{ epilogue }

ONE YEAR LATER...

Dara was busy tossing her clothes and other things on her carry-on. It was already seven in the morning in the US and she was supposed to be at the airport in fifteen minutes. She knows that it doesn’t really help that the John F. Kennedy International Airport was thirty minutes away from her house and her phone had been incessantly ringing since five minutes ago.

She cursed as she started cramming everything inside the bag and grabbed her phone before running to get her suitcase. She fumbled on her door and locked it before rushing down, trying to flag a cab. As her bad luck would have it, all the cabs were occupied.

It took her another three minutes before she managed to snag one. “JFK please,” she said in flawless English as the driver sped off. She took a peek at her phone and saw that it was Jiyong. “Hey babe,” she answered breathlessly.

“GOD, KWON DARA, STOP SCARING ME LIKE THAT!” He yelled through the phone. “I’ve been calling you!”

“Calm down, Ji, it’s freaking seven in the morning here!” She replied, trying to make him understand that the fourteen-hour time difference wasn’t really on their side.

“Yeah, yeah, sorry. You’ll arrive tomorrow, right? At 11 AM?” He asked.

“Yup!” She answered cheerily. It had been a full year since Dara settled on New York, New York, and she was very pleased with how things turned out. She managed to overcome her fears which the PTSD brought her, and Jiyong’s company was back on top. They never lost communication, what with Jiyong calling her almost every minute and him flying to US every month just to see her.

“Arasso. Call me when you land, okay? Bom noona and TOP hyung will fetch you.” He reminded.

She pouted, sulking. “Yah, why won’t you fetch me?!”

Jiyong laughed on the other line. They were planning something, but of course, he cannot let Dara in on their secret. “I have a meeting, babe. You can even ask Jaejoong if you want.” He playfully replied. Jaejoong and Jiyong’s relationship was restored back to what it was before, although Dara admits that it wasn’t particularly smooth sailing. It took her and Yuri a lot of effort to convince Jiyong that Jaejoong won’t take Yuri away.

“Okay, okay.” She responded. “See you soon.”

“See you babe. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She answered before hanging up. She was smiling dreamily to herself that she didn’t even notice that they were already in front of the airport. Upon seeing the busy airport, Dara got back to her senses. She quickly paid the cab driver and stormed off.

Upon reaching the ticket counter, she was already heaving deep breaths. The attendant politely smiled at her dishevelled appearance. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the plane already departed.” She said in a sympathetic voice.

Dara wanted to just drop dead on the airport floor. “Omoooo...” She muttered weakly.

The attendant pitied her upon seeing her crestfallen face. “Would you want me to check if I could reschedule you on the next flight?”

She was energized, finding a mirage of hope. “Oh my, that would be great!” She answered excitedly. The attendant quickly tapped away on the computer keys and after a few minutes of waiting, she smiled at Dara. “There’s an available seat on the next plane, ma’am. It would depart in forty-five minutes. Would you like a seat?”

“YES!” Dara replied in all enthusiasm. When she noticed the weird looks she was getting, she toned it down and smiled shyly at the attendant. “Yes, uhm, thanks.”

The attendant returned her boarding pass. “No problem, ma’am.”

She sighed as she received it and went straight to the security. She checked her gate and sat for a while on the waiting area. Bom will really butcher her when she knows the situation. Well, Dara’s colleagues at the high school where she taught for a year threw her a party. She made friends there as well and they were all sad to see her go. Needless to say, the party dragged on, leaving Dara exhausted and unable to wake up at the right hour.

Aigoo, I have to get my ear ready, she thought as she started dialling Bom’s number. To her surprise, it was only ringing, but no one’s answering the other line. She tried calling her again for two more times before giving up and dialling TOP’s number. She was pursuing the couple since Jiyong already mentioned that the two of them will be the ones who’ll fetch her at the airport.

She was about to call again when her flight was called. She turned off her phone and went to the line, wanting to snag a place early so she can sleep well at the aircraft.

--

South Korea, Incheon International Airport, 11:30 AM...

