Chapter 15

After a long discussion, Jun Su and I decided to put my illness behind us, and kept it from his parents.

“We can’t let them know,” I said. “They would worry.”

“I was gonna tell my mother so that she can look out for you while you’re preparing for our wedding. I want her to make sure you’re not overworked.”

“And you want to add to her stress by having her watch me 24/7? No, Jun Su. Don’t be crazy.”

“I guess you’re right,” he conceded. And we decided not to tell his family.

It was finally the day of my wedding. I woke up that morning and stared at the ceiling. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be waking up with Jun Su beside me. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be Mrs. Kim. I smiled to myself at the thought of it. I’d always imagined myself to be alone for life, until I met Jun Su.

I remembered lying to him about wanting the Stevie Wonder CD back when we first met. I’d told him that I wanted it as a present for my father. When he found out that I had no parents, he’d been livid.

“How can you tell such a lie?” he exclaimed.

“Come on,” I said. “Would you have let me have it just like that?”

“I might have,” he said.

“You liar!”

“Fine… I wouldn’t have,” he admitted.

“You see…”

“I can’t believe it,” he laughed.

“Neither can I,” I smiled.

Dae In came to pick me up and brought me to the stylist who was going to dress me, put on my makeup and do my hair. We arrived at the church 2 hours later and Dae In helped me out of the car after getting out first. She closed the door and started arranging my train as the driver drove the car away. We walked into the church and were greeted by Jun Su’s mother at the corridor.

“You look beautiful, my dear,” she smiled.

I was wearing a cream coloured, empire cut, strapless dress. The skirt was a little flared, but not puffy and it touched the floor with a little train extending out at the back. I had a short veil and around my neck, I wore the diamond necklace Jun Su’s parents had given me as an engagement present. In my ears were the matching diamond earrings.

Since I was an orphan and I had no relatives in Korea, Jun Ho was going to give me away. I met up with him at the door. Dae In gave me a hug before she walked into the church with Jun Su’s mother.

“Ready to go?” he smiled.

“What if I’m not?”

“I’ll have to haul you in, then. Cos that’s what Jun Su asked me to do,” he winked.

“Then I’ll just come quietly. I don’t want to be hauled around like a piece of meat,” I laughed.

The string quartet, Jun Su’s parents had invited, started playing, and the doors opened slowly. I linked my arm with Jun Ho’s and we started walking. There were about 200 people in the church, and each of them turned to look at me expectantly. What were they thinking? Were they judging me? Were they wondering why a family of Jun Su’s stature would allow their son to marry a nobody like me? I looked away from the crowd and focused on Jun Su, he was grinning at me, like he’d won the lottery. Beside him stood Yoo Chun, looking bored. As I passed the final row in the aisle, I turned to look at Dae In.

“Hwaiting!” she mouthed, and I smiled.

Jun Su extended his hand to me, and I took it. No turning back now. The memories of everything that we’d been through together flashed through my mind. From now on, there were new memories to make and a new life ahead. I felt like I was floating and I wasn’t even listening to what the pastor was saying. Somehow, I managed to automatically recite my vows when it was my turn.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the pastor finally said.

Jun Su turned to face me, and leaned down to kiss me. Cheers erupted in the church when he kissed me and as he pulled away, he smiled at me. There was something about his smile that day. It was different from the smiles he usually had. It looked at lot like contentment.

The church service was over and we were at the wedding reception. We’d taken advantage of the cool weather, since it was just the beginning of autumn, and decided to have the reception in tents, outdoors. Jun Su and I swayed slowly to ‘You Were Meant for Me’, our song. It was the very first song we’d danced to, as a couple, and Jun Su had made sure they were playing it at our wedding. As we danced, he sang softly into my ears.

The sky darkened, with night approaching. Jun Su and I changed out of our wedding finery and walked out towards the car waiting to take us to the airport. We were going to Bora Bora for our honeymoon. I stopped halfway down the pathway to the car, to throw my bouquet at the girls waiting. After I did, Dae In and Jun Su’s parents came to hug us.

“Take care of onni, Jun Su oppa,” Dae In told Jun Su.

“I will,” he smiled.

“Enjoy yourselves,” Jun Su’s parents said.

“We will,” I replied.

“You guys forgot about me?” Yoo Chun suddenly appeared.

“Yoo Chun,” Jun Su smiled, and they gave each other a brotherly hug.

“Have fun,” he winked at us, and we both laughed. Yoo Chun would always be incorrigible.

We got into the car and turned behind to wave as we drove off.

“Are you ready, Mrs. Kim?” Jun Su asked me as he took my hand in his.

“I’m ready, Mr. Kim,” I replied confidently, and he kissed me.

Chapter 14

After sending Yoo Chun and Dae In home, Jun Su started driving in a direction which was definitely not towards my apartment.

“Where are we going?” I asked him.

“To a doctor,” he said.

“I don’t want to see a doctor,” I said angrily. Why didn’t he understand? There was no reason for me to see one.

“Can you shut up for once and listen to me?” he said. His voice was firm and calm, but this usually meant that he was getting angry.

“There is nothing wrong with me, and if there were, I don’t wanna waste the time and money keeping me alive and suffering until the day I die. I’d rather die, not knowing, just like that.”

“You’re always thinking about yourself; how you want to live your life, how you want things done. And you’ve never spared a thought for those around you,” he said angrily.

“It’s my life. And who said that I’ve always lived it the way I want to. I’m marrying you because you want us to get married. Did I ever ask you to marry me? I didn’t. How dare you accuse me of being selfish?”

“If marrying me is such a burden, then don’t. I don’t need you to marry me if it’s such a big sacrifice to you. I don’t want to marry you only to have you die on me and my family, who already treat you as if you were their own.”

After hearing Jun Su’s outburst, I realized I’d gone a little too far. I never wanted to hurt him or his family and I do care about them.

“Jun Su-yah,” I said as I took his hand and squeezed it. He sighed wearily and he squeezed back. “Mian,” I said softly.

“I’m sorry too. Can we just go see the doctor?”

“Can we go another day? I’m not ready for whatever the doctor might say today.”

“Fine. I’ll make an appointment with my family’s physician. We’ll go sometime next week. Alright?”

“Ne,” I replied as I leant my head over to rest on his shoulder as he drove.

The next week came quickly, and I was in the hospital all day doing tests and getting every part of my body checked up. I had to run on a treadmill, hooked this machine which measured my heartbeat, I had blood tests, scans, x-rays taken and by the end of the day, I felt exhausted from it all. Jun Su was with me all the way, holding my hand whenever he could.

“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with you,” he said reassuringly. “Just bear with it, alright? I just want to be sure you’re healthy,” he added, and I smiled at him.

Just in case anyone wondered, I don’t have parents. I’ve lost them a long time ago and I’ve not been told whether they’d died or they’d just abandoned me. I could only hope now that I do not have any hereditary diseases.

