Chapter 78: the happiest person in the world
As the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, I stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Yura's body next to mine. I turned to see her already watching me, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Good morning," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"Good morning," I replied, stretching and feeling the pleasant soreness from our passionate morning. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long," she said, her fingers tracing patterns on my arm. "Just enjoying the view."
I chuckled and leaned in for a quick kiss before sitting up. "We should get up and take a shower. We've got a big day ahead."
Yura nodded, and we both reluctantly left the warmth of the bed. The bathroom was spacious and luxurious, with a large shower that could easily fit two. We stepped inside, and the hot water cascaded over us, washing away the remnants of sleep and the lingering scents of our earlier activities.
We took our time in the shower, enjoying the feel of the water and each other's company. Yura's hands moved over my body, gentle and loving, and I returned the favor, reveling in the intimacy of the moment. After we were thoroughly cleaned and refreshed, we stepped out and dried off, then dressed in comfortable yet stylish clothes.
Once we were ready, we made our way downstairs to the dining room, where a delicious lunch awaited us. The table was set with an array of dishes, each one more mouthwatering than the last. There was a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae, a spicy and tangy stew filled with kimchi, tofu, and pork. Next to it was a plate of bulgogi, thinly sliced marinated beef grilled to perfection. There were also various banchan, small side dishes including kimchi, pickled radishes, and seasoned spinach. And to top it all off, a bowl of steaming white rice and a platter of fresh fruit.
We sat down and began to eat, savoring each bite. The flavors were rich and satisfying, a perfect combination of spicy, savory, and sweet. We chatted about our plans for the day, and Yura suggested that we go shopping for the upcoming banquet.
"We need to find the perfect outfits for my mother's birthday banquet," Yura said between bites of bulgogi. "And a special gift for her, of course."
I nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds like a great idea. It'll be fun to spend the day shopping together."
After we finished our meal, we cleared the table and headed out. Yura's driver was waiting for us outside, and he opened the door to the sleek black car. We slid into the plush leather seats, and the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, heading towards the upscale shopping district.
As we arrived at the first boutique, I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. The store was lavishly decorated, with elegant displays and designer clothes that looked like they belonged on a runway. Yura, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. She walked in with the confidence of someone who was used to this level of luxury.
A sales associate greeted us with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Ms. Yura. How can I assist you today?"
"We're looking for outfits for a special occasion," Yura explained. "Something elegant and sophisticated."
The associate nodded and led us through the store, showing us a selection of dresses, suits, and accessories. Yura picked out a few items, and we made our way to the fitting rooms.
I tried on a beautiful dress, a flowing piece with intricate lace details. As I stepped out of the fitting room, Yura's eyes lit up. "You look stunning," she said, her gaze appreciative.
"Thank you," I replied, feeling a bit shy under her intense scrutiny. "You should try on something too." Experience magic at m v le mpyr
Yura nodded and disappeared into the fitting room. When she emerged, she was wearing a sleek, tailored suit that hugged her curves perfectly. My breath caught in my throat. She looked absolutely gorgeous.
"Wow," I said, unable to tear my eyes away. "You look incredible."
She smirked, obviously pleased by my reaction. "Thank you. I think we've found our outfits."
We made our purchases, and Yura didn't even flinch at the price tags. She was used to this level of spending, and her confidence was infectious. As we left the boutique, she turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Now, let's find a gift for my mother," she said. "Something unique and special."
We wandered through various stores, browsing everything from jewelry to artwork. Yura finally settled on an exquisite piece of jewelry: a delicate necklace with a sapphire pendant that matched her mother's eyes. It was elegant and timeless, the perfect gift for a woman of her stature.
"She'll love it," I said, admiring the piece. "It's beautiful."
Yura nodded, pleased with our choice. "Let's get it wrapped."
As we continued our shopping spree, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Yura navigated this world of luxury. She moved with grace and confidence, her every action exuding elegance. It was no wonder she was such a successful CEO.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring different stores, picking out a few more items here and there. Yura's generosity was boundless, and she insisted on buying me a few things as well. I tried to protest, but she wouldn't hear of it.
"Consider it a gift," she said with a smile. "You deserve to be pampered."
By the time we finished, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the city. We made our way back to the car, our arms laden with shopping bags. As we settled into the backseat, Yura turned to me with a contented sigh.
"Today was fun," she said, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you for coming with me."
"Thank you for inviting me," I replied, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I had a great time."
