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Jae Young
I inhale and exhale deeply, grasp the box, and open it. Closing it again, I pace through the room, bathed in sunlight streaming through the sheer fabric of the white curtains. Upstairs, the sound of footsteps grows louder. I double-check the box's contents one last time.
My pocket vibrates. I retrieve my phone and walk to the foot of the stairs, the footsteps continuing unabated above. Swiping my finger over the green symbol, I answer the call.
“All set. I just left them at the location.”
“Komawo.”
I end the call. Within seconds, the footsteps intensify, drawing nearer. I turn to face the stairs. My heart, already racing, now thunders like a Formula 1 engine.
Elleanor descends slowly, appearing slightly uncomfortable in her outfit. She wears white sneakers, a skirt with colorful stripes accentuating her waist, and a pink T-shirt, her hair pulled back, a crossbody bag slung over her shoulder. She reminds me of a schoolgirl, reminiscent of the first day I saw her observing the house next door with her father.
I smile and extend my hand.
“Are you sure it's not too short?” She takes my hand, tugging at her skirt's hem with the other.
“It's perfect! It’s been over six months—do you still find Seoul's fashion strange?”
“Sure, a modest neckline causes a scandal, but a skirt that barely covers the buttocks is considered trivial!” I lean in, kiss her forehead, and laugh.
“And the t-shirt? Do you like it?”
“When I watched dramas on TV, I imagined us wearing matching outfits, but now it seems very tacky.” She grasps my hands and gently moves them away from her body. Her eyes narrow slightly, and her lips curl into a half-smile.
“Wow! But today we're going out like this! Get ready for photos, hearts, and lots of cute faces!” Elleanor covers her face with her hands, embarrassed.
Laughing, I wrap my arm around her and lead her outside.
I open the car door for her and help her get settled. I then take my place in the driver's seat, start the car, and we begin our journey. Elleanor plays one of her eclectic music playlists, featuring Brazilian music, Korean pop, and songs from various other parts of the world. She attempts to sing and dance along in her seat.
Harmeoni has taught her etiquette, a bit of Korean history and culture. The daily language lessons are progressing well; Elleanor is a quick learner with an admirable memory.
Despite the cultural differences, she has earned the admiration of several women at the company through her spontaneity, eagerness to learn, and willingness to help.
Elleanor has already formed deep friendships. She even spent two nights at a friend's house recently, offering comfort after her friend's engagement broke off just days before the wedding.
Elleanor also teaches Portuguese to the group’s employees who, due to the company's expansion, were assigned to positions in Brazil and Portugal. She not only teaches the language but also shares insights on cultural habits and customs. Although cooking is not her forte, she occasionally prepares some dishes, teaching the recipes as she goes.
“You haven't told me where we're going yet.”
“We're headed to Yeouido Island.” The traffic light turns red, pausing our conversation.
I glance at Elleanor, who seems focused, possibly trying to recall some information about the place.
“I don’t remember this name.”
“It’s our first time going. Trust me, the scenery is breathtaking.”
She starts singing and wriggling in her seat, making funny faces. Although I laugh at everything she does at the moment, inside I'm tense, forcing myself to breathe.
The journey feels like the longest I've ever experienced!
I stop as close as possible to our destination. It’s springtime. Blooming flowers add vibrant colors to the landscape. The cool and pleasant breeze encourages many people to enjoy the day with friends or family in the parks. Many couples also spend time together, sitting on the grass, riding bicycles, and engaging in other outdoor activities.
I intertwine our hands. She carefully observes every little detail—from the leaves and petals carried by the wind to the animals and children running around.
“Oh my God! How beautiful!”
We arrive at one of the most picturesque areas of the park: the path lined with blooming cherry trees.
The view is breathtaking. Falling petals form a thick carpet covering the path. She stops walking and covers her open mouth with her hand in awe.
“I knew you would like it.”
“The bloom is much more beautiful than in the videos I saw.”
“Shall we?” I ask. She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. When her feet touch the ground again, she pulls me along, radiating energy.
My insides are stirring, the tension melting away, giving way to an inexplicable warmth. It feels like my feet aren't even touching the ground.
We stop by a tteokbokki stall. The first few times she tried it, Elleanor cried from the spice, unaccustomed to the heat, but now she’s become a fan of the snack. I wait as she finishes eating, my emotions still a whirlwind inside. She wipes her mouth, and we continue our walk, just like countless other couples.
We pause again, now in front of one of the most beautiful tree canopies. We take some photos. When Elleanor opens her bag to put away her phone, the elastic band holding her hair comes loose. I bend down, pick it up, and clean it.
It's now or never!
I take a deep breath, position myself in front of her. My hands find her hair. I run them through her strands, gathering them and then securing them. When I finish, she's looking intently at my face.
