| Chapter 16 SooKyung took a deep breath and went in her house. She knew she was going to get busted for this. DongWan was waiting on the couch, just as she thought that he would. SooKyung sat down next to him and started off, “Oppa… I'm sorry I was out so late. It’s just that MinWoo…” DongWan shook his head and said, “I don’t care… remember… I said that I wasn’t going to keep you in anymore. You’re yourself… I won’t take control of you. But if you want to tell me, where were you?” ”MinWoo called me… well not exactly oppa himself, but I think it was their… I don’t know. The person on the phone said that MinWoo’s father wanted to see me.” ”MinWoo’s father? Why him?” ”MinWoo oppa told me that his father asked him why he was so late and he said it was because he was meeting me… the girl that he liked. And his father wanted to meet me…” ”Woah… don’t rush things SooKyung ah… MinWoo likes you?” SooKyung slowly nodded her head and DongWan nodded and said, “I kind of figured that. Go on.” ”Well, and he called me. And we had a meeting, I guess. And he asked about me. When I told him… when I told him that I had no parents… his father kind of… looked shocked.” ”Hm… I really don’t know why MinWoo likes you… I don’t see what guys find in you. So ugly, so stupid… careless…” ”OPPA!” SooKyung glared at her brother and DongWan laughed. SooKyung’s expression changed and said, “Oppa… MinWoo oppa asked me to be his girlfriend today. He said to discuss it with you. Does this mean you approve?” DongWan stopped laughing and asked, “Approve?? He asked you for me to approve?” SooKyung shook her head and said, “No… I think what he means is… well I told him that you didn’t like guys being by my side… so I guess he thought…” DongWan nodded his head slowly and said, “Yes… SooKyung ah… I do approve of MinWoo. You can go out with him if you want… it doesn’t really matter to me. Just anyone except…” In a soft voice, not wanting to hear the truth, SooKyung asked, “HyeSung?” DongWan looked her in the eye and said, “Yes… anyone except HyeSung.” <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> “Ah buh jih? Did you like her?” ”Did I like her? I like anyone you bring in here, Lee MinWoo. You and I have the same taste. Yes, she was polite… she looked like a sweet girl. But MinWoo… no parents?” MinWoo, furious that his father would judge a person of their family, asked, “Is that all you care about? Parents? Family? Money?” MinWoo’s father shook his head and said, “MinWoo… I want the best for you. If the best has no money… no parents… it doesn’t matter to me. I just don’t want it to be hard to you.” MinWoo shook his head and said, “No… it won’t be hard for me. Nothing will be hard for me if you just approve, ah buh jih. Do you approve?” MinWoo’s father slowly said, “Yes, I approve. You may take her to be your bride… anything… but I approve. I hope you are comfortable with the thought of that.” MinWoo bowed to his father and said, “Thank you, ah buh jih. I must be going now.” MinWoo’s father nodded and MinWoo stepped out. He took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. <I>It was all over… ah buh jih had approved. And SooKyung didn’t even seem a little mad… That’s good. So, if I'm going out with her… no… I have to know her answer first. Oh, Lee MinWoo… why do you have such a good feeling about this? </I> He smiled and walked down the hall, smiling and bowing at everyone that passed by. The secretary at the desk stopped him and said, “Lee MinWoo shi? Phone call for you on line three.” MinWoo leaned over the desk and got the phone. “Hello? Lee MinWoo speaking.” ”MinWoo? It’s me HyeSung.” ”Oh, HEY HYUNG!” ”Whoa… someone’s really happy today. What happened?” ”Oh… nothing unusual. Business is just good.” ”Oh… well, do you happen to know where SooKyung is?” ”Kim SooKyung?” ”Yeah…” ”Why would I know where she is?” ”Well, you seemed close to her… and DongWan hyung even seemed attracted to you… So I just wondered if you guys were going out or something…” ”Huh? Going out? Nah… Hyung… you know that I hate girls… They’re all disgusting. Well, some are particularly attractive… but you know… Haha, going out…” His voice droned on as he softly added, “Not yet…” HyeSung sighed in disappointment and said, “Oh… okay then. I better be going, MinWoo. Ahn nyung!” ”Bye, hyung!” *click* MinWoo smiled at the secretary and gave her a peck on the cheek. The secretary looked up in surprise from her work and MinWoo waved. The secretary’s eyes went wide as she wiped off the place where he had pecked her. She went back to her work, stunned but still in control. MinWoo laughed and quickly ran down the stairs. He went into his car, turned on the engine. He waited… he didn’t know what he was waiting for… but he waited. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. All of the sudden, his cell phone rang. He almost jumped into the roof of the car. He took a deep breath and picked it up. ”Hello? SooKyung?” Someone laughed on the other line and said, “Lee MinWoo. Are you going out with SooKyung? Right when you pick up the phone, it’s, ‘Hello? SooKyung?’ MinWoo yah… hehe…” MinWoo groaned and said, “I'm expecting an important phone call, Eric hyung. What do you want?” Eric snickered and said, “Fine… we were going to invite you over to a party that Jin’s having for his new dance studio. I guess you need to wait for the phone call.” ”NO! What party? Can anyone come?” ”Haha… now you’re interested… Yeah, anyone can come. Are you planning to bring SooKyung with you?” MinWoo said, “Yeah… can I?” ”Sure… why not? Bring her over around 5:30 at that place that he showed you last time.” ”Okay… We’ll be there. DongWan hyung too.” ”Okay… bye MinWoo!” *click* MinWoo put down his cell phone and sighed. After a few minutes, it rang again. He quickly picked it up and said, “Hello? SooKyung?” ”Oppa? Were you waiting for my call?” ”Of course! Hey, Jin… remember him? Well he’s having a party for a new dance studio his family opened. Do you want to come?” “Sure… then, how about I tell you my answer there oppa?” ”Okay!” MinWoo was so sure it was “yes” that he didn’t even care if he had to wait forever. He smiled and said, “Bye! I’ll pick you up! Get ready! It’s 5:00 right now!” ”Bye, oppa! I’ll tell DongWan oppa to get ready okay?” ”Okay! Bye!” *click* MinWoo sighed and yelled. “YAH HOO!!” He spread his arms wide as a couple standing next to his car stared at him. MinWoo stared back and said to himself, “I'm going to have a girlfriend, too… very soon.” The couple walked away and MinWoo smiled and leaned back on the seat. He smiled and looked up at the roof of his car. He laughed out loud and he drove off to pick up SooKyung. Chapter 17 “JunJin oppa? We’re here!” SooKyung shouted. Jin came down to meet his guests and shook hands with SooKyung. “Welcome to my dance studio. Thank you for coming.” SooKyung smiled and MinWoo grinned as he smacked him in the head. SooKyung handed him the present they had gave him and JunJin said, “Thanks.” SooKyung asked, “Do you like dancing?” ”Yeah… remember when I asked you to dance with me at the night club? You were so stubborn, you wouldn’t dance…” ”Hehe… I'm sorry. Maybe I’ll dance some time later… Later.” ”Okay… Hey MinWoo! Guess who’s here?” ”Who?” ”HyeSung!” SooKyung looked at MinWoo and asked, “HyeSung?” JunJin looked confused and said, “You know… Shin HyeSung. Why else wouldn’t he be here? I guess you could call him a part of our “group.” Why? You don’t like him or something?” SooKyung shook her head, and just at that moment, Andy and Eric came out from one of the rooms, laughing. Eric saw SooKyung and said, “Hi!” SooKyung said, “Hi, Eric oppa. Hey, Andy. Is your sister here?” Andy nodded and pointed to a room. “She’s in there somewhere, flirting with the new instructors.” SooKyung laughed as she went to find Kimmy. She found her talking with a guy. She waved to Kimmy and she beckoned to her. SooKyung came and she said, “SooKyung… this is Hwang YoonSuk, but I call him Hwanhee. Hwanhee yah, this is SooKyung.” Hwanhee smiled and stuck out his hand. He grinned and said, “Pleased to meet you, SooKyung.” SooKyung smiled and said, “Pleased to meet you, too. Are you going to work here?” Hwanhee nodded and said, “JunJin hyung said this was a studio for singing and dancing. So I took the singing part.” SooKyung said, “Oh~ I see. Kimmy yah… is HyeSung oppa here?” Kimmy nodded and said, “Probably in one of the recording rooms. Singing his head off.” SooKyung grinned. <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> <I>”SooKyung ah! I have no present to give you! And it’s your seventh birthday! Seven is such a special birthday, don’t you think?” ”It’s okay, HyeSung oppa.” ”No! I want to give you something!” ”Hm… how about… you could sing me a song…” ”Okay… I’ll sing you a song.” HyeSung’s young, sweet voice sang to SooKyung. SooKyung swayed to the beat as HyeSung sang a song that he had heard on the radio. After it was done, SooKyung ran to hug him. “Oppa… that was the best birthday present I got in years!” HyeSung hugged her back and smiled. “I hope you liked it, SooKyung. It was the best I can do.” </I> <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> Kimmy hit SooKyung on the shoulder and said, “Hey! Hwanhee asked you something!” SooKyung shook her head and said, “Oh… I'm sorry. What?” ”Can you sing or dance?” ”Um… I'm okay at dancing. But singing… I'm not sure.” ”Hehe… well, maybe I can teach you then.” SooKyung shook her head and said, “I don’t think anyone can…” Hwanhee and Kimmy laughed and MinWoo came in. ”SooKyung ah! You said you’ll tell me the answer here… Can’t you tell me now?” SooKyung said, “In front of all these people?” MinWoo shrugged and said, “Who cares?? They’re going to know anyway.” SooKyung sighed and said, “DongWan oppa approved.” MinWoo smiled and ran to her to hug her. SooKyung looked on in surprise as Kimmy’s eyes grew wide. “Wait… you guys are going out now?” Kimmy asked. MinWoo nodded and hugged SooKyung tightly. SooKyung tried hard to breathe as all the breath was squeezed out of her. Kimmy yelled, “MinWoo oppa! You’re suffocating her!” MinWoo quickly let go and said, “Oh my gosh… are you okay? I'm so sorry!” SooKyung gasped for breath and said, “I'm okay… I'm okay…” MinWoo hugged her again, lighter this time. He said, “SooKyung ah… I'm sorry. First day, and I’ve made it bad. I’ll never hurt you again… I promise.” SooKyung had put her arms around his neck and they stayed like that for at least a minute. Kimmy and Hwanhee just looked on. Just then, HyeSung came in through the door. He saw SooKyung and MinWoo hugging, and he fell apart. He grabbed at the doorway and shook his head. When Kimmy saw him she said, “Oppa!” SooKyung looked up in surprise and stuttered, “Hye… HyeSung… HyeSung oppa.” MinWoo smiled and said, “Hyung… we’re going out now!” HyeSung looked at SooKyung in disbelief and asked, “Going out?” Chapter 18 MinWoo nodded and SooKyung tried to avoid HyeSung’s gaze. But HyeSung walked swiftly over to her and made her look at him. “SooKyung ah. Is this true?” SooKyung looked up into HyeSung’s eyes and firmly said, “Yes, HyeSung oppa. It’s true. Why? You can’t bear to see YOUR SooKyung with another guy… your cousin?” She sounded hurt and HyeSung pulled away from her. HyeSung shook his head and asked, “SooKyung ah… how could you say that?” ”Well, it’s true isn’t it? When you left me? When you left me here in Korea to go to America just because your parents passed away. I felt sorry for you oppa… I really did. I asked you if you wanted to stay at our house for awhile. You said no… You thought it would hurt your pride didn’t you? You didn’t like to receive charity. So you went to your cousin. And years later, you found out that your cousin liked me, and I like him too. Oppa, does that hurt your pride, too?” HyeSung was