Bom and TOP were anxious. It had been thirty minutes but Dara was still not around. “God, where’s that woman?!” Bom hissed under her breath, furiously typing a message on her phone for Chaerin and Youngbae who were with Jiyong at the moment.

TOP, who was usually a very calm person, started feeling nervous too. Dara was still not around and their surprise for her will really get wasted if it’s not done on time.

Bom’s phone rang and she quickly answered it. “Youngbae!”

“NOONA! Jesus, Jiyong’s close to peeing himself!” He reported. “Chae’s trying to calm him down but he’s hopeless!”

“OH MY GOD.” Bom exclaimed. She was really feeling worn out too. They have planned the surprise for three months, especially her, but she was feeling irritated that her efforts will be in vain. “Tell Jiyong I’ll kill him if he messes up!”

“But, Dara noona’s still not there?” Youngbae replied, his voice tinged with worry. “Jiyong told us he spoke to her yesterday, she was going to the airport then.”

“I know.” Bom answered. “We’re really nervous too. God, there hadn’t been reports on plane crashes on JFK, right?”

“BOM!” TOP scolded. “Can you please stop thinking about those morbid thoughts?!”

“I’m sorry!” She responded. “I’m just so stressed.”

“Noona people are starting to pile in!!!” Panic was evident on Youngbae’s voice.

“Gosh Bae, don’t panic on me! I don’t know what to do, too! Park’s still not here!!!”

“NOONA THEY’RE COMING!!!”

TOP snatched the phone from Bom’s hands. “Dong Youngbae, stop panicking, arasso? Just stay put and we’ll call you.” He instructed before ending the call.

Simultaneously, Youngbae was still panicking seeing the people pile in. He ran back to the waiting room where Jiyong was being calmed down by Chaerin. When she saw him come in, she ran to him. “What did Bom unnie say?” She asked, her voice low.

“Dara noona’s still not there!” He responded in a tight voice. “Bom noona and TOP hyung are both panicking.”

Chaerin cursed under her breath. She was sure that Bom will surely light a fire under Dara’s ass as soon as she saw her. They were all involved in the preparation, but Bom was the one who was very attached to it. “Are there a lot of people outside?”

“Yes! Jeez Chae, it’s a freaking wilderness there! Good thing abeoji and eomeoni are doing a good job.” He answered, pertaining to Mr. and Mrs. Park who were welcoming the guests.

“Youngbae? Is Dara there now?” Jiyong suddenly asked anxiously. His hands were cold and clammy.

“Err...” Youngbae answered, looking over to Chaerin for help.

“OH! Jiyong oppa, I think we need to style your hair more!” Chaerin said in false cheer and started steering Jiyong away from Youngbae. She made him sit on the chair and feigned styling even though she was only messing his hair and putting it back to the way it was before to buy more time. She gingerly looked back to Youngbae when Jiyong wasn’t paying attention. CALL BOM UNNIE! She mouthed wildly.

Youngbae could only sigh as he fumbled on dialling Bom’s number again.

--

“Bommie, maybe we should have answered her call yesterday...” TOP said. Truthfully, their phones were with them yesterday, but Bom forbade him on answering because it might ruin the “surprise.”

“UGH! No point in there now.” She answered.

“The other flight’s already being called... Where is noona?!” TOP asked himself as the next flight’s passengers started pouring in. He glanced at his wristwatch and saw that it was already time for the surprise. “Bommie–”

He wasn’t able to finish his sentence when Bom’s eyes widened, finally seeing Dara walk out from the arrival gate. “PARK SANDARA!!!” She screamed wildly, not caring about the other people.

Dara ran towards them with a big smile on her face. “BOM-AH, TABI-YAH!” She screamed back. She was about to hug Bom when her best friend stopped her and started to break into a run, dragging her around, making her forget about her comment on their formal clothes when they will only fetch her.

Thankfully, TOP took her suitcase so she was only left to handle her carry-on. However, Bom’s strength was no joke and she was still jet-lagged from the flight. “Bommie slow down! I just crossed several time zones and you’re acting like this?!”

“SHUT UP!” Bom roared as she shoved Dara into the backseat. TOP just crammed her suitcase next to her before going to the driver’s seat. He was driving like a maniac while Bom was busy barking orders on the phone, words which Dara can’t comprehend. Her head was aching because of Bom’s unexpected dragging and TOP’s zigzagging driving.

