Chapter Text
She walked down the stairs in a sparkly white dress. Trying to display poise and confidence that hid the bundle of nerves she felt on the inside. The guests were watching her with awe and curiosity, making Kitty send a mental thank you to Yuri for the thousandth time for her beautiful creation. She flashed her trademark crooked smile, walking towards the host of the event and the reason for her headache the last two weeks.
Meanwhile, Min Ho was at the bar on the other side of the room. He took a break from laughing at his father's guests with Dae to see what the spectacle was about. He managed to see a woman in a blinding white dress and with fiery red hair walking towards his father. Though he could not see the identity of the woman, he immediately felt the impact of her presence. He felt his heart skip a beat, making him feel something he thought had died years ago.
He had to talk to her, to look at her, and get rid of the raging anxiety at not knowing who she was.
Two Weeks Earlier
"Halmeoni! 제가 수정한 질문 내용 보셨나요?" (Have you seen the changes I made to the questions?)
"왜 나한테 묻는 거야? 난 은퇴했어, 좀 내버려 둬!" (What are you asking me for? I'm retired, don't bother me!)
Kitty rolled her eyes and chuckled. It was still hard to believe that her dreams of being a matchmaker were a reality. If her 11-year-old self could see her now.
After graduating from NYU with a degree in psychology, Kitty went from one clinical internship to the next, trying to find her niche. Her career had no clear trajectory and not even her high-maintenance self could plan what's next. Her family provided her with constant support, especially her father who encouraged her to take a trip to Korea to visit Jiwon and Halmeoni.
“Kitten, the last time I saw that fire and drive in you was when you were in Korea. Maybe going back can help you find what you want in life. If it doesn’t, at least it can remind you that you have people in your corner. And no, I’m not talking about ‘he who shall not be named,’” Dan said, trying to motivate her.
“Dad, you can say his name. He’s not Voldemort,” Kitty said, trying not to flinch.
“He may as well be. Ever since you guys broke up, you lost that sparkle in your eyes. The one that said ‘I’m Kitty Song-Covey and I can do anything!’”
“It wasn’t just his fault,” Kitty explained, “I said that I would be there for him and be committed to this relationship. I let things get so bad.”
“You were in school. NYU, for heavens sake!”
“But that doesn’t mean I should have ignored the signs. Maybe he wouldn’t have given up on me, on us” Kitty exclaimed, tearing up. It didn’t matter how much time passed. The wound felt as fresh as it did when he walked out of her life.
“Look Kitten, I don’t want to upset you” Dan said, grabbing her face in his hands, “I just want my little girl back. The fearless girl that reminds me everyday of her mom. You have a passion and strength inside you that is unparalleled to anything I’ve ever seen. I know it’s still there. I just think you need a new environment to find it in. What do you say?”
Taking his advice, Kitty set off for Korea for what was initially a short trip to see family. After spending a few days with Halmeoni, Jiwon and Alex, and their beautiful daughter Ji-a; Kitty was starting to feel a weight being lifted. But it wasn’t until two days before she was due to leave that Halemoni handed her a lifeline.
"자칭 중매사라고 하더군요. 실력을 한번 보여주세요. 제가 이 일을 영원히 할 수는 없으니까요. 후계자가 필요하고, 가문 내에서 이어가고 싶습니다" (You claim to be a matchmaker. Let me see what you can do. I can't keep doing this forever. I need a successor and I want to keep it in the family), Halemoni said, with Jiwon nodding beside her. The timing was so perfect, Kitty couldn't help but wonder if her dad and sisters put her up to this. But for once, Kitty didn't overthink it. Other than her dad, Trina, LJ, and Peter; there was nothing keeping her in the U.S. Maybe her dad was right. Spending time in Korea would help her find some direction, even if it was home to the one person Kitty had not been able to let go of. Kitty agreed and spent the next few years shadowing Halmeoni, and seeing real matchmaking at work. She would watch in awe in how Halmeoni would bring people together and plant the seed of love in those who never believed in it in the first place. Kitty learned how to look at relationships with a more discerning eye and that a relationship is not just about the two individuals, but also the creation of said two people together. Kitty felt more enlightened than she had in long time, maybe more than she did in college. Money well spent, NYU. She also was able to work on her language skills since her Korean was still rusty. She spent time with Jiwon and Alex, and her adorable new baby cousin who was like a ray of sunshine in a dark and cloudy void. Six months ago, Halmeoni finally gave her seal of approval and handed her the business.
"더 이상 가르쳐 줄 게 없습니다. 언제 한 발 물러서서 다른 사람에게 주도권을 넘겨야 할지 잘 알고 있습니다. 당신이 해낼 수 있다는 걸 알고 있습니다" (There is nothing more I can teach you. I know when to step back and let others lead. I know you can do this), Halemoni exclaimed as Kitty stood there with tears in her eyes. "너무 지쳤고, 남은 인생을 제대로 살고 싶어요. 이제 은퇴할 때가 됐어요." (I am too tired and I want to live the remaining life I have. It's time to retire.)
Weeks later, Kitty's parents and sisters traveled to Korea to celebrate Halmeoni's retirement and Kitty's new career. During the retirement party thrown by Jiwon, Dan took Kitty aside. He hugged her and looked her in the eyes whispering, "There's that sparkle."
Looking back on it now, Kitty realized how right her dad was. She not only found herself, but also rediscovered the love of her family and the support system that was always with her. She felt closer to her mom and to her old self, albeit with more prudence and tact. She could no longer afford to dive in head first into situations now that she's in charge of the family business.
Kitty started organizing her workspace, proudly displaying Ji-a's latest drawing. She was looking over her revised questionnaire sheet when a notification came in from her email. This was one of Kitty's changes to the matchmaking business that helped bring it into the 21st century. However, she didn't go crazy with it. She wanted to keep Halmeoni's essence so you weren't going to see matchmaking TikTok dances any time soon.
Kitty looked at the email and her blood ran cold at the sender's name.
Young Moon
The man who tore her away from the love of her life.