Work Text:
“Really?” Jeongwon asked Gyeoul, surprised at what he had just heard her say.
“Yes.”
“You really want to do this” he stated this time, needing confirmation.
Gyeoul frowned slightly, annoyed that he was surprised. “Yes, I do. Unless… you don’t want to?”
“No!” he exclaimed before she could have a moment to reconsider her request. “I do, of course I do!”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
“Well, I’ll leave then,” she stated. There was nothing left to add. She had said what she had come to tell him.
“Sure,” he said nodding, a curious expression on his face that also housed happiness, amusement and a pinch of disbelief.
Suddenly his planner brain kicked in. “I’ll look for a place and…”
“There’s no need,” she cut him “I already have and have shortlisted a few. You only need to come and help me pick one of them.”
“Oh”
The responsorial smile on Gyeoul’s face was triumphant. It wasn't often that she got to plan ahead of him.
“You actually looked into this. You’ve been planning this. It’s not a spur-of-the-moment wish,” he said, this time truly in disbelief.
“Yes. Yes. And, no.”
“All right, then. Let me know when to come and where.”
“I will, once I get an appointment. See you later!” Gyeoul dashed off to her department to start her rounds on time, leaving a beaming Jeongwon who found it momentarily difficult to get back to work.
One warm Friday evening next week, when Jeongwon reached the place Gyeoul had sent him the address of, he was surprised to find a sizeable but non-intimidating store. Maybe it was just his nerves that had made him expect an intimidating place. But from what he could see from the outside, it looked warm and welcoming. His phone buzzed.
G: Sorry, running a bit late. Won’t be longer than 5 minutes.
JW: No worries, don’t rush.
While waiting, Jeongwon went through all that had led Gyeoul to want this in the first place. They had discussed their wedding ceremony at length after the engagement. He knew she would have preferred a smaller wedding but his family was one of the known ones among the elites of Seoul and it was natural for his mother to want to invite the whole country. He was, after all, the only one among her children to get married. Gyeoul had readily consented because as per her, it didn’t matter how they got married, as long as they were getting married. If he were to be honest, he wanted to have a big wedding too. He wanted to show her off to the world. She had suffered too much and struggled a lot on her own to make something of herself. He wanted the world to know of her and to acknowledge the incredible person she was. But he realised that it wasn’t his wedding alone. He told his mother that he’d have a wedding as extravagant as the lady wanted but for everything else, they would respect Gyeoul’s wishes.
Gyeoul’s wishes were simple and Jeongwon feared he’d find her preparations for the wedding a bit underwhelming. This is why, last week, when she came and proclaimed that she wanted a pre-wedding shoot, he was pleasantly surprised. Moreover, he hadn’t expected her to have planned things out. Two days ago, she had walked into his office, just like she had last week, and handed a flash drive to him. She drew a chair beside him and waited as he opened the contents of the drive. In it were many folders systematically labelled ‘veil’, ‘flowers’, ‘jewellery’ and whatnot.
“Open this one,” she said, pointing at the folder titled ‘Photography’. There were more folders in it titled ‘Pre-wedding’, ‘Wedding’ and ‘Extras’. Following her further instructions, he opened ‘Pre-wedding’ to find three more folders in it named after photographers.
Jeongwon looked at her in shock. When had she found the time to do all this research and how did he not know about it?
“These three are good at doing shoots in nature. I was thinking of something like the woods and green plains. What do you think?” she asked.
“Anything you want,” he replied, drawing her close and kissing her cheek.
“Gyosunim! You’ll have to tell me if you don’t like it.”
“I do. I think it’s a good idea.”
“Okay, so then you’ll have to pick one of these photographers. I’ve picked some of my personal favourites from their portfolios. I do have a preference for this one. I think she captures expressions well.”
“Then we go with her.”
“No, I want you to go through all of them and then pick.”
“Yes ma’am”
“You’ll let me know by tonight?”
“Yes, anything else?”
“You’ll not forget the appointment we have for the day after tomorrow, right?”
“Not a chance!”
“Okay…” she mewled, smiling
That is how he had landed here, waiting for her outside the dress store she had picked. Seven minutes after she had messaged him, he saw Gyeoul running towards him with Minha in tow.
“Sorry gyosunim,” Minha panted, “it’s completely my fault. I got held up.”
“It’s fine Minha-ya, breathe!” Jeongwon said, putting his arm around Gyeoul, who took a few big sips from Jeongwon’s iced latte to quench her thirst.
