| Hesitant Love Chapter 1 Sung Hee slowly crept into the dark alley. She groped the moss-covered walls to guide her way through. Sung Hee looked around trying to make her eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. She thought she saw a shadow behind a dumpster. “Fluffy?” Sung Hee hoarsely whispered. “Is that you?” Argh, Fluffy why did you run away and come in here? I’m so scared…Sung Hee thought. CRASH!! Sung Hee jumped in fright and ran behind a trashcan. She peered over and whispered for Fluffy. She once again saw a shadow behind the dumpster. Just then Fluffy jumped out of the dumpster and landed with a thump onto the garbage bags below. “Fluffy!” Sung Hee yelled coming out of behind the trashcan and running towards Fluffy. “You bad dog! You made me come in here and get all worried! Let’s go now.” Sung Hee got out the leash and started to walk out towards the entrance. Just then, Sung Hee heard a faint sound coming from the back of the alley. She walked a little closer to hear make out the sound. “Please…” a voice called out from the dark shadows. “Please…help me.” “Hello?” Sung Hee asked creeping closer to the voice. She made out that it was a male voice, a grown man. “Can I help you?” Sung Hee whispered. “Please… come closer… help me” Sung Hee cautiously walked closer, Fluffy trailing at her heels. As they got closer Fluffy started to act weird. He started to bark and back away. “Fluffy, what’s wrong? Shh! Be quiet. I think there’s someone back there and he needs our help.” Fluffy just whimpered and started to tug on Sung Hee’s pants. “I know it’s scary, but who comes into this alley? Basically no one and if we don’t help him, no one will… so we have to Fluffy.” Sung Hee started to walk again and finally got to the place where the sound was coming from. “Hello?” Sung Hee asked looking around the best she could. She could barely see because it was darker here than it was where she found Fluffy. “Hello,” came a voice from the shadows. “Uhh… hi… what’s wrong sir? Is there anything I can do?” Sung Hee asked looking into the pitch black in front of her. “Yes, there IS something you can do for me.” The person with the voice came out of the shadows. Sung Hee couldn’t see his face. All she could see was the shape of his body and his penetrating wild eyes that so intently stared at her. She started to back away from him but he grabbed onto her arm. He squeezed it tightly and pulled her into the darkness. Fluffy barked and ran away. Oh god, I’m gonna die Sung Hee thought trembling. “Please sir… don’t hurt me,” Sung Hee whimpered trying hard to get away from the man’s strong arms. He only held on tighter and brought his head down to her neck. Sung Hee could feel his deep breathing on her neck. It smelled of musty alcohol. This man is drunk…Sung Hee thought. He doesn’t know what he is doing. The man started to kiss Sung Hee on her neck. Sung Hee struggled in his tight grasp trying her hardest to run away. His grasp on her only got tighter and he seemed to be having fun. Sung Hee thought he heard him chuckle to himself. He started to lift her shirt and slide his dirty hands into her shirt. When his cold hands touched her skin she trembled from fright. I can’t believe this is happening to me... Sung Hee thought. I have to get away... Sung Hee used her free hands to punch the man but her punches were like the flapping of a hummingbird’s wings to a bear’s snout. He only moved closer and ripped her shirt off of her. He then pushed her away to take off his shirt and pants. In a panic, Sung Hee covered her chest and started to get up to run away. He only pushed her down once again and Sung Hee rolled onto the garbage-ridden floor in pain. “You’re mine now little missy.” The man said in a low slurred voice. “Please… I beg you… you don’t know what you are doing. Please let me go…” Sung Hee begged with her life. The man chuckled and scrabbled after Sung Hee not caring about the garbage sticking to his hands and legs. Sung Hee backed away and ended up in a corner. She looked around frantically trying to find a way out. But, she was trapped. He laugh came deep from his throat and he grabbed at Sung Hee’s bra. He clawed at her chest giving her red marks. She could feel the sting from the blood coming from the scratches. He ripped off her bra and she could feel his lips brushing across her bosom. She