Hyun-seong embarked on a non-stop drive to Gangwon Province, the passing hours marked by the rhythmic hum of tires on pavement. Upon arrival, they parked near the shore, carrying only a picnic blanket and a bottle of water as they made their way to the beach.
A gentle breeze caressed Yi-soo’s cheek, perhaps the harbinger of the region’s famed “East Wind”. Unlike a blade’s edge, it bore a warmth that felt tender and comforting.
Though Yi-soo knew Hyun-seong to be a man of action, she hadn’t anticipated their swift return to the sea. She couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at the serendipity of it all.
“Seems like we have the beach to ourselves… It’s quite lovely. The daytime view offers a different allure,” she remarked, taking in the expanse of the azure sea stretching out before them under the brilliant sky.
The rhythmic lullaby of the waves, accompanied by the distant cries of seagulls, wrapped them in a cocoon of tranquility. The cooling weather and the beach’s secluded charm ensured their solitude.
“I don’t think I’ll get tired of looking at it all day,” Hyun-seong murmured.
Spread out on the expansive picnic blanket Hyun-seong had brought, Yi-soo found herself able to relax fully, stretching out comfortably with her legs extended.
As Yi-soo gazed upon the sea, its crystal-clear depths reflecting the sky’s hues, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly in agreement.
“You’re right. It would be wonderful to make this a weekly ritual, just lying here and taking in the beauty of the ocean,” she remarked, her eyes alight with admiration.
“Beyond the sea, I mean you, Seo Yi-soo,” Hyun-seong interjected, his tone tender as he reached out to stroke her hair. Yi-soo’s cheeks flushed at the affectionate gesture, a tingling warmth spreading through her ears.
Though he had momentarily forgotten her request to use the turn signals upon arrival, his straightforward expression only added to the charm of the moment. It was a delightful sensation, akin to being swept away in a lake of excitement.
Sighing contentedly, Yi-soo shifted closer, nestling her head against his broad, dependable shoulder, finding solace in his reassuring presence.
A memory from a recent travel program flashed through Yi-soo’s mind like a vivid panorama, igniting a spark of wanderlust within her.
“As breathtaking as this sea is, can you imagine how enchanting Santorini must be? I’ve always dreamed of visiting someday,” she confessed, her voice tinged with longing.
“Greece?” Hyun-seong’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Yes, Greece. I’ve never had the chance to travel abroad before. I promised myself a post-college adventure, but life got in the way—LSATs, law school, and all,” Yi-soo explained, a hint of regret coloring her words.
“I do wish I’d taken more time to explore,” she admitted, her gaze drifting towards the horizon. While she cherished her current life, there lingered a wistful longing for the roads not taken.
Hyun-seong’s tender gesture, a kiss planted gently on the side of Yi-soo’s forehead, elicited a soft sigh from her lips.
“Santorini truly is a dream destination. Shall we make that dream a reality, Seo Yi-soo?” he proposed, his eyes alight with sincerity.
“Really? You’re serious about it?” Yi-soo’s excitement bubbled over. “Do you promise we’d go together?”
“Absolutely. Have I ever broken a promise to you?” Hyun-seong’s reassurance brought a smile to Yi-soo’s lips.
“Fantastic… I’ve heard about the black sand beach there. I’m dying to see it,” she exclaimed, her imagination already whisking her away to the shores of Santorini.
A city where the Mediterranean Sea painted a canvas of white waves against a backdrop of azure skies. The allure of such an otherworldly and picturesque scene stirred Yi-soo’s heart.
All she desired was to recline on the sandy shore, free from worries, accompanied only by the man beside her, while the melodic rhythm of the waves serenaded their solitude.
Lost in her reverie, Yi-soo was roused by Hyun-seong’s gentle voice.
“Yi-soo.”
The unfamiliar form of address jolted her from her thoughts, and she blinked in surprise, meeting his gaze halfway as she sat up. He had always called her ‘Seo Yi-soo.’
“Uh…?” she stuttered, her heart fluttering at the tenderness in his voice. The steady beat of her heart stumbled momentarily, charting an irregular path.
Yet, it was his next words that sent shockwaves through her, her pupils widening in disbelief. Hyun-seong, his eyes filled with affection, spoke softly, his words hanging heavy in the air between them.
“Shall we put an end to our engagement contract?”