It was perfect.
As soon as the doors opened, the music starts, and the crowd slowly falls to silence. The dazzling white and blue rose petals that scattered around the red aisle was breathtaking. It looked exactly like the fantasy fairytale she'd always dream of.
Except this time, it was real.
As she took her first few steps, the silence, save for the music, was unbearable. The stares, the bated breaths, all waiting for her to reach the altar.
But it was a fantasy. Her dream, her living fairytale, and no one was going to take it away from her. So she continued, her pace regal, owning the moment as she walked down the sea of blue and white.
No one would rip the moment from her hands, no one could ruin this.
Her steps were soft, muffled by both music and the soft carpet. But they were loud to her, like glass breaking against floors.
She was nervous, so nervous that the sound of a camera clicking made her flinch a slight inch. But the person she was holding onto squeezed her arm as a sign of reassurance.
"Don't forget to breathe Jaehee" she whispered, just quiet enough for her to hear.
She takes a deep breath and so does she. Breathing in and out, slowly and gracefully. Anothe squeeze, and another smile. Jaehee couldn't help but break out into her own smile.
"Thank you"
She simply smiles before nodding, "Almost there, just a little bit more. Then this will be all over".
Jaehee smiled and squeezed her arm back, "Thank you so much".
No words pass between them as they finally arrive under the wedding arch. The music then slowly stops and the 2 face the kindly old priest, smiling. Slowly, ever so slowly she gently removes Jaehee's iron grip on her arm before stepping down.
She offers the bride one last, sad smile before taking her place with the other, crying men.
Jaehee sighs, as she walks away.
But the smiling face of Zen whisks her breath away. His hear was neatly slicked back and his penguin tuxedo was a snug fit. His red eyes shined with love and warmth, and his smile was so sincere.
As she was lost gazing into his eyes, she didn't notice the priest begin talking. But her eyes manage to peel themselves away from her soon-to-be husband. It lands on the woman, behind him, a few feet away, looking at her with a gaze filled with love.
Eyes filled with the same amount of love Zen has.
A soft smile, tinged with sadness. But nonetheless it was a smile, and she gently points to Zen with her chin, "Congrats" she mouths.
Jaehee blushes before locking eyes with Zen again, who had an eyebrow raised but the expression from his face never wavered.
"Do you, Ryu Hun, take Jaehee Kang as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do" he says, chest out and his voice filled with pride.
The crowd claps and a few murmurs rise. But the silence was regained as soon as the priest raised a hand and looked at the blushing Jaehee Kang.
"And do you, Jaehee Kang, take Ryun Hun as you lawfully wedded husband?"
Her eyes lock with the priest, then to Zen, and then lastly to her. Standing there with concern and worry in her eyes. She couldn't breathe and the feelings in her chest started to burn and hurt.
Somehow, just somehow, she felt that she was making the worst decision in her life, and yet she couldn't say no.
"I do"