A/N: Thanks to everyone who's still keeping up with this story. Very much appreciated. Now it's on to installment # 3.

Love Conquers All Ways

Chapter 3

As they stood together firmly embraced, a feeling of euphoria lingered in both of their hearts. Although they had ended their long kiss just a few seconds prior, their hearts still fluttered as though a lightning bolt shot into their bodies. The smiles on their faces only painted a partial picture of just how much passion still resided in their respective souls. In short, there was no stronger love to be found in all of Korea than in the apartment of one Ahn Joong Hee that night.

As Joong Hee looked into Mi Young's eyes, he still couldn't believe that this moment had actually happened. What's more, it was even better than he could have possibly imagined. With all of the emotion finally wrung out, he figured that he should say something first.

"I love you, Mi Young-ah"

After a slight hesitation, she shyly replied, "I love you too. Ahn-bin-ihm".

Although he already knew how her heart leaned towards him, there was still something in the way she said the first four words that melted his heart like ice in the Vegas sun. But, there was also something that bothered him about the last three words that she said.

"Mi Young-ah" Joong Hee said.

"Hmm?"

"How long are you going to keep doing that?" Joong Hee asked.

"Do what?" Mi Young looked genuinely confused.

"When are you going to start calling me by my name?" Joong Hee asked.

"Aahh! That! But, you really are Ahn-bin-ihm" Mi Young pointed out.

"Is that all am I to you? Just an actor?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, habits die hard, you know"

"That's true. But in case you haven't noticed, I've been calling you by your name lately" It was with a tinge of pride that Joong Hee made this point.

"Yes, I've noticed"

"And you're Ok with that, right?" Joong Hee asked.

"Yes".

"So, I'm just asking that you do the same for me. Just try it one time. For me. Please?"

Though the task was not actually difficult, it was an emotional leap for Mi Young to try and address him by name for the very first time.

"Joo . . . Joong . . . Joong . . . Joong Hee . . . Joong Hee – shi". It was quite apparent that this would take some getting used to for her.

"Is it really that hard for you to say my name? Try it again" said Joong Hee bemusedly.

"Joong Hee-shi. Joong Hee-shi. Joong Hee-shi". Although it still felt a little strange coming from her lips, at least it was feeling more natural than before.

"Ok. That's enough. I get that habits are hard to break. But, Mi Young-ah, I really want you to stop calling me Ahn-bin-ihm from now on. I'm not just a colleague anymore. Understand?" As she nodded her head affirmatively, it was one more sign that their relationship kept crossing barriers. "Let's sit down"

As they sat relaxed on the couch, their cross staring seamlessly continued. It's as though his eyes and her eyes were magnets that naturally gravitated towards each other's faces. It figured that Mi Young's natural curiosity would suspend their sustained, but awkward, silence.

"Ahn-bin-ihm. I mean, Joong Hee-shi" Mi Young finally spoke.

"Hmm?"

"I've been wondering about something for a while"

"No shock there. You wonder about a lot of things" Joong Hee replied smilingly.

"I do, don't I? It's just that I keep having the same question coming up over and over in my mind. Why me?"

"Huh?" It was Joong Hee's turn to look surprised.

"It's just . . . it's just that there's so many other women in Korea that would be better for you. And you can choose any of them you want. Yet, you still choose me. Why?"

There was a sincerity mixed with a tinge of naiveté in her query. It was actually one of the reasons he had indeed fallen head over heels for her.

"I asked myself the same thing when I first started falling for you. I remembered how awful I was to you when we first started working together. Even though I was a complete jerk to you, you kept doing your job with sensitivity and grace. I realized later that it not only helped make my job easier, it's one of the gifts you have."

"I also love your silent strength. You're such a strong person, Mi Young-ah. But, the cool part is that you don't have to show it off to the world. I really love that about you". As these words sank deep in her heart, Mi Young was doing her best to keep her promise not to cry in front of him.