They waited for a few moments for the two women to catch their breath before heading in. An easily likeable woman rushed to them when they entered.
“Minha-ya, Jang Gyeoul sonsaengnim, welcome back!” she greeted.
Minha eonni and Kim Gahee-ssi went to school together,” Gyeoul explained to her fiance.
“And now she’s made a name for herself by making eclectic dresses for big occasions,” Minha added proudly.
Kim Gahee laughed her off and greeted Jeongwon. “I’ve heard a lot about you gyosunim. Welcome to my little store.”
Jeongwon greeted her and followed the three women into the designated dressing area for the group.
The groom and the bride’s best friend were given a large sofa to sit on with a server bringing in some wine and cheese for them to have while they waited for Gyeoul to try on the dresses she had picked the last time she had come here with Minha.
Minha and Jeongwon slipped into an easy conversation about the preparations Jeongwon was doing from his end for the wedding. She already knew quite a bit from Gyeoul and a begrudging Seokhyeong who had been conscripted into helping Jeongwon with his shopping. For the slug that he was, Seokhyeong surely knew who the best bespoke designers in town were.
“We are ready with our first dress,” announced Kim Gahee, interrupting their conversation. The curtains were pulled and Gyeoul walked forward taking measured steps, holding her breath in.
Ahn Jeongwon stared. He stared like he hadn’t in his 43 years of existence. Gyeoul was beautiful, she always had been, and beyond any doubt, he knew that whatever she picked would have looked spectacular. What he wasn’t prepared for was the onslaught of emotions he’d be filled with upon seeing her in a wedding dress. He couldn’t move and sat in stunned silence.
Gyeoul waited with bated breath for him to say something. The designer, the helpers and Minha waited too but there wasn’t a sound from him. Being the closest to him, Minha noticed that his face had turned red. “Gyosunim?” Gyeoul rasped.
Small errant tears escaped his eyes. “Excuse me,” he said trying to steady himself emotionally while Minha passed him some tissues.
Jeongwon accepted them gratefully, dabbed his eyes and closed the distance between him and his fiancee in a few strides.
“Is this my Gyeoul?” he asked, his voice shaking, enveloping her cheeks with his hands.
Gyeoul smiled that full smile she always reserved for him. “Do you like it?”
“Like it?! For a few seconds there my heart had stopped.”
Gyeoul wiped a tear off his face while her own eyes started brimming.
The staff at Kim Gahee’s wasn’t new to watching such scenes unfold. They moved away giving the couple their space. Minha, with a smile on her face, got busy skimming through a catalogue.
“I’m ready to try the next one on,” Gyeoul announced to the room after she’d had her moment with Jeongwon. He joined Minha again at the sofa, where she passed him his glass of wine, which he looked like he needed.
“I’m a little jealous of Gyeoulie, gyosunim,” she said.
“Waeyo?”
“Every girl dreams of leaving her man breathless at such a time. Gyeoul had that moment today. I wonder if I will too.”
“Don’t worry, Minha-ya. Gomdori will surprise you, I’m sure.”
“Hmm… Seeing how he has surprised me many times, you might be right.
It didn’t take long for Gyeoul to come out in her second dress. She was the picture of elegance in it. The dress was slightly more conventional than Jeongwon would have preferred but somehow, Gyeoul made the outfit look beautiful.
“How is it?” she asked. The duo on the sofa nodded in approval.
The third outfit was more to Jeongwon’s taste: intricate but classy with a princess cut.
“What do you think?”
“Beautiful. Just beautiful.”
Minha took pictures of her in the dress, just like she had with the previous two dresses so that they could compare once Gyeoul joined them.
Gyeoul’s first order of business when she joined them on the sofa was to put a fat chunk of cheese into her mouth. “I’m beginning to get hungry,” she told Jeongwon sheepishly.
“We’ll go to a nice place once we’re done here.” Gyeoul nodded happily.
Together, the three looked at all the photos taken by Minha. There was no doubt that Gyeoul looked great in all three of them but they seemed to be at a loss.
“How about we eliminate one of these first?” Kim Gahee suggested.
The three discussed and decided that the second one could go. They were now left with the first and the third.
“Gyosunim, which one did you like more? We’ll pick that,” Gyeoul told him.
“Ani, it’s your dress. You should pick the one you liked more.”
“I like both. The third one does seem more like the one you had said you’d imagined me in.”
“Yes…”
“So… the third one then?”