It was almost 4pm when we finally ended up in Jun Su’s family’s physician’s office. Dr. Song had been the Kim family’s physician since Jun Su was a child and his word and health advice was always followed to the letter.

“So this is your wife-to-be?” Dr. Song asked Jun Su.

“Ne,” he smiled. “You’ve received the wedding invitation, haven’t you?”

“Yes I have. Thank you,” Dr. Song smiled as he opened up my file.

We looked on anxiously as Dr. Song scanned through the reports collected from the day’s tests. When he was done, he closed it and looked up at us as he clasped his hands together.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat your condition, my dear,” he said.

“Is there something wrong with me?” I asked.

“You have acute cardiomyopathy,” he said.

“Acute what?” Jun Su said.

“In layman’s terms, a minor heart failure,” Dr. Song explained. “It’s a type of heart disease in which the heart muscle is abnormally enlarged, thickened and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart muscle's ability to pump blood is usually impaired. Is there a history of this disease in your family?”

“I was pretty much orphaned, and no one has ever told me of what had happened to my parents.”

“Hmm… then there’s nothing much we can do about it. I suspect that it’s a hereditary condition for you.”

“What do we need to do?” Jun Su asked. “Is it fatal?”

“It could be if she doesn’t take care of herself. You must have been really stressed lately. Have you experienced chest pains before the last one you had last week?”

“I’ve had them once or twice during my school days.”

“Well, I can only put you on medication and we’ll see if we can get it under control. If it gets worse, we may have to consider a heart transplant.”

“A heart transplant?” I exclaimed as I stared at the doctor. This was the reason why I hadn’t wanted to see the doctor. Never in my life had I ever had an operation and I didn’t want one to happen, ever.

“Sierra, calm down,” Jun Su said. “It’ll be alright.”

I turned and stared at Jun Su. He had no idea of the fear I was going through now. What if I didn’t get better? What if I don’t survive the operation? I felt cold sweat beading on my forehead as I was terrified by the thought of never seeing Jun Su again.

Chapter 13

Jun Su oppa and Sierra onni rushed down to the hospital with me as soon as I got the call. What happened? I can’t bear to imagine what had happened to Yoo Chun. As soon as Jun Su oppa stopped the car in front of the hospital’s main doors, I hopped out and ran in as fast as I could towards the registration counter.

“I received a call,” I said breathlessly, “about my husband, Park Yoo Chun.”

“Hold on,” the receptionist said as she clicked around on her computer. “He’s still in the ER area,” she told me.

“ER? Is his injury serious?” I asked her.

“I wouldn’t know. You can go see for yourself. It’s down this corridor, on your left,” she pointed.

“Kamsahamnida,” I said as I ran in the direction she pointed.

As I entered the ER and I felt intimidated by the atmosphere there. Doctors and nurses were bustling around and there were a few sick or injured people waiting to be treated. Where was Yoo Chun?

“Dae In,” I heard him call my name and I turned around. There he was, sitting on a bench with a neck brace on.

“Yoo Chun,” I ran to him and hugged him tightly as he stood up.

“Calm down or you’re going to break my neck,” he smiled as I looked up at him. He pushed my hair back and his hand rested at the nape of my neck.

“What happened?” I asked him.

“Some fool crashed into the back of my car. Thankfully, all I got was a little sprain on my neck.”

“And the other driver?”

“No injuries.”

“I came here expecting you to have an arm broken or something like that,” I said.

“You want that to happen to me?” he asked.

“No… I meant that I’d expected the worse. Thank god you’re fine.”

“Let’s go,” he said as he put his arm around me and steered me out of the ER. “This place is depressing.”

As we walked out, we met up with Jun Su oppa and Sierra onni.

“You’re fine,” Jun Su oppa exclaimed.

“Of course I am,” Yoo Chun smirked.

“Then why did you have to call us?” Jun Su oppa asked.

“My car was towed away,” he explained.

“You could’ve taken a taxi,” Jun Su oppa said.

“Fine, I wanted my wife to come and comfort me. You got a problem with that?” Yoo Chun half-shouted.

“No,” Jun Su oppa laughed. “No problem with that.”

I was feeling happy as we walked out together, the four of us. He actually needed me. How much longer do I need before his heart belonged to me?

[Sierra’s POV]

We walked out of the hospital after meeting up with Yoo Chun and Dae In. Thank god it was a minor injury. I don’t know how Dae In would take it if it had been serious. I smiled to myself. Yoo Chun finally admitted that he needed Dae In. I was so happy for the both of them.

As we reached the car, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I stopped and gasped at the impact of it.

“Sierra,” Jun Su grabbed me as I looked like as if I was about to fall over.

“I felt a pain,” I said, with my hand still pressing over my chest.

“Pain? Let’s go back in and check it out,” he said.

“No, I’ll be fine.” I said. I didn’t like hospitals, and I wasn’t about to subject myself to an examination willingly.

“Onni, come on. Let’s go back in and have the pain checked out,” Dae In urged me.

“You’re getting married soon. You have to be in good health,” Yoo Chun reminded me.

“I’ll be fine,” I said stubbornly as I got into the car.

Jun Su sighed. He knew he couldn’t make me, so he gave in and we drove Yoo Chun and Dae In back home in silence.

Chapter 12

Our first kiss… it was everything I’d wanted it to be; sweet, melting and passionate. As he continued to kiss me, his hands stroked my arm while the other, he placed around my neck, sort of supporting my head. I became emboldened by my passion, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to pull him down closer against me. He stopped for a moment and looked at me questioningly. He must have been surprised. Did he think I would always be sweet and innocent? I pulled him down and kissed him hard, and from then on, we didn’t stop.

I sighed with pleasure as he kissed and nuzzled my neck. My legs were now wrapped around his waist, and he seemed to be really enjoying this.

“Dae In,” he breathed against my neck.

“Hmm?” I murmured.

“I think I’m starting to like you,” he said, as he looked up at me.

I looked into his eyes and I really didn’t know if I should be happy or sad. He liked me. He just started to like me. What about my feelings? I liked him from the moment I met him. And now, I think I’m starting to love him. This honeymoon had opened my eyes to a new part of Yoo Chun I’d not seen. I think I love him already. I reached out my hand and stroked his cheek.

“Same here,” I replied.

For now, I won’t tell him how I really feel. Maybe later…

“Dae In,” I heard someone call my name, and I was jolted out of my reverie.

“Huh?” I said as I turned to look.

“Dae In,” onni repeated. “How do I look?” she asked me. I took in her entire outfit. She looked beautiful. I guess happiness does matter when you’re getting married. You tend to look extra radiant when you are happy.

“Gorgeous,” I smiled.

“Be serious, Dae In,” onni said. “I’m getting married in 2 weeks. There’s no time to make a new one if we don’t decide now.”

“You look fine!” I insisted.

“Are you sure?” she asked me, and I was close to exasperation. Onni was usually the decisive one. This wedding was turning her into a nervous wreck.

