Pay With Your Heart

516 D&E

“Why didn’t you tell me, you evil girl?!” Eun-Sun slightly smack on Hei-Ran’s arm, which had her feigning a wince, while the girls giggled.

They were all overtaken with excitement just like Eun-Sun, who had a blinding smile permanently plastered on her face as she keeps staring at the ring in disbelief.

Hei-Ran chuckled in amusing. “I guess telling you would have ruined the surprise, or wouldn’t it?” She cocked a brow at Eun-Sun, who happily rolled her eyes. “And by the way it was fun hearing cuss at Dan-Han like that. I should have made a video of you.” Hei-Ran clacked with regret, much to Eun-Sun’s delight.

“Well, thank God you didn’t. I can’t imagine hearing Dan-Han listen to all I said.” She faked a shudder, which made Hei-Ran chuckle knowingly.

Eun-Sun turned away from Hei-Ran and looked at Ni-Na and Mi-cha, who were helping her into her new dress; one which Hei-Ran had given her as a birthday gift. It was the same dress she had seen in the Hei-Ran’s car. Apparently, she had gotten it for her as a gift.

She waved her ring at them just like she had done a hundred times tonight, and they amusedly chuckled, fully sharing in her excitement.

“I guess we’re all going to take a piece of your hand home tonight.” Mi-cha commented as she did up Eun-Sun’s zip. “Sis, how many more times are you going to show us your ring? What about a photograph to take home with us?” She teased.

“You mean a portrait of her hand and ring? That should suffice.” Ni-Na added and they all burst out in laughter.

“Well, I don’t have anyone to flaunt it to but you guys, so you can’t blame me for overdoing it, and I seriously want to over do it.” She held out her hand and wriggled her fingers again, which had them all giggling.

.....

Eun-Sun hooked her arms around Hei-Ran and hugged her tightly. “I love you, Hei-Ran. I don’t know how I would have ever survived the past years without you in it. You’re a blessing to me. Even more than a blessing.” She said, as Hei-Ran hugged her back.

“And you are a blessing to me too. You’re my friend and sister.” Hei-Ran said, tightening her arms around her.

If there was anyone she believed deserved this level of happiness, it was Eun-Sun. She had seen Eun-Sun endure so many hardship and rejections till she had been depressed.

How Eun-Sun had scaled through the last decade was still a mystery to her, and for that, she was certain Eun-Sun deserved the best. It was high time she got the right acceptance she deserved, especially after slaving away to take responsibilities over people that weren’t worth it.

Eun-Sun felt tears sting her eyes as she hugged Hei-Ran, memories of her teenage years briefly flashing through her mind.

When Song-Hee had treated her like garbage and hit her till she was broken in different places, it was always Hei-Ran who cared for her and stayed at her side. Everytime she landed in a hospital bed either with a broken jaw or disjointed bone, Hei-Ran was always there to help her through it all.

When Byung-Hun had almost raped her and her mother had kicked out of the only place she had called home, it was Hei-Ran who took her in, and her family had been supportive of her as well.

Though she had might not have been a true friend to Hei-Ran, she loved her with all her of her heart.

Both ladies remained in each other’s arms till broke the silence. “I’m sure she’s not the only one you love, right? There’s me.”

“And me too.” Ni-Na chirped, making Eun-Sun chuckle as she opened her arms for them to join, and they both rushed in.

“I love all of you.” Eun-Sun said to them. She was still in awe of how easily she could say these words, and how honest she was with them. “You’re all are my best friends. I love you all a lot.” She said, going all out with her emotions as there was no longer a need to hold back.

All four ladies were still locked in their embrace, when someone spoke behind them.

“Hopefully not more than me, I presume?”

Eun-Sun instantly broke the hug and swiftly turned around to find Dan-Han standing by the door, sweetly smiling at her.

He stepped into the room and the ladies quickly excused themselves to grant the love birds some privacy.

