----

All my life I had been living in a prison where happiness was nowhere to be seen. As if there were an evil shield that restricted it from coming towards me. No matter how far I stretched my hands and ran until my legs give up, it still wouldn’t come to me. It seemed as happiness had some personal rivalry from me.

Arrange marriages happen so that two people can know each other and accept them, but how could anyone expect a nineteen year old to understand this.

I wondered how my soon to be husband agreed on this marriage. Nobody would want to marry a woman who had already been raped and had a dark past. I’m hundred percent sure my parents hadn’t told this rape incident to him. Otherwise it wouldn’t be happening.

I tossed and turned on my bed as the sheets ruffled underneath, with insomnia engulfing me. It was 7 in the morning already and I wasn’t able to sleep. My thoughts disturbed my sleep badly.

I was trapped between three things;

First, there were my parents, second there was Taemin and then it was Jungkook who claimed me as his possession. The day I laid my eyes on him I knew it very well that he was the villain of my life. But the real mystery stayed there. Who he was actually and why his torture was only limited to me?

So, the time passed like this with me indulging in my own thoughts.

Soon the rusty old alarm clock struck to 8 and I got out of the bed to prepare myself for the day that lay ahead.

After getting myself into some warm clothes I went around the backyard and into the house. I opened the backdoor with the spare key I had and made my way towards the kitchen.

“Who’s there- oh it’s only you, stupid girl,” mother said while dramatically placing her hand on the chest.

“What are you doing in the kitchen this early?” I didn’t realize when she came here. “ I thought you and master might be up. Its 8 already, so I came to prepare breakfast,” I explained her. “Hurry up then, make some good breakfast and please try to make it edible,” she remarked and walked away.

I made a classic breakfast for them both and for myself too and served them on the dining table. Both father and mother ate in silence while I was finishing my breakfast in the kitchen.

"Eunhae listen here!” Mother’s voice boomed in my ears. I made the breakfast perfectly as I far as I remember.

“Yes ma’am?” “Hyun Taemin and his family will be coming by 3 o clock. I hope you are having some nice clothes to look presentable in front of them,” she said and I nodded as a yes.

“Great be ready on time and prepare some good food too. Don’t embarrass your soon to be in laws especially your husband with your cooking skills,” she forced a laugh and father smirked. I sighed at their nasty comments and went out of there before getting out the mop and other essentials to clean the house.

----

After hours of mopping and dusting, I was sure my back had severe cramps and my prediction was right. I checked the clock for the confirmation of time and it was noon already. Without wasting any other minute I rushed back to the kitchen to prepare a nice lunch.

 After all I had to satisfy my soon to be in laws and my husband.

According to the chilly weather, I made chicken corn soup and for the main dishes there was grilled chicken with bibimbap and tteokbokki. Dessert consisted of simple blueberry tarts followed by fresh pomegranate juice in drinks. After doing the final touching on the tteokbokki with sesame seeds, I clasped my hands in satisfaction.

“Perfect!” I mumbled to myself.

Even though I didn’t know a single about Taemin, then why I was doing so much effort? Was I too eager to meet him? Too eager to see and judge him how he would be treating me after wedding? Was I even ready for this marriage? I was pretty sure that I wasn’t ready but I don’t know why I was desperate to meet him.

They rest of the hours passed in a flick of time and there I was sitting in front of the mirror dressed up in a black frock applying little lip tint on my lips. I settled my hair neatly on one side and applied hairpins on the other side. Checking myself for the last time I went out of my room.

---

“Come in, come in!” I heard mother and father welcoming the guests.

I quickly poured out some fruit punch juice in the glasses and waited for them to settle down. After confirming that they made themselves easy, I walked out with the drinks in my hand.

My heart was pounding at an incredible speed as I tried my best to make a good first impression.

I lightly knocked the door and soon found myself putting the tray on the table that was in middle. I was nervous to look at anyone, especially Taemin.

“So, HaeMi this is my daughter Kim EunHae and Taemin your soon to be wife, she is twenty two,” mother exclaimed and I turned my head towards her with a light shocked expression.

Did she say I was twenty two?

“Introduce yourself dear,” father said in his fake sweet voice and I nodded my head. “Hello Mr and Mrs Hyun, I’m Kim EunHae. T-twenty two years o-old actually. It’s nice to meet you,” I said and politely bowed to show respect and then my eyes landed on the person I yearned to see.

Hyun Taemin sat there in a smart suit. His features were manly. He had brown dragon like eyes with sharp jawline. He looked pretty serious but his lips held a genuine smile. It seemed if I had given my best first impression.

Just then Taemin stood up and walked towards me. He held my hand in his and kissed it lightly. My eyes widened a little because of his actions.

“I’m Hyun Taemin. Twenty five years old and it’s a pleasure meeting you beautiful,” he introduced and my mind tried to absorb the last word he spoke.

I bowed to him again as a thank you. He led me towards the sofa and we both sat down together. Mother was eying me scornfully but I decided to ignore it. I still felt bad that like my mother I lied about my age, just not to create any fuss.

After sometime of introduction, I came to know that Taemin was completing his university while Mr and Mrs Hyun both were doctors.

“I think we should excuse our children to have a talk with each other,” Mr. Hyun suggested and his wife gave a quick nod. My parents hesitated but they gave in and headed outside the living room. I was feeling edgy and started fiddling with my fingers.

“What happened EunHae?” Taemin asked, honey dripping from his voice. “It’s n-nothing,” I said trying my best not to crack my voice. “I know you are not. Please tell me what happened. Maybe we can sort that out hmm?” he questioned again.

He was expecting that I would start blabbering but fortunately it never happened, except that I sat quietly.

“Speak something.”

