[Cho Daejeong]

I don't like this situation. I don't like to see my friends suffering, separated from each other by a loveless marriage. Saeryeong deserves better, and so does Sanggyeom. They're supposed to be together. They're meant to be a thing. It can't end like this—not at least without a fight.

So, I decide to invite the two of them out for lunch before Sanggyeom is forced on a honeymoon with Moeun. I can already feel it'll be painful. I don't like the Heo family. They're sneaky, out for mere bargains, arrogant and full of themselves. I don't know how much Moeun tries to distance herself from her relatives—I don't trust her, anyway.

***

We sit at the most secluded table of our favorite pub. We pretend to read the menu to keep potential prying eyes distracted; however, it's just a ploy. The three of us know the menu by heart. I start, keeping my tone as low as possible. "Do you know you can turn tables now?"

"What do you mean?" asks Sanggyeom in a pleading tone. "Please explain yourself."

"The honeymoon isn't straight away, so you can play that in your favor." I almost facepalm at Sanggyeom's confusion. He needs time to unwind, away from his toxic as hell family. "You and Saeryeong can catch up. No, you must catch up."

"Why do I feel like you've already come up with a plan?" Bingo. This is exactly what I expected Sanggyeom to ask. We've known each other for many years. Plus, we both know Saeryeong. If we stick together, ensuring the strategy works will be much easier.

"The letter. Come on, show me. Have you brought it here?" Sanggyeom doesn't let me tell him twice. He hands me the now creased envelope. I open it and read the content of the letter in the most hushed tone possible.

'Dear Saeryeong, I'm writing you this letter because there's something important you need to know. Please, read it as soon as you receive it.

'I've loved you for so many years that I've lost the count. You're the one who has kept me motivated to reach my goals, to find my purpose in life. I needed that one push to move forward after what happened that day, and you were the one who made me attain it.

'Do you remember that day when we were stuck in the escape room on our own? Daejeong and Seokcheol claimed they'd have a surprise in store for us... It wasn't a good one at first! They snuck out as soon as they could so that we'd be alone.

'Yet, that was what made it special. Just the two of us, hand in hand, solving the riddles that were posed to us—until we shared our first kiss, a passionate one, when the puzzle unraveled after we found every clue to leave the room.

'That was when I realized that you love me, and I do love you back. Let's turn our feelings into something real that will last forever. I promise I'll be by your side, no matter what. May I be damned if I break it for any reason.

'Let's be a thing for real, Saeryeong. The moment you receive this letter is when the promise is sealed. No turning back. No regrets. Just love. One day, I'm meant to be yours and you'll be mine.

'To unwavering love.
Yours, Lim Sanggyeom.'

I comment. "Sappy, isn't it? I mean, it looks like one of those novels you read on the subway-"

He cuts me off as he tries to snatch the letter back from me. "Daejeong, be serious, damn! I need to give it to Saeryeong as soon as I meet her again-"

I interrupt him in turn. "Which will be sooner than you think. I've invited her too. She's late, though. She was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago."

The moment her name is brought up, she appears in a rush. She pants, her breath ragged. She must've run to be here, even though it's pointless since she should've come earlier, which I point out. "Where have you been?"

"Running errands," is her answer. "I won't delve into details with you, anyway. It's nothing important." She sits on the free chair left, exactly in front of Sanggyeom. If the two of them were on their own, this could pass off as a date.

Joining the three of us within a few more minutes is Seokcheol, who also seems to have got too complacent with his timing until he became late. As much as I myself am the master of tardiness, the fact that both Saeryeong and Seokcheol have run late is concerning. It has never happened before.

Before I ask the latter what's wrong, Sanggyeom catches me by surprise by preceding me. "Why are you so late? You usually come to appointments way earlier than me."

Instead of giving him a straight answer, Seokcheol cuts corners. "All I can say is that I think we can figure out Heo Moeun's biggest weakness. But I can't just say it out loud. What if anyone from her circle is here, overhearing this conversation?"

I shrug. "It can't happen. Most of them think this pub is for peasants. Plus, even if they were to eavesdrop, we'd quickly come up with a backup plan." This is enough for my friends to trust me even more.

After a few minutes where we order drinks and get served, I continue, "There's something you need to know, Saeryeong." Meanwhile, Sanggyeom hands her the letter in its envelope without being asked. She takes the envelope, opens it and reads the heartfelt message in it silently.

She then closes the letter and puts it in her bag, not making a single comment. My guess is that she prefers discussing that one topic with Sanggyeom away from prying ears. Meanwhile, we all brace ourselves for a new round of drinks.

This is when Saehim pops up by surprise. I thought she'd never come, especially given the circumstances. She justifies herself with 'more errands to run.' Wow. Does this mean I'm the only one with a lot of spare time on my hands?

When Seokcheol quickly briefs her with what we discussed earlier, I single out Sanggyeom. There's something I want to share with him only. I lead him to the pub's restroom, which is surprisingly empty. No, it isn't dirty. No, it isn't broken. Simply no-one feels the urge to use it now.

Better for us. When the two of us are alone, I lock the door behind us. My voice is now a whisper. "I want you to know this one thing. Just one."

"What do you mean?"

"No matter what it takes, but I'll make sure you and Saeryeong are a thing. I'm serious." Sanggyeom is seconds away from bursting into laughter, but I cover his mouth to stop him. "Keep it down. Someone might listen to us."

Instead of questioning me, Sanggyeom just nods. He knows there's a lot at stake. Any misstep can ruin the plan. I don't want to reveal it fully just yet, but I'll share part of it with him.

"Okay, all I can tell you that I know what will bring the two of you close."

"What is it?"

"A party, of course." Sanggyeom grins at my revelation. He seems more excited than me, which is a good sign. The moment Moeun realizes he's better off without her is also the one that certifies the success of the plan.

However, it's too early to bask in glory. Let's have some fun first.