Contemporary
Eun Soo woke up the most peaceful and happy she has been in a while. Everything felt right and settled. She looked out the window, watching snowflakes gently float in the air, and realized that warmth she was feeling was not from the sun caressing her face, it was Choi Young's eyes radiating such care that made her feel so wonderful. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" and he leaned to give her a sweet kiss on the cheek. "You are stuck with me now, we have to spend this whole year together, remember?"
"Young-ha, what time is it?"
"It is more like afternoon, but who cares? I got you some coffee," he handed her a freshly brewed cup. Eun Soo could get used to that, having him around in the mornings, drinking coffee together...
"Did you know I got a cabin in the woods?" He asked. "It's gorgeous. The dream cabin I always wanted to buy, near a waterfall and all."
"Ahh?" Did he read her mind? Because she was just thinking that it was time for them to get away from everything and everybody and start being a couple.
"Imja? Are you listening?"
"Yes, the cabin, in the woods, away from civilization, I heard," she looked at him.
"Will you come there with me?"
"I will," and she touched his hand, holding onto it. "Of course, I will. I think we need the time alone."
Choi Young could not hide his excitement, hugging her tightly, while she had her life squeezed out of her by his strong arms, she could only whisper "I am holding hot coffee."
"Sorry," he let her go and she put the cup down.
"Your birthday is coming up, so I thought it was a perfect time to take a trip. I need your help with the cabin. It needs a woman's touch. The cabin has good bones, but I only decorated the bedroom, you know me."
"I'm not much of a decorator, but if I can help, I don't mind."
They both enjoyed the comfort they finally had with each other, the sense of normality that entered their lives. It was refreshing to be honest about wanting to spend time together, to talk about a possibly romantic getaway, whether it was called that or not, it was obvious, that was the intention.
Eun Soo had to warn him, "Sounds like a plan, there's only one little hiccup, my boss may not let me go, if you want to celebrate my birthday. I have a meeting that day."
"Your birthday is on Saturday, who holds meetings on Saturdays?"
"My boss."
"Quit, I'm taking you away whether you like it or not."
"What is it? Why so urgent?"
Choi Young could not really explain the urgency he felt in his heart, but he definitely wanted to make it a memorable birthday for her. "I want to make sure to show it to you before or on your birthday. How about we go this weekend? If you like it and the boss lets you go again, we can return for your birthday."
"I like that," her eyes twinkled and smile flowered. "Young-ha, now you can give me that hug," and she opened up her arms for him.
After setting up the leftovers from last night's feast, the gang gathered around the table for their first meal of the New Year. Nogook was already bossing the boys around to move this and to do that, while they covered their ears, bothered by her high pitched voice, ringing painfully in their heads, already suffering from a severe hangover. "Shh... You have to be quiet," Dae Man whispered, sticking his head in a sleeve of his jacket. While Deok Man simply threw a pillow at Nogook, who only shrugged her shoulders and continued with her orders. Choi Young and Eun Soo watched this little play patiently till everybody finally settled, and the guys, having had the obligatory hangover soup and headache medication were able to tolerate Nogook's annoyance.
Jang Bing's calm voice managed to get everybody's attention, making Nogook pout, as her efforts only brought glares, while his were met with respectful smiles, "To continue with our tradition, should we share our New Year's resolutions?"
"I am going to get a girlfriend. Smart and pretty!" jumped Deok Man, only to be petted on the head by concerned friends, "Don't aim too high. If she is a girl and for some reason likes you, be grateful," suggested Choong-Sik, who was always caring, but too direct.
"Choi Young-shi?"
"You guys go first."
"All right, Dae Man?"
"My resolution - to help Choi Young-shi to be happy." Everyone turned to him surprised at this display of affection and selflessness. It was well known that he really cared for Choi Young and even had a small rivalry going with Nogook in fighting for his affections, but that was too much. Choi Young felt everyone's eyes landing on him and feeling completely embarrassed and guilty as if it was his fault that the boy was so silly, directed his eyes to the floor, wanting to disappear. Eun Soo gently pushed him toward his friend and Choi Young awkwardly approached happily grinning Dae Man from the back and locked his arms around the boy's neck, pulling him in a headlock and softly rubbing his knuckles over the unruly hair, whispering something to him, and making Dae Man push the arms off, laughing. Choi Young flicked his nose, now both of them laughing together so contagiously that it made the whole room light up and lighten up.
"OK then, I will help Deok Man find a girlfriend," declared Dae Man.
"I told you to think of yourself, dummy," sighed Choi Young, giving up to make the boy to take care of self first for a change.
"If you guys are happy, then I'm, too," explained Dae Man, not realizing why this was a big deal. Deo Man lovingly placed a few pieces of meat on his plate and Choong-Sik poured him a cup.
"I want to take the exam for my black belt," Choong-sik said with a smile, making the boys, especially Choi Young clap at the decision. "And I also want to go visit my parents, help them fix the house. I think I will try sky diving after I go to the upper level alpine camp for Mount Everest training."
"What?" Asked most of the people around him, astonished at the man's wishes. Who would have thought he hid that wild side of him? Choi Young stared at his friend seriously considering his resolution.
"I don't think I can let you do that."
"What? Why not!"
"You are being mean, Oppa!" protested Nogook.
"All of that requires vacation time and I don't think I can survive a week without him... hell, one hour is too long."
"You'll survive," commented Choong-sik, calmly sipping his drink, "I will ask your boss, right Gongmin-shi?"
Gongmin pulled out a pen from his jacket, "Give me the documents. I will sign off right here and now."
