[Chapter 7] *Good-bye Again* Hwanhee ran to Dani's house... He waited outside, realizing Dani wasn't in the house.. But a thought went quickly through Hwanhee's mind. Then he ran to his house to find Dani there, with frozen hands and red nose.. "Dani...." Hwanhee whispered... Dani slowly stood up from house doorsteps... "I'm sorry..." She whispered.. "I know you told me not to come..and you don't want to see me..I'm sorry..but...But I...." Hwanhee reached out silently.... He pulled her by hand, into his arms..... "I love you...." Hwanhee whispered. Her eyes were filled with tears. She closed her eyes... Hoping that when she reopened it, Hwanhee would be there...that this wasn't all just a dream But she didn't open her eyes.. She just felt his soft warm lips lightly press against hers.. "I'm here.." Eric told Dongwan on the phone... "You mean the cliff with the huge oak tree right??" -- yeah do you see the sign? --- "Yeah, the one that saids, Danger, don't get close???" --Yes...are you putting it away?--- "Yeah." --Make sure no one sees you---- Eric threw the sign in the sea.... ---so now, all I have to do is meet Brian there-- ----Slap---- "MOM!!!!" Dani yelled... Hwanhee's left cheek turned red.. "You'll NEVER marry my daughter" Mrs.Yoon said in a shaking but firm voice.. Dani cried as she cling to her mom's arms... "Please...We'll make it work...Don't worry...just please...we love each other." Hwanhee watched Dani cry..... The he ran out...... He couldn't understand why he had to stand there and take all that sh*t.... He sat on the steps... Hwanhee softly sobbed... He despised his tears falling on his cheeks. He needed to be strong...he knew this was all going to happen. He can't be weakened by some few harsh words and a slap... I can't at least for Dani.... He buried his face in his arms as he sat on outside the door... Daso quietly stood by Hwanhee. "Darling, are you crying??" Daso asked.... Hwanhee smiled slightly by Daso calling him 'Darling.' "Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that??" "Do I ever listen?" Daso replies back leaving Hwanhee nodding in agreement... Daso took her hand on his face, and wiped his tear.. And this was a 7 year old... "It doesn't matter if you are marrying my sister, you will always be my darling..." Daso told Hwanhee...she was serious... "I wouldn't care if your mom were yelling like that, I'd be like, 'Old Lady, Back off.' " ".......Are you making a comparison??? to me???" "Making a What?" "Haha, never mind..." "Once Darling is Always Darling..." Hwanhee said as he pulled her arm for her to sit next to him.... Strangely, she was a comfort... Daso, reached for her pocket and took out a coin.. It was a shiny coin, just an ordinary one though... Hwanhee wondered why Daso carried it around with her.. Daso put the coin in Hwanhee's hands. "Kiss it." She said.. "What??" Hwanhee looked back at the coin and then at Daso... Kiss it??? "Come on, kiss it." "Huh?" "If you kiss it, the tears would go away.." "...." Hwanhee was still puzzled about howwould kissing a coin make him stop crying.... "It works for me...that's not just an ordinary coin, it's a magic coin...every time you feel like crying...just kiss it, and you won't have to cry.." So it was purely just a 7 year olds imagination.. Hwanhee kissed it... He didn't know it was whether thought of tear going away or it was a really magic coin or a coincidence. But the tear really went away... "Keep it..." "....." "You'll need it more than me Darling...." Hwanhee smiled..she never, I repeat, NEVER looked so cute... "Brian?" Dongwan called him... ---Yes...who's this?---- "It's Dongwan.." ---oh.--- Clear hatred was presented.. Dongwan's face frowned terribly.. But he kept his voice calm.. "I need to talk to you about something?not on the phone, in person..." ---today?--- "Yes" ---Where?--- "At the %4^#& Cliff by 9.." ---Isn't that the cliff that are not allowed for people to be on??------ Dongwan, stunned, didn't say anything for a second.. He never guessed that Brian would know... "No, it's not..." ---Ok...I'll be there---- -click- Dongwan sighed..as he put down the receiver.... But now, everything was going as he planned... "Dani..." Hwanhee broke the long silence "Don't say you are going to leave me...don't say you don't want to be with me anymore.." Dani softly sobbed as she told Hwanhee... Hwanhee silently shook his head..... "I'm not going to leave you..." Dani smiled in relief.... "I can't live without you anymore...Without you I can't go on.." "Me neither....." Then Hwanhee said decisively...... "LEt's run away..." ---Brian, it's me, Hwanhee--- "Hwanhee?" Brian didn't expect a call from Hwanhee? ---I want to talk to you...before I leave..-- "Leaving? Where?" ---I need to meet you...today---- "Ok, be at %4^#& Cliff little before 9?" ---Ok..