“YAH YAH YAH, WHAT ARE YOUR PROBLEMS?!” She asked loudly. However, the couple didn’t pay her any attention. Bom only tossed her a packet of facial wipes, still on the phone with someone.

She only sighed and shook her head. She eyed the facial wipes on her hands and shrugged before using it. Her face feels dirty anyway. She just landed from a 15-hour flight and it was really weighing her down. Good thing that she wore comfortable clothes. She was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with black stripes with a red leather jacket and white pants coupled with sunglasses. She had a bit of black bags under her eyes since she didn’t sleep well the other night. It was a good thing that she already prepared her clothes though, or else she’ll run to the airport wearing her bunny pajamas.

Dara was surprised when she saw that they stopped in front of a hall. Bom immediately went out from the passenger seat and dragged her out of the car. She combed Dara’s hair with her hands and tossed her sunglasses aside. “God Dara, you are so dead.” She hissed as she dragged her to the door of the church.

She was even more surprised to see her parents waiting for her at the door. Both of them have unshed tears in their eyes, and when Dara saw what her mother was holding, her heart went wild. Mrs. Park walked towards her and fixed the veil to cover her face before giving her a bouquet. Not just any bouquet though...

...but a wedding bouquet.

Dara was speechless. Her mind was whirling as her parents stood on each side of her. The hall’s door opened and all of the guests were surprised to see that the bride– Kwon Jiyong’s bride, the Number One businessman in Asia and owner of the Kwon Group of Companies– was looking rebellious yet chic with her leather jacket and leopard-printed slip-on sneakers. The only traditional things about her get-up were the veil and the wedding bouquet.

The wedding march started to play and they started walking. Dara’s eyes were brimming with tears as she kept her gaze locked at Jiyong, who was looking very handsome in his vintage tuxedo.

When the family finally reached Jiyong, Mr. Park handed Dara’s hand at him. “I trust you, son,” he said as Jiyong grasped his daughter’s hand.

Jiyong bowed a little at the older man. “Thank you, jangin eoreun.”

Mr. Park shook his hand and Mrs. Park hugged her before they proceeded with the ceremony. Dara was only gazing at Jiyong the whole time, still entranced with the events happening.

“Babe,” he drawled sexily as the priest motioned for them to start their vows. Jiyong held her hand tightly as they heard the guests swoon. He was staring at her eyes warmly, his brown orbs full of love. “I love you. I cannot thank you enough that you’re here, beside me. I’ll make sure to hold your hand always, wipe your tears, and make you lean on me. Whenever things get rough, I hope we can get through it together. I will prove my love to you every single day of our lives, babe. A lot of things have happened to us, but look where we are, we’re still together. You made me believe I can be better, and better I had been because of you.” He smiled gently. “I love you.”

Dara’s tears were unending. She can’t help but to lightly slap his arm, to which the guests laughed. “You make fun of me. You’re overprotective and you unleash Kwonzilla without asking first. We fight and yell. There are times I hate you, like right now, when you’re making me attend my own wedding wearing shirt and sneakers.” She laughed and Jiyong smiled teasingly. “But I love you. And I guess, that’s the only thing that matters.”

They were handed their rings, and they slowly wore it on one another, cherishing the moment when they’re finally legally binded together.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said. Jiyong slowly lifted the veil up. Dara’s eyes were still glistening with tears. He kissed her forehead, her eyes, washing her tears away, her nose, and finally, her lips.

“I love you,” Dara spoke as Jiyong’s lips were still hovering above hers, their breaths and heartbeats in sync.

He leaned down and kissed her once more before smirking. “Kwon Dara always, remember?” He last said before the guests erupted into cheers.

-fin-

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A/N: THIS IS SAD. T.T

I'm gonna miss every single one of you guys.

Hopefully, you're gonna comment 'cause I want to know what you think of this chapter, or this story as a whole. Can I expect a long narrative for the comments? XDD I will be very thankful. ;PP

I hope I'll see you guys again soon!

- X