“I’ll repeat my question, don’t you want to making love with me?”
For a few moments, Darwin was left speechless, staring intently at Veronica’s face. His wife was clearly speaking casually, as if inviting him to play a game as casually as inviting him to the market. It sounded so effortless and without the slightest burden. Could this be happening because Veronica was under the influence of alcohol?
“You’d better go to sleep.”
Instead of accepting his wife’s offer, Darwin gave a command. He then slowly guided Veronica to lie down.
“Win… I’m serious.”
“Do you think what I just commanded was a joke?” Darwin replied with a serious expression as Veronica now lay down.
From Darwin’s perspective, he heard Veronica sigh deeply. Even her face now had a slight pout. Perhaps she was annoyed because Darwin rejected her invitation.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try? Wasn’t it a few days ago that you were the one-”
“I was drunk at that time, Ve,” Darwin interrupted hurriedly. He knew where the conversation with his wife was headed. “And now, I’m sure you’re in the same state. Just so you know, I don’t want to be involved with someone who’s drunk. Because there’s a potential they’ll forget what they did the next day.”
Again, Veronica sighed and shook her head. She clearly didn’t accept being accused of being drunk by her husband.
“Oh my, Darwin Walters, who’s the one actually drunk? I’m perfectly sober.”
“Oh, really?” Darwin retorted, squinting his eyes. He certainly didn’t believe a word of what Veronica was saying. Her actions alone were suspicious.
“I’m serious. I’m not drunk, Win. So, are you sure you don’t want to try?”
Veronica seemed to be teasing on purpose. Her fingers even appeared to caress Darwin’s arm with a slow movement.
“That’s enough… come on…” Darwin warned as he gently brushed Veronica’s fingers away from his arm. Swiftly, he pulled the blanket and covered his wife’s entire body. “Now, go to sleep quickly. If I keep hearing you ramble, I won’t take you out tomorrow,” Darwin threatened playfully. He was treating his wife like a little child.
“Win!”
Darwin put his index finger to his lips, signaling his wife not to protest or make noise. Ignoring his wife’s annoyance, Darwin climbed onto the bed and, quite casually, fell asleep first.
The next day, Darwin kept his promise and took Veronica out for a walk. They visited almost all the interesting places together. From Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Coex, Itaewon, to Namsan Tower.
Moreover, Darwin and Veronica captured photos several times, especially when they were at Namsan Tower.
Perched on Mount Namsan, 479 meters above sea level, Namsan Tower stood out as a landmark in Seoul City. This place was also very popular among Korean drama fans.
In addition to its many romantic spots, there were various exciting facilities to try while in the complex of this tallest tower in Korea.
“Here, you might want to try it too, like other people,” Darwin said while offering something to his wife.
“A padlock?” Veronica asked with a furrowed brow. Initially, she didn’t understand why her husband was giving her a small white padlock along with a black marker. “What’s this for, Win?”
Darwin didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he led Veronica to quicken their pace until they finally reached a spot with a row of fences adorned with numerous padlocks.
“Make a heart lock for me.”
Veronica laughed without realizing it. Then, shortly after, she protested. “So unclear.”
“Besides, how could you not get it? Look around you. Those locks are used to write your name and your partner’s. According to local myths here, if you write our names, the relationship will endure.”
“Oh, it’s like the one in Paris, right?”
Darwin nodded, understanding what Veronica meant. Apart from Korea, there were indeed many love lock attractions. One of the most famous ones is in Paris and Germany.
“That’s why I said, maybe you want to try and do what other visitors are doing.”
Veronica laughed. She didn’t actually believe in unrealistic myths like this. But, for the fun of it, it seemed fine.
So, shortly after, the beautiful woman began to open the cap of the marker, then wrote a name on the lock Darwin had given her. Without any hesitation, she hung it on one of the fences there.
“Veronica – Darwin. Happily ever after,” Darwin spelled out after Veronica successfully hung it on the available fence. “Are you sure you want to write my name there?” the man asked, then turned to his wife.
“Why? You’re not okay with your name being written there? Or could it be you’re afraid of spending your entire life together with me?”
Darwin reflexively shook his head. But, deep down, he was also denying Veronica’s accusation just now.
“Not really. In fact, I’m the one who’s doubtful. Are you sure you want to live with a guy like me, a troublemaker, for the rest of your life?”
A soft chuckle escaped Veronica’s lips. Somehow, Darwin had labeled himself as a troublemaker. Usually, he was always proud and boasted about himself in front of her.
“Well, if your attitude remains as sweet as it is now for a lifetime, I don’t think I’ll regret growing old with you,” Veronica replied as she walked away, leaving Darwin unknowingly smiling upon hearing his wife’s confession.
