| sssChapter 9 DongWan carefully shook SooKyung, who had fallen asleep next to the phone. SooKyung looked up at DongWan oppa and asked, “What am I doing here?” DongWan shrugged and threw her a towel. SooKyung got up and went to the bathroom to wash up. After she changed and felt like a new person, SooKyung could smell the delicious aroma of kimchee jjih geh. She took a deep breath and ran in the kitchen. “DongWan oppa! It’s kimchee jjih geh!” DongWan laughed and said, “Your favorite… I know…” SooKyung set the table and pulled out her seat. She rubbed her hands together as the pot of steaming jjih geh was put on the table. She glanced at DongWan, who was busily getting water. She said a short prayer of thanks and dug right in. *knock knock* DongWan and SooKyung looked at each other and looked at the door. <I>Who could it be this time? </I> SooKyung looked through the peephole, but didn’t see anyone. She opened the door, but no one was there. She looked on the floor and a box was there. She carefully picked it up, looked around one more time, and entered the house. “Oppa… something’s here again.” ”AGAIN? Is it for you?” SooKyung read the front and nodded. “It says: To: SooKyung From: Guess who? I can guess who…” DongWan cocked his head and said, “HyeSung?” SooKyung nodded and said, “He gave it to me last time right?” DongWan nodded and SooKyung started to unwrap and open the box. Under all the wrapping paper and cardboard, there was a small white box. SooKyung curiously opened it and pulled out a white, fuzzy bear. She cuddled it against her cheek and read the tag attached to the doll. It was one of those personalize-your-own-tag cards. She started to read out loud to DongWan. It read: SooKyung ah… hi. Did I give you a scare last night? I’m sorry… I didn’t know that you knew HyeSung hyung. I hope you like the present I gave you. I hope that we could keep in touch and be good friends. I'm older than you, so you have to call me oppa! I’ll call DongWan, hyung… and you call me oppa. I hope you have a nice week… I have to go; my dad is yelling at me. Bye! SooKyung frowned and looked at DongWan. Why would MinWoo want to give her a present? For no good reason…? DongWan chuckled and said, “I guess all the guys are going for you now…” SooKyung hit him and glared. DongWan laughed and SooKyung grabbed the bear and stomped into her room. When she went in, DongWan’s mood changed. His smile disappeared as he thought about it… <I>Lee MinWoo… liking my sister… it couldn’t be possible, could it? It was almost like a prince liking a peasant. My sister… I HAVE seen good characteristics in her, but I didn’t think others would notice. No, Kim DongWan… that was your mistake. Didn’t you know all this time that HyeSung liked SooKyung too? And it was very possible that SooKyung probably liked HyeSung back? They could have gone out if it weren’t for you… Kim DongWan, you let go of the only change of making your sister’s life perfect. </I> But DongWan’s mood wasn’t the only one that had changed. SooKyung’s had changed as well. She flipped onto her bed and screamed into her pillow so DongWan oppa couldn’t hear. She looked up at the ceiling, hands behind her head. She sighed and thought about it… <I> Lee MinWoo… that moment I ran into him… I felt my heart skip a beat… even before looking at him. Why is it that when I'm with him… I feel so comfortable? No, Kim SooKyung… stop dreaming. MinWoo liking you… is like someone liking a rock in their path. You’re just one of his obstacles that he must overcome… that he must have to go on with his life. You’re nothing to him… stop thinking about him! </I> SooKyung punched her pillow and put her face in her hands. HyeSung oppa… when they were little, he was so understanding. She could always look up to him. What was she doing? Comparing MinWoo to HyeSung oppa… She had known HyeSung since the age 0. And she met MinWoo only a few days ago. How could they be compared… Still, those beautiful eyes of MinWoo… the soothing voice of HyeSung… “STOP IT!” she yelled out loud. She was surprised by the sound of her own voice and put her hand over her mouth. She heard DongWan’s footsteps outside her door, but heard it stop. She listened carefully as DongWan opened her door and stepped in. SooKyung looked up and scoot over to make room for him. DongWan sat down and sighed. “SooKyung ah… I need to talk with you. All my life, I felt responsible for you. Uhmmah and appah were kind, but it seemed like they didn’t care. I