6 months later,
           The room is decorated with a white theme. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The flowers are dominated by roses, your favorite, which contrast with the white wall and curtains.You are standing right in front of a huge mirror. The mirror is higher than you; it reflects your figure from head to toe. You are astounded by your reflection. The dress suits you the best. You look outstanding wearing the white wedding dress.
            Yes, today is your wedding day. You still can't believe that you are finally getting married to him now. You went through so many ups and downs with the man who will soon become your husband.You touch the decoration of your hair tenderly when you hear a knock on the door. You inform the person to come in.
           Han Ryu Min appears on the door. He looks dazzling in his tuxedo. His hair is neatly done. He walks toward you while putting on his bright smile. He is so charming.
         "What are you doing here? The wedding is going to start soon," you remind him. But you are not really bothered by his sudden appearance. You also want to meet him before the wedding.
            "I come to check on you." Today is the wedding day for the two of you.
4 months ago.
           You and Ryu Min develop a romantic relationship very well. The most understanding and selfless love. The two of you would put the other first before yourself. Ryu Min is really a good boyfriend. He never expects more from you. He always treats you sweetly. You give each other your trust, and it makes you feel free and comfortable.
          You two spend your time together whenever you can to make up for lost time over the last ten years.He would take his time to fetch you from work, watch your favorite movie, go out to dinner together, and do other normal things a couple could do. One day, when he was fetching you from work, Ju Min happened to watch you. He is staring at the two of you without saying anything.
         Since the break up between you and Ju Min, you have never talked to him, unless it is business related. There is the time when you catch Ju Min trying to say something, but he never does. When you bump into each other, it feels awkward.
          Ju Min is back to being his cold and stern CEO. He doesn't talk much. Even at the RFA's group chatting, he just answers the message in short sentences and gives the necessary information. He lost interest in joking around. It looks like he's lost his light. There is also the time when he just walks past you like a stranger. And somehow, it makes you really feel uncomfortable.
           You and Ryu Min are enjoying the night scenery on his rooftop balcony. You sit side by side on a big swing and enjoy some snacks together.
            "Hyu Ri-ah." Your current boyfriend is falling out of your name gently. You answer him and turn your gaze toward him.
           "Are you happy? To be with me..." Ryu Min asks you carefully. His question almost makes you speechless, but you manage to make it into a joke and ask him why he asked you that so suddenly.
"Be honest with me.... I don't feel that you look happy, you always look like your mind is wandering on another thing. Come on.... Tell me...... " He asks you gently. You didn't answer him right away. Thus, there is a brief silence between you.
"Ryu Min-ah...." you call out his name hesitantly. He knows something isn't right by the sound of your voice.
"I can't feel the same way. I can finally openly express my feelings and receive your love. After the long wait, I should be happy about it. But why do I feel so wrong? " You can talk without looking at him. You can't understand your feelings at all and you have difficulty expressing them to him. Ryu Min is just staring at you patiently without demanding you to explain more or asking you why. He just waited.
"I am here with you now. But.... The image of Ju Min never leaves me....His lifeless soul, his pitiful eyes... I can't get him out of my mind... I wonder why... " you smile ironically.
The first time you kissed Ryu Min, you felt that was not right. You tried to enjoy the time you spent with him, cherish the love you received from him, but still... It all felt so wrong. You should be overjoyed that your long-awaited one-sided love is finally coming to an end.You should be thankful to discover his true feelings. You should be happy. But why is it that everything doesn't sit right in your heart?
"Because you love him?" He asks you without any judgement in his eyes. He was just staring at you with a sincere smile.
"Why do I have to love him? He never loved me, he was just trying to win my heart because of his complex insecurity toward you. " You argue and resist. didn't want to accept his statement.
"Just be honest with me.... I know you. Do you think I can't see through your lie? And why do you keep denying the fact that he loves you? Do you really feel that his feelings are fake? " Ryu Min smiles jokingly. Your strong denial makes him chuckle. It felt funny.
You are silenced by his sentences. Do you never feel that his love is true? Do you really think that his feelings toward you are a mere obsession? No, you are not. There was a time when you felt really loved. There is a time when you sense his sincerity. Every time you look at him, there is a deep longing inside. You know he loves you. And you know what? You love him too.