“She’s right,” Jun Su oppa said as he walked in. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, oppa,” I smiled. “You see what you’ve done to my onni? This whole wedding is turning her into a bundle of nerves. Can’t you guys just go get registered and be done with it? You don’t need a wedding banquet and all that,” I laughed.

“My mother would kill me,” Jun Su oppa laughed.

“And I do not want to be the cause of his death,” onni smiled as she walked over and put her arms around Jun Su oppa’s waist.

“You guys…” I laughed. “Enough PDA. I’m feeling left out.”

After the fittings, we went for coffee at a nearby café and discussed their honeymoon.

“I wanna go to Bora Bora,” Sierra onni said.

“What about tsunamis?” Jun Su oppa asked.

“What about them?” onni said.

“Aren’t you afraid another will strike?”

“If we’re that lucky, I wouldn’t be marrying you now,” Sierra onni joked and Jun Su oppa pretended to look aghast.

“Why not Hawaii?” I suggested.

“Ah… Hawaii sounds fun,” Jun Su oppa said.

“What about volcanoes?” Sierra onni piped in.

“Volcanoes?” Jun Su oppa said.

“If we’re that lucky to get hit by a tsunami at Bora Bora, we must be lucky enough to have a volcano erupt while we’re at Hawaii,” onni said with a serious expression.

I laughed as Jun Su oppa glared at onni. They were a hilarious pair. Their playful bickering and loving gestures; I can’t help but envy their relationship. Yoo Chun and I were always quiet and polite around each other. We didn’t joke much, and we definitely didn’t bicker. It could be the fact onni’s older than Jun Su oppa and Jun Su oppa being playful, will never take onni’s insults and comments lying down.

We were interrupted by my mobile phone. It was a number I did not recognize.

“Yoboseyo?” I answered.

“Are you the wife of Park Yoo Chun-shi?” a lady asked.

“Nae. Who am I speaking to?” I asked.

“This is the Seoul General Hospital. Your husband has been involved in a car accident. Can you please come down to the hospital?”

Chapter 11

It’s been 2 months since Jun Su proposed. I’m now at the bridal shop, getting fitted into my wedding gown. Unlike Dae In’s, mine wasn’t an imported designer creation.

“Don't you want a dress you could cherish forever?” Jun Su asked me.

“What makes you think only designer gowns are cherished? I don’t need such an expensive gown.”

“Let her be, Jun Su,” his mother piped in. “I’m already happy to see that my soon-to-be daughter-in-law in a practical woman,” she smiled.

Our engagement party had been a big but simple affair. Jun Su was beaming throughout the entire thing and I could not help but smile back at him. So this was the man I would be spending the rest of my life with. After we’d cut the cake, Jun Su held my hand to his lips and kissed it; everyone cheered when he did.

“Ch’uk’ahamnida!” Jun Su’s schoolmate, Chang Min, came up to congratulate us on his way out.

“Thanks for coming,” Jun Su smiled as he hugged him.

“No problem,” he smiled, then he turned to me. “Nuna, you have to keep him in check from now on,” Chang Min grinned.

“Don’t worry,” I laughed. “I will,” I said as I looked at Jun Su meaningfully.

“Chang Min,” Jun Su gasped. “How can you tell her that? Now she’s gonna think that she’s the boss of me.”

“But I am,” I smiled. “Am I not?” I added as I changed my expression to one of mock seriousness. Jun Su paused for a moment to study my expression. Chang Min looked on nervously as the tension that seemed to be brewing.

“Yes you are,” Jun Su laughed and I jabbed him in the ribs as I laughed with him.

[Dae In’s P.O.V]

I’m with Sierra onni at her gown fitting. Jun Su oppa was in the other room, getting fit into his tuxedo. I looked at my mobile phone; Yoo Chun hadn’t called. He’d been making it a habit to call me at least twice a day; before lunch and on his way home. I looked at onni, and I envied her happiness. I wasn’t as happy as she was before I got married.

I can still remember her face during her engagement party. She looked blissfully happy and so did Jun Su oppa. They looked like they were meant for each other. I caught them stealing glances at each other when the other was not looking, and I envied the looks of love they gave each other. Then again, my marriage hadn’t turned out too bad either. At least not as bad as I’d expected it to be. During the entire wedding banquet, Yoo Chun and I plastered smiles on our faces. As soon as we were alone, we stopped smiling. The ride to the airport was uncomfortably silent and the flight there remained pretty much the same. But despite all that, the honeymoon turned out to be a pleasant trip. If anyone wondered, yes, Yoo Chun and I have consummated our marriage. I wasn’t even expecting him to since he’d acted like he hated me before we got married.

It happened a few days before we were due to return to Korea. We’d been caught in the rain on our way back to the hotel from dinner.

“Go shower,” Yoo Chun said as he pushed me into the bathroom.

“But you’re soaked. I’ve only got a few drops of rain splashed on me,” I protested. Yoo Chun had taken off his jacket to shield me from the rain, a gesture which I would have never expected from him. I guess he was a gentleman after all.

“I’ll be fine,” he said, as he closed the bathroom door.

I emerged from the shower to find him sleeping on the bed, on top of the covers. He’d changed out of his wet clothes and was wearing a bathrobe. The bathrobe had come apart a little, and I could see his chest and his thigh peeking through it. It made me feel queasy. Actually, I’m not even sure that ‘queasy’ is the right word to describe it. Let’s just say I felt something that I’d never felt before around Yoo Chun.

“Oppa,” I nudged him. “Oppa, wake up.”

“Hmm?” he said as he opened one eye.

“Go shower before you catch a cold,” I said.

He looked at me with an odd expression. He’d never looked at me like that before. I could feel his eyes boring into me, as if he could read my heart. I was starting to feel nervous. He reached out one hand and looked at me expectantly.

“Nawa,” he said in his deep, warm voice and I had no other option but to obey. I put my hand in his and allowed him to guide me onto the bed. I was wearing a bathrobe too and my hair was still wet from washing it earlier. Yoo Chun lay me down beside him and his fingers came to comb through my hair, bit by bit, as he spread them out on top of the pillow I lay on. When he was done with that task, his fingers came to rest of my cheek, and he slowly traced a line down my chin.

“Yoo Chun,” I whispered. I didn’t dare say anything else.

“Shh…” he said and he bent down to kiss me.

Chapter 10

My doorbell rang repeatedly and I squinted at my clock. It’s 9am on a Saturday. Who could it be? I rolled off the bed onto the floor on all fours, slipped on my Mashimaro slippers and padded sleepily out of my room, towards the front door. When I opened it, Dae In attacked me with a hug.

“Onni!! Omigod! Onni!!” she squealed.

“Dae In… waegurae?” I said sleepily.

“You’re getting married? I just heard from Yoo Chun,” she said excitedly as she took a step back.

“Oh… that? Yea. Jun Su proposed yesterday. Come on in,” I said as I turned around and walked in.

“Aren’t you excited?” she asked.

“I’m scared shitless,” I replied as I yawned again.

