The Summer House by Moe

The Summer House by Moe
Moe: I never thought Id have a main theme to any of my stories, but Im in love with this piece and chose it for the main theme. Right click > !ave target as" !amuel #ahn $ % &eautiful Reminiscence
There are rules when youre alive. There are also rules when youre dead. Go figure.
I sat alone on the wooden porch in front of my house watching the sun set. 'he sun seemed to glare at me with its unusually large round face, as if it was scolding me for staring at it too long. 'he sky itself sent purplish and orange streaks shooting across the hori(on, creating a wonderful backdrop against the blooming pink blossom tree that stood in front of the house, spreading its glorious scent along with the wind. I stretched my hands, watching the blossom petals flutter softly onto my opened palm. % petal. )ne tiny petal separated from the others. *ust like myself. I sighed heavily, feeling my shoulders sinking in hopelessness, wondering when I going to get the same freedom to drift away and perhaps disappear forever +ust like the petal. Ive always thought that it was nice to watch the sun set. #owever, I spent the last five years doing it alone. I have been trapped in this house for as long as I can remember. Today is the last day My lonesomeness will finally be cured. 'he big factor here isnt really my lonesomeness, its actually something else.
!omeone was coming. % human. &efore I start to confuse you, let me be truthful here. ,et me tell you a story of a girl. % girl who was once alive. -ou see, five years ago, she was this poor lonely, depressed soul who spent most of her time, listening to heavy metal music, walking around with her head hanging low, and always hesitated to look people in the face because she was labeled as the outcast, caring very little about the outlooks on life. -ou couldnt blame her. #er life wasnt perfect. in fact/her life was horrible. !he had parents who neglected to care for her because her father was a swindler who spent most of his time in +ail and her mother a whore, who spent most of her time in other mens bed. #er older sister on the other hand, was the smart one. 'he moment she entered college, she moved out without bothering to look back on her disgraceful family. !o then came a day when little$ miss$outcast decided to cheat life by allowing herself to be hit by a car. 0nfortunately, she ended up surviving it, suffering only minor in+uries. 'hen came a time when she tied a long red scarf to the fan propeller attached to the ceiling and attempted to end her life, but ended up surviving that one too. %fter two unsuccessful suicide attempts, she was placed in a psychiatric hospital. &ut only after a week of observation, she was 1uickly released because the doctors root her to be too sane to be stuck in such a place. 2ot long after her release, she had written a letter to her to her family and apologi(ed for her unwanted e3istence. 4ithout an, I love you, or I will miss you or a simple 'hank you, the letter only contained these e3act words" Im sorry that I ever existed. Goodbye. !adly, those were her words before she drowned herself in her own bathtub, never to be wakened again. 'here you have it folks, the end of a tragic life story of a girl who never had the chance to live past the age of twenty. -ou guessed it. 'hat girl is me. !o the real 1uestion here is" 4hat am I5 2o, Im not a ghost. %nd no, Im not a spirit. Im actually a guardian spirit. 2ot 60%R7I%2 %268, but a 60%R7I%2 !9IRI'.
2ow, now. 7ont get turned off by the name. It sounds rather lame, but youll get used to it. %llow me to e3plain the level of orderly classes given to you after the +udgment of death. -our chances in becoming a guardian angel is 1uite slim thats the reason why Im stuck being a guardian spirit. I have heard that you have to be one of the heavenly descendants to gain such a high status. 'hats what the others tell me anyway. I dont actually know the truth myself. %ll I know is that there are different classes assigned to you once you go through +udgment after death. -es, people. !uch things do e3ist. 'hink of it this way" 'here are rules when youre alive. 'here are also rules when youre dead. 6o figure. %fter +udgment, they either place you in the ghost class, spirit class or the guardian spirit class. &eing a ghost is the lowest of the lowest. &asically if youre a ghost, you get no privileges at all. 2ot only could the humans see your ugly dead deformed body but youll be stuck in that level for all eternity, never to be allowed to cross over and your only purpose is to haunt people. Imagine yourself in stuck in :aspers shoes. -eah, its pretty sad, huh5 Its probably the biggest punishment a dead person could suffer after death. Moving along. 'he ne3t orderly class is the spirit. Its actually much better than being a ghost because you have the option in whether or not youd like to go around haunting people and causing havoc, or you could always be the goodie$two$shoes and assist the guardian spirit to gain yourself a higher status. 'he best thing about it being a spirit5 'he humans dont actually see you so youre pretty much free to do whatever you feel like. 'he worst thing about it5 2o matter how much youd like for them to see you, they never do. !o youre basically invisible. If youre lucky enough, and the elders pity you, youll get placed in the guardian spirit class, like myself. I became what I am now because the elders felt sorry for me. I never did any wrong in my past life. 2ot until the day I decided to kill myself. 'hat was the biggest mistake of all and they made me repent for my foolish act. Ive served my time, now it was time to do something more meaningful. 6uardian !pirits are given task and duties. 'heir +ob is simply to watch over a human being. Its something along the lines of babysitting. %fter achieving that
task, youll most likely be rewarded. 'he best reward you could get out of it5 Reincarnation. Its much better than winning a +ackpot, trust me. ;or the past five years, Ive been serving punishment by being trapped in 'he !ummer #ouse, never to stray far from it nor leave the premises because they placed me inside a magical locking barrier. I was no different from a caged animal. I thought it was freedom when I had chosen death, but death only led me to believe that life was far more important. &ut no longer will the summerhouse be abandoned and no longer will I be alone. I have a visitor coming soon. % visitor who will soon be like a client to me. )ne that I must guard and protect. I was given an order. %n order to watch over this particular human. 'he only problem is, this person has become suicidal.
||Chapter One| <-ah= Yoo Jae Sung, oppa=> the shorthaired girl called out to her brother as he strode over to stand beneath the blossom tree. !he stared at his lone figure. 'he way he had his hands tucked inside his pant pockets only proved that something was bothering him. !he knew he was hiding something from her, hence the reason why he had brought her along with him to an abandoned summerhouse that their grandfather had left for them before he passed away. #e cast her a gleeful e3pression, as if the beauty of the tree enthralled him. Yoo Hae Jin knew that beneath the masked e3pression lies a hurtful soul. )ne that couldnt cope with his current issues and so he decided to escape, seeking solace the way their grandfather had. &eneath the veil of dark lashes that framed those alluring eyes were shattered windows of his soul. %nyone could look into them and see +ust how much he was hurting. !ometimes #ae *in didnt believe that the man standing in front of her was her brother. #e was +ust too brooding, too kind and yet e1ually as cold as ice at the same time. 2evertheless, his handsome appearance and striking good features could stop any woman in their tracks. ;rom the way his dark unruly hair fell over his eyes, to the way his mouth curved into the slightest of smiles and the way his perfect nose rested +ust above the full sensual mouth. #e carried a charismatic aura
about him and anyone who has ever encountered -oo *ae !ung knew that he was a man of his own world. -oo #ae *in thought about how lucky she was to be related to such a handsome prince. 'hey were four years apart in age difference. !he, si3teen and *ae !ung twenty. -oo *ae !ung ga(ed up into the tree as if it was love at first sight. 'he scent of the blossoms overwhelmed him, trapping him within its beauty. #e stood almost lost in a peaceful dream, until a hand shot out to tap him on the shoulder, alerting him into reality again. #e turned to the young woman who gave him a heartwarming smile. #is younger sister, -oo #ae *in, slipped an arm around his back and leaned in to rest her head against his shoulder. <)ppa, these blossoms are strange. 'heyre still alive during this season5> she paused, roaming her eyes around the tree and added, <its absolutely beautiful.> !he turned back to face him, her eyes beaming in happiness. <,ike some magical tree, dont you agree5> <-oure right. It almost seems magical,> he agreed, finding it difficult to pry his eyes away from the tree to settle onto the summerhouse. ;our years ago his grandfather had claimed the house as a way to escape. *ae !ung had only visited once, but at the time, he cared very little for it. #is grandfather en+oyed being away from the city and spent most of his time there, painting landscapes and taking e3cursions across the mountain forests that stretched into the background. 2ow that his grandfather had passed away, *ae !ung felt obligated to watch over the house for a time being. *ust until he resolved the issues back at home. #e wanted to escape his daily life in the city. #e wanted to be away from the people he knew. 'he first place he thought was of this place. 'he !ummer #ouse. 'he house was built five years ago, by a friend of his grandfather who ended up selling the house after the tragic death of his daughter. !ince then, his grandfather had been the only occupant. !ome even offered large sums of money to purchase the house, but his grandfather had refused them all. )thers saw the house in a different aspect. Rumors have it that the house was haunted by the spirit of the lonesome girl who drowned herself in the bathtub. #e remembered the time he came along with his grandfather and what he had particularly told him. You know !ae "ung. This #la$e should be shunned be$ause of the in$ident but yet somehow I $ant bring myself to stay away from it.
Youre not afraid% he had &uestioned. 'hy should I be% I feel #rote$ted when Im here. #e almost snorted in disbelief at his grandfathers words as he took another step closer to get a better view of the house. 'he house had two stories and it was bigger, more spacious than the usual summerhouse that he ever came across. &uilt with mainly glass and oak, you could catch a good view of the inside from where he stood. %nd from inside it had a spectacular view of the lakeside. 'he porch was decorated with align of morning glories and chrysanthemums, giving off a colorful variety. It made him wonder how they came to be alive since there was no one to take care of them. #e could see his grandfathers paintings adorning the oak walls inside, bringing house to life. In the corner of the living room, stood his fathers piano. #e remembered running his fingers over the keys of the piano. #e had played it for his grandfather the day he visited. #e could hear it now, the classical piece playing faintly in his ears as he pictured his grandfathers smiling face. % gust of cool air came rushing at him the moment he placed his hand on the oak handles attached to the double doors, causing him to hesitate +ust for a moment. <)ppa, what are you waiting for5 0nlock the door=> #ae *in said e3citedly, as she appeared right ne3t to him. Reaching for the key in his pocket, he placed it in the keyhole to unlock the door. #e heard the sound of a click before opening the doors. 'he moment he entered he heard the faintest sound of someone or something greeting him with a 1uick welcome. #e 1uickly spun to #ae *in who was idly checking the place out with her back turned on him. <7id you hear that5> #ae *in turned around with a pu((led frown. <#ear what5> "he didnt hear it. It was #robably your imagination !ae "ung. #e thought shamefully to himself. 'he ne3t thing he knew, #ae *in gave off a piercing frightful scream and 1uickly +umped onto the couch, pointing a finger at something skittering across the coffee table. <% mouse= )ppa, a freakin mouse. ?ill it==> #e had no time to react. the little rodent had already escaped to some unknown hole in the walls before he could begin to chase it. <#es gone.> she chided him, still refusing to get off the couch.
#e knew his sister didnt want to tag along, but he forced her anyway. #er partying habits were starting to get out of hand. #is mother also ordered him to take care of her while she was gone out of the country and *ae !ung didnt trust leaving his sister alone either. <!it down, #ae *in,> he commanded in a brotherly tone as he sat down ne3t to her. #ae *in reluctantly agreed. <'heyre more afraid of us than we are of them,> *ae !ung pointed out, not understanding why his sister was afraid of something so harmless. <)ppa=> she whined, tugging on roughly on his arm. <?I,, I'==> #e was used to spoiling his sister and she was used to having everything her way. 4hat his father neglected to do for his sister, he did it for her. <)kay. %lright. :alm down. Ill find him before you go to bed,> he stated, with a nod of his head. !he made a blowfish face and puffed once before leaning in to 1uickly place a chaste kiss upon his cheek. 9ulling away from his sister, he stood up and stretched, while releasing a yawn. she replied, looking away to hide her disgust of the mouse. *ae !ung made his way up the wooden staircase and entered the first room on the right. )nce he stood inside, he felt a wave of sadness washing over him. 'he room once belonged to his grandfather was now his room. #e walked over to the wardrobe closet and reached inside to pull out an old family photo album. 'hen he strode over to settle himself comfortably on the mahogany canopy bed. <4hats wrong with you5 -ou look like youre about to cry5> came a voice from his left, causing him to slip off the bed and onto the hardwood floor. #e 1uickly turned to see a woman standing in the corner of the room, dressed entirely in black. #er long black here was done up into a single braid, draping down over her left shoulder. !he had big eyes that stared at him piercingly. 7efining those eyes were her perfectly arched brows. !he had a fairly cute nose that didnt really suit the cold e3pression of hers. #er face was oddly pale. pale to
the point it looked like she was wearing white makeup powder. )r was she5 #e couldnt really tell. #er lips were pressed in a grim line as if she was pu((led by his presence. !he had to be a teenager, no more than twenty years old and no less than si3teen. !he was frowning at him and he didnt like it at all, because her appearance alone raised goosebumps on his arms. 4hen he opened his mouth to speak, she rudely cut him off. <:an you see me5> she 1uestioned, taking another step closer. 4aving her hands from side to side, she continued to taunt him. <-ou cant see me, can you5> %nd then she laughed, while pointing a finger directly at his face. <)h man, I never knew this could be so much fun.> "he has bla$k #ainted fingernails% 'hat was this was she some kind of goth( &ueen intruder% #e thought to himself as he stared her down. !he took a few steps closer until she was standing only a foot away from him. ,owering her face towards his level, she began to make funny e3pressions while sticking out her tongue at him. <6oo, goo, gah, gah. -oo hoo, yah ha=> )o definitely not a goth(&ueen intruder. 'he woman must have gone mad, he concluded, having +ust about enough of her nuisance. #e stood up abruptly, causing her to cower a step backward. %nd then he sei(ed her by the shoulders. <4ho the hell are you5 4hat are you doing in this room5=> !he stiffened in his grasp and her face grew paler than before. #er mouth hung opened as if she was in a state of shock. !he lifted a finger to point at his face again. <-$y$you"can"see me5> <%re you out of your mind5 -oure standing right in front of me, how could I not see you5 4hat kind of game are you playing5> he replied, bothered by the fact that this strange woman was going cra(y on him. #e didnt know whether or not he should be nervous. &ut then again, he had the upper hand. !urely he was the stronger one here. !he shoved him back and ran screaming into the bathroom attached to the room. &efore he could catch up to her, she already slammed the door in his face. <6et out of my bathroom= 4hat do you think youre doing5=> he screamed, pounding hard against the door. <*ae !ung, oppa= %re you okay up there5=> #ae *in called from downstairs. *ae !ung didnt want his sister to find out about the cra(y madwoman so he shouted back, <8verythings fine. Im +ust on the phone with Mi Ra,> he lied. <'his isnt supposed to happen. Im not here. I mean/you cant possibly see me. I mean/ahh shit, this sucks=> she screamed from the other side of the door.
*ae !ung couldnt even begin to comprehend what was going on, all he knew was that he had to find a way to get rid of the psychotic woman. <-%#= )pen the door right now before I break in=> !he didnt answer him. #e pressed his ear against the door, hearing her whisper obscenities to herself. #e moved away and decided that he was going to have to use a different approach. <-ah, come out. I wont hurt you. 4e could talk about it.> <%ish= I cant. I really dont know what to do,> she said in hopelessness. he offered. *el# #ut you in a mental ward. <2o, Im supposed to help you. 2ot the other way around, dammit==> she yelled back. #is brows drew together in a tight frown as he folded his arms in front of him. <#elp me5 4hat do you mean, help me5> 'he door finally drew opened and the woman popped her head out first. #e was startled by her sudden appearance once again. #e couldnt blame himself. #er face was indeed startling to him. <-es, I am supposed to help you=> she said, moving from behind the door to face him. she 1uickly shook her head. <%ctually to be honest, I was only playing with you. 'hat was all an act.> !he held out her hand, waiting for him to shake it. #e +ust looked at her, confusion spreading all over his face. <%h, I see you dont like introductions.> !he brushed the tendril of hair back from her face in a nervous gesture. <4ell then, Ill go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Choi Soo Young. I am nineteen years old and Ive been sent here to be your housekeeper.> #e arched a brow. <#ousekeeper5 -our age5 7ont you have school5> <Its summer. 'his is actually my"summer +ob,> she answered, managing to keep a straight face. 'he way she had answered him, made it almost believable. <4hos sent you here, my mother5> !he bobbed her head in response. <-es, yes your mother did.> #e had to 1uestion her odd appearance again. !he was wearing black denim capris with fishnet stockings along with black leather boots. #er small black t$
shirt read, +life kills in 8nglish. <4here did she find you, at a circus5> !he looked rather offended by his 1uestion while appearing to be looking down at herself. <4hat5 4hat do I look like to you5 !ome circus performer5> ,ore like a $lown he wanted to reply. <4hy did you think I asked5> he retorted. !he folded her arms and gritted her teeth at him to prevent any further arguments. #e was starting to lose his patience with her. :learly, this young woman was cra(y. <6et out of my house. I dont need a housekeeper,> he said matter$of$ factly. <Im sure you do. 4ho do you think has been watering your plants outside5 4ho do you think has been keeping this place tidy and clean5 ,ook around you. 6o ahead, look around you.> #e had to ga(e around, taking note of the polished floors, the sparkling clean mirror and the neat and tidy bed. #e couldnt disagree with her more. #e figured he could call his stepmother to ask about the housekeeper, but then again, she was all the way in %ustralia, visiting his uncle. ;or now, he would have to keep her and see how things run. #e might as well give her a chance considering that she looked like she needed his help. &ut then again, her hysterical behavior earlier was ine3cusable. <2e3t time, dont snoop around in this room. I dont like people surprising me the way you do.> !he nodded obediently and replied, <-es, sir.> <6ood. -ou might want to wash that face of yours and make yourself more presentable before you meet #ae *in. #ae *in doesnt like getting scared.> @A@A@ 'he moment she left his room, she placed an invisibility barrier around herself and 1uickly escaped outside to meet the person standing under the blossom tree, awaiting her presence. #e was tall, +ust like -oo *ae !ung. #e was handsome, so angelic she would have thought him fake. #e leaned against the tree, in the same aloofness that she had always seen him do. #is long silvery white hair reflected the afternoon sun, falling above his forehead, covering his left eye like a blanket of snow. #is skin was ivory white, showing the slightest tinge of pink. #e wore a bleached white stiff$collared suit that fitted perfectly on him. 'he blossoms danced to his ethereal presence, circling him likes bees to a hive. 'he man standing before her
was epitome of perfection. %n angel. % real angel. !he noticed that he was in the middle of reading. !ince she met him, he was always reading. !he often wondered what he read about about that because she saw only blank pages. %nd as usual, he always made her feel like the intruder. !he cleared her throat before saying, #e didnt lift his eyes off the pages of the book. % flicker of disinterest began to show in his face, when he said, <!eems like youre doing +ust fine.> -ine% !he thought. It wasnt fine. -oo *ae !ung saw her as a psychotic criminal. 'hat was beside the point. -oo *ae !ung had seen her. #e flipped to the ne3t page and continued on reading. <If I had told you, would you have been able to come up with a pretty decent cover up5> she argued, knowing that it was pretty ironic to even mention the word sin. % trace of a smile appeared at the edge of his perfect contoured mouth. <-oure +ust doing your task. !o far, I see nothing wrong with that.> <'he bastard touched me=> she pointed out. 'hat too, she disliked. #e finally lifted his eyes to face her. 'hose dark purplish orbs were strikingly hypnotic. !he always felt her legs giving in whenever he ga(ed at her. %t times, she found it impossible to breathe despite the fact that she no longer had any breaths left in her over$dead body. !oo -oung could read his eyes. 7ark purple meant calmness. &lue was cold and red, meant anger. <4ould you rather have his hands go right through you then5> he 1uestioned. <%nd have him uncover you5> <2o. I rather not let him see me at all. I thought that was the deal5 %ll I had to do was watch over him. 9revent him from killing himself. I dont remember anything about letting him touch me or even see me for what I am.> #e shut the book and it disappeared out of sight. !oo -oung let out a surprised gasp. !he was always intrigued by the way he handled his magic. <If I were you, !oo -oung, Id focused more on how to earn his trust and find a way to protect him"well"from killing himself.>
<8arn his trust5 -ou want me to befriend him5 I have never, ever made any friends/let alone had any, and you want me to make friends with him5 7ont you think this is beginning to sound stupid and lame5 ,ike in those novels about/> <4hat is your status, !oo -oung5 #ave you forgotten how you gotten here5 'his person. -oo *ae !ung. 'he only reason why he sees you is because hes beginning to accept death.> #e had a point there. !he lowered her head in apology, reali(ing she was wrong to dispute against him. <Im sorry.> <%pology accepted,> he said, producing the book into his hands again as he continued to read, like nothing took place. :hoi !oo -oung wasnt finished with him yet. !he thought of the way *ae !ung had grabbed her shoulders. 2o one has ever touched her that way. !he wanted to make him pay for that. <%nd my powers5 4ould I still be able to use my powers5> <&ut it sorta feels like Im human again since I got my touch back. 4ill that somehow affect my powers5> <!ometimes your ignorance worries me, !oo -oung.> 'hat was his way of placing a nice insult into an insult, !oo -oung thought. 4hat more could she ask of him5 <'hen I guess, I should get back.> <Bery well, do as you please. &ut dont forget to remove that paint off your face before meeting -oo #ae *in.> @A@A@ -oo #ae *in, a mere si3teen year old was eyeing her up and down like a lion would eye its prey. <#ousekeeper, you say5> :hoi !oo -oungs face reflected a face of a manne1uin. It was e3pressionless. !he felt like she was in some interrogating room. <-es,> she answered stoically. #ae *in circled around her for the tenth time. <-ou look pretty young to be one.> <'hats what they all say.>
<#ave you ever tried smiling before5 &ecause to me, it seems like a face like yours cant smile at all.> !oo -oung knew the twit was insulting her purposely so that she could embarrass her in front of -oo *ae !ung who seemed to be more fi3ed on getting his laptop to work rather than paying any slightest attention to them. &ut then again, the truth was, she rarely ever smiled. !he laughed, but she never smiled. #ae *in was right about that one. #ae *in spun around and shouted, <)99%= %rent you even listening5=> *ae !ung nearly fell off of his seating place at the sound of his sisters voice. <#ae *in, its unnecessary for you to yell like that. ?eep your voice down and 1uit trying to scare the housekeeper.> <&ut/> !lamming his laptop shut, *ae !ung 1uickly rubbed at his temples and spoke softly, <6o to your room. Its time for bed.> <&ut its only seven$thirty=> <'hen go to your room. I have a few 1uestions to ask our housekeeper.> #ae *in switched her ga(e back and forth between the two and finally gave in defeat. !oo -oung watched #ae *in disappear up the flight of stairs. !he stood there with her hands behind her back, waiting patiently for *ae !ung to 1uestion her. #e stood up and stretched, massaging at his tired and sore neck with his eyes shut. !oo -oung couldnt help notice the bulging biceps underneath the black button$downed shirt. <4hile sitting here, I was wondering, do you not have any change of clothes5 'hose clothes make you look like some kind of ghost. -ou shouldnt be wearing black, it doesnt suit you.> !oo -oung couldnt believe he was insulting her style of clothes as if he was some fashion guru. !hed thought hed have something more important to discuss with her. If she had it her way, she would have disappeared in front of his eyes or rather/make him disappear in front of her eyes instead. <My clothes, sir5> <-eah,> he answered, gesturing out his hand towards her. <'o be honest, I dont want my housekeeper wearing fishnet stockings or any of the stuff you have on.> #e looked away as if he was repulsed by her fashion sense.
