Chapter 307 - Hyun Jung's Secret

Hyun Jung pulled up in front of Mystic Entertainment and texted KJ. Within ten minutes, KJ was on his way towards the car park where his friend was waiting for him.

"What's up?" KJ asked as he got into the passenger seat. "You sounded really serious last night. Is everything alright?"

He was worried that Hyun Jung had some grim news about the Cartel. Were they up to something? They had been unusually quiet for the past few weeks, which only increased KJ's anxiety.

"Nothing like that," Hyun Jung said, shaking his head. "It's something else."

"What is it then?" KJ frowned.

"You'll see when we get there," Hyun Jung sighed as he pulled back and stepped on the accelerator. 

KJ was confused by his secrecy. Hyun Jung was usually quiet but not so secretive. If there was something on his mind, he would tell it right away. Moreover, he had been investigating the Carel for the past few weeks and received little data on them since the informers were being targeted. 

Did he get some bad news? Did another informer die? What was going on?

….

"This is the big emergency?" KJ questioned in disbelief as he stared at the building in front of him.

"Yup," Hyun Jung replied.

They were standing in front of a large jewelry store. Hyun Jung had kept his mouth shut all throughout the ride only to bring him here?

"What are we doing here?" KJ asked as he put on his mask and cap. "Are you buying something for Somi? I highly doubt I'll be able to help in that!"

"Actually I already got what I wanted," Hyun Jung said. "I just wanted you to be the first one to see it before I give it to her."

KJ was now truly curious as Hyun Jung led him towards the counter. The receptionist greeted them upon their entrance.

"Good morning sirs," she greeted. "How may I assist you today?"

"I'm here to pick up an order," Hyun Jung stated. "Here's the receipt."

He handed the receipt to the receptionist who glanced at it and asked them to wait while she went to the backroom. KJ caught a glimpse of the item on it and was astonished.

"Y-you…" KJ stammered before breaking into a wide smile. Hyun Jung grinned and KJ hugged him.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" KJ roared happily. 

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Hyun Jung said, letting go of him. "I've actually been planning it for months and saved up a lot in order to get the perfect one. I was planning to wait but then when I saw you and Mirae getting married, I thought maybe it was time for me to finally ask Somi to marry me. We've waited for too long anyway."

His voice held an unsuppressable joy. It was a rare sight for Hyun Jung to be so sheepish. He was always stoic so seeing a softer side to him was always a delight. 

"Your package, sir," the receptionist announced. She was back with a small red box in her hands. Hyun Jung thanked her and opened the box for KJ to see.

Inside it was a small golden ring with a square cut diamond. It was surrounded with miniscule pearls while the band was of a light silver color. Inside the ring, a little quote was engraved inside the ring, all around it. KJ took it and narrowed his eyes to read it.

"When you love you wish to do things for. You wish to sacrifice for. You wish to serve," he read.

"It's from her favorite Hemingway novel," Hyun Jung informed him. "She really loves it and quotes it all the time at home."

"Somi read?" KJ asked in astonishment. She never struck him as the type of person who would read books.

"There's a lot of things people don't know about her," Hyun Jung mused, his voice full of affection at the image of her curled up on bed, engrossed in a book. He liked to observe her expressions whenever she was deeply immersed into the world of her favorite fictional worlds, unaware of how he lovingly gazed at her. 

"So when will you propose to her?" KJ asked. 

"I'm thinking of doing it tomorrow night," Hyun Jung replied. "Till then, I need you to keep the ring safe. Please."

"Can I tell Mirae though?"

"You can but she must keep it a secret until tomorrow," Hyun Jung warned. "I don't want Somi to find out!"

"Fine," KJ snickered. He was really excited. Hyun Jung and Somi had a tumultuous relationship as complicated as his and Mirae's one. They were also separated by circ.u.mstances and their second chance was truly inspiring. Sometimes, KJ wished he had the faith and endurance Hyun Jung held for Somi. When Somi tried to distance herself from Hyun Jung for his sake, he still did not give up. Even after learning the truth, he stuck with her, even escorting her to counselling sessions to make her recovery easier. Over the months, Somi was livelier and much more confident. Moreover, she ran the PR department of Mystic Entertainment very efficiently due to the support she received from everyone around her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Hyun Jung laughed as KJ gave him a strange gaze.

"I'm happy for you, my friend," he smiled. "Somi is very lucky to have you as a partner."

"I'm just afraid she'll say no," Hyun Jung admitted. "We were supposed to get married years ago only if that incident hadn't taken place. That bastard broke her beyond repair…"

The thought of what Teppei did made Hyun Jung's blood boil in fury. The fate Teppei was suffering felt too tame for Hyun Jung.

"Don't think about all that," KJ advised. "The past can't be changed but you can move towards a better future."

He patted his friend's back. "Don't ever let the past get you down," KJ pressed. "The more you think about it, the more you'll be hurt. Only remember to keep faith in the person you are in love with."

"You're right," Hyun Jung agreed. "I'll only think of our future now."

"Atta boy!" KJ exclaimed with a laugh.