I'll Be By Your Side: Memories of the Alhambra

Chapter 8 - Home is wherever you are

HEEJU POV

I gaze out the window looking at the busy evening streets of Seoul as Jinwoo drives quietly. I had thought that we were heading home for dinner with the family when Jinwoo made a turn into an unfamiliar street.

"Oh, are we going in the right direction? I thought we were supposed to turn out from the next exit instead of the first exit on this highway." I ask as we made another turn into a more residential street.

"Yes. I thought I want to take you somewhere first before we head home for dinner."

"Oh, where are we going?" I ask, curious to know what he has planned.

"Surprise." He says and smiles mysteriously.

Jinwoo continues to drive past several residential buildings, and the streets filled with kids running around with their basketballs and bikes. It all looks affluent and wholesome with the apartment buildings nestled among the trees. Maybe we're visiting someone?

A few minutes later, Jinwoo drives into the basement carpark of a high rise, huge fifty-story residential apartment building, all curved glass, and steel.

After parking the car, Jinwoo holds my hand as we walk into the enormous—and frankly intimidating—glass, steel, and white sandstone lobby.

"Why are we here?" I ask as we enter the elevator.

Jinwoo turns to smile at me before pressing the button for the 48th floor.

The elevator doors open, and a man with dark brown hair, a sincere smile, and a sharp black suit stands waiting. "Annyeonghaseyo Daepyo-nim, Annyeonghaseyo Samo-nim." He greets us with a bow.

"Samo-nim?" I say, eyes blinking with disbelief.

Jinwoo amused at my reaction quickly introduces the stranger to me. "Heeju, this is my assistant, Myungsoo."

"Oh, Annyeonghaseyo. Nice to meet you." I greet with a bow and a smile.

Myungsoo says with a bow. "Yes, Samo-nim. Congratulations on your engagement."

"Oh, kamsahamida," I reply softly.

"Daepyo-nim, the house is ready," Myungsoo says as he moves aside to let us in.

Jinwoo leads me into the house while holding my hand and I was utterly surprised as we step in. The place is empty and we find ourselves in a large entrance hall. The walls are painted in faded white color.

"Come," he says, and taking my hand, he leads me through the archway in front of us into the main dining area and the open kitchen.

We walk further into the apartment and up the curved, sweeping staircase to the second floor. Oh, and there's a beautiful crystal chandelier hung on the ceiling of the second floor. The interior of the apartment is beautiful.

As we head across the room and outside through open French doors to a large balcony. Wow.

The panoramic, uninterrupted vista is breathtaking—staggering even. In the distance on this crystal-clear evening, the setting sun sinks slowly, glowing blood and flame orange, beyond the Hangang River.

I am lost to the view—staring, trying to absorb such beauty.

I realize I'm holding my breath in awe, and Jinwoo is still holding my hand. As I reluctantly turn my eyes away from the view, he's gazing anxiously at me. "So what do you think?"

"This place is amazing, the view is beautiful," I whisper.

"I bought it. For us. As a home."

I couldn't believe the words he just said.

"I've done the research on this location. It's a 15 minutes drive from here to your guitar studio at your place and also a 15 minutes drive from here to my office," he adds cautiously.

"Do you like it? We can look at other places if you want." He asks.

I can see how worried he is that I may not like the place or the idea of it. I glance back to assess the interior of the house. "What's not to like? This place is beautiful. And you're my home. Home is wherever you are." I say to assure my worried-looking fiancé.

Jinwoo pulls me into his arms and stares intently down at me. "Ditto... Yeobo." He says and I couldn't resist the big smile I have on my face hearing him call me his wife.

I'm going to build a family of my own here. With the man of my dreams. And I can't wait.