<!ir, this is my style. If you have a problem with it, then avert your eyes elsewhere. I cannot +ust stand here and allow you to insult me the way that you do.> #e was surprised by her retort. More or less, he was more surprised at how maturely she responded to him. 'o have thought this woman was mad. 9erhaps, he had mis+udged her. :learing his throat, he said, <;ine suit yourself. I have a favor to ask of you.> #er eyes widened in curiosity. <!ir5> <9repare a meal. !omeone will be +oining me for dinner.> 9repare a meal5 !he knew nothing of cooking a home$cooked meal= 4hen she was alive, she never made the effort to do so either. !he regret in choosing to become his housekeeper. <%t this time, sir5 Im a housekeeper, I dont really do /> <7ont tell me, you dont know how to cook,> he taunted. !he cleared her throat. <:ook at this time, sir5> #e looked rather irritated when he said, <4hat other time is there5> !he began to scratch the back of her head in nervousness. 'here was no way she could possibly cook. <!o5> !he 1uickly lifted her eyes from the floor to look at him. <-es5> <%re you going to do it5> <#ow could I refuse5> she replied, attempting to show her confidence through a false smile. :hoi !oo -oung always made a habit of using her powers whenever it wasnt necessary, +ust like she was doing now. 'he table was set +ust outside the back of the house, with the food prepared, the candles lit, and the romantic music playing softly in the background, she made sure the mood set the atmosphere. !he heard laughter coming from within the house and peered over to see the back of a womans figure wrapped in a warm embrace with -oo *ae !ung. 'hat made her wonder about his character. #ow could someone like -oo *ae !ung be on the verge of suicidal when he practically had everything going for him5 #e
had a loving sister, a wonderful deceased grandfather who left the house in his care, and even beautiful girlfriend. !oo -oung figured she had to be beautiful +udging from the sound of her laughter. %fter hooking an arm around his girlfriend, *ae !ung turned her around they both began to make their way towards her. !oo -oungs mouth dropped opened once more. 'ears suddenly filled her eyes the moment she recogni(ed the woman he was with. #er sister.
||Chapter Two| Choi Soo Young decided to place an invisibility spell over herself to prevent the couple from seeing her. 4iping at the tears that stained her pale cheeks, she stood watching them like a dumbfounded dummy as they made their way to their places in their seats. -oo *ae !ung was looking happier than earlier, wore a pair of cream$colored slacks. along with a v$neck sweater overtop a crisp white button$downed shirt. #is face lit up like a lantern, revealing a happier side to him. !oo -oung never thought a man was capable of being happy considering he was on the verge of suicide. 'he smile adorning his face was genuine. 'he pretty young woman dressed in miniskirt with an off$the$shoulder white short sleeved shirt seated across from him, was the reason why he smiled. !oo -oung moved to stand behind *ae !ung so that she could see her sisters face more clearly. #er sister, whose name was :hoi Min *i, used to be plain and average looking girl who never liked to dress up. 2ow, !oo -oung barely recogni(ed her anymore. !he always thought Min *is eyes were much softer, her smile much warmer and her aura oo(ed with charm. !oo -oung always admired how Min *i saw the world full of opportunities, never ceasing to grasp them. <0nnie, Ive missed you,> !oo -oung whispered softly. <#ave you forgotten me5> 'hat sparked her curiosity. 4here have her sister been all that time5 4as she aware of !oo -oungs death5 %nd more importantly, was she dating -oo *ae !ung because she wanted to reclaim the house5 Min *i giggled at *ae !ungs +oke, unaware that her younger sister was watching her, she swept aside her long silky hair, and cast *ae !ung a dashing smile. #er soft brown eyes were magnetic. they had the ability to draw in any person in
sight. 9lacing an elo1uent hand on top of *ae !ungs hand, she said, <)ppa. 'ell me you cooked our dinner.> -oo *ae !ung was in the process of drinking his water when he nearly choked at her words. #e coughed and nodded his head in response while wiping his mouth with a napkin. <-es, I did prepare dinner.> !oo -oungs eyes widened in response. That .erk(fa$e liar/ Min *i leaned forward with interest. <4hat did you cook for us5> she asked teasingly. 9lacing a hand on her hip, !oo -oung waited patiently for his answer. *ae !ung gave Min *i an underlying smile and took another sip of his water before answering, <Its a surprise.> #e moved off his chair to pop open the bottle of e3pensive wine. <!hall we drink before I retrieve our dinner5> Min *i held out her glass willingly. <6ladly.> 'hey clinked glasses and took a sip of their wines, before *ae !ung parted into the kitchen. !oo -oung decided to follow him. #e was in the kitchen, searching for the food when she went to stand directly behind him. <,ooking for something5> she asked, over his shoulder. #e spun around, startled by her presence. <-ah= 4hats wrong with you. Cuit sneaking around like that.> !he didnt feel the need to apologi(e, but she was pretty certain that was what he wanted to hear. <Im sorry.> <4heres the food5> <;ood5> she said, pretending to play clueless. Rolling her eyes, she pretended to think about something before smacking her forehead. <)ops. I forgot about it,> she lied in a sarcastic tone that got him thinking she was trying to push his patience. #e looked enraged when he said, <4hat5> <*ust kidding,> she said, lifting the invisibility spell off the food placed on the table. <Its on the table.> #e blinked, shaking his head in disbelief when he turned to look. <;unny, because when I entered, I saw nothing on the table.>
Thats right. There was nothing. !oo -oung gave him a smirk. <#ad a little too much to drink, already huh5> #e ignored her as he made his way toward the table, picking up the tray of food and proceeded outside. <!elfish bastard,> she scoffed after him. <#arboring a crush already5> the voice over her shoulder asked. !he turned around to confront the man behind her. Park Sung Won was probably the most la(iest guardian spirit she had ever encountered. #e never really followed what he was ordered to do. #e was more of a go$with$your$own$ rules type of guy. 'he first time she met him, she found him wandering inside the summerhouse as if he belonged there. #e told her that he wanted to pay her a visit since he heard she was one of the newbies. 8ver since then, he came uninvited. #ow he died was no mystery. 4hen she was alive, she had seen it in the news. #e was on his way to a rock concert, to do an opening for a popular band when the van swerved off the road and collided into a truck. 8veryone survived e3cept for 9ark !ung 4on. 'he thing that pu((led her most was the fact that 9ark !ung 4on never really mentioned about how he became a guardian spirit. 4henever she came close to 1uestioning him about it, he would always change the sub+ect to conceal the truth. <7ont look at me like that. -ou make me nervous,> he scolded, sweeping his dark punk$style shoulder length hair back with a brush of his hand. !ung 4on was too pretty to be called handsome. #e had a delicate face with sharp brown almond eyes, shapely arch eyebrows that women were envious of, killer sharp cheekbones and a smooth +aw line. #is nose had to be his best feature. 'hey were sharp and symmetrical, refining the rest of his features. 4ith a piercing on his left brow, dark eye$liner, accentuating his eyes and looking a bit smudged, black nail polish painted on his fingers, a silver cross on dangling from his left ear, the others often mistaken him and !oo -oung for siblings because they carried the similar dark appearances. !ung 4ons outfit was another matter. #e wore a leather beaten +acket, beneath it, a plain black t$shirt, a black and red checkered kilt, underneath that, a pair of black +eans that was tucked into a pair of black worn$out boots which were begging to be thrown away. #is outfit wasnt e3actly what !oo -oung called stylish but she learned to look past his clothes, as he did with hers.
'hey made an agreement on never to poke fun at each others fashion sense. !oo -oung had to admit, despite his la(iness, !ung 4on was probably the closest guardian spirit she knew. 'hey werent friends, nor were they enemies, !ung 4on liked to consider !oo -oung as a protDgD. ;or some reason, he wanted to protect her from the moment they met. It wasnt as if !oo -oung needed any type of protection, but !ung 4on had simply taken it upon himself to visit her occasionally. !he had to admit, she was grateful for his company. #e took another step toward her, and knocked the top of her head. <-ah= I told you to stop looking at me like that.> !oo -oung reali(ed that she was staring and 1uickly tried to conceal her flustering by sweeping his hand aside and saying, <4hat do you think youre doing here5> <-oure lying.> #e lifted his hands up in a surrendering gesture. <%lright, Im lying. !o what5> <-ou cant do that.> #e placed a finger on his nicely shaped lips, raising both his brows mischievously. <If you dont tell, no one will know.> !he hated that he used that line on her. It was the truth. !he would never tell. !he couldnt. 2inety percent of the time, her courage always failed her. <#ow long have you been watching us5> #e walked over to peer out the window, his ga(e landing on *ae !ung and Min *i who were in the midst of en+oying their meals. Rather than answering her 1uestion, !ung 4on said, <:ute couple. #is soul is weak. #es fighting against it. !eems like the only thing hes holding onto right now is her.> !oo -oung moved to stand beside him, and observed the couple, trying to detect the same thing !ung 4on had. !he saw the way they both smiled at each other. % part of her became envious of her sister. Min *i had everything. <!hes beautiful.> !ung 4on smiled. <-eah, and she happens to be your sister.> !oo -oungs ga(e flickered sideways to !ung 4on, surprised that he knew. <4hat5>
<-ou cant hide it from me. -ou dont know how long Ive stuck here, observing, learning and receiving.> !he knew that hes been a guardian longer than she has. %s oppose to herself, !ung 4on was a pro at reading the humans. #e saw things she couldnt see. <-ouve got the knack for those things,> she complimented. <!ure. I love playing as +The ,an> he said, followed by a teasing smile. <'he Man5> she in1uired. <-eah, the big man. 'he boss.> #e pointed upward with his finger. <0p there.> <)h,> she said, feeling a bit dumb. !he always thought she was a bit slow when it came to !ung 4ons +okes. &ut then again, she was never a +oker. <-ou dont get out much, do you5 7ont you know how to take a +oke5> he said, turning his full attention onto her. <-our +okes arent funny,> she retorted, averting her attention back to the couple. 9ark !ung 4on suddenly sei(ed her arm and the ne3t thing she knew, they were standing right ne3t to the couple. <,isten to this, !oo -oung.> !he hated that he liked using teleporting in such a short distance. *erking her arm from his grasp she glared, before turning to hear her sister speak. <'he reason for this dinner"> Min *i paused, placing down her utensils and wiping her mouth. !he reached over to place a hand on top of his. <Its going to be our last. Im sorry. I cant see you anymore. Im very sorry. My"> she stopped. !oo -oung could see the tears brimming her eyes. <My fiancD needs me.> !ung 4on poked at !oo -oungs arm with his elbow. <Its getting interesting. *ust watch.> !oo -oung ignored him, focusing solely on the couple. !he could see the blood draining from -oo *ae !ungs face. #e 1uickly snatched his hand back and it curled into a fist. #e couldnt bear to face her, so his lowered his head, refusing to allow Min *i to see the pain in his eyes. <4hy5> he asked in a definite tone of anger. Min *i covered her mouth, trying to muffle out her sob. !lightly shaking her head, she answered, 
#e swallowed his hurt and said nothing in return. !oo -oung saw that he was biting his tongue. Min *i was doing her best to control her sobbing. <,eave,> he spoke inaudibly, the word barely escaping his lips. <Im sorry5> <,8%B8=> he commanded, slamming a fist against the table, startling her sister. !oo -oung wanted to do something to defend her sister, but a hand held her back. <?now your place, !oo -oung,> !ung 4on reminded her. !he could barely comprehend what was happening. %ll she knew was that she wanted to go against the man she was sent to protect. !he couldnt understand why she wanted to defend a sister who left her to suffer. 4hy was she feeling such animosity towards them both5 !he couldnt understand why she was e3periencing all of these mi3ed feelings. It was as if she was human again. :hoi Min *i, grabbed her purse and said, <Ill never forget our times together. I dont want to forget.> 4ith those last words, she turned around and started towards the house without bothering to offer a glance back. %part of her wanted to follow her sister. !he wanted to know the reason why her sister did what she did to -oo *ae !ung. *ae !ung stood up and flipped the entire table over in a fit of anger and frustration, shattering the dishes and glasses. 'hen he sank down on his knees, allowing his sorrow to overtake him. #e submitted to his tears, letting them to cascade freely down his handsome face. !oo -oung suddenly felt the urge to make herself appear in front of him and perhaps, do something to cease his crying. !trange how she has never witnessed such a grown man crying before. It was fascinating, yet heartbreaking at the same time. !ung 4on touched her shoulder and said, <#es all yours. 6ood luck.> 4ith that, he disappeared out of her sight too. ,ifting off her invisibility barrier, !oo -oung appeared behind him and pretended to observe the toppled table and the broken dishes. !he said nothing, pretending to play the housekeeper as she gathered up the fallen pieces.
<7ont touch it=> he snapped. <6et out of my face.> !oo -oung fro(e and stole a glance in his direction, seeing that his crying had stopped, although the tears continued to spill. <% brokenhearted man, crying like a baby. I was +ust doing my +ob as a housekeeper,> she mumbled in defense. !he wanted to yell back 2). <Im sorry. Ill leave you alone.> !he figured, shell give him some alone time, but she would have to keep a close eye on him, +ust in case he might do something foolish. !ust in $ase he might be$ome sui$idal like you on$e were "oo Young. !he couldnt believe the words coming out his mouth. :urling her fingers into a tight fist, she gritted her teeth. <-ou want me to leave for good5> <-ou dont listen very well, do you5> <4ell considering that/> &efore she could finish, he already grabbed her by the arm and led her toward the house. !he wanted to toss him off her. !he wanted to do everything to hurt him, but instead she allowed him to lead her into the house like a helpless human that she once was. &y the time they reached the kitchen, !oo -oung was cursing in her head. !he hated that she could feel pain. #e gripped her arm so hard. she would have let out a shriek if not for the biting of her tongue. <)ppa= )ppa, whats going on5> came #ae *ins voice as she appeared in front of them, dressed in her pink p+s with a concern e3pression on her face. #er eyes automatically landed on !oo -oung. %lready, they were accusing her. <4hats going on5> #ae *in asked again. *ae !ung released her with a push, nearly causing her to stumble into the wall. <6et out of this house.> #ae *in hurried over to her brothers side and took his arm. <)ppa. 9lease. 7id she do something to you5> *ae !ung, with a cold look on his face said, <'o your room, #ae *in. 7ont come
out.> #is words stung like ice, #ae *in knew not to go against her brother. <)kay.> 4ith that, she was off, glaring at !oo -oung as she past. !oo -oung ignored the glare she received from #ae *in and rubbed at her sore arm. <#ow much do you want5 Ill pay you to leave.> !oo -oung finally having enough of his insistent and rude behavior stuck her chin up defiantly. !he shrugged. #is brows drew together in curiosity as he asked, <4hat5 -ou dont have a choice5> <I live all the way in the city. &oth my parents have gone vacationing in :hina and I dont have the key to my house. I have nowhere to go. I was supposed to stay here and look after the house for you, whether or not you show up,> she paused, 1uickly adding, <It was advance payment.> #e nodded his head. <%h, I get you. !o you were paid to stay at this house, treating it as if its your own5> <2o.> <'hen what5> !he stammered, when she said, <I$I$Im here to watch the house. 'hats all. -ou cant get rid of me now. 9lease. Ill do my best to stay out of your way, if my presence bothers you so much.> !he was never good at begging either. ,ooking at her disbelievingly, he said, <-ou think I believe your lies5 7id you really think I believe that youre our housekeeper5 'he reason why I agreed earlier was because I felt sorry for you. I thought I might as well keep you here for one night and then kick you out tomorrow.> !he was seething with anger at this point. #ow could someone be so coldhearted5 <-ou pompous +erk=> she cursed, forgetting that she could. <-our words wont hurt me.>
I $ould hurt you. 0ont underestimate me Yoo !ae "ung she wanted to shout. !he was determined for him to see her in a different aspect. If it came to the point where she had to use some kind of force against him, she would do it without a second thought. <;ine, have it your way,> he said, attempting to sei(e her by the arms again. 'his time around, she kicked out with her foot, striking him in the shin. #e cursed in pain while hopping on one foot. <!hit=> !he took the chance to run from him, shouting over her shoulder. <If you want me out, youd have to find me first=> 9lacing the invisibility spell over herself, she stopped running and slowly trotted back into the kitchen to see that he had made himself comfortable on one of the kitchen chairs with his head slumped on the table. !he went to stand behind him, kicking and swinging her arms ferociously at him as if he was a punching bag. !he knew it was pointless considering her arms went right through him, but she had to release her anger somehow. !oo -oung knew at this point, he had hit bottom low. This is where it starts. @A@A@ 4ith his clothes on, he drenched himself in cold water, thinking he could wash away his pain. #e felt himself slowly slipping away underneath the free(ing water with the air escaping his lungs. 'he images of her face crossed his mind. If only she knew how much she meant to him. If only she could understand +ust how much he was suffering. #e closed out the world by shutting his eyes. This is it !ae "ung. 'he ne3t thing he knew, he was being pulled out of the bathtub. #e sat upright, choking on a mouthful of water. )pening his eyes, he saw the face of :hoi !oo -oung who was yelling at him as if she had every right to. <4hat the hell do you think youre doing5= %re you trying to kill yourself5=> #e wiped his face and said, !he eyed him a peculiar look. <4ith your clothes5 !ure, good one.>
2ever mind him, what was she doing in his room5 <4hat are you doing in here5 I thought I told you to/> <6et lost,> she finished for him. 'hen she reached for his arm and hauled him out of the bathtub. #er strength surprised him. &efore he could react against her, she had already pushed him outside, shutting the bathroom door on him. #e stood there, almost shocked that he came so close to death until this strange young woman burst into the bathroom, telling him that she needed to take a piss. 4hy did he get the feeling that she was capable of ruining everything for him5 <2e3t time, you might want to lock your door=> she yelled from inside. !trange. #e could have sworn that he locked it.
