[Oh Saeryeong]

I won't give up. As much as Fate tries to test me, I'll overcome every boundary, every obstacle on my way between myself and Sanggyeom. We're meant to be together. We did promise each other we'd be together. We'll break barriers together, like lovers do.

At the bar where I work, I find Saehim among the customers. Wanting to catch up with her, I decide she's my absolute priority. I have to get the burden that has bothered me for months off my chest. She orders two bagels and a dalgona coffee.

As soon as I head to the counter to prepare the order, a colleague of mine, Nayoung, stops me. "Saeryeong, I think you should go to your friend. She seems to have important stuff to tell you." She has a point. As I said before, I need to tell Saehim what I truly think of this mess.

Therefore, I prepare Saehim's order, then leave the remainder of the tasks to Nayoung and the rest of the staff. Hopefully they'll be understanding enough and won't throw me under the bus to make themselves look good. I know I can trust Nayoung, but I don't think the same applies to the others, such as Lina.

When the two bagels and dalgona coffee are ready, I sit at Saehim's table. "Oh, thank you, Saeryeong! Anyway, I ordered two bagels on purpose because one is for you." Surprise! She knows me so well—that's why we've been friends for fifteen years.

"Thank you, Saehim. I don't know what I'd do without you and the others. I'm serious, I really need something to pick me up." I finish my bagel in a few bites, while Saehim has only eaten less than a third of it yet.

"Wow... Saeryeong, slow down, please. We're just starting. Now, buckle up. I have some news regarding Sanggyeom." Her latest revelation raises expectations way above the rooftop. From what I knew, due to some obscure business related agreement, he was slated to marry Heo Moeun.

Nonetheless, reports of the wedding being delayed have invaded the Internet. I wonder how much of this news is true. I have a feeling it's just a distraction. However, a delay is not necessarily a bad thing for us. I can meet him one more time. We can discuss that damned deal and find ways to break it.

As I expected, Saehim says, "It turns out the ceremony was delayed. Moeun didn't show up. Maybe she herself tried to do her part sabotaging that wedding." I don't really know Moeun, so all I can do is assume that she isn't happy with the deal either. Hopefully common sense and true love will prevail over business.

"From what I learnt through Sanggyeom's family, it's gonna take place later today. So, when we're done here, we'll pass by mine. There, I have a dress you can borrow. You'll love it." Is Saehim suggesting I should still show up at that wedding?

In fact, I protest. "I haven't been invited!"

She lets out a snarky giggle as she lowers her voice. "In fact, you are going to crash the wedding. No invitation needed." No more time to be scared. No backing down. If I want to be with Sanggyeom, I have to fight my way through his heart until the very last mile.

I can't wait to be at that ceremony.

***

According to the plan, I will enter the venue on my own as I mingle among the other guests. Saehim will wait for me outside with Daejeong and Seokcheol. The latter two serve as backup in case things go awry. However, I'm confident I can talk Sanggyeom out of that binding deal and break the house.

I wear a navy blue sleeveless gown Saehim has lent me, along with really high heels, an adorned black mask and three lines of diamonds, pearls and sapphires. The more, the merrier. Also, my hair is pulled back—courtesy of a ton of gel.

If I could look myself in a mirror, I'd barely recognize myself. What I hope is that Sanggyeom does. Just him. Nobody else. Meanwhile, I wait until the right moment comes. Honestly, I don't know when. An eerie silence has fallen in the surroundings of the hotel where the ceremony takes place.

I extract my phone from the black purse I chose to complete my outfit and check the hour: 6:30pm. All I need is a sign so that I can go in. A message from Daejeong. Just a thumbs up. Time for me to go. I take a deep breath before entering the hotel, all while pretending to be part of a group of late invitees.

One of them, a woman in her mid fifties, surprises me by playing along with my disguise. When asked by security staff who I am, she replies that I'm a distant relative of hers. "She came all the way from Yangsan. She's here in Seoul just to take part in this lavish wedding."

What a coincidence. My mother was born in Yangsan. Is this woman meant to be my new protector guardian? It's like Fate has set everything in place perfectly. All I need is Sanggyeom to choose me over the plans manifactured from above so that it all aligns. Me and him, as it's supposed to be.

Anyway, I follow the latecomers to the hall that's supposed to host the reception dinner. Already? Since I can't afford to ruin my disguise, I stay quiet and play my part. The woman who covered for me before invites the others to take seat, then extends the offer to me. "Come on, sit down."

I obey and do as she says. Maybe the exchange of vows will be moved here, in this room. It's packed as I thought. I resist the temptation to look at my phone—I can't afford any suspicious moves. So, I just look around and listen to the small talk from my table.

To sound more convincing, I nod and occasionally interject. "That's interesting." This contributes to the growing curiosity around me, though.

Another woman, this time in her mid forties, asks me, "Why don't you tell us about yourself? Do you know the bride or groom?"

I answer cautiously, "I do know the groom, Sanggyeom. He's such a level headed guy. Ambitious and determined. Trust me. He's so loved for a reason." Even though the mask conceals it, I wink. I know, I'm close to coming clean about my feelings for him to a bunch of strangers.

But, hey, at least they don't judge me. In fact, the 40-something woman replies back, "Hehe... I'm sure that, if he weren't taken, he'd go straight to someone like you. I mean, you and Sanggyeom would make a perfect couple." How can she be so sure?

What stings, anyway, is that time keeps passing and there's still no trace of him or Moeun. I have a terrible gut feeling. Their families must be studying a specific plan to make the ceremony harder to crash than it already is. At this point, it's now or never. When Sanggyeom comes, I'll face him directly—no running around the issue.

When the dreaded moment arrives, he comes without Moeun. However, I can spot a wedding ring on his left ring hand. This means only one thing. The ceremony has already taken place in secret and he had no other choice to say yes to the bride.

I've arrived too late. However, this doesn't mean I'm done. I'll wait for as long as I need until Sanggyeom and I are reunited. Together.