Mistake

The night lights of Seoul seem to slide swiftly past the window, marking my first night in the city. Everything here is new and strange to me, a girl raised in the United States. It was there, just three months ago, that I found the man of my dreams.

"Are you nervous, darling?"

His sidelong glance captures mine as he holds my hand, kissing it gently while driving. His smile melts me inside; I can hardly believe my luck in marrying him.

"A little. What if your mother doesn't like me?"

"Impossible."

His smile eases my nerves, the same butterflies in my stomach dancing since the first day we met. We met at a party in the US; he was there for work, and I, trying to get over a failed relationship. It was love at first sight, and since then, we haven't been apart. When he had to return to Korea, we just couldn't stay away from each other.

When he proposed to me, after a night of love, I was lost in thought. He would leave the next day, and the idea of ​​losing him after three intense months was unbearable.

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"

He strokes my hair, and I get lost in his perfect face.

"I was thinking I'll miss you."

"Really, Miss 'I won't get attached to you'?"

"I said that? Well, if I did, I don't remember."

We joke, and he kisses me.

"I'll miss you too. I never imagined finding a wonderful woman like you and falling in love."

His passionate gaze leaves me speechless.

"Falling in love?"

"Yes, Jane. I fell in love with you, and I don't want to say goodbye."

"Honestly, I fell in love with you too."

He looks at me with the same enthusiasm, and the butterflies continue.

"Woman, don't say that, or I'll be tempted to do something crazy!"

We laugh together, and the feeling is indescribable.

"What kind of crazy?"

He seems to hesitate for a moment but continues.

"Please, don't be scared. I'll understand if you don't want to, or if you think it's too soon. What if we didn't have to part?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if I asked you to stay by my side forever?"

His words melt me, and I know I would do anything for him.

"I wouldn't think twice and say yes!"

"Then, since we're in Vegas, let's get married tonight!"

"What?"

I laugh, thinking he's joking, but his serious face makes me realize he's serious.

"Are you serious?"

"I've never been more serious in my life. Since the first night we were together, I knew you were special. Marry me, and I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world!"

"Please, don't joke about this."

"I'm not joking, Jane. All I want is for, when I catch that plane back to Korea tomorrow, you to be by my side, holding my hand as my wife. So, I'll ask again. Will you accept this madness and marry me?"

"Of course, yes!"

I jump on him, showering him with kisses, and that same night, we got married in one of the famous chapels in Las Vegas. It wasn't the wedding of my dreams, but he was the man of my dreams.

Now, on my first day in Seoul, Daon wants to take me to dinner at his mother's house, who, like his friends, is unaware of our union. Everything was resolved so quickly that I still wonder how I had the courage to move to the other side of the world for a man.

"We've arrived."

Daon unbuckles my seatbelt and holds my hand, bringing my face close to his for a gentle kiss on the lips, followed by a kiss on the tip of my nose.

"No need to be nervous, my love. Everything will be fine! Just give one of those charming smiles that won over my mother, as well as me."

He reassures me, and I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. He gets out of the car and opens the door for me, guiding me to the beautiful and well-decorated house where we are. Soon, we meet a lady with short hair and almond-shaped eyes.

"Omma!"

He lets go of my hand and hugs his mother, lifting her off the ground.

"Oh, my son, I missed you so much!"

She hugs him, but doesn't take her eyes off me, and just by her look, I realize she's judging the length of my dress, which might not be the ideal choice for meeting the mother-in-law.

"I missed you too, Omma! Look what I brought for you."

He hands her a gift wrap, and she opens it, finding a very beautiful green knit sweater.

"Ah, you shouldn't have, my son, but thank you very much! I loved it! And who is this... girl?"

I could feel the disdain when she referred to me, and I swallowed hard. Daon comes to me, putting his arm around my shoulder and leaving a kiss on my forehead.

"Mother, I want you to meet Jane, my wife!"

"Mrs. Lee, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I extend my hand and give her my best smile as she smiles mockingly, thinking it was one of Daon's jokes. However, upon noticing the diamond ring on my finger, her expression changes completely, casting a reprimanding look at her son.

"Lee Seung, have you gone crazy? Have you lost your mind? How can you bring any girl home and say she's your wife?"

"Mother, please! I won't allow you to speak about Jane like that!"

"And how do you want me to speak? My son leaves here to do a show in the United States and comes back three months later saying he married a foreigner. Do you know how many years I dreamed of your wedding? How could you marry without your family?"

"It was a quick wedding in Vegas."

She runs her hands through her head as she takes a deep breath, trying to control herself.

"You and I, NOW, in the library!"

She says and walks away. He turns to me and gives me a gentle kiss, calming me down.

"Just wait for me here for a minute! I'll be right back!"

He follows her to the wooden door on the side of the room and closes the door behind him. I was very nervous and, being very curious, I approached the door to hear the conversation.

"Didn't you think for a moment about your mother before doing something like this?"

"Mother, you talk as if I had killed someone."

"No, but you destroyed your life by joining with a woman who is not good for you!"

"How can you say she's not good for me if you hardly let her speak?"

"My son, think about it. How long have you known this woman? Where did you meet her?"

"I met her at a party three months ago, but the time doesn't matter because from the first day, I knew she was the woman I wanted for myself."

"Why? Did she go to bed with you on the first night?"

"Mother, I'm not going to talk about this with you."

"My son, she's just anyone. She would have gone to bed with anyone else. A woman like that goes with anyone."

"Mother, please! I'm not going to sit here and listen to you speak ill of my wife."

"Son, have you stopped to think that she might be a scammer? A gold digger who only wants your fame and your money?"

"Mother, she's not like that!"

"My son, please! Look me in the eyes. Your mother who has always loved you so much and has always supported you in everything. Don't you really think, deep down in your heart, that you made a mistake marrying her so quickly?"

He took a deep breath and said the phrase that would confirm all my worst fears.

"Maybe..."

When I heard that, tears rolled down my face, and I left without wanting to hear any more words. I walked down the street not having the slightest idea of ​​where I was or where I was going. It was already night, and I didn't know anyone in that country. How could I be so stupid and leave my life and my country for someone I only knew for three months? Once again, life was showing me that not always when they knock on our door should we open it.