closed her eyes and tried to block that this was happening to her. Yet, she could still feel his tongue gliding over his stomach and down towards her hips. In a sudden rush of ear, she tried to push him away with all her might but he only caught her hands before they reached him. He groaned and using his teeth, undid her pants and pulled them off her. Sung Hee hit his back over and over again with no effect. Tired… Sung Hee grew limp. She realized that this was her death. That she should accept this… that this was her fate. Faces of her loved ones flashed before her eyes. Her mom, smiling sweetly at her. Images of her and her mom visualized in her mind. Her dad… working so hard to support the family. His tired face, yet always being there for the family. Goodbye…Sung Hee thought. She felt her underwear getting slipped off and the man shifting positions to enter her. Oh God, I’m a virgin… why does my first have to be like this? Sung Hee thought tears coming to her eyes. Chapter 2 After the man fed his sexual desire, he collapsed next to Sung Hee and fell asleep. Sung Hee got up trembling. Her knees collapsed under her. This is my time to get away thought Sung Hee. She quietly got up pushing against the walls for support. She carefully tiptoed her way through the garbage. CRUNCH!! She had stepped on a candy wrapper. She turned around expecting the man to get up but he was sound asleep. She started to walk once again. She was about five steps away when he groaned behind her. “Hey!” The man yelled. Sung Hee stopped dead in her tracks and closed her eyes. She waited for him to grab at her once again. Yet, nothing happened. Nothing could be heard except for the deep breathing of the man that raped her. She wanted so much to find out the face of the man that did this to her, yet all she could think of was running away from his horrid place. She groped her way through the alley. Tripping and stumbling along. Just then, Fluffy came bouncing along finally appearing when all the drama was over. He barked at Sung Hee and jumped up and down. “Fluffy!” Sung Hee weakly whispered. “Shh... be quiet.” Sung Hee bended over and picked Fluffy up and walked out of the alley. Vowing never to return to see the empty, dark evil lurking in the shadows of the alley. She picked through someone’s laundry that was hanging out to dry and found a pair of pants and a sweater. “No one can ever know about this Fluffy…” Sung Hee whispered through her tears. Fluffy barked in reply and cuddled against her leg. Sung Hee started to walk onto the street. It was early morning and the streets were starting to get heavy with people. Yet, no one noticed this girl with tears streaming down her face. Her hair in ruins and her makeup running down her cheeks. Sung Hee walked down the streets with confidence not looking into anyone’s eyes. She felt as though if she did, they could look through her and see what had happened. But no one would ever know of this dark secret that would haunt her forever… BzZzZzZ!! BzZzZzZ!! Sung Hee woke up startled to her alarm clock. It beeped a green 5: 00 am. It was still pitch black in her room. It was so early the sun wasn’t even up yet. “Oh mai gosh,” Sung Hee sighed to herself rubbing her eyes and brushing her hands through her hair. “The dream again…” She lay back down and closed her eyes. She listened intently to the birds chirping outside her window. How she longed to be a bird and have no worries. She could fly away from her troubles and soar through the skies relieving her stress. RinG!! RinG!! A phone call interrupted Sung Hee’s daydream and made her jump from her bed onto the cold wooden floor. She scrabbled to get to the phone groping through the darkness. Why is it always dark? Sung Hee thought to herself. “Hello?” Sung Hee said into the phone in her morning voice. “Sung Hee ya?” Kim Hea Ju, Sung Hee’s best friend asked from the other line. “Are you ready yet? We’re gonna be late for the big meeting!!” “Huh?” Sung Hee asked still groggy from her sleep. She shook her head and opened her eyes wide. “Oh yea! Meeting… umm yea, I’m almost ready. I’ll be there to pick you up in about 30 minutes. Bye.” Sung Hee dragged herself to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. She had big circles under her eyes and her hair was in unruly tangles. Oh god, Sung Hee thought looking away. The image