“Huh? Why?”

“I’m getting married, Dae In. It’s a huge deal!”

“Haha! Of course it is,” she laughed.

“But of course, it won’t be as huge as yours.”

“Well, Jun Su’s family aren’t as rich as Yoo Chun’s and mine, but Jun Su’s the eldest. So it could end up a real big event.”

“And that’s exactly what I’m not keen on.”

“Why?”

“I’m nobody. I’m a foreigner. I’m not from an elite family. I feel so inferior next to you guys.”

“Nonsense, onni! You’re one of us. Social background does not matter.”

“You have such an illustrious social background. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Onni… I’m sure that’s not the kind of girl Jun Su’s parents want for their son. They’re more liberal than most of the rich families I know.”

“I hope so,” I sighed.

Just then, I could hear my mobile phone ringing from my room.

“Chamkan,” I said to Dae In as I ran into my room to get it. I looked at the caller ID and frowned when I saw it was Yoo Chun. What did he want now?

“Yoboseyo,” I answered.

“Congratulations,” he drawled.

“What do you want?” I said curtly.

“I called to congratulate you, and I get hostility?”

“Thank you, Yoo Chun,” I said as sweetly as I could as I walked out to the living room. “You must want to talk to Dae In,” I added.

“What? She’s there?” Yoo Chun said.

“Chamshimanyo,” I said. “Dae In, your husband,” and I handed my phone to her.

“Who?” she asked.

“Yoo Chun, your husband,” I laughed.

“Oh…” she laughed. “Yoo Chun,” she answered, “What’s up?”

I sat there and watched her converse with him. I can picture him churning out his lines, convincing her that this was some friendly call to congratulate me.

“Nae,” Dae In said, “see you at home,” and she hung up.

“You guys are so sweet,” I smiled.

“Don’t tease me, onni,” she laughed as she handed my phone back to me.

“But you are,” I insisted. “I’m glad that things are turning out well for the both of you,” and I meant it.

Even though Yoo Chun did not stop calling me, I could sense now that he did care for Dae In. I know now that he wouldn’t want to hurt her. Perhaps someday, he would be able to put all this behind him and devote himself to her.

“So when’s the big day?” Dae In asked.

I smiled and I told her every single detail of the whole meeting I had with Jun Su’s family yesterday.

Chapter 9

“Weren’t you looking for Jun Su?” I asked him.

“Stop acting all innocent,” he said. “You knew I was looking for you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I tried to walk off. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Leave me alone,” I yelled at him.

“You really don’t have a shred of feeling for me, do you?” he asked.

“No,” I said as I glared at him.

“Fine, leave,” he said.

I walked off as fast as I could and I didn’t dare turn back to look at Yoo Chun. I’d thought that he’d finally put everything behind him. It seem like he hasn’t. How can I make him see that I will never reciprocate his feelings?

I’m sitting in a cafe with Jun Su. It’s been more than 6 months since we started dating, and the day I dreaded was finally here. I was going to meet his parents. Jun Su stood up and waved as soon as they walked through the door. Jun Su’s mother was a beautiful woman; stylish and classy. Jun Su once told me that she was an aspiring actress before she married Jun Su’s father. Jun Su’s father was a very distinguished man. From the minute you see him, you can sense that he was refined and cultured, just like Jun Su. Following closely behind them was Jun Su’s brother, Jun Ho. I’ve met Jun Ho on several occasions and have found him to be funny and almost as adorable as his brother. Jun Su and Jun Ho were actually fraternal twins, but they looked nothing alike, save for a few common features. Jun Ho was much taller than Jun Su and I’d often teased him for being the shorter one, despite being older.

“Oma, appa,” Jun Su called out brightly as his parents approached the table. “This is Sierra.”

“Omoni, aboji,” I bowed.

“Please,” Jun Su’s mother smiled. “There’s no need to be formal with us. Just treat us as you would your friends.”

“Oh… I can’t possibly,” I said as I smiled. “You’re Jun Su’s parents.”

“Yes, and we will be family soon,” Jun Su’s father laughed and I could feel my face turning red.

“Appa,” Jun Ho said as he sat down. “Don’t embarrass the poor girl. If you scare her away, there won’t be anyone else to marry hyung.”

“Right,” Jun Su laughed as he put his arm around me.

We sat down and the waitress came to take the orders for their drinks. Jun Su’s mother started questioning me while waiting for the drinks to arrive.

“So, Sierra. You’re not local are you?” she said.

“Come on. Just take a look at her. Do any of our Korean girls look as exotic as she does?” Jun Su’s father exclaimed.

“Of course not,” she smiled. “And I’m sure you will have really beautiful children with Jun Su in the future.”

“Oma!” Jun Su exclaimed as I lowered my head and blushed again.

“Come now, Jun Su. We’re here today to see the girl you intend to marry. I think children are within the topics up for discussion today,” she said. “Right, Sierra?”

“Erm… ne,” I nodded.

“See…” Jun Su mother turned to look at him. “Your mother is never inappropriate,” she smiled.

“So where do you work?” Jun Su’s father asked.

“I work for a small language school. We cater to schools in need of substitute English language teachers.”

“How nice!” Jun Su’s mother exclaimed. “Our Jun Ho needs a lot of work with his English. Maybe you can help him.”

“Kamsahamnida,” Jun Ho smiled to his mother. “You’ve just advertised my stupidity to my future sister-in-law.”

“But you’re not doing well. So you need help, don't you?” she said.

“Ne,” Jun Ho sighed.

We were interrupted briefly when the drinks arrived. I took the opportunity to take a few deep breaths. They seemed to be really nice people. But somehow, I felt so foreign among them.

“So when would you kids like to get married?” Jun Su’s father asked and I almost choked on my coffee. Jun Su laughed when he saw my face.

“Actually, I’ve told them everything before they came to meet you today. Today’s meeting was just to confirm my decision,” Jun Su explained.

He stood up and fished his pocket to produce a box; a ring box to be exact. He knelt down on one knee in front of me and took my hands.

“Sierra, will you marry me?” he asked. I looked at his parents, and they were smiling happily. It was a relieve to know that they liked and approved of me, but it was also awkward to be proposed to in front of them. I looked at Jun Su. He was looking at me and his eyes were filled with hope. “Marry me?” he repeated. He looked so endearing and my heart was bursting with love for him at that moment.

“Yes,” I said as tears filled my eyes. Jun Su got up and hugged me as soon as I gave my answer.

“Ya… hyung, ch’uk’ahamnida!” Jun Ho said as he patted Jun Su on the back.

The other patrons of the cafe were looking at us with curiosity. Jun Su stood up and faced everyone there.

“I’m getting married!” he shouted and the entire cafe looked at him as if he’d gone mad. Then someone started clapping and everyone else followed.

“Jun Su,” I hissed at him and pulled him to sit down beside me. I was so embarrassed that I could feel my face burning. But at the same time, I felt like the happiest girl alive.

