Words I was Afraid to Hear

"Oh, good! You're here!" Su Linyu's face lit up when Dan walked into the Poseidon Hall.

"Mother." He bowed. He turned to the old man sitting on the sofa. "Chairman Song."

"Oh please, you can start calling me 'Father,' 'Dad' or however your generation calls their fathers." Chairman Song had a joyous spirit and victorious smile.

Dan projected a subtle smile. Then he sat beside his 'fiancé' for show.

"Now that everyone's here, we would like to know if you had decided on a wedding date?" Su Linyu's voice was full of excitement.

Madeline had an indescribable expression while Dan kept his face indifferent.

Chairman Song guffawed. "Well, we could always start the collaboration of our companies anytime we want. It's just that, you young ones had travelled together already. We were thinking that it's time for you to make things legal." His eyes were meaningful.

"But Dad, Mom...she still..." Before Madeline could say 'doesn't know,' Dan answered for them.

"I believe the elders still have the best decision in this area. We will respect whichever date you would pick out for us." Though he looked indifferent, he was already contemplating how he would get out of this mess.

As for Madeline's mother, even though Chairman Song married her after his wife died, she is still considered a mistress in the Song family so she was kept in the dark for most decisions. They did not even inform her of her daughter's engagement. No one bothered to make her fly back from her home country when they held the ceremony.

Madeline glared at Dan for speaking like that. What will they do if the elders decide to wed them the following day?!

She also remembered the flirtatious words of Captain Long. Even the memory sent shivers down her spine. Since he knew about Dan's marriage, she cannot use the excuse of having a fiancé to put out his feelings. She was truly at a disadvantage in all these.

"However, Father, we would like to get to know each other better first." She will salvage the situation the best that she can.

"What more is there to learn when you already went abroad?" Chairman Song is implying that they had done the deed since they were together for a few days. With his daughter's figure, even he would take a second look.

Dan noticed that his 'fiancée' is losing her cool. "Mother. Uhmmm, Dad? I would like to have the wedding when it's convenient for Madie. After all, it should be perfect for the lady." He gave a smile.

Madeline Song took all her willpower to stop her eyes from rolling. Such an actor!

Su Linyu was pleased. It seemed like her son was fond of the woman she chose.

_______________

Michelle had a bright smile as she walked hand-in-hand with her new husband. She and Riley had just registered their marriage.

Riley successfully took the rest of the afternoon off that day and they made it in time before the registrar office closed for the day. He even surprised his wife by bringing wedding bands.

Though it was a simple plain white gold wedding band with a matte finish, Michelle kept staring at it while they were driving back to their place.

Riley kept looking at her while waiting for the traffic light to turn green. He turned his gaze towards the road when it signaled 'go.'

However, as they went forward, a speeding car coming from Michelle's side came crashing unto them.

_

Though the blood dripping from his forehead, Riley kept waking Michelle up. He was already in a state of panic seeing blood oozing from her everywhere.

Despite everything, he still remained sane enough to contact her parents.

The old couple arrived at once and saw the bandaged young man waiting outside the emergency department.

Riley did not let doctors run thorough tests on him. He told them that he will undergo the tests once his wife is stable.

"Riley, where's Min-hee?" Margie Park was in the brink of wailing.

Riley just stared at the door to the ED. His eyes seemed blank.

Johnny Park consoled his wife as they all sat in waiting.

After a quarter of an hour, a doctor came out. When he saw that there were more people outside, he needed to confirm who will make the decision for the patient.

"Which one of you is Ms. Park's next of kin?"

Through her thick accent, Margie Park replied, "I'm her mom."

"We're her parents." Johnny Park added.

To their surprise, Riley stood up and declared, "I'm her husband."