Chapter 1：One: The unexpected

Mel sat down on the nearby chair in shock. Her mother was still going on and on about the news she had just shared. She was aware that her mother was saying something more but for her, the previous words that were spoken were still ringing in her mind.

"We have fixed your marriage dear."

Mel came back to earth after her mother shook her.

Mel: M-mom? M-marriage?

Mel's mother Cerise looked down at her only daughter patronizingly. She could clearly read from her daughter's eyes that she was shocked more than being surprised.

Cerise: yes dear. Your dad and I discussed about this. It's time that you got married unless you have someone else in mind.

Mel: It's n-not like that. Isn't this too early?

Cerise: Sweetie you are 24 years old now. This is the perfect age for marriage.

Mel: b-but-

Mel couldn't think of a single phrase to utter. She was terrified by the idea of marriage for reasons still unknown to her. She had never in 24 years of life ever imagined about getting married. She knew that she had to get married someday but the reality took time to sink in. Cerise read the confusion clearly in her daughter's eyes.

Cerise: (patting her head) you have always trusted me with important matters, sweetie. Trust me on this one too.

Mel: (nodding) o-ok. I guess it will take time to get used to the idea.

Cerise: (smiling) that's like a good girl.

It had been only a month since Mel had returned back to the country after spending the past 10 years overseas with her relatives for study purposes. She had come back after landing a job in the journalist's office as the head editor in one of the leading newspapers in the country. She had her doubts about moving back but truth be told she was home-sick from the beginning. She came home occasionally during the holidays but it wasn't permanent. She was back for good this time. She had just started to settle in with her job and family when her mother had gone ahead and dropped the bomb on her.

Mel trusted her mother with everything. When they had sent her away from themselves, it was for her own betterment. Her capabilities were recognized in the early stages of life which landed her in a student exchange-scholarship program. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Mel once again faced her mother.

Mel: so who is the guy?

Cerise: (trying to hide a conspiratory smile) you'll meet him soon sweetie. They are coming to our house on Sunday evening for dinner.

Mel: (sourly) that's tomorrow! And you are not planning to tell me?

Of course Cerise was right. Mel would be late for work if she didn't leave soon. Curiosity was eating at her brain but she knew that it would be a futile effort as her mother never told something when she had made up her mind. Not wanting to waste her time, Mel pulled up her bag to her shoulder and went off to work waving goodbye to her wicked mother.

***

In another part of the city, a handsome young man sat at the dining table having breakfast with his family. His sister, a young girl of 16, showed up at that moment still dressed in pajamas. She heavily sat beside him and stole a piece of toast from his plate. His mother Sun-hee was never strict but she liked things to be in order.

Sun-hee: (glaring at her sleepy daughter) Ye-Jin go wash up yourself first.

Ye-Jin: (groaning) Mom let me eat first. I am hungry. I'll wash up later.

Sun-hee: no, first wash yourself up.

Ye-Jin: papa?!

Woo-bin: listen to your mother Jin-ah.

Ye-Jin: (huffing) you never tell my brother to wash up first.

The young man simply chuckled at his little sister's antics.

Ye-Jin: (glaring) why are you laughing? (Evilly grinning) did mom tell you the news already? Did you say yes?

Ye-Jin knew that her mother hadn't told anything to her brother yet. She was enjoying the lost looks he was currently aiming at her mother, whereas the matriarch was gaping at her daughter in shock.

Ye-Jin: (getting up coolly) I'll go wash up now. Bro dear - (winking at him) best of luck.

Sun-hee: (muttering under her breath) this girl will never learn!

Kai: What was Jin talking about mom?

He curiously glanced back and forth between his parents.

Sun-hee: (squaring her shoulders) you have established a successful career for yourself.

Kai: (nodding) yes?

Sun-hee: also you aren't dating anyone, (frowning at him in doubt) or are you?

Kai: (surprised at the line of questioning) no I am not. I wasn't planning on doing it anytime soon. Why are you asking me this?

Sun-hee: well the thing is you are 24, successful as an idol and single. So it's high time that you start your own family.

Kai: (feeling completely lost) w-what?!

Sun-hee: your papa and I have selected a girl for you and we want you to consider marriage with her.

Kai: mom? Dad?

Woo-bin: (sighing) she is a beautiful and nice girl. You do know her. She'll be a good match for you.

Kai: come on! It's my marriage! Now can't I choose whom I should marry? Really!

Woo-bin: of course you can Kai. We aren't telling you to elope with her right now or something. We are suggesting that you meet her, get to know her and then decide.

Kai: I need time to-

Sun-hee: clear up your schedule tomorrow night. We will be going to their home for dinner.

Kai: (in disbelief) I c-can't believe y-you. (In resignation) who is the girl?

Sun-hee: Yoo Min-Soe.

All the anger Kai was currently feeling dissipated in the blink of an eye.

Kai: She isn't here!

Sun-hee: (smiling) she came back a month ago.

Kai: I h-have to go. I'll come back late tonight. Don't wait up for me.

Sun-hee: don't forget tomorrow!

Kai heard it but chose not to reply. Pulling his hood up and grabbing his jacket, he walked out of the door silently. He still couldn't believe that his parents had gone behind his back and arranged his marriage. He knew her- the girl of their choice, more like he used to know her. He hadn't seen or heard about her in a decade and he never expected that one day she would be introduced to him as his would-be bride.