Chapter 8

When I saw that it was Yoo Chun, I immediately passed the phone to Jun Su.

“I think it’s for you,” I said.

“Huh?” Jun Su looked puzzled, but he answered the phone anyway. “Yoboseyo? Yoo Chun? Why are you calling Sierra’s phone? You can’t get through to mine? That’s odd, I didn’t turn mine off.” We started to walk out of the Cineplex towards the car park. “So how’s Europe? Great! Haha! I’ll see you when you get back,” Jun Su ended the call as we reached his car.

“What did Yoo Chun want?” I asked.

“He said that he couldn’t get through to my phone,” Jun Su said as he passed me my mobile phone.

“Weird,” I muttered as I got into the car.

“They’ll be back next week,” he said as he turned on the ignition.

“So soon?”

“Yoo Chun said that Dae In wasn’t feeling well.”

“What? Why?”

“I dunno. Don’t worry. Yoo Chun will take good care of her.”

When they finally got back, I immediately visited Dae In at Yoo Chun’s family home. It was as huge and lavish as Dae In’s, if not more.

“Onni,” Dae In smiled as she walked out onto the patio, where I was sitting, waiting for her.

“I heard you were ill,” I said in a concerned tone.

“Just a little cough,” she smiled. “Come up to my room,” she said as she pulled me into the house. “I’ve got presents for you.”

Her room was decorated in a classic European style. The carvings, the fabric, they all reminded me of the splendor a European aristocrat’s home would have. Dae In handed me a paper bag and inside it were 5 packages.

“Open them,” she smiled. “Oh… but one of them is for Jun Su oppa.”

“Komawo,” said and we sat on the lounge in a corner of the room so that I could open the packages.

She’d bought me a Dior bag, a Hermes scarf, a pair of crystal chandelier earrings and a Chanel wallet.

“Dae In,” I gasped as I unwrapped the gifts. “These are really expensive, I can’t accept them.”

“You’ve always been the onni I never had, this is nothing compared to everything you’ve done for me.”

I felt guilty when she said that. What have I ever done for her? Other than the fact that we’d been there for each other for the past year, as room mates, there was nothing I’d done for her.

“I can’t,” I said as I put the gifts back into the paper bag and handed it to her.

“Take them, onni,” she said. “I have no one else to give them to and you are the closest friend I have. I can’t return them, and I don’t want someone else to have them.”

“But…” I started, then sighed. She was right. Who was she going to give them to? The Salvation Army? “Komawo,” I said.

“No problem,” she smiled brightly.

We heard a knock on the door and we turned around to find Yoo Chun standing there.

“Having fun?” he asked as he walked in.

“I just gave onni the gifts I brought back for her,” Dae In said.

“Sierra, you’d better appreciate every single one of those gifts. I’d to endure all those shopping trips just so she could choose them for you.”

“Araso,” I smiled.

I left about half an hour later, feeling rather relieved that Dae In and Yoo Chun were finally getting along. As I walked out towards the gates, I heard footsteps behind me. Before I could react, Yoo Chun dragged me by the hand so that we were concealed by some hedges.

“What were you trying to pull the other day?” he hissed.

“Oww,” I pulled my hand away from Yoo Chun. “What are you talking about?” I frowned at him.

“Why didn’t you answer your own phone?” he asked.

Chapter 7

I sat in the spacious drawing room in Dae In’s family’s mansion, sipping tea from a delicate cup and saucer. This was the first time I’ve been to Dae In’s house and I was in awe. How did she survive all those months living in that ratty apartment with me when she lived in this mansion all her life?

“Dae In will be down in a moment,” the housekeeper informed me politely.

“Ne,” I nodded and she walked out of the room.

10 minutes later Dae In appeared.

“Onni,” she smiled.

“Dae In,” I smiled and stood up.

“Sit down,” she said and she pulled me down beside her on the lounge.

“Everything ready for the big day?” I asked her.

“Actually, I don’t have much to do except turn up for fittings and the dinner rehearsals. The rest of the decisions are taken care of by my mother.”

“Aren’t you lucky,” I teased.

“Hmm… now if only Yoo Chun oppa paid more attention to me,” she said. She was smiling when she said that, as if she was telling a joke, but I knew behind her smile she was actually sad. I hated Yoo Chun for making her feel this way. Why couldn’t he just accept his fate and make the best of it?

“I’m sure he will once you’re married,” and I prayed to god that it will happen.

“So what brings you here today?” she asked me.

“Just dropped by to see how you’re getting on without me,” I grinned. “I can see it’s much better here than back where you used to live with me.”

“Of course not, onni,” she gasped. “I feel so lonely here. How I wish you could move here and talk to me everyday.”

“And what would I do for money?” I asked her.

“My father has buckets of it. Help yourself,” she winked.

“I don’t think your father needs another daughter,” I laughed.

“Right… he’d probably marry you off to some business partner’s son if you were his daughter,” she sighed.

I had nothing to say in response to that and I was in no position to comment on it. I can’t tell her that I understand, because there is no way in this world that anyone, other than Dae In, would understand how it felt to be in this predicament. I could only hold her hand and watch her as she cried. There were no tears, but I knew in her heart, she was crying.

The day of the wedding finally came. The ceremony was held in a huge cathedral and will be followed by brunch at a 6-star hotel and it was a huge and memorable affair. Dae In looked resplendent in a white Vera Wang creation, while Yoo Chun was the white knight he was meant to be on that day. Both of them wore blissful smiles for every photo taken and it had me wondering; did their face hurt from the entire pretense?

As the lavish brunch ended, Yoo Chun and Dae In left the hotel and got into the limo which would take them to the airport. They were going to Europe for their honeymoon. I looked on as they got in, and Jun Su came up to put his arm around me.

“Don’t worry about them,” he said. “They’ll work it out during the honeymoon and we’re gonna see a happy couple when they get back.”

“I really hope so,” I smiled.

“Let’s go in and dance some more,” he smiled and pulled me away from the verandah overlooking the entrance of the hotel.

It’s been a few days since Dae In and Yoo Chun left for Europe; I wonder how the honeymoon was going. I’m meeting Jun Su for a movie today. He’d been bugging me for a week to watch Happy Feet with him. I finally found the time and the mood today. He bought the tickets while I went to buy us some drinks and popcorn. Before the movie had even started, we were halfway through the popcorn. It got a little cold during the movie and I nudged him.

“Jun Su,” I whispered.

“Wae?” he whispered back.

“I’m cold,” I said and his arm immediately came around me and pulled me close. I snuggled against him for the rest of the movie and at some point, I fell asleep.

“Sierra,” he nudged me sometime later.

“Hmm?” I mumbled sleepily.

“The movie’s over,” he smiled. “Let’s go.”

“Already?” I asked as I stretched and yawned.

“Yes, sleepyhead. You must be really tired to be able to fall asleep like that.”

“You were so comfortable, I couldn’t help myself,” I grinned as I stood up.

As we walked out of the Cineplex, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID; it was Yoo Chun.