"But, you know what my favorite part about you is? Your smile. Whenever you smile at me, it gives me the energy, strength, and courage to be an even better person". Now, her promise could no longer be kept as the tears started flowing freely from her eyes, much to the anxiety of Joong Hee.

"Please don't cry, Mi Young-ah. I hate seeing you cry. More, I hate myself right now for making you this way!" he scolded himself as he helped wipe her tears away.

"No, Joong Hee-shi. It's not you. It's just that I'm so moved by what you said. Now I know, without a doubt, that you truly love me. You've really chosen me."

"And you're so flattered, I know!" he replied with his signature impish grin. Her soft laughter offered yet another opportunity to showcase that smile that he cherished.

"Now you've got me curious. So, Mi Young-ah. Why me?"

As she wiped the last tears from her eyes, she started, "When I first met you, I saw a man that seemed to want the world when he actually just wanted love. Deep down, I knew that your coldness towards me and everyone else was just a façade. It was a mask that you put on to hide some deep scars. I felt that if you could experience real love, you would be a different person"

"But I never thought that love would come from my family. And I really had no idea that I would provide that love to you also".

"The love you've shown me is possible because of your sensitivity, your thoughtfulness, and your empathy. That's why I choose you."

Her words brought a new realization to Joong Hee. There's nothing more humbling as heartfelt compliments from a woman in love.

"By the way, Mi Young-ah. I'm almost done filming the last episode of 'Oh My Boss'".

"I heard. You've done an amazing job on this drama. You really deserve the fame you're getting. You're the best!" She cutely gave him two thumbs up.

"It's only possible because I had the best manager working for me. Thank you for taking great care of me through all this!"

With a slightly mischievous grin on her face, she retorted, "I think you have me confused with Tae Boo".

"Tae Boo? No way. Yeah, I mean he's prettier than you but he's still not my type". The laughter from Mi Young at Joong Hee's joke was almost instantaneous. For at least a minute, they were both in the throws of a sudden laughing spell. It was possibly the most light-hearted moment that they'd ever shared.

As they finally calmed down, Joong Hee said, "But seriously, Tae Boo can do the job. You can do the job but with that special heart of yours. That's why you're the best manager any actor can ever want"

With a sudden urge, Mi Young reached out and placed his hand into hers. In turn, he took his other hand and held her free hand.

"So, is there anything else you want to do now? TV? Listen to music? Want to dance again?" Joong Hee offered.

At this, Mi Young started turning slightly red in the face. It's clear that she had something on her mind but wasn't sure how to express it. After yet another awkward silence, she spoke up.

"Can you . . . can you . . . I mean"

"Why are you being shy again? It's just us. Tell me already".

"Can you just hold me? Hold me like you did that night in the park? That's really all I need right now"

As Joong Hee reclined further into the sofa, he readied himself to help Mi Young with her request.

"Come here!"

As she slowly snuggled her way into his body, he made sure that his arms would hold her with just the right firmness to enhance the intimacy. As they finally settled into each other, he leaned in and they exchanged a few short, but sweet, kisses. Now, it was all about being comfortable in each other's embrace.

"I love you, Joong Hee-shi"

"I love you too, Mi Young-ah"

As the night wore deeper in the Korean sky, there was still activity to behold outside. From the ubiquitous taxi cabs to the night markets, one could still find things to do even at the midnight hour. Of course, for many others, this was the natural time to catch up on sleep. Still, in one particular apartment, there was neither activity nor sleep. The casual observer might only see two people in love happy in each other's arms. A closer look would reveal something far deeper – two people connecting not just on a physical level. Their embrace also symbolized a strengthening bond of two souls and spirits. Their smiles served as a vital clue that their love was not a flight of fancy. For if you were to ask each of them what they're feeling at that very moment, you might think that you were speaking to Goldilocks twice. After all, what else would they say? "This feels just right – good night!"

A/N: As usual, any and all reviews are welcome!