7.2

“Now that you’re in casual clothes, I can actually see the baby bump.”

“Really?”

Joo-eun, stroking her belly, looked proud and content.

“Do you like it?”

“It feels real.”

The two were holding hands and walking around the pension.

“It’s both amazing and worrying. That you chose love over everything else.”

Joo-eun had a charming personality, but she also harbored the materialistic traits typical of a chaebol family. She had fears about stepping away from her life as a member of a wealthy family.

It was astonishing that she, a chaebol heiress, had willingly left her privileged life to chase love.

“I’m even surprised at myself. Who knew love could be this powerful?”

“But as hard as breaking up can be, getting pregnant? Don’t you think it was too hasty?” 

Chaeyoon was worried; they had only been dating for a few months when she decided to get married and became pregnant.

“I didn’t have time. Would it have been better to marry someone else and regret it later?”

“There’s no guarantee you won’t regret this marriage either. In today’s world, there are differences, even if you pretend there aren’t. In that sense, marrying into a different class carries big risks. You may not feel it now, but transitioning from a life as a chaebol member to not being one isn’t easy.”

“You know how I was planning on breaking up with him after a moderately enjoyable relationship, right?”

“Yes.”

“And when we did break up, we did it so gracefully. We decided to give each other a chance to choose someone else. ‘A chance to choose someone else’! That’s bullshit. It was so hard I couldn’t eat or sleep. Do you know what the hardest part was?”

“Was it not seeing him?”

“No. It was imagining another woman by his side. Thinking of her smiling at him like I did, holding his hand, loving him… it felt like the ceiling was caving in on me; I couldn’t even breathe.”

Recalling that time, Joo-eun frowned and took a deep breath.

“My parents are very attached to blood relations. Once we have the child and some time passes, even if they don’t acknowledge him, wouldn’t they want to see me and our child?”

“Do you think they would?”

“Yes, they will. Now that I have a child, I understand. I always resented how my parents treated me, but now I see that was their way of showing love. I’ll show them that I can have a good life even after having this child.”

Joo-eun caressed her belly tenderly, her tone resolute.

Do all mothers become like this? 

Joo-eun, who always seemed like a carefree girl, now appeared mature. In just a few months, she had become an adult capable of taking responsibility for her own life.

“Yes, you’ll live well. If ever hardships come, just remember the moment you chose love. Don’t cry for Seokhyun-oppa.”

“You don’t think oppa will make me cry?”

Joo-eun tilted her head inquisitively.

“There’s no way such a kind-hearted oppa would do that.”

Chaeyoon’s tone, filled with conviction, was so firm that Joo-eun found herself nodding seriously.

“If I ever forget how I feel now and consider breaking up with oppa, will you talk some sense into me?”

“Ah, no way. Don’t ask me to do such difficult things.”

Chaeyoon dropped Joo-eun’s hand and walked ahead.

“What’s the point of having friends, huh? But I’ll give you a nice wedding dress for your wedding instead. The most expensive one.”

Joo-eun quickly caught up to her and said.

“No thanks. I’ll take care of my own wedding.”

As they continued their leisurely walk, they reached a gentle hill behind the pension. The hill, where the golden tangerine groves ended, was lined with trees bursting with red flowers.

“Look, camellias! They really bloom in winter. It’s my first time seeing them in person.” 

Chaeyoon remarked, moving closer to a tree adorned with vivid red flowers. Up close, the flowers had a deep crimson hue.

“See? It’s so pretty here, isn’t it? In summer, it’s full of hydrangeas, which you love. There’s a pool, so you can swim in the summer. Beyond this hill is the sea. Come, let’s look at the sea.”

Crossing the hill where the camellia trees were planted, they were greeted by a sweeping view of the ocean with white waves crashing against the shore. They sat on a white bench, watching the sky and the sea turn shades of orange as they merged at the horizon.

“This is so nice. It’s soothing.”

The moment gave Chaeyoon a sudden realization of just how exhausting the past six months had been, as she had juggled her time relentlessly without a break.

“Did you have a hard time studying?”