Chapter 6

“Mian,” I said as I ran up to Jun Su. He’d been waiting for me at the entrance of the subway station for about 30 minutes.

“Where were you?” he pouted.

“My boss held me back, the old devil,” I grumbled as we walked towards the restaurant we were having dinner at.

“That bad, huh?” he said and he put his arm around me as we weaved through the rush hour crowd.

“I long for the day when I don’t need to work anymore. I’ll stay home and pig out, watch television and maybe pop out a kid or two,” I laughed.

“You’re sure you want that kind of life? To sit at home all day and wait for your husband to come home?”

“Hmm… What other kind of life could I have?” I smiled.

“Then you’re my kinda girl,” he smiled as he gave me a kiss on my cheek.

After our quick dinner, we went to a nearby jazz bar to meet up with Yoo Chun.

“Jun Su, over here,” Yoo Chun waved as we walked in.

We sat down at the booth Yoo Chun had booked for us and I realized that the girl sitting beside Yoo Chun was not Dae In.

“Where’s Dae In?” I asked him sternly.

“Dae In? She’s probably at home,” he said dismissively.

“Who is she?” I asked him as I pointed at the girl.

“Annyong!” she said brightly. “I’m Ji Min.”

“Ji Min, do you know that Yoo Chun is engaged?” I asked her.

“Sierra, hajima…” Jun Su whispered.

“Engaged? Yoo Chun, you’re engaged?” she asked him angrily.

“Yea… so?” he said without blinking an eye.

“I’m leaving,” she said and she picked up her purse and left the table.

“You happy now?” Yoo Chun asked me.

“How can you do this to Dae In?”

“I have no ties or whatsoever with Han Dae In other than the fact that I will be marrying her in month’s time. Even after that, I will do as I please. She can have boyfriends after we’re married and I won’t even care.”

“How can you be so heartless?” I yelled at him as I stood up. “She respects you and cares for you even though she is not marrying you out of love.”

“Sierra, calm down,” Jun Su put his arm around me and pulled me down. “Yoo Chun, you shouldn’t have done that.”

“Hah… Kim Jun Su, you’re as much of a player as I am. You’re in no position to judge my morals.”

“That’s not fair, Yoo Chun. You know I’ve changed since I met Sierra.”

“That’s because you love her. I don’t love Dae In. She has no power to change me.”

“I can’t take this anymore,” I said and I left. Jun Su caught up with me as I walked out through the door.

“Sierra,” he called.

“Have you really changed?” I asked him.

“You know I have,” he said.

“I don’t want us to end up like Yoo Chun and Dae In; resentful and bitter.”

“I do love you, Sierra. I’d marry you if it weren’t for the fact that we’ve only dated for a little more than 3 months.”

“Michoso,” I laughed and nudged his head.

“Keurae… na michoso,” he smiled. Whenever Jun Su smiled, he always made me feel all gooey inside. He was adorable, yet manly, and it was a lethal combination.

“What are we going to do about the both of them?” I sighed.

“It’s really none of our business,” he said.

“But they’re our friends! How can you say it’s none of our business.”

“I really feel that they’d get over it someday and everything will be alright.”

“I just can’t imagine how heartbroken Dae In will be every time Yoo Chun goes out with a different woman.”

“I’ll try to talk to him. It might not work, since he’ll be accusing me of being the pot calling the kettle black.”

“Just try… I don’t know how else we can talk some sense into him.”

Chapter 5

Sunday came, and it was the day of Yoo Chun and Dae In’s engagement. I sat with Dae In in her room at the hotel where the banquet will be held. She looked beautiful, despite looking pale and wan, as she sat facing the window. She had on a beautiful off-white, chiffon Dior gown. It had a simple toga top which flowed down, all the way to her feet, clinging to her curves lightly and on her feet was a pair of strappy, sparkling Jimmy Choos. She’d let her hair down and had it blown out to look a little wavy. Her father had spent a fortune on today’s event; her union with Yoo Chun must really be a big merger.

“Dae In,” I walked up to her. “Do you want some water?”

“I’m fine,” she murmured as she stared blankly at the skyline outside the window.

“Just holler if you need anything,” I said. “I’m gonna zip to the loo for a bit.”

She nodded wordlessly, still not looking at me. I was worried about Dae In. Ever since the day she found out she was to marry Yoo Chun, she’d become a zombie. Did she hate Yoo Chun? Was she hurt by Yoo Chun’s attitude? I could kill that guy. Ssagaji…

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a strapless, bluish-grey dress which ended and flared out just above my knees. I studied my face. What attracted Jun Su in the first place? And now, what attracted Yoo Chun? I did not fulfill the conventional criterias for a Korean beauty. I’d always looked foreign. Perhaps that translated as exotic in some twisted way. I’d kept Yoo Chun’s confession from Dae In. Actually, I’d pretended it never happened. I didn’t have that sort of feelings for Yoo Chun and I never will. At this moment, all I want is to put the incident behind me and make sure that Dae In is happily married. As much as I wish for her freedom from this, I knew it was impossible. Her life had been mapped out for her from the day she was born.

I walked beside Dae In as we entered the holding room adjoining the banquet hall. Yoo Chun was waiting there with Jun Su.

“Sierra, waseo!” Jun Su smiled brightly when he saw me. He walked towards me, then grabbed me by the hand and twirled me. I laughed as I spun giddily. “You look beautiful today,” he said.

“It’s called the power of money,” I smiled. Dae In’s father had paid for my gown since I was to be the maid of honor.

“I love this dress, it makes you look so hot,” he said as he put his arm around my waist and we walked towards Yoo Chun and Dae In, who were getting ready for their entrance behind the door leading to the banquet hall.

“You’re here,” Yoo Chun said. He didn’t smile and his eyes looked emotionless. He was nothing like the Yoo Chun I used to see. I actually felt sorry for him, but quickly shook it off when I was reminded how he’d treated Dae In.

“Congratulations,” I said.

“Thanks, I guess,” he smiled, and you could see it was one of those bitter, half-hearted smiles. “Ready?” he asked Dae In as he held out his arm.

“Ne,” she said softly linked her arm through his.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the reasons we are here today, Park Yoo Chun-shi and Han Dae In-shi…” we heard the MC announce.

The doors opened and we were blinded by the spotlights that were trained onto Yoo Chun and Dae In. A Rachmaninoff’s 18th variation of the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini played as Yoo Chun and Dae In walked towards the stage. Jun Su and I walked out of the room the moment the spotlights followed them away from the door and sat at the table we’d been assigned to.

Yoo Chun and Dae In’s fathers made a speech while the both of them sat at a table on the stage. They thanked all the family, friends and business associates for attending and ended their speech with a toast.

“To the Han and Park empire!” Yoo Chun’s father said as he raised his glass.

“From now on, we shall be united and stronger than ever,” Dae In’s father bellowed.

