Chapter 70

2023.03.20

I already have sold more than 200 bottles in each category and most of all thanks to SEVEN and WILD GIRLS. They advertised them, and I had to send them new products that were not in the market. Kit got some of the University students to do a review on it after usage and they were all optimistic. I am not lying. I am already living my dream now. But my parents were not. They were happy that I was making money but they were worried that because the proposals I got now were surpassing 75. I was rejecting most of them because of many reasons. Number one was that they were not earning enough or not earning at all, like how can they be responsible to bring up a family. Number two was that they did not like that I was earning more than them or they do not like working women. Number three, I was not attracted to any men that proposed me and the ones I liked my parents did not like or they did not meet our status. Number four, they met our expectations but when we asked around they had a foul temper and a bad personality. Number five, I was not fair enough and I rejected some out of anger saying that they were not fair enough. Number six, the guy gave so much rules. And lastly all failed in answering my question, 'Why do you want to get married?" Most were getting married because all were getting married or because their parents asked them to.

"Anna we are going out for lunch on 25th. Do not schedule any work." Father talked in an unusual tone. "Huh? Out of nowhere. I might have a lecture on 25th." "Cancel it and ask someone to give you notes." I was curious what was happening. "What are you hiding dad?" He cooled down and said, "Some of my friends are coming from China. We have to treat them for a lunch." I frowned. "But you usually will tell us to make the lunch right?" "Will you stop asking questions?" He was frustrated. I was taken aback. It was not like him. I stood up and said, "Okay." And left. My father was not happy during these days. He was afraid that he will not be able to find me a spouse. I think most people are asking him about me all the time. I even heard my father saying my mother that, "Mr. Edward said me to not to see so much. Just get her married and it will be okay with time." My mother objected. People were filling dirt in my father's mind. I even found my mother crying yesterday because most of my cousins are getting married and Engel told me because it was because I was not getting a good spouse. May be I should settle down with any guy? But how can I live with someone I do not like?

2023.03.25

I skipped the lecture. I did not want to anger my father nor hurt my parents. I knew it was to see a groom. I dressed in a frock with a slight cleavage and a broad shoulder. I did my hair in a lower bun and added a small accessory. I adored myself with a light natural makeup. I wore a small moon necklace and a watch. I put the phone to flight mode to not to disturb the lunch.

We went to a fancy restaurant. I told father that I will pay for the meal. He refused but I asked him to let me take care of him so he let me. We stood near the reception. They had already arrived. A man in his 40s came and greeted my father, he was Chinese. Maybe I was wrong. He saw me and said, "Oh you have grown even more beautiful than the last time we met." I remembered him when he smiled. "How have you been uncle?" "I am doing great. Come, come." My father and the uncle started talking in Chinese. I and my mother had no clue what they were talking. I and mother walked in hand in hand to the tables.

Aunt was present in one of the tables. I smiled when our eyes met. And then there was another middle aged couple. They seemed to be more Korean. I was slightly confused. My mother whispered, "They are the groom's parents." I was shocked. How on the earth? HO did my parents agree to this? They would never in a million years. What was going in their minds? They really have expanded their search of grooms. Maybe they are pranking me.

I sat in front of the groom's parents. They were absolute stunning, especially the mother. I was nervous and excited. "How are you dear?" "I am doing great Aunty." "You speak Korean dear?" "Yes." To my surprise both Aunty and Uncle were pretty good in English. They communicated with my parents' quite well. I sometimes had to translate one or two words for both of them and I was talking in four languages. No I was not speaking Chinese. Then the Aunt said, "Your Daughter is a real beauty. The photograph could not catch all the beauty you possess." "I am flattered…" A guy came and pulled a chair in front of me and sat. "Sorry I was in the washroom. Am I late?" Our eyes met and I quickly diverted my sight. I forgot to breathe. I hit my mother's thigh by mistake for mine. She pinched me back. I was not dreaming at all. It is Dongmin! The 67th groom. "You can sit in a different table dear." Mrs. Choi, Dongmin's mother directed us. I did not want to leave but Dongmin stood before I answered. I did not want to embarrass him so I excused and we sat at a table that was out in the corridor. Some people passed by. They stopped to take a look at Dongmin. They were like vultures. I was a bit jealous and I showed off a bit.

"Anna right?" I nodded. I was nervous. I exhaled. "Sorry, I am a bit nervous." "Am I the first guy you are meeting?" I smiled and said, "Not really. To be honest you are 67th." His eyes widened. "You rejected 66 guys." "Not really. Some I rejected and some my parents and some by the groom." he laughed. "Why did you come all the way here? Like there are pretty, educated girls back in Korea and also it would not be hard to find a girl in Korea for you…" 'It was because of my brother."

Dongmin's POV

2023.02.18

My brother texted me, 'I am in trouble help me out.' My brother is studying in China and one of our family's friend said that he has a good match in another country. And asked him if he was interested. He was not in his mind so he said okay. And after three days he sent him and my parents the Bio Data of the bride. My parents freaked out. They felt bad and did not want to object on the spot. What was worse was that my brother was in a relationship so he had sent my bio data to the uncle and he had sent it to the bride's parents. I was mad at Donghwi (my brother).