--- Hwanhee waited at the end of the cliff... The cliff that Dongwan was suppose to be waiting for Brian... He stood waiting for Brian... Hwanhee looked down the cliff as wind brushed his hair... Soon, Brian appeared... "What do you want??" Brian asked coldly.. "I'm leaving.." "??????" "With Dani....we are running away..." "Why...why are you telling me this???" Brian asked....not believing what he just heard... "I owe you so much..." Hwanhee started explaining... "You saved my brother when he was sick...paid the hospital fee....and gave him a job.....Then you gave me Dani....I just didn't want to leave without you knowing....." "Don't go...." Brian pleaded... "I have to...." "What the Hell Are you THINKING????" Brian started yelling... "All I want was to make her happy, but I couldn't, because of you...she wanted you...Now, all I want is to see her happy, and you are leaving????" "I'm....I'm...sor..." Hwanhee didn't finish his sentence... With a BIG crack sound, the tip of the cliff scattered down to the sea..... Hwanhee yelled, Brian stunned, lied down flat on the ground, reaching down.... Luckily, Brian caught Hwanhee's hands.. Hwanhee looked to the bottom.... It must be at least thousand feet to that water..... Brian put all his strength, but couldn't bring Hwanhee up... "HELP!!!" Hwanhee yelled.... Brian tried again but then he realized that if he still hung onto Hwanhee, Brian might go down with him.. That it was either both of them gone, or only Hwanhee gone... If he was gone....I could be with Dani.....and she won't have a choice, when there is no one to turn back to... If he was gone....Dani would be mine...like it used to be... like how it'ssuppose to be... Yes, I'm selfish.. I could never bring myself to let someone go....for someone else's benefit......happiness I regret .....everything .....I told Hwanhee.....that she loves him....that he's all that she needs.... If I didn't tell him, he won't have gone back to her... And it all lied in this one moment....... If I just let go of my hand, everything will be back to me.... Hwanhee saw it in Brian's eyes what he was thinking... Brian knew that Hwanhee knew too...... Hwanhee looked back at Brian with a look seeming to understand..... Understand why Brian would think this.... And why Brian would DO this...... Brian's hand weakened in strength.... Slowly, Terror covered Hwanhee's face? Hwanhee closed his eyes... He wanted to not think about what situation he was in.... Soon he would go down thousands of feet into a roaring sea...... Brian.......let..............go......... Brian closed his eyes tightly and closed his ears to block out everything....the reality at this moment....... Brian didn't know Hwanhee did not scream.... Hwanhee went silently into the blue sea..... Brian felt tears dripping after few seconds.... He couldn't believe what he had just done..... His legs weakened and he fell on the spot.... And behind the tree........ Dongwan stood.... Observing everything...... His eyes sparkled...... Dani sat there, frozen..... It was cold and she had been waiting for Hwanhee for hours... Her eyes were aimless..... And suddenly, she felt someone shaking her shoulders... It was Minwoo....... "Where is he????? Where'sHwanhee???" Minwoo yelled.... Dani feebly replied.... "I don't know..." Minwoo held up a letter...... "How could you not know???? He wrote that he's running away...with you?!!!" Dani stared at the floor.... "He didn't come..." "Fu*k!!!!" Minwoo yelled, frustrated..... "Where the Heck is he?????" Minwoo was not in right mind...... He felt like he was going crazy..... He lost mom and dad...he couldn't afford to lose Hwanhee..... He looked around nervously and ran towards wherever he had not been...... Dani watched as Minwoo ran....... If she had any strength left in her, she'll run around look for Hwanhee..... But she thought...if he didn't come... Then maybe, it's because he didn't want her to find him... She didn't need to look at her watch...because the night sky carried twinkling stars, and she knew that many hours passed...... She sat there waiting.... He's going to come....he promised.....he loves me...... "He'll be here..." She whispered to reassure herself..... She couldn't understand why there were tears dripping down from her eyes..... He's going to be here, there's no need for tears... She sat there waiting...her nose was pinky red and her hands freezing..... But she was waiting for someone that will never come........ [Chapter 8] *A year Later* -knock knock- “Come in!” Brian shouted from inside the room. Dani opened the door that said ‘Vice-President Brian Joo’ and went in where Brian greeted her cheerfully. “Have you eaten lunch yet?” Dani shook her head. “Let’s go.” They drove to, Dani guessed, the most fancy and expensive restaurant as always. Brian tried to give her everything she needs and even the things she doesn’t need. But nothing could fill her heart. As always, Brian watched Dani look outside the window with can’t-readable expression and empty eyes. Brian sighed. He knew she still longed for someone and that’s not him. He knew that she would be never happy. But he didn’t care. As long as she stayed with him, he didn’t care. “Aren’t you hungry? Come on, eat.” Brian told Dani who was just staring at the food. It was a pasta. Something Hwanhee just loved. “Dani!” “…….” Dani just kept silent. “What the hell…..” Brian silently swore under his breath. “Hwanhee….” “Don’t bring his name up again.” Brian whispered. Dani kept talking. Somehow, she felt like Hwanhee is being mocked by Brian, that she needs to protect his name. “Hwanhee oppa…..” “GOD DAMMIT!!!!” Brian yelled as he slammed the table, which caused water to