in the mirror reminded her too much of the image of her after the incident with the man. She took a quick hot shower and brushed her hair, washed her face and added a simple touch of makeup. She looked into the mirror once again and couldn’t even recognize the person that she was looking at. They were so different from each other. She now had her hair lying calmly over her chest. It was now a silky, brownish blonde color. Her eyes were now a radiant brown that sparkled with life and joy. And what was her clammy, dull skin before was now a clear, glowing complexion. No one must ever know about this Sung Hee thought to herself once again. She was doing a good job at it too. No one looking at her would have ever known the things that she was forced to go through. Sung Hee longed to tell her best friend, Hea Ju, of the secret that haunted her life and her dreams yet whenever she started to utter a word something inside her would prevent it and hold her back from freedom. Sung Hee all ready, walked towards her bedroom. She picked up her purse and grabbed her car keys. She ran down the stairs and bolted through the front door to her car. She was going to be late picking up Hea Ju. She started her Subaru Impreza WRX and sped out of her driveway. When Sung Hee got to Hea Ju’s house, she was already waiting outside with HyeSung’s arms tightly around her. “Aigo, you two lovebirds at it again?” Sung Hee asked chuckling. “What?! Hea Ju said she was cold and so I was just warming her up with my warmness” Hye Sung replied innocently. “You know you made no sense just there” Sung Hee told him. “Yea, but he is so kyoot!” Hea Ju said wrinkling her nose at HyeSung and giving him a Eskimo kiss. “Ok ne waise…” Sung Hee said laughing. “Get in the car hurry guys! We’re really late!” HyeSung opened the door for Hea Ju and even before he could shut it after him, Sung Hee pushed the gas and they were on their way. “Sung Hee ya! Don’t go so fast! We can be late… it’s better safe than sorry right?” Hea Ju told Sung Hee from the back seat. “Uhh… yea.” Sung Hee replied looking like she was in a whole different world. “Psst, hey Hea Ju, I think she has road rage or something.” HyeSung whispered into Hea Ju’s ear. “We’re here!” Sung Hee informed them. “I just need to find a parking space. Their all full!” “Omg, Sung Hee, we’ve been around the parking lot 4 times! We’re not gonna find a spot-” HyeSung said. “Yes! I found it!” Sung Hee said jumping up and down. She got her car in front of the spot and put her car in reverse to back it up. Just then, another car went into her spot. “What the?!!” Sung Hee yelled in rage. “That guy just took my spot! I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind!” “Now Sung Hee ya, don’t over do it.” Hea Ju cautioned. Sung Hee stomped over towards the car, it looked to be a Mercedes CLK-GTR, one of the most expensive Mercedes there were. She watched as the driver came out of the vehicle. He was drop dead gorgeous. His blonde hair came down boyishly over his playful eyes. His body was of a god. When he smiled at Sung Hee, it was a cute innocent bunny smile that could melt any person’s heart. But, Sung Hee was not going to let his smile get to her. “Excuse me!” Sung Hee said clearing her throat. “You seem to have taken my spot.” “Oh? Have I?” the stranger said flashing his wonderful smile once again. “What’s your name?” he bluntly asked. “Uhhh… Sung Hee… Lee Sung Hee” Sung Hee answered him confused. “Well, Sung Hee, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Lee Minwoo. But about the parking space, I don’t see your name on it or anything, so it must not be yours. Well if you’ll excuse me, I have to be going, I’m late.” Minwoo said smiling and walked off in the opposite direction. “Wha-? What just happened?” Sung Hee asked blinking and looking around curiously. She slowly walked back to her car and sat down. “So, what happened?” HyeSung asked. “Uhh, I have no idea…” Sung Hee said trailing off. “Crap! We’re gonna be really late now! Erg, if I ever see that man, that Minwoo guy ever again, I swear…I’m not gonna be Miss nice anymore.” Sung Hee said turning on the car and starting again to find a parking spot. …………………….. “Hurry guys! Run!” Sung Hee yelled after her running into the lobby of the hotel wear the meeting was held. She ran towards the double doors where the meeting was