Hwoarang never felt so comfortable in his
life. For a whole week Naya spoiled him. He would come home after a long day to
find her cooking something over the stove while she had her nose in a book,
momentarily jotting notes. He inquired about her work and she told him that it
was her lesson planning. After Naya finished cooking, they would sit down for a
hearty meal. Hwoarang never experienced home cooking and after tasting Naya’s
cooking, he thought he could settle for no other. When they sat down to eat,
they would sometimes eat in silence, yet after the first two nights they finally
warmed up into a conversation.
“So what is it you do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“For a living,” Hwoarang clarified.
“Nothing. I’m trying to finish school so that I can become a
teacher.”
“I see, so dancing was just something you did in order to pay for your
expenses.”
“Yeah. How about you? I mean, I know you’re an actor, what I’m
wondering is about what type of movies you make.”
“Action/Suspense. I’m doing my third movie right now. Ever since the
last Iron Fist Tournament movie producers have been hunting me down, begging me
to star in their next movie.”
“Do they make you do those scenes where…you know?”
He smirked. “Heh…no, why you interested?”
“Innocent curiosity.”
“I see. Well no matter what I have to do, it’s a living.”
“As much as my dancing was,” Naya cut in.
Hwoarang sighed. “Naya,” he said softly, “I know that. You don’t
have to defend yourself.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that’s all they think about, the fact that
I was a dancer.” She spoke again, something else troubling her mind. “How
long do you think we can keep this up? I can’t keep staying with you. I
appreciate it, but for the past three days reporters have been camping outside
your gate and now they know more about me than myself.”
“What do they know about you,” Hwoarang asked in a tone that made
Naya pause.
She looked at him in the eyes. He was sincere. “I…” she trailed
off.
“I think it’s unfair that while you’re staying with me all I know
is that you’re a dancer trying to get through school to have a better life.
There’s something about you that draws the attention of the reporters. I never
had to deal with all these people until I met you. I can tell you’ve lived a
lonely life yet it makes me wonder, just who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter, Hwoarang, I will be out of here soon enough.”
“Well, you’re not out of here yet.”
Naya sighed and played with her food. She did not want to look up at him
again, fearing his gaze would force her to expose herself. Yet the temptation of
looking into his eyes tugged at her heart. During the first three days they
hardly spoke a word, yet she kept waiting for the chance when she could steal a
glance his way. The power exerting from him was enough to make her heart skip a
beat. This was the first time in her life she had ever come this close to a male
and now she could feel herself melting. When she finally pried her eyes away
from her food her heart slammed against her chest. The way he stared at her left
her speechless.
“Naya, are you going to answer me,” Hwoarang asked patiently.
She took a deep breath. “What about you,” she whispered, “I hardly
know you at all.”
Hwoarang leaned back. He stared at her, not answering. Then he said, “I
asked you first.”
|
| |
He
would not let it go! Naya tried to changing the subject for the past ten
minutes, yet Hwoarang reversed it every time. Even when Naya said she felt tired he would
not let her out of her seat. He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder and gently
pushed her back down.
“I
want to know everything,” he demanded. “Especially why those people are
after you. I have a feeling you’re hiding something.”
“Why
would it concern you? You have nothing to do with this!”
Hwoarang
raised a brow. The two were in the beginning of an argument. He replied, “I
was involved the minute you ran into the street. That was more of your doing
then mine.”
“As
much the same as to why you were driving at that time of night! Weren’t you
supposed to be home?”
“That’s
none of your business-”
“As
much as it is yours!”
He
glared at her. All women talked to him politely and never had any of them dared
to speak to him that way. Of all women, she angered him the most.
“Why
won’t you tell me?” He asked, impatiently.
“Why
do you want to know,” she countered.
Hwoarang
glared at her. He wanted to answer, but something held him back. Meanwhile,
Naya waited eagerly for his reply.
“Aren’t
you going to answer,” she said after a while. “I at least have the right to
know why you want to know. Don’t think I will just give anything to you so
freely.”
His
nostrils flared. He still did not answer.
“Fine,
if you won’t give me reason then I won’t give you answers.” Naya got
up from her seat, but he sat her back down.
“No.”
Hwoarang ordered.
“Don’t
order me around.”
“I’m
putting you in your place.”
“You’re
not my parent.”
“This
is my home you’re staying at, I have rules.”
She
felt like giving up. “Why can’t just you leave me alone? Why are you so
interested in my past?”
