777 Ways

CHAPTER 61 - FIANCÉS

Life couldn't get better. At least for Park Jinyoung. The prestigious Korean author was at the bookstore Arc N Book, signing copies of his books and greeting his fans. Last Piece: Breath of Love was selling more than ever after Dispatch's infamous article. While Jeon So-nee was being offered numerous roles of TV series, Jinyoung's book signing events had multiplied. The author refused to give interviews of any kind, and Team Wang refrained from releasing any statement regarding the Spinning Top incident. Most people assumed that Jinyoung's last novel was based on some sort of relationship he had with the actress Jeon So-nee, but none of them clarified that common belief. Both parties had no intention to disclose the truth behind that kiss.

Selling millions of books wasn't the reason that made the writer feel like he had won the lottery. After all, he was already used to his bestselling status. The real reason that made the author smile every single second of his day was the fact that now he was engaged to the man of his life. Not officially, since his soon-to-be fiancé hadn't put a ring on his finger yet, but soon all the formalities would take place. Jinyoung wanted to throw a little engagement party, in order to share their happiness with those who would be elated to hear the news. He already had five names at the top of his guest list.

The engagement was still a secret between Mark and him, but he was dying to tell at least his best friend about the proposal. The kind of happiness he was feeling needed a willing audience, and he was absolutely certain that Lim Jaebeom would celebrate that nameless joy with him like no one else would. He wanted to give the editor the confirmation that Mark was indeed the very best thing that had ever happened in his life.

It took Jinyoung a while to believe that he wasn't dreaming, but now that a couple of weeks had passed since that gathering at Jackson's house, and since then his lover reminded him every day that they should start looking for rings, the writer realized that he was indeed living the dream. He would never guess that his fierce 'LA gangster' boyfriend would mention the words marriage, kids, and husband while sitting naked on a shag rug in the middle of Jackson Wang's living room. He kept rewinding the scene of the proposal in his head even now.

Flashback~~~~

"Are you still willing to be my husband?"

The first thing that came to Jinyoung's mind when he heard from his lover everything that he had ever wanted to hear, was that Mark could be experiencing some sort of extended powerful post-sex glow. That unpredictable proposal didn't even sound like a proposal at first. It clearly wasn't planned, and even Mark seemed like he didn't expect to hear himself utter those uncharacteristic sentences. At that moment, Jinyoung's heart swelled in his chest. He felt like crying and laughing at the same time. He wanted to do a little victory dance, and then jump on his boyfriend just to make love to him all over again. He wanted to reply a meaningful 'YES' in all the languages that his body could speak, verbally and physically. Yet, the author knew that kind of reaction could overwhelm the older, and make him feel pressured to concretize all those syllabic wonders coming from his mouth, even if he regretted saying them later. The Korean dreaded that possibility. It would crush him if Mark asked to marry him on that day and changed his mind on the next. He wanted to make sure that Mark was indeed ready for marriage. He wanted his boyfriend to be aware of the seriousness of such a commitment, and he also wanted the American to know that those words did mean a big deal to him. No more disappearing acts, no more heroic attempts to save the world. If they were going to get engaged, it should mean that they had both agreed to stick together for the long run. It was a promise of marriage, a vow to remain by each other's side till death did them part.

The sudden awkward proposal made the Korean speechless. Even when Mark came closer to him, still holding his hand in his, and asked if he was still willing to be his husband, he was unable to open his mouth. He felt a lump in his throat. Did Mark really have to ask such a thing? In which universe Park Jinyoung wouldn't be willing to marry Mark Tuan and gladly call him 'his husband'?