Hei-Ran, who was already at the door stopped and turned to Dan-Han when she remembered something important. “I received a call, and she said they’ll be here soon.” Hei-Ran told him and Dan-Han nodded.

“Thank you.” He replied and Hei-Ran walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Dan-Han turned to his fiancee.

‘Fiancee.’

He liked that sound of that, even though he’d prefer ‘wife’. But this shows there was progress in their relationship and he was only but a step away from making her completely his.

And now he could show her off to the world now with no worry of how she’d feel, because he was certain she was prepared for it.

“You look beautiful.” He said, his eyes glazing over her from head to toe. She has been beautifully transformed into an angel, even though she was always that to him. “You are always look beautiful.” He said, and a faint blush crawled up Eun-Sun’s cheek.

“You make me feel beautiful, and you look dashing too.” Eun-Sun sweetly replied as he closed the space between them and passionately kissed her lips.

Eun-Sun opened her arms for him and let him pull her closer as possessively as he’d always done with her. He possessed her so much she didn’t want any part of her, but all of him, every single day.

“I have something for you. A birthday gift.” He said, and Eun-Sun looked at his hand which held a small gift box in it.

“Dan-Han, you didn’t have to.” He had already given her so much.

“Of course, I had to. What’s a birthday without a birthday gift?”

“But you already gave me all I need.” And she couldn’t ask for more. He has given her more than she could ever ask for, even dreamed of.

Family, a chance at love, happiness and stability. He had given all this.

Dan-Han softly stroke her cheek. “You need more and if it’s within my reach I’ll provide. I want to dot on you every single day.” He said and opened the box, revealing a beautiful necklace, which Eun-Sun believed was somewhat familiar.

She slowly fingered the necklace in a daze. “This... looks familiar.” She muttered and though Dan-Han was almost tempted to frown at her, he stopped himself.

“That’s because you never took my gifts seriously.” He faked a frown which quickly disappeared as it came. Today wasn’t a day of frowning and neither was any day with her.

Eun-Sun’s eyes widened in shock when a switch flicked in her head and she remembered.

It was the necklace he had given her while he was still courting her, or rather coercing her to be in a relationship with him.

“I...I..” She stuttered, utterly speechless and ashamed of how she had forgotten such an important gift, especially when it had their intials. “I’m sorry.” She apologized, not finding any better words to say other than that.

“I’m sorry, I lost it.” She earnestly apologized.

Dan-Han lovingly smiled at her — his priceless Jewel. “There’s no need to be sorry. I have got us new ones, and now I have mine too.” He said showing her the silver chain bracelet on his wrist with same intials, ‘D&E’.

Eun-Sun’s heart swelled and fluttered as she stared at the jewelries. She hooked her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “I’ll never lose this one.” She promised and he believed her.

“Let me wear it on you.” He said, taking out the necklace from its box, and Eun-Sun quickly turned around to let him.

She drew in a short breath when his fingers grazed her skin when he unclasped the necklace and wore her the new one. Tingles ran down her spine when Dan-Han dropped a feathery kiss on her nape.

He turned her around by the shoulder and admired the necklace on her, but Eun-Sun admired him instead. His eyes were always so beautiful, and his peculiar musk scent seems to drive her to the edge, especially in the past few weeks.

She had other plans for him, but she was sure he’d turn her down just like he has done everyday in the past three weeks since they returned from the hospital.

She touched and admired the pendant which were their intials.

“Do you like it?” Dan-Han asked, and Eun-Sun hastily bobbed her head.

“I love it. Thank you, Dan-Han.” She said and kissed his lips.

She turned to the mirror behind her to clearly look at it. “You said something to Hei-Ran. Who’s coming?” She questioned when she suddenly remembered Dan-Han’s and Hei-Ran’s little exchange at the door.

She glanced at him through the mirror.

“It’s A-Yeong and Ji-Tae’s child.” He said and Eun-Sun widened her eyes at him in shock.

“I want to introduce them to Uncle and Aunt, and also let them decide what to do with Ji-Tae.”