surprised. SooKyung had never spoken like that to him before. She was so happy, so friendly when she was around him. He shook his head and said, “No… it doesn’t hurt my pride that MinWoo likes you… or that you like him. What hurts my pride is that you speak to me that way. I was your first love wasn’t I? You were MY first love, Kim SooKyung. Those times we’ve had… those times that you actually liked me for who I was…” SooKyung’s eyes were watering as she said, “Oppa… I still like you for who you are. But… It’s been so long… I don’t think we could work things out again. We were young… no… I was young. I think that we should let each other go. I think YOU should let ME go… I’ve already let you go, oppa. The best is to let me go now…” HyeSung asked, “But… Don’t you like me SooKyung?” SooKyung sighed and looked around her. Kimmy and Hwanhee were standing off to the side, looking at them. MinWoo was standing next to her, stunned. As she looked at the doorway, she gave out a little gasp. DongWan oppa was standing there, leaning against the doorway. Then she looked back at HyeSung. “Oppa… I DID like you… then I saw how much you’ve changed. And even if you didn’t change, I was young. I didn’t know what liking a person could do to you.” HyeSung looked down at the floor and said, “So you don’t like me now?” SooKyung sighed and took his hand. MinWoo watching her made her uncomfortable. She looked into his blurry eyes through her blurry eyes and said, “Oppa… move on. I’ve moved on… it’s your turn. Please, do it for the sake of me and you.” HyeSung turned whiter than he was and said, “Alright then, SooKyung ah. I’ve tried once… and I couldn’t do it. But I’ll try again… for you… for you, my first love.” SooKyung hugged him tightly and whispered into his ear, “I’ll never forget you, oppa. I never will.” HyeSung hugged her back and caressed her hair. SooKyung tried not to cry at his touch but she pulled away. She went to MinWoo and he put his arm around her waist. SooKyung held his hand and DongWan finally said something. “HyeSung… I… I'm sorry for all those years. I just didn’t want to face you… not after what you did to my sister. You made her so ill I thought she was going to die. I hoped you wouldn’t come back. But you did, and I see that you’ve made her better… I thank you, Jung PilGyo.” HyeSung nodded quickly and ran out of the room. He tried to hide the tears but he ran right into Eric. Eric said, “Hey… HyeSung. What’s up?” HyeSung looked at the floor and covered his eyes. He mumbled, “Nothing.” And HyeSung went on his way. Eric shrugged and went into the room where everyone was shocked about what had happened. Eric asked, “What’s wrong with HyeSung?” SooKyung looked up from MinWoo’s embrace and asked, “Is something wrong?” Eric shrugged and said, “Well, HyeSung just ran out of the building… I think he was crying?” SooKyung sat down on a chair and asked, “Oh, MinWoo oppa… what have I done?” MinWoo shook his head and patted her. “It’s okay… It’s not your fault. HyeSung just needs to get over you now. For now, you have me.” SooKyung looked up at MinWoo’s smiling face and said, “You’re right. I guess I do have you now… Thanks, oppa.” MinWoo smiled and said, “Come on… get up. We have to see the rooms.” <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> “This room is so big!” SooKyung exclaimed. “It’s because it’s the dancing studio. It’s nice, huh? I’m going to teach in this room.” JunJin explained. SooKyung nodded and looked back at their group. Eric, Andy, Kimmy, and DongWan were examining the mirrors and Kimmy was posing in front of them. They were all laughing as JunJin joined them. He started doing a weird and everyone laughed. MinWoo and SooKyung continued to walk around. SooKyung suddenly asked, “Do you think I can get a job here?” MinWoo asked, “Why? Do you think you want to teach?” ”Yeah… Singing. Why not? Maybe I could even learn a little from Hwanhee.” MinWoo nodded and said, “Jin will probably give you the job right away… and if he doesn’t, I’ll make him.” SooKyung laughed as they approached a recording studio. SooKyung gasped and said, “JunJin oppa must have put a lot of money into this place. MinWoo nodded and said, “My dad’s company kind of contributed.” SooKyung spotted a hunched figure in the corner and she quietly asked, “HyeSung oppa?” The person in the corner looked up and SooKyung said, “Oh, you’re not HyeSung. I'm sorry.” The person smiled and said, “I don’t know how you could mistake me for HyeSung hyung. Different hair, totally different style. Hey, MinWoo. How ya doing?” MinWoo nodded and said, “I'm doing good… how about you Brian? Oh, meet my girlfriend, SooKyung.” Brian laughed and said, “Hi. I'm Brian… my girlfriend’s somewhere here, roaming around. Well, I was just kind of tired. Just thought I could get a little rest. Well, see you around!” SooKyung waved and MinWoo and SooKyung were left all alone in the room. MinWoo looked at SooKyung and said, “Ooh leeh hon jah mahn eeh neh…” SooKyung gave a stare and MinWoo blushed. SooKyung smiled and said, “You know… my birthday’s the day after tomorrow.” MinWoo gasped and said, “Oh! I almost forgot about that!” SooKyung smiled and said, “I think DongWan oppa forgot too. Don’t tell him, though.” ”16, right?” SooKyung nodded and MinWoo suggested, “Let’s go out.” They went out and held hands. They smiled at each other and both felt the happiness that they had longed for years. Chapter 19 *SooKyung’s birthday* SooKyung yawned and put the covers over her head. But she couldn’t fall asleep again. It was her Sweet 16 birthday. She threw back the covers and yelled, “DongWan oppa! Wake up!” But DongWan was already up, cooking mi yuk gook (a that is usually eaten on people’s birthdays). SooKyung smiled and said, “Mm… smells good.” DongWan laughed and he hugged her, apron and all. “Happy birthday, SooKyung!” SooKyung smiled and said, “Thanks, oppa. Hurry… I want to eat.” They had finished eating when the phone rang. SooKyung yelled, “I’ll get it!” “Hello?” “Hello? SooKyung?” ”Yea… MinWoo?” ”Yeah. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” SooKyung giggled and said, “Thanks.” MinWoo sighed and said, “SooKyung ah… I don’t think I can make it to your birthday. See, DongWan hyung called me last night to ask if I could come over with my friends to your house. But none of us could make it. I, especially, can’t. I have a meeting and if my dad finds out that I missed it… Well, you know… I'm so sorry, SooKyung. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” SooKyung smiled weakly and said, “I guess if it’s a business meeting. Don’t fall asleep in there! Have fun, okay! I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” MinWoo said, “Yeah… I'm so sorry, SooKyung.” SooKyung sighed and said, “Nothing can be done about it. Bye!” ”Bye!” *click* SooKyung put down the phone and tried to hold back the tears that were coming down her cheeks. She didn’t want DongWan oppa to see her cry… especially not on her birthday. She quickly wiped off the tears and put a smile on her face. She skipped into the kitchen and said, “Oh, MinWoo said he couldn’t make it to the party that you were planning without me.” DongWan grinned and said, “Sorry… it was supposed to be a surprise. Stupid MinWoo!” SooKyung glared and threw a strawberry at DongWan. DongWan ducked and it hit the refrigerator. They both laughed, but SooKyung wasn’t in the mood for laughing. She sighed and said, “I think I’ve had enough of breakfast. I'm going to sleep. Good night.” DongWan said, “Good night. Wake up in two hours.” SooKyung nodded and went into her room. As soon as the door slammed shut, she burst into tears. She talked into her pillow. “Oppa… why did you have to have a stupid business meeting? Why? Can’t you be with me on this special day? I love you, I long for you. All I did these past two days was think about you. I was looking forward to today… I got to see you… But now, it’s no use. I can’t see you. I have to wait until tomorrow.” She tried not to make any noise, but DongWan heard. He leaned against the door carefully as he listened to her cries for MinWoo. He bit his lip and dashed to the phone. He dialed MinWoo’s number. ”Hello? Lee MinWoo speaking.” ”MinWoo? It’s me, DongWan. Can’t you make a LITTLE time for SooKyung?” ”Why? What’s wrong?” ”I… I heard her crying in her room. She wants to see you bad, MinWoo. I'm not the type to beg… but if it’s for SooKyung, I’ll do anything. Please, can’t you make some time?” MinWoo sighed and said, “I'm sorry, hyung. I… I can’t. I have meetings crammed right after another. And later, I have to go to the new mall that’s going to be built.” ”But can’t you stop by then? I mean, it’s like right next to our apartments.” ”I can’t, hyung. Hyung, I have to go into a meeting right now. I have to go. Bye.” *click* DongWan sighed and looked at the phone. ‘Maybe MinWoo wasn’t good enough for SooKyung. A boy too caught up in his father’s business. HyeSung wouldn’t…’ DongWan shook his head. He wasn’t going to think about HyeSung. He was a disgrace. He wasn’t the type to do ANYTHING for SooKyung’s birthday. He wasn’t, was he? <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> <I>”SooKyung ah! Close your eyes!” ”Why?” ”I have something for you!” SooKyung closed her eyes, longing to see what PilGyo had for her. PilGyo put a small box in her hands and she opened them. She quickly opened the box as PilGyo watched, grinning. SooKyung gasped. It was a small wooden rose. PilGyo smiled and said, “I made it myself.” SooKyung shook her head and said, “YOU LIAR! You’re only 9! How could you make such a thing?” PilGyo looked hurt and said, “I did… My dad helped me.” SooKyung’s face softened and asked, “Really?” PilGyo nodded and SooKyung hugged him. She said, “Thank you oppa. This is the best present ever!” “How about the song I sang you for your seventh birthday? Last year?” ”Oh… that too. All the presents from you are the best.” PilGyo and SooKyung had smiled at each other. SooKyung had held the rose so tightly in her fist that it had left an imprint of an rose on her palm.</I> <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> SooKyung was still crying into her pillow when she finally decided to get up. She took a shower and came out in the living room. It was decorated with a banner that said “HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOO KYUNG!” There were balloons everywere hanging from the ceiling. There was a table with all the food that SooKyung could have imagined. In the middle, there was a centerpiece with a big white rose in the middle. It was surrounded with yellow, white, red, and pink small roses. SooKyung gasped at the sight and stopped in her tracks. DongWan popped out of no where and said, “Happy birthday, SooKyung!” SooKyung stood there, wide-eyed. When she finally found her voice, she asked, “Oppa… you did this all by yourself?” DongWan nodded and said, “Most of the things were the things that MinWoo ordered. Aren’t the roses pretty? He ordered them and I arranged them.” SooKyung tried to stop the tears that were already coming down her face. DongWan walked over to her and put his arms around her. “SooKyung ah. MinWoo’s really sorry that he couldn’t make it. It seemed like he was going to cry. I think he really tried to cancel the meetings. If you want to go out with him, I think you’ll have to face consequences. It’s okay…” SooKyung smiled and said, “Thanks, oppa. Thank you so much.” They ate the big meal laid in front of them. When they had filled themselves up, they packed it into little cartons and put it in their refrigerator. DongWan said, “Whoa… that will be probably be two months of our meals.” SooKyung giggled and said, “Oppa, thanks for making this day so special.” *knock knock* SooKyung ran to open the door and to see who it was. It was Andy and