[Sim Daegwang]

I'm supposed to meet Rose at Delcroft Garden this evening. It's 4pm now, but I have no idea of when I should go there. Maybe it's a surprise. That woman thrives off mystery. This is what intrigues me about her, but it also scares me a little.

Shane isn't at home. I wonder what happened with his resolution of keeping a low profile. Maybe he has some errands to run and he'll be back soon. I need reassurance. I mean, some advice. Well, I guess I'll resort to watching some TV.

***

As soon as I step out of the shower and grab a towel, I hear the door clicking open. It must be Shane. I doubt anyone else would show up unannounced. I rush to get dressed and leave the bathroom without even drying the floor.

Exactly as I expected. He's back.

He greets me casually. "Oh, hi. I just went to the ATM. Nothing serious." The way he tells me is suspicious. Why do I suspect it isn't just about grabbing some cash? I refrain from asking, though. I have a more pressing matter to deal with, namely the upcoming meeting with Rose.

"So, if I remember correctly, you're supposed to be at Delcroft later. How about we join together?" Rose has never mentioned I should go alone; hence, Shane's suggestion. It makes sense. I need some cover in case someone catches me and Rose in a trap.

I nod. "Okay. Fine. Let me grab some stuff and then we go." With "stuff," I mean my wallet and keys. I also remember to turn all lights off before leaving, of course.

When we're out of the building, we start walking in the park's direction. Instead of taking the usual route, I let Shane guide me through a shortcut. A very convenient one, I dare say. "We'll be there in no more than twenty minutes," he explains. "Trust me."

"Oh, cool. If we keep up our pace, we'll be there earlier than 8:30PM." That's good, considering that Rose hasn't even told me when I should show up.

"8:30? Hmm... I'd say earlier than that. But it's a good guess, as well. Let's keep moving, though. We can't get distracted." As soon as the conversation is over, so is my will to keep making small talk. What if Rose is already at Delcroft? What if she tricked me?

Okay. Too many questions. I should just focus on walking. My pace is slowing down, while Shane's gets faster. Not a good sign. I have to catch up with him. I don't want to get lost or, worse, lose his trust.

He incites me in a harsh manner. "Speed up, you snail! We're close."

Holy shit. His pace is a whole new definition of brisk walk. I wonder what his shoes are made of for making him walk this fast. Okay, I have to stop rambling or I'll pass off as an idiot.

"We're almost there. Just one or two minutes at most."

"Good. Now all I have to do is to call Rose."

For the first time since we left home, Shane stops. He grins at me. "No, dude. Don't waste your battery. I can call her for you. In fact-"

I interrupt him. "Please, don't. She doesn't know I'm with you. At least, let's surprise her."

He insists. "She does know me, though." He ignores my plea to let me handle the situation and calls Rose as he promised. I can barely hear anything as he speaks in a hushed tone. Does Rose know either the woman he wants to marry or Aubrey?

When will I learn to wait before letting questions fill my mind?

Fortunately, Shane saves me from the embarrassment of having to keep more and more thoughts to myself. "Let's go, she's already inside. She's waiting for us at the fountain."

"The one at the center of the park?" I ask.

He nods. "Correct. Now, just one last effort. Quick, or she might worry you chicken out."

I retort. "Do you really think I'm a coward?"

"That's not what I meant, you moron. Now move." I hate when he tries to patronize me. If anything, he shouldn't treat me like a child. I can't exclude we're the same age, or even him being younger than me.

Never mind. I do as he asks and fasten my pace. When we arrive at the fountain, I immediately notice Rose and wave her hello. She isn't alone, though. She's with another woman. For what I can see, a quite tall, blonde woman. She wears big dark sunglasses and a long coat.

I'm in for a lot of trouble.

***

"So, Rose, why don't you introduce me to... I assume she's your friend, right?" She gives me a puzzled look as I ask her the question. Shane scratches his head, while the other woman looks down with her sunglasses still on.

"Friend? Oh, no, Daegwang, you must be mistaken! I've just met her a few hours ago. I don't even know her name." I feel her words are genuine, but I'm still a little suspicious. Why won't that girl say her name? Is she on the run? Does she hide such a huge secret that she needs to only go out in disguise?

"Oh, okay. I guess we'll get to know her soon." I turn to Shane while still addressing Rose. "As you can see, I'm not alone. I've also made a new friend recently." Shane doesn't take the use of that word very well. I don't care, to be honest. Despite his rough character, he is a friend to me now.

"Oh, Shane? What a pleasure! I've known him for a long time."

Shane laughs sarcastically. "The world is very small, isn't it?" He stops giggling like a high schooler as soon as I glare at him. "By the way, Rose, how and when did you meet Daegwang?"

"Oh, it wasn't long ago. Well, we met purely by chance." Why does she feel the need to make that clear? Now I'm certain she's more involved with Shane than I thought.

I chime in back. "Okay, Rose, I guess you remember why we agreed to meet tonight." I turn back to Shane and the woman in disguise, hoping that they can leave us alone for a moment.

That doesn't happen, though, as Rose insists they stay. I'm okay with it. I mean, Shane doesn't seem to be a backstabber, and I'm confident the mysterious girl is good at keeping secrets.

"Well, Daegwang, I told you I have a plan," says Rose. I nod. She continues, "And I even told you in detail what it consists of."

"Breaking up a wedding," I answer.

"Correct."

"Wow. Mischievous as always. I couldn't pull off such an aggressive plan," intervenes Shane.

"What would you have done?" I ask him in return.

"I would've kept a much lower profile and take a much more intricate route," he admits. So, he would just dodge the problem, while Rose would face it directly with her head up high. Interesting.

Rose takes back the reins of the conversation. "Okay, guys, let's focus. I said I want to break up that wedding, and I'm confident I can do this. But I need help."

I ask again, "What should we do? And which wedding do you plan to disrupt?"

My head spins in circles. Rose's face turns bloody red. Shane looks away out of embarrassment. I've just struck their point of weakness.

Shane raises his hand. "It's mine."

"Then, I assume the woman you actually love is somehow linked to Rose, isn't she?"

This time, it's Rose's turn to answer. "No, it's not related to me. It's me."