"I am afraid Ryu Min.... I am afraid of the possibility that he is insincere toward me... I am afraid of being hurt for putting my fake hope up there. That's why....." you try to express your feelings to the man you used to love. He sighs deeply.
"So... Do you wish to stay with me and ignore his feeling ? Do you wish to keep hurting him by staying with me? Just tell me, is the person who is really in your heart still me or is it Han Ju Min, my big brother? " Ryu Min confronts you with his question. He is looking at you with a serious expression.
You are thinking about his question carefully. He guessed it right. You are falling in love with Han Ju Min. You love him, and it is hurting you so much to discover that he may never love you sincerely. You are hurt by his lie because you love and trust him. And seeing him being hurt by you really hurts your heart. There is the time when you feel selfish for not accepting him due to your anger. But you know, you can't stand watching him in pain. Not anymore.
The two months you spend alone without him make you feel very lonely and empty. You feel lifeless. You miss the way he expresses his love. You miss his touch. You miss everything about him. You so desperately want to get back into his warm hug.
"I am sorry." You are apologizing to Ryu Min because you can't stay by his side anymore. You choose to be with Ju Min.
"What are you apologizing for? I can see that this is coming anyway. Don't apologize when you are not even sorry. " He has a mild laugh. He looks at you with a wrinkle in his corner of the eyes. He doesn't look angry or sad. He just looked happy.
"I really am sorry, but Ju Min he can't live without me. I was blinded by my anger toward him, so I kept resisting. But I know he is always sincere with me, that he loves me...I don't think I can leave him alone like this; he only has me to lean on. He only has me to love him. But you... You have Ha Na. She loves you unconditionally. I should have known from the start that my love for you is completely defeated in comparison to hers....I shouldn't have been greedy.... Ju Min is enough for me. I am sorry." You keep apologizing even after he forbids you to do that. You feel bad for him.
" I told you to stop apologizing.... Because I also feel the same way " He continued.
"About Ju Min?" You ask him confusedly, and it makes him laugh.
"No. About Ha Na.... She's always been by my side. She always loved me, even when I couldn't love her back. When I heard what she did for me to tell you, I felt really touched. I don't want to take her for granted anymore, Hyu Ri-ah. I think I can love her sincerely from now on. I want to stay by her side, who always loved me." Ryu Min smiles. His eyes become gentler when he thinks about the younger girl. You also smile while watching him.
"So.... We are going back to someone who loves us more now." He asks you with a friendly smile on his face. You confirm it with a nod. Soon, you leave his place and plan to come to someone who you really love now.
Meanwhile, Ju Min is taking a sip of his wine. He enjoys being drunk on wine lately. He consumes a large amount of wine, which he does not normally do.He is purposely drinking so much so he can get drunk, because it helps keep his mind from thinking about you. He can't fall asleep every time he keeps thinking about you. It crushes his heart. Again, he is trying to get some sleep with the help of the wine.
It is 9 p.m. now... He wants to have an early night. But the doorbell disturbed his time. How unusual for him to have a guest come to visit his house. He walked lazily toward his door, didn't even bother to check on the door screen before opening it. His almost closed eyes are wide open when he finds you standing in front of his door. He strokes his eyes. He thinks that he is dreaming or hallucinating. But you are still there. After that, he rubbed his eyes multiple times.
"Hyu... Ri.. ssi?" He asks in disbelief. You give him a small smile and greet the man you miss a lot.
"Good night Ju Min.... Want to enjoy some night walks?" You offer him cheerfully. He is puzzled. But he can't miss the chance to be with you, so he agrees.
You take Ju Min to visit Namsan Tower hiking trail. You tell him that you want to enjoy the night view from the tower. But you choose the walking trails instead of riding the cable car to give you some more time because you are kind of nervous about starting the conversation. The view from Namsan peak is really breathtaking. You express how mesmerizing the view is. You are so focused on the landscape.
"Hyu Ri-ssi. Why are you taking me here? " Ju Min can't wait any longer. He asks for your explanation firmly. He really hopes that you brought him here for a good reason — to start everything over again with him.
"You are kind of down lately. So I want to cheer you up with the beauty of the night scenery here. I think you might love it...." You still focus on the scenery without looking at him. He swiftly shifted his gaze toward the breathtaking view. He agrees with you. He does like to be here, enjoying the night view with you.