“Because
I find you intriguing…”
Naya
stared at him wide eyed. The look on his face meant he was serious.
“…there’s
nothing you need to know,” she said softly.
“But
I want to know,” he replied in the same tone.
Naya
sat back, staring at the table. Hwoarang studied her. She wore a knee-length
skirt with a long sleeve button-up blouse. Odd, but he preferred her in her other
uniform. Yet, her sophisticated look made her look more mature and he liked
it.
“Naya,
how old are you?”
“Seventeen,”
she replied simply.
“Your
too young to be in college.”
“I
skipped three grade levels.”
“Who
encouraged you to be ambitious,” he asked.
“My
foster parents. They stressed education, but not on me. I was only their house
girl. My foster father like to gamble and soon enough he was thinking about
selling me to a brothel to pay off his debts.”
“And
what happened after that?”
“I
ran away. I was about fifteen.”
“So
you’ve been a dancer for two years?”
“Yes,
it was the only place that offered me a job and I had to conceal my age or they
wouldn’t let me work. That same year I applied to the university and they
accepted me. I went to school year round and soon enough I will be
graduating.”
“Admirable.
You and I have a lot in common.”
“Like
what?”
“Well,
we do what we can to survive. Before I was discovered, I was a gang leader
staging street fights for a living. It went well for a while, but one day a
young man my age fought with me and we had to issue a draw.”
“Who
was he?”
“His
name is Jin,” Hwoarang’s voice sounded edgy when he spoke the name. Naya
could tell that he held a lot of hatred for him.
“Did
you know your parents,” she asked, doing him the favor of changing the
subject.
“No,
how about you?”
“They
are unknown to me.”
He
looked at her. She looked at him. Both gazed at one another, not sure what to do
next. All they could do was stare and it was hard for Naya to peel her eyes away
from him. God, he’s gorgeous.
She
was the first to break away from his trance. “Well…I better start cleaning
up. You know enough about me for one night. I can tell you the rest later on.”
Naya got up and grabbed her plate. She reached over to grab Hwoarang’s, but he
stood up and grabbed hers instead.
“I’ll
do it,” he replied softly.
Naya
gazed up at him, a loss for words. She could only nodded her head.
|
| |
That
night, after doing the dishes, he came up to her. She was sitting on the couch,
finishing her lesson. When Naya gazed up at him, Hwoarang had a champagne bottle
in one hand and two cups on the other.
“I
have to get used to drinking this.” He started. “Thought you might like
some.”
“Sure.”
Naya put away her notebook and set it aside.
Hwoarang
sat next to her and poured some champagne in the two wine glasses. “To our
past,” Hwoarang replied, “may it brighten our future.”
They
clinged their wine glasses and drank the contents. Hwoarang offered her some
more, yet Naya refused. He nodded then told her he would get ready for bed.
“Good
night.”
“Good
night.”
|
| |
The
next three days were a blast. Hwoarang had the weekend off and asked Naya if she
wanted to go do something with him. At first she declined and told him she had
more lesson plans to do, but he just grabbed the notebook from her and tossed it
aside. He did not pay attention to her as she protested. He had her by the arm
and practically dragged her to his car. He trapped her inside and then got into
the driver’s seat.
First
they went to the gym. Hwoarang said that he needed to brush up on his skills and
that it would only be an hour.
“There’s
a coffee shop across the street,” he said, giving her the option of waiting
there. However, Naya's interest lay toward the two-story gym. She wondered about its
students and the skills it offered. “I think I’ll go in with you.”
Hwoarang
raised a brow. “Are you sure,” he asked.
Naya
nodded her head.
Both
of them went inside. He went into the men’s dressing room and changed out.
When he came out he found Naya patiently sitting on a bench near by.
“Master
Hwoarang! It is so nice to see you! Your students have missed you greatly.” An
old man approached Hwoarang and offered him his greeting. Hwoarang accepted it
and replied, “I know, but I’ve been busy. I had time today so I thought
I’d stay for an hour, but not to teach. I’m here to practice.”
The
old man smiled, “Yes, it’s always good to practice. Would you like me to
fight you?”
Hwoarang
accepted his challenge.
The
whole time, Naya watched him, amazed by his dexterity. Hwoarang was definitely a
prized fighter. He moved with speed and agility and countless times he bested
the old man. Soon enough she grew tired of seeing him win. Out of the corner of
her eye she saw the ladies dressing room and instantly, an idea crossed her
mind. She quietly got up and walked over to it and a few minutes later, came
out.