felt like I was the only person that loved you… and you were the only person that loved me. I promised myself once that I wouldn’t let anyone else love you… I can only have you to myself. But now that you’re older, I realize that mistakes I’ve made. HyeSung… he was your first crush wasn’t he? I gave excuses like that you were too young, but I know that even now… I don’t like him being around you. When he left us… I thought you would forget easily. But you didn’t… I was wrong… SooKyung ah… will you forgive me?” SooKyung looked into the pleading eyes of her brother and tears came into her own. She nodded and DongWan leaned forward to hug her. SooKyung gratefully returned the hug, crying into her shoulder. She struggled for the right words. “Oppa… I… I'm grateful for you. I loved you too oppa. You were the only person in my life that I could turn to if I was in trouble. I'm thankful that you kept me back like that… you didn’t let me run around, being free. Now that I'm older I see that it helped… I think about the things I do… if you’ll approve… I don’t just go right ahead… thanks oppa…” That morning was a morning that DongWan and SooKyung would never forget. It was a morning that they would keep in their hearts. A morning when DongWan told everything that was weighing his chest down… with guilt. A morning when SooKyung got to tell DongWan how grateful she was for him… A morning… when they just simply loved each other. Chapter 10 SooKyung called MinWoo and said, “Hey, MinWoo. Thanks for the bear.” MinWoo laughed and said, “Did you read the card?” SooKyung nodded then realized her mistake. “Yeah,” she said. MinWoo asked, “Then why aren’t you calling me oppa?” SooKyung frowned and stammered, “Oppa… um… thanks for the bear.” MinWoo laughed and said, “Anytime, dongseng!” SooKyung raised her eyebrows and said, “But… why did you get it for me?” MinWoo said, “I was walking along the market… and I saw it. It just reminded me of you… All cute… and fuzzy.” SooKyung frowned and asked, “I'm fuzzy?” MinWoo laughed and said, “NO! It’s… you know… you just seem to have a kind heart… and nice and everything…” MinWoo struggled for his words. SooKyung sensed that he was uncomfortable and asked, “Would you like to meet sometime?” MinWoo answered, “Sure. How about tomorrow at 10 AM? Is that okay? In the same night club we went… yesterday. SooKyung said, “Okay… then… see you then!” MinWoo cleared his throat and SooKyung sarcastically added, “OPPA!” MinWoo laughed and said, “Bye!” *click* SooKyung sighed as she put down the phone. But as soon as she put it down, it rang again. SooKyung answered, “Hello?” ”Hello?” ”This is Kim SooKyung speaking.” ”It’s me… HyeSung.” ”Oh, hi.” ”Hi. Sorry about last night. My friend was rude, huh?” ”No… I understand. I didn’t know you dorm.” HyeSung chuckled and said, “Yeah… I'm not that type. Well, after my parents died, I had to get used to a lot of things. Life in America… with my cousin… Why did you leave so early yesterday?” ”I… I… DongWan oppa had… to rest…” ”Kim SooKyung… if I knew you and your brother… You were uncomfortable to stay around me right? I know it… SooKyung ah… do you think we could meet?” SooKyung quickly answered, “Yeah… but not tomorrow at 10. I have to see MinWoo.” HyeSung was silent and SooKyung asked, “Oppa? Are you there?” HyeSung cleared his throat and said, “How about right now? Unless it’s not 2 AM.” SooKyung said, “Okay… how about… the same place… the café that we were supposed to meet at in the first place?” HyeSung said, “Okay… I’ll see you then. Bye” ”Bye.” *click* Right after she hung up, she yelled, “DongWan oppa! I have to go somewhere to meet my friends. I’ll be back soon!” DongWan yelled back, “Okay! Jal gat dah wah!” SooKyung got her jacket and quickly took a look at herself in the mirror. She brushed her hair and patted it in satisfaction. She ran out to the café. <CENTER> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER> “SooKyung ah! Here!” SooKyung nodded to HyeSung and walked over. HyeSung sipped his drink as SooKyung sat down. The waitress asked, “What would you like?” HyeSung shook his head and said, “A little later please.” The waiter nodded and went. SooKyung faced HyeSung and said, “Well oppa. We never even got to talk face to face.” HyeSung nodded and asked, “How have you been?