Shoelace (and a little dedication)

i think a little explanation is necessary, teehee, you see, i was on hiatus but then, i realized that the person who persuaded, prompted, coaxed, cajoled and brainwashed me to being an ff writer is going to celebrate her birthday soon (you're 21 this year, am i correct? *wink*) so the ever-loving me decided on writing her a few one shots as a gift, but then, my son stepped on my laptop causing it to go into sudden and premature death, so here i am, sort of late but still trying to deliver *grins*.

i dubbed the project, the S-series, simply because all the title starts with an S, and why, do you ask, well, the birthday celebrant's name starts with that letter and because this is for her, i'm doing it all the way, hurhur. i already post the first one a few days ago, entitled Starstruck, the second one was put up yesterday morning, entitled Speechless, the third one can be read below, it's Shoelace baby, expect the fourth (working title - Serendipity) and fifth (working title - Soulmate) in a few days. there, i think, i've explained enough.

Have a rockin' birthday Ate Sue, may you have more years to grow (tall and not wide), more blessings to share (to the worthy and kind), more kisses to give (to your husband not mine)[hahaha, sorry, I can't think of anything to rhyme], more thoughts to ponder (yeah, go wonder and yonder) and may you have lots of love in your life (you see, I can only give you so much, hahaha). Love you this big *lookie, I'm stretching my arms wide*!

**********

It was the grandest ball of the year and the who's who of the entertainment business were all present, from gagmen and women to the more serious variety show hosts, from the striving starlets to the A-list actors and actresses, from the young and budding idols to the old and still shining ones, drop a name and you'll surely find it in the guest list. Stars stunned in their Elie Saab, Dolce and Gabbana, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Rodarte, Chanel and Versace ball gowns and suits, parading and strutting in the ballroom, engrossed in their particular tete-a-tete.

The whole place dazzled, people glowed, the mood vibrant, but two gorgeous young men were heedless of that fact. Both looked dashing in tuxedo and bow tie, both holding a glass of brown liquor in their hands, both leaning casually on their sides, looking at the entrance hall, staring at the huge oak doors, both waiting, hoping that the woman they both long to see would come. To the rest of the attendees, the two just looked aloof, swanky and a bit bored, if they only knew the truth. If they only knew that the two have something in common, more than being good-looking and dapper in a suit, more than being Hallyu stars and leaders of highly-popular five-member idol groups, more than being the most sought after bachelors in all of Korea, and more than being rich and famous, both happened to like the same woman and both were planning on taking dibs that night.

And as if heaven heard their hearts innermost wish, the lady that they were waiting for finally regaled the ball in a nude, crystal-encrusted Marchesa corset gown, charming everyone that she passed through, enthralling men, young and old alike. One would think that the men who had been counting the minutes till she came will run to her side and worship her, but they didn't, neither moved buth both were openly staring at her, eying her every move, in a way a predator does to its prey.

But not just because Kim Hyun Joong and Jung Yunho lacked in the action department didn't mean that the other males in the event were the same. Men flocked around Hwangbo Hye Jung like she's throwing pheromones to lure, she hobnobbed with friends and colleagues, danced with those who besought, drank as she pleased, bewitching everyone and enjoying the night away.

Everything was going great, people were making connections, the newbies were getting drunk, the elites were getting high (in attention) and even the elders were lively and having fun.

Until...

The sweet melody of DBSK's Mideoyo floated in the air and men of all ages rushed, hoping to sway to the music with their chosen partners. Oh Ji Ho looked around, compelling himself to find her and when his eyes laid on the beauty that she is, he strode quickly to her side. He smiled and stretched out his hand, "May I have this dance my lady?"

Hwangbo Hye Jung laughed at his effort to sound like a noble Englishman, slapped his upper arm in that sweet way of hers, put her hand on his and tried her best not to giggle as she said, "Of course, kind sir."

But even before Ji Ho was able to hold and enclose her hand on his, they heard a forced cough behind them, making them pause and look.

"I'm sorry hyung," an apology to begin. "But I believe this dance belongs to me," a bold statement from Kim Hyun Joong.

The pair gaped at the young man, wondering if he was drunk or smoked something he shouldn't. She didn't utter a word but confusion clear on her face, while he couldn't wait to ask and rebut, "And how is that so Hyun Joong? I think it is but a common courtesy in these kind of affairs that the first person to ask and be granted the permission," but he wasn't allowed to finish.

"Hyung," he bowed. "I already know what you're going to say but you see, I beat you to the finish line."

She was plastered, 'What the hell was that,' she thought to herself. He was annoyed, but he couldn't help but be amuse at the young man's reasoning.

"My apologies, but I may have drank a little more than I should because I can't comprehend what you're trying to tell us," he said, trying to hide his amusement and a tad bit of irritation.

Hyun Joong grinned at the man and begun to explain, "I'm not sure if you knew this Hyung, but we," he motioned to her and himself, "we already got married."

Hye Jung was thankful that she wasn't drinking any wine or she might have sprayed it out on him, 'What is this man thinking?' Ji Ho stood in shock, his last statement rendered him speechless.

"We went on our honeymoon on April 29, 2008 at Jeju, we lived in the same house, she made me a scarf and a vest, she cooked me onion soup and ginseng chicken, among others, we went to the amusement park, I piggybacked her a number of times and we already kissed."

He waited for their comments but she just looked at him like he was crazy while the other man looked at him with amusement and nodded in understanding.

He nodded in response and showed his appreciation by bowing respectfully, "Thank you, hyung, sunbae-nim."