||Chapter Three| He couldn t sleep! #e refused to sleep. 9ulling himself upright, he reached over to turn on the touch lamp and threw his legs over the side of the bed while massaging his temples, attempting to rid of the headache that has been bothering him. &are$chested with only a black drawstring pants on, he moved to the window to part the curtains aside, inviting in the streaks of moonlight that push back the shadows in his room. #is ga(e landed on the lone figure that stood underneath the cherry blossom tree. #er long hair flowed down almost to her waist, and she was dressed in a white nightgown. #er luminous pale skin made her appear almost fictional and angelic. ;or a moment he stood in stillness captivated by her presence, wondering who she was and what she was doing in front of the house. 'he moment she spun around to notice his presence, he retreated back from the window, afraid of being discovered. 4hen he peeked again, the figure was replaced by the figure of :hoi !oo -oung who stood in her unusual black attire, pointing at the moon and speaking to it as if had the ability to answer back. :urious, he pushed opened his window and listened. <Mocking me again, huh5 Its not how it used to be,> she said, aiming at the moon as if she was aiming a gun at it. <Ill win this time. *ust watch.>
<&am=> she said aloud, pretending to shoot at it. % smile perked his lips. <Idiot.> %s if she hearing him, she stopped what she was doing and turned around look up at his window. Reali(ing that she was being watched, she raised her hand to salute him as if she was a soldier. #e never thought hed meet such an interesting, uni1ue, stubborn character like !oo -oung. 'hinking about it now, he reali(ed that he had been too harsh on her earlier. 'he woman he loved left him and he had acted rashly against the wrong person. #e wanted to apologi(e for his rudeness. ,eaning forward, he said, <4ait there. Ill be right down.> 6rabbing his sleeping robe to place around him, he headed downstairs and outside to the front porch, finding her seated on the bench with her legs pulled up to her chin as if she was feeling insecure. <6o ahead and have a seat. 'his is your house,> she said without sparing him a glance. #e went to sit beside her and said, <4hat are you still doing up at this time5> <,ook, about what happened/> !he cast him a glance, cutting him off. <-ou tried to kill yourself. I know. 'hanks to my full bladder, I saved your life.> #e didnt like that she was being so forward about it. In fact, he wanted to forget that it took place. 'hrough his gritted teeth, he said, <&eing depress gets you like that. 'rust me, Ive been through it myself. %lthough, Ive never been dump to the point where it makes me want to end my life. 'hats +ust foolish.> #e regretted coming down to offer an apology. If she was trying to make him feel guilty for his earlier actions, then it was working. ,eaning back against the bench, he said, <2ever mind.> <'his might be a bit too personal, but that woman. #ow did you two"> she trailed off without finishing her 1uestion. #e wasnt going to tell her his personal issues, she had no right to learn about it. &ut then he said, <Really5> she said, stretching out her legs in front of her. <4hats her name5> #e didnt have to answer that but it came out anyway. <?im Min *i.> <?im Min *i,> she repeated slowly after him. <4hy are you so curious5> !he almost tssk him when she said, <7ont you know not to ask a person why theyre curious5 :uriosity is apart of the human nature. 4ere all bound to curiosity. -ou dont ask a person why theyre curious. -ou know why theyre curious.> #e shifted to look at her, wondering why she hadnt change out of her clothes into something more comfortable. !he was giving a strange look, as she shifted over, afraid he might do something. #e moved closer anyway, attempting to scare her. <-oure right about that. 2ow, you might want to confess the truth about you being here. I know youre not a housekeeper.> #e eyed her up and down when he leaned in closer. <-ou dont look the type.> Instead of leaning back like he e3pected her to, she came forward until their faces were inches apart. <If I tell you the truth, you would never believe me. !o Ill do my best to give you a plausible e3cuse for being here.> 1loser, he thought. % bit closer and she would definitely give in. #e could barely read her e3pression in the dark, but he knew she was going to give him some smart$ass remark. <Is that why you decided to bathe with your clothes on after you thought you could handle the truth5> #e nearly snorted, when he turned his ga(e to the blossom tree that glowed even in the dark. 0nbelievable. #e let her win this time around. <6ive me a good reason then. 6ive me a good reason in why you want to stay here, and I might consider it.> <-our grandfather and I met before.> 'hat caused him to go rigid in response. #e could barely find the words to speak. <-ouve met my grandfather5> <-es, I visited him occasionally while he was alive.>
<If you say you knew him, whats his name5> <-oo 8un !uk.> #e turned back to meet her ga(e. <4hat was he like here5> <#e was happy and he always kept busy around the house. 8very time I visited him, I helped him do things. ,ike garden work, or mopping the floors and even the laundry. )ther than that, he spent most of his time working on his paintings. &y the way, have you seen them yet5 'heyre in the room ne3t to yours. #e keeps it as a storage room.> *ae !ung didnt like that she acted like she knew more about his grandfather than he did. <2o, I havent,> he admitted shamefully. <4hen you have time, check them out. 'heyre beautiful.> <!o youre really here because my grandfather asked you to take care of the house5> <4hat5> !he inclined her head 1uickly. <-es, oh yes. #e told me to watch it for you until you get back. I come here to water the plants, and tidy up whenever I have the time. )nly in the summer though.> <%nd when do you plan on going back home5> <)nce the summer is over. I actually came here to escape from my family. I know its not right, but I +ust had to,> she said, reaching into her pocket and brought the keys. <If you dont trust me with this, Ill give it back to you. -our grandfather gave it to me to watch the house.> *ae !ung took the keys from her hand. <'hen why did you lie to me earlier about being a housekeeper5> she left her words unfinished. #e still didnt trust her, but there was something about her character that made him want to trust her. <Ill let you stay here. %s long as you go on doing what youre doing. Ill even pay you to do it.> <4hat5 Really5> !he shook her head in refusal. <)h, no. 2o, I dont want the money.>
4hat woman in the right state mind would refuse money5 9erhaps she wasnt in her right state of mind5 <Im a man of my word. I dont want you to work for free. Ill pay you.> she argued. <-ou dont5> <2o, I dont.> #e studied her clothes again. <-ou could use some new clothes.> she said, sounding more like a 1uestion when she looked down at herself. <Maybe I could.> <6ood. 'hen we have an agreement.> @A@A@ #e studied the painting before him. It was an oil painting of the house. #is grandfather had managed to use all of the right colors to depict the image of the house. 'he only flaw about the painting was its incompletion. 'he bottom half of the canvas was left untouched. If he had the same artistic skills as his grandfather, he would have completed it for him. <*arabo.i,> he called, thinking his grandfather would answer him. #e thought about the time when he was only eleven. #e had showed off his first painting to his grandfather. 'hat do you think of this grandfather% he asked $limbing onto his grandfathers la# and holding the #ainting before them. *is grandfather smiled and studied the #ainting. It was only a sim#le rose #ainted in s$arlet red. You got some talent !ae "ung. 'ill you be following my footste#s when you grow older% *e looked u# to his grandfather in &uestion. 'hat does that mean% It means will you be as good as I am% 2f $ourse I will. *is grandfather #la$ed the #ainting aside. )ow tell me something !ae "ung. 'hat if you didnt have that $hoi$e% 2f be$oming someone you want to be% 'hat if your father wanted you to be someone he wants you to be%
0oes that mean father will $hoose for me% Yes. Then I wont be$ome like you% Im afraid not. 3ut I want to be like you not like father. Then you have to fight for it !ae "ung. 0oes that mean I have to go against fathers wishes% Yes. *es really mean. "ometimes Im afraid of him but other times Im not. *e seems to like "eo !in more than me. *e also likes that lady more. 'hy do you $all her that lady% "hes your mother. ,y real mother is dead. That lady will never be like my real mother even if she tries to be. "he hurts me grandfather. "he likes #in$hing me he $onfessed rolling u# his long sleeves to reveal the #ur#le dark bruises of his ste#mothers markings. 4ook. This is what she does to me. *arabou.i will take $are of this. )ext time she tries to hurt you run away and $ome find me. 2kay. #e was there now, inside the summer house calling for his grandfather. <Im here. 'ake me with you.> )nly silence answered him. #e stood up, covered the painting and turned to go when one of covered paintings fell over in far end of the room. #e went over to pick up the fallen painting, slowly turning it over to take a look at it. It was her. 'he woman he had seen last night. !he was standing in the same posture, looking up at the cherry blossom tree that way she had done so the previous night. #owever, this time he could see her profile clearly. #er eyes were closed and he could see her long lashes and a
single teardrop sliding down her cheek. !he was beautiful from that angle. More beautiful than he could imagine. #e wondered if the painting belonged to his grandfather. 'here was no sign of his signature or initials anywhere. came the voice over his left shoulder. #e +umped at the sound of her voice and turn to see !oo -oung looking at him with her arms folded in front of her. <-ah. 4hy are you always sneaking up on me5> he asked in annoyance. <Is it my fault that I like being 1uiet5> #aving said that, she sauntered over and grabbed the painting from his hand but he refused to let go. <6ive me that=> she said, tugging harder on it. #e pulled it back <4hy should I5> <&ecause it doesnt belong to you or your grandfather. It belongs to the previous owner.> #e let go, watching silently as she put it back into its place on the stand, covering it with a white cloth. <-our grandfather wouldnt even touch it, what makes you think you can5> <'his is my house. I have the right to touch anything in it.> <%rrogant,> she murmured. <4hat was that5> <2othing.> he said walking over to the painting when !oo -oung threw herself in front of it, waving her hands out in front of her. <-ou cant. -ou cant bring it anywhere.> <-ah= 7o I look like a thief to you5> <-oure starting to act like one,> she countered. <Move,> he commanded. !he held her hands out wide and said stubbornly, <2o.>
*ust when he wanted to push her aside, his cell phone rang. #e mouthed her a warning before answering his phone. <#ello5> <#ello darling. 'his is your mother calling. #ows your sister5> *ae !ung never gotten used to the fact that she blatantly referred to herself as his mother. <!hes here with me at the summer house,> he answered, turning away from !oo -oung who was watching him intently. <-ou want me to take her back home5> <)h no, I dont want to bother you. Ive sent !eo *in to pick her up. #es on his way as we speak.> #is brother was on his way5 !eo *in had time to pick up his younger sister5 <!o"hows the house5> she in1uired, as if she felt obligated to ask. <Its been the same. 2othings changed,> he answered. <)h. 4ell perhaps Ill drop by once I return. I never really had the chance to see it for myself. -our grandfather could never stop speaking of it.> <!ure.> <4ell then. Ill let you go for now. I hope to see you when I return. &ye.> <&ye.> 4ith that, he hung up, picturing her cursing the moment she hung up on him. #e turned back to !oo -oung who was no longer standing there. 'he painting had also disappeared. !ighing in hopelessness, he knew he wasnt going to win against her. @A@A@ !he was sweeping the front of the house when a sleek silver sports convertible pulled up in the driveway with hip$hop music blasting loudly that it could cause her to go deaf if she was still alive. 'he guy stepped out of the car, wearing a black leather motocross +acket with a white wife$beater underneath and a pair of loose faded denims. #e was looking
stylish with the white beanie on, along with e3pensive sunglasses that only the stars could afford. #e smiled when he saw her, giving her a wave of his hand. <#i.> #i5 !oo -oung wasnt used to greeting someone with a #i, but she did anyway. <#i,> she said, returning the same gesture. <My brother inside5> #is brother5 'his stranger was related to -oo *ae !ung5 <)ppa==> came #ae *ins voice as she ran outside to greet the stranger by giving him a warm tight embrace. <#ow you doing5> he asked, pulling back and removing his sunglasses. <Im good, and yourself5> <Im great.> !oo -oung studied the two for a moment. This seems better, she thought. #ae *in resembled the stranger more than she did with *ae !ung. 'hey had the same eyes. 'he stranger turned his attention back to !oo -oung who 1uickly went back to sweeping. <%nd this is5> <)ur housekeeper,> #ae *in blurted. <7ont mind her, she seems a little out of it at times. 7id she do anything to you when you got here, like smacked you with the broom5> !oo -oung grinded her teeth together and felt her anger losing control. 'he pile of dirt and leaves that she had gathered flew directly towards #ae *in who screamed in horror the moment it struck her in the face. !oo -oung dropped the broom, feeling like she wanted to burst into laughter. Instead, she went forward to apologi(e. <%igoo. Im so sorry. !ometimes it gets too windy to sweep.> #ae *in pointed accusingly at her. <-ou did that deliberately.> "ometimes I $ant $ontrol myself she wanted to say in response. 'he stranger smiled in response, casting a glance at !oo -oung. <!hes right
#ae *in. 'he wind did it.> #ae *in gave !oo -oung the dirtiest look and fled inside. 4ell, at least someone understood her, !oo -oung thought as she turned back to the stranger. #e held out his hand. <Im -oo !eo *in, #ae *ins older brother and *ae !ungs younger brother.> !oo -oung forced a pretend smile on her face and said, <Im :hoi !oo -oung and I work here. 2ice to meet you.> #e pulled his hand back and said, <ou could stand the heat of the sun with all the black on you5> <Im used to it. &esides, black is my favorite color.> <-ou look awfully young for a housekeeper.> <Im actually a temporary housekeeper. !ummer +ob.> #e smiled again, flashing his perfect white teeth and revealing his dimpled cheeks. !oo -oung never seen anyone who smiled as much as !eo *in did. <7ont you think its about time you should get back to work5> came the voice from their right. 'hey both turned to see -oo *ae !ung wearing a stoic e3pression on his face. !oo -oung turned back to !eo *in and said, <&ye.> Cuickly retrieving her broom, she went ahead to sweep again, stealing a glance over her shoulder at the two brothers. <'heres still a lot I need to learn about you, *ae !ung.>
||Chapter "our| #You$ %et o&er here$' #ae *in high$pitched voice sounded behind her. !oo -oung had +ust finished sweeping the front of the house when she heard #ae *in calling her and referring to her as <-ou.> 'urning around the younger woman, she saw that she had changed into something more daring. 7ressed in a small tight t$shirt, !oo -oung could see the lining of #ae *ins pushup bra. !he wore a pair of shorts that showed off her
thinly shape legs. !oo -oung remembered being her age once. %lthough, she never any attempt to dress so revealingly. 4omens fashion changed tremendously in a matter of five years. #ae *in was the prime e3ample of that. <Is there a shop nearby5> #ae *in asked her, tucking her short hair behind her ear. <'heres one in town. 'he town is a mile away,> she replied. <6ood. 'hen lets go for a walk.> !oo -oung thought about the townspeople and some of the people she used to know. !he couldnt risk the possibility of them seeing her. 4hat would they think if they saw her5 <My brother is busy with my other brother. I dont think he cares.> #ae *in sounded persistent as if she wanted to escape. <'hen I should go ask him first,> !oo -oung said, walking past #ae *in who suddenly reached for her arm to hold her back. #er nails dug through !oo -oungs arm. <-ou cant do that,> she said with a threatening tone. <4hy shouldnt I5> #ae *in being childish, said, <&ecause I said so.> !oo -oung pulled away. <!orry, I only take orders from your brother. #es the one paying me.> <%re you trying to tell me that youre against me5> Is it so wrong to defy the great #rin$ess *ae !in% !he answered, <2o.> #er eyes widened in defense. <My gosh, youre really rude.> !he never meant for it to come out but it did anyway. <%nd youre spoiled.> #ae *in stepped toward her, infuriated by her remark. <4hat5=> Cuickly covering her mouth, !oo -oung spun around and took off on her feet, heading towards the back of the house to escape #ae *ins outburst.