"Just a minute, sir," and Choong-Sik produced a carefully folded letter of request out of his pocket.
"Did you plan it?" exclaimed Choi Young, attempting to take the envelope from Choong-sik, missing the paper miserably, which his secretary swiftly moved right from under his nose, handing it to Gongmin.
"You took too long," Gongmin was excited to have an upper hand over his friend, while Choi Young pouted like a big baby.
"No, I just like to be ready for any occasion. That's why you can not function without me," responded to his bosses question, Choong-sik, not even attempting to hide with satisfaction in his tone.
"What is going on guys? Are you ganging up on me?" wondered Choi Young suddenly realizing he was a fool in front of everybody, making the whole group laugh, especially Dae Man, who could get away with a murder after his sweet pronouncement.
"Of course not, it's just you seem to have lost your edge ever since all of your attention is on Eun Soo," declared Deok Man, very proud that he was the one with insight. Only it was not something anybody wanted him to say and he was pushed and slapped from every side by the boys who could not believe he was the one to point it out so blatantly. "Just because you know something, it does not mean you have to say it. Think before you talk, man!" explained Choong-Sik and Deok Man's happy smile flew away, "But I did. I really thought about it!"
Jang Bing decided to take matter in his hands, as he seemed to be the only rational adult left in the room as usual, "Choi Young-shi, your turn," and all the eyes were on him. The resolution he made was not for other people's ears, so he struggled to come up with something believable...
"I will take Eun Soo on vacation to an exotic location."
"Uhh! Congratulations! Lucky girl!"
Eun Soo had to cover her face to hide the blush, while feeling excited.
"Oppa, can I come along?"
"No! Am I crazy? You'll have your wedding to worry about, so forget it."
"What about you, Nogook, what are you up to this year?" asked Eun Soo.
Nogook sat up and with a serious face announced, "I will have the most beautiful wedding, ever."
"That's a given, what are your resolutions?"
"Why would a perfect woman have any New Year's resolutions?" She looked genuinely surprised, causing another bout of laughter from everybody.
Choi Young chimed in quickly, "Obviously your resolution is getting help, or a straightjacket." Finally there was somebody who was more of a laughing stock than he was.
"I want to do something I've never done before," said Eun Soo, halting the bickering between the siblings.
"Eun Soo-shi is so mysterious."
"Leave her alone," ordered Choi Young, dying from curiosity himself.
"Boss, your turn."
"I would like to increase profits for the company by 20%," Gongmin said completely serious. People looked at him like he needed help. In fact, it seemed that both him and his finance were somewhat delusional about their prospects for the year.
"I want to get my placement with Jang Bing next year, so that we can buy a new place and get married," said softly Deo Gi.
The room got silent. This woman barely spoke and her relationship with Jang Bing was somewhat of a secret to everybody since they were both extremely private and protective of each other. Jang Bing only nodded, kissing her cheek.
"I told you, she would talk," whispered Deok Man to Dae Man, who put a wager that she will not speak once today.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Cried Nogook, getting up and hurrying into the house, when she returned she had a dark gray envelope in hand. "Daddy left something for all of you." Curious they all watched as she stood at the head of the table, opening the envelope. "First of all," She started to read happily, "I know you are all drunk and trashed the house." The kids looked around worriedly for hidden cameras and Deok Man even came over the window and closed the curtains. "Just in case," he explained.
"As soon as Nogook finishes reading this, clean up and get out!"
Choi Young stood and looked at the paper, thinking that it is her prank.
"Yes it's written right here, see?" Nogook pointed her finger.
Choi Young sat back down.
"Second, Happy New Year! I hope that it will be a year full of new joys, trials to learn from, and many surprises." She skipped several lines, probably something meant for Choi Young and herself and found what she wanted. "I want to give a few new year's resolution recommendations to all of you. To Choong-sik: continue to grow in patience and to enjoy your work, I know that fool for a boss you have does not value you so always go to the head of the company to make him obey."
"See, even Teacher knows how valuable I am."
"I'll give you valuable..." But before Choi Young could move from his seat Nogook continued.
"To Dae Man, stay loyal and kind, your gentle heart is something very precious and beautiful. And that is very true. To Gongmin, if you hurt my little girl this year, or any year, I am killing you. And also, I wish you to gain twice as much patience, you will need it, since you decided to marry her, good luck."
"Is that a recommendation, a threat, or a warning?"
"To Eun Soo:" Everyone turned in surprise to her. "See Unnie, even daddy likes you! Thank you for making a choice, I told you it will be the right one." Eun Soo blushed, although nobody understood the hidden meaning besides her. "Allow wisdom into your heart and keep your mind open."
"To Jang Bin and Deo Gi, continue strong, and don't let anyone tell you that it's not worth it, the path is thorny but your love will continue to bloom. And to Deok Man: grow some brains, son." Deok Man was more confused than insulted by the words.
Choi Young stood again, antsy. "He didn't leave anything for me?"
"Yes, but I don't think you want me to read it out loud."
"Why not?"
And she gave him the letter, pointing at the part she meant. He immediately stepped away, mumbling, "No, I don't want you to read that out loud."
"What? What does it say?" Asked Eun Soo sticking her head to catch a glance to read the letter, but Choi Young pulled it away, hiding it.
"No I don't want you to read it either." And he stood, taking the paper away from prying eyes. He took the envelope with him and before folding it, to hide it, he read it again. To Choi Young: just tell the girl how much you love her. I'm sure everything will turn out to be fine.