Kimmy. Kimmy peeked her head in and said, “Happy birthday, SooKyung!” SooKyung looked at them in surprise and asked, “How did you know?” Andy smiled and said, “MinWoo called us. We got you a little something… The best we can do.” They gave her their presents. SooKyung accepted them and said, “Thanks you guys… you’ve made my birthday the best…” Kimmy and Andy smiled and sat down. DongWan said, “Are you guys hungry? We have enough food to last us two months.” Kimmy laughed and said, “No. We just ate a couple of minutes ago.” Andy said, “SooKyung, open the presents.” SooKyung got the presents and opened it. It was a cute set of pajamas and a traveling kit. It had a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and everything else you needed for traveling. SooKyung said, “Thank you~” Kimmy said, “You’re welcome… Isn’t it cute? I picked it out. Andy oppa was going to get you a stupid black shirt and gray pants. You didn’t want that, did you?” SooKyung laughed and Andy glared at Kimmy. Kimmy smiled and DongWan laughed. Soon, they were all laughing and SooKyung had soon forgotten about MinWoo. <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> It was 11:50 PM and MinWoo was in front of SooKyung’s apartment. He sighed as he looked up at the building. He quietly whispered to himself, “I'm sorry, SooKyung. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> It was 11:50 PM and SooKyung was still tossing and turning in her sleep. She finally decided to wake up and get some fresh air. She put on a thick coat and walked outside, into the cool breeze. She closed her eyes and stood in the middle of the sidewalk. She let the breeze go through her hair, blowing it across her face. <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> MinWoo strained his eyes to look at a lonely figure walking down the stairs. He squinted as she stood in the middle of the sidewalk. She let her hair fly all around her. He cocked his head as he thought, ‘Is that SooKyung?’ <CENTER>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</CENTER> SooKyung sighed as she opened her eyes and saw a person walking towards her. She decided to move out his way and moved nearer to the apartment. But the person wouldn’t stop, and he kept on walking towards her. SooKyung looked to see who it was and frowned. She whispered, “It isn’t MinWoo, is it? It can’t be. He probably went home, because of all those meetings.” But as he got closer and closer, she saw that it WAS MinWoo. And MinWoo saw that it was SooKyung. They stood four feet away from each other. Suddenly, MinWoo looked at his watch and said, “It’s not 12 yet. You want to go for a midnight snack?” SooKyung nodded as MinWoo held out his hand. SooKyung took it and said, “Oppa… this is a dream, isn’t it?” MinWoo said, “Does it seem like a dream to you, too? It does to me, too. But I'm pretty sure it’s real. Look at the moonlight. Isn’t it beautiful?” SooKyung looked up and nodded. “But this is a dream. You had so many meetings, you couldn’t make it to my birthday.” ”But I'm here…” ”But…” MinWoo said, “Look, SooKyung. If you don’t believe me, pinch me. And I’ll tell you if it hurts.” SooKyung reached up to pinch his cheeks. But MinWoo caught her hands in midair, and put his mouth to hers. Underneath the moonlight, on August 12, MinWoo and SooKyung had their first kiss. Underneath the moonlight… and it happened to be that they were next to a rosebush. A big white rose… and the last petal fell, right when the minute and hour hand touched the 12. Gently making a click as they fell into place on MinWoo’s watch… gently… like MinWoo and SooKyung’s lips… Chapter 20 SooKyung had pulled away, blushing. MinWoo had looked up in the sky, hands in his pockets. He sighed and looked at SooKyung. SooKyung was licking her lips, still feeling MinWoo’s lips on hers. MinWoo said, “SooKyung ah… I… Miahn hae… neh gah…” SooKyung shook her head and said, “Oppa, thanks for coming. I didn’t know you were going to come this late.” MinWoo smiled and said, “I just thought I’d stop by. I thought you were mad at me…” ”Well, I kind of was… I mean, you’re the most special person in my life right now… next to DongWan oppa. And I thought… I thought I could have spent my special day with a special person. But you were busy…” ”I’m sorry, SooKyung ah. From now on, I won’t let my business get in the way of you.” SooKyung looked up at MinWoo and said, “You promise?” MinWoo nodded and said, “I promise.” SooKyung smiled and hugged MinWoo. MinWoo was taken aback, but hugged her back. MinWoo and SooKyung finally pulled apart and MinWoo looked at his watch. “Hey, it’s exactly 12:01. It’s not your birthday anymore.” SooKyung smiled and said, “But that doesn’t mean we can’t go for an ice cream…” MinWoo laughed and said, “Okay… Let’s go.” They held hands, walking to the nearest ice cream store they could find. SooKyung looked at MinWoo and thought, ‘Oppa… after I lost HyeSung oppa, I thought I couldn’t find anyone special enough to fill his place. Now, I see that I was wrong. You’re special to me, oppa. I love you…’ MinWoo caught her looking at him and smiled. SooKyung turned away, embarrassed. MinWoo thought, ‘Kim SooKyung… You’re so cute when you turn red… Your cheeks become flushed with your love for me… I know you love me. I love you too. It’s just that… I can’t confess to you yet. I'm not a person that loves someone that easily… But you, ever since I met you, all I thought about was you. I love you…’ <C>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</C> “SooKyung ah! Where were you last night?” ”Me… DongWan oppa… were you looking for me?” “Yes! I got up in the middle up the night to take a bathroom break and you weren’t in bed!” ”Sorry… were you worried?” ”No… not really. To tell you the truth, I knew that MinWoo would come.” ”How did you know that I was with MinWoo…?” ”Who else would you be with?” SooKyung giggled as DongWan and she