in session. She slowly opened the doors and peered in to see that everyone was up and getting ready to leave. “Well, look who decided to show up.” Minwoo said walking towards her. Chapter 3 “You!” Sung Hee shouted pointing her finger and walking towards Minwoo. “You’re the reason why we’re late!” “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Ohh, is it about the parking space?” Minwoo asked smugly. Minwoo came close to Sung Hee’s face. Gliding his fingers along her jaw, and pulling his hands along her hair. Sung Hee pulled back roughly, pushing Minwoo to the ground. Minwoo looked up at her with wide bewildered eyes. “No!” Sung Hee yelled her eyes wide open in fright. “I won’t let it happen again…” “Sung Hee ya, what’s wrong?” a worried Hea Ju exclaimed running up to Sung Hee. She glared at Minwoo who was still on the ground. HyeSung walked over to Minwoo and helped him up. He only pushed HyeSung away and walked towards Sung Hee. “Man, you take things too seriously. I have no interest in you. Don’t get your hopes up.” Minwoo said brushing past Sung Hee and swiftly exiting the doors. “What’s his problem?” HyeSung asked walking towards Sung Hee and his girlfriend. “I don’t know,” Sung Hee said staring at the doors that Minwoo walked through. “But I really needed this job… I really needed to go to this meeting. But Minwoo…” Sung Hee said her eyes turning to slits. “He ruined it. I really wanted to work at this hotel…” Sung Hee started to get tears in her eyes. Hea Ju without a word hugged her tightly and looked at HyeSung with sympathetic eyes. He came over with tears in his eyes and hugged both of them close. Sung Hee looked up at him and started to laugh through her tears. “See! That’s what I wanna see!” HyeSung exclaimed wiping his tears. “Let’s go Sung Hee, we can find you a better job.” “But- this is the job that I wanted. This is the job I need. I don’t want to be selfish and stubborn. But the other jobs, they don’t pay as much and you guys of all people know that I need the money. Ever since my parents passed away, I was forced to work my hardest. Feeding Fluffy, paying for my apartment, just taking care of myself. I really need this job you guys…” “I’m gonna go talk to the owner.” Sung Hee said changing her mood and determinately standing straight up. She walked towards the lobby and stood in front of the check in booth. She reached over and hit the bell, waiting for help. “I’d like to speak to the owner of this hotel.” Sung Hee demanded with a fire in her eyes. “Umm, well he’s not here right now, but I’ll try to get the person in charge at this moment.” Sung Hee, Hea Ju, and HyeSung all leaned on the marble wall, waiting for the person in charge. “What is going on?” a manly voice said. Sung Hee, hearing a voice looked up to see Minwoo. “Haha, you’re still here?” Minwoo chuckled looking at Sung Hee and waving. “You’re the person in charge?!!!” Chapter 4 “You expecting someone else?” Minwoo said smirking. He raised his hand to shake Sung Hee’s and got no answer. She just glared at him through slits in her eyes. “You lied to me.” Sung Hee said. “I did no such thing. All I did was take your parking space. Is that a sin in your world?” Minwoo smugly replied. “But- But, I needed this job…” Sung Hee started to say but quieted down coming to the realization that there was no use explaining her situation to this stuck up man. “Let’s go you guys, we have no business here anymore.” “No, Wait! You started to say that you wanted a job.” Minwoo implied. “Uhhh, yes.” Sung Hee said sighing. ‘I might as well tell him and get it over with’ she thought. “Well, we do have an opening…” Minwoo started to say looking at Sung Hee sideways. “But, if you don’t it… then-“ “No! I do… what do I have to do?” “Come in early tomorrow morning and you’ll see” Minwoo said smiling slyly. *That night as Sung Hee’s apartment* ~DinG DonG~ Sung Hee ran to the door with her hands soaked in soap and water. “Coming! Who is it?” “Ish ThongHwan Hoppa!” came a muffled voice from the other side of the door. “Eh?” Sung Hee said cocking (don’t say anything =P) her head to one side. She opened the door to see Kim Dongwan. The guy that had always been there for her and had been like her chin oppa and she had been like his little dongseng. She looked up at him to see him staring at her with his sincere, innocent loving eyes