"Why are you so down lately?" You ask about something which you already know the answer to.
"Are you sure you don't know why? You BROKE UP with me. How can I not be down? " He asks you with a great sadness in his eyes.
"You can't take the break UP with me? Why? Do you happen to love me? " again... You deliberately ask him the question with a clear answer. But you ask him anyway because you are looking for his acclaim.
Your question makes him laugh dryly.
" Do you really need to ask? Hyu Ri.... What should I do to make you understand? How could I prove my sincerity to you? I do really love you. What should I do to show you that? " He is begging you sincerely. He pleaded with you to see and understand his feelings. He begs for your love.
"I do love you too, Ju Min. I am sorry. It takes me a long time to be honest with you. " You finally confess your true feelings. You stare deeply into his eyes.
"Do you mean it?" Ju Min can't believe what he just heard. So he confirms it to you once more.
"Yes.... I love you." You smile at him with great tenderness. Ju Min pulls you roughly and gives you his deepest kiss. He kiss you desperately, passionately. He is longing for your kiss. He is longing for your love. He craves to touch you. He hugs you tightly and his lips never leave yours. The two of you try to relay your love for each other. Again,
Oo the other side, Ha Na is working on her latest art. She is a great artist. She is so engrossed in her work that she doesn't even realize that someone is just entering her gallery.
"Ha Na-ah..." The man calls out her name delicately. His soft voice surprised her. She quickly lifted her face and found Ryu Min was standing in front of the entry door. He gives her his best smile. He is looking at her with loving eyes.
"I am here." His words made the girl burst into tears. His few words are enough for her to understand. He comes to her and chooses to be with her. He chose to love her. Ha Na runs toward him and sinks her head into his hug. She is going to accept his love, a love that is only for her.
The Wedding Day
"Why do you need to check on your brother's bride and not your own?" Just check on Ha Na... " you ask Ryu Min absurbly. The man is being ridiculous to you.
"Duh... Where on earth does a groom come to his bride's room right before the marriage?" Ryu Min explains it, and you really just realize it now. He is right.
"I come to bid you my last farewell. As a friend, Goodbye Hyu Ri..." He extended his hand to do a handshake with you. You welcome him and shake his hand firmly.
"And hello, my sister-in-law..." He continued his sentences.
"Hello, my brother-in-law," you respond to his gesture.The two of you laugh at your new nickname for each other.
Today is the double wedding day of the two sons of CNR's company. Han Ju Min is going to marry you, and Han Ryu Min is going to marry his fiancee, Kim Ha Na. The four of you agree to do the wedding together to celebrate the struggle for love between the four of you.
The wedding ceremony has started. You and Ha Na are walking side by side to the aisle. The Han's sibling is waiting on the edge of the other side. They are putting on their best smile to welcome their bride.
Your eyes focus on Ju Min, your soon to be husband. He looks really dazzling. Your heart beats fast at every step you take to get closer to him. When you almost reach him, he extends his hand to hold yours. The two couples soon exchange their marriage vows.The couples share a romantic kiss to celebrate their marriage.
EPILOGUE
Loving someone is not an easy task to do. Even if you love them sincerely, there will always be a time for you to hurt each other. But it is okay to get hurt or disappointed by the person you love because they can't be perfect every time. A long-lasting love is one that can accept all the good and bad times, including the fights between the couple. You can't hope for only beautiful love in life.
First love is an eternal love that you can't forget. But it doesn't mean that you have to hang onto it and lose the chance to love another person who is right for you. Sometime just by knowing that the person you love is cheering you deeply is more than enough. It is enough to discover that without being able to be with them. It is enough to confess your deep feelings without a chance to make them the right person for you. Because no matter how much you love each other, you will never be together if you are fated to be apart.
Your first love, Han Ryu Min...You are so glad that he is someone you love. You are happy because you got the chance to know him. He would always become that person you cherish a lot. The person you always love. The person you are always grateful for. But your love towards him isn't a love that you give to a lover; you love him when he is your friend. And from now on, you will love him as your brother. And you know you can't bid your first love a farewell. because he will always become a special person in your heart.
--The End---