My mother called me quickly. (In Korean) "Mom I am in shoot now." "That girl is in Korea. She has come for a Designer competition that is taking place this next month." "Mom!" "Just go and see her and have a small chat and you can say no. If not it will be rude." I opened the Bio Data that my brother sent to take a look at the photo. 'She looked quite pretty. Maybe it is Photoshop.' (He did not tell me this during our first meet but later told me after the marriage.) A girl stood behind me and spoke, "This is Dongmin?" I turned and saw it was her, Anna. She was a bit taller than I thought. She came all the way. Who let her? She was being serious. She spoke again, "Mingyu said me to give this." She was holding a parcel at me. And I stood there shocked. It was like a drama. She was hot than in the photo. She held the phone to me, I just took it and placed on my ear, I heard Mingyu's voice. I watched her looking away. She was not here to look for me but to give the parcel from the way she looked. She was dressed neatly. The sweater and the blue jeans hugged her figure which was very exotic to be honest, I was admiring her. The call ended. I gave the phone back. She handed the parcel and ran without turning back and then only I realized she was ran to escape the fans.

The shooting finished. I removed the shirt Mingyu sent me. My stylist came to remove my makeup. (In Korean) "Do you know that girl?" "No I do not. Mingyu send her. I think she is here for that worldwide Designer contest." "She was very beautiful and hot." My co-actor spoke, "Yes, her skin color was so warm to watch. I think everyone was watching her." I called Mingyu and asked him to meet me in my new apartment.

(In Korean) "Why did you tell me to come quickly? I have a tight schedule tomorrow." I gave my phone to Mingyu. "Why do you have Anna's bio data?!" he exclaimed. I told him the whole story. "She seems very nice Dongmin. I have seen her she does not even let the male colleagues touch her. She would stare down their soul. She is a bit tough but according to our stylist she is a total sweetheart. If you do not like her tell. My members are dying to date her. I will keep an eye on her."

2023.03.13

She had left. Mingyu said that she was starting a cosmetic brand. I was impressed that she was studying for a dentist and she was doing side hustle. She seemed to be an all-rounder. I could not stop thinking of her. I felt she was the one. I told my mother that we are going to fly to see her after my shooting was over. I cannot wait to see her.

End of Dongmin's POV

Dongmin did not tell me all the facts because he wanted to keep his pride for now. Because he thought that I will reject him. I was quite not sure but I felt maybe this is it. He flew all the way from there. He was being serious about this. We talked about our interests and our dreams. "I think I should tell you this." I finally broke the happy talk. He became silent. "I want to you to know that I am a fan of you. And I am taking the decision on this marriage is solemnly thinking you as all the guys that I had met." I looked up at him after I finished speaking. He did not say anything. I continued, "I saw a different side of you than what I see on the screens. To me you seem a lot better than me. I have a lot shortcomings, a lot of flaws. I am also afraid that I am not enough for you." "Anna, you are the most beautiful person I have seen. And I came here as not a celebrity but more a normal groom like the guys you saw back. I do too have a lot shortcomings but I am pretty good in hiding them. I am not that clean as I look. I have a lot of mood swings. I am hard on myself. Do not worry about the long distance, we can think about it later and slowly get to a solution." He was being genuine. "Are you worried about the public?" He asked me. I shook my head, "The public has a lot of opinions all the time. They will say what they want and what they do not want. I do not care about their thoughts. I only care about my husband, in-laws, my parents and my family. I never want to disappoint them in any ways. I can promise that I will stay strong beside you till the last. I will always listen to what you have to say, help you make decisions, take care of your parents as my own and will not talk back to them. And I want you to take care of my parents more than I do. IF WE GET MARRIED OR AGREED TO GET MARRIED."

Dongmin's mother came to fetch me. I did not get to hear his answer. I stood up followed her. Dongmin followed me to say goodbye to my parents. We were quite the whole journey. We had so many thoughts in us. We came home and decided to talk in the Dinner.

During dinner I shared my thoughts and said I was okay with the guy despite him being my crush. I made that clear to my parents. I even told them that I was worried that I will not be able to be with them nor will I be able to keep my promise to be with them. I was shocked that my parents were okay with them. Father had talked with his friend a lot of times. Since he was a celebrity my parents were not sure if he had any other relationships. He called one of his friend and a co-worker and asked to check on him. They said he was in one relationship during high school time and broke up. And there was no red flags. But they mentioned a scandal that he got involved during the Covid times that he had dined out during a critical time. That was all.

I got on the bed to fall asleep. I got a message from the VeChat. It was unknown. It was Dongmin. I think he got the number from Mingyu. It read, "The last confession you said, I agree to it. I will try my best to be a good husband and a good son-in-law and also a good father." FATHER?! He was definitely interested in getting married.

2023.03.26

We said okay and they also said okay to the marriage. We made appointment to go the hospital to make a full body condition. It was one of my conditions and they accepted it. I want to know and I wanted to ensure them too. Both of ours health checkup came in clean. We also made sure show papers and our police records.

We did not reveal our relationship as we wanted to know each other more. We spent two months knowing each other and we finally agreed to get together, to get married.