When
Hwoarang saw her, he smiled. “You want to learn Tae Kwon Do?”
“Sure,”
Naya said with a concealing smile.
“Okay,
but I have to warn you that this is not for defense. This type of fighting is
utilized to kill a man.”
“Show
me.”
Hwoarang
grinned, enjoying her boldness. The old man excused himself and then stepped
aside.
Hwoarang
spent a few moments informing Naya of the basic techniques. She nodded her head
now and then to inform him that she was listening.
“Okay,
now use the moves I showed you to dodge my kicks.”
He
made a high kick and Naya dodged. He then did a middle kick and then a low kick
and she dodged those. For a beginner she was pretty good, so he though he could
alternate and move at a faster speed.
He
did a high kick, then a middle kick, and a high one again. He thought he would
throw her off by alternating, but it was she that surprised him. When he made a
middle kick again, Naya grabbed his leg, raised her left leg and swung it over
his leg, her foot now touching his back and then used the strength in her leg to
slam him on the ground.
Hwoarang
could have sworn he saw stars. He stumbled to get up and then stared at her.
“How
did you learn to fight like that?”
“Self
taught.”
“How
come you didn’t tell me?”
“You
never asked,” she replied with a sweet smile.
Hwoarang
decided to use his expertise skills to the fullest. He did many kicks and
punches, yet she evaded them all. He was beginning to get pissed. Her art was
close to that of the Mishima fighting style.
“How
can you teach yourself?”
“Among
other things, I manage.”
He
performed his tornado kick, yet she punched him to the ground. Hwoarang cursed
and then told himself to calm down. He was not going to win a fight by getting
mad. Finally, he watched her, noticing how she watched him.
Before
Naya could comprehend his move, Hwoarang moved back then ran toward her,
tripping her to the ground.
Naya
could not get up for her had her pinned.
By
then they had the attention of the whole gym. Among the crowd the old man
Hwoarang fought with earlier looked terrified.
“I’m
sorry ma’m, but you must leave instantly!”
Hwoarang
had trouble ungluing his eyes from Naya. “What,” he asked.
The
old man approached. He replied, “She fights like a demon. You must get her out
of here, it is forbidden to use another art in this gym.”
Hwoarang
got off her. Naya in turn stood up. “Like a demon,” she asked, frowning.
“I haven’t been taught by a demon, I have trained myself.”
“But
your fighting style is like none I have ever seen before! You fight like…”
He would not say more, instead he told them to get out and warned Hwoarang never
to bring Naya into the gym again.
|
| |
They
decided to forget about the old man and his bantering. Hwoarang felt that he
owed it to Naya to make her forget about the previous morning. Yet, she never
complained. After they left the gym, they decided to go back home. Naya spent
the rest of the day with her lesson planning, while Hwoarang went over his
lines. At the end of the day, Naya tested him over his lines while she cooked.
When Hwoarang finished performing a scripted speech, Naya was chuckling. He was
so transfixed by the joy on her face that he smiled. “Why are you laughing?”
“Sorry…it’s
just that you’re not like this character at all.”
Hwoarang
shrugged. “Yeah, they put me in roles I’m not suited for, yet the people
love me for it. They say I was born for the part. They’re so stupid.”
“Well,
no actually. They just know you have talent that’s all.”
He
smiled. “Really?”
“Well…yeah.
But honestly, I think you would be better as a man-sucking alien from Mars.”
Hwoarang
looked at her shockingly. He knew she just played around, yet he would not let
that go.
“Well,
if you think I’m some man-sucking alien, then why don’t I eat you right
now?” He advanced on her, cornering Naya.
She
held in her breath.
He
slowly pulled his face closer to Naya’s, his eyes boring into hers. Suddenly,
he opened his mouth. The expression on his face, calm and serene, was something
Naya had never seen on a man’s face before. He looked like a man wanting to
portray his love for a woman in a gentle manner. She had never seen that side to
him before and she wondered if he had ever fallen in love. When his face was a
few centimeters from her face, Naya realized what he meant to do. She felt like
fainting…God he was going to kiss her!
“CHOMP!
M-m-m-m-m-m, tasty!”
Naya
blinked. Hwoarang had pretended to eat her. Her nervousness left her and she
started to laugh. She took a dishtowel from a rack and threw it on his face.