“Yeah, it’s been tough. But since it’s something I enjoy, I’ve actually had fun, even though it’s challenging. I wondered if it was too late to start learning something new, but I’m glad I mustered up the courage.”

“You might look delicate, but you’re tough. You’ll do well in whatever you attempt, and you’ll survive no matter where you are. You’re incredibly resilient.”

Joo-eun gave a thumbs up.

“Is that a compliment or are you mocking me?”

“It’s definitely a compliment.”

“Well, thank you anyway. Thanks to you, I get to breathe in the Jeju sea breeze.”

Chaeyoon smiled back at Joo-eun.

“Hehe, I knew you’d like it here.”

“I’m glad the weather’s good. It’s December, but it feels warm here in Jeju. It’s freezing in New York.”

“The weather can be chilly when it’s cloudy and windy, but it’s warm when the sun is out. They said tomorrow will be nice too.”

“Where is the wedding going to be held? No matter how warm it is, it might still be too cold for an outdoor event. Wow, now that I think about it, I don’t know anything about your wedding. I thought I’d be involved in every little detail of your wedding as your best friend.”

Chaeyoon brushed Joo-eun’s hair blown by the wind, her voice filled with affection.

“A busy girl like you is helping me with my wedding? No way.”

“What do you mean? If I don’t help, who will?”

“You would have left me feeling lonely even if you hadn’t gone abroad. You’re too busy studying when you’re in school, too busy working when you’re employed.”

“We haven’t seen each other in a long time, let’s not get sentimental. I’m already feeling choked up about not being able to help with your wedding. If I had studied more, I might have even made your wedding rings.”

Chaeyoon fondled Joo-eun’s fingers as she spoke.

“I’ve only just got my gemology and appraisal certification, so I still have a long way to go.”

“But you flew here for me. I prefer having you here over a ring. Thank you, my friend. I love you.”

Joo-eun wrapped her arms around Chaeyoon and hugged her tightly.

“Your skill in giving trouble and then offering comfort hasn’t changed.”

“It’s my specialty, hehe. Oppa says he likes that I’m never boring.”

“No surprise there. That’s why you two clicked. And Seokhyun-oppa, he might seem quiet, but really, he’s quite the character, huh?”

“Imagine how fun it is when a cat turns into a tiger.”

Joo-eun whispered with a mischievous expression.

“Goodness, should a pregnant woman be saying such things?”

“That’s why I’m speaking metaphorically.”

The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“The wedding will be held at the cafe run by the pension. The reception will be there too.”

“Are you sure about this? Having such a stealthy wedding? You could have received congratulations from many more people.”

Joo-eun had always enjoyed glamorous and showy events. It was expected that her wedding would be a grand affair, but now, not even her family would attend. It’s strange how life turns out.

“No, it’s enough. I wouldn’t have even considered this wedding if it weren’t for Seonho.”

“Why Seonho?”

Chaeyoon was surprised by the unexpected name.

“Seonho said that we should at least have wedding photos to show our child.”

“That’s surprising. Who knew he’d think so sentimentally.”

“I know. I didn’t expect it, but he came to Jeju to attend too. This event has made me see him in a new light. I owe him a lot. I just threw out an idea, and he even lent us his yacht. Even my dad would envy that yacht.”

“So, Seonho has suddenly become your best friend?”

Chaeyoon narrowed her eyes, looking at Joo-eun somewhat accusingly.

It twisted her gut to think she had done nothing for Joo-eun’s wedding while Seonho had provided so much support.

“Hey, the only best friend I have is you. He’s sort of a partner in our Seukhyun’s business. Hehe.”

Then a thought struck her.

“Even so, how could you send Seonho to pick me up without telling me in advance? Or at least you could have given me a heads-up.”

“Why? Did he start bothering you again? Hasn’t he changed that habit yet?”

Joo-eun put her hands on her hips, lighting up with curiosity.

At that moment, Chaeyoon realized. Joo-eun didn’t know. The awkwardness of reuniting with Seonho after a night spent together.

“Ah, never mind.”

Chaeyoon waved her hands dismissively at the puzzled look on Joo-eun’s face.