4hen she was out of #ae *ins sight, she stopped to look through the window of the summer house. -oo *ae !ung and !eo *in were both standing side by side, their ga(es locked onto her and their mouths were moving. 5erha#s they were engaged in some dee# $onversation% !oo -oung noticed how bothered *ae !ung appeared. !eo *in was the opposite. #e was smiling. Maybe even at her. !he felt like she wanted to disappear in front of their eyes. 'hat if they were talking about her% !he shook her head. They $ouldnt be. "he wasnt im#ortant. !oo -oung forced a smile and gave them both a wave of her hand in acknowledgement. 'hen she turned her back on them and pretended to pay attention to the shrubs and plants that grew along the back of the house. 9lucking a dead leaf from one of the plants, she e3amined it and said, !he flattened the leaf against her palm and gave it a blow. 'he dead leaf went fluttering along with the bree(e. <-)0= -)0 4I':#==> #ae *in shrieked, suddenly reappearing out of nowhere. !he hadnt e3pected the twit to come after her. ;eeling helpless, she ran. <7ont run. If you run, Ill break both your legs=> #ae *in screamed. !oo -oung was running in circles and #ae *in was chasing after her like a madwoman. !he turned her head +ust enough to see that both brothers were still watching them and doing nothing. ;inally having enough, she let out a simple word. -all. #ae *in fell, tripping over her own feet. !oo -oung stopped to glance at the brothers and both of them moved 1uickly away from the window, rushing out the back door. 'hey were screaming #ae *ins name while !oo -oung went ahead to help her. <-ou okay. Im sorry.> #ae *in pushed away from her. <Its all your fault=> *ae !ung and !eo *in arrived, blocking #ae *ins hateful glare. !oo -oung stood up and brushed the leaves off her clothes, preparing herself for *ae !ungs attack. *ae !ung turned to regard her with a serious e3pression. <4hats wrong with you5>
!oo -oung pointed at her face, knowing she was going to be blamed for. <Me5> <4ho else5> <Isnt that an odd 1uestion to ask me5 !houldnt you be asking me, <4hat happened5>< <Its obvious what happened. !he pushed me=> #ae *in accused. !eo *in e3claimed. <#es right. I was being chased.> #ae *in bit on her lower lip before saying, <If I didnt run, you would have attacked me,> !oo -oung countered. <%nd if you didnt run, you wouldnt have tripped either.> !eo *in placed a hand on *ae !ungs shoulder to calm him. <Its not !oo -oungs fault.> #e turned to look down at #ae *in. <Its obvious whose fault it is.> <)ppa=> she screamed, with tears flooding her eyes. <)ppa, I hate you=> !eo *in grabbed his sisters arm. <'hats enough, #ae *in. Im bringing you home right now.> <2)=> she wailed louder. *ae !ung shut his eyes as if to close off his sisters screaming. 'hat made !oo -oung 1uestion *ae !ungs character. 4hy wasnt he doing anything5 #ae *ins hysterical reaction was enough to force !oo -oung to slap some sense into her. #owever she didnt. !he couldnt. *ae !ung opened his eyes. <!eo *in, bring her home. :all me when you get there.> !eo *in was practically dragging the reluctant #ae *in with him towards the car when she gave him a direct blow to the face. :ursing, he lifted his sister off her feet and carried her over his shoulder, ignoring her protests. *ae !ung stepped closer to take !oo -oungs arm with a tightening grip. <4e
need to talk.> !oo -oung pulled from his grasp as if his touch burned her. <2ot like this. :ome find me when youre not angry.> %nd then she was off, wanting to throw a temper tantrum like #ae *in. @A@A@ !oon after -oo !eo *in and #ae *in had disappeared, !oo -oung found herself sitting on a branch of the cherry blossom tree with her feet dangling. 9ark !ung 4on kept her company while he was magically turning the blossoms into cherries. <-ou didnt have to put up with that,> he reminded her, plopping a cherry into his mouth. !he inhaled the scent of the blossoms within her grasp. #e was right. !he never allowed herself to fight against the people who hurt her and caused her pain. 8ven with her parents, she never went against their orders. 'he only time she went against them was the time she decided to become miss goth girl. #ae *ins hostile reaction somehow amused her. !ung 4on turned to her and smiled. <It was entertaining to watch.> !ung 4on always manages to surprise her. <4hat5 -ou were watching5> #e leaned in to bump his shoulders with hers. <Im always watching.> <%nd so was I,> came the voice above their head. 'he white$haired angel was lying comfortably on the branch above them while reading his book. Its ama(ing to how dedicated he was to reading that book. #is long silvery white hair fell over like an e3pensive silk decor. !oo -oung fought the urge to reach out and touch it. <It appears that youve made yourself 1uite comfortable with your powers, !oo -oung.> !oo -oung attempting to hide her embarrassment, cleared her throat and replied timidly, <It seems that way.> 'he angel turned +ust enough to look down at them. #is eyes had looked more
violet then purple. <%s for you, #rettyboy. #ow are you liking your cherries5> !ung 4on smiled while he chewed, but his smile soon fell from his face. #e spat out petals as he choked. <%ck= !hould have at least warned me.> 4ithin the ne3t moment, 9ark !ung 4on was then thrown off the branch to land flat on his back. 'he white angel settled himself ne3t to !oo -oung. #e turned to her with the color of his eyes changing iridescently. !oo -oung found herself catapulted into a deep pool of rainbow. <-oure" unreal,> she murmured. <In the real world, I am. In our world, Im not,> he said, averting his ga(e. <!o youve managed to gain some of *ae !ungs trust. #e has taken a sort of liking to you.> <#uh5 ,iking5> 'he angel smiled. "u$h a beautiful smile for a beautiful angel !oo -oung thought. he corrected as if he couldnt afford to make a mistake. <If you put it that/> <7ont you think that youll be more trustworthy if you do as he tells you5> #er brows furrowed in 1uestion. !omehow, she felt like a child being taught her first lessons in life. <-ou mean be like his slave5> #e nearly smiled when he said, <2o, I do not mean it like that.> <-ou mean like compromise5> <-es.> !he thought of *ae !ungs haunting ga(e and the way he glared at her when he was angry. ;or a human, he made her feel small. <#e seems really demanding at times. #is personality bothers me. #e gets too angry and he seems to like taking everything out on me. Im like his punching bag. ,ets put it this way. #es very unlikable.> <'hats the reason why she took that painting of herself away. !hes afraid he might fall in love with it,> inter+ected !ung 4on from below. If !ung 4on werent so far down, she would have knocked him in the head.
'he angel inclined his head. <%h, the painting. #e was such a wonderful artist.> -oo 8un !uk had painted her the way he had seen her on the night of the full moon. 8very full moon, !oo -oungs en+oyed playing dress up and embracing the moon and its powers. !he liked the way it casts its light upon her, dancing across her skin in a warm sensation, creating a translucent light all over her body. 'he more she yields to the moon, the stronger she felt afterward. It gave her a boost of self$confidence and yet more importantly, it made her feel alive. #er cheeks grew warm when she thought of *ae !ung watching her from his window. <'heres nothing wrong with feeling confident about yourself, !oo -oung. It doesnt have to be every full moon.> 4hat was he trying to imply5 'hat she had to look pretty for *ae !ung5 <-ou have to learn to let the old self go,> he reminded her. !ung 4on added, <Its about time you change, !oo -oung. 7ont you notice the glow on you5 -ouve changed physically.> !he lifted her arms and rolled up her sleeves to find that her skin did indeed glow. 'he visible scars that left painful memories had faded, leaving her skin seemingly flawless. <Its passed. Im different now,> she said e3citedly turning to the white angel, but he had disappeared. #e disappeared as well as he appeared. !he called down to !ung 4on, feeling like she aced a test. <-ah= %rent you proud of me5> <It took you five years. It only took me two.> <&ut you dont glow=> she argued, taking notice of !ung 4ons corpse$like paleness. #e offered his chivalrous grin when he brushed his hair back. <#ow would you know5 Ive placed a cover up spell on myself.> 'here were still things she needed to uncover about !ung 4on. <4hy cover it up5> <My handsomeness has attracted one too many admirers. 'herefore I have to use a cover up spell.>
!he wasnt surprised of !ung 4ons boasting. #e always spoke the truth, of course, with the e3ceptions of his little white lies. <'hen reveal yourself=> she challenged him. #e stretched and gave a gesture of his hand. <:ome down, and lets make a deal.> !oo -oung shut her eyes, and in a flash, she was standing ne3t to !ung 4on. <4hats the deal5> <:hange for me and I will do the same.> <%greed.> <)n the count of three.> !he inclined her head to show him that she understood. <)ne,> he started to count. !oo -oung could feel a knot tightening in her stomach. !omehow she disliked having to feel almost human again. <'wo,> he continued, fi3ing his undaunting ga(e on her. !he felt the need to take a deep breath when she shut her eyes. <'hree.> !oo -oung felt the heaviness being lifted off her as if she carried a weight of bricks on her back. !he could feel something mythical circling her, teasing against her skin like prickly tingles. !he felt like releasing the biggest sigh of relief. It was as if she was shedding off the veil of darkness that haunted her for the last five years. !he felt the sun kissing her skin, the bree(e touching her soul and the earth lifting her off her feet. !he felt refreshed. <)pen your eyes.> !lowly fluttering her lids open, she barely recogni(ed the person in front of her. #e was beyond beautiful. #is skin glowed luminously, the way the moon would shine down on a person. #is eyes were much sharper, beholding an unfathomable mystery about them. #is lips seemed fuller and all the more kissable.
<-ah= -oure staring,> he told her, unable to take his ga(e off her. <!o are you,> she countered in return. %nd then they both smiled. !oo -oung knew her smile was genuine. It was the first time in a long time that she had offered her smile to anyone. 8ven if that person was 9ark !ung 4on, she was glad. @A@A@ -oo *ae !ung walked out the front door, calling out her name. <:hoi !oo -oung. :ome out of your hiding=> <4hat makes you think Im hiding from you5> #e whirled around to confront her. #is mouth flung opened at the sight of her. 'hat person wasnt :hoi !oo -oung. 2o. !he resembled more of the woman in the painting. 'he way her long silky hair flowed down almost to her waist, the way her long lashes fringed her mesmeri(ing soft brown eyes, the way her cheeks held a touch of pink to them and the way her soft, full cherry lips smiled beautifully at him. !he looked like she belonged in some painting. *ae !ung felt like a prisoner held captive by her undeniable beauty. !he no longer wore all black the way she used to. #er short white ruffled sleeve shirt and her soft faded peach frilly long skirt that reached a few inches past her knees, made her appear like some rare porcelain doll so fragile that she was breakable. <-oure"> he found it hard to speak. <'he new :hoi !oo -oung. 2ice to meet you,> she said, holding out a graceful hand. !omehow he was afraid to take it. #e continued to stare at her, dumbfounded. !he flashed him a dashing smile as she lifted a hand to scratch the top of her head. #e had to pry his eyes somewhere else before he lost himself. ,owering his ga(e, he stared down at his feet, like a nervous child who was afraid to confess his feelings to the girl he admired. !cratching the side of his left temple, he said, 
<-eah, I figured that out when you called out my name. 6o ahead.> ,ooking back up at her, he said, <0h"perhaps we should sit down5> !he blinked twice and then obliged. <)kay.> !he sat down on the lawn before he could stop her. #e almost screamed out 2o because he was afraid her skirt might be stained by the grass as if it had ability to taint her purity. #owever, he noticed that she appeared to be almost certain not to allow any of that to happen. #e had no choice but to +oin her. ,ooking far off in the distance, he could see the sun was beginning to set. !trangely, he felt compelled to capture the moment through a painting. #e wanted to capture her within a painting. #e was beginning to understand why his grandfather en+oyed spending his time at the summer house. 'he scenery, the atmosphere was breathtaking. #e thought about !eo *in and #ae *in, wondering whether they made it to the city. #ae *in was epileptic. Most of the time, *ae !ung did everything to keep her happy and at ease. 4hen she didnt get things her way, she would become hysterical to the point she would inflict pain on herself. #e saw how angry she was earlier and chooses to believe that :hoi !oo -oung wasnt the reason why his sister became hostile. <%h ha. 6o on.> #e was afraid to face her because he figured she was adorning a mocking smile on her face. <If youre going to work here, I might as well let you know about certain things.> <:ertain things like5> she pried. <,ike keeping far away from me when youre doing the chores. I +ust need you to stay clear from me. Ive always been a pretty reserved type of guy. I dont like 1uestions. I dont like stubbornness. I dont like curiosity. I especially dislike people sticking their noses in my business,> he admitted, remembering his poor suicide attempt. <!o basically. !tay clear. 7ont get in your way or piss you off. %nd always listen.> <Right.>
<%nything else5> <7o me a favor.> <-es5> #e thought of the way !eo *in smiled at her. #e knew the meaning behind that vindictive smile and he didnt want to think anything more of it. <!top associating with my guests.> <6uests5 -ou consider your siblings as guests5> #e bit hard on his lower lip before he corrected himself. <-oure a housekeeper, +ust do your +ob and dont involve yourself with the people I know.> <!o theyre +ust people to you5> #e wondered if she deliberately asks 1uestions to annoy him. <;amily, friends, whatever. 7ont involve yourself with them.> <;ine. %nything else5> #e rose to stand and gave her a brief glance. !he was looking up at him in curiosity. <-ou know,> she said, with a pout showing up, It was his turn to grow curious. <4hy !eo *in5 4hy not, #ae *in5 %nd dont you have friends at home5> <#ae *in hates me. !eo *in seems very friendly. %nd no, I never had friends.> !he smacked her forehead lightly to correct herself. If only you knew "eo !in he wanted to say aloud. <7idnt I tell you not to involve yourself with my relatives5=> !he stood up 1uickly in defeat. her brows drew together in fit of anger. <;ine= #ave it your way.> !he spun around to leave when something or someone forced her to stop in motion. *ae !ung followed her ga(e to the woman standing in the driveway. #e had no idea how long she had been standing there. <?im Min *i,> he spoke softly, feeling his heart tearing in half.
#e noticed that her ga(e was focused solely on !oo -oung as if she recogni(ed her from somewhere. !oo -oung turned abruptly around with her back facing Min *i and then she fled the opposite direction without looking back. <!he"she looks like"my"> Min *i shook her head. <,ike someone I once knew.> 'urning to meet his ga(e, she asked, <4ho is she5> <!omeone who has replaced you,> *ae !ung answered, walking right past her.
||Chapter "i&e| Someone who has replaced you. !oo -oung felt like stomping on *ae !ungs feet while she watched from a distance, beneath the invisibility spell. !he wasnt there to be placed in a position where she could be used. !he was there to protect him and he was making it awfully hard for her. !he watched Min *i run after *ae !ung who was about to enter the house. Min *i sei(ed him by the arm to hold him back. <*ae !ung$sshi, please,> she begged with desperation showing through her eyes. *ae !ung still had his back turned on Min *i when he slowly uncoiled her fingers off his arm as if he resisted to let her go. <,eave, Min *i.> <-ou have to hear me out first,> she continued persistently. he told her in return, climbing the steps of the porch to enter the house, and shutting the door in her face as if she meant nothing to him. Min *i stood in front of the door, stunned and baffled at the same time. she said, with the tears flowing down her pretty face. she choked back a sob, 'he door was still shut on her. 'he only sound that could be heard was her ceaseless sobbing. !oo -oung decided to open the door for her sister, only to have it knock against *ae !ung who had been leaning against it. 'he sudden force took him back by surprise.
Min *i pushed the door further in only to face his back. !lowly wiping her tears away, she spoke, !oo -oung had the story figured out. #er sister had chosen to be with someone she never loved. !he had fallen for -oo *ae !ung while her loyalty remained with her fiancD. !he felt guilty and decided to end her relationship with *ae !ung but she couldnt do it. !he only thought she could. 4ho was this man who held such a claim on her5 !oo -oung wondered. *ae !ung was still silent when Min *i continued. !oo -oung felt like an idiot. !he should have seen it coming. #er sister ran away to be with a man who offered her hope while !oo -oung was suffering from depression, her sister found a way out, or so it seems, until now. Min *i lowered her ga(e, almost ashamed at her own confession. <Im giving that up now. ;or you, Id give it all up.> Min *i was risking everything to be with *ae !ung, the suicidal human. !he must really love him, !oo -oung thought wistfully, reali(ing she would never have the chance to e3perience love like Min *i. 'he more she thought about it, the more envious she became. !oo -oung released a wistful sigh and then said to herself, <!uch feelings shouldnt e3ist. -oure no longer alive, :hoi !oo -oung.> *ae !ung finally gave in and turned around to face Min *i. <Im older than you. It had to be a secret.> It was love. 6lmost like a forbidden one. 0angerous love , !oo -oung thought to herself. %nger flashed in his eyes as he balled his fists. <-ou dont love him=> Min *i admitted, taking another step to throw her arms around him. *ae !ung stood in stillness for several seconds before returning the embrace. #e held her tightly to him. <#es not worth it anymore. -ou need me as much as I
need you,> he muttered. Min *i started to cry again when she said, <-es, I do. I need you.> !oo -oung reali(ed that if *ae !ung did not keep Min *i by his side, he would eventually lose everything including his own life. Min *i was his anchor. 'he anchor that balanced life and death for *ae !ung. !he admired the way they held onto each other, and the way they ga(ed into each others eyes. !he knew love was the only thing keeping -oo *ae !ung alive. Min *i pulled away and *ae !ung placed a hand against her cheek, wiping away her tears. !he smiled and thought flickered across her mind as she placed her own hand over his. <'hat woman"> *ae !ung lowered his ga(e and gave her an apologetic smile. <!hes the housekeeper here.> Min *i raised her brow in curiosity. <#ousekeeper5> <-es.> <-ou didnt mean what you said earlier, did you5> <2o,> he admitted. <!he looks a lot like"someone I used to know.> !oo -oung wanted her sister to speak the truth. !he wanted to know whether Min *i still cared. <4ho5> Min *i shook her head. <Its nothing.> !oo -oung was disappointed in Min *i. #ow could she shut her off like that5 %fter all those years they spent together, Min *i had somehow repressed those memories or perhaps buried them forever. #aving about enough, !oo -oung turned her back on them and walked out of the house, taking a sigh of relief. 'he sky had gone darker and the moon was beginning to shine through. !he shut her eyes for a moment, listening to the wind chanting her name ever so faintly. !he could feel the slight touch of its magic, teasing her skin, inviting her to play along <&oo=>
!tartled, she 1uickly opened her eyes and turn to confront the person behind the voice. !ung 4on was back to being his usual self again, wearing the same usual smirk on his face. !oo -oung slapped his shoulder. <-ah= 7ont do that.> <!o I see the old trick still works.> #e folded his arms and leaned against one of the wooden pillars. #e lifted his chin towards the direction of the house. <,ooks like theyve reunited. -our progress is pretty good. %lthough I do find your sister to be a bit"> he didnt finish, forgetting that it was !oo -oung he was speaking to. !he glared. <% bit what5> #e shrugged and then stood up straight. <-ou dont see it, do you5> <!ee what5> <!hes playing dumb, acting like shes never seen this place before. I mean this" is your house.> !ung 4on made a good point. 'hat made her a tad bit curious regarding Min *is true intentions. <!hes a new person. !hes different. !he doesnt want to remember and shes in love.> <4ith a younger man5 ;unny how fate works,> !ung 4on said. <4hat are you implying5 'hat Min *i is using *ae !ung5> #e reached out to place a hand on her shoulder. <'hats for you to find out.> !he pushed his hand aside. !ung 4on sighed heavily, wanting to place his hand on her shoulder again, but he thought better of it when he saw her glare. <!ometimes what you think is good, isnt.> !he wanted to protest when he cut her off. <4hat is your responsibility, !oo -oung5> <'o protect *ae !ung.> <Right,> he said, inclining his head. <!o do it.>
<'hats what Ive been doing=> #e smiled and placed a finger to his lips. <:areful, our human handsome boy might overhear us.> &iting her lower lip, she decided to change the sub+ect to ease the tension. <4hy are you here5> #e looked both ways, acting vigilant and then leaned toward her. !he held her hands out to prevent him for getting any closer. <4hat do you think youre doing5> #is face inched in until his lips were a few centimeters from her ear. <Im hiding,> he whispered. <;rom who5> <-ou know who.> #alf confused, and dumbfounded by !ung 4ons closeness, she said, <#er.> !oo -oung turned to see a tiny woman, with long wavy hair, wearing a simple white gown. adorning fake angel wings behind her, appearing magically in front of their eyes like an e3pensive delicate doll that you see in windows displays. #er tiny frame stood fifteen feet away, refusing to get near the locking barrier that !oo -oung had placed around the house to keep other unearthly creatures away. 'he woman pointed directly in their direction and shouted, <-ah, :hoi !oo -oung= ,et me in.> !oo -oung didnt e3pect to see such an unlikely visitor like ?im *i 4oo. ?im *i 4oo died around the same time !oo -oung had. !he was in a hit$and$run accident on her way home +ust after a school play and her body was never discovered. %fter her +udgment after death, the elders placed her in a spirit class because she often complained and never appreciated what her parents had done for her in her past life. 4hen she was alive, she always hogged the spotlight. 2ow that she was a spirit, she never received any. !oo -oung turned to !ung 4on, who said, <7ont listen to her. 'he moment you let her enter, shell never leave you alone.>
!he noticed the tightened +aw, his closed eyes and his stillness. 4as !ung 4on afraid to face *i 4oo5 It made her curious. !ung 4on must have said something or done something to get *i 4oo following him around. Meeting other spirits is normal, but to create such a bond to the point they were following you, was something uncommon. !pirit relationships could also occur in the spirit world. !ometimes you might meet a spirit that you feel connected to, and a bond is formed. #owever there could only be one true connection. !oo -oung wasnt sure about the bonding relationships in the spirit world or whether they were allowed to have one, but she knew that if a spirit accepted the bond, conse1uently they will be linked to each other whether or not they choose to have it so. It could only occur if they were in the same class level. !ung 4on being a guardian spirit and *i 4oo being a spirit had to be working together. ?im *i 4oo was probably !ung 4ons assistant. !oo -oung glanced at *i 4oo who was mouthing incoherent words to her. <4hy is she following you5> she asked, turning to face !ung 4on who was staring down at his feet, still refusing to face *i 4oo. #e lifted his ga(e up to meet her. <Its kind of hard to e3plain. Ill tell you later, but for now, tell her to leave.> !oo -oung turned to face ?im *i 4oo. <Im sorry, *i 4oo. I cant let you in.> *i 4oo flashed her angry eyes at !ung 4on. 'wo other things that bothered !oo -oung about *i 4oos character were her abrupt honesty and her selfishness. !oo -oung felt the need to remind *i 4oo that they were no longer alive. <4hy are you acting like youre a human, *i 4oo5> *i 4oo hadnt e3pected such a 1uestion slipping out of !oo -oungs mouth. #er mouth hung agape as if !oo -oung had done something offensive. <-%#= :hoi !oo -oung5 -oure in no position to tell me that=> !oo -oung replied, folding her arms while glaring at !ung 4on, clearly indicating that he had some e3plaining to do. !ung 4on lifted his arms over his head to stretch. <%ish= I think I might have to handle this myself.> 4ith one hand rested on her hip, *i 4oo shouted, <)ppa= :hoose. #er or me=> !ung 4on without looking at *i 4oo, scratched the back of his head in annoyance and said, <?im *i 4oo. 9lease leave me alone. Im in no mood for
your games.> <&ut you said I could assist you5=> !oo -oung was right about the assisting part. <&ut, oppa= 8very time I leave you alone, you come running to her=> !oo -oung felt like she was in the midst of some kind of supernatural drama. 9ark !ung 4on needed to end the drama soon before she starts to lose her patience on the both of them. <,eave, !ung 4on. 6o handle your personal problems somewhere else.> !he thought about *ae !ung and her sister, wondering what they were up to. !ung 4on shook his head in refusal. <-ou cant make me leave, especially with her standing outside the barrier.> <4hat do you e3pect me to do then5> she asked. <'ell her to leave. 'his is your place and shes a spirit. -ou have the ability to make her leave with a simple word.> <2o= 2o. 9lease, dont listen to him, !oo -oung, unnie=> *i 4oo begged. ;eeling sorry for *i 4oo, she said, <Im sorry. I have to do this.> <-oull regret it. I will make sure youll regret it=> !oo -oung knew her threats were useless. <,eave,> she spoke softly, watching *i 4oos form faded away before her eyes. !ung 4on suddenly fell e3haustingly to his knees with his head bowed and his hands curled into fists. :oncerned, !oo -oung 1uickly went over to help him stand. !he felt his weight, holding her down and his energy slipping away. !he has never seen !ung 4on appear so weak in front of her. <4hats wrong with you5> #e shut his eyes without answering her and tilted his head back as if he wanted to embrace the air around him. <6ive me a moment,> he whispered. !tepping back, she watched as the blue translucent light$forms circled around his body like magical fireflies in the night and eventually settled within his body.