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Pretty good…” HyeSung answered, “That’s good.” ”Yeah… it is…” SooKyung and HyeSung looked down at their hands. SooKyung quietly asked, “Yujah chingoo eet ssuh?” HyeSung shook his head and asked, “How about you?” SooKyung shook her head and said, “Oppa… I waited for you.” HyeSung looked up in alarm and asked, “For me? You waited for me?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Until about last year… I waited so long. DongWan oppa knows. He didn’t approve. Every night, I looked outside the window, waiting for you. I knew you would come someday. You promised me. Before you left, you promised me… I knew you would keep the promise. But… I… I gave up. I thought you wouldn’t come…” HyeSung interrupted, “I'm sorry. SooKyung ah… I’ve missed you. I’ve waited for the day when my uncle finally had to set up a business in Korea… so I could come to you.” ”What took you so long? Why couldn’t you just come?” ”I… I was held back…” ”Held back by what?” ”By… the thought of seeing you again…” Chapter 11 “What do you mean by that?” ”I… I didn’t want to see you again SooKyung. It hurt me… even without seeing you. How could I live WITH seeing you?” SooKyung took his hand and said, “Oh… oppa…” HyeSung quickly pulled his hand away by the touch of someone’s hand. He blushed and looked away. SooKyung looked away as well and said, “Well… I better be going oppa…” HyeSung stood up and asked, “Already?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Bye! I’ll pay!” HyeSung shook his head as he fumbled for his wallet. But SooKyung had already paid and left. HyeSung sighed at the sight of SooKyung running to get back to her house. His heart broke apart in pain as he thought, ‘This is why… Kim SooKyung… this is why I didn’t want to see you. I knew you would run from me. I would run from myself too, but I'm stuck with this body. After what I did to you, I knew you would run from me…’ <CENTER>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER> *next day* SooKyung sat in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. She sighed and slowly walked out. She brushed her hair, straightened out her clothes and opened the door. DongWan came out of the kitchen and asked, “Are you going somewhere?” SooKyung nodded and said, “To see MinWoo oppa.” ”You’ve been going out an awful lot lately…” ”Oppa! You promised…” ”Aw… alright. Have fun! Be home by 8!” SooKyung groaned and walked out. She pressed the elevator button and when it came up, she went in, not expecting anyone to be in there. “OW!” She bumped into someone and she rubbed her forehead. She bowed quickly and said, “I'm sorry…” ”SooKyung? Kim SooKyung?” SooKyung looked up, surprised. She saw Andy, holding a bundle of groceries. Andy asked, “You live here?” SooKyung nodded and asked, “You too?” Andy nodded and SooKyung smiled. “You know what? I wish I could help… Oh, what the heck… I’ll help.” She grabbed some of the groceries and followed Andy. Andy asked, “Are you going somewhere?” SooKyung nodded and said, “To meet MinWoo.” Andy turned the key and opened the door to his apartment. SooKyung looked in surprise and said, “Hey… I live right across from you. I was thinking that you looked familiar… but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I probably bumped into you a couple of times.” Andy nodded and said, “Thanks for helping me…” Then, a voice from the room asked, “Hey, oppa! You have another girlfriend or something?” A girl dressed in a white tank top and baggy hiphop pants came from the room. Andy shook his head and said, “No… It’s a girl that MinWoo knows… Her name’s SooKyung. SooKyung, this is my sister, Kimmy.” Kimmy smiled and said, “Hi. I just wanted to tell you that Andy oppa is a really nice guy… and I'm sure he’ll be nice to you. If he isn’t, just tell me, and I’ll whack him in the butt for you.” SooKyung laughed and said, “No… we’re not going out. Well, I kind of have to run… have to see MinWoo. I’ll see you guys later… since we live right in front of each other… Bye!” Kimmy and Andy waved and as she went down the elevator, Kimmy sighed and said, “Andy oppa… another one already? I didn’t know you were that popular… Unless this one looks like she has a sense of humor. The last girlfriend you had couldn’t laugh at ANYTHING.” Andy turned to face her and said, “I told you… she’s not my girlfriend!” They ran around chasing each other. They stopped when they heard a thumping noise from the bottom floor, telling them to be quiet. Andy and Kimmy ended up on the floor, laughing from exhaustion. <CENTER> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER> “SooKyung