Oh Ji Ho shook his hand, "I wish you well lad." He then looked at Hye Jung, kissed her hand and bowed gracefully, "I am relinquishing my claim for the night." He then turned around and took his leave.

"Ready to dance, buin?"

"Hold it Hyun Joong-sshi."

A voice stopped them from moving further, her hand on the air, his, stalled from holding it.

"Good evening Hye Jung-sshi," the third man greeted.

"A good evening to you too Yunho-sshi," she replied with a smile.

"Hyung, can I dance with my buin first before you engage her in a chitchat?"

Yunho bowed to her, "Please excuse us for a while."

He faced the other idol leader and addressed him seriously, "I heard what you just said to Ji Ho sunbae, you used the Right of First Claim, we seem to read the same book," he smirked. "You may hate me for this but I have the first claim and I'm gonna secure what is mine."

She stayed still, masking her amusement, willing him to continue. He, on the other hand, was taken a back but he stood his ground, "Yunho-ah, we got married," he stressed each word, "how can your claim be better than that?"

"But we tied the knot a few years before you filmed We Got Married," he straightforwardly said.

"Huh," she sighed, both in question and exasperation, 'These guys are proving to be weirder than I thought.'

"As I anticipate, you don't remember, but it's alright, I'll just have to refresh your memory," he grinned. "Remember when you celebrated your birthday during our X-Man days, I surprised you with a cake and the whole of us wore party hats and sang you a happy birthday in the dressing room..."

"Yeah," she affirmed.

He gave her a boyish grin and continued, "Remember me telling you to be careful when you're finally cutting the cake for everyone to share? And you jokingly asked me if I put a bracelet or something in there that you shouldn't scratch or ruin?"

"Ne," she smiled recalling the incident.

"And because there was none and I kinda feel down because I didn't know you want a bracelet for a gift - "

"You had gotten your extra shoelace and tied it in my wrist, promising me that you'll get me the most beautiful bracelet when you're rich and able," she cut in, now cognizant of his tale.

"Yes, and you helped me tie it, while telling me that you appreciate everything and you'll never forget that day or my gift."

"The shoelace," she breathed.

"I can now buy you that beautiful bracelet that I promised, I would even throw in a ring, if you will let me," he declared, tall and proud though his heart is beating faster than his luxury car can ever run, in anxiety and nervousness.

Hwangbo Hye Jung was stunned into silence.

And Yunho took advantage of that pause and faced Kim Hyun Joong, "We read the same book and I presume we learned similar principles, in becoming a gentleman and accepting defeat. She helped me tied the knot in that shoelace, we did it together. WE TIED THE KNOT years before you GOT MARRIED to her in that show and according to the Right of First Claim, she belongs to me!"

Kim Hyun Joong was obviously angry but what the older idol said was true, they read the same book and learned the same principle, so he needed to back down though it is killing him to do so. He took flight, without saying his goodbye, he might have loss the battle but the war was far from over, he just needed to regroup and change tactics.

"Hye Jung-sshi," he shook her a little, in an effort to wake her from her trance.

She blushed when she realized what had transpired, "Where is Hyun Joong-sshi," she asked and fanned her flushed cheek.

"He already went on his way, he had accepted his defeat, like the gentleman that he should be," he explained.

"Uhm, may I ask you something?"

"Of course," he beamed.

"What do you really mean by that?"

"By what?"

"What you just said, what is that?"

"Hye Jung-ah, I'm pretty sure I said a number of things, what part are you pertaining to," he teased.

"Aish... you buying me the beautiful bracelet that you promised years ago plus a ring if I want to," she gushed.

"I mean that exactly, that I will buy you the promised bracelet anytime you are free, I could buy it without you tagging along but I would really like it if you will come so you can pick the one that you like most. The ring, it might take you a little while to accept that but I hope you would."

"Okay, taken that I agree with you, how come I'll have the bracelet now and the ring for later, why not at the same time?"

He chuckled at her question, tickled both by her obvious irritation and undeniable thirst for answers. "I'm just thinking that you might want to prepare a little, settle some issues, finish up your scheduled projects, talk to your parents, explain to friends and fans and those other things in between."

She looked at him, in profound contemplation.

"And though I have been preparing for this all these years, I knew that there are stuff that I still have to settle and I think, I need to prove to everyone who loves you that I am worthy of their princess," he continued, looking deeply at her eyes, trying to read what she wants to convey.

She was frozen, mouth a little agape, eyes opened wide as his meaning finally sunk in, her heart beating fast; she felt like her lungs was out of air but her brain's ballooning, she felt a tight knot in her stomach but she also felt the fluttering butterflies in it, her back was rigid but her legs were weak and she was scared she'll loose all her strength and she'll be on her knees any second, she was confused but at the same time her heart felt overjoyed, she felt light and soaring.

"Ehem," he faked a cough to get her attention. "Relax, I will not pound on you to hurry, just know that I already laid my claim and you can't do anything about it anymore," he stated. "For tonight, I just wanna hold your hand and take you in my arms while we dance to our song," he finished. He plucked his hand phone out of his front pocket, press a number and said one word, "Now!"

And as if on cue, the scent and sound of love mix in the air as Mideoyo played, "Shall we?"

She reached out to his outstretched hands and firmly placed hers, "Thank you," she whispered.

"No," he answered, "I thank you, for letting me fulfill my promise and for giving me the chance-"

They reached the middle of the dance floor, he twirled her around, looked her in the eye and mouthed, "I LOVE YOU... ALWAYS!" before he took her in his arms and waltzed to the song he had dedicated to her the moment his heart knew and recognized that she's the one.