“Do you really know how to tie a woman's hair?”
“If you allow me, I’ll do it for the rest of our lives.” Her lips curve into a half-smile. She tilts her head slightly.
I glance around and catch Secretary Choi's eye. I nod to him. He approaches and hands me a bouquet of red tulips. The smile vanishes from her face, and she turns pale, with only two red spots coloring her cheeks.
“That morning, when I woke up excited to play ball with my brother, I had no idea that my destiny was about to change. I could never have guessed that the curious and innocent gaze of a little girl with freckles would capture my attention so thoroughly, but she enchanted me the moment she hopped out of the car and walked down the sidewalk, through the gate of my house. It was at that precise moment that our paths intertwined.”
Her hands tremble. I steady my breathing.
“Yet, it was later that afternoon, when you opened your eyes and met mine, that my heart recognized what my mind could not yet comprehend, and then two paths merged into one: the path that has led us to this moment.”
“Why...” I hand her the tulips, bringing our faces close together, not giving her time to speak. Our lips touch briefly. I straighten up.
“Do you know the meaning of red tulips?” She shakes her head. “True love. You are my one and only true love, Elleanor.”
Her eyes glisten with tears that soon overflow, rolling down her cheeks to her chin.
“By your side, I learned what it means to care for someone without expecting anything in return. Every time you smiled so sincerely, when you gripped my hand with such desperation and trusted me as if I could truly protect you. When you stole a kiss on tiptoes, you gave me much more than you realized. That's why I ask for the chance to give back all that I have received.”
I kneel down, supporting myself on one knee while bending the other. I take the black box out of my pocket, hold it between my hands, open it, and extend it toward her.
She clutches the flowers tightly. My heart skips a beat.
Should I have waited longer? What if she says no? There's no turning back now.
I take a deep breath and exhale sharply.
“Elleanor, will you accept me as your destiny?”
The bouquet of tulips falls to the ground. She steps forward and touches my hands, her smile mingling with tears. She nods vigorously.
I rise, take the ring from the box, and slip it onto her finger. My hands move to her face. I dry her tears with my thumbs and draw her close.
Our lips meet, unleashing all our pent-up emotions. Her breathing quickens, and her heart pounds so loudly against her ribcage I can feel it as though it were my own. My heart echoes hers with equal fervor. The softness and warmth of her skin under my touch. The scent of strawberries fills the air as the wind rustles through her hair.
Applause and cheers surround us, prompting us to laugh, our lips still joined. However, it's time to conclude the proposal. I slowly pull away.
As we open our eyes, the final surprise unfolds: Lucio, Marta, Grandma, Marcus, André, and Elleanor's two best Korean friends are all present. Everyone offers their congratulations. Marta hands Elleanor her phone showing Mariana, Jerry, and Ana on a video call. Ana isn't well enough to travel, so Mariana and Jerry are looking after her.
We accept the well-wishes. Elleanor joins her parents; Marta strokes her daughter's hair, and her father embraces her. My grandmother watches with a mix of curiosity and distance.
A figure in the background catches my attention: a man with shoulder-length dark hair, a black cap, sunglasses, and worn jeans. He stands aloof and reserved. I don't need to see his eyes to recognize him: Jae Wook. I nod to him; he returns the gesture and walks away. His gait is familiar, but his attitude, I cannot be sure of.
I hope my brother finds peace and happiness in some way!
Once everyone is in their cars, we head to the lunch organized by Lee Hye Ji.
My grandmother is growing weaker and may not have much longer, but she still finds time for affection. She insisted on serving not only traditional Korean dishes but also Brazilian food, accommodating Elleanor's parents throughout. Lucio and Marta seem to enjoy her company.
Marcus and André have brought some French sweets. Always attentive and cheerful, they hand Lia a box on behalf of Mari. I don't see the contents: she quickly peeks inside and snaps it shut, her cheeks flushing a telltale red, which tells me I'll likely approve of the gift.
I grab a glass of wine and join my fiancée, steering her to the garden while the others are distracted. I wrap my arms around her waist, hands resting on her belly. The sky is clear, the sun bright. My body relaxes, and hers seems to resonate with the same tranquility. She sighs contentedly.
“I believe everything is in its rightful place now.”
“I agree. I can't describe it, but there are no more conflicting emotions here.” She puts her hand on her chest.
“I've longed to hear you declare it like that, with that accent that melts me!”
“You watch too much drama, Lia!” I laugh. She turns, facing me.
“Saranghae! I love you, my handosome man with smiling eyes.” She puts her arm around my neck. I kiss her temple and then her lips. “Now we follow one path. This is just the beginning of our life together!”
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The End!