Upon closer inspection, Darwin and Veronica spent the longest time touring Namsan Tower. But as soon as Kennedy called, they both decided to join her in Myeongdong, where their cousins were gathering.
Taking a taxi, 10 minutes later Darwin and Veronica arrived at a café in Myeongdong. Before they could even sit down, Luna approached Veronica, inviting her to wander around.
“Ve, do you like shopping for cosmetics or skincare?”
Veronica immediately nodded. After all, which woman on this earth doesn’t like cosmetics?
“I do. Why?”
“Do you want to come with me? This place is a shopping paradise. There are many original brand cosmetics and skincare products sold at lower prices.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. That’s why, do you want to come and take a look with me?”
Veronica then looked at Darwin, as if signaling whether her husband allowed her to go with Luna.
“It’s okay if you go. I’ll wait here with Kennedy and Randy.”
Veronica smiled widely. Without much thought, she held Luna’s arm and walked out of the café, ready to explore the cosmetic and skincare stores that lined Myeongdong.
“How was your sightseeing, Win? Fun?” Kennedy initiated the conversation as Darwin joined them at the table.
“It was alright,” Darwin nodded as he took a sip of the drink that Randy had just handed him.
“Also, during your time in Korea, have you and Veronica used my gift yet?”
Randy threw a probing glance. Waiting for Darwin’s response, he seemed to already anticipate what his cousin was about to say. Judging by his expression, Randy seemed to know what Darwin was going to say.
“Why would Veronica and I use your gift, Ran? You really have too much free time.”
“So, during your time in Korea, you two just didn’t do anything? No use for the stamina enhancers or the lingerie I gave you?”
Darwin shook his head. Then, he responded to the ridiculous question Randy had just thrown.
“Who said anything about ‘stamina enhancers’?”
“So, during four days in Korea, you and Veronica didn’t do anything?”
Darwin shook his head again.
“Not at all.”
“Goodness, seriously.”
Randy let out a long sigh. He was surely wondering why he had a dim-witted cousin like Darwin. Sharing a room, even in a legitimate bond, why hadn’t they tried to do what a husband and wife should have done a long time ago?
“Should’ve given him a gift yesterday instead of a potency medicine, Ran,” Kennedy, who had been silent until now, spoke up. Actually, he was also getting annoyed by Darwin’s behavior, which up until now, still clung to his ego.
“So, what kind of gift should you have given him?” Randy asked curiously.
“If the goal is to enhance their be intimate, then give him an aphrodisiac.”
Randy snapped his fingers in the air. Why hadn’t he thought of this medicine yesterday?
“True. I didn’t think of it at all.”
“Well, because both of us are normal. So, we didn’t even consider resorting to things like aphrodisiacs.”
“So, you think I’m not normal?” Darwin retorted, not accepting it. It’s not like he was abnormal just because he didn’t want to have intercourse with Veronica. What’s wrong with self-control?
“If you look closely, it seems you’re really not normal, Win. You can share a room, even a bed, with Veronica, but you haven’t done anything at all,” Randy teased.
Darwin sighed lazily. He was most irritated when discussing sensitive topics like this. It was a given that he would lose in arguing with them, and it would eventually become a subject of mockery.
“Besides, why are you guys so insistent that I must have a relationship with Veronica? What’s the point?”
“So that you’ll realize sooner that being in a lawful and halal relationship is more enjoyable and blessed.”
“What Kennedy just said is 100% true, Win,” Randy continued without stopping. The two of them seemed united in attacking Darwin, making it difficult for him to maneuver or defend himself. “Don’t end up regretting later because you’ve wasted your own wife. Or are you okay with the idea of Veronica being touched by another man? Like Sean, for example.”
At the mention of the name Sean, Darwin seemed to react. He was about to protest when suddenly Luna appeared. Running halfway and even with audible breaths, Kennedy’s wife rushed over.
“Win, it’s serious. Really, really serious,” Luna said with a panicked expression.
“Luna, what’s wrong? What’s so serious?” Darwin inquired. Seeing Luna’s unusual demeanor made him instantly concerned.
“Yeah, dear,” Kennedy added. She was also curious about what was happening. “Why were you running around like that?”
Luna took a deep breath. She tried to control her breathing before explaining.
“I-it’s… Veronica.”
“Yes, what about Veronica?” Darwin replied. Seeing Luna’s unusual expression made him start to worry.
“Veronica is missing. We got accidentally separated, and I can’t find her anywhere.”
“What?”
Darwin and his two cousins were all taken aback. After hearing the clear account of what had happened, they all decided to search for Veronica together.
***