See You In Afterlife(by Kim Luna)

"A Promise Under the Stars"

The night was soft with the glow of a thousand tiny lights strung across the garden, casting a dreamy ambiance over the gathering. Yuna stood at the edge of it all, taking a deep breath as she gazed at the arch adorned with cascading white roses. The stars above twinkled faintly, a silent audience to the promise she was about to make.

She had never imagined herself here, not like this-wearing an intricate lace gown that hugged her figure, her hair swept into an elegant updo, her heart racing not from the pressure of business deals or boardroom presentations, but from the weight of love. CEO of her own company, Yuna had always been in control. She was the woman who commanded rooms, made decisions that shifted industries, and had no room for weakness.

But here, with Dante, it was different. Here, she could be vulnerable.

She looked across the garden, catching sight of him standing nervously by the altar, shifting on his feet, his hands clasped together. He was still in his white coat, though for the first time, it wasn't the one he wore at the hospital. His hair, slightly tousled as if he'd run his fingers through it in nervousness, gave him the boyish charm she fell for. Dante, the shy doctor with a heart too big for this world, a protector in the quietest ways.

Her breath hitched as their eyes met. His gaze softened, a mixture of awe and pure adoration washing over his features. She could almost see his thoughts written in his expression-he didn't feel worthy of her, of her strength, her brilliance. But she knew better. He was everything she had ever needed, everything she hadn't even known she longed for.

The soft hum of music began, and Yuna's steps faltered for a moment before she gathered herself. She moved down the aisle slowly, each step toward Dante feeling like a new beginning, a shedding of the past. Her eyes never left his.

As she approached, she saw Dante swallow hard, his shyness bubbling to the surface. He had always been more comfortable in the shadows, letting others take the spotlight. But tonight, with his bride walking toward him, he was the one shining.

"Hey," she whispered as she reached him, her voice soft but steady.

"Hi," he managed, a slight tremble in his voice. His fingers reached for hers, holding on like she was the only thing anchoring him to the moment.

The officiant began, but Yuna couldn't focus on the words. Her mind was consumed with the way Dante's thumb absentmindedly brushed against her hand, his nervousness making him fidget. She knew he wasn't used to this-to being the center of attention, to expressing his emotions so openly. He was the doctor who saved lives, but in silence, in shadows, in selflessness.

But today, he was hers.

When the vows began, Dante cleared his throat, his voice low and careful. "Yuna... I've never been good with words, not like you. But with you, I never had to say much. You saw me. You made me feel... enough. I spent my life fixing people, but you fixed me without even trying." He paused, his voice catching slightly. "I don't know how to promise you the world, but I promise to stand beside you, to protect you, to love you-even when I'm scared, even when I don't know how."

Tears welled in Yuna's eyes, and she smiled softly, squeezing his hand.

It was her turn, and for once, she found herself without the perfect words. She, who always had a speech prepared, always knew what to say, was now standing in front of the one person who left her speechless. "Dante... you're my quiet place in this noisy world. You've shown me what love looks like, not through grand gestures but through the small things-the way you care, the way you protect, the way you love me even when I'm not easy to love." Her voice wavered, but she kept going. "You are the heart I didn't know I needed. And I promise to be your strength, to stand by you just as you've always stood by me. Today, I choose you... always."

Dante's eyes glistened, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. There was no crowd, no expectations-just the two of them, standing under the stars, hearts open and bare.

The officiant smiled and announced, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Yuna barely registered the words before Dante gently pulled her toward him, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss so soft, it felt like a whisper of a promise. The crowd erupted into cheers, but Yuna and Dante remained locked in their own world, their foreheads pressed together as they lingered in the moment.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips, his voice still shy, but full of certainty.

"I love you more," she replied, her heart full, knowing that for the first time in her life, she wasn't in control-and she didn't need to be.

Because with Dante, she was safe.