. "I know, Dunk. But it's the only way. This way, Auntie avoids unnecessary stress, and we can still help Fourth. We won't be lying about the treatment, just the location of the order."

Dunk, caught between his honesty and his desperate desire to help Fourth, remained silent. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air. 

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