ah! Here!” “Hi, MinWoo oppa!” ”I noticed you called me oppa…” SooKyung smiled and sat down. “What would you like?” MinWoo asked. ”I'm not sure… what’s good here?” MinWoo shrugged and looked at SooKyung. SooKyung looked up at him and asked, “What?” MinWoo shook his head and blushed, embarrassed that he had been caught looking at her. SooKyung shrugged and looked at the menu. “Hm… I’ll have a… I don’t know… MinWoo oppa, this is a nightclub. There’s nothing to eat!” MinWoo laughed and said, “That’s why I’m going to take you to one of the most fanciest restaurants in town.” SooKyung raised an eyebrow and MinWoo laughed. “Maybe not the fanciest… but it’s okay. Here… ride in my car okay?” SooKyung nodded as they went out of the nightclub, into his car. The chauffeur opened the door for her and she said, “Thank you.” After they had got in, MinWoo said, “I told you… But I guess you’re too nice. You don’t say thank you to chauffeurs! It’s their job!” SooKyung shrugged and said, “Oh well… So, where are we going?” MinWoo just said, “Just follow me.” When they pulled up to their destination, SooKyung frowned. “This isn’t a fancy restaurant! It’s a gal bi jib!” MinWoo laughed and shrugged. “I sometimes get meals free here… and the best service. It’s really good…” SooKyung frowned and stomped in. MinWoo ran to her and put his arm around her… “Are you mad?” SooKyung stepped in and gasped. From the outside, it looked like a regular old gal bi jib. But in the inside, it was something else. There was a large marble stair leading to the upstairs, where the V.I.P. rooms were. Downstairs, there were elaborate decorations of flowers and flowing streams of water. SooKyung looked around, mouth open and her eyes glittering. MinWoo smiled and said, “Upstairs… I made reservations.” SooKyung hugged MinWoo in delight and said, “Thanks oppa. I really thank you.” MinWoo smiled and patted her. “Anytime…” Chapter 12 MinWoo and SooKyung had finished their big meal of galbi and other things, and they were both full. MinWoo patted his stomach and asked, “Do you want to go somewhere else?” SooKyung shook her head and said, “I just want to go home… Do you want to take me there?? I mean… DongWan oppa seemed to like you too. He doesn’t like a lot of guys.” MinWoo cocked his head and asked, “Why not? He didn’t seem to like HyeSung being at the night club either…” SooKyung sighed and said, “DongWan oppa doesn’t like guys to be around me… well he used to be like that. I guess he’s okay with it now. I had a talk with him yesterday.” She looked up into MinWoo’s eyes and smiled. But MinWoo wasn’t smiling. He was thinking, ‘If DongWan didn’t want any guys to be around her… how…’ SooKyung curiously looked at him and asked, “MinWoo oppa? You okay?” MinWoo came out of his thoughts and answered, “Yeah.” SooKyung sighed and said, “Don’t worry about it. So, do you want to come?” MinWoo frowned and asked, “Where?” SooKyung laughed and said, “I guess we were off subject too much. Do you want to come to my house?” MinWoo said, “Oh! Sure… why not?” SooKyung smiled and they walked out of the restaurant. They soon got to a goon goh gooh mah (roasted sweet potatoes [?]) stand and SooKyung smiled, and she soon laughed out loud. MinWoo looked at her questioningly and asked, “What’s so funny?” SooKyung just pointed to the stand and MinWoo looked at her. SooKyung took a deep breath and said, “DongWan oppa loves goon goh gooh mah. He says it’s his favorite food in the whole world. He would pick this over a luxurious meal.” MinWoo laughed and said, “Oh… they why don’t you get some for him?” SooKyung shook her head and said, “We’re short on mon…” She clamped her hand over her mouth, realizing that she had almost let out the biggest secret that DongWan and she shared. MinWoo glanced at her and asked, “Short on what?” SooKyung shook her head, her hand still over her mouth. MinWoo cheerfully said, “Well, if you’re not going to get it, I will!” He walked over to the ahjuhshi at the stand and said, “Ah juh shi! Can you get us two bags please?” The ahjuhshi stared and said, “Young man… a single bag holds 4 goh gooh mah’s. Are you sure you want two bags? Just for two of you?” MinWoo nodded and said, “Thank you!” He paid and turned to SooKyung. He said, “You must be freezing. Here, hold these… they’ll keep your hands warm.” SooKyung gratefully smiled at him and took the goh gooh mah’s. She stammered, “MinWoo oppa… I… Thank you… I'm so thankful that…” MinWoo laughed and put his arms around