<!ung 4on, answer me,> she called. #e opened his eyes at the sound of her voice. <4hy5 I dont understand.> <!he was feeding off my energy.> <#ow is that possible5> <Recently she +ust discovered how to channel the energy from my body to hers. #ow do you think she lasted that long outside that locking barrier5> !oo -oung let go of his arm, shocked that any spirit could enable themselves to do such a thing. !he also couldnt believe !ung 4on held out for that long in front of *i 4oo. #er cut her off, not allowing her to finish. <4hy do you think some spirits never leave the human world5 &ecause they link themselves to a form of energy. 8arth, water, fire and wind. 'hese are all apart of the elements of life and theyre all forms of energies. ?im *i 4oo being in the spirit world connected herself to me the same way she would have if she were still in the living world. 2o matter where I go, shes unavoidable.> <4hy would she do that to you5> #e almost smiled when he added, <%lso, she tells me she was a fan of my band when I was alive.> <It cant be that bad, could it5> <%ctually to be honest, I came for a tiny favor.> <#ow tiny5> <9retty tiny.> !oo -oung argued. <Maybe not.> <*ust tell me.> #e flashed a smile and bumped his shoulders against hers. <'he only way I could break this linkage with *i 4oo is with your help.>
<#ow5> <4e +ust have to make our bond stronger.> <)ur bond5> <,ike what we have now, but better.> !oo -oung couldnt understand their bondage in the first place, and if he considered their bickering as bonding she didnt know how much longer she could handle it. <,ike5> #e made a gesture with his hand, waving it back and forth as he replied, <4e need to bond better.> !oo -oung frowned. <#ow come that doesnt sound right5> !ung 4on smirked. <4hat kind of bonding were you thinking about, !oo -oung5> !he pointed, glowering at him. <-ah= 2ot the kind youre thinking.> <!oo -oung= :hoi !oo -oung=> *ae !ungs voice called from within the house. !ung 4on chuckled. <#andsome boy is calling. I must go now, well bond later,> he said with a salute of his hand before he magically disappeared. !oo -oung spun around in time to see *ae !ung stepping out of the door to meet her. <4here have you been5 I need your help,> he said, looking a bit irritated. #e glanced around and asked, <%lone at this time5> <-es.> <,ets go inside. I need to ask a favor.> #e turned to go inside and she followed hesitantly behind him, glancing over her shoulder in case !ung 4on was still watching her. )nce they were in the living room, he told her to sit down. !he looked around, wondering where Min *i had gone to. <4ho are you looking for5> he asked. !he fro(e and said, <2othing. I was checkin to see if the place was clean enough.>
<4orry about it later. Right now, I need you to lend Min *i some clothes. !hes showering, but she needs a pair of fresh clothes.> <0h"my clothes, sir5> <!he seems to be your si(e,> he said, giving her a brief glance before looking away. !he felt like she wanted to cover herself. <&ut you dont like my clothes.> <4hat about something like you have on now5> !oo -oung reali(ed shed have to come up with something for her sister. <-es, okay. Ill lend her my clothes.> <6ood. 'hats settled. %nother 1uestion. 4here do you usually sleep5> !he glanced around her and lied, <&ut I prefer the couch.> <)h. I thought you mightve taken one of the rooms upstairs,> he paused to think about something. <Ill let Min *i stay in #ae *ins room. Make sure her bed is comfortable.> !he stood up. <-es, sir. %nything else before I go5> <!it back down,> he ordered. <)kay,> she answered, like an obedient servant he thought she was. <Remember what I said earlier. 7ont get in my way.> <Ill try not to. Ill pretend to be invisible, how about that5> she tried to +oke, but *ae !ung didnt find any humor in it. !oo -oung was surprised that he was full of 1uestions. <4hat is it5> <4hos the guy5>
!oo -oung went rigid at his 1uestion. !he hoped she misheard him. <6uy5> <-ou were speaking to him earlier. 7ont try to hide it. I looked out the window and saw you chitchatting with him. #e your boyfriend5> 'here was no way he could possibly see them both. It was impossible. !omething mustve slipped. !he tssked at him and said, <'here was no guy.> <#ow long has he been visiting you in this house5> he pried further. <'here was no/> <4hat other secrets are you keeping from me5> <,ets not start with that,> she suggested, standing up again. <Ill go get the clothes ready.> #e held out his hand to block her. !oo -oung held onto her composure and said, <-es, sir.> #e moved away to allow her through. <-ou can go now.> @A@A@ !he placed the perfectly folded clothes at the foot of the bed and heard Min *is voice emanating from the bathroom. <)ppa. 9lease, dont find me. I cant be with you. Its over between us.> !oo -oung went closer and used her sensitivity spell to listen on the conversation between Min *i and the stranger. <Ill find you, one way or another, Min *i. #e cant have you if I cant have you.> 'he mans voice was deep and threatening. !oo -oung felt her nails digging into her skin. !he already disliked the man. <9lease, oppa. ,et me go.> <Ill make you regret it before I let you go. -ou +ust watch. Ill find you,> he said before he hung up on her. #er sister was in trouble. 'he man who she referred to as her fian$7 was now seeking her because she had ran away from him. 'hat only meant trouble for all of them, especially *ae !ung. !he had to figure a way out of this. !he was now
1uestioning if Min *i was a threat to *ae !ung rather than his savior. %ll of sudden she felt someone pull her back by the arm. <4hat do you think youre doing5> !he tried to pull out of his grip, but he held on tight. <,et go. ,et me go,> she told him while pushing him away. <-ou need to tell me why youre listening on Min *i=> 4hile she was trying to push *ae !ung away, he lost his footing and fell back onto the bed. !oo -oung fell along with him, landing on top of his body. !he heard the door opening simultaneously and then Min *is voice. <4hats going on5>
||Chapter Si(| 'he moment she heard her sisters voice, she made the time stop. 9ushing off of *ae !ung who was immobili(ed on the bed, she turned to see her sister who was wearing a bathrobe and a towel around her head, looking right at them. !oo -oung regarded her sister in curiosity as she slowly approached her. <4hy are you really here5 4hy are you acting like you dont want to remember5 %re you really with *ae !ung because you love him5 4hy didnt you come back for me like you promised you would5> !he felt like her 1uestions would go on forever and Min *i would still not answer her. <4hat would happen if I told you my name, would you still refuse to accept the truth5> !he circled her sister. <7o you hate your past that much that youve shut me out completely5> !he knew it was pointless asking these 1uestions but she felt she needed some type of release. If this was the person she thought she knew, then she would have called out her name the moment she saw her. !hutting her eyes in hopelessness, she whispered, <-ou will forget what +ust happened a moment ago.> 'urning to *ae !ung, she told him the same thing, and watched as he stood up like a human doll on her command. #er sister turned back around to reenter the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. <4ork,> !oo -oung called on the time.
'he time started again and *ae !ung shook his head as if he had been in some kind of trance. !oo -oung stood there looking at him. <4hats wrong5 -ou blanked out +ust a second ago.> *ae !ung looked around him in confusion. <#ow did I get up here5> 'he door opened and !oo -oung turned to confront her sister. !he knew what she had to do ne3t. Min *i looked up at them both, but her focus was more on !oo -oung alone. !he stared in a state of shock. #er face pale to a an e3tent of a corpse. <-oure"> her voice trailed off. !oo -oung offered Min *i a warm smile and inclined her head in a 1uick bow. <#i. Im :hoi !oo -oung, the housekeeper. Its nice to meet you.> 4hen she looked up again, Min *is ga(e was still fi3ed on her, but nothing came out of her mouth. *ae !ung took a step closer to Min *i and asked, <4hats wrong5> 0pon hearing *ae !ungs voice, she pried her ga(e away from !oo -oung and said, !oo -oung hurried to retrieve the clothes from the bed and 1uickly handed them to Min *i. <'hese are my clothes. I hope you dont mind.> Min *i stood in stillness, refusing to budge as if !oo -oung had the ability to harm her. !oo -oung pushed the clothes closer to her face and Min *is eyes widened in surprised. <'ake it,> *ae !ung told her. ;inally she reluctantly accepted the clothes and turned her back on them both to enter the bathroom. !oo -oung had tested her sister. !he now had the answer. Min *i wasnt the same person she thought she knew. @A@A@ Seoul ) *+,++pm
;aint, soothing music played in the background inside the dimly lit empty restaurant as a slender woman standing around five feet si3, wiped at the tables, flicking a tendril of hair back from her delicate face. 9ushing up her designer frames glasses, to rest on top of the bridge of her finely shaped nose, she continued to wipe at the tables as if they werent clean enough for her. !he bit on her lower lip, while humming to the soothing tune. #er melodic voice blended with the tune and then she decided to sing along. ;inally having enough, she stopped what she was doing and kicked off her black heels and sat down to look at the blister was starting to show at the back of her heel. <%igoo. ?ang Mi Ra, youre overworking yourself.> !oon after, she heard someone entering the restaurant. 4ithout looking, she called out, <4ere closing.> <Im here to see you,> came the direct reply. !he looked up to see -oo !eo *in, dressed in a denim +acket over a plain gray t$ shirt and loose fitted +eans. #is dark brown hair was hidden beneath his gray beanie. #e gave her a wave and a heartwarming smile. ?ang Mi Ra grew up with him. she knew what lurked beneath that misleading smile. <4hy didnt you +ust call5> she said, flinging the cloth over her shoulder as she turned her back on him. Mi Ra was touched by his concern. It seemed that -oo !eo *in was the only one to care for her when she was going through rough times. 0ndoubtedly she knew she was falling for the wrong man. 4ithout turning to face him, she waited for him to approach her and turned her around to meet him. !he refused to stare up into his face and as usual, !eo *in had to lift her chin up. <-ah. 4hy arent you happy to see me5> %s much as she felt connected to him, she knew it was wrong. *erking her chin from his grasp, she pushed away. <4e cant do this.> <4hy not5> <-our brother.> #e looked offended. <My brother5 'hat bastard isnt my brother. If he was, he would never runaway and leave you like this, Mi Ra.>
<Im engaged to your brother,> she reminded him. #ow long was she going to lie to herself5 !he has never loved *ae !ung, let alone spent enough time to get to know him the way she gotten to know !eo *in. It had always been a mere crush, a hopeful wish that *ae !ung would somehow reciprocate the same feelings she had for him years ago. !eo *in went around to face her in a determination to get her to submit to him. <-oure engaged to the wrong man. I could change that for us, Mi Ra. I could break your engagement with him.> !he could feel her eyes burning when she said, <-ou cant. -ou know how important it is to your father. 7ont disappoint him.> <'he only disappointment hes getting is from that bastard. 2ot me. I have never displeased him the way *ae !ung has. I will speak to him tomorrow and Ill tell him the truth. Ill let him know that Im the man for you, not *ae !ung.> <-ou cant.> <4hy cant I5> he asked, staring down at her with desperation in his eyes as if he had hit the dead end. <,et me do it,> he added, reaching out to wipe the single tear that had slipped from her eye. <2ot right now, please,> she begged, retreating a step. <Ill talk to you later, Im closing up.> %s if on cue, her cell phone rang. !he glanced over at !eo *in who was had his ga(e lowered as if he was contemplating on something. !he knew that with his determination, he wasnt going to give up. 9icking up her phone from the countertop, she read the name and then took a deep breath to prepare herself for the man on the other line. <#ello5 ?ang Mi Ra, speaking.> It took several seconds before his voice came on the line. <Im sorry I left you like that. I dont plan on returning for a few weeks. #ow"are you doing5> #er answers came abrupt as his 1uestions. <Im okay. %nd yourself5> she asked in return, thinking of his evasiveness. <Im at the !ummer #ouse. If you have time off/> !he cut him off, disallowing him to finish his sentence. <-ou need time alone. I could understand that. I dont want to disturb you.>
<Im sorry,> she heard him say. 'here he goes, offering an apology as if she needed it. !he disliked the fact that -oo *ae !ung being as dutiful as he was, have always treated her like some pitiful creature. <Its fine. -ou take as much time off as you need. Im sure your brother is capable of filling in your shoes while youre away.> <My brother"> <-es.> <!eo *in is a good person.> Mi Ra couldnt understand why he was saying that all of a sudden. 7id he need to remind himself, or did was he 1uestioning !eo *ins character5 <%ll right. Ill let you go. 6oodnight> <6oodnight.> !he hung up and turned around to face -oo !eo *in. !he had to convince herself that it was !eo *in that she likes, not *ae !ung. 2o matter how much she tried to hide it, she was hurting. #urt by the one man she thought she had loved. ;orcing a smile upon her face, she looked up to the man across from her. <!eo *in, oppa. -ou want to go out for a drink after this5> @A@A@ -oo *ae !ung hung up and let the phone slide out from his grasp. #e stared glumly at the bottle of half$empty !o+u in his other hand. <Idiot. 4hy did you call her for5> he 1uestioned, feeling the bu(( starting to kick in. 4hy did he feel obligated to call ?ang Mi Ra +ust after seeing ?im Min *i to bed5 'rue enough he has never shown any type of affection to Mi Ra the same way he did with Min *i, but he always felt that he was never good enough for Mi Ra. Mi Ra who had been a close friend of his while growing up. Mi Ra who had always been there by his side. Mi Ra who knew of his relationship with Min *i and chose to keep it a secret. <;eeling depressed again5> came the voice from his right. #e looked up from his drink and saw :hoi !oo -oung seated on the right side of the table with her hands folded properly in front of her. !he had changed into a
sky blue flower printed pa+amas. #er long hair was piled into a messy bun behind her. !he smiled at him, acting like she was his confidante. #e hadnt seen her come in. !trange, how she was always showing up when he least e3pects her to. It was becoming customary for him. <7ont smile like that, youre starting to scare me.> #er smile fell instantly from her face. <4hat5> #e clasped his hand around the bottle and brought it to his mouth when he heard the chair scraping and felt it being snatched away. <%llow me.> !oo -oung had leaned over to pour the alcohol into his shot glass. #e watched her pour with unsteadiness. <-oure a strange one, you know that5> he said, causing her spill the li1uid. !he gasped in response. <-ah. -ou suck,> he said, taking the bottle for himself and started to down the rest, feeling it burning his throat. #e set the bottle down and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. <-oure not a drinker, are you5 -ou cant even pour correctly.> !he shook her head at him. <'hats rude. 7ont give me and answer with a shake of your head.> <Im sorry, sir,> she apologi(ed. 'hat forced a smile on his face. <7ummy. 4hat do you have to be sorry for5 %nd 1uit calling me sir.> <&ecause Ive offended you,> she pointed out with big puppy dog eyes that almost made him take back his words. <-oure not my slave, but youre starting to behave like one,> he said, side$ glancing at her. !he opened her mouth to protest but decided against it. #e smiled again, leaning forward. <-oure drunk.>
<Im honest when Im drunk.> <-oure that lonely5> *ae !ung decided he wasnt going to answer that one. %s a matter of fact, he was more curious in why she was with him. <4hy are you here again5> <#ere5> <-eah. 4hy are you getting in my way5 7idnt I tell you to leave me alone5> !he didnt know how to answer him and he knew she was going to give him some lame e3cuse again. <4ell"Ive seen you finished two bottles already"I thought that maybe this might be another one of your poor suicide attempts.> <-ah. 7o I look like an idiot to you5> !he only stared in response. #e 1uickly turned away to hide his embarrassment. <If youre wondering about your girlfriend, shes fallen asleep.> #e thought about Min *i and behavior with him earlier. !he refused to eat or speak to him, instead she told him she needed to be alone. #e figured she was still trying to get over the fact that she had ran away from her fiancD. #e found himself saying, <!hes not my girlfriend.> <-our lover then5> #e turned to look at her, and noticed the clueless e3pression on her face. !oo -oung reminded him of a curious ignorant little cat who didnt know how to stop herself from sticking her nose into other peoples business. <-our friend then5> she pried further. #e didnt feel that he needed to e3plain anything to her. <!hes really pretty. -ou two would make a wonderful/> <&e 1uiet. 6o speak for yourself.>
<4hat do you mean by that5> #e thought about the way !oo -oung was being secretive about her boyfriend. #e had caught a glimpse of the guy +ust before Min *i had called for him. !hrugging, he answered, <-ou were probably seeing things,> she said, trying to convince him with a scowl on her face. <'he guy could pass for a girl.> Instead of taking any offense to it, she decided to give him one of her smart remarks. <4hy5 %re you interested5> #e looked at her in offense. <,earn to control that mouth of yours.> !he said nothing in return. ,ooking at his watch and finding it difficult to read the time, he figured he had a bit too much to drink and that it was time for bed. <,et me ask you a 1uestion before you leave.> <#ow important is it5> ;rankly he had no time for 1uestions, but yet somehow he couldnt force himself to leave. <Its +ust a random 1uestion,> she replied. <4hat is it5> <If you knew a person who had everything. &ut hes suffering. #es hurting real bad because everything that he has doesnt make him happy. 4hat he really wants is to be happy,> she paused turning to him, <if you were his friend and you could help him, how would you help him5> #e felt it hit him like a brick to the face. #e knew that no matter where he went, his problems would continue to haunt him and invade his mind like a plague consuming his body. !hutting his eyes, he answered, <-ou cant help him.> <'hen you are not his friend,> she said, standing up to walk past him as if he failed to please her with his answer. @A@A@
<'hat stupid depressed fool. 4hy is he so hopeless5> !oo -oung complained as she sat down on the stairs of the porch. !he felt the presence looming behind her and spoke aloud, <Cuit trying to scare me, !ung 4on.> <-oure improving,> he said, sitting down right ne3t to her. <4ere under the invisibility spell, right5> !he turned to glare at him. <4hat do you think5> <4hats with the sour mood5> <-ou probably seen it all in there. !o theres no need to ask me.> <#es not an easy one.> <#es making it e3tremely difficult for me. I try to be cooperative, but when I do that, I see myself clawing at his face.> <#es sinking in deeper. I still cant get over the fact that he seen us both.> !oo -oung said nothing. !he felt too frustrated with herself to care. !ung 4on bumped his shoulders against her. <#ey, look on the bright side, you can still kick his ass without having to try.> <Im not like you, !ung 4on. I dont abuse my powers.> #e chuckled. <;unny how you say that. -oure the one listening on Min *is conversation and forcing the time to stop.> !oo -oung had to admit, she liked the way !ung 4on laughed. !he never thought she would like the sound of laughter until she heard it coming from him. !ung 4on pouted. <!ucks. It would have been entertaining to see it all unfold.> !he knocked him in the head. <8verything is entertainment to you. 6o do something useful for once,> she chided him. #e rubbed at his head. <,ike what5> <6o ask the white angel for something to do.>
<#e doesnt like being disturbed. %nd besides, he doesnt like me much. #es afraid I might be better looking than he is.> #e leaned in to speak in her ear. <Ill tell you a secret.> !he held him back, placing a hand on his chest to prevent him from getting close to her. <4hat5> <4hy5> <*ust do it.> !oo -oung closed her eyes, and asked, <4hat now5> <*ust wait. :oncentrate and keep your eyes close,> he ordered. !he felt the beating of his heart, pumping from beneath his chest. <-our heart= -ou have a beating heart5=> <-ou can open your eyes.> !oo -oung opened her eyes, but kept her hand over his chest. <'his is ama(ing. #ow do you do it5> #e placed his own hand over hers. <Its a secret. I cant tell you.> !oo -oung smiled and looked into his eyes and simultaneously she was thrown in some kind of spell. !ung 4on was using his powers to draw her in. !he tried fighting against it, but she knew it was too late. #e was pulling her closer and until the side of her cheek rested against his. 'he imaginary string was slowly, reeling her close to his beating heart until she felt her own heart beating in the same calming rhythm. 4hen it was all over, their hearts were no longer beating she reali(ed that her arms were around him and he was embracing her in return. Cuickly pushing away, she frowned and asked, <4hat +ust happened5> !ung 4on smiled. <4e bonded.> <4hat5> <-es.> <*ust like that5>
<4ell, there are other ways"> !he slapped his shoulder. <-ou tricked me=> #e held his hands up in a surrendering gesture. #is left brow rose as he gave her one of his underlying smiles. <-ou mustve liked it very much because you were holding me pretty tightly.> #e didnt have to remind her. #e was right about her liking it. !he covered her face in embarrassment. <6o away, !ung 4on.> <)kay. Ill leave you alone. &ut you might want to go check up on the human, hes taking a shower.> 'he moment !ung 4on disappeared, !oo -oung cheated and used teleporting to appear inside *ae !ungs bedroom. !he heard the shower on inside but she wasnt sure what he was doing. !he walked through the door and covered her eyes with her hands. 9eeking, she saw that he was still dressed in his clothes while showering. <'hank goodness,> she murmured. *ae !ung looked up at the sound of her voice and caught her staring at him. #e blinked twice before he pointed. <4hat are you doing in here5 #ow did you get in here5 I thought I locked the door5> !oo -oung reali(ed that she had been careless. "oo Young you made a big mistake. <)ops.> 4ith that, she flung the door opened and 1uickly rushed out, hearing him call out her name.