eyes. The eyes that had always made her feel loved, warm and safe. He had always guided her and kept her safe ever since they were little and even after he parents passed away. He even partially paid for her apartment bill. He was a good-looking man with a body that could lift a ton. His hair, which used to playfully come down to his eyes, had been cut and spiked making him seem younger and mischievous. “Hi Sung Hee ya!” Dongwan said reaching out and grabbing Sung Hee, pulling him close and giving her a big huge bear hug. “Oppa,… can’t…. breathe…” Sung Hee said choking. “Sorri!” Dongwan said quickly letting go of Sung Hee. “Don’t even know my own strength.” Dongwan flexed his biceps and smiled down at Sung Hee. “So… how has my little dong seng been?” Dongwan asked putting his arm around Sung Hee’s shoulders. He leaded her to the kitchen so that she could finish washing the dishes realizing that her hands her were wet. “I dunno Wannie oppa, I could be better.” “Why? What’s wrong?” Dongwan asked concerned. He put his elbows up on the counter and rested his head in his hands. “Well, I got a job today… at the hotel.” Sung Hee said looking down and wiping the counter. “Wow! That’s good!” Dongwan said hugging Sung Hee. He pulled back when Sung Hee didn’t reply to his hug. “But… what’s wrong?” “Just today hasn’t been a good day. I was late for the meeting, and so missed that. I met a stupid guy named Minwoo and he turned out to be the person in charge while the owner was gone and *sigh*, just stupid stuff happened today. So, I just gave up on getting a job but then he told me that he had a job for me… but I don’t know what it is.” “What?! You just accepted a job that you know nothing about?! What if it’s something like sleeping with him?!!” Dongwan yelled frantic with worry with his eyes almost popping out of his sockets. “Oppa, calm down. I know it’s nothing like that. Even though this Minwoo guy is mean and conceited, I don’t think he’s like that.” Sung Hee reassured him. “Ok, if you’re sure about it.” Dongwan said looking at Sung Hee with a doubtful look in his eyes. “Oh! I almost forgot. I was talking to one of my friends today and he was telling me about how he wants me to hook him up with a girl. And I thought of you!” “What? Me?” Sung Hee asked bewildered. “Yea, but the weird thing is, he thinks he’s really ugly or something and so he says he just wants to talk to you on the phone or something first and you guys can get to know each other so that when you see him you won’t run away.” Dongwan said confusing himself by what he was explaining. “Uh… do I want to talk to him? He seems kinda weird…” Sung Hee doubtfully. “Don’t worry! Trust your oppa!” Dongwan said hugging Sung Hee again. “You have a hugging problem oppa.” Sung Hee said giggling. Chapter 5 “So, what about it? Will you talk to him??” Dongwan said making his eyes pleading. “Umm… I don’t know. I’m not really ready to meet anybody yet…” Sung Hee said her eyes glazing to a corner of the room. Her mind raced back to the time when she was raped… the pain, the horror, the cold touch, the violation, and the man’s piercing eyes flashed before her in one quick memory. She shook her head… wishing… hoping to get rid of the thought… the horrid flashbacks and the feels of his disgusting touch. “Hey!” Dong Wan said shaking her. “You OK?” “Huh? Oh yea… umm oppa. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll talk to this friend of yours and if I like him…which I doubt… because I’ll only talk to him once… I’ll keep talking to him. If not, you buy me dinner for a week Deal?” Sung Hee said smirking. “Dinner for a freaking week!???” “Oppa,” Sung Hee said pouting. “You said to trust you, and so I am trusting you. Well, kind of. Ne waise, you owe me for all the food I bought YOU!” She threw a piece of carrot at Dong Wan. It bounced off his forehead and hit the ground with a thud. Dongwan’s forehead where the carrot had hit it started to get red. “My beautiful face! ArGhhhhh! Sung Hee, you’re gonna die!” Dong Wan said grabbing a big handful of celery sticks and hitting Sung Hee on the back. *RinG*RiNG* “OoO! I bet that’s him now!” Dongwan said running to the phone. He jumped on top of the couch and bounced up and down in anticipation. “Get it! Get it!” “Calm down oppa.” Sung Hee laughed. “You look like a little boy that hasn’t gone pee for a long time” Sung Hee smiled at the frowning Dongwan and reached down to get the phone. “Hello?