“You
missed!”
She
ran around him, but he started chasing her.
“Then
I’m going to try again!”
He
chased her around the couch and Naya could not stop smiling.
Hwoarang
had never played around with anyone since Anna. Yet, she was so serious at times and would rather play much bolder games. Yet, Naya and he were only having
innocent fun. However, he was not sure about it when he pushed her on the couch
and landed on top of her. Both were out of breath. For a moment, Naya thought he
was going to do something, but he surprised her when he got off. She felt a wave
of relief and made her way to the kitchen.
“God,
that smells good. What are you making?”
“Pho.”
“Tight,
I haven’t had any in a long time.”
She
served him a bowl and soon enough the two of them were happily eating. They had
a rich conversation that night and nothing compared to the discussion they had
the previous evening. They talked of vacation spots and different stores in the
area.
“I
need to get a new suit for a dinner party next week. I would have my agent find
me one, but the last time she helped me I wound up wearing a gray vest and
suspenders.”
Naya
laughed. “What did the people say?”
“They
put me down as one of the ten worst dressed in the People’s
magazine.”
Naya
laughed again. He liked the way her laughter sounded, musical and sweet.
“Do…”
he paused. “Do..you wanna come? You’re a woman and it’s my job to impress
the ladies, so I could use your judgment.”
Naya
agreed a little too quickly. “Sure”, she replied. And the next day was set.
|
| |
They
spent only thirty minutes trying to find what he wanted. Hwoarang hated shopping
and Naya was quick to pick something out for him. In the end, he chose a black
tuxedo that astoundedly impressed Naya. She had never even recalled him dressing
up for anything, then again she had only known him for a little over a week.
After
they left the store, Hwoarang asked her if she wanted to get some food. Naya
agreed and both of them started walking toward his car. Along the way, something
caught Hwoarang’s eyes. He stopped suddenly, gazing through a store window.
“You
dance right?”
“Yeah,
I had to.”
“Then
lets go clubbing tonight.”
“Uh…I
don’t know.”
“Here…”
he went inside the store and picked up a dress from the rack, alike the one he
saw at the front window. “Do you like it?”
“It’s
pretty.”
“Cool,
do you want to try it on?”
“Hwoarang,
no. Let’s go, we’re beginning to draw a crowd.”
“So.
My treat, come on, try it on.”
Naya
could not object for he kept on insisting. When she stepped out of the dressing
room Hwoarang’s eyes lit up. There was an obvious reason why he picked the
dress. It was spaghetti strapped and went a little above her knees. He was quick
to take out his credit card.
“Hwoarang,
what are you doing?”
“Buying
you the dress.”
“Don’t,
I have money.”
“Nope,
too late, I already paid for it. See.” He waved the receipt.
“Why
are you doing this,” she asked. She grabbed the receipt, “How much do I owe
you?”
Hwoarang
took it back. “No bother. Besides, I’ve showed you my skills, now you show
me yours.”
|
| |
They
went to a club not too far from where Naya used to work at. Hwoarang spent over
fifteen minutes trying to persuade her to get on his bike.
“Not
after that accident, I am not going anywhere near motorcycles.”
“Well,
actually, you rode on it.”
“I
was unconscious!”
“So,
you still rode it.”
He
finally gave in however. He took Naya, climbed into his car and both
were on their way.
That
night was one night Hwoarang would never forget. Their bodies moved together in
liquid motion. He could feel himself grow wild as Naya danced before him. She
moved her body seductively, yet no where near sleezy. She had a demure look as
if expecting something from him.
On
the other hand, Naya had never felt safe. Hwoarang encircled his arms around
her, refusing to let go. Feeling his hands on her waist made her turn to liquid
in his arms. She had always felt uncomfortable around guys, but she knew he was
different. That other night when they were on the couch he could have done
something, but he didn’t. Somehow he saw the fear in her eyes and knew that he
had to get off. One thing that Naya never knew was how he physically felt in
that moment. To be so close to her then as he was now, nearly turned him
ravenous. He had never wanted Anna this way. Something was coming over him and
not only did he feel a physical attraction toward her, but an emotional one as
well. There was so much about her he wanted to know and the more she revealed,
the harder he fell. As his mind wandered, he realized that he would soon have to
face with her departure.
“Naya?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t
move out. You can stay with me as long as you like.”
She
removed her head from his shoulder to gaze at him. “I can’t.”