||Chapter Se&en| #e woke up early to catch the sunrise, peeking from the distant hori(on. 'he touch of the sun warmed him because he hadnt slept as well after that cold shower. It left him numbed and shaking all night. 4ith a wool blanket wrapped around his broad shoulders, -oo *ae !ung decided to sit down on the front porch steps, breathing in the fresh country air. #owever stuffy nose was, it didnt help him at all, instead he let out a loud snee(e. <&less you,> came the voice from behind him.
#e turned his head +ust enough to catch a glimpse of Min *i who was wearing his robe over the clothes !oo -oung had given her the night before. !he had dark circles under her eyes, he figured she hadnt slept well either. !he moved to sit ne3t to him and then placed her head against his shoulder the same way she always did with her comforting presence. <Its beautiful in the morning,> she spoke softly. <-es,> he agreed, turning to look down at her. <It is.> #e then shared his blanket, placing around her shoulder too. <#ow are you feeling5> she paused, lifting her head to look up at him, <with you.> #e reached out with his hand and placed her head on his shoulder. <If my grandfather were alive, he would have adored you.> <Im sure I would have en+oyed his presence too. 'his place. 'his house, tells me a lot about him.> *ae !ung closed his eyes, envisioning his grandfathers smiling face. #e remembered it like a painting, locked inside his mind. #e remembered every contour, every laugh line and most of all. he remembered how his eyes glowed with such warmth. Min *i, sensing his loneliness, 1uickly placed a hand on top of his and s1uee(ed in reassurance. <Im sure hes watching you now.> *ae !ung liked the fact that Min *i always knew what to say to him. 'his was the reason why he wanted/no, he needed her around. #e wanted to be reminded that there was still someone who cared for him. #e needed a reason to live. #e leaned his head against hers and tapped her cheek lightly. <'hank you for being here.> <'hank you for letting me stay here,> she said in return. #e felt another snee(e coming on and decided to stand up to turn away from Min *i. #e let out two more snee(es before he said, #e turned to face the window, thinking she was inside the house. Min *i 1uickly stood up. 
!he came closer to him but he held out his hand. <:hoi !oo -oung= -ah= :hoi !oo -oung=> he called. #e heard her footsteps and watched as she opened the door and poked her head out, greeting Min *i first with an inclination of her head, and then fi3ed her ga(e onto him. <!ir5 4hat is it that you need5> #e chose to ignore the title she used with him and tried to force down the memory of her walking in on him while he was in the shower with his clothes on. 4hat if he had been naked5 4ould she run out screaming5 Cuickly brushing his thoughts aside, he said, !he raised a pu((led brow. <:old5> !tepping out, she approached them both with a look of concern. 7ressed in a simple white t$shirt, comfortable +eans rolled up past her ankles, and her hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, he reali(ed how youthful she appeared. <-ouve caught a cold5> she in1uired, sticking a hand into her pocket as if she was nervous about something. <7ont ask. *ust do as I tell you.> !he bobbed her head and reentered the house without a word. *ae !ung turned to Min *i. <,ets go inside.> Min *i lowered her head in response and agreed with a nod. #e noticed that she was looking rather unhappy. #e wondered if it had anything to do with him calling upon !oo -oung instead of her. <4hats wrong5> he asked. Min *i looked back at him and offered him an underlying smile. <2othing. 2othings wrong.> #e couldnt help but think that there was something wrong, Min *i +ust refuses to tell him. @A@A@ !oo -oung was mumbling to herself, and carrying a tray towards the *ae !ungs room when she heard another door opening and Min *i appeared from behind it, leaving the door opened.
!he beckoned !oo -oung over with a wave of her hand. <4e need to talk.> !oo -oung agreed, wondering what her sister was going to say to her. !he entered the room and placed the tray on night table ne3t to the bed. !he turned to face Min *i who stood with her back against the door and her arms folded impeccably in front of her chest. <-ou said your name is :hoi !oo -oung5> <-es. I did.> <4hy5> <&ecause, thats my name,> !oo -oung answered matter$of$factly. %nger flashed in Min *is eyes like a lightning. <,iar. 'he real :hoi !oo -oung is dead. :hoi !oo -oung, who used to be my sister. -ou"youre not her.> It was strange seeing this side of her sister. !he had never seen her sister get angry before. <-es. 'he old !oo -oung might have died. &ut Im another !oo -oung.> Min *i stepped in closer. <!top trying to be her. 4ho are you really5 4hy do" you look so much like her5> <&ecause I am her.> Min *is rubbed at her face in disbelief while shaking her head. <-ou cant be" her. !oo -oung is dead.> <'he old one is.> Min *i immediately slid down as if her legs had failed her and broke into a 1uiet sob. <!oo -oung is dead,> she repeated. <-ou said youre her sister5 'hen how come you act like you dont know this place5> !oo -oung pried, wondering if Min *i was breakable. Min *i wiped her eyes and looked up with a shock$filled e3pression. <4hy"why are you asking me this5> <&ecause you said youre her sister.> !he opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. <If you were really her sister, you would never have left her.>
Min *i shook her head and covered her ears in response. <-oure not real. -ou cant be.> !oo -oung had to push further. !he had to know the real reason why her sister left her to die. Min *i was mumbling. !oo -oung reali(ed that Min *i had convinced herself that she was this new person. #ow could she have brainwashed herself, thinking she was a new person with no past5 !he thought she knew Min *i, but she didnt know nothing at all. You were a fool to wait "oo Young. Your sister was never returning for you. <If you say so, then Im :hoi !oo -oung. 'he new :hoi !oo -oung who doesnt have a sister,> !oo -oung said, retrieving her tray and waited for Min *i to move out of the way so that she could pass. @A@A@ <4hat was taking you so long5> *ae !ung said, without looking up from the book on his lap. !oo -oung saw that he had his pillows propped up against the headboard of his bed and his hair was unkempt, nearly covering his haunting eyes and he was wearing a knitted gray sweater with the comforter tucked to his waist. !crunched up tissues had been carelessly discarded to floor like the way a child discarded his toys when his interest was on something else. !oo -oung felt like shaking her head at him. !he shut the door and crossed the threshold to place the tray ne3t to his bed. <Ive made some lemon tea with a touch of honey and Ive brought you some cold medicine,> she announced in a proper maid$like voice. #e rolled his eyes at her and shut his book. <-ah. 4hats wrong with you5 7ont act like youre some robot made out to serve me because I dont see you that way.> <-ou act high and mighty, I might as well serve you like youre high and mighty,> she retorted blatantly. 'aken back by her blunt remark, he made a face and acted like he hadnt heard her correctly. <4hat5>
!oo -oung sighed e3asperatingly, reali(ing she made a mistake by arguing back. !he had to convince him that she was well depended on, otherwise he would fire her and shed lose her title for failure to look after her pompous +erk of a suicidal human. <,ook. Im sorry,> she apologi(ed even if she didnt mean it. #e shook it off, moving to the side of the bed and reached for the medicine. !he 1uickly lifted up the glass of water, waiting for him to take it from her. #e took the glass and drank, swallowing the pills with it. %nd then she offered to take it from him but he instead he placed it back onto the tray. <!ometimes you pu((le me. 4hy are you acting so obedient for5> <Ive always been taught to be nice to a person no matter how mean they are,> she lied. #e almost laughed at the absurdity of her lie and was suddenly cut off by a snee(e. <-ou think Im mean5> <Maybe not mean, but cold. 7istant. 7emanding, hot$tempered/> <&e 1uiet.> <-ou see. I +ust proved the point,> she pointed out, noticing his irritated e3pression. <,ast night, you walked in on me showering. #ow do you e3plain that5> !he refused to lose to him, so she came up with a reasonable e3planation. <It was unlocked and I didnt hear the shower on, so I went ahead to check if you had everything in the bathroom. I really didnt e3pect to see you in"there/more or less take a shower at that time of night.> !he 1uickly lowered her head, hoping he believed her. <4hat if I was naked5> #er head shot up, unsure if she heard him correctly. <83cuse me5> <4hat if I was naked5> %n image popped up in her head and she 1uickly brushed it away. #er left brow rose and a smile tugged at the corner of lips. !he decided she was going to play with him. !hrugging she said, <'hen youre naked. !o what5> #is face reddened in response. <4hat5> <-ou heard me.>
<-ou should be ashamed for saying that. -oure a woman.> I am but Im dead she wanted to say. !he pretended to chuckle. <-eah, well dont make a habit of walking on me showering,> he said, pulling the comforter up to his chest and lying down onto his pillow. <If you dont make a habit of bathing and showering with your clothes on, I wont,> she said under her breath. #e flickered his ga(e up at her. <4hat did you say5> !he forced a pretend smile. <Its nothing for you to hear. %nyway, Ill be going now. I still have to clean the house.> <4ait. 7ont go yet.> <7ont go5> she asked, seeing that he was staring directly at the ceiling. <4hat is it5> he paused, finding it difficult to continue. <-es5> !urprised, !oo -oung found it impossible to speak back to him. <9ropose5> #e smiled when he said, <)h5> !oo -oung didnt know what to think of it. !he wasnt sure whether it was the right thing for *ae !ung to do, no matter how much in love he thinks hes in. <'hink about it some more. -oure sick right now. 2ow isnt the time to do anything.> #e agreed by nodding his head. <-oure right. 9erhaps, Im even thinking too much.> !oo -oung couldnt help but feel a sense of foreboding on his part. 4hy did she
get the feeling that it wasnt going to happen5 !he didnt know if she could stand there and watch him get hurt again. 8specially by her sister, whose true motives are still unknown. <6et some rest. -oull feel better afterward.> @A@A@ <'he 'hite 6ngel wants to see me5 4hy5> !oo -oung asked !ung 4on who was leaning coolly against the blossom tree. #e appeared ten minutes after !oo -oung left *ae !ungs room, delivering a message for her from the 4hite %ngel. <-ou probably messed up somewhere. %nyhow, Im going to try and stay out of this one. &ye.> !oo -oung spun around and he was gone, +ust like that. <!tupid !ung 4on. Run away when there is real trouble.> 'he 4hite %ngel appeared in !ung 4ons place before her eyes. 'his time, he held no book in his hand nor did he appear calm the way he was used to being seen. #is eyes were almost orange. !oo -oung knew that it wasnt a good sign. 'he first thing that came out of his mouth was, <:hoi !oo -oung. 4e need to talk.> !he placed her hands behind her and tried to remain calm as possible. 4hen she was nervous, she always fidgeted with her hands. <%bout5> <'elling your sister that youre a new :hoi !oo -oung could ruin everything between you and *ae !ung.> <)h5 %nd what was I supposed to say to her5 2o. Im not :hoi !oo -oung. I +ust look like her. 2o, as a matter of fact, Im her missing twin.> 'he %ngel shut his eyes, briefly absorbing what she had +ust said to him. !he could scarcely tell what he was thinking. ;eeling overpowered and drawn to him, she felt like reaching out to touch the spot under his cheekbone, +ust to see whether he was real. 4hen he opened his eyes again, they were back to their original purplish hue. <-ou must protect him, !oo -oung.> !oo -oung wondered why he was stating the obvious. <&ut dont let him find out what you really are.> 
<7o you5> <-es.> <-ou barged in on him when he had his door locked. -ou also let him see you when you were with !ung 4on. 'hose careless mistakes could cost you.> !oo -oung cursed inside her head. 'here was nothing she could get away with. 'he 4hite %ngel who was sent to guide her, knew everything that went on. !he had to be more careful. <-es. I understand.> <6ood. 'here is also something else, I need to discuss with you.> #e beckoned her over with his hand. <:ome. !it with me.> !he went to sit down ne3t to him as he ordered. <7id I do something wrong5> 'hat made him smile. #is teeth were beyond white. !he was ama(ed. !he had never seen him smile that way before. It was also nice, knowing that she had amused him. <-ou did nothing wrong. Im +ust being curious,> he said, turning to face her. <-ou bonded with !ung 4on. 7o you know what that means5> !he hoped it didnt mean anything more than +ust a practical spiritual friendship that they had going on. <'hat"we are closer5> <2o. 'hat you two are now connected in a sense of two guardian spirits feeling attached to each other.> <,ike friends, right5> !he was afraid what he would say ne3t. #e lifted a delicate finger as to think of the right term for it. <Its a more relative term. ,ike lovers.> <4hat5=> <7ont look so appalled. I e3pected it coming from the both of you.>
%t this point, !oo -oung was confused. <&ut"how did it happen without"I mean /we have feelings5> <*ust because youre dead, doesnt mean you dont have feelings5 #ow do you think a spirit behaves5 #ow do you think a bonding happens5> !he had no idea. !ung 4on told her nothing of that sort. 2ow she was feeling cheated and angry with him for being so vague about the entire thing to begin with. <!o what does it mean e3actly now that we have bonded5> <#e cant leave you. -ou two are connected, sometimes if its strong enough, you could be connected in thoughts.> <%nd this happens often between other spirits too5> <Cuite often.> !he wanted to run and hide from embarrassment. <-ou mean"when !ung 4on and I bonded"we were feeling similar feelings5> <-es. &ondings usually happens because of lonesomeness and a theres a sense of obligation of finding that companionship. Its a natural force of"spiritual feelings.> <:an it be broken5> <It could, but that would mean that one of you has faded.> <;aded5> <4hen a guardian spirit goes against their duties and turn on us, there is punishment. ;ading is one of them. Its like becoming non$e3isting in both worlds. -ou simply disappear forever, never to be seen again.> !oo -oung reali(ed how ignorant and naive she had been. 'here were still plenty she needed to learn from her guide. !ung 4on with his ingenious mind had decided to stay out of this meeting because he was afraid she would hurt him when she found out the truth. <7ont look so worried. Its an unlikely case. %nd besides, !ung 4on is a good guardian.> 9erhaps the 4hite %ngel needs to pay a closer observance on !ung 4on. #e was the one slacking and making up his own rules, !oo -oung thought bitterly. <Bery well. I must leave you. I have other errands to run,> he declared, standing
up and disappearing into thin air. !oo -oung was still seated on the grass, thinking about the bonding she had with !ung 4on. <#ow is that possible5> !omething made her snap out of her thoughts and she 1uickly rose to the sound of a car pulling up to the driveway. It was a different car this time. It was a black and sleek looking Mercedes &en(. !oo -oung lifted her invisibility spell and walked out from behind the tree to approach the vehicle. 'he car passenger window rolled down and a man who had to be in his mid$ thirties, was wearing a pair of designer shades, poked his head out. #is hair was neatly combed back. his eyebrows were a bit thick and shapely. #is nose was narrow and broad, than an average male. !oo -oung wouldnt call him good$ looking, his face was too strong and e3pression too serious. 4ith one look, she knew who he was. ?im Min *is fiancD. <Is this the !ummer #ouse5> he 1uestioned. !oo -oung nodded and answered, <-es, it is.> <-oo *ae !ung here5> <-oo *ae !ung5 My fiancD5> 'he man observed her up and down. <#es your fiancD5>< ,ying was becoming a habit for her. <-es. I am.> !he leaned in and spoke softly. <%ctually, hes not feeling well right now. #es got a bad case of the flu. 9erhaps you like to visit him some other time5> <)h. If its that urgent, I could be the messenger5 -ou give me the 1uestions and Ill run upstairs to his room and deliver them to him.> 'he man gave her a cold stoic glare and finally said, <2ever mind. Ill return another time.> 4ith that, he backed out of the driveway. !oo -oung waved to them until they were out of sight.