spill on Dani. Dani sat frozen didn’t attempt to clean up the water. Her eyes were set on Brian but it seemed to look through him. Brian closed his eyes. “I’m….I’m….” -Ring- Brian didn’t finish his apology and took out his cell phone from his pocket. “Hello? Yes. What?? Ok…I’ll be there.” He hung up. He didn’t look at Dani. He couldn’t look at Dani’s eyes. The eyes full of disappointment and anger. “I gotta go.” Brian told Dani quietly. Dani didn’t speak nor she nodded her head. She just sat there, still her eyes fixed on Brian. Brian hesitated for second, but he got up and left Dani. Dani went in her room. Her cloth were still wet from the water that spilled. She sat down on her bed then soon collapsed crying. She didn’t even wish Hwanhee was back anymore. She couldn’t even wish Hwanhee was alive. Everyone told her it was too much to ask and it was false hope. So now all she wished was… Something that she has of Hwanhee, even the tiniest possession of his, other than just her memory of him. Something she could look at or hold on to when she just couldn’t help crying. “What the hell do you think you do here???” Dongwan yelled at Brian. Brian stood in front of Dongwan’s desk, silent. “Do you honestly think that this trash is a good plan??” Dongwan waved Brian’s paperwork in front of his face. “But….” “Shut up.” “……” “Take this trash and make another one by tomorrow.” Dongwan told him as he threw it on Brian’s face. Brian closed his eyes, trying to calm the anger inside of him die away a little. “It’s a good plan. How would you know when you don’t even look through it????” “!!!!!!” “It’ll help to read once in awhile to help you decide what is good for the company, or are you just not reading it because it’s mine.” “……….” Brian smiled. He knew how Dongwan worked. He just simply hated everything Brian did. “Brian.” Dongwan called him. “What’s your position in this company?” “………..” “I believe I asked you a question” “Vice President.” “And what’s mine?” Brian bit his lips. “President.” “And do you remember why?” Brian looked at Dongwan who was smiling mischievously. Brian’s face turned nervous and began sweating as he remembered what happened a year ago. “It’s because a year ago, you just…” “Stop.” Brian said firmly. “I will…make another plan.” “Good for you. Now close the door on the way out.” Brian tightened his fist, but he couldn’t do anything. Brian slammed the door. Dongwan smiled, watching Brian’s anger joyfully. “Hyung!!” Andy greeted Dongwan as he walked in the door. Dongwan looked around his new house once again. He still couldn’t believe he could be living in this kind of house although he was living here for a year now. “Where are the others.” “They are playing outside in the playground.” “Where’s Dad?” “He went to meet his friends.” Dongwan becoming a President, had a good effect on everyone in his family. Because it paid all the debt that his dad owed, although Dongwan used the company’s money for his own use, something he’s not allowed to do. “Hyung! I’m going out for a hour.” “Where are you going?” “My girlfriend, just misses me soooooo much, I have to go.” “Haha…ok, be back soon though.” “Don’t worry, I’m not a baby.” “Wait hold on!!” Minwoo shouted as he ran towards the elevator that was about to leave without him. He was too tired out and didn’t feel like waiting for another one to come. When he stepped inside, Brian stood. “Hello.” “Hi.” “How’s the work going?” “Good, because of you.” Minwoo thankfully smiled at Brian. “Just one question.” Minwoo told Brian. “Ok, I know that I’m not very skilled in this kind of job and I know because my boss keeps yelling at me.” “…….” “I know I should have been fired a long time ago.” “……” “You don’t have to feel sympathy for me.” Minwoo whispered. “It’s not that.” “Don’t lie.” Brian silenced. “Hwanhee, yeah I’m still hung over him, but you don’t have to keep me in the company because of him. I can take care of myself.” “…….” The elevator reached the first floor. “Well, I’ll be going now.” Minwoo walked out of the elevator and soon Brian too. Brian couldn’t tell him it was all because of guilt. Dani walked in the dark streets. It was winter again. Like when she stood waiting in the freezing cold. And it started snowing again. Like when they had their first kiss. Everything still reminds of him. How could I forget him? And again, she found herself in front of Hwanhee’s house. She swore at herself and walked away. She walked and walked aimlessly. And she was now walking through a busy street. People bumped into her and the cars honked but she didn’t hear anything, lost in thoughts. She looked around. All people seemed so happy. She never envied anyone so much in her life. Then her fixed her eyes on someone across the road. It was a mystery how she could see someone, just one person in the crowd of so many, and through bunch of cars, trucks or buses. He seemed to be looking at her too, she thought. And when she stared at him, he turned and kept walking in the direction he was going. She stared at him. She stared because it was the face she was so familiar with. Face she longed for a year. She felt tears. She felt her heart jumping up and town in a crazy manner. It was…..it was…. *********************************************