her. He said, “It’s nothing!” SooKyung blushed under his touch and MinWoo laughed again. They walked towards her house, SooKyung blushing and MinWoo having the time of his life. <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> *knock knock* DongWan got up from the couch, wondering who it could be. He asked, “Who is it?” On the other side of the door, MinWoo and SooKyung were quiet as mice. DongWan frowned and opened a door just a crack. SooKyung burst in, thrusting the bag of goh gooh mah’s in DongWan’s face. Dongwan laughed and asked, “Mmm… Goon gooh gooh mah…” MinWoo peeped in from behind SooKyung and said, “Hi, Hyung…” DongWan frowned but when he saw SooKyung’s happy face, he decided he liked MinWoo. “Hi!” he replied. They all sat down on the floor and watched DongWan take out the goh gooh mah. MinWoo said, “Sorry hyung… I was going to get more but that ah juh shi was surprised that I even got two bags… Miahn heh!” DongWan glanced at him and asked, “I noticed you’re calling me hyung… why is that?” ”Well, you’re older than me aren’t you? I plan to keep the Korean traditions… if they’re older, you give them the respect.” DongWan looked at him and concentrated on the hot goh gooh mah. He thought about MinWoo… He knew he was a good kid… a rich kid. He couldn’t receive charity from him everyday like this. All because SooKyung and he… DongWan shook the thought off and headed to the living room, where MinWoo and SooKyung were laughing. SooKyung was really happy… He had never seen him that happy before. He set the goh gooh mah down on the floor and MinWoo peeled one. He made sure it was clean and stuck it out in front of SooKyung’s face. She drew back in amazement. MinWoo held it out and said, “Take it…” SooKyung slowly raised her hand to take the goh gooh mah. She said, “Thanks…” as she bit in. DongWan carefully watched as MinWoo smiled at the sight of SooKyung eating a goh gooh mah. MinWoo started on another goh gooh mah and made sure THAT was clean. He held it in front of DongWan this time. DongWan looked at him, surprised. MinWoo smiled and said, “I don’t really like goh gooh mah that much…” DongWan stared but took the goh gooh mah gratefully. MinWoo smiled and looked at his watch. It was 2 PM. He stood up and said, “Oh… my… I'm late for my meeting. I’ve got to run! Bye! See you guys later!” SooKyung stuffed the last remains of the goh gooh mah into her mouth and ran to the door. “Bye, MinWoo oppa! Thanks for the goh gooh mah!” MinWoo waved and ran out. SooKyung sighed and asked, “DongWan oppa… isn’t he great?” DongWan nodded and saw that SooKyung was finally getting an interest for another guy. Another guy other than… HyeSung. Chapter 13 “Lee MinWoo! Why are you late!? This is the third time you’ve been late to an important meeting for our company!” ”Ah buh jih… I… I'm sorry. I won’t let it happen again.” ”You didn’t answer my question. Why were you late?” ”I… I was with Kim SooKyung, ah buh jih.” His father looked at him and asked, “And who exactly is Kim SooKyung?” MinWoo took a deep breath and answered, “She’s the girl I like, father.” <CENTER>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</CENTER> “Hey oppa… do you remember Andy?” ”Oh, MinWoo’s friend?” “Uh huh. He lives right across from us.” ”Really?” ”Eung… do you want to visit him? Because I’m going to visit him right now.” ”Okay… he looked like a nice kid.” DongWan and SooKyung walked themselves over to Andy’s house and knocked on the door. The door opened and a voice asked, “Who is it?” DongWan stared at SooKyung and said, “That’s not Andy’s voice… that’s not even a guy’s voice.” ”I think it’s his sister,” she whispered. Out loud, she said, “It’s me, Kim SooKyung!” The door opened and Kimmy stood there, with a baby blue shirt and baggy pants. She said, “Oh! Andy’s girlfriend!” DongWan looked at SooKyung with raised eyebrows. SooKyung shook her head and smiled. “I told you… I'm not Andy’s girlfriend!” Kimmy shrugged and yelled, “Oppa! SooKyung’s here!” DongWan carefully stepped in after SooKyung and looked around. It was a tidy place that was almost like their apartment. He figured that Andy and Kimmy lived alone too. Andy came out of his room and said, “Oh, hi SooKyung! Oh… DongWan… hi.” They both said their hello’s and SooKyung asked, “Can we come in?” Kimmy smacked herself on the head and said, “I'm sorry… I'm kind of out of it… Sit down…” She pulled up two chairs from the dinner table and asked, “SooKyung right? Is this your brother?” She