<4ho was that5> she heard *ae !ung ask from behind her. !he 1uickly spun around to face him, surprised to see him standing on the porch, looking paler than she last seen him. <'hat was some lost stranger asking for directions.> #e made a face at her. <Im hungry. :ould you cook something for us5> Min *i suddenly appeared and said, <*ae !ung$sshi, Ive prepared your food. :ome, lets go back inside.> Min *i took him by the arm and glanced briefly at !oo -oung indicating a hint of victory as if they were enemies vying for attention of one man.
||Chapter -ight| !oo -oung was wiping the kitchen counter when she heard the phone ringing, and reali(ed it was coming from the same room. !he looked over her shoulder to see that *ae !ung had left his phone on the table after his meal with Min *i. !he went over to check the caller id and reali(ed that it was from -oo !eo *in. !wiping the phone from the table, she hurried upstairs and without bothering to knock, she opened the door to go inside, seeing that Min *i had settling herself ne3t to *ae !ung, teasing him and poking him while calling out, <)ppa. )ppa. -ou like that I call you that.> ;eeling stupid for intruding on them, she smacked her forehead. < 6igoo, !oo -oung.> 'hey both looked up at her in surprise. 8mbarrassed, she cleared her throat as handed the phone to *ae !ung. <9hone for you.> 'aking the phone from her, he said, <2e3t time, knock.> !he flickered her ga(e over to Min *i who looked away as if she didnt care for any of it. <Im sorry, I didnt reali(e/> #e cut her off rudely. <-ou never do.> #e was right. !he never did because this used to be her house. % house that she had once roamed freely in now belonged to some stranger and she needed this
strangers permission to enter rooms. !he felt cheated and angry at the same time because she took it upon herself to bring the phone to him but as usual he had brushed her off rudely without showing a hint of appreciation. 4ithout waiting for anything more, she turned around and e3ited the room, shutting the door behind her. !he didnt know what bothered her more, the fact that *ae !ung was being his arrogant self or the fact that her sister refuses to acknowledge her. @A@A@ <Its going to rain today,> !oo -oung murmured 1uietly to herself, as she stood in the front porch, ga(ing up into the gray sky, watching the clouds spreading their glorious wispy wings over the sun. 'he sun wanted to hide today. 'here has to be a reason. !omething is wrong today, !oo -oung thought, sensing a chill in the air. 'he crack of thunder sounded above her. !oo -oung stretched her hands up and stepped off the porch to allow the first touch of rain to fall on her. ,et it pour its sorrow upon you, !oo -oung. #er eyes mimicked the sky, shedding its very own sorrow. #ow come I feel so human5 4hy does it hurt so much5 4hy do I feel like this5 <!oo -oung,> a faint voice called inside her head. <Im sorry you feel that way,> the voice came again. !oo -oung immediately opened her eyes and reali(ed whose voice it belonged to. !he said aloud, <9ark !ung 4on, get out of my head.> !ung 4on suddenly appeared behind her looking over her shoulder, with his hand on resting on the other side of her shoulder. 0nlike her, he didnt allow himself to get wet from the rain. <'his rain is going to continue for a couple of days,> he said, looking up at the gloomy sky. 4hat was this5 7id he assume he was forgiven after making her bond with him5 !he swiped his hand off her shoulder and turned to confront him. <'his bonding thing. 4hy did you do it5=> she nearly shouted at him. #e appeared almost guilty with the mischievous smile of his. <7ont say it, !ung 4on=> she snapped, growing embarrassed by the second. #e pretended to (ip his mouth. <Im sorry, !oo -oung. ?im *i 4oo would never leave me alone if I didnt do it. I cant have her constantly hanging around me. 2ow that Im closer to you, that would prevent her from being around me. !he cant attached herself to me the way she used to.> % scowl formed on his face. 'his was the first time !oo -oung had ever witnessed such a scowl on !ung 4ons face. !he did nothing wrong to deserve such a scowl. It should have been the other way around. <4hy should you care what he thinks5 7o you harbor some crush on him5> <Im"> she couldnt answer him. !he felt like she wanted to disappear. :overing her face as if she couldnt handle any more of it, she took a deep breath and then removed her hands. <&ecause youve been"there. I meant, because youve always been here for me, showing up whenever you feel like it. 'his bonding that happened/it happened because youre practically the only guardian spirit I know, not because theres anything more to it. 7o you understand5> !he nodded her head and continued, <'here is a connection. I guess thats why it worked. &ut thats it right5 I mean you dont"I mean"> she didnt know what she was rambling on about, but she sure as hell hoped that he understood. #is hand curled as he brought it to his mouth and cleared his throat, trying not to be amused by what he +ust heard. <-ou know, !oo -oung. 'hat was all I needed. %ll I needed was for you to accept me as a companion to complete the bonding.> #e then pointed to his face. <!eriously, youd really think a pretty guy like myself would fall for a"> he eyed her up and down and cleared his throat once more as if he found it impossible to finish. <;or someone"like yourself5 I mean cmon, youre like a sister.> !he didnt know how she felt about that, but as long as they understood each other, things would be fine. <Is that the high and mighty !ung 4on speaking5> #e came around to put an arm around her neck. <%ctually, its the wise and clever !ung 4on, speaking.> <-our arm, !ung 4on. Remove your arm,> she reminded him. #e 1uickly removed his arm and saluted to her like a soldier. <-es, maam.>
'he rain suddenly came down harder. !oo -oung felt the coldness of the rain, but she did not feel cold. !ung 4on was still standing there, looking up at the sky untouched. she asked. <&ut youre not alive.> #e shrugged carelessly. <83actly. 4hats the point5> <-ou dont want to e3perience what it feels like5> <!ometimes you forget yourself, !oo -oung. I reali(ed that youre different from the others. 4hat they cant accept, you obliged to it. 4hy5> 'he truth was, she couldnt recall her e3act memories of her past but she knew. !he felt it. It never haunted her until now, or thought that it would hurt so much. <&ecause while being alive, I never relished the fact that I could feel these things. I felt nothing when I was alive. It was like I was a walking (ombie, completely oblivious to my surroundings.> !he stared at her naked feet before her, liking the feel of cold wet grass, tickling them. <!o why not5 4hy not feel human again, if it feels this good5 I see nothing wrong with that.> !oo -oung spun around in circles, embracing the rain the way she would embrace the sun. <,ook at me,> !ung 4on said, causing her to stop.. !oo -oung cast her eyes up to meet him. #e was standing in front of her now, wearing all white, allowing the droplets of rain fell onto his dark hair, like diamonds glistening against black velvet. 'he first thought that came to mind was Min *i. #er sister. <-ou dont understand, !ung 4on. I feel like I have to understand where Min *i is coming from. If I dont do that, Ill never understand anything. I know what my duty is, but I also have this sense of obligation to get a better understanding of my past. !omething has blocked it. Its like I have amnesia and I could only con+ure up bits and pieces, but not everything. 2ot everything. 2ot even my own suicide,> she admitted, feeling her shoulders sinking along wither her knees. !ung 4on lowered himself to her level, crouching in front of her. <'hats what
happens to every guardian spirit. Myself included.> !he felt herself crying in front of him. she murmured, wiping at her eyes like a child ashamed of crying. !ung 4on reached out and helped her stand straight. !he didnt stop, that only made her cry harder. 4hat was this5 4hy was she crying as if she were some human being5 <-ah. 7ont make me sing for you,> he said. <My singing isnt great.> !he shook her head, and wiped her eyes some more. #er crying became uncontrollable. !he felt powerless against it. #e reached out to pat her head. <-ou gave in too much of your feelings and now its overtaking you. %lright. ,isten. #ere it goes.> !oo -oungs crying ceased them moment she heard him opened his mouth to sing. 'hydo you $ry for me% 0oes your heart a$he that mu$h that you would $ry for me% 4isten girl sto# $rying for me. I am not your lover or even your brother so sto# $rying for meohhhhh girl. "to# $rying for me. 9erhaps he was right, she thought. #e wasnt the best at singing but it worked on her crying. It also made her wonder +ust how good his band was when he was alive. Maybe !ung 4on wasnt even the lead vocalist but rather the drummer or the guitarist5 'he way he was singing with an imaginary guitar in his hand, !oo -oung figured that he had to be the guitarist. !he reminded him of a sly fo3 who was trying to cry out like a wolf. 2h oh girl. 5lease sto# $rying. 2h oh girl. #e kept going until !oo -oung nudged at his shoulder. <-ah= -ou could stop now.> #e stood up as if he forgotten himself and smiled. 
<7ont worry it was good enough to get me listening and bad enough for me to get you to stop,> she told him bluntly. #e scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. <!ee I told you I suck.> To listen to the song : Right click save as : *.? ,ee $ % 7ream $$$ <!eo *in is coming,> *ae !ung said as he hung up on his brother who sounded drunk over the phone. <-our brother5> Min *i asked, sitting up straight. !he paused to think of something and 1uickly moved off the bed. <'hen I should leave.> *ae !ung got off the bed to block her. <-ou cant. 4hat if he finds you5> <,et me deal with it.> !he brushed past him, but he took hold of her arm. <Min *i$sshi. 9lease,> he pleaded, unwilling to let her go. !he stood with her back to him but her arm was still within his grasp. *ae !ung refused to let her go so he tightened his hold on her arm. <Ill e3plain everything to him once he gets here. 7ont worry. I cant let you leave. ,ook outside, its pouring.> Min *i slowly uncoiled his fingers from around her arm. *ae !ung knew she was right, but he couldnt bear to see her leave him +ust yet. #e wanted her close by his side. #e needed her presence. #owever, he knew Min *i wouldnt give up. #er hand slipped from his grasp and he watched her leave, the way he watched her leave numerous times before. #e sat back down on his bed, unable to move as if Min *i had placed some kind of spell on him. It seemed like an eternity before he heard a knock on his door. <*ae !ung$sshi. -ou there5 I know you probably dont want to see anybody right now, but I made sure she took an umbrella with her. I even let her borrow one of my raincoats.
!he should be okay.> It was !oo -oung speaking. #er voice sounded similar to Min *i. <&ut being a man that you are, I cant believe you let her walk in the rain like that without driving her home. &ut then again, she probably told you to stay in you room because of your cold.> #e sat still, remaining unresponsive like a catatonic person. #e would have told her to leave him alone, but the truth was, he didnt want to be alone, but instead he listened. In spite of !oo -oung not being Min *i, somehow +ust hearing her voice and having her presence close to him felt satisfying. <I have to admit though. I do like it when it rains. 7id your grandfather ever tell you how much he en+oyed it5 #e used to sit outside on the porch, +ust watching it pour buckets. #e said to me once. 'hat he had his own theory. #e said that whenever it rains, the sky or the heavens is answering to the world. 4hatever sadness the world brings, the heavens were watching so they knew and they could understand our sorrow. 'hats why it rains.> *ae !ung understood. #is grandfather had once told him the same thing. It found it interesting that his grandfather, while he was alive confided in a young woman like :hoi !oo -oung. *ae !ung found himself asking, <7o you really believe that5> <4hy shouldnt I5 I mean for all I know I might have someone watching me right now. 9robably some handsome guardian angel listening on me as we speak.> 'hat brought a smile to his face. #e might as well play along with her. #e fell back onto the bed and supported his head with the back of his hands. #e glanced towards the closed door, seeing !oo -oungs shadow from beneath the crack and then he looked back up to the ceiling. <-ou said yours is a boy so I would assume mine is a girl.> <Mine is a boy. I saw him. #e visited me in my dream. -ou have no proof of yours.>
#e thought about the woman he had seen that night under the moonlight. <%ctually to be honest, I think I might have seen her once. !he was standing outside"all in white. !he was beautiful.> Interestingly enough, that woman did resemble !oo -oung. #e shifted around so that he was staring at the door now. %dmittedly, !oo -oung intrigued him with her imaginative mind. <4hy would you say that5> <4hat if I told you, that I feel like one5 7espite having to work as your housekeeper. 4hat if I told you that I feel like".like protecting you because theres something about your character. !omething about the way you look at things or do things that makes me feel like you need a companion to keep you intact with the world itself.> #e nearly snorted. <4hy do you think a man like me would need any type of protecting from a woman like you5> <2ow, now. 4e dont need to go all se3ist about it. &y the way, hows your cold5> #e almost forgot that he had a cold. #is chest no longer felt heavy and his nose no longer felt stuffy. !oo -oung must have put something in that tea. It didnt occur to him how 1uickly he recovered. <%ctually, I feel much better,> he said, standing up to stretch his arms above his head. #e went over to the door to open it but !oo -oung was gone. #e heard some noises downstairs. #e went over to poke his head down and heard !eo *ins voice, drowning out !oo -oungs 1uestions. <4here is he5 4here is that bastard5=> !eo *in yelled. !ighing, he hurried downstairs to see what the entire ruckus was about. 4hen he reached the landing, !eo *in soaked from the rain was lying flat on his back and !oo -oung was crouched ne3t to him with a concerned e3pression on her face. <%igoo. Im so sorry. I really didnt mean to knock you down like that.> 4hat was this all about5 #e wondered. !eo *in reached his hand out to place it on the side of her face. <-ah. ?ang Mi Ra. -ou look different. #ow come you look so different5> !oo -oung gasped and pulled back in response. *ae !ung went over to his drunken younger brother and nudged the side of his rib with his bare foot. <-ah. !eo *in. 6et up.>
!eo *in smiled at the sight of him. <-ou bastard. 4hy are you above me5 4hy are you standing above me5 4e should be e1ual, you and I.> *ae !ung lowered himself to haul his brother up by the collar of his +acket. <!tand up like a man, !eo *in. %nd then were e1ual.> !eo *in staggered on his feet and threw a surprised punch at *ae !ung. <-ou bastard, what have you done to Mi Ra5=> *ae !ung doubled back and touched the side of his mouth, feeling the pain kicking in. #e hadnt e3pected such a surprise attack. More or less, he was angry because he hated the taste of his own blood. *ust when !eo *in was about to throw another strike at him, !oo -oung ran over to push him back against the wall as if she meant to shield him. <4ait. 4ait. ,isten. -oure drunk and you need to change out of those clothes before you get sick.> *ae !ung didnt understand why !oo -oung was intervening. 'he issue was a family matter and he remembered telling her to stay clear. !eo *in focused his ga(e on !oo -oung. #e rubbed at his eyes as if they were deceiving him. <4ho are you5 7ont tell me youre his new girlfriend. 7ont you know5 -oo *ae !ung is a player5 #e has lots of women. In fact, hes engaged to one. &ut he left her. *ust like a coward he is, he left her.> *ae !ung knew +ust how much pain !eo *in was in. #e knew how much he wanted Mi Ra by his side, but *ae !ung couldnt do anything about it, especially when it was his fathers order. 'he only way he could possibly go against his father was to escape and let his father see for himself +ust how much !eo *in liked Mi Ra. <4ell talk about it. ,ets go upstairs. :ome. Ill help you. 4e could talk this out,> *ae !ung tried to reason with his brother, approaching him slowly. !eo *in brushed him off, shoving him back. <6et out of my face=> !oo -oung decided to intervene again. <:ome, !eo *in oppa. Its me ?ang Mi Ra. Ill take you. ,ets go upstairs so that we can talk. 'hen Ill make us some tea. #ow about it5> *ae !ung was surprised at the soften spoke tone she used with !eo *in. If he too were drunk, he might have believe it was ?ang Mi Ras voice that he was hearing.
!eo *in ga(ed down at her and then took hold of her hand possessively. <Mi Ra. #elp me.> !oo -oung nodded, glancing at *ae !ung. <Ill help you. I could help you. :ome, lets go.>
||Chapter .ine| !omewhere out there a little girl weeps from the hurt her parents had caused her. !omewhere out there a little boy is locked inside his room, forgotten. !omewhere out there another little boy sings his heart out, only to have no one listening. 8nloved. 'he little girl witnesses her parents arguing for the first time in her life. !he watches with sadness, feeling an unbearable aching in her heart. 'hese feelings are new to her, almost distressingly overwhelming. !he cries out silently to them, wanting to make her presence known. #owever they cannot hear her. -orgotten. 'he little boy cries and screams for a mother that no longer e3ists. #e fights against the strong grip of a man whom he calls father. % man who carries the traits of a complete stranger. #e knew nothing of this stranger and only the memories of a man he once knew still lingers like a faded melody playing inside his head. #e fights against this man until his strength gives up on him, and soon after he finds himself locked inside his room, shut out to the world. 8nwanted. %nother boy sings to his own reflection. 2o one else senses the pain in his heart. 2o one sees +ust how lonely he is. 2o one sees him. 'ears streams down his delicate bruised face. ;or the first time in nine years, he cries, but as always, no one sees it. @A@A@
'he soft melody floated into his ears and he opened his eyes, staring up into the ceiling, wondering if what he heard was real. Rubbing his eyes, he got up and headed down stairs, following the melody until he found himself standing in the living room with !eo *in and !oo -oung. !eo *in was hovered over !oo -oung and the piano, smiling happily as she played for him. 'hey appeared as if they were a couple. !eo *in finally looked up at him and greeted him with an inclination of his head. !oo -oung stopped playing and cast her eyes upward to notice his presence. <)h,> she said, 1uickly getting off the seat and moving away from the piano. !eo *in chuckled at her sudden reaction and *ae !ung couldnt help but smile at it too. <-ah. !oo -oung. -ou made him smile. -ou made my brother smile,> !eo *in remarked as he reached out to pull her back to his side. !he offered *ae !ung an apologetic smile in return <!orry, for waking you.> *ae !ung, having to wake up to the beautiful tune, couldnt blame her. In fact, he liked it so much he wanted to know more about her. <7o you play5> <2ot much. I used to,> she replied, and then shaking her head, <&ut its nothing.> !eo *in rubbed her head the way he would to their younger sister #ae *in. <'hats what she said to me, but she plays ama(ingly well. &etter than you, hyung.> <&etter5> *ae !ung in1uired, finding it odd that !eo *in acted like he knew !oo -oung more than he did. !omehow he felt the need to defend himself in front of them. <!ince when was I a musician5> !eo *in shrugged. !oo -oung was looking back and forth at the brothers. <!ince youre both awake, I should go and get breakfast ready.> !he left them alone in the room. !eo *in went over to ga(e out the window. <Its still raining out.> *ae !ung remembered last nights incident and went over to stand beside his brother. <-ou know why you came here, right5>
!eo *in nodded. <Its stupid. I dont remember what I said last night and I dont think I want to hear it coming from your mouth either. Im too embarrassed.> #e turned enough to look at *ae !ung. <If I did or say anything stupid, Im sorry.> *ae !ung couldnt help but sympathi(e with his brother. #e knew how much !eo *in adored Mi Ra but he too felt powerless against the will of their father. <-ou two deserve each other. I dont belong with her,> he confessed in an inaudible tone !eo *in regarded him with a serious e3pression. <-ou better mean what you say, hyung. -ou cant take back your words.> he admitted, thinking of his last confrontation with his father. If only !eo *in knew what happened that day. <I dont want Mi Ra to suffer anymore because of me. &ecause were tied together over some stupid business agreement. &efore I came here, Ive told him that he needs to make up his mind. I know you have the potential in pleasing, abeo.i. If anything, youre the one to follow his footsteps, not me. I gave up everything before I came here. I"am nothing to him now,> he looked up to ga(e around the room, feeling the bile rising to his throat, <all I have left is this house. 'he only gift from grandfather.> !eo *in curled his fist and then turned fully to face him. <,ook. -ou didnt have to give up everything. 2ot for me, anyway. 2ot for anyone.> <Its for the best. &eing here, keeps me at peace with myself. I cant stand it in the city. I cant stand having him observing my every move.> #is brother reached out to touch his shoulder. <I dont know whether you made the right choice or not, but I +ust want you to know that I was never against you. !ure, I might have been spoiled and selfish, but in spite of it all, I still cherish what we have as brothers.> *ae !ung reached out to s1uee(e his brothers shoulder in return and !eo *in drew him into a tight embrace. <-ou know, I feel like youre spoiling me +ust like abeo+i does. 4hy do I always make other people give me things5> #e felt the tears flooding his eyes the moment !eo *in said that. <8veryone needs to be happy. 'hey need some kind of happiness. My happiness has never been with him, but without him. I envy that your presence keeps him happy and at ease. 2o matter how much I try, I can never receive the same happiness from him.> #e shut his eyes and allowed the tears to fall freely on its own will. ;or once, he wasnt ashamed of crying in front of !eo *in. <6o back to ?ang Mi Ra and tell
her. ,et her know how much you care. &y that time, he has made his decision. 'rust me on that.> !eo *in pulled away to look into his brothers glossy eyes. < *yung. -oure the best. 'hank you.> #e hugged him once more. <-ou dont know how much this means to me.> 4ith that, he hurried away, but stopped to tell him one last thing. <-ou know, your housekeeper, shes special. I might not know her that well but somehow I feel like she belongs here with us. 7o you know what I mean5> *ae !ung didnt turn to his brother but he had to agree. 4hat would he have done without :hoi !oo -oung and their talks5 <!ee you later.> 4ith that, !eo *in was gone. #e turned away from the window, refusing to watch another person he cared for leave him. !oo -oung stood in front of him, looking at him with her big innocent eyes. <#es gone5> <-eah, hes gone,> he answered, striding past her. %s if reading his mind, she didnt 1uestion him about it when he wiped them away. 'hey entered the kitchen and he went to sit down at the table filled with western style breakfast, consisting of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes. 'he aroma overwhelmed him, causing his stomach to churn. !oo -oung went over to the counter and carried a small side dish towards him. <If its too much, you could always have some of these,> she said, placing the dish of kimchi in front of him. <% bit of ?orean flavor. I love this stuff.> #e nodded and began filling his empty plate with eggs and bacon. <#ave a seat. 8at with me,> he offered kindly. !oo -oung went rigid at his generosity. <&ut Im not that/> <#ungry5 -ou know ever since I got here, I dont think I ever seen you eat anything. %re you on some kind of unhealthy diet5 7ont starve yourself in trying to keep a good figure,> he scolded, reaching out for the syrup to pour over his scrambled eggs.
