Vows and Bullets-Chapter 30: Premarital Counseling

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[The following day...] 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

After adjusting our schedules for the day, Agent Helios and I went to Yoon-Ah’s place to pick her up. We couldn’t talk at their home since it was attached to their coffee shop, and their customer might see and recognize us, thus interrupting their business. Plus, we didn’t want any publicity with her involved. I wanted to protect her privacy and her family’s privacy. She and my mother were the last people I wanted to be dragged into this whole marriage act.

We used one of Agent Helios’ unrecognizable-to-the-public cars, without any driver or chaperone, unlike how it had been this past few days since this trip was rather private. We also booked a private room in the nearest fancy restaurant to ensure no one pries on us and we could all talk comfortably.

Parking the car at the back of their house, I opened the car’s window to check on Yoon-Ah. She hasn’t come down yet, so I looked up to her room’s window.

"Yoon-Ah’ya! We’re here!" I shouted just loud enough for her to hear who was on the third floor.

She heard me and quickly looked down with her face lit up in excitement.

"Ye-Ji’ya!" she yelled out and waved her hands.

Then she got up and ran out of her room, probably dashing downstairs to meet us. We were a little early, but she was already prepared—she’s always been punctual.

As soon as I saw her silhouette from the windows downstairs, I came out of the car to meet her. She saw me, too, and ran towards me and jumped to hug me.

"Waaaa... I missed you!" she said. "Oh my! Aren’t you gorgeous? I’m not used to seeing you dolled up. Let me take in this moment. I feel so happy you finally know how to dress up. My child has finally grown! I feel so proud!"

I wore a pretty dress that time and had my long hair curled a bit. Ever since the publicity stunt, Agent Helios hired a stylist and a bunch of assistants for me to take care of my daily outfit and make-up and everything about my looks since I needed to appear the pampered fiancée. Apparently, my fashion sense was a bit... not up to par with his.

"Stop it. You’re not my mother. Come inside before we get seen, and let’s talk more on the way."

"Oh, right. Okie! Let’s go." Noticing I wasn’t getting inside the driver’s seat, she asked, "You came with a driver? That’s new."

"About that—" I tried to explain, but she had already got inside the backseat, so I did the same and went inside, beside the driver’s seat.

Agent Helios turned to the back and greeted Yoon-Ah with a kind smile.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Yoon-Ah."

"Ehem. Yoon-Ah, let me introduce you—"

"OMG! He’s so handsome!" she exclaimed. "C-Can I take a picture? I’ll use it for reference. Though pictures might barely do justice to your magnificent face, Mister...."

"Eun-Woo," he said and held out his hand for a shake. "Jeon Eun-Woo."

"...Oh! You’re the fiancé," she replied with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, I was gonna say that," I butted in.

"Woaaah..."

Yoon-Ah was speechless for a moment, probably still processing things in her highly creative mind.

"Ye-Ji’ya, you really are Cinderella, huh?" she murmured, but my ears were sharp enough to hear her.

Still amazed by how dazzling Eun-Woo appeared to her, she smiled politely at him and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Eun-Woo. And oh my! Your hand is more beautiful than mine. Amazing." Turning to me, she asked, "Are rich people all like this? How did you manage to get this kind of husband-to-be Ye-Ji’ya, huh?"

"It’s a long story. Let’s go somewhere else first."

And so, Eun-Woo drove us to our destination. It didn’t stop Yoon-Ah from asking lots of questions, though, which we carefully answered. I tried to derail her sometimes, but she’s so keen to know about our "fated lovers" story. Eun-Woo humored her by telling our made-up love story since I haven’t perfected telling lies to people precious to me.

Soon enough, we arrived at the restaurant we booked, and the staff ushered us into the private room. Lots of food were served shortly after, and we enjoyed the full course meal while we talked. Well, it was mostly Eun-Woo and Yoon-Ah doing the talking, and I just joined in from time to time. As expected, she literally interrogated him. The polite and friendly act was done.

After the interrogation, though, was something I didn’t expect.

"The main reason I wanted to talk to the two of you is to counsel you for your upcoming marriage," she began. "I’m pretty sure auntie (Ye-Ji’s mother) just agreed to Ye-Ji’ya’s whims since she just won’t stop until she gets what she wants, but I’m not the same. I want to ensure that my best friend is not rushing into this, pushed into doing it, or so many other reasons that are too many to list down, okay?"

"Premarital counseling? Since when were you married for you to know all about it?" I asked, in doubt of her vast knowledge about marriage. When it comes to dating, we probably have the same experience—none.

"Shut it, Ye-Ji’ya. Just answer my questions, okay?"

She then pulled up her phone and read what seemed to be a list of questions she had researched beforehand.

"Ehem-Ehem. Question number one—Do you truly love your partner and not just an infatuation or physical attraction?"

She squinted her eyes, waiting for us to answer. It was funny how she’s trying to act all serious despite her angelic cute face that could never look angry, evil, or serious.

Eun-Woo smiled and blushed—already putting up his flawless act. He answered her first, acting a little shy.

"Of course," he said. "I love her with all my heart."

I wanted to puke hearing that. He could really fool anyone with that look.

’I love her with all my heart, my ass. As if you have a heart!’

Ahhh... how I wanted to say that out loud.

"And you, Ye-Ji’ya?" she turned to me.

"Should you really be asking that?" I averted my eyes, feeling cringey about the whole situation.

But she continued staring at me and waiting for my answer.

"Ugh... Fine. Of course, I... I do. Why would I get married if I don’t?"

I felt blood rush to my face saying those words. Ugh... I hate this feeling. I covered my face with my hands.

"Awwww... Don’t be shy, Ye-Ji’ya. It’s okay. I know you’re not used to this."

"I really am not, so stop asking. Can’t we just enjoy today and bond like usual?"

"Sorry, but no. Next question—What does sex mean for both of you? How often are you planning on doing it? And are you on the same page about having children?"

...

...

...

What the f—What did she just say?