Chapter 38 The End

Soomi's POV

- 2 months later -

"Can I come in ?" I ask after I knock on the door.

"Yes !" the person in the room yelled and I open the door. "Sit in the chair sweety" Kristy said, searching something in the bag she brought with her.

Kristy is the stylist of my family.

I nod even though she couldn't see me and do as she said.

"So how have you been since the last we saw each other ?" she ask, her back at me.

"Good... I think. A lot of things happened"

"I guess" she said then she turn around with a eyeliner in her hand. "Omo ! What happened to your face ?!" she ask startled.

"Do I look that bad ?" I ask biting my lips

"Hum... No, I can work it out but why do you have dark circles ?"

"It's nothing" I shrug it off.

"Don't you dare lie to me" she said putting her hand on her hips and glare at me but then her expression soften and she put her arm on my shoulder "What happened ?"

"I just had a hard time to sleep" I said looking down but she put one finger under my chin, forcing me to look at her.

"Why ?" she demand, worry on her face.

I always thought about Kristy as my third parents. She was always there for me, giving me advice and would comfort me whenever I was feeling down.

"Had a lot to think about"

"Hum... I see... Well, it's normal. After all today you'll make the biggest decision in your life" she said and I nod "You know what you will say right ?" she ask carefully.

"Yeah..." I said.

It was a really hard decision, I took the pros and cons of each choice but even now... Even if I know what I will say... I'm not confident about it.

This is the decision that I think is the best but I'm not sure... What if it's a mistake ? What is I'll regret it later ?

I don't want to spend my whole life regretting it and thinking what would have happened if I chose the other choice...

"It will be okay. I'm sure you took the right decision" she said, probably getting that I wasn't that sure anymore.

"Okay, time to work or you'll be late. Try to sleep a little bit while I make your make up and curl your hair"

"I don't think 30 minutes or an hour would help for that"

"Suit to you" she said shrugging.

I close my eyes for the next 30 minutes thinking - once again - if I made the right decision until Kristy talks.

"Finished ! You can open your eyes and see the result" she said and I could tell she was proud just by her tone.

I slowly open my eyes and see my reflection in the mirror in front of me.

I had powder to hide my dark circle - even if I hate wearing one -, eyeliner and red lipstick. My hair were wavy, not too curly not to straight.

"What do you think ?" Krysty asked, standing behind me with a smile, showing that she is proud of her work.

"You made a good job thank you"

"Good job ?" she said pouting

"It's amazing" I correct myself.

"I know, I know" she said waving her hand like a diva but I know she was kidding. Without knowing, I let out a small laugh.

"There you are, I prefer this happy girl than the one who was worried. Now, let's try this dress"

She walks went to the back of the room and came back next to me then unzip the slipcovers and reveal my dress.

She hands me the dress and I put it on.

"It's perfect, you are so beautiful in this dress ! I knew it would fit you" she exclaimed, joining her hand.

I lift my head and look at the white dress. It was sleeveless except on my right arm but it wasn't to hold the dress, more like a decoration so I don't consider it as a strap or a sleeve.

The dress was long. So long that it touched the floor even when I was walking, so I had to wether be really careful of lift it.

At few place it was shining a little but not too much.

There was suddenly a knock at the door and I turn around after Kristy went to open it.

"Yes ?" she ask, opening the door only a little so that the person behind couldn't see me. I don't even know why she was doing that, it's not like it's prohibit to see my dress before I come out.

"They are here" I recognized my parent's guard, but I know he wasn't talking about my parents.

He was talking about Taehyung and his parents...

"Okay, we'll arrive soon" Kristy respond then close the door.

I take a long inspiration, trying to calm down.

"You okay ?" Kristy ask and I open my eyes.

"I don't know..." I said my voice trembling.

"You can do it"

I smile a little then put the jewels.

Once I was ready, she hug me one last time, wishing me good luck then I open the door.

"Splendid as always" the guard said and I once again gave a small smile. "Here, let me lead you the way" he continue, offering me his arm and I gladly took it for support.

We walk along the corridor then stop right in front of a door.

The same door that I opened a year ago.

"Open when you're ready" he said and I nod, slowly pulling my arm out of his.

My hand reach for the handle but it tremble. I took a step away, about to trip on my dress but the guard hold into me.

He cringe a little when I squeeze to hard on his arm but didn't say anything.

I must have stayed there for 5 minutes, looking at the door and keep taking long breath.

I can do it.

Once I knew I was okay, I turn toward the guard and thanks him, which he answer by bowing then open the door.

When they heard the door opening, Taehyung, his parents and mine stood up and turn to look at me.

Taehyung was standing between his parents. Mine where just in front of them, with a space between my mom and dad.

He smiles at me when I came in but I as I wanted to smile back, mine must looks like a forced smile.

Why am I stressing out, it isn't even the wedding.

Because you're scared of their reaction.

This is just the end of the contract.

"Annyeonghaseyo" I said bowing at them then take a seat between my parents as they greet me back.

"You are beautiful" Mrs. Kim said giving me a warm smile.

"Thank you" I said awkwardly. How should I act in front of her ?

It wasn't that awkward a year ago. I was polite and all but now... how can I act when I know all the things she did to Taehyung ?

How can I act in front of her, knowing he had been hurt because of her ?

"So... let's move to the main reason why we are here" my dad said and they all nod.

"My son seems to be happy ever since you guys started dating" Mr. Kim said looking at Taehyung.

"I can tell the same for my daughter" my mom agreed.

"You make an awesome couple" my dad said.

"I heard that you started dating for real now. I assume you love each other now" Mrs. Kim said.

I didn't even told him that I love him... yet.

"I knew it was a good idea to put you together" my mom exclaim happily.

They kept talking about how much Taehyung and I look good together but none of us talk.