…Umm yes this is her. No, I don’t think so… I just don’t want to. No… really… Look, my answer is no and that’s final.” Sung Hee said throwing the phone onto the couch next to Dongwan. “Ahhhh! What did you do!?” Dongwan cried getting up and grabbing the phone, clicking it on and off and couple of times. “Oppa, it’s ok. It wasn’t him. It was some stupid telemarketing person. They kept bothering me after I declined their offer.” Sung Hee assured him. Dongwan sighed in relief and plopped down onto the couch. “I hate you.” Dongwan said crossing his arms and glaring up at Sung Hee. Sung Hee smiled and sat on the other side of the couch turning her body to face Dongwan. “So, about this guy. I mean you knoe.. if I am going to talk to him I gotta know about him… but what if he doesn’t like me not the other way around? Then my self-esteem is going to go down… what if he doesn’t like my hair? Does my hair look weird? Oppa… my voice! Argh, do I sound like a guy?!” “Uhhh… Sung Hee ya.. it’s ok, calm down. Don’t worry, your hair looks fine, it’s nice and silky, and no your voice does not sound like a guy. Sung Hee ya…” Dongwan said looking into her eyes. He brought his hand to her soft face and gently touched her cheek. “You are fine just the way you are. You are a beautiful girl and any guy that rejects you is stupid, they don’t know what they are missing. Hey, if I didn’t only think of as a dong seng, I would like you too.” “Thanx oppa…” Sung Hee blushing. “But the last thing you said didn’t really make sense.” “Haha, I knoe. I just didn’t want you to think that I liked you. I only think of you as a dong seng ok? So don’t get any ideas in your head. But, even though that’s how I feel about you, I can tell when someone is beautiful. Not only your outer beauty but also your inner. You are a sweet girl. You think of others before yourself. Hell, I think you’re the nicest person I know. You’re so innocent and naïve about life, but not in a bad way. You seem to naturally shun away evil. Where there is you, there is happiness and peace. That’s why I love you so much Sung Hee ya. I wouldn’t do all these things for just anyone. You think the only reason I help pay for your apartment bill and other things is because I feel sorry for you because your parents passed away? Thats not the only reason. I have another fren… in the same situation as you. But, that fren, he doesn’t enjoy life as it comes, he is mean, cruel to the world and it’s inhabitants. But, you Sung Hee ya.. you are so different. You have a will to survive and you treasure every moment of it. That’s why I help you and I feel as though my money is not wasted. Knowing that if I was in this situation, and you were still in the same situation as now, you would help me instead of helping yourself.” Sung Hee looked down at her lap, her tears making dark marks on her jeans. She wished, she so wished she could tell Dongwan about her deep secret. The secret that haunted her life, her future, her thoughts. Her nights would be filled with torture and turmoil, her dreams would be of him touching her and breathing his musty breath onto her face. Dongwan moved closer to Sung Hee and wiped her tears. She leaned her head and rested it on Dongwan’s shoulder. She sobbed out all her anguish, her stress, and her pain. “Sung Hee ya… what’s wrong? Did I saw something wrong? If I did… I’m sorri.” Dongwan said rubbing Sung Hee arm. “No oppa… it’s nothing like that. What you said was nice, it was beautiful.” “Then what is it? What’s wrong?” Dong Wan asked concerned. He pulled Sung Hee away and tried to look into her eyes. But, Sung Hee kept her eyes down, not daring to look into Dongwan’s eyes. Knowing that if she did, she would have told him her secret. “Sung Hee ya…” Sung Hee looked up to meet DongWan’s sincere eyes. “Oppa, I have something to tell you…” Chapter 6 “What is it?” Dongwan said looking into Sung Hee’s teary eyes. “Oppa, I- I’ve kept a secret from you for so long. I wanted to tell you, I wanted to tell you so much. All you have been was good to me, yet I still kept it from you. But…” Dongwan held her close. He could feel her accelerating heartbeat against his broad chest. “What is it Sung Hee ya…you can tell me.” Dongwan whispered. “I…. I…” Sung Hee started to say. “I…- still