THE RESTLESS AUTUMN (completed) (a full-length novel)

Almost

Chapter 21

She held the bouquet of blue hydrangeas in front of the full body mirror once more while Seung-jin picked at her floral headdress. She smiled at her daughter whose eyes had turned tinier from grinning ear to ear. For a moment there, Euna secretly wished they were going to some photo shoot instead of her own wedding. A shameful thought, she reminded herself as she struggled to take it off her mind. Staring at her own reflection, she went into another round of thoughts, this time visualizing the events that were yet to unfold. Unaware of Seung-jin's eyes on her, she teared up and shuddered in fear. Until Seung-jin tugged at her hand and woke her from a stupor. Hearing the knocking at the door, she quickly wiped her tears dry.

"It's time," Eun-jung said.

Euna took Seung-jin by the hand. "Come, it's time."

The cathedral was closed for a private wedding ceremony in the afternoon. Guests started to arrive, ushered in by the staff, while the entourage prepared for their rehearsal. Dr. Son donning an all white tuxedo, stood near the entrance door and greeted each one with handshakes and curt greetings. He nervously looked at his watch from time to time, eagerly waiting for the bridal car to arrive any time soon. Among those who had made their way inside was a woman in heavy eye make-up wearing a black lacey strapless gown. She seemed to be without any acquaintances yet with the way she glided along the aisle, she exuded an air of sophistication. She took a seat in the back row and quietly observed the ongoing preparations. Like the rest of the guests, she too was looking forward to see the bride. With little chance for another opportunity, she was hoping to find a way to settle things once and for all.

Father Vincent woke up from his nap feeling dizzy but he had to get ready for the wedding ceremony. Recalling a conversation from their younger years, he realized today was a fulfillment of a lifelong promise to Euna, a special commitment only he could do for her. In some ways, he regretted things didn't turn out the way he had hoped for. He believed she should be with another person, the one that was true in her heart. But he had known that he had no control over her, even when she claimed he was the one with the biggest influence on her. Today he hoped to make her wedding the most memorable day of her life. For all the heartbreaks she had had before, Father Vincent thought, this moment should be special enough to make her forget and start living again.

As he put the clerical collar around his neck, he heard someone knock. Father Vincent hurried to the door and saw a group of strangers in dark suits, with guns in their hands and chilling look on their faces.

Euna sat by her lonesome at the back of the white limousine while Eun-jung and Seung-jin left in another vehicle. The trip should take approximately 15 minutes before reaching the cathedral, she heard the chauffeur say. She smiled and told him to take it slow as they still had time. The car windows were fogged, which the chauffeur had earlier apologized for, making it hard for her to look at anything else. Her fingers rubbed against the stem of the bouquet as her hands started to grow cold. She forced herself to focus on the wedding, on the man she was about to marry and on the new life she was about to begin. Instead of fear, she was finally eager to exchange vows, her gateway to freedom, a complete disentanglement from her past.

Reaching the intersection, two black vehicles surged ahead of the limousine and blocked their path. Armed men in dark shades got off the cars and approached the limousine. After breaking the passenger's door, one of the burly men seized the terrified bride by force, transferring her to one of the getaway vehicles and sped away.