was eating breakfast the next morning. DongWan asked, “So did you have fun?” SooKyung blushed at the thought of MinWoo’s lips and said, “We got some ice cream.” DongWan said, “Oh.” Then, the doorbell rang. DongWan shouted, “I bet you anything it’s MinWoo!” ”NO! I think it’s Andy and Kimmy!” When they got to the door, they were both wrong. It was JunJin. SooKyung looked at him and gasped. “JunJin oppa, what are you doing here?” JunJin grinned and asked, “Why? I can’t be here? Fine, I’ll leave…” SooKyung grabbed his shirt and said, “NO! Wait! Come in…” JunJin smiled as he came in. They sat down and JunJin said, “I'm sorry if I'm bothering you… But I wanted to open my dance studio today… and I was wondering if you could help out…” SooKyung and DongWan said, “Us?” And JunJin nodded. He said, “Maybe SooKyung could start teaching dancing right away… and DongWan hyung could… um… I don’t know. Help Hwanhee start teaching to sing. Or something like that. Could you do it?” SooKyung smiled and said, “Sure! Is MinWoo doing anything?” JunJin stared at SooKyung as if she was crazy. “Are you crazy? MinWoo doesn’t have time for us! He has a business.” SooKyung felt a rush of sadness and said, “Oh… Do we start today?” JunJin nodded and said, “Yeah… I’ll drive you. Let’s go.” They got ready and soon, DongWan was locking their door. Right then, Kimmy came out of her apartment with Andy. Kimmy looked at JunJin in surprise and asked, “Oppa? What are you doing here?” JunJin looked at her and asked, “You live here?” Kimmy nodded and asked, “What are you doing here? Are you guys going somewhere?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Can they come with us, oppa? It won’t be trouble, will it? Can’t Kimmy help me?” JunJin smiled and said, “Sure! Come on, Kimmy… Andy… I’ll give you guys a lift too.” Kimmy blushed and asked, “Where are we going?” JunJin said, “Studio. I want to open today.” They walked to JunJin’s car and everyone piled in. SooKyung turned to Kimmy and asked, “So… how’s it going?” Kimmy turned her head from something she was concentrating on and said, “Oh… it’s going good.” SooKyung, out of curiousity, asked, “What were you staring at?” Kimmy blushed and said, “Nothing!” Andy, who was in the back with them, whispered something into SooKyung’s ears. SooKyung laughed and said, “From when?” Kimmy hit Andy and said, “Oppa! Why did you tell?” Andy grinned and whispered, “Everyone knows except him.” JunJin turned around and asked, “Knows what?” Kimmy shook her head so fiercely, it seemed like it was going to fall off. “Nothing, oppa!” SooKyung and Andy grinned at each other and said, “It’s just that Kimmy likes you… that’s all.” Kimmy blushed and put her face in her hands. She sighed and didn’t look up during the entire trip. JunJin, meanwhile, was blushing too. He asked, “Really?” Kimmy shook her head, but SooKyung said, “Of course…” They continued the ride in silence. Kimmy, miserable… JunJin, blushing… DongWan, sleeping… Andy and SooKyung, grinning happily. Chapter 21 “Hwanhee! Over here!” JunJin shouted. Hwanhee looked up from the steering wheel and parked his car. He stepped out and said, “Wow… did this place get cleaner from the last time I saw it?” JunJin laughed and said, “No… you just got dirtier.” Hwanhee shot him a glare and everyone started to laugh. JunJin started talking in his serious tone and said, “SooKyung… you could go to the dance studio and start practicing dancing… I want to see your skills…” SooKyung blushed and said, “Okay… but it’s nothing really…” She walked away and JunJin continued, “Hwanhee and DongWan, go to the recording studio and make sure everything is in order. Andy, go help SooKyung or them… whatever.” Hwanhee and DongWan walked away and Andy thought about it. He said, “I’ll go help SooKyung.” Kimmy stood there, alone, with JunJin. She asked, “Oppa? What about me?” JunJin looked at her and said, “You… Can I see you in my office?” Kimmy grinned at the sound of “office” but soon, her curiousity took over. She followed him and faced JunJin. He took a deep breath and asked, “Kimmy… do you really like me?” Kimmy turned crimson and said, “I… I…” JunJin frowned and said, “Kimmy yah… please… just tell me… do you like me?” Kimmy looked at the floor and silently nodded. JunJin said, “Kimmy, look at me.” Kimmy lifted her head to look at him and he said, “I… I like you too Kimmy.” Kimmy’s eyes grew wide and asked, “What? From when? How come you never told me?” He blushed and said, “Because if I asked you out, I thought you were going to refuse.” Kimmy said, “I wouldn’t…” JunJin asked, “Then… will you go out with me?” Kimmy turned redder and nodded. JunJin smiled and took her hand. “We’ll be the best couple… I promise. Better than MinWoo and SooKyung… Everyone will be jealous of us… you’ll see…” Kimmy smiled and said, “Okay… I… What should I do?” JunJin smiled and shook his head. “You don’t have to do anything. Let’s just walk around… looking if they do well in their job, okay?” Kimmy nodded and said, “Okay…” <C>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</C> SooKyung was sweating by now… she was dancing to All Your Dreams by Shinhwa. Andy looked at her, nodding his head. She WAS good… Even though it looked weird on regular girls to be dancing to Shinhwa… On SooKyung, it looked natural. JunJin and Kimmy came in, holding hands, and SooKyung and Andy stared. SooKyung asked, “When did you become an item?” Kimmy and JunJin smiled and both said, “Just now.” They looked at each other and laughed. Andy raised an eyebrow and said, “Hyung~ You better take good care of her! Don’t blow it!” JunJin laughed and said, “I won’t… I promise.” SooKyung wiped off her sweat from her brow and sighed. JunJin said, “Oh, let me see your moves.” SooKyung groaned and turned on Only One. She started to feel the beat in her body as her arms and feet flew, uncontrollably. JunJin stared and Kimmy’s mouth formed a perfect