“Why did you agree to marry me?” I finally asked. “Do you think I’m the ideal life partner for you? Do you think I can make you happy? Do you think we are meant to be with each other? Do you think you can accept me without knowing my dark past? Do you-“

“Woah woah woah easy young lady,” he cut off my ‘Do you think’ train.

“I think you are amazing. I don’t care about your dark past except I can promise you that I’ll make you forget all that and bring joy to your life. I don’t care if we don’t know each other in detail, but trust me, I will put maximum effort to work this marriage out. Give me a chance EunHae I will make you the queen of my life,” he finished his speech.

“How can I know that you are not lying? Every man says the same before marriage but then the total opposite happens. Only a few stay firm on what they promised,” I said, opening a box of my trust issues. “Consider me in the list of those who fulfill their promises. I assure you I won’t let a single thorn harm you.”

For the first time I felt the real happiness given by somebody. For the first time I felt loved. Rather than judgment and humiliation someone accepted me with open arms and trusted me, it felt magical. Hyun Taemin proved that he was a true gentleman.

----

It was time for lunch and I was setting the dished one by one on the table with care. I didn’t want to embarrass Taemin and his parents, adding myself too on the list with my clumsy self. Soon all were having a nice conversation with me only giving answers in yes or no.

“Mhmm…I’m highly impressed with the food. May I know who made it?” Taemin asked. “It’s made by none other than EunHae. She made all the dishes with love,” father replied in his bittersweet voice and Mrs. Hyun turned to look at me, giving me her wrinkled smile. “That’s so sweet of you honey, but Mira how can you let her do work when we were coming? She deserved to relax," she said to my mother.

“I-I did ask her to not to do chores and do all this, but aish! This girl never listens to me. Since the morning she kept on fussing herself saying ‘mom they are going to come oh I want everything to be perfect’.” I watched mother lie so effortlessly in front of everyone and father joined her nodding at the statement.

“That’s very nice of you EunHae. I sure have found the perfect daughter in law,” Mr. Hyun said.

“And I got a very talented wife too,” Taemin said and I blushed a little.

“Proceeding the things and getting straightly to the point, it’s our wish that the engagement ceremony should be happening at this moment,” Mrs. Hyun said and I shot up my head processing what she said.

But then I heard a small buzzing noise, more like everyone heard it and the room was quiet for a moment. I looked around to find the source of the noise only to see a tiny yellow wasp circling around the room and I mentally face palmed myself.

“It’s just a wasp, oh my goodness! Ignore it,” father said and everyone heaved a sigh before continuing the conversation.

“So what do you think?” Mrs. Hyun asked for the second time. “Yes yes why not? I was thinking that marriage should also be done today. I have the papers ready-“ mother didn’t complete her sentence and was cut off by Mr. Hyun.

“What do you mean with ‘I have the papers ready’ Mrs. Kim? It is my only son’s marriage and I’m sorry to say that we cannot accept the marriage on paper. We will have a proper ceremony, after all everyone should know that the son of Hyun MinJun is getting married. We will take our beloved daughter in law with respect and honor to our house.”

Mother and father were dumbfounded.

“I see you are rushing the marriage and we want the marriage to happen quickly too, but with all proper arrangements and wedding rituals. Dad is right. I will take Eunhae to my home with honor,” Taemin finally spoke and my parents nodded in embarrassment.

“How about this weekend because we will be leaving for Turkey the coming Monday. EunHae will also have a few days of preparation, right Eunhae?” Mrs. Hyun asked and I gave her a quick yes.

“So its settled! Wedding would be on this Sunday. Don’t worry about arrangements we will take care of that,” Mr. Hyun said and I bet father would be relieved after hearing this because he wouldn’t have to bear the burden of expenses.

“I’ll take Eunhae to shopping tomorrow for her perfect dress, jewelry and stuff. After all it’s my responsibility as her soon to be husband,” Taemin said and I nodded while smiling.

“Here take this box dear and put the ring on Eunhae’s finger,” Mrs. Hyun said and handed Taemin a velvet box which I guess contained the engagement ring.

I was handed a box too and in a matter of minutes we were putting rings on each other’s fingers. Once again Taemin took my hand in his caring one and kissed the top of the ring as a sign of love. I was a blushing mess.

I never knew that he would make me fall in love with him in the first meeting. “May you both stay blessed,” Mr and Mrs Hyun awed and my parents put on their fake smiles and congratulated us too.

The rest of the time was spent in talking and laughing. I started to get easy with my in laws and my fiancé and now participated confidently in the conversations, forgetting everything for a moment. But I could sense the thunderstorm from far away that was slowly coming to wreck me.

---

-?P.O.V?-

“Engagement has already been done and rings have been exchanged. Wedding is due Sunday. That Taemin will be taking her to shopping tomorrow,” I spoke through the earpiece.

I heard him laugh like madman from the other side.

“I’m fascinated! She thought she will escape from me? How stupid of that woman. Just wait and watch what I’m going to do. I will ruin her daughter and get back what is mine even if it means shedding some blood. You did a great work my brave hyung. Come back now, we have to do tons of preparations for Sunday,” he manically laughed and I cut the connection.

----

(A/N):
Hello everyone! I hope you all are in the best of your health so does your family.

First of all, I'm very sorry for updating after decades. I was busy with exams and furthermore I too had some problems to deal with. Basically I was going through the down line part of my life, but I'm happy its over now.

I am back now and I'll try to update regularly. I hope you all are enjoying this story. Do tell me about your feedback.  Share this story with your friends.

I'm happy to have such supportive readers like you. Stay happy the causes of my euphoria♡

Take care! See you in next chapter maybe tomorrow!

(S.Noor)
Ding Dong🔔
-

---