I am sensible,you know. I am Yoon Seri. I don't believe in superstitious nonsense. Fate? Destiny? They are all absurd. I only know of Ms. Sold-Out, upper price limit, stock option, excellent brand, legendary sales, high return, limited edition, going public on the KOSDAQ, the best in the field. I would never think of placing my future, my fate, on such a ridiculous notion as wishing upon a star.
Pshhhh. Who are you kidding, Seri? That sensible Seri is now gone. Gone the moment your eyes laid upon two pairs of striking brown eyes as dark as melted chocolate staring back at you with much annoyance as you tell him "Your looks are totally my type." on that fateful day two years ago.
Ri Jeong Hyeok.
I braced my hands on the wooden balustrade off the balcony in my bedchamber as I looked up at the night sky here in Iseltwald, Switzerland.
Under a sky of perfect velvet, the stars lighting the sky like snow-flakes in the night, bittersweet memories played in my head.
I can still clearly see the play of expressions on his peepers, his audible breath of relief or was it resignation, the moment he closed the gates of his home against Cho Cheol Gang that first night.
A smile played across my lips as I recalled how he scoffed at me negotiating with him to help me out of North Korea. Heungbu and Nolbu. Hah! Swallow. I am not just any swallow. I am a very rich swallow whose only problem is how I will be able to spend all my money in this lifetime.
Then, there was that time when he had to act on impulse and introduce me as his fiancèe in front of Cho Cheol Gang and the nosy neighbors. He was trying to reign in his emotions, it was pretty evident in his brisk walk, clipped tone, and stiff muscles.
I also remembered how he was holding me close to him, my head pressed to his chest while my arms clung around his broad back as we jumped into that abyss to avoid being caught by the State Security Department in Mount Janam.
It was in that moment that I knew, I found my warmth. My safety. My home.
I didn't realize I was already crying until the tears hit my chin and plummeted to my night robe.
Stop it, Seri. Don't do this to yourself.
But it was as if a dam was opened. I couldn't stop the deluge of memories that were flowing like a flooded river into my mind.
I pictured my Jeong Hyeok, flustered, as I teased him of worrying over me that he had to come fetch me at Yeong Ae's house even though the route was out of his way.
I would have gladly sat on the backseat of the bike on our way home while holding on to his uniform to prevent myself from falling.
Duh! Of course you wouldn't. Admit it, Seri. Even then, you would have taken advantage of every bump in the road just so you can wrap your arms around his waist.
Fine, fine. I would have. But I lost that opportunity, didn't I?
Yes, you did. But you had something better. A specially-cushioned seat in front.