O. After the music was done, SooKyung shook her head from exhaustion. “No… more…” Just then, MinWoo came in from no where and asked, “What have you done to my SooKyung?” SooKyung looked up and shouted, “MinWoo oppa! You’re here?! How did you come?” She ran to hug him and now, MinWoo’s clothes were dripping with sweat. SooKyung put her hand over her mouth and said, “Oops… sorry oppa!” MinWoo laughed and said, “To answer your questions… Yes, I'm here… I came by car.” SooKyung laughed and said, “But don’t you have work?” MinWoo’s face fell and said, “I… I asked my father for a couple of week’s off. He agreed… I get two weeks off.” SooKyung was glowing happily and DongWan came in. “JunJin, Hwanhee wanted me to tell you that he was leaving… he had some important thing in his family. Oh… MinWoo, you’re here.” MinWoo grinned and put his arm around SooKyung. “I can’t be separated from SooKyung, can I?” They all laughed and MinWoo said, “Aren’t you guys hungry? Let’s go eat somewhere… my treat.” They all agreed and decided to go to a sullung tang jib. And after, they could go to the nightclub that they had gone to before. They all walked out, MinWoo with SooKyung, JunJin with Kimmy, and DongWan and Andy. MinWoo laughed and said, “So, JunJin and Kimmy are together… Aw~ DongWan and Andy are so lonely…” They all laughed as DongWan and Andy put their arms around each other. “We’ll always be buddies!” DongWan said. They all laughed as they went in their cars. After they had finished eating, they went to the nightclub. But something stopped SooKyung from going in. She said, “You guys go in… I'm getting this weird feeling that I'm not supposed to go on… Well, something’s stopping me… Go on in.” They all shrugged and went in, but MinWoo stayed. They sat on a bench and MinWoo asked, “Why didn you not go in?” SooKyung said, “I don’t know… this weird feeling… something told me not to.” Just then, DongWan came running out. “You guys! Come quick!” SooKyung asked, “What is it?” DongWan panted and said, “It’s… It’s HyeSung.” ”HyeSung?” SooKyung asked. “What is he doing here?” DongWan shouted, “Hurry!” MinWoo and SooKyung ran down the stairs to the nightclub. As they got closer, they could hear a faint shouting. They got closer and closer and SooKyung heard someone shout, “Kim SooKyung! Did you think you could get away like that?! Nah… nuh sarang heh ssuh! I'm not going to let you go for my stupid cousin! I'm getting you back!” The speech was slurred, but SooKyung understood. She stopped dead in her tracks and whispered, “Why is HyeSung oppa doing this? We had a talk… Why is he doing this?” She shook her head and started to back out into the street. She turned and ran, causing MinWoo to run after her. Her teary eyes blocked her vision and she didn’t know where she was. From behind her, she barely heard MinWoo shout, “SooKyung ah! Watch out! Move!” SooKyung turned around to look for MinWoo, but it was too late. The truck, going at a fast speed, couldn’t put on the brakes fast enough. After the truck had pulled back, SooKyung was left on the cement, covered with blood. MinWoo shook his head as he gasped for breath. He quickly took out his handphone and dialed the ambulance. “Hurry up and get here! Hurry!” He hung up and ran to SooKyung. “SooKyung ah…” He shook her gently, and now, blood was covering his hand. He shook his head as tears started to come down his face. He repeated over and over… “SooKyung ah… SooKyung ah… SooKyung ah…” Chapter 22 *a week later* ”SooKyung ah! MinWoo’s here!” DongWan shouted. SooKyung tried to get up, but MinWoo held her back. MinWoo took her hand and said, “Are you feeling better?” SooKyung nodded and said, “Thanks oppa…” MinWoo nodded. It was good news that SooKyung had came out of the accident with only a broken leg and a broken arm. The bad news was that she had to stay in the hospital for two weeks. After a week, there was one more week left and MinWoo had stayed by her side during the whole time. He had left to take a quick shower. SooKyung had begged him to… after all, he had stayed in the hospital for a week. MinWoo said, “Do you think you could walk around?” SooKyung shook her head and said, “I could still feel the pain… It’s so unbearable.” MinWoo gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll get that wimp for this… That HyeSung…” SooKyung shook her head and said, “Oppa… HyeSung oppa didn’t do anything. DongWan oppa already told me that he had to be in the hospital for a day, because he consumed so much alcohol. Oppa… don’t do anything. It’s not his fault… I should have looked at where I was going.” MinWoo raised his voice a little and said, “SooKyung ah! How come you couldn’t see? Because HyeSung was drinking and shouting your name! Saying that he was going to get you back! Of course he hurt you! Of course you couldn’t take it! I'm going to kill him…” SooKyung stopped MinWoo and said, “Oppa… please stop. Please.” MinWoo abruptly stopped and looked at SooKyung. She had gotten so frail the past few days. She was eating barely anything. Her wrists were so skinny that MinWoo could grasp it with his thumb and forefinger and still have room left over. MinWoo sighed and said, “SooKyung ah… you need to start eating.” ”I am eating!” MinWoo shook his head and said, “Not enough.” ”Okay… I will.” Just then, DongWan came in and said, “SooKyung… someone’s here to see you.” He stepped aside and HyeSung’s came into view. MinWoo gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. But SooKyung took his hand and whispered, “Please, don’t do anything, oppa.” MinWoo nodded and HyeSung walked over to her bedside. He asked, “How are you doing?” SooKyung said, “I'm good…” MinWoo was thinking, ‘You b*st*rd! It’s you! You were the one that did this! Why are you asking how she is!?” HyeSung nodded and said, “That’s good. Are you getting enough to eat?” SooKyung nodded and MinWoo thought, ‘Can’t you see her bony