When we arrived back at the manor, we unloaded our bags and headed inside. The house was quiet, the staff having prepared everything for our return. We made our way to the living room and began to unpack our purchases, admiring each item as we laid them out.
As we finished, Yura's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and sighed. "It's my mother," she said. "She probably wants to discuss the banquet."
She answered the call, her expression softening as she spoke to her mother. I watched as she chatted, her voice warm and affectionate. It was clear how much she loved and respected her family.
When she hung up, she turned to me with a smile. "My mother is very excited for the banquet," she said. "She can't wait to see us both."
"I'm looking forward to it too," I replied. "It's going to be a wonderful celebration."
Yura smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth and excitement. "I'm glad to hear that," she said softly, reaching out to take my hand in hers. "Shall we relax for a bit before dinner?"
I nodded, and we made our way to the living room. The large windows overlooked the garden, now bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. We settled onto the plush sofa, and Yura leaned against me, her head resting on my shoulder.
For a while, we just enjoyed the tranquility, the only sound being the gentle rustle of the leaves outside. I wrapped my arm around her, drawing her closer. Her presence was calming, a reminder of the bond we shared and the journey we had embarked on together.
"Do you remember our first date?" Yura asked suddenly, her voice filled with nostalgia.
I chuckled. "How could I forget? You were so nervous."
Yura laughed, a melodious sound that filled the room. "I was terrified. I kept worrying that I would say something stupid or trip over my own feet."
"But you were perfect," I replied, tilting her chin up so our eyes met. "From the very beginning, I knew you were the one."
She blushed slightly, a rare sight that made my heart skip a beat. "And here we are now," she murmured. "Planning for my mother's birthday banquet, living in this beautiful manor."
"It's been quite the journey," I said, my fingers tracing gentle patterns on her arm. "But I wouldn't change a thing."
Before she could respond, there was a soft knock on the door. One of the servants stepped in, bowing politely. "Dinner is ready," she announced.
"Thank you," Yura said, standing up and offering me her hand. "Shall we?"
We walked to the dining room, where a sumptuous meal awaited us. The table was elegantly set, with candles flickering softly, casting a warm glow over the room. The aroma of the food was enticing, and my stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Tonight's dinner was a culinary masterpiece. There was galbi, marinated short ribs grilled to perfection, accompanied by a variety of banchan. A steaming pot of doenjang jjigae, a savory soybean paste stew, sat in the center of the table, its rich scent wafting through the air. Freshly steamed rice, crisp vegetable salads, and an assortment of pickled vegetables completed the feast.
We sat down, and Yura poured us each a glass of wine. "To us," she said, raising her glass.
I clinked my glass against hers. "To us."
We began to eat, savoring each bite. The flavors were exquisite, a testament to the skill of the chef.
"This galbi is amazing," I said, reaching for another piece. "I could eat this every day."
Yura nodded, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'll make sure to tell the chef. He'll be pleased to hear it."
As the meal continued, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. Sitting here, sharing a meal with the woman I loved, I felt truly at peace.
When we had finished, we lingered at the table, enjoying the last sips of our wine. Yura's hand found mine again, her fingers intertwining with mine. "Let's take a walk in the garden," she suggested. "It's such a beautiful evening."
We rose from the table and made our way outside. The garden was serene, the soft glow of the moon casting a silver light over the flowers and trees. We walked slowly, hand in hand, savoring the cool evening breeze.
As we reached a small bench, Yura pulled me down to sit beside her. "This is nice," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It is," I agreed, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "It's moments like these that I cherish the most."
She looked up at me, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "You make everything better, Jiyeon."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest at her words. "And you make me the happiest person in the world," I replied, leaning in to kiss her softly.
The kiss deepened, and for a while, we were lost in each other, the world around us fading away. It was a perfect moment, filled with love and tenderness.
Eventually, we pulled away, our foreheads resting against each other. "We should probably head back inside," Yura said reluctantly. "It's getting late."
I nodded, though I wished the moment could last forever. We stood up and made our way back to the manor, our hands still intertwined.
As we entered the house, the warmth enveloped us, a stark contrast to the cool night air. We headed upstairs to our bedroom, where we changed into our pajamas and climbed into bed.
Yura snuggled close to me, her head resting on my chest. "Thank you for today," she murmured. "It was perfect."
"It was," I agreed, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Goodnight, Yura."
"Goodnight," she replied, her voice already drowsy.