have your sweater from a couple years ago.” “What!? That’s it?! Haha, you were getting me all scared and worried for a sweater?” “Eung oppa,” Sung Hee lied forcing a fake smile at Dongwan. She wanted to tell him, she was going to. But when she tried to utter those words out of her mouth, she couldn’t. Dongwan had done so much for her; she didn’t want to burden him more by her problem. Knowing him, he wouldn’t eat or sleep before he solved her situation. She didn’t want Dongwan to do that; she didn’t want him to suffer because of her. “But Sung Hee ya… that’s not it is it? That’s not the whole secret… I-” *RinG*RinG* “Oh oppa! I’ll get that.” Sung Hee said running to the phone. She sighed in relief for the perfect timing of the phone call. “Hello? Oh hey! Hehe yea… sure! You can come now if you want. Ok, I’ll see you in a couple of minutes.” Sung Hee said and hung up the phone. She turned around and bumped into a Dongwan that was looking over her shoulder. “Umm oppa, that was just Hea Ju, she’s going to come over now with Hye Sung… is that ok?” “Umm, I’m gonna go then. I don’t want to see that bastard.” Dong Wan said his eyes clouding over with anger. A while back, Dong Wan and Hye Sung had been good friends. Dong Wan had been in love with Hea Ju. Dong Wan being shy had asked Hye Sung to talk to Hea Ju for him, and things had led to another and Hye Sung and Hea Ju had gotten together. Dong Wan had never forgiven Hye Sung for stealing Hea Ju and he had never forgiven Hea Ju for stealing his best friend. “Oppa, don’t you think its about time that you forgive them?” Sung Hee moved around Dong Wan and walked to the kitchen. There came no sound from the living room, not an utter, not a peep. “Oppa?” Sung Hee retraced her steps and walked back to the living room. Dong Wan was leaning against the side of the window staring outside at the single lamppost that lit the street. His back was hunched and the only time it lifted was when he sighed. This image of him was so different from the one that Dong Wan always showed her. She knew how much he suffered and went through even though he never showed it to her. She sighed, looked down at the floor and silently walked towards Dong Wan. “Oppa…” Sung Hee said laying a comforting hand on Dong Wan. “You ok?” “Moh? Oh… Eung… Gwen Chahn Ah. Nah Gahl Gae Sung Hee ya.” With that Dong Wan turned around and walked towards the front door. Sung Hee heard the door open and slam behind her. *Sigh* “Why does life have to be this way Hah nah neem? Why must you make the good ones suffer? What has Dong Wan oppa ever done? Is it cuz he helps me? Is mai fate to fade away and be forgotten? Why must life be so hard? Why must I have these dreams of that man, that man that took mai innocence-” “Sung Hee ya? I rung the doorbell, but you didn’t answer, but the door was unlocked…” Hea Ju said standing in the doorway. “Oh! Ummm… Hea Ju ya! You got here fast. Did you see Dong Wan oppa?” “Umm, no I guess we just missed him. But what were you talking about? A dream about a man…?” Hea Ju said looking at Sung Hee curiously. She walked in with Hye Sung right behind her heel. “What? Oh, umm… that…. I was just rehearsing… yea… that’s it.” Sung Hee stuttered looking down at the floor. She hated lying to Hea Ju and Hye Sung. They had been such good friends to her. “Rehearsing? For what?” Hye Sung asked suspiciously. “Nothing, who said I was rehearsing?” Sung Hee said contradicting herself. “Ok Sung Hee ya, you’re confusing, we won’t ask.” Hea Ju said laughing. “Oh hey! I almost forgot did you get a call from Minwoo yet? Or should I saw Hwah jang Neem? Ugh, how can a person like him be in charge of such a BIG hotel?! I guess he’s either really rich or really smart… the smart part I doubt” “No, he didn’t call. I guess I just report for work tomorrow.” “Hmmm…” “Oh hey, Dong Wan oppa told me about this guy that he wants me to meet. Not really meet, but yea. Well, this friend of Dong Wan oppa’s asked him if he would introduce him to a girl and Dong Wan oppa said that he thought of me. But the thing is that this guy… he doesn’t want to meet. He wants to talk on the phone for a while and then if we really like each other or something, then we’re gonna meet. Dong Wan oppa told me that this guy thinks that he is really ugly or something and that I won’t like him if I just meet him. What a weirdo… but I