wrists? What’s wrong with you, Shin HyeSung? Are you too blind?” HyeSung looked at the wall and said, “I… I'm sorry, SooKyung…” SooKyung asked, “For what?” MinWoo thought, ‘There you go… Now you know that you did it…’ HyeSung sighed and said, “For making you like this. I don’t know… I was just so depressed that you left me for MinWoo. I just didn’t think…” SooKyung said, “Sh! It’s over now… Don’t talk about it. Oppa… I… need my rest. Can you guys please get out?” MinWoo reluctantly got up and waved. HyeSung turned and walked out. After they were outside of her room, MinWoo gave HyeSung a mean glare. HyeSung shook his head and said, “I'm sorry, MinWoo! I didn’t know it was going to go this far! I'm sorry!” MinWoo turned away and went to get some coffee. HyeSung ran out of the hospital… trying to hold back the tears… the guilt that he had done it… he had almost killed SooKyung… his first love… <C>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*</C> *A while later* SooKyung was at home now, but MinWoo was still with her all the time. MinWoo got water, got food, and even brushed her teeth. SooKyung insisted that it wasn’t necessary, but MinWoo insisted. Soon, she took of her cast on her legs and her arms. She could soon freely move around again. But MinWoo still stayed by her. SooKyung asked, “Oppa? Do you have to be so good to me?” MinWoo nodded and SooKyung laughed. She motioned him closer and MinWoo leaned. SooKyung whispered into his ear, “I love you…” MinWoo straightened up and knelt on the floor beside her. He whispered, “I love you too…” They both looked into each other’s eyes and DongWan burst in. He said, “I'm really sorry to ruin your moment here… But something’s wrong.” ”What is it, oppa?” SooKyung asked. “Do you know HyeSung’s phone number?” ”Why do you want to call HyeSung?” ”Andy tried to reach him, but he couldn’t. He said the answering machine didn’t even go off. Something’s wrong. Andy has been trying for days… He still can’t get hold of him.” MinWoo said, “I’ll ask ah buh jih.” He called to ask if HyeSung was on a business trip, but he wasn’t. He said, “I don’t know what’s wrong.” SooKyung trembled and said, “What if something happened to him? What if he drank again… and no one could see who he was… Oh, oppa what do we do?” MinWoo said, “I'm going to his house. I’ll be right back… Stay here.” SooKyung and DongWan nodded and waited for MinWoo to come back. The time ticked by and soon, MinWoo came back, his face white. SooKyung asked, “What’s wrong, oppa?” ”It was locked… I forced the lock… I found this envelope… on his desk. It’s for you, SooKyung. I didn’t read it. Read it.” He handed her a envelope and SooKyung trembled as she read it. It said: Dear SooKyung, I hope you get this letter. I’m leaving… to a place that no one will ever know about… to a place that no one has ever come back from… they didn’t live to tell the story. I just can’t take the pain anymore… Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. There’s no pain or grief in the place I'm going to. I'm leaving my life savings to you… Buy a house with it… I never liked that apartment you lived in… And when you get married to MinWoo, be good to him… He’s a good person. Buy some furniture with the left over money… I… I’ll always remember you… You were my first love, my only love. I never forgot you. But it seems like you forgot me… I hope we’ll see each other again… but it won’t be anytime soon. I’ll miss you… Just remember me… I love you, Jung PilGyo SooKyung gasped as she held the letter. She started to cry and MinWoo took it from her. MinWoo and DongWan read it and looked at SooKyung. But she was gone. They ran after her… SooKyung ran to HyeSung’s house. She reached there and she fell to the floor and whispered, “Shin HyeSung… Why did you leave?” Epilogue *A couple years later* ”Ummah! Who’s this?” the little HyeSung asked. SooKyung leaned over his shoulder and said, “That’s… HyeSung.” ”Wow… he has the same name as me!” SooKyung smiled and said, “MinWoo shi! I think the baby’s awake! Can you go feed it please?” MinWoo came out of his room and said, “Of course. He went into the next room and nursed the baby. Soon, the baby, HyeYoung, was gurgling happily. The doorbell rang and the butler said, “It’s for you, miss!” SooKyung ran down the stairs and said, “Yes?” The mailman at the door said, “This was a package that I thought you would like see… Here.” SooKyung took it and said, “Thank you.” She ran up the stairs and MinWoo came out. “What is it?” SooKyung started to open the package and shrugged. Inside, there was another box. On the top, it said: Send to Kim (Lee) SooKyung on July 23, 2010. SooKyung frowned and read the letter attached to it. Don’t worry, SooKyung… this will be my last letter to you. I know you’ll get this nine years later. I know that you’re probably married to MinWoo. I hope your sons/daughters are reading this too. They’ll know too, won’t they? I was going through my desk and found this. I thought you might like it. I'm sure you lost the one I gave you long time ago. SooKyung ah… I love you. HyeSung HyeSung asked, “Who is it from, ummah?” SooKyung carefully opened the box and tears came down her face. There was a copy of the miniature rose that HyeSung had carved for her. But it was bigger… There was note attached to it: I made it myself this time… no help from my dad. It was painted in a deep white… a deep white that made SooKyung fall in love with it… HyeSung carefully caressed it and said, “It’s so pretty, ummah. But who is it from?” MinWoo went in his room, afraid to hear the answer. SooKyung held the rose in her palm, tightly. She whispered, “It’s from HyeSung...” She started to cry and her son brushed her tears away. “Don’t cry, ummah.” SooKyung cried harder and opened her palm. She stared at the imprint of the rose on her palm and whispered, “My first love…” END ***************************************** |