The Idol's Wife

The blank screen came to life as KJ appeared on screen. He was wearing a black tux with his hair brushed back. In his hands was a flower bouquet while he stood in front of a long hallway. It was a church where many guests had gathered, watching him with profound happiness on their faces. KJ, too, was smiling as he walked towards the aisle.

"Looking good hubby," Mirae snickered. 

But KJ only grumbled. He remembered the painful process of going through hundreds of tux before his stylist finally settled on that one. Mirae knew about his annoyance and leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek. 

"This is definitely my favorite look from all your videos," she commented. 

"Shh," KJ shushed. "The song is about to start. Their attention went back to the video.

The KJ on screen was happy, yet visibly nervous. He was gently arranging the red roses he was carrying. Were they perfect? Was the wedding going to go smoothly? Will their new lives be beautiful?

The thoughts were plaguing his mind. His feelings were overwhelming him when the doors to the church slowly opened. The bright sunlight almost blinded him as it illuminated the whole church. Everyone turned around to face the light. Amidst the brightness, a dark, slender figure appeared, slowly approaching him. It was a girl, wearing a beautiful white wedding dress.

She was shy. Her eyes were lowered under the white veil. Her steps were hesitant as the long gown dragged behind her. The girl had an angelic face, her soft skin shone like pearl as she walked closer. 

KJ's lips broke into a smile as he saw her approaching. Finally, the time had arrived. The happiest day of their lives. His heart ached to see her. As she stepped towards him, his mind began to dwell on the memories they had spent together. 

The scene changed to a park where the girl was waiting while KJ sneaked up from behind her, startling her. She playfully punched him and they hugged. With the reminiscent of the moments, KJ's deep voice began to sing in the background.

"The love we had shared

The memories we created

A canvas of happiness

Painted against the white walls

I see you remember me with fondness

Even time could not replace

The strength of our feelings"

The girl was feeding KJ cakes at a restaurant. His eyes were full of love as he gazed at her, memorizing every detail of her face. Her skin caressed him, slightly brushing his bangs. He caught her hand to kiss it.

"Our meeting was like magic

We were lost souls

Who found each other

Carved each other's name

Into our hearts

I see you remember me with fondness

Even time could not replace

The strength of our feelings"

The scene then changed to the wedding day. KJ watched as the girl walked towards him. They were very close. He held out his bouquet but there was something wrong. She was not seeing him. Her eyes were not on him and his presence was not visible to her. The girl walked on ahead, passing KJ by as if he was air.

KJ stood there, the smile plastered on his face as he turned around to see her holding another man's hand. He wore the same tuxedo as him. The bride and groom were unaware of his existence. No one knew he was there. He was invisible to them, yet he was there.

A flashback sequence shows KJ at a jewelry store. He was looking through numerous rings when his eyes fell on a blue sapphire ring. It was carved on both sides with tiny gold cubes. He happily buys it and exits the store. While he was waiting on the pavement for the traffic lights to turn red, a little child walked into the busy traffic. She was chasing her tennis ball which fell on the road, oblivious to the truck heading her way at an alarming speed. KJ spots the girl and rushes forward-

CRASH!

The ball rolls off the road while a blue ring lays next to it. KJ's slow rap plays in the background while the distant sounds of sirens approach the scene, while his girlfriend waits for him at a restaurant.

"But memories are all that remains in our hearts

Once upon a time

We met and fell in love

Your eyes search for me 

I see you but your eyes are lost

Why can't you see me?

Am I not in your heart anymore?"

The setting once again shifts to the wedding hall. The bride and groom descended the chapel's staircase as a married couple. The girl threw the flower bouquet in her hands into the air. KJ reached out to catch them but it went through his hands as if he was air. 

"Our story may be incomplete

But our love isn't

The memories we created

The painting we made

Our feelings for each other remain

I see you remember me with fondness

Even time could not replace

The strength of our feelings"

He watched in deep sadness as the girl got into the car with her husband and drove off. Unbeknownst to him, the girl had turned back to take a brief glimpse at him, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.

The music video ended.

"So did you like it?" KJ asked, turning towards his wife. To his surprise, she was crying.

"Mirae, why are you crying?" he snickered. "Did you find it that sad?"

"No," she sniffed. "It's not the music video. I've seen it a thousand times. It's the song which got to me. It's just so…"

She set the laptop aside and hugged him tightly. 

"It's just a song," he assured her, patting her head. But Mirae was too affected by the lyrics. It felt as if he was telling their own story through it.

"Songs are always reflecting the lyricist's feelings," she mumbled. "Which is why this song makes me sad. It makes me think that you are sad."

KJ sighed. "I made this song when we were not talking," he admitted. Mirae let go of him to face him as he spoke. 

"There was a point when I thought that nothing would get better," he went on. "I only wanted to convey my feelings to you through this song. So I put all my emotions in it. Whatever I felt during that time. I was so confused and broken-"

But Mirae shut him up with a kiss. It was a chaste peck, as if to assure him that everything would be fine.

"There is no more need to worry," she said firmly. "We'll get through every hurdle life throws at us. Together. So stop worrying and start living."

Her green eyes pore into his dark ones. He smiled at her words, feeling a renewed sense of hope for tomorrow.

"Now go to sleep," she said, patting his cheek lightly. "You have a long day tomorrow."

"But I can't sleep without my pillow," he teased.

"Pillow?" she frowned but he pulled her towards his chest, wrapping her with his strong arms.

"Much better," he mumbled sleepily as they cuddled. "If it wasn't for the comeback, I wouldn't have let you sleep at all but I'll be sure to take my dues from tomorrow."

"Shameless!" Mirae scolded him as she settled in his arms. Soon the Nation's Couple were sleeping, blissfully lost in their own sweet dreams.

….

Inside the dark mansion, the President was sitting on the couch as his grandson stood tall in front of him.

"Tomorrow is the day," Ash promised." Kwon Jiwon will die tomorrow."

"I've been hearing that for thirty years and yet he lives," the President scoffed in his wheezy voice. His face was still covered by a white mask. "Tomorrow, I will go there myself to ensure his death. All these years, I've trusted you fools to take care of him but you all have failed every time. Now, it's my turn to take him down for once and for all."

"Grandfather it's too dangerous!" Ash protested. "You'll be spotted and-"

"That woman's seed has outstayed his welcome in this world," the President threatened. "He's destined to die by my hands."

His menacing words were enough to make Ash from saying anything further. There would be no stopping the President once he made up his mind.

"Kwon Jiwon will die tomorrow," the President vowed. "And I will be there to see it."