2 Rings

Siyeon only wants to confirm one thing: To prove herself that she had already moved on from her past.

One typical boring night, after Siyeon finally got the rest she badly needs after a week long of sleepless nights, she decided to sacrifice some minutes of her sleep to check her phone for this is the only chance she has after that grueling bond with the cameras— her fifth photoshoot for a cover magazine in a span of seven days. Not to mention the runways and fashion weeks she attended on the past couple of days.

She’s just tired from those professional stuffs she’s been doing over and over, the blinding flashes that always irritates her, the swelling of her feet due to those boots and high heels, the grudge she’s holding on for years because of her robbed freedom— in summary, she’s just tired living her life like this. She wished she could just go back and change her path because at the first place, this is not what her heart really wants.

The model jumped in her bed like a little kid testing how comfortable her mattress is after her long hot shower. While she’s scrolling on her socials, an email popped up in her notifications and found out an invitation she’ll never imagined to receive— a wedding invitation from her ex girlfriend. 

Siyeon immediately shut her phone off after seeing a glimpse of it and started trembling. Memories were slowly crawling up inside her  specially the ones that shattered her heart into pieces. She struggled to control her breathing into a steady rhythm and suddenly, something popped in her mind, she remembered the package handed by her manager three days ago after they wrapped up a fashion event. That mail also came from Korea, now she assumes that they were connected somehow.

Eventually, after decades of court appeals and trials for the rights of marriage in their conservative country, they finally got the privilege of being wedded in Korea. Siyeon thinks it was a bold and brave decision which needed lots of guts and her ex lover was definitely be one of those people who can pull this off.

Unboxing the package this late will never be a great idea but her curiosity will just lead her into another sleep deprived night so she doesn’t have a choice. Seems like her mind and body were obviously on opposite track, although she couldn’t believe she’s really unwrapping it right now and definitely expecting a way worse outcome.

Then she started a battle whom she knew that she’s going to lose, a staring contest on what’s inside. Siyeon was welcomed by the hard copy of that invitation and a cute sized clover ribbon. All the things inside screams in elegance but the design is simple, reflecting how she always find her ex being so humble in everything she does. Her heart suddenly sank because whether she likes it or not, flashbacks fully invaded her mind.

Siyeon release a heavy sigh while familiarizing the texture of the ribbon. “Ha… I remember the time when we find our very first four leaf clover in one of our garden dates, it excites you so much that you didn’t noticed giving me your first kiss.” 

It was one of the sweetest and happiest moments the model treasures up until now. “Those picnic dates were special, are you perhaps planning to give me another thing that I will not going to forget with this one?” Siyeon formed a small smile as she remembers a significant moment and exhaled while talking to herself.

Eventually she just gave up, thinking that she still hasn’t got enough bravery to see what’s inside the invitation, nor seeing her ex’s face so she return the box where she hides it.

Months passed, despite her jam packed schedules; fully booked activities, she still couldn’t forget the date of the wedding— which she hates because it was printed in the invitation cover with big fonts, the only thing she remembered and got stuck in her mind whether she liked it or not. She hated how her curiosity doesn’t let her sleep every night, assuming that maybe she got the forgiveness from her former girlfriend given the fact that she received an invitation or just mocking her that she finally move on from her and will be happily be married soon.

One day before the wedding, she found herself on her way to the airport thinking that this idea is ridiculously crazy.

Gahyun calling…

Siyeon instantly stretched her arms farther because of how loud the person on the other line is talking.

”It’s just a week, it’s not that I’m not going back and ditch you and everything.” Siyeon tried to reason out, thinking that she also really needed this break.

”It’s just a week my ass!!! You freaking cancelled all your schedules with that week you’re talking, remember Siyeon, I’m your manager what else would you expect?! Sugarcoat you and tolerate what you’ve done? That’s unprofessional, this thing you did! Ugh!”

Her manager is right, Siyeon dropped all her schedules without considering if it affects her whole career, her life rather, in addition, she didn’t informed her manager about this and wholeheartedly accepted the invitation without consultation.

”I’m literally at the airport right now. This will be the last time I promise.” Siyeon could imagine Gahyun rolling her eyes right now after what she said and heard her sigh.

”It’s just that… I wanted to confirm something that’s been bothering me for months, Gah. Just please let me figure this out, when I come back, I will accept all the projects and offers that you’ve been telling me. Even that… that shitty event that’s been pursuing me for months!”

”You’re unbelievable! Do you think that’ll convince me? Absolutely not!” A long pause was held before Gahyun proceeded to speak again after a deep breath. “Before I became your manager, I am your friend first Siyeon, I just hope you’ll get the answers you wanted. Let them know… my regards.”

”I owe you!” Siyeon slipped into Gahyun while talking.

”If you’re thinking that cleaning your mess is free, well you’re wrong! This will be added to your payables, sweetie. Business is business!”

Siyeon chuckled and felt thankful to her manager for fixing all the disasters she did for years. “Thank you, Gah. I am nothing without you.”

”It’s just that…” Her manager’s voice softened and released another sigh. “I don’t want to go back where we started. To the point that you’re in rock bottom again and see you ugly crying everyday so please… do me a favor, I am begging you to not do something stupid for once. And don’t you pile more stress for me to resolve! I’ll hang up now, Handong’s calling, jeez I wonder why.”