It sickened me to hear the way the two of their fathers’ talked. It felt like their children were bred for the sole purpose of expanding their empires. I pitied Dae In and Yoo Chun. Their lives will always be at the mercy of their parents. I turned to look at Jun Su and he smiled at me.

“Don’t worry about the two of them,” he whispered. “They’ll get over it soon enough. Yoo Chun’s not a total brat. He’ll be nice to Dae In.” He squeezed my hand reassuringly, and I squeezed back.

We cheered loudly as Yoo Chun and Dae In cut their engagement cake. They looked like such a great couple; Dae In in her off-white Dior gown and Yoo Chun in his off-white Armani tuxedo. They were smiling for the photographers, and they actually looked happy. Dae In told me much later that they’d been trained to smile for the press since they were teenagers. It was all part of being the offspring of the CEOs of the two largest conglomerates in Korea.

After the banquet, I walked up to Dae In and touched her arm lightly.

“Onni,” she smiled as she turned to look at me. “Thank you for being here today.”

“It’s the least I could do,” I smiled. “It's a new life for you from now on,” I said. I could feel tears in my eyes as I looked at her sad expression.

“I know,” she smiled bravely.

“You’ll do great,” I said, and I hugged her.

“Komawo, onni,” she whispered.

Chapter 4

“Engagement?” we all exclaimed as we stared at him.

“Didn’t I tell you, Jun Su? My father have arranged for me to marry the daughter of one of their friends. Friend my foot! It’s just a way for him to make another business merger,” Yoo Chun bit out angrily.

I knew Yoo Chun was rich, but I didn’t think he had a father who would try to run his life.

“But you’re not working for your father, are you?” I asked him.

“I will be, after I get married,” he sighed.

“What a coincidence,” Dae In said. “I’m getting engaged this weekend too.”

“You are?” Yoo Chun looked at her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your full name earlier. What was it?”

“Han Dae In,” Dae In said slowly and as soon as she did, Yoo Chun’s face lit up in recognition, and it wasn’t the happy kind of recognition.

“So it’s you,” he said darkly.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“You’re Park Yoo Chun?” Dae In exclaimed.

“Yes, pangapsumnida,” he said sarcastically. “I’m leaving,” he said as he threw down some bills from his wallet. “Talk to you later, Jun Su.”

I was aghast at Yoo Chun’s behavior. I felt so bad for Dae In, who was sitting there looking really upset. I know that Yoo Chun wasn’t the nicest of guys, but he was being a real jerk about this. It’s not like Dae In wasn’t forced into this. I got up and chased after him.

“Sierra,” Jun Su called after me.

“Be right back,” I said as I walked out the door.

“Yah!! Yoo Chun!” I shouted at him. He ignored me and continued walking.

“Park Yoo Chun,” I shouted again and this time he stopped, but did not turn around. I caught up with him and turned him around by grabbing his shoulder. “What was that back there?”

“What do you mean?” he said.

“You were so freakin’ rude to Dae In. What’s your problem?” I yelled at him.

“She is,” he said.

“She wasn’t a willing party either. And you’re the guy, you can reject the marriage much more easily than she can.”

“You think it’s so simple? Our parents are power crazy. They think this ‘merger’ will make them undefeatable.”

“So? It’s your parents, not her. I was right to have a bad feeling when she told me she had an arranged marriage. It did turn out that she was to marry a ssagaji like you!”

“Mwo? Ssagaji?”

“Yes, you ssagaji! Ssagaji!!” I yelled at him.

Suddenly, Yoo Chun grabbed me and kissed me hard on the lips. It took me split second to realized what he was doing since I was in shock. I pushed away and swung my arm, slapping his face.

“Neo michoso?” I yelled at him.

“Keurae, na michin,” he laughed bitterly as his hand went to his cheek. “I’m going mad because of you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The main reason I don’t want to get married, is because of you. Saranghae,” Yoo Chun said.

I continued to stare at him, speechless. Had he really gone mad? I was dating Jun Su. How can he love me if I was dating Jun Su?

“I don’t believe you,” I said.

“I didn’t want to tell you,” he said. “I thought I had time. I didn’t think Jun Su would date you for more than 2 months. He usually ended his relationships within a month. He must really like you.”

“Keuman,” I said softly. “Stop this right, now.”

“I can’t,” he said. “I’m already in too deep.”

Chapter 3

I reached home an hour later, dragged myself up the stairs to my apartment, and collapsed through the main door.

“Onni, waseo!” Dae In smiled. Han Dae In is my room mate. She’s actually pretty rich and has no reason to be living in this dump with me, but she’d asked her father for a year of independence, before she was married off to some guy her family had promised her to. This was the last week of her independence.

“Oh… You’re home pretty early.”

“We closed up pretty early today, since the boss had some family matter to attend to.”

Dae In worked at a dessert shop nearby. It wasn’t a glam job, but she loved it.

“I can learn to make desserts for my future husband,” she smiled.

I salute Dae In. Here she is, enjoying her final year of freedom before she had to marry some ssagaji of a guy, and she talks about making him dessert in the future. I feared for Dae In. What if her husband turned out to be a horrible man?

“What do you want for dinner?” I asked her. I’d promised to take her out for dinner everyday of the week until her last day as my roomie.

“Can we go to that little bistro we saw the other day?”

“You wanna try out a new place?” I asked her.

“Why not?” she smiled.

“Sure, it’s your call this week,” I said as I plopped down on the sofa. “We have another 3 hours to dinner time,” I added after looking at the clock on the wall.

“Let’s watch a movie!” she said as she rustled through our collection of DVDs. She pulled out our favorite movie, ‘Ever After’. We loved Drew Barrymore. She’s such a great actress. To bad in real life, there are so many rumors about her being a nasty person. As we watched the ending, Dae In passed me a box of tissues. We always cried at the ending. It was so romantic, we couldn’t help ourselves.

“Onni…” Dae In sniffed. “How I wish I could have a romantic ending like that!”

“You can,” I said. “Your wedding is going to be as beautiful as the one Drew Barrymore had in Ever After.”

“Chintcha?” she asked me.

“Yes… of course,” I smiled reassuringly.

It was about 6pm and we started walking to this little French bistro near our place. I’d called Jun Su and asked him to meet us there for dinner. We spotted him, waiting outside with Yoo Chun, as we approached. I wrinkled my nose as I approached them; Yoo Chun was smoking again.

“Yoo Chun, you need to quit,” I said. He smiled as he dropped the fag on the floor and grinded on it with the heel of his shoe.

“Let’s go in,” Jun Su said as he put his hand on my back to guide me. I turned to look behind as we walked.

“Sorry, I forgot to introduce you guys. Yoo Chun, this is Dae In, my room mate.”

“Annyong,” Dae In said shyly as she nodded.

“Annyong,” Yoo Chun smiled at her. “Nuna, you didn’t tell me you had such a cute roomie.”

“Of course not,” I laughed. “I wouldn’t want her to fall into your clutches.”

