Daniel"s brows furrowed as he glared at the old man"s back. It was the first time that he had heard something as ridiculous as this from him. Growing up, Daniel had always loved his grandfather and was very much fond of him because he was always a fun person. He was very skilled and talented too and Daniel learned so much from him. He looked up to his grandfather and he respected him a lot. But hearing this from him, he suddenly felt betrayed.
Despite what he heard, Daniel composed himself and tried to be as respectful as he can. "Grandpa, can you at least explain to me what you are thinking about? I don"t think it"s quite fair for you to decide things like this for me. Marriage is important to me."
"And why not? I am your grandfather!" He turned around and faced Daniel. "You cannot be with that woman, I won"t allow it."
Daniel didn"t like that he kept calling Samantha that woman. He was feeling hurt for her, but he still tried to control the tone of his voice despite his aching heart. "Grandpa, she has a name. Please call her Samantha."
Grandfather Cho hit his cane on the floor and it made a sound. *Thud*
"And she is a Kim! I detest her grandfather!" He barked.
Daniel sighed thinking that the old man had become more stubborn the more that he got older. "I"ve heard about your story. Are you still bitter about that until now? It has been decades, gramps."
Grandfather Cho cleared his throat and turned to the window once again. He was looking over the garden and saw the four of them in the gazebo. Samantha looked very sweet and beautiful.
"Young-Hee, your granddaughter looks just like you. I miss you." He spoke in his mind. And then he remembered that man, Samantha"s grandfather. How ironic was it that he was even the one who made that necklace for that man to propose to Young-Hee?
"I don"t want to be a.s.sociated with any of the Kims who is related by blood to that man."
"You don"t have to like the man. You can hate him all you want and I don"t care, gramps. But you can"t take your hatred out on Samantha. It"s unfair to her and to me."
The old man didn"t say anything and so Daniel added, "We"re getting married."
"I won"t allow it."
With a heavy heart, Daniel stood by his decision. "I"m sorry gramps but that"s not up to you. I am the one who is going to spend the rest of my life with my future wife, not you."
Grandfather Cho hit the floor with his cane once again and the sound was louder this time. He turned to face his grandson and with a fierce expression, he spoke with authority.
"Don"t you try to defy me! I have lived longer than you! I am still the head of the family! You are not going to marry a "Kim". My words are final!"
Daniel couldn"t say anything after his grandfather used his t.i.tle. He decided to let him cool down first and persuade him later.
Grandfather Cho left the study, leaving Daniel alone in the room.
He recalled what his grandfather said about finding a wife for him and leaving Samantha. His words rang in Daniel"s ears and it left him feeling very bitter. Even just thinking about not marrying Samantha already scared him.
A lot has happened during the year for him and for both of them but whether it was good or bad, he was very thankful because he was with her. Daniel loved Samantha very deeply, so how could he marry someone else?
.
As he came down the stairs, Samantha was waiting for him in the living room with a beautiful smile plastered on her face. The moment he saw her, his heart felt at ease as if he wasn"t troubled just now.
"Where are my parents?" He asked as he walked towards her.
"They"re still at the garden with your brother."
"Then what are you doing in here alone?"
"I got kinda tired and wanted to close my eyes for a bit so I excused myself and sat here."
Daniel pulled her up from the armchair and enveloped her with his arms. Kissing her forehead, he inhaled her sweet familiar scent. "I love you, Samantha. Do you know that?"
Samantha leaned her head on his chest, closed her eyes and hugged him back. Daniel felt very warm and she could just melt in his arms. Nodding her head curtly, the corners of her mouth lifted upwards when she spoke, "Yes. And I love you too, Daniel."
Daniel stroked her head, this woman that he loved so much, he could never let her go.
"Are you ready to go home?", he asked in which Samantha replied with a nod and a smile.
…
That night, as Daniel and Samantha were sleeping, he was having a dream.
In that dream, he was with Samantha on a beach. The two of them were having fun enjoying the sun, sand, and water.
Samantha ran from him and he was chasing after her.
They reached the waters and just then, he also caught up with her. They both laughed and giggled and played some more. It was a very fun and enjoyable scene.
Daniel heard someone calling his name so he turned around but saw no one. When he looked back at Samantha, she was already lying on the sh.o.r.e.
He walked up to her and he paled when he saw her body full of cuts and wounds. Blood started to flow out of her and in an instant, the sand became b.l.o.o.d.y, and the sea became red. What scared him the most was when he looked down on his own hands, he saw himself holding a knife and a gun as if he was the one who did it to her. His heart felt like it was torn into pieces. Did he kill her?
Samantha was lying lifeless on the sand and no matter how much he called for her, she wasn"t answering. He screamed in fear as he didn"t know what to do. He had to save her!
A familiar voice called him from afar and then Daniel woke up startled.
"Daniel, wake up!"
"Honey, did you have a nightmare? G.o.d, you scared me. I couldn"t wake you up!" , Samantha breathed a sigh of relief.
Daniel just came to his senses and realized that it was indeed a nightmare. He turned his head abruptly and pulled Samantha towards him, he was breathless.
"Hey… hey… it"s okay. Whatever it was, you"re awake now. It was just a dream." She hugged him tightly and continued to comfort him.
Daniel had a hard time finding the words to say. He was just very glad that it was just a nightmare. But at the same time, he was extremely scared because it felt very real.
"Please don"t leave me, Samantha. Or I wouldn"t be able to take it."
"What are you talking about, silly? Why would I leave you?" She kissed his shoulder and continued to pat his back.
"Just promise me that you won"t. Will you promise me?"
She continued to comfort and soothe him. Her heart throbbed for her man.
"Yes, Daniel. I promise you. I won"t leave you."