Princess Hours (2019) [HIATUS]

CHAPTER #4

It's been two days since her mother has been hospitalized, this afternoon Irene decide to take her mom for a walk around the hospital to get some fresh air because staying inside this whole day must make her mother feel stuffy.

There must be a lot of things going on inside her mother's mind, since she get less chatty these couple of days, and Irene is trying to found out how to ease that burden.
"Irene-ah" she open up the conversation with her daughter when they are sitting at one of the park bench at the hospital garden "do you still have the ring that your father gave you?".

Her hand automatically ran in front of her neck, feeling the said things that hanging around her neck for quite some times, this ring is like a heirloom from her father, he said to take care of it with her whole life.

"of course mom, what about it?"
"do you remember what your father told you about that ring?"
"something about grandpa's promise"
"Joohyun-ah" It will be one serious talk if her mother already call her with her Korean name "The owner of the ring will come and get it back in the near future" Irene just don't get, if this ring is belong to someone else but why did her father keep it with so much care, there must be a great reason behind it.

"It's because that ring is an engagement ring, serve as a promise from your grandfather's friend promise to him, and that promise is to wed both of their children" Irene still can't see the whole picture, as long as she know her mother is an orphan and she doesn't know who's her real parents are "but because both of them have sons, the promise is down to their grandchildren which in your grandfather case is you"
There are a lot of things to register right now, these whole new information just hard to process.

In just a split second she knows that is bound to marry someone she doesn't know, some stranger that also bound with his grandfather's promise.

"Mom.. I..."
"if only.. if only.. I lose this battle, at least I know that you are going to get married in the near future, and your grandfather promise is being fulfil"
Being a married woman actually doesn't solve any of her life problem, and being tied down before she turn 30 doesn't actually goes with her life plan, but seeing her mother condition right now she just couldn't oppose the idea. At this moment, her mother's health and happiness are her top priority.

"I'm not going to force you into the marriage, that is why I ask about your thought about the idea"
"you want me to marry a stranger based on grandpa's will and promise?" Her mother remains silent "why.. why don't you tell me sooner? Why do you keep it from me all these years?"
"Me and your father agree to let you live your life to the fullest first, and we plan to tell you when you're ready.

But things has gone south for our family then after your father passing, I just slightly forgot about that matter and focus rising both of you" then she continues "but a few weeks ago, they call and asked me about the ring then yesterday they say they want to discuss the engagement detail"
"and you say???"
"I said I will give them an answer in two days"
"you should tell them to get the ring after your surgery"
And for the first time since she came to the hospital, finally Irene show a genuine smile from her mother.

Lady luck seems on Irene's side that day, her mother's surgery went very well and the doctor said the cancer hasn't spread anywhere beside the stomach area. Her mother just need to rest for a couple few days in the hospital and undertake some therapy and medication and she could be cancer free for good.

It wasn't any different from the other day, Irene come to visit her mother after she's done with work she actually feel a bit sorry that couldn't accompany her more often and thank god her best friend, Jennie is there to help. Since she run her own business, her time can be more flexible than her and Jennie has been doing Irene a favor by accompanying her mother when she's at work.

That afternoon just like usual, she is coming to her mother's ward after work but she found something unusual when she's arrive, her mother's bed is neatly made and Irene did not see the person anywhere.

When she text Jennie about her mother what happend and whereabout, her best friend just said that the hospital upgrade her to the VVIP room. So many question pop on Irene's mind, she hurried walk to the said room that Jennie tell her. She was hesitant to come at first when she arrive in front of the door, she check again the room number that Jennie text her and she read the patient name that written beside the door, it's indeed her mother's name.

"Irene-ah! what are you doing?" Jennie said when she see her best friend standing in front of the room while holding two cups of coffee.
"Jennie-ah, is this the room?"
"yes, don't just stand there aunty has been waiting for you and why didn't you tell me?"
"tell you what?
"that you're getting married?" 'aahhh, the marriage' Irene almost forget about the matter, her mind just too occupied by other things that she let that matter slips. "I thought that I'm your best friend, why didn't you tell about things this huge" Jennie pouts, pretending to be angry with her

"I'm sorry. Really sorry, it just happened, and beside how did you know?"
"You better tell me the details later, and your future in laws just move your mother to VVIP ward that how I know"
Irene haven't really heard the detail about her so called future in laws, but judging from this room alone which cost her monthly salary for one night.

The room just did not look like any other hospital ward, it was close to a hotel suite with a separate family room, huge bed and television, also fridge full of healthy snacks and drinks, that what she see when she come inside the room. Her mother seems really enjoy all the facilities, she talks about how happy she is that she finally be able to control the TV remote and watch them without any disturbance.

Jennie decide to stay with them for a while before she goes to her next appointment,
"so tell me about wedding.. Finally, who's the gentleman that finally got your attention?" Jennie ask her as soon as they finished ordering their meal for dinner outside, since her mother is sleeping after she have her dinner and take her medicine.

"I don't have a boyfriend"
"what do you mean, your mother said that you're getting married, and your in law even move her to a better room"
"Actually, it's kind a long story" then Irene told Jennie the whole story from the beginning, her grandfather's promise and how came she agree with the proposal. Jennie's expression change 100% after she heard the whole story, she try to cheer Irene up by saying that tonight dinner is her treat.

"so.." Jennie said carefully "when your wedding will be"
"I don't know, I haven't meet the guy yet but they will come for the ring this week" Irene's hand automatically ran to her neck, feels the ring that still hang around her neck.

Jenny move and sit beside her friend then give Irene a warm embrace "you know, if you need an ear to listen to your worries or a shoulder to lean on, just remember I'm just a phone call away"
Irene nods, touch by the simple promise that her friend give.

"am I interrupting something here?" a male voice interrupt, he was around their age and he looks like he is happy all the time

"jinyoung-ah!" Irene calls him, a little too excited "I didn't know you were coming"

"I thought you need some happy virus to boost your spirit, and we haven't meet up for quite a while" Jennie explain, "and that's why I call jinyoung tonight"

"How's Aunty? I feel bad that I haven't visit her at the hospital"

"She's recovering well" Jennie is the one explain "very well since her future in laws is taking care of her too"
Jinyoung choke on his drink, "in laws? Is Jisung getting married?"
"Of course not!" both Jennie and Irene answer at the same time "It's Irene, you idiot" Jennie add
"Irene, that Irene?" jinyoung pointed at Irene "Bae Joohyun? Bae Joohyun is getting married? How long has been since I meet you guys? How come I'm the only one who's clueless here"

Both Irene and Jennie looked at one another, then finally Irene start to explain everything she's just told Jennie a few moments a go.

And jinyoung smile suddenly turn upside down