Dinner turned out to be mediocre. This was probably the last time we were going to set foot in this bistro. However, the company was great, as usual. Whenever Jun Su and Yoo Chun were together, they've never ceased to crack me up. In the middle of one of their jokes, Yoo Chun's mobile phone rang. He picked it up and answered it without even looking who had called.

"Yoboseyo," he laughed into the phone and all at once, his face changed.

"Nae," he replied to the other person. "Nae," he repeated once again. "I'll be there," he finally said and he ended the call.

"Who was that?" Jun Su asked.

"My father."

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No. He just called to remind me of my engagement, this weekend."

Chapter 2

Jun Su pulled away suddenly. He licked his lips quickly, tasting my tears.

“Sierra… uljima,” he said as his thumb came to wipe my tears away. He put his hands behind my head and pulled me into his embrace. I started sobbing uncontrollably. “Sierra, mianhae,” he sighed.

“I don’t want an apology,” I cried against his shoulder. “I want the truth.”

“I was telling the truth,” he said as he pulled away to look me. “She meant nothing to me.”

“She meant nothing to you as in she was just a fling? Or she meant nothing to you as in you really had no idea what she wanted with you?” I asked, sniffing.

“The 2nd one,” he said, quietly.

“Look at me, Jun Su,” I said. “Look into my eyes,” I said. He looked up at me, straight at me.

“Saranghae,” he said, as his eyes looked at me meaningfully.

“I love you too,” I sighed and we hugged.

Sometime later, I’d left Jun Su’s work place. I was actually there to meet him for lunch when I caught him with that girl. I think her name’s Ri In. I bumped into Yoo Chun, Jun Su’s colleague, on my way out.

“Oh! Nuna!” Yoo Chun called out to me when he saw me.

Just in case anyone is interested, yes, I’m older than Jun Su. He found out I was older on our 3rd date.

“What? You’re like… 3 years older than I am,” he exclaimed.

“Sure… say it out loud. You were the one who forced me to date you in the first place. Now you regret because I’m old?”

“Aniyo,” he smiled. “Why would I regret? It’s cool to date an older girl these days. Won’t want to miss out on the trend,” he laughed.

“Yah!!!” I smacked him. “Am I some kinda trophy girlfriend to you? Just so you can keep up with the dating trend? I knew you were a player…”

“Of course not,” he said, rubbing his arm. “I prefer mature girls,” he said. “But I’m definitely not getting the vibe that you’re older, or even more mature than I am,” he added.

“Yah!” I yelled and I smacked him. He laughed and took my hands. He turned my palms up and studied the lines on them. “What are you looking at?” I asked him.

“Your fate,” he said as he ran hi thumb across my life line.

“And what’s my destiny?” I smiled.

“I am,” he said.

“Nuna,” Yoo Chun called again, and I was awakened from my reverie. “Did you hear what I just said?”

“Mian…” I said, sheepishly. “I blanked out for a moment there.”

“Have you been crying?” Yoo Chun asked as he peered at my face.

“Crying?” I said and my hands automatically came up to touch my puffy eyes.

“Your eyes look swollen. Has Jun Su been bullying you?” he asked in a concerned tone.

“No… I just need some sleep,” I smiled.

“Come on, nuna. You can tell me. If Jun Su bullied you, I’d beat the hell out of him.”

“He didn’t. Don’t worry about me, Yoo Chun.”

“If you say so,” he sighed.

“Don’t you need to get back to work?” I asked him. He looked at his watch, then looked back at me.

“Yea, I’d better go.”

“See you around,” I smiled.

“See ya,” he grinned at me.

Yoo Chun was a nice guy. It was just too bad that he had a lot of vices. He smoked, he drank and he had a very active social life. Sometimes it’s hard to understand why he bothers to spend the time to talk to me when there are so many girls starving for his attention. It’s probably because I was dating Jun Su. I shook my head and laughed to myself as I walked out of the building.

Chapter 1

“Kajima…” he said as he grabbed my arm.

“Let go of me,” I spat at him. I never wanted to see him again.

“Sierra, it’s all a misunderstanding,” he pleaded as he clung to me.

“I saw the both of you kissing,” I yelled at him.

“She kissed me,” he said. “I tried to push her away.”

“Right… you’re a guy, you’re hardly considered scrawny and she wasn’t the size of a whale, tell me, am I missing something?"

"It's not what you thought it was," he started.

"Yah!!! Kim Jun Su!!!" I cut him off. "Don’t think I’m some airhead.”

I could slap him right now. I wanted to kill him right now. After 3 months together, he decided to cheat on me. I remember the day we met, we were at HMV and we’d both wanted the last Stevie Wonder CD they had. But he’d grabbed it first.

“Excuse me,” I said as I tapped him on the arm. “Do you think you can let me have the CD?”

“Hmm? What?” he exclaimed in a confused tone. “You want this?”

“Yes, it’s meant to be a present for my dad.”

“But I’ve been searching for this for months,” he said.

“So have I, and my dad has been waiting for it for years,” I reasoned.

“Fine, but I have a condition,” he smiled cheekily.

“What is it?”

“You’ll have to date me if I give this to you?” he winked.

“Wh-what??” I said, taken aback. He sure moved fast.

“Date me,” he grinned. “That way, whenever I want to listen to this CD, I can come to your place to listen to it.”

“Erm… you’re crazy, you know,” I laughed nervously. He was cute and very good looking. He had short, spiky hair, toned arms and body, which I could see since he wore a fitting sleeveless shirt, and he was pretty tall.

“Come on,” he said. “The moment I’ve paid for this CD, I’m not going to even consider selling it to you. You have 1 minute to say yes, or you can say goodbye to Stevie Wonder forever!”

I stared at him. Was he for real? I was truly speechless. What kind of a guy would ask a girl out using such tactics? He was definitely a player. Then again, I haven’t dated in the longest time. It wouldn’t do me any harm to go on just one date with him. I wouldn’t owe him anything after that one date.

“Fine…” I mumbled.

“What?” he smiled and put his hand to his ear. “I can’t hear you.”

“Fine!” I almost shouted. “Stop teasing me.”

“Araso…” he laughed. He had a husky voice. Some would even say it was girly, but I found it rather sexy. I laughed with him, his laughter was infectious.

I stand here now, glaring at him. The person who’d made me laugh for 3 months, only to hurt me in a split second. I turned to leave; I had nothing more to say. He grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me to him and kissed me. The moment his lips touched mine, I was weakened. He always did this to me. He knew he had a power over me. I didn’t push him away. I didn’t move away. I couldn’t even bring myself to hit him. I just stood there, and allowed him to kiss me, to take control of me. As we kissed, tears ran down my cheeks. Will I ever be able to trust him again?

Forewords

Originally written for the fan fiction thread on Asteria*, I've decided to archive it here. I'd meant it to be a one shot, but because I've been asked to continue... here it is! ^^

Characters:
Sierra
Jun Su (TVXQ)
Yoo Chun (TVXQ)
Dae In