guess I understand. But, he shouldn’t just judge people like that. How does he know whether or not I care about looks? It’s personality that counts. Just look at Minwoo! He’s good-looking, but is he a gentleman? Far from it. “Sung Hee ya… Nuh mahl nuh moo mahn tah.” Hea Ju said throwing a pillow at Sung Hee. “Ya! I was telling you my thoughts! Aishee! Joog ut suh!” Sung Hee jumped onto the couch that Hea Ju was sitting on and hit Hea Ju back with a cushion. “Hey! I want in!” Hye Sung yelled jumping in grabbing both the girls and putting them in a headlock. “Oppa!” Sung Hee and Hea Ju both yelled giggling. “Let us go!” *RinG*RinG* “Oh! Phone!” Sung Hee said struggling to get out of Hye Sung’s tight grasp. “Oppa! I gotta get the phone!” Hye Sung reluctantly let go of Sung Hee and retreated to focusing his attention of Hea Ju. “You guys are icky.” Sung Hee said picking up the phone. “Hello?” “Ummm… hi… I don’t know if you know me but this is Dong Wan’s friend.” A deep, friendly voice said on the other line. “Oh! Hi! Did Dong Wan oppa tell you mai name?” Sung Hee hopefully asked. “Uhh, no he didn’t. Did he tell you mine?” “Haha, I guess he didn’t care to mention it. Mai name’s Junnie… Lee Junnie.” “And I’m Lee Min Gyu. Nice to meet you Junnie.” “Hehe, it’s nice to meet you too. So, can I ask you something?” Sung Hee said twisting the cord in her fingers. “Umm, Dong Wan oppa told me that you didn’t want to meet, that you only wanted to talk on the phone. Can I ask you why that is?” “Oh! I must have confused you. I’m so sorry. It’s that I’m in Korea right now on a long business trip. I’m the Korean representative… and so I’ve had to be here for a long time. But when I come back, I’m going to be moving over there and so I thought it might be time to settle down.” “Settle down?!” “Oh! No no, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to rush things. I’m not even thinking about that right now. I’m just telling you my plans.” Min Gyu said chuckling. “Oh, I see.” Sung Hee said. “What do you think of apples?” ‘What the heck am I saying?!’ Sung Hee thought. ‘What’s wrong with me? He’s gonna think I’m a psycho now.’ “Haha, apples? They’re good. I like them a lot.” Min Gyu calmly, sincerely answered her. “Oh… well I like them too.” Sung Hee answered back hitting her forehead on the wall a couple of times. ‘Stupid, stupid stupid!’ “Haha, well Junnie, you seem like a really nice girl. Could I call you again tomorrow?” “Umm yea sure, that would be nice. It was nice talking to you.” Sung Hee said. “It was very nice talking to you too. Until tomorrow then. Bye.” “Bye” Sung Hee hung up the phone and stood there dazed. “Hea Ju ya.. come here…” Sung Hee said beckoning with her hand. “So, what did he say?!” Hea Ju said excited. “Is he the same as the other guys Dong Wan has introduced us to? He’s one of those stupid players that roam the streets huh??” “Actually, no he isn’t. I agreed to talk to him tomorrow. Which means that I don’t get mai free week of dinner! Argh! Should of thought of that. Oh well… the guy is really nice. His name’s Min Gyu… *sigh*” “Hey! Sung Hee you like him don’t you?!” Hea Ju said jumping up and down. “Haha, calm down Hea Ju! I only talked to the guy once!” “But, I know that you’re going to. You never give guys that you don’t LIKE a second chance. Wait a minute… kinda seem stuck up eh Sung Hee ya?” “It’s not that I’m stuck up. It’s just that I don’t want to get hurt… over a guy that I don’t see a future with.” “ I guess that’s reasonable. I feel the same way! That’s why I have Hye Sung!” Hea Ju said looking over at Hye Sung watching TV with this mouth wide open. “Umm… ne waise… he looks bad right now.” Hea Ju and Sung Hee giggled. “But Hea Ju ya… about Dong Wan…” “What about him?” Hea Ju asked his eyes suddenly becoming big and innocent. She looked up at Sung Hee and awaited her answer. “Oh… ahniyah.” “Geu rae…? Geu Ruh Myun Daet Gu. Well, I think we better be going now. You’ve gotta get up early to go to work for Mr. Scrooge!” “Haha, perfect name Hea Ju ya! Geu Rae, Jahl gah.” After Hea Ju and Hye Sung got into their car and left, Sung Hee sighed and plopped down onto the couch. She fell asleep thinking of her new job and the duties that awaited her the next day. To Be Continued... ************************************************************************************************** |