2 Rings

“Surprise!!! We’re finally going to Paris, Siyeonie!”

Siyeon was having a difficulty to internalize everything that’s been happening right in front of her with her blurry vision because of the blindfold. She struggle to regain her sight, eyes a little bit sore, but nothing could beat seeing her best friends’ bewildered faces whom she believed that she’s not the only one who got surprised from the looks of it.

”W-what do you mean we? Handong and I are included?” 

”Of course, silly! Mother got us tickets as her graduation gift to us! We’re finally one step ahead in our dreams!” Her girlfriend’s long limbs were flexing the four printed tickets on her hand, swishing it in the air followed by their soft little giggles.

Few days after their college graduation, Siyeon was still there, stuck in a quicksand she built by herself with all the what if’s running around inside her mind. She couldn’t move forward and helplessly drowning in terror. The feeling of her stomach twisting and twirling didn’t left her after she finally met her girlfriend’s parents.

It wasn’t a big deal at first, she was pretty confident to be honest. She graduated with flying colors, lots of well known companies were already offering her positions after positions. Nothing would definitely go wrong— she believed.

They’ve been talking about this for like, forever, when this moment would finally come around. To finally have the opportunity to introduce each other on both sides of their families. Well on Siyeon’s part, aside from her cousin, which is Gahyun, she doesn’t have any family left. She was basically an adopted child of the Lee family and they were supportive with her relationship. At first, they were against it, but seeing them happy was the turning point of it. In the end, it’s not their life to live, it’s their niece’s so they just let them be as long as nothing’s wrong with it and no one’s hurting.

When it’s her girlfriend’s turn, Siyeon was completely caught off guard, she discovered that the family she was invited to meet was one of Korea’s top luxury brands shareholders. She kinda knew, hints of her girlfriend being wealthy but not this kind of well off. Her acting was superb, Siyeon acknowledged, blending smoothly with everyone while dressing herself up with normal tees and jeans, pretends like one of those broke college girls but Siyeon already has a hunch about it but she didn’t mind for that’s not the reason why she loved her. Even her girlfriend didn’t disclose it either because why? It wasn’t the point.

But one time, when Siyeon decided to grab a snack from a café near their university to kill time because she’s too early for her first subject, she wasn’t expecting seeing her girlfriend being there, with a man so dressed up. He was on a suit, opening the car’s door for her, assisting her with everything she needs, he even pat her girlfriend’s head.

Siyeon was never the type of person who gets jealous, but witnessing that, she lowkey did.

So she try to think about it, she carefully scans him with everything through her eyes. He’s somehow in his early thirties, properly groomed, and his actions are very limited and precise. Is wearing something like earpieces and two way radio was a thing for rich people though? And most importantly, does her girlfriend have a thing for older men?

Siyeon doesn’t want to become nosy about it but that one time was followed by another and it became very often, picking her up from university and dropping her off to school so she decided to finally asked her girlfriend about it. Did she got the answers she needed? Well yes and no. Because she got to watch her girlfriend laugh at her face nonstop like it was kind of a joke. But when she think that Siyeon is serious, she finally explained that it was only her uncle because her parents were always busy to drop her off at school.

Funny how Siyeon believed in that excuse for years and now she saw her girlfriend throwing an apologetic smile as she found out the real identity of her so-called uncle— which was actually her personal butler.

Apparently, because she didn’t have a choice (backing out would hurt her ego), Siyeon joined their sumptuous dinner after their graduation ceremony. Before her girlfriend even got a chance to open up their relationship, it turns out that her parents already know about it. Their one and only precious daughter is dating a peasant… for like, their whole college lives that’s why they invited her over.

They were very nervous and awkward but it turns out… well. Will they get angry? Will they question Siyeon’s financial status? Does their family have a business or even a good family background? What are their plans together after college? Nothing. No questions were dropped. Instead, the discussion was intently changed into the future plans for their heir. How they should expand their holdings in the foreign market, their forecasted assets and investments, their new bought hectares of farmland in the region. Basically, they’re just letting Siyeon know what she’s stepped into, a whole new level of state that she didn’t know it even existed in her world.

Her girlfriend suddenly walked out to take a quick toilet break but Siyeon obviously know she’s pissed but tries to hold it in. In the end, when they look on the positive side, the dinner end up well with no arguments and finished all the fancy foods peacefully. She perceived and convinced her girlfriend to make it all seem okay but she’s not buying it either.

Siyeon totally felt an outcast, she’s literally out of place, she feels so small, from that excruciating moment she’ll never forget.

The beautiful scenery coming from the view deck where the sun shines so bright nudged Siyeon’s eyes and got back to her senses. They’re currently located in one of her girlfriend’s villas. Fresh breeze dances over them adding into their bliss but it will never surpass Siyeon’s vision seeing the sparkling eyes and beaming smiles of the special people around her, it was priceless. It was indeed an amazing day… so far.