looked at DongWan, noticing him for the first time. SooKyung said, “Yeah… his name’s DongWan.” DongWan looked up and smiled. “Hi… you must be Andy’s sister.” Kimmy nodded and said, “Yeah. That’s me. Kimmy. I have to be stuck with this stupid brother that doesn’t even care about his sister. Such a sad life for me.” From inside the room, Andy yelled, “I heard that!” Kimmy laughed and asked, “Oppa! What are you doing? There are guests here!” Andy came out with a big box and said, “I was cleaning out the mess in the closet. I came upon a box of photo albums. You want to look at them?” DongWan and SooKyung nodded and she said, “Sure… we have nothing else to do.” The sat down all together and looked at the pictures. SooKyung squinted her eyes to look at a certain picture and asked, “Is this… is this who I think it is?” Andy leaned over her shoulder and nodded. “Yup, that’s MinWoo when he was a little kid. And that’s HyeSung right there. MinWoo said that they’ve known each other for the longest time. This is an album of my friends.” SooKyung nodded. She kept on flipping through the pictures. Suddenly, she laughed right out loud. Andy and DongWan peeked to take a look at what she was laughing at. It was a picture of MinWoo in his underwear with a blanket on his back, like a cape. He was holding his fist out in the air, pretending to be Superman. DongWan smiled and Andy laughed. Kimmy kept her nose stuck in one certain album. SooKyung finally finished that album and asked, “Kimmy, what are you looking at?” Kimmy looked up and showed her. There were separate albums for some of Andy’s friends. These were of Eric, MinWoo, DongWan, JunJin, and HyeSung. Kimmy was looking at HyeSung’s. SooKyung asked, “Kimmy… do you know HyeSung oppa?” Kimmy nodded and asked, “Do you?” ”We’ve had… we’ve had… occasions when we ran into each other…” ”Oh. Well, yeah I know him. He’s a close oppa…” She looked down at his picture and pointed at it. SooKyung leaned over her shoulder and asked, “What is this a picture of?” ”It’s a picture of HyeSung oppa… he gave it to Andy to put in his album. He said it was a picture of him and his first love. Of course, Andy and I think it’s just a picture of this girl that he liked but the girl never liked him back… Like jjak sarang. You know…” SooKyung nodded and asked, “I wonder who the girl is?” Kimmy showed her the album and SooKyung’s eyes froze on the picture. It couldn’t be… what the… she had never… she had never taken a picture with HyeSung. But it was right in front of her eyes… HyeSung was handing her flowers… and SooKyung was receiving them with a smile on her face. There was another picture right beneath it, showing HyeSung kissing SooKyung on the cheek and SooKyung’s red face clearly visible. SooKyung shook her head and asked, “Kimmy… do you know when HyeSung gave this to Andy?” Kimmy shrugged and yelled, “Oppa! When did HyeSung give this picture to you?” Andy took a quick look at the picture and said, “Oh… I think about last year. I don’t know. Why? Do you know the girl, SooKyung?” SooKyung slowly nodded and Andy asked, “Who is it?” ”That’s… that girl… that’s me.” Chapter 14 “What?” Andy asked. “How could that be you? That looks nothing like you… Plus, you don’t know him, do you?” ”I… I’ve known him ever since I was born. I guess he liked me, you can say that. He gave me presents. I remember one time… when he saved DongWan oppa and me from a kidnapper. He took it so… he was so shy about it. When I asked him if he would want to in the newspaper… all he said was, ‘I just like the thought of saving you, SooKyung.’ Then one day, his parents died. He had to go to America… to live with his uncle. And his uncle…” ”Turned out to be MinWoo’s dad,” DongWan finished for her. SooKyung nodded and said, “Before he left, he promised me he’d be back for me. He never came back. I waited for so long. Then one day, around a week before, there was a rose for me and a letter. The letter said something like he knew me from before. Of course, I had no idea it would be HyeSung. I never knew he knew that the rose was my favorite flower… no one knew that.” Kimmy sniffed and wiped off a tear with her sleeve. SooKyung smiled, getting tears in her own eyes. “Kimmy, don’t cry…” SooKyung said. Kimmy answered, “That’s so *sniff* romantic. *sniff* I never *sniff* knew that HyeSung *sniff* oppa had that *sniff* of side to *sniff* him.” SooKyung smiled and said, “Well, I guess people are like to their first loves…” DongWan