Siyeon traveled for almost a day, she couldn’t rest because she keeps on thinking over and over the words Gahyun has said to her. She’s really heading back in her country which she promised she’ll never go back to, cancelled her work schedules, her other activities, dropped everything in an instant— all the things connected to her living, just to attend her ex girlfriend’s wedding. Her one and only lover. According to her story.

The random girls she flirted with from every country she flew and stopped by doesn’t count because she always say that it’s only for work related stuffs.

Siyeon is a freelance model but has a passion in photography and music more than her work so she always tried to insert her hobby wherever country she was in. After she’s done with modeling, she escapes into her busy life and explores the city by herself, connect with the locals, finding good spots to unwind and take snaps or check out the street with people busking around. She always wish she could have the opportunity to experience doing that again. It was the happiest and best feeling she ever had.

The model unexpectedly managed to stabilize herself with stardom in her chosen career, a bit famous to be exact in their so called world, but she hates it. She didn’t expect the attention she received right after she got started. The reason is not because of her sole skills, simply because of her looks… Siyeon herself.

Well, who wouldn’t fall for her visuals to be honest?

The exact same question she asked for her lover back when they’re in college after hearing her confession— the first person who saw who she really was and believed in her.

According to some random people who describes her, Siyeon having a long black hair who seems to forget how to smile, blends and matches her mysterious and bitch aura, got that super intimidating look whom no one dared to jump inside her bubble, add the fact that she loves to dress herself with her favorite black leather jacket and her overall black clothes. Perfect to describe her life— dark.

Not until she was partnered into one of the bubbliest person in their block, in the world rather, into one of their subjects. That’s when their feelings got developed. Thinking about it now makes her feel cringey, remembering how Siyeon described her as the one who gave colors to her monotone and dull life.

She’s the complete opposite of Siyeon, she has this vibrant aura, very optimistic about everything, and puppy energy that Siyeon fell in love with.

But, Siyeon’s changed now. A whole different person from before. She really tried to change herself, hoping that it’ll reach her lover after all the things she’s done and expecting to have a second chance.

The model stopped reminiscing when all of a sudden, the guests in the wedding hall started cheering and clapping. In an instant, she was back in her consciousness, now being aware that she’s attending a wedding ceremony. She was so anxious and nervous to everything but managed to get there right in time. She and her overthinking abilities were crashing and banging up her thoughts that she forgot where she was and didn’t pay any attention to whatever is happening until the cheers started ringing in her ears so Siyeon started to scan the crowd and turn to where everyone else was looking.

The woman she’s just thinking about earlier was now walking in the aisle, slowly heading towards the altar. Her jet lag is still kicking her but now she feels like she’s literally floating.

After five years, she got to see her again but this time, into her wedding. It was totally a bittersweet feeling watching her walk. Her physique is perfect as ever especially today, wearing her stunning bridal gown, even the veil couldn’t cover how she glows with that outstanding visual of hers. She looks a bit nervous but Siyeon finds it very endearingly cute. Her favorite.

She tried her best to endure the aching of her heart and acts as if everything is okay even though her insides were totally falling apart. Now, she’s wondering why she attended the event because little by little, she’s starting to get jealous to whoever Minji is.

But before she can get a chance to think badly about her wife to be, Siyeon locked eyes with her ex girlfriend, the nerves showing on the bride’s face changed into an alluring smile and the small dimple on her face came out saying hi to the model.

Siyeon fights the flips her heart was doing while quivering from where she’s standing. She froze eventually, after the smile that affects everything. Scared, agony, longing— despite everything bad she did to her, all the feelings that were expressed and felt, but in return, she received a full bright smile.

Her ex managed to draw everyone around in her presence just by existing and made the atmosphere in tranquility.

The model loosened up a bit after their quick interaction, adjusted her tie and fix her suit. She also brushed her hair and felt uneasy, but she fights herself, believing that she can endure this, and convinced that everything is fine. Siyeon got to appreciate her surroundings more after the interaction, she followed her ex lover until she reached the altar and scanned everyone.

Her parents are not here. Feelings of relief escaped after that realization, she’s glad she’s not going to see them here but at the same time felt the guilt and misery.

Another sting on her heart, it feels like someone’s crashing and squeezing it until it’ll burst out. Siyeon tried to fight the flashbacks inside her mind and force herself to enjoy the ceremony while taking a deep breath.

She assumed that the two person who’s waiting beside her at the altar were Minji’s parents. Emotions were twirling inside her watching how she dived into them and received a tight squeeze.

She can see how happy Minji's parents are for her. And when she turn around, the model and her ex lover locked eyes again for the last time, hoping to find answers by just staring and somewhat tries to talk with their eyes but couldn’t seem to figure it through, but Siyeon can assure how happy her ex looks and wished if maybe they could stay like that for a while but then the bride shifted her gaze when the cheers started rising again.

Siyeon followed where everyone was looking, her eyes landed into the woman who’s now walking in the aisle. She thought she skipped a few breaths after witnessing her beaut. Goddess is an understatement if Siyeon would describe her, and a literal ray of sunshine. She would never be like her, Siyeon thought. 

She hated herself because she wanted to see how her ex reaction so she traces her back and sudden regret arises. That makes her more sad after witnessing her, her smile widened and changed with even more colors while her focus was into her wife to be, those precious smile Siyeon couldn’t protect. But she’s glad that she found the one who can take care of her, the person who’ll make her happy and will never leave her.

You’re so fucking lucky… whoever you are, Kim Minji.