She hoped that she could frame that moment so she can look at it for hours whenever she’s feeling lonely, watching the three of them celebrate with their expensive present while fighting to hide her doubts, seconds flicked, she was then pulled by Handong inside their circle and started to hug each other so tight and joining them celebrate while jumping.

Then the day of their flight came, a lot happened. Night before the flight, she got a call from her girlfriend’s mother from her girlfriend’s phone, it turns out that the fourth ticket was for the butler not her daughter informing her that the three of them will just follow behind because there’s this one event they’ll have to attend first. She somehow thinks that something it’s definitely not right, from her girlfriend whom she can’t even contact anymore and to her suspicious butler who’s joining them.

Her one simple wish started to slowly fade away few days after her lover’s surprise. But they continue their trip, Siyeon couldn’t suggest to cancel it just because of her guts tells her to, because seeing her best friends’ excited faces are the only one she holding onto together with her trust in her lover.

Touchdown Paris, France.

The place where lots of renowned luxury brands were born, many believed that this place is also the heart and capital of the fashion industry worldwide.

Doorbell buzzing…

“Siyeon?”

A subtle knock was heard across her room followed by the creaking sound of the door opening. She couldn’t move even if she tries to, she was stuck sitting down on the corner of her room while fighting herself to stop her shaking. What was she thinking? It was clearly a trap. Now she feels like she’s totally drowning in her quicksand, felt the pressure under while hearing the voices and noises around her without clarity.

“Siyeooon!”

Another voice entered inside her head, it was deeper than the first one. But there’s no difference between their tone, it was shaky, breathy with the hint of fear, and uncertainty.

”Lee Siyeon!” The first voice called her again while joining her on the ground. 

Every sound Siyeon hears, the more her heart thumps making her heart feel the aching.

“Get it together, dummy!” The other one added but clearly on her voice, she was about to start crying.

Suddenly, the three of them were slumped on the floor.

They were all tricked. Or rather, was it a bribe? Except it was a fancy one. A round trip to France, all expenses included for a month. What else can you expect? They were just freshly graduated teens who had huge dreams and were just trying to figure things out, eager to experience their first adventures and thrilled to taste the real world.

”She’s not coming isn’t she? She p-promised she’ll be here with me.” Warm tears slowly escaping from Siyeon’s eyes and her grasp tightened while hugging her legs.

It’s been six days but for Siyeon, it felt like it’s been forever. She never left the hotel after they arrived, waiting and wishing for them to come. Fights her anxiety that was slowly getting into her head no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. She got no updates whatsoever in everything, she had no idea what to do but to wait for her girlfriend to arrive so she can know all the answers.

”I really hate to say this but Siyeon, it’s been almost a week, we didn’t get a call or even a text! Mr. Choi said he can book an earlier flight for us to depart if we wanted to.” The deeper voice came up informing her the things she already know but couldn’t bare to accept. Siyeon was glad there’s someone in them who’s composed and calm.

“I’m s-sorry… I didn’t… I don’t… if her mother hates me so much why would she include the both of you.” There, she said it, the guilt was killing her inside.

After a long minute of silence, one brave voice was trying so hard to lift up the moment.

”Endure four more days, it was the earliest we can get, we can go back home, find her, and find all the answers!” Siyeon felt a strong grip on her shoulders while the other hand was gently caressing her back.

”I-I don’t know Gah, I don’t have anything to offer to their family. It hurts me so much that I know deep down, that fucking fancy dinner was intended to slap me in the face so I can realize how small I am.” Now, her cousin joins her in sobbing. It’s really on their blood, crying like babies.

“That’s why we need a new plan and start all over again. Don’t you think we’re the only one who’s suffering right now? Your Dumb Clumsy Tree is probably facing this alone in their flamboyant house.” Another reason for Siyeon’s heart to ache, now she’s crying out loud.

It echoed through her room, she was so ashamed for letting herself be so fragile and let her friends witness it but she couldn’t help it anymore.

Six days. Those six painful days were the reason for Siyeon thought her most selfish decision she’d ever made. She couldn’t think of anything better, as a coward who was trying to convince herself that this will be for their own individual good.

“I-I’m not going. I’ll stay here, Dongie.” As timid as it sounds, she’s very determined.

”Unbelievable!” Handong released a deep sigh and throw her back into them like they were comfy chairs while waiting for them to calm down.

The two cry babies were on a roll crying their hearts out, eventually after long minutes of enduring those painful wails, they’re slowly catching up their breaths and after a few more minutes, Siyeon finally had the energy to talk again.

Everything felt foggy, she felt that she was suffocating and the lump on her throat were stopping her to talk but she tried to release it.

”Y-You two can go.” She released a shaky breath and continue. ”I’ll let them realize how wrong they were to challenge me.” And then she started crying again after saying that and struggle to continue talking but she still did.

“Go chase your dreams, I would ne—

“I’m staying with you.”

The cousins were so shocked that after hearing Handong’s voice that loud and clear, they literally stopped sobbing for a second.

Not even a second past, her cousin seconded.