“Please?”
“No,
I’m sorry.”
“For
once don’t tell me ‘no’.”
She
couldn’t. She did not answer him and having no reply from her was better than
a refusal. Nearly every time he offered her something her first reply was
‘no’. He had to make her give in before she agreed to something. Still, she
never complained about it. He knew she only behaved that way just to be modest.
He
held her tighter.
Naya
opened her eyes. At first she looked up at him and then glanced past his
shoulder. What she saw her made her panic.
“My
God...”
“What’s
wrong?”
“We
have to go, now.”
She
let go of him and started to walk off, pulling him behind her.
“Naya,
wait a minute…where are you going?”
“I’ll
explain in the car.”
He
followed her without saying a word.
Meanwhile,
Naya began sweating. How could they find me here? God, why out of all places!
She
kept her eye on the man who hunted her. He was drawing closer, yet he had
not noticed her. Yes, that’s the same man, the one who almost shot me.
She
turned in the other direction. Hwoarang nearly tripped.
“Are
you okay,” she asked, a little worried.
“Yeah,
wait, what’s wrong, why can’t you tell me now?”
She
ignored his question, gazing around for the man. Gone.
She
panicked, quickly turning around, trying to find the exit. To her misfortune,
she slammed into someone.
“Oh
my Go-”
“Well,”
someone replied, “If it isn’t the little vixen I almost killed last week.
I’ve been looking for you!”
“Get
away from me,” Naya gritted.
He
grabbed her arm faster then she could let go. “Na-ah…you’re not going
anywhere!”
“What’s
going on? Let go of her,” Hwoarang interrupted.
The
white haired man turned to gaze at Hwoarang. “I know you,” he replied.
“You’re that brat who participated at the Iron Fist Tournament. Ah, so I see
it is you that our little dancer friend has been staying with. Well, now
I can tell the papers are true. Oh, I almost forgot, how’s Anna?”
Hwoarang’s
face grew red. He remembered Anna telling him that she had slept with someone
else after he refused to let her win the tournament. “Get out of my
face,” he spat.
Bryan’s
eyes traveled over to Naya. “You’ve found yourself a beautiful girl here.
I’ve been wanting to get my hands on her for some time, but I see you’ve
already claimed her.”
“Let
go of me,” Naya replied.
“Hardly,”
Bryan taunted. He gazed back at Hwoarang. “Now, like before, I’m here to
take what belongs to you!”
He
gripped Naya’s arm and pulled her toward him. “Come here, Bitch.”
“NO!” Hwoarang punched him, causing a scene.
Most of the people dancing around him stopped, now watching the scene
unfold.
“Fu*k you!” Bryan kicked him, catching him off guard.
Hwoarang fell back. By this time the music stopped and they had
everyone’s attention. Seeing him fall to the ground, Bryan grabbed Naya’s
arm and dragged her through the crowd. However, Hwoarang got up again and ran
toward Bryan. He tackled him to the ground and punched him. Bryan fell and
twisted with pain. Quickly, Hwoarang grabbed Naya’s arm and the two of them
escaped the club, neither one looking back.
|
| |
She said nothing during the drive home. She wasn’t even crying. Naya
still shook by the time he led her through the door. She kept her face downcast,
refusing to let him see the fear on her face. Naya went to the kitchen right
away and started fixing them something to eat. Apparently, she was trying to rid
her mind of the past event.
Hwoarang slowly followed her to the kitchen. He watched her prepare their
food, a look of concern frozen across his face.
When the food was prepared, Naya placed their dinner on the table and
began to eat. Hwoarang joined her.
“Naya…”
She did not answer him. However he continued, “Naya, I know you’re
really scared right now, but I just want you to know that I'm here to
protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection,” she replied bluntly.
“I don’t believe you.”
She looked at him and paused. He was beginning to mean a lot to her. To
his surprise, she reached over and hugged him. Hwoarang encircled his arms
around her and closed his eyes. Soon she let go and said, “Thank you…but
this is my battle, let me fight it alone.”
With that she went on eating and did not bother to look at him. On the
other hand, Hwoarang kept staring at her. For the past few days he had the urge
to just go up to her and…No, she’s shaken up. I won’t scare her even
more. Yet he could not deny the feelings that burned inside of him.
Hwoarang was able to sustain the temptation for a few minutes but in the
end he gave in.
“Screw it,” he replied, and bent over and kissed her.