frowned and Andy asked, “So you’re trying to tell me that you guys knew each other from the beginning?” SooKyung nodded and DongWan got up. “SooKyung ah… I think we should go. Bye, Andy… Kimmy. We had fun. I hope we could visit next time.” Andy nodded and said, “Bye DongWan… SooKyung. I hope you guys have a nice day.” After they were in their own apartment, SooKyung sighed and went into her room. DongWan looked after her, worrying about her. So, he had found out that she had been HyeSung’s first love. When he got his hands on that little boy… <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> <I>”Hyung?” ”Yeah…PilGyo?” ”Hyung… can I have a talk with you?” ”Yeah sure… what?” ”I… I know I'm only 8. And you’re 11. You’re more experienced with liking girls than I am. Do you think you can help me?” ”What?” ”I… I think I like SooKyung, hyung. It’s kind of uncomfortable for me to tell you this. Since you’re her oppa and all… but you’re the only person that SooKyung actually talks to. Hyung, can you help me to find out who she likes?? Because I like her a lot hyung. Please?? Can you?” DongWan had turned away, furious that someone other than himself liked SooKyung. He shook his head and PilGyo sadly asked, “Why?” ”I don’t like you, PilGyo! SooKyung is too pretty for you! You’re not going to be good to her!! Go away! Get away from this place!” A stunned PilGyo had walked away, looking down, tears falling on his pale, white face. DongWan had looked after him, feeling guilty and mad at the same time. He had started crying when SooKyung went running after PilGyo. ”PilGyo yah! Are you crying? Don’t cry! Why are you crying? Who made you cry! What’s wrong! I’ll beat them up for you!” DongWan watched his little sister putting his arm around the depressed PilGyo. He had felt so guilty. But somewhere in his heart, he had known that SooKyung would have found out some day. </I> <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> DongWan looked at his sister now… feeling more guilt than ever. So, SooKyung had finally found out. But why didn’t she feel happy? Wasn’t HyeSung HER first love, too? Or was it because she didn’t want to face the fact that she liked someone else… someone like… MinWoo? <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> “Ah buh jih! Why are you doing this!? She’s only 15! I'm only 18… ah buh jih!” His father turned to look at him. “Lee MinWoo! I met your mother when I was 17… we got engaged when we were 20. Don’t you think you should be looking for a bride? I'm old, MinWoo. You need someone to run the company with.” “Ah buh jih… don’t… please… she doesn’t know that I like her. It’s just a little feeling, ah buh jih.” ”Nonsense! If she doesn’t know, don’t you think that it’s time that she finds out? Give me her phone number now!” ”NO!” ”No? Okay then, I’ll make one of our workers bring all the Kim SooKyung’s in Korea.” ”Father! I don’t know her phone number!” ”Lee MinWoo! As your father, I command you!” MinWoo closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. “It’s 583-1938. Are you happy? What are you going to do, ah buh jih?” His father held his head up high. He answered, “I'm going to call her. I'm going to ask her to come out. So I can see her if she’s fit for you, MinWoo. Do you have any objection to that?” MinWoo shook his head and leaned back on his chair. He was doomed. Chapter 15 *ring ring* “Hello?” “Hello? Does this happen to be Kim SooKyung’s home?” ”Yes… this is her speaking. How may I help you?” ”Lee SaJang nim would want to meet you.” ”Me? Who’s Lee SaJang nim?” ”Do you know who Lee MinWoo is? His father is Lee SaJang Nim. He would want to meet his son’s girlfriend.” SooKyung was speechless. MinWoo’s girlfriend? Her? She was about to say, “I don’t under…” But the person on the phone said, “We have sent a car there. Please get ready by 15 minutes. Goodbye.” SooKyung slowly got up, put on her hiphop pants, then decided against it. If she was going to meet MinWoo’s father… she would have to dress formally. But… why would MinWoo tell his father that she was his girlfriend? It didn’t make sense… Then she said to herself, “Kim SooKyung. A lot of things in this world don’t make sense. Just wait until you get there… you’ll find out everything. I'm sure MinWoo has a good explanation for this.” <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> SooKyung had managed to slip out of the house without disturbing DongWan oppa. Of course, she had left a note. She was dressed in a suit jacket and black pants. She stepped out of the car, looking up at the huge building. She took a deep breath and followed the chauffeur up to the floor where MinWoo and his father were waiting. *knock knock* MinWoo’s face, which were buried in his hands, looked up at the door. ‘Please don’t let SooKyung be mad,’ he thought to himself. SooKyung slowly came in and bowed when she saw MinWoo’s father. MinWoo’s father nodded slowly and motioned her to sit down. SooKyung gave MinWoo a look saying: What’s going on?” MinWoo mouthed, ‘I'm sorry.” His father ordered for tea and asked, “So… Kim SooKyung, am I correct?