“I-I’m also in!” With pouty and shaky lips, Gahyun tried her best to steady her voice to jump into her decisions followed by lots of sniffs as she struggled with her breathing from crying.

The three of them sounded so brave but their reckless decision created a whole new suffering and hardships to unravel.

“Siyeon?”

“Siyeon!”

“Lee Siyeon! Hey, it’s okay, I’m here. We’re here, dumbass. Relax…”

Siyeon gasped in exaggeration, she turn into her right feeling a warm hand coping hers noticing that she was already shaking.

”Gahyun?! Handong?!” She tried her best to tone down her voice and blinks more than twice as if she’s just seeing hallucinations or something.

”I told you! She couldn’t survive this on her own. Now you owe me that designer bag I was saying.” Handong happily entered while saying that to Gahyun as if Siyeon was not there hearing it and letting her know they betted on her but she didn’t care.

“I thought you… Why are you… so you—

“Wondering why we got here? Of course we also got the invitation! You’re not the only one who has been in her past, duh!” Gahyun explained each and every word with emphasis.

”My dearest Yoohyeon, my love, my liberté, and in a few more minutes, my soon to be wife…” The three of them suddenly shifted their focus into the altar after hearing a soft soothing voice and that one familiar name mentioned by the goddess whom talking.

She never hear that name in ages. And after five years, she hear that name again, addressing it with deep adoration, calling her liberté out of all the endearments. Siyeon felt the bitterness, nonetheless, she’s somehow relieved. She’s glad that someone’s going to love her unconditionally, not with a coward like her.

Just from their looks, how they move and treat each other flawlessly, how perfect they were like how puzzle pieces were made, she can confidently say that they’re really in love with each other. Actually, it’s obvious from Minji, how she addresses and express her vow with Yoohyeon, her eyes sparkles so much, the smile that reaching throughout her ears, the soft giggles and touches she’s doing, she’s a total simp for her. And Siyeon knows that feeling very much, because she once felt that, but not that expressive as Minji is.

“Can you cover the hot woman beside her? She’s distracting me.” All of a sudden, Handong, of all people, while the solemn moment with the exchange of vows, she throw that bold statement making Siyeon gaze into whom she’s referring to. 

The hot woman’s appearance can indeed make you beg for oxygen because of her breathtaking beauty. Her long wavy brunette hair adds glow into her dazzling face, the dress she’s wearing compliments her body proportions so much. Off shoulder gown with sparkles layered with pearls that tightly wrapped around her chest and waist emphasizing her features so well.

The initial reaction she did was to gulp and she hated herself for that after doing it. Did all these hot gorgeous ladies were in Korea all this time? How the hell she missed them?

”Because you just came back after hiding? For how long? Five years?” Gahyun rolled her eyes in disgust and lost how many count she did that only for today.

”W-who are you talking t-to?” Siyeon in her defense, played it cool, adjust her tie again, cleared her throat, pretends to have no idea what her cousin is talking. Did she perhaps talk it out loud?

“I was talking to the person beside Yootoni with the tux but yeah, the bridesmaid of Yoo’s wife is hot too. Totally your type!” Handong chuckled and give Siyeon a wink to tease her.

”Oh and by the way, her necklace looks stunning.” Handong giggled.

To be fair, Siyeon really tried her best to focus on the jewelry but her eyes went out to— wander.

”Useless gays.” Gahyun said. Why is it always her, witnessing all this mess? Question she always asks.

”There’s no subtitles here, bestie.” Handong again teased Siyeon and the two started bickering. One more volume up and they will be causing trouble so Gahyun stop them.

”Just for once! Can we please focus solely on the wedding? I flew for twelve fucking hours just to worry for nothing.” She clenches her fists, if they trigger her one more time, she’s ready to pinch their ears.

”H-hey! It’s Dongie’s fault!”

”Shut up!”

Siyeon got to see Handong stick her tongue out. She was going to rebut her but Gahyun in the middle is ready to throw hands, so she just tried to behave. Siyeon somehow manage to keep herself calm after. Some of the questions stuck inside her head for years finally got answered one by one.

Now, even if she thinks that it’s not the right time, she couldn’t help that her eyes were now glued to the jaw dropping visuals of that bridesmaid. Eyeing her with every move she made.

”Her name’s Kim Bora.” The man beside Siyeon, on the left, suddenly decided to give permission to himself to join the conversation in her head and realized how loud they are.

The model was clueless at first but she realized that she’s making herself absolutely obvious about her. She’s quite thankful why this man all of a sudden overshared the information. But why?

“Kim Bora.” Siyeon repeated it while familiarizing every syllables with a small smile slowly building up on her mouth. Her little win knowing the name instantly ended after hearing the next phrase the man says.

“She’s engaged though.” He flex a proud and confident smile that Siyeon didn’t even notice because she’s still fixed on the stunning woman in front of them.

“Oh…” The only thing Siyeon could utter after hearing it and to think that it was the worst thing he said, there’s another one that follows.

“With me.”