“You’re sure you want me to pick?
“Yes.”
“I liked the first one on you more.”
“Really?”
“Mmm. You looked…something else altogether in it. And it’ll remind me of the first time I saw you in a wedding dress.”
Kim Gahee, who had been an observer of the long discussion asked, “Do you want to try it on again to make the decision?”
“Yes please!” Gyeoul said gratefully.
When Gyeoul came out in the first dress again, Jeongwon knew that he had made the right decision. There was nothing comparable to how effortlessly beautiful she looked in it.
“So…is that a yes to the dress?” she asked the couple
Jeongwon and Gyeoul nodded.
“Wonderful! Let’s go take your measurements then. Keep in mind, this will take 5 weeks to make.”
“Okay,” Gyeoul was heard asking her more questions as she followed the designer to the fitting room.
About 20 minutes later, Gyeoul was by his side again, ready to pay the advance for the outfit.
“Nope,” Jeongwon said, grabbing her wallet, “this is my gift to you.”
“NO.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Gyosunim. No.”
“Gyeoulah, I’m not arguing with you on this.”
“I don’t want to argue with you on this either. Please return my wallet.”
“I made the final choice, I pay.”
“I don’t want what you picked then.”
“Too late, they’ve already taken your measurements.”
A few more words were exchanged between them, none of which Minha wanted to be a part of. She slipped away to chat with her friend while waiting for the couple to finish arguing.
To Gyeoul’s great annoyance, Jeongwon didn’t budge and she had to give in when he gave his card to the cashier.
“Let’s go eat,” he said trying to appease her. Just then, the door opened and in came a person who lightened the mood immediately (not because of his personality but because his presence distracted Gyeoul from what had just happened).
“Oppa, what are you doing here?” Minha was surprised.
“I couldn’t let you get bored with these two. Are you hungry? I am,” Seokhyeong said, giving her a warm smile, hoping the group was ready to leave.
Minha bid her friend bye and followed Seokhyeong out.
Gyeoul was still frowning but didn’t push Jeongwon away when he put his arm around her and pulled her close.
It had grown dark outside and the chill in the air indicated that summer was fast losing its battle with autumn.
“Minha-ya! You’re our food connoisseur. Where are you taking us?” Jeongwon bellowed from behind
“I had made reservations for 3 but I’m sure they can spare an extra chair for our table.”
“Who’s paying?” Seokhyeong asked. “What I order will depend on that.”
“Yah! I am. Order as much as you want,” Jeongwon retorted.
“Good, you better. You’re not even making me your best man!” he muttered, taking Minha’s hand in his, while she led the way.
While following them, Gyeoul poked at Jeongwon’s rib.
“Mwo?”
“I’m paying for this dinner.”
Jeongwon opened his mouth to protest.
“Gyosunim, don’t.”
Jeongwon hesitated. “When Seokhyeong orders, he orders a lot, even takeaway!”
“Gyosunim,” she said, unhooking his hand from her arm, “you’re not paying for this dinner nor the many ones we’re going to have in the near future. Is that clear?”
Jeongwon shut his mouth. He knew better than to instigate his ninja warrior.”
“Yes ma’am. Can I hold you again? Please?”
“Yes, you may.”
“Thank you,” he said, ruffling her hair and placing a quick kiss on her head.
They walked in silence, both lost in their thoughts- one of seeing his fiancee in a wedding dress, and the other of being in one.
“We’re getting married,” he said, more to himself.
“Yes. Finally.”
“I wanted to ask you something, Gyeoulah.”
“Mmm?”
“That flash drive you showed me had a lot of meticulously researched things, which must have taken a while to collate. When did you start doing that?”
Gyeoul smiled sheepishly. “I’d rather not say.”
“Wae? I want to know.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Tell me still…”
“Mmmm…two months after we started dating.”
“You knew back then that we’d end up here?”
“I had hoped…”
They fell silent.
“Gyosunim, when did you know?”
“That I wanted to marry you?”
“Yes.”
Jeongwon smiled with a faraway look on his face. “I always knew.”
“Always? As in?”
“From the moment you confessed to me, I knew. I knew I would do everything I could to keep you in my life.”
Gyeoul fell silent again.
“I love you,” he whispered into her ears.
Gyeoul smiled, taking his hand in hers and placing a kiss on it. No words could convey the depth of what she felt for him at that moment, but Jeongwon knew. That’s all that mattered.
Pre-wedding shoot dress reference