Taehyung was looking at me, narrowing his eyes as if he was trying to know what's going on with me.

As for me, I was waiting for the good moment to announce my answer.

"Since you are really dating, there's no need to know if you will keep dating so let's just skip this part and organize the wedding" Mrs. Kim suddenly said and I snap out of my reverie.

"What ?!" I shout, maybe a little bit too loud because they all turned to look at me.

"I mean since the dating things worked so well it's obvious that you'll get married so why wasting time instead of organizing the wedding" Mrs. Kim said frowning at me.

I gulp and look down at the table before the word I had been holding so much finally came out.

"Excuse me ?" Mrs. Kim demand, excepting me to change what I just said.

"No" I repeat, lifting my head and look right in her eyes as I said that.

I know Taehyung is just right next to her but I can't look at him. I don't want to see his reaction.

"W-What do you mean by no sweety ?" my mom said next to me and I felt her hand sliding under the table to hold mine.

"We are here to end the contract and give our answer right ?" I ask

"Y-yeah" Mrs. Kim answer, not understanding why I was asking.

"Then here's my answer. No"

"No... what ?"

I don't know if it's the fact that if was the first word he said ever since I came in or because of the tone of his voice but I felt less confident then I was when I walk in.

"No... I refuse to marry you..." I said and bit my lips when I saw his look.

"Oh..." he said looking away from me but I could tell he was hurts.

I don't want to hurt him...

"But... I thought you loved him" she said but I didn't answer.

I do love him. But I never planned to tell him first when his mother was there. I want to say it to him alone.

Since I didn't answer, there was a silence in the room until a chair move.

"I-... I'm going to the washroom" Taehyung said, walking out the room without taking a glance at me.

Arg... this wasn't how I had planned...

"I'll come back" I said standing up but stop when heard Mrs. Kim's voice.

"I think you should leave him alone. You hurt him enough"

I glare at her, shocked by her words.

"Excuse me ?"

"You just broke his heart. Leave my son alone"

To say I was shocked was an understatement.

How could she say something like that when she was the reason why his ex-girlfriend left him ?!

"You don't know anything about your son so you don't tell me I broke his heart because you did worst"

"Soomi !" my mom scowled me but I didn't care.

"Unlike you, I care about your son and I would never force him to do something like this arranged marriage or whatever you call it. You don't know me either to tell me what I should do"

"If you really care about him why are you refusing to marry him then ?" she smirks.

I know what she wants to do.

I know she's trying to push me until I change my decision. Until I say yes. But I won't.

"I never said I didn't want to marry him. I just refusing to marry him right now"

"Which mean ?"

"Which mean I want to keep dating him... if he still want me... but I don't want to get married right now. Now if you excuse me I have somewhere to go" I said and was about to leave once again but my mom was still holding my hand.

She squeeze it and when I look at her she was smiling me, encouraging me.

For the first time today, I smile for real.

**********

Once I close the door, 2 guards that were next to the door smile at me and I blush, damn, they must have heard the whole conversation.

"He went by there" One of the guard said pointing at the other end of the hallway and I thanks him.

"Fighting" said the other guards and I smile.

I lift my dress and start running. Or at least tried my best.

I kept opening doors on my way but suddenly there he was, sitting in his waiting room with his head in his hands.

The sound of the door closing behind me made his lift his head look at my reflect in the mirror that was in front of him.

"Soomi... what are you doing here ?" he ask carefully.

"I want to talk to you..."

"About what ?"

"Can I sit there ?" I ask instead of answering him. He nod and I sit down next to him.

"I love you" I said

"What ?" he ask surprised

"I love you Kim Taehyung" I said turning my body so that I was facing him

"But-"

"I know what I did back then. I love you but... I don't think we should get married"

"Why... ?"

"We just started dating 3 months ago. I mead really dating. I know that I love you-"

"And I love you too" he interrupt me

"- but I think it's too soon. We should wait a little more and when it will be the good moment - if we are really meant to be together - then I would gladly accept to marry you. I just don't want to be forced to get married. I want to do it because I want to"

"I understand" he said smiling and I smile back at him.

There was the Kim Taehyung I love. The one who smile at me.

"Arg, come here I can't hold myself any longer" he said standing up and wrap his arm around me as I did the same. "You scared me earlier" he said holding me tight.

"I'm sorry" I said burying my head in his neck, smelling his cologne.

"I thought you were about to break up with me" he add, holding me even tighter than before as if he was scared I would disappear at any time.

"I won't"

"Next time make sure to tell me first huh ?" he plaid, putting his hand on my cheek as he makes eyes contact and I nod. "I love you"

"I love you" I said then he kiss me.

__________ The End (read A/N for Bonus chapter and Sequel) __________

Old Author's Note

Annyeong my dear reader !

First of all, thank you for reading this book until the end and being patient. I know sometimes I took way too long to update.

Some of you might be disappointed that they didn't married but here's my explanation.

I recall you that the story wasn't about an arranged marriage but a arranged dating. It doesn't change many things between these two except that they had the choice - at the end of the contract/agreement - if they wanted to get married of not.

I didn't want to make the cliché end by writing a book with a wedding. Or at least in this book.

I wanted to make it the most real possible and in truth, if I was Soomi, I would to the same thing than her.

They just (really) started dating 3 months ago. 3 ! Which I found it too soon to decide If you want to spend the rest of your life with this person. But I'm no one to judge. I'm just saying my thought. Sure if Soomi didn't had the choice they would get married but here she had the choice.

For those who are wondering, Soomi and Taehyung are still together. They are still dating. They just aren't going to get married.

Now that I explained the end, I have a good news for those who wants to continue with this book.

I will make few bonus chapters that will happend few months after the end of the contract ;)

Thank you for everything :)