Sancutary | 박성훈

26. Officially Newlyweds

The wedding party was going on. Many of Maena's father's and Junho's colleagues came to shake her hand and congratulate her on the marriage. But she didn't know them, except for the couple she met at the opening party.

People ate cake, drank coffee and wine and danced to the music. The dance started with the married couple dancing alone. Maena hadn't practiced for it, but she didn't even have to, it also came naturally with Sunghoon. After a while, the other guests were also dancing along with everyone else. Bora happily danced with Jihoon, and Maena also shared one dance with her. Their tradition has also included a dance between the bride and her father, so that also came true.

After some celebrating a clink of a glass interrupted the party. All guest turned to Junho who apparently were about to say something and so silenced the venue. "Thank you everyone for celebrating my son's marriage this far. Now I'd want to share few words. And I'm not saying this in a written speech, but quite freely and straight from the heart.", Junho started so everyone began to listen him carefully. 

Maena smiled and eagerly waited to what he was about to say, her officially father-in-law. Sunghoon appeared next to her from the crowd to listen together.

"I still remember from Sunghoon's teenage years when I told him that 'shouldn't you be looking at girls at this age and not always just school books?' That's what I said, he was always like that, a hardworking student. He replied, 'I'm not interested'. I knew that was his answer but still I would have liked it to be different." 

"But look, now I'm at that same son's wedding. And I'm so happy. I am grateful to our Maena who was patient with my son, looking for the love that is hidden in him. I couldn't thank you more, Maena. That's why I wish you two a loving and wonderful life together. I hope you continue to find love and understanding in each other in the years to come. But remember, you are not all alone in this world. You have a lot of people around you to support you and your relationship, especially your family and friends. We are always available for you. And we believe in your love."

"I think that's quite it. Everything I want to say and straight from my heart. Thank you for listening.", Junho ended his speech. Maena couldn't help but to feel emotional. However, she knew the other side of the story, the marriage was arranged and they wouldn't have found each other without Junho if it wasn't for fate. But that is in the past and they live in the present, the past doesn't matter anymore. They are here now, together, and united, they have their whole life ahead of them.

People clapped for his speech and soon everyone were back celebrating. Maena walked to Junho and hugged him, that's what he deserved now.

As the day wore on, the bigger parties started to end and the external guests began to leave. The relatives stayed to celebrate and they moved to do it inside the mansion to the hall that was set up for it. 

There, people talked to each other more and enjoyed pastries, salty and sweet ones. Maena was with her friends a lot as Sunghoon talked with her bridesmaids. They surely had a lot to chat and she even felt pitiful how Sunghoon had to listen their blabbering.

After her friends, she sat down next to her cousin. He also had a black suit and an undershirt without a tie, it was funny because his father had the same outfit and they looked so alike anyway. Almost blonde hair and dark green eyes. Even their hair was styled almost the same way today.

"How do you feel, Maena? You're officially a wife today.", Leo inquired. 

Maena smiled and sighed like she was thinking of a respond. "Mature. I feel like a real adult now." 

"Cool. You look really pretty today." Compliments came from her cousin's mouth so at this point she totally believed it. 

"Thanks. You look handsome too. With your dad.", she noted a little jokingly, referring how alike they looked.