Again

Chapter 1 - At the Beginning

HER

"Jeong Hyeok arrived? Oh, thank goodness."

Se-Ri ears perked up upon hearing his name. Even after all these years, just hearing his name brought all sorts of feelings in her.

She looked at the mirror and patted her already perfect coiffed hair. It was simple french twist with a few tendrils pulled down to frame her small, flawless face. As her best friend's maid of honor, she was wearing a blush pink chiffon gown that made her look even more ethereal than her normal self. Choosing to add a little sparkle in her hair, she put a few hair jewels in the styling.

Standing up, she walked over the where her friend was and gushed. "You look so beautiful, Hyo-Jin. Are you excited to get married?"

"You know I am!" her friend said, enthusiastically. Hyo-Jin went on to share that the unexpected pregnancy of Tae-Soo's sister-in-law was something of a challenge because they suddenly did not know if his brother could make it to their wedding. "But, thank god, Jeong Hyeok was willing to step in last minute."

"Good to hear," Se-Ri commented without a falter in her smile. Her years of acting were paying off for times like these. "So, he's here? He flew back?"

Hyo-Jin realized that she hadn't informed Se-Ri beforehand. "Yes. I'm so sorry, sister. I failed to tell you sooner. Yes, he's here."

"Don't fret about it. You were so busy with wedding preparations," Se-Ri assured. Hyo-Jin started apologising again but Se-Ri stopped her. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I've been over him for awhile now!"

Hyo-Jin gave her a skeptical look that Se-Ri only allowed her best friend to give her. "Fine. We'll talk after. Don't go drooling after your ex."

"I never drool after an ex," Se-Ri returned, defensively.

"Fair. Except Jeong Hyeok is THE ex," Hyo-Jin said. "Besides, have you forgotten that I was with you when you chased after him to the airport?"

Se-Ri narrowed her eyes at Hyo-Jin. "Let's not bring that up. Unless you want your gown blood stained."

Hyo-Jin laughed at the threat from Se-Ri that she knew was made only in jest. "Alright. I'll shut up for now. I don't want you ruining my lovely gown. Come on, let's go. I want to get married!"

As the friends were chuckling to take their places at the ceremony venue, Hyo-Jin whispered, "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Yes. Now don't worry about me."

Hyo-Jin nodded and peaked into the venue where she saw her soon-to-be husband standing by the altar waiting for her. Se-Ri knew that all thoughts of her and her ex were gone at that moment. Staring at the direction Hyo-Jin was looking at, Se-Ri had to catch her breath.

There he was.

She could not hear what he was saying to Tae-Soo from where she stood but he was smiling so his dimples were in full display. He styled his hair up, which she liked, and he was in an all black Ermenegildo Zegna suit.

He was still so handsome.

Before she assess him more, the events coordinator called on her to start walking. When their eyes met, she wondered if he thought about what could have been. They had so many chances... why weren't they able to make it work?

Sighing, she took her seat and watched her dearest friends get married as she tried to ignore the yearning in her heart of the man who had always had her heart.

*

They were seated at opposite ends of the room and for that Se-Ri was thankful. Glances from afar were one thing, but a face-to-face conversation was not something she was prepared for.