My Dreamland Oppa

26. Forever Yours

"What should we do for New Year's eve? Rich is inviting us to spend it with his family in the hotel. But I told him I'm not sure, and many people will be there." Mara asked Josh as they watched the tv together.

"It's okay. We can join Rich. Don't worry about it. People are in Seoul for the countdown and are not in a secluded hotel." Josh replied.

"Are you sure?" Mara gazed at Josh's face as she asked again.

"Yes! Of course!" Josh nodded and kissed her on the forehead.

Mara immediately phoned Rich about their joining his family celebration for the new year. Finally, it will be easier for them to make their plan work.

Mara started enumerating her plans when she returns to Boston. "I can't believe that we only have three days left to be together here. When I return to Boston, I will take straight shifts for at least three weeks."

"Why?" Josh shook his head. "Are you planning to exhaust yourself?"

"That is what I usually do whenever Rich leaves Boston after the holidays. It takes my mind off the loneliness. It's like therapy, you know!" 

Josh held Mara's hands. "You don't have to do that. I will not let you bury yourself into work again."

Mara grinned and pecked Josh on the lips. "You will never know, anyway!"

"So you plan on hiding it from me?"

Mara took a deep breath. "Working is my life in Boston. Since I came there, I have made it like my dreamland. Everything that I want to forget I did by working. Everything that I want to be, I made it happen there. In Boston, nobody knows me to judge me."

Josh embraced Mara tight. He can only imagine how hard it was for her when she came to Boston. And now, he promised himself that nothing could hurt her anymore. He will ensure that she will only get all the love and care she deserves. Mara hugged Josh back as tighter than she can. She knows that even if they separate in three days when she returns to Boston, her life will never be the same. But, it will be a different motivation for her. She will work more, thinking that the more days she works will be fewer wait days when she will see Josh again.

***

New Year's Eve

"Rich said they will serve dinner after the countdown. So we should have some snacks before we go down, right?" Mara asked.

"Yes, you can order room service anytime," nodded Josh.

After having light snacks, they started dressing up. Mara kept teasing Josh about how handsome he was just by his eyes. Josh can't help himself from cuddling and kissing Mara as they wait for their time to go down. Finally, Jang called, telling them he or Rich would call if it was time for them to go to the ballroom.

An hour before midnight, Josh guided Mara as they walked to the hotel ballroom. When they entered, a giant screen on the ballroom stage welcomed them. It plays the countdown celebration in Seoul. Mara was wondering why there were still no other guests. She can only see Rich, Jang, and some people she believed are in charge of the technicals showing the countdown celebration on the big screen.

"Will they play your video greeting tonight?" Mara's face was in confusion.

Josh smiled and nodded. The slow dance music played in the ballroom. Rich asked Jang to dance on the dancefloor with him. Josh offered her hand to Mara and walked her toward the dancefloor. It thrilled Mara, as she never thought a time like this would still come for her. Who would have thought that she would have her happy new year back?