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Yes, sir.” His father shook his head and said, “Please… be comfortable. Call me ah buh nim. It’s not everyday that MinWoo is late for a meeting because of a girl that he likes.” ”Excuse me?” ”MinWoo likes you, dear. Aren’t you his girlfriend?” SooKyung frantically looked at MinWoo. MinWoo put his head in his hands and looked up at her and shrugged. He was doomed. SooKyung took a deep breath and chose her words carefully. “Ah buh nim… we are just seeing each other. I like MinWoo… yes I do. But… I wasn’t sure if MinWoo oppa liked me. He showed signs sometimes… but they weren’t visible. I am happy… now that I know that MinWoo oppa does like me.” His father leaned back on his chair and nodded. “Kim SooKyung… how old are you?” ”I'm 15, ah buh nim. I am turning 16 in a week.” ”Hm… Two years isn’t bad, is it MinWoo?” MinWoo looked up, and answered, “No, it is not bad, ah buh jih.” MinWoo’s father got up and looked out his window. “Tell me, SooKyung… tell me about your family.” SooKyung grimaced at the sound of the word ‘family.’ She knew she had to face this sooner or later. She sighed and answered, “My mother and father died from a car crash when I was 10. I live with my brother, Kim DongWan.” His father slowly turned around and asked, “Only brother?” SooKyung slowly nodded and looked up at him. MinWoo’s father looked shocked that MinWoo would have chosen a parentless girl. She would have been perfect… but no parents… He quickly nodded and said, “Alright. You may leave, now. I'm sorry if this was a shock. MinWoo, make sure she gets out safely.” MinWoo bowed and SooKyung bowed too. “Ahn nyung eeh geh se yoh.” After they had gotten out of the room, they were both speechless. MinWoo finally stammered, “I'm sorry, SooKyung. I… I was a late for a meeting… and my father asked me why I was late. I said I met you and he asked who you were… and I told him you were the girl I liked.” His voice grew softer and softer as he talked and SooKyung smiled weakly. “Oppa… why didn’t you tell me that you liked me?” ”I… SooKyung ah… It had only been three weeks since I met you… I didn’t want to rush things. Plus, it seemed like DongWan hyung didn’t like me.” ”DongWan oppa likes you… he said you were the only guy that he approved of. I… I…” ”SooKyung ah… do you like me too?” SooKyung looked down at the floor and slowly answered, “Yes… MinWoo oppa… I do like you. But… HyeSung oppa… He gave me too much pain.” By now, they were outside. And MinWoo turned to face her. SooKyung stopped and started to say: Goodbye… But MinWoo stopped her. He looked into her eyes and said, “SooKyung ah… I know that HyeSung gave you a lot of pain. Do you think someone can ever erase it? Can I be the one to erase all the pain?” SooKyung looked at MinWoo, shocked. MinWoo went down on his knees and asked, “SooKyung ah… I like you a lot. Will you go out with me?” SooKyung looked around, embarrassed. She hit his arm, urging him to get up. “Oppa! Everyone is staring! Get up!” MinWoo shook his head and said, “I'm not going to get up unless you give me an answer!” SooKyung struggled for words. “I… MinWoo oppa… I like you too. I like you a lot. I… Oppa will you please get up. I can’t talk to people when… they’re on the floor.” MinWoo slowly got up and looked into her eyes. SooKyung turned away, turning red. MinWoo said, “SooKyung ah… I can wait… If you’re still getting over HyeSung, I can wait. Please… think about it. Discuss it with DongWan… can you give me the answer by tomorrow?” SooKyung slowly nodded and MinWoo turned away. MinWoo gave her a little push towards the car. “Go.” SooKyung nodded and said, “Bye MinWoo oppa.” She went in and the car drove away. MinWoo watched it drive off, with SooKyung in it… The first girl that he had actually enjoyed being around… ************************************************* |