Destined Choices
CHAPTER 11
"Are you sure you don't need to drink some water?" Kim Bum asked, smiling at the sight of So Eun rushing to swallow her food. She was returning to school after such a long period of time.
So Eun did not even have the time to reply Kim Bum as her mouth was full. She could not wake up in time since she had switched off her handphone the previous night. Kim Bum chuckled and handed a glass of orange juice to So Eun. He then took a tissue and wiped the bits of food on So Eun's lips.
So Eun nodded her head in appreciation. Kim Bum and she had been husband and wife for some time, thus, she was already used to his presence and actions. So Eun knew Kim Bum treated her well but So Eun still could not feel love for him. Her heart and thoughts were always on Ki Bum. She had been waiting for this day to come. She could return to school and spend more time with Ki Bum. Planning to make full use of school as a proper reason, So Eun was prepared and was hoping to be able to get rid of the seemingly widening distance between Ki Bum and her.
"I've to rush!" So Eun grabbed her bag and ran off. She was wearing a plain blue dress which clung onto her body, and a white jacket which made her elegant and innocent. As she rushed past Kim Bum, Kim Bum could sniff a wheeze of her strawberry champagne perfume.
"Hey! I will send you to school! The media should be there and you should know that we have to be the best couple …" Kim Bum stood up from his chair and pulled So Eun's hand. So Eun obliged.
On the drive to the school, Kim Bum and So Eun exchanged words briefly on topics revolving the company, So Eun's return to school and Hye Sun and Min Ho's wedding. Upon reaching the school, the two of them in the car had become the centre of attention. Reporters sprung out and cameramen were busy snapping photographs of them.
Kim Bum opened the door for So Eun and So Eun murmured to him, "The media is seriously … This is getting more and more tiring." So Eun stepped out of the car, putting on a gracious smile.
"Just put on with it." Kim Bum whispered to So Eun, with a charming smile plastered on his face. Kim Bum then held So Eun's hand and strolled with her to the main gate of her school. Students were also gathered in front of the gate, watching the amazingly compatible couple, walking together hand-in-hand. Kim Bum and So Eun had been a hot topic in conversations everywhere and also the subjects of much envy and jealousy. Ga Eul and Ki Bum were further away from the couple as they were already within the school compounds.
Ga Eul turned to fix her eyes on Ki Bum. His eyes revealed the utmost sadness and his smile had faltered. All of a sudden, Ga Eul felt as if Ki Bum had aged and had become a despondent middle-aged man. Her heart felt a pang of pain and a sense of helplessness soon took over. There she was, watching the man she loved so much and secretly suffering silently, and she could not do anything to help him relieve any of his heartaches or solve his problems. Ga Eul then turned her attention to So Eun who was smiling and standing beside the charming Kim Bum. In addition, Ga Eul had to bear the pain of watching her loved one with her best friend together, and also provide all the help and support she could to them. Ga Eul sighed silently as she gave Ki Bum a light pat on his back, to show him some support. Ki Bum smiled bitterly.
"Alright, we have reached. Thank you, my dear husband." So Eun thanked Kim Bum, with the sweetest smile she could ever manage.
Kim Bum gently caressed So Eun's cheeks and pinched them. "No need for formalities, my dearest. We are husband and wife already, but I think a 'thank you' isn't sufficient to show our love and appreciation for each other." Kim Bum grinned.
Many loud remarks could be heard, "Oh!", "Wow!", and "So perfect!" when Kim Bum placed his lips on So Eun's. They were at it again. They were kissing in front of the mass public and media again. Kim Bum wrapped his arms around So Eun's waist and pulled her into a tight embrace, and pulling So Eun into a deeper and more passionate kiss with his lips simultaneously. Kim Bum understood how the media worked and that to boost the company's shares, his reputation, image and relationship with So Eun were crucial factors. With such a lovely dramatic kiss in front of everyone, people would naturally think that they were totally deeply in love and that they seemed to be inseparable. Kim Bum could not help but feel pleased with himself.
Kim Bum released his grip on So Eun when the school bell rang. "Bye, honey!" Kim Bum pecked So Eun once more on her cheeks and watched as So Eun moved into the school.
"Brilliant!" Kim Bum commented as he ambled to his car, prepared to return to his company.
So Eun felt a tap on her shoulder as she entered the school.
"Ga Eul! I miss you so much!" So Eun hugged her best friend.
"Really? I thought you have forgotten all about me. You have not been calling me or updating me about anything." Ga Eul playfully teased.
"Mianhaeyo (Sorry). I …" So Eun wanted to explain but Ga Eul interrupted her. Strangely, So Eun felt relieved when Ga Eul interrupted her, as she knew she could not come up with valid reasons for not contacting Ga Eul. So Eun realised that she had been too involved in being Mrs Kim and aiding Hye Sun to fight for her happiness.
"Let's head for classes! So Eun, I bet you have a lot to talk with Ki Bum. Don't worry; I will keep a lookout for you two lovebirds!" Ga Eul whispered conspiringly as she pulled the man she loved and her best friend together. Tagging behind the two, Ga Eul successfully hid her grief again.
However, between So Eun and Ki Bum, things were not as simpler and easy as before. With Ga Eul behind them, the link between them seemed to disappear too. A sense of loss overwhelmed the two of them at the same time. There was just total awkwardness between the two of them, like they were just two strangers who had never met each other and suddenly thrown into a closed room together.
"So how have you been?" Ki Bum decided to take the initiative. He really did not want to lose So Eun.
"Alright, I guess." So Eun replied and then added on, "A little hectic, I guess." So Eun was appalled at the minimal of words in her reply to Ki Bum. The two of them used to talk non-stop about everything under the sun. However, right then, So Eun could not find more words to speak of.
Ki Bum nodded his head in silent agreement as his thoughts drifted to the frequent news about So Eun and Kim Bum kissing and their advertisements for the couple wear. "Life must have really been hectic for you since you are Kim Bum's wife." Ki Bum mumbled despairingly.
"Huh? Ki Bum?" So Eun did not catch Ki Bum's murmurs.
"So Eun, let's just get back to class! If you have any questions, feel free to approach me. I am always here for you. Maybe, we can organize an outing for the three of us again! We have not gone out together for ages!" Ki Bum optimistically suggested, putting on a bright smile.
"So Eun is back in school finally and I should be happy. The distance between us must have been caused by the reduction in times we meet each other. I must take this opportunity to find our love and happiness back, we can be who we used to be and we can spend our times like how we used to. Stay positive and keep things going, Kim Ki Bum!" Ki Bum encouraged himself to put on a strong front.
So Eun beamed at Ki Bum as she could sense his vigor and buoyant spirits. She could feel the same old Ki Bum was back to his usual cheery and playful self. At that point of time, So Eun truly believed that Ki Bum and she could return to how they were like in the past – the intimate and close lovers who could share everything with each other.
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3 HWAITING / PAITING! =D ENJOY! =]
cheers and loves and hugs
th1rd3ye
