Hoseok's Bride

Chapter 1

~Jiyeon~

I paced around the room feeling angrier than I have for the past twenty-five years that I've been alive. I hated his guts more than anything. I hated his guts and my father's to the point I could shoot the two.

I glanced down at my phone, waiting for a text from my boyfriend, Dohyun. Nothing.

Angry that he didn't bother to text me and ask me how I am, I tossed my phone on the sofa and let out an angry sigh.

Knock, knock.

I turned around and watched as Hoseok's mother walked into the room, smiling. Even though I was angry as hell, I smiled at her anyways. She always took care of me whenever she had the chance since my mother had passed away when I was five. That didn't change the fact that I hated Hoseok though. I was being married against my will and even his parents are unaware of it too.

"Jiyeon," she said, grabbing my hands.

"Hello," I smiled down at her.

She looked at me in awe and then whispered, "You look so beautiful. Just like your mother."

My chest tightened, "Thank you," I whispered.

Hoseok's mother smiled with tears in her eyes, "I can't believe my baby is getting married. I can't believe he's going to marry such—such a kind and beautiful one too."

I tensed.

She reached for her emerald pendant necklace that she was wearing and smiled down at the necklace before looking up at me.

"Bend down for me, will you?"

I hesitated before bending down towards her. I felt the cold necklace hit me as she clasped it on for me. When she was done, she smiled brightly at me and guided me towards the mirror. There, I stood beside Hoseok's mother as she held my hand in both her hands.

"This was a gift Hoseok's mother gave me when I married Hoseok's father," she said, quietly. "I think... I think I want you to keep it."

"But—Hoseok's sister—"

She cut me off, "Don't worry about her, love. She will receive something on her wedding day too."

"But—"

Hoseok's mother cut me off by saying in a soft voice, "Please. Please, take care of my son. Hoseok is always smiling and laughing but there are things he keeps to himself. My son... I love him so much and I told myself I was never going to let him marry anyone because I believe no women could love him like I do."

I felt my throat closing at that.

"Now that I see who's the girl my boy decided to marry," tears rolled down her face. "I'm so happy I could die. So please Jiyeon, take care of my boy. Love him and protect him. Do the things I could and couldn't do. He worked so hard to get to where he is today and all I did was watch him suffer through it all. Take care of him, physically and mentally. That's all I want from you."

I closed my eyes, trying not to let that affect me than it already is. My father and Hoseok struck a deal...I don't know what it is for but they told me that I had to marry him no matter what. My freedom, my relationship, my life...everything wasn't going to be the same anymore.

Because Hoseok isn't just an ordinary man. He's much more than that. He's loved and cared for by so many people and I know that even if this marriage isn't real, I'll have to take care of him on the behalf of all those who loves him.

I opened my eyes and smiled, "I promise."

Hoseok's mother smiled and dropped my hand before wiping her tears, "I leave him in your care, Jiyeon."

***

"Smile," Hoseok whispered.

I scowled at that.

"Today's supposed to be a happy day for us," he reminded me.

I continue to scowled at him.

Hoseok's lips curled into a smile. Even though I hated him for barging into my life, I couldn't ignore the fact that Hoseok's smile can really make you forget about everything. I almost forgot that I was forced into this marriage too.

As the crowd cheered and clapped as Hoseok pressed his lips against mine, I swear...for a split moment, I felt a spark between us. Something that terrified me...and made me angry too.