Chapter 30: Another visit from the in-laws
I was in the kitchen, humming softly as I prepared breakfast. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. I placed the last of the dishes on the table, admiring the spread I had put together: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and warm, buttery croissants.
Just as I finished setting the table, Yura walked in. Her presence instantly brightened my mood. She wrapped her arms around me from behind and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Good morning, my love," she whispered.
I turned in her embrace and kissed her back, savoring the brief moment of intimacy. "Good morning," I replied, smiling up at her.
Our tender moment was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. We turned to see Yura's parents, Min-Jun and Min-Seo, standing in the doorway. I quickly stepped back from Yura, feeling a bit flustered.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Min," I said, bowing slightly in greeting.
Min-Seo rushed forward, enveloping me in a warm hug. "It's so good to see you again, my daughter-in-law," she said, releasing me with a beaming smile. "I'm sure you've missed us since our last visit."
"Yes, I have," I said, scratching the back of my head awkwardly. "I was wondering when you would be back."
"Have you eaten yet? I just finished making breakfast," I said, gesturing toward the table.
"Don't worry, we haven't eaten yet," Min-Seo said, taking her husband's hand and leading him to the table. "And since you made it, I'm sure it's delicious."
They both sat down, and Yura and I joined them. The breakfast conversation was pleasant, filled with light chatter about recent events and plans for the day. As we ate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as Min-Seo complimented my cooking repeatedly.
Halfway through the meal, Min-Jun spoke up, his tone casual but his words pointed. "By the way, you two are married, but it seems, Jiyeon, that you haven't marked Yura. It's quite unusual."
His comment made my heart race. I turned to Yura, searching for her reaction. She seemed equally caught off guard but quickly composed herself.
"Oh, Dad," she said, scratching her head. "It's just that I'm not ready yet. I've been really busy with work, and I haven't had the time to focus on that."
For a moment, I held my breath, hoping they would accept her explanation. To my relief, Min-Jun nodded thoughtfully.
"I see," he said. "Work can be very demanding. Just make sure you both find the time when you're ready."
The rest of the breakfast passed without any more uncomfortable questions. When we finished, Min-Seo clapped her hands together with a bright smile.
"Alright, now that we've had a lovely breakfast, let's all get ready to go shopping," she announced. "We have a full day ahead of us!"
Yura and I exchanged a quick glance. Shopping with Min-Seo was always an event, but I knew better than to protest. We headed upstairs to get dressed.
As we prepared to leave, Yura took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry," she said softly. "Today will be fun. Just go with the flow."
I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. We met her parents downstairs, and together we headed out to one of the city's most upscale shopping districts.
Min-Seo led the way, her enthusiasm infectious. The first store we entered was a high-end boutique filled with designer clothes. She immediately began picking out outfits for me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Jiyeon, try this one on," she said, handing me a beautiful dress. "And this one too. Oh, and this would look stunning on you!"
I took the clothes she offered, feeling a bit overwhelmed by her generosity. Yura and Min-Jun stood by, watching with amused expressions as Min-Seo continued to pile more items into my arms.
After trying on several outfits and modeling them for everyone, Min-Seo decided to buy nearly everything I had tried on. "You look beautiful in all of them," she said, waving off my protests about the cost. "It's my treat."
We moved from store to store, Min-Seo's enthusiasm never waning. She bought me shoes, bags, accessories, and even some jewelry. Each time I tried to protest, she would just smile and say, "You're part of the family now, Jiyeon. This is what family does."
Yura and Min-Jun simply nodded along, their expressions a mix of amusement and indulgence. By the time we were done, I felt like I had a whole new wardrobe.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Min," I said as we left the last store. "You've been incredibly generous."
"Nonsense," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm just happy to see you happy. And please, call me mom."
We decided to take a break at a nearby café. As we sat down with our drinks, Min-Seo looked at me with a thoughtful expression.
"Jiyeon, have you and Yura thought about your future together? Any plans?" she asked.
I glanced at Yura, feeling a bit nervous about the question. "We've talked about it," I said carefully. "But we're taking things one step at a time."
Min-Seo nodded approvingly. "That's wise. Just remember to communicate with each other and support each other. That's the key to a strong relationship."
"I agree," Yura said, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're in this together, no matter what."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of shopping bags and laughter. By the time we returned home, I was exhausted but happy. Yura's parents were wonderful, and I felt grateful for their acceptance and support.
As we put away the day's haul, Yura turned to me with a smile. "Today was fun, wasn't it?"
"It was," I agreed, leaning against her. "Your parents are amazing."
"They really like you," she said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "And so do I."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. "I'm lucky to have you," I said softly.
"And I'm lucky to have you," she replied, leaning in to kiss me.
As we kissed, I felt a sense of contentment and happiness.