!oo -oung made a disgusted face and sat down across from him. <-ou put syrup instead of ketchup.> #e looked at her, forking at the eggs. <&ut thats sick. #ow could you eat it like that5> he said, placing the eggs into his mouth and then chewed, letting the sweetness of the syrup fill his mouth. !oo -oung leaned forward and supported her chin on her rested elbow against the table, like a small child who was forced to watch her father eat her cooking. <-ou know, +ust watching you eat, makes me lose my appetite,> she commented. #e hoped that wasnt an insult. <Im right then.> <%bout what5> <-ou are on an unhealthy diet. %re you anore3ic5> he 1uestioned. !he tssked at him. <%nore3ic5 6osh. 7o I look that skinny to you5> #e chose not to answer her. #e figured she was probably fishing for some kind of compliment. !peaking of compliments" #e swallowed and placed his fork down to ask, <&y the way, what did you do to !eo *in5 #e was all bright and happy this morning. I e3pected him to suffer from some kind of hangover.> <#e woke up like that. In fact, he was the one on the piano first. #es pretty good. %nd then he asked if I could play so I showed him how much I knew. %nd then you came down and"> she trailed off, choosing not to finish. <'o interrupt, right5 I got it,> he said, feeling like it was his fault that she stopped playing. <2o. 2ot at all. I mean this is your house. I was the one who went against your orders. I didnt keep away like I said I would. I should be punished.> !he was right. #e didnt want her involved in his family matters but yet somehow she always manages to show up and help him even when he didnt ask for it. #e thought about their conversation last night and her mentioning of wanting to protect him. #e almost felt ashamed thinking about it now, as if he was fragile
enough to allow someone like :hoi !oo -oung to protect him. 4ithout another word, he continued to eat. !oo -oung watched him eat with a smug look on her face. #e knew she was watching, but he chose to ignore it anyway until he couldnt take any more of it because he was starting to feel uncomfortable. <;ood is getting cold. 8at up,> he chided, pushing an empty plate toward her. !he looked down at her empty plate and then at the food, but she couldnt decide. *ae !ung picked up the small side dish and set it onto her plate. <8at this if you have to.> !he nodded and started to eat the kimchi. %s she was chewing, he said, <-ou look like the type to like the rain.> Immediately she choked on her food and coughed out everything, even onto his plate. #e dropped his fork and leaned back, grabbing napkin to wipe his mouth. <7id I say something wrong5> <#ow did you know5 7id you see me5> she asked, 1uickly wiping her mouth with a napkin. <!ee you5> he asked, wondering why she would ask him that. #e figured it was a random 1uestion to ask since it was raining and he wanted to know whether she wanted to go for a walk in the rain with him. <2o. I didnt.> ,eaning in closer, he said, <!ee you what5> he admitted. <7o you want to go5> <!ure. 4hy not5 #ow far do you want to go5> <'o the lake.> !he was up, gathering the plates together. <,et me clear this up.> #e was up too, helping her. <Ill help.> !he waved him off. <2o. 6o get ready. Ill clean this up.>
#e managed to snatch all the plates and dishes from her. <Ill help so youll stop looking at me like some la(y bastard,> he insisted. @A@A@ !oo -oung was at the door when he took hold of her arm, to hold her back. <4here do you think youre going5> he asked, reali(ing she was a simple black t$ shirt and an unflattering knee length skirt. #e had to admit, although her clohes may appear unflattering, !oo -oungs natural beauty made up for it. #e found it unusual that she would go out in the rain without any type of protection from the rain. #e handed her a black umbrella. <4hen I said walks, I didnt mean literally. I meant walking with an umbrella. :mon were humans, were not entirely immune to the rain.> !oo -oung shaped her mouth into a form of an o and then agreed with a bob of her head. <-oure right. #ow careless of me.> !he walked out first and he followed, locking the door behind him. 'hey started down the pathway that led them behind the house and directly into a trail that would eventually lead them to the lakeside. #e remembered going there once and it seemed as if the placed never changed. *ae !ung was the first to speak. <7id he do this too5> !oo -oung who was more focused on the rain, didnt seem to hear his 1uestion. <!oo -oung5> he called. !he snapped from her focus and turned to regard him. <-our grandfather5 -es, he did this too. &ut I think he did it without the umbrella.> <-ou lie. 4hy would he not use an umbrella5> <)kay, I lied,> she said, followed by a giggle. !he lowered her ga(e and then pointed to his feet. <%igoo= -our pants are all wet and dirty. 4hy dont you roll them up5> #e stepped away from her as if he was afraid she might do it for him. !everal moments later after walking in silence they finally reached the wooden pier. *ae !ung walked to the end of it and crouched down, staring at the darkness of the water, watching the way the droplets touched it, blending into its
mysterious entanglement. If he too were to fall in, would anyone notice5 #e wondered. !omehow, he couldnt fight against it. #e could feel it drawing him in, beckoning, and welcoming him. #e felt the umbrella slip from his grasp and then he felt himself slipping over the edge and finally plunging beneath the cold profound darkness. 'he coldness swallowed him, creating a heaviness in his chest which clung to his lungs. !omewhere out there, he heard his name being called. !ae "ung. Yoo !ae "ung/ Ignored. #e allowed himself to slip. 'hy $ant I do what I want% That isnt your $hoi$e !ae "ung. 'hy not% 'hy do you do this to me% 3e$ause every time I look at you. It still haunts me. 8ntil this day it still haunts me/ You blame me for it% You blame me for her death%/ #ow much longer5 I should leave. I dont belong here. I was never your son. Im only a killer in your eyes. 6 haunting reminder. Goodbye father. 6oodbye. 'he ne3t time he opened his eyes, he was staring into :hoi !oo -oungs big eyes, feeling the wetness of the rain falling onto his face. !he was mouthing something and he couldnt hear her. It had to be a dream. 2nly a dream. !he grabbed his collar and then tapped his face to rouse him.
%nd then he heard her voice, loud and clear. <-ou foolish man. 4hats wrong with you5> #e coughed the water out of his lungs and shook his head, pushing to sit up. <4hat happened5> !oo -oung sat back in shock. <-ou fell in. %nd you asked me what happened5 I +ust saved your life, you selfish moron=> she e3ploded. It didnt occur to him +ust how much he wanted to die until then. #e had fallen into without a second thought. 7id he allow himself to slip that low5 #ow many more times was he going to continue this5 #ow much longer5 <Ive had enough. I cant take anymore of your selfishness. -ou want to die so badly5> !oo -oung 1uestioned pointing towards the water. <6o ahead. &e my guest. Im sick of you trying to save you. Its obvious that you value death more than you value life. !o why not5 6o ahead and be my guest. %nd if you need my help in pushing you in, Ill be glad to do so.> !he stood up and started to walk away from him when he blurted, <4hy5 4hy save me5> !he stopped and turned around. <&ecause maybe thats what Im here for. 'o save your sorry ass,> she replied, before striding angrily away from him. *ae !ung sat there unmoving and emotionless. <*ae !ung. -ou bastard. 4hy do you appear so weak in front of women5> @A@A@ !oo -oung wiped at her eyes. she asked, growing overly frustrated with herself. !he went to sit down on the front porch. 'ruthtfully, she was more upset with herself than *ae !ung. !he nearly failed in trying to save him because he had fallen in so deep where he was almost unreachable. &urying her face in her hands, she cried. <4hy is it so hard5> !omeone tapped her shoulder and sat down ne3t to her, placing a dry towel over her shoulder. !he looked up, about ready to yell at !ung 4on for appearing again, but it wasnt !ung 4on. It was -oo *ae !ung. 'he man himself.
!he 1uickly closed her mouth and averted her ga(e. *ae !ung appeared more sympathetic. #e said, <Im sorry. Im sorry for scaring you. I didnt know what I was thinking. Im sorry.> !oo -oung didnt know how to respond. instead she kept her ga(e focused on the tree in front of her. <Maybe youre right. Maybe youre not meant to be housekeeper but rather, my protector. 'hank you for saving me. I really dont know how to e3plain it all.> <-ou dont have to. I knew how youve been feeling since the first day we met.> !he could sense the hurt in his tone. <,ike that5 -ou think Id allow you to die in front me5> <4e dont know each other, !oo -oung.> <2o. &ut sometimes you pu((le me. -ou forget that youre a human being.> <%m I5 4hy is that I feel dead most of the time5> !oo -oung bit hard on her lower lip, trying to hold back her own memories. 4hen she was alive, she thought of herself the same. <-ou dont give yourself chances. -ou shut yourself out from everyone. #ow else are you supposed to feel alive5> !he could feel him turn his attention on her as he asked, <4hy do you speak to me as if you know me so well5> !oo -oung forced herself to look at him. It was like looking into her own eyes. %ll that sadness, that pain, that loneliness haunted her again. *ae !ung was only a reminder of how she had been and what she had lost because of her own unhappiness. <9erhaps even once, I was like you.> !he felt him place a warm hand over hers and she looked up to him. #e wasnt looking at her, but he took her hand and placed it on his lap. <'hank you, !oo -oung,> he whispered in appreciation. !he stared into his profile and reali(ed that for the first time since they met, he finally understood her.
||Chapter Ten| One week later/ :hoi !oo -oung kept stealing glances at *ae !ung who was on the phone with his younger brother. !omething was bothering him. !he could tell by the way his shoulders sunk and the way he massaged at his forehead as if he had a headache. %nd yet she wondered why she noticed these little gestures. Its been a week since -oo *ae !ung made his last suicide attempt and they rarely spoke to each other since. 'here were days when she overheard him on the phone with Min *i, pleading for her to return to him, but as usual, Min *i hadnt return. !oo -oung was bothered by the fact that *ae !ung was starting to appear more and more like her, drowning himself in his own sorrows, waiting for Min *is return. <%lright. Ill try, but no guarantees,> *ae !ung said aloud, catching her attention. !oo -oung who didnt reali(ed that she had stopped sweeping, 1uickly pretended to go back to her sweeping when *ae !ung hung up and turned toward her. <,ets go shopping,> he said suddenly. !oo -oung looked up instantly. <#uh5> #e bit on his lower lip and rolled his eyes at her before he said, <!hopping. -ou know what that is5> <-es. &ut we dont need to go together, do we5 I mean, I went grocery shopping yesterday. 'he fridge is full,> she lied, thinking about how she often made them appear magically in front of her eyes. #e lifted his right hand to scratch the back of his head, reluctant to e3plain further. <4ere leaving the house tomorrow to attend !eo *ins engagement party. 'ogether.> #e waved his hand back and forth. !oo -oung let out a small surprised gasp and covered her mouth to ask, <-ou mean, like going out5 ,ike almost like a date5> ;or some strange reason, she couldnt contain the e3citement in her voice. !haking her head, she 1uickly added, !he felt like an awestruck teenager who +ust got asked out on a date with her first guy. !he was then reminded of how she never had a chance to go out like a normal teenager without having them look at her strangely or speak about her
behind her back. % hint of a smile appeared in the corner of his mouth. ;or some odd reason, *ae !ung too, appeared like some nervous apprehensive teenager boy. <:mon. *ust go as my date. !eo *in asked that you be my date for the party.> <%h, I get it. -oure doing this on behalf of !eo *in5> <#e implied it. Im only following his suggestion.> !oo -oung pretended to look away as if she didnt care. <4hat about"Min *i5> <!he cant make it,> he answered solemnly. !oo -oung offered him a single glance and noticed the bleakness in his e3pression. <%lright. Ill go. 4hen do you want to go shopping5> #e nodded. <#ow about now5> !he nodded in response. <!ure. &ut"we should shop in the city. 'his place has no special shops.> *ae !ung left to start up the car and !oo -oung was on her way out when 9ark !ung 4on appeared in front of the door, with his arms folded firmly in front of him. #e was smiling at her when she approached him. <7o you reali(ed what youre doing, !oo -oung5> <!ure, Im going shopping,> !oo -oung replied earnestly. !he reached for the door when !ung 4on blocked her path. !he glowered at him. <!ung 4on, be serious. I need to go.> #e shrugged lightly. <Its not that I wont let you go. Its this house. 4ill it let you leave5> !he has never wandered far enough to know so she was taking her chances. <Ive been to the lake. I left this house before.> #e ga(ed around observantly. <'he only attachment I have to this house now is *ae !ung. Im free, remember5> <!ince this will be your first time, leaving this area. -ou cant stay long or youll suffer from the effects.>
<8ffects5> <,ike side effects. 2o headaches though. *ust feeling weak. 9erhaps becoming more"transparent.> <Ill keep that in mind. 2ow, let me pass.> <)ne more thing.> !he rolled her eyes, feeling like a !ung 4on was only trying to waste time. <)ne last 1uestion.> <4hat is it5> <4hat are you5> <-ou know what I am.> <&ut do you know what you are.> <-es.> <'hen answer me properly.> she paused, <wait/why do I need to e3plain anything to you5> <4eve bonded, remember5 I have every right to know where you are and what youre up to.> <6osh. -ou act as if Im not doing my +ob.> #e moved out of the way to allow her to pass. @A@A@ Seoul 'he tall slender salesperson, gasped at !oo -oungs sheepskin ankle high slippers that she wore with her brown and black tiered skirt and white cotton ruffled shirt. <%igoo= -oure wearing slippers,> she pointed out. !oo -oung looked down at her slippers and gave the woman an innocent smile.
<-eah, I reali(ed that.> *ae !ung was standing by the display models, reading some fashion maga(ine. #e was dressed in a fashionable suit, along with a pair of shades to cover his eyes. !oo -oung reali(ed that *ae !ung was pretty stylish when it came to dressing up. #e showed off his masculinity by looking like a high fashion model with a mysterious aura about him. 4hen they first entered, the saleswoman had recogni(ed him as 7irector -oos first son, but he simply denied it by telling her that she was mistaken. 'he woman, looking pu((led and confused turned to regard him. <!ir, your girlfriend refuses to remove her slippers.> 4hen *ae !ung glanced up to look at her, she e3pected him to say that she wasnt his girlfriend, but instead, he said, <!he has a bad fashion sense. 7ont mind her.> !oo -oung placed her hands on her hips and offered to e3plain herself. <,ook. 'hat man over there isnt my boyfriend.> 'he woman smiled, pretending to understand. <Its okay. I understand.> !oo -oung shook her head, meanwhile looking over at *ae !ung who was trying his best not to laugh. <2o. -ou dont understand.> <)h, yes I do,> the woman argued. <2ow off with the shoes. 4e need to get you in this dress. :hange room is this way.> -oo *ae !ung turned to look outside the shop, catching a glimpse of a woman that resembled Min *i who entered a sleek black :adillac. #e 1uickly ran outside to see that the car pulling away, taking off in the opposite direction. #e cursed and reached for his phone, fighting the urge to dial her number when the phone started to ring and vibrate in his grasp. 'he caller was his sister, #ae *in. <4hats up, #ae *in5> <)ppa= !eo *in oppa, says youre coming tomorrow. Im glad I could see you again. 0mma has been making me work and I havent the time to call and see how youre doing5 &y the way, have you gotten rid of that careless housekeeper yet5> <-es, Ill try to show up to tomorrow.>
<%re you bringing a date5> she asked. <Maybe,> he replied. <Maybe5 4hat kind of answer is that5 -ou know, I didnt think father would change his mind about the whole engagement thing, but seeing how happy !eo *in was with Mi Ra unnie, he gave in,> she paused, <2ot at all.> <!ir. !hes ready. :ome in and see her,> the voice belonging to the saleswoman spoke from behind him. <!o, youre coming5> #ae *in asked. #e turned and inclined his head. Reentering the shop, he could only see the back of :hoi !oo -oung who shaking her head at the saleswoman, refusing to unwind her braid. <-es, Im going.> 'he woman 1uickly reached out to spin !oo -oung around and *ae !ung felt his heart stop. 'he woman in front of him made him forget who !oo -oung really was. <#ae *in, I have to let you go,> he said, hanging up on #ae *in whose voice was suddenly cut off. !oo -oung held her hands self$consciously in front of her to cover her bare shoulders. 'he strapless ivory tulle dress fitted had a white satin sash at the waist, featuring a tonal embroidery with three layers of linen to fill out the skirt that hung +ust past her knees. !he kept her eyes downcast as if she wasnt fit for the dress. #owever, *ae !ung knew the moment his eyes landed on that dress that it would look perfect on !oo -oung and it did. <-ou look good,> he commented, prying his eyes away from her to the saleswoman. <4ell take this one.> 'hey strode down the street together when *ae !ung reached out to stop her. <#ow about something to eat before we go home5> !oo -oung peered over his shoulder to see a restaurant full of people dining. <-oure hungry5>
*ae !ung looked in the same direction, particularly at an attractive woman who was kindly chatting to some of the customers and helping them with their orders. 'he way she held her composure and there was something about her smile that made her genuine and admirable. ?ang Mi Ra. <4hy do you think I asked5> !oo -oung pointed out. <Is she"?ang Mi Ra5> <-ou know what. Maybe we shouldnt eat.> <-ou go ahead, I know you want to. Ill"wander around a bit,> she said, starting to feel weary. !ung 4on was right, she was starting to feel the drained of energy, like something was feeding off her, but yet somehow she refused to accept it. *ust being around *ae !ung and having to feel almost human again made her feel happy. <4hats wrong5 -ou dont look so well.> <2othing. Im not feeling too good. Maybe because"> she looked around to notice that they had spent half the day, +ust wandering around the shopping district and the sun was starting to bid farewell to her. <6o in, Ill wait.> <2o. -ou dont look well. 4e should go home,> he said, reaching for her hand as he went ahead, but his hand had simply slipped right through her like she wasnt there at all. #e stopped and looked over his shoulder in confusion. !oo -oung hoped he hadnt noticed. ,ooking down at his hand, he shook his head in disbelief, before turning fully around to confront her. <-ah. 7ont stand there,> he said. <,ets go.> <Im going. #old on,> she said, dropping her shopping bag unintentionally. !he felt herself slipping to the ground, the same way the bag had slipped from her hand. #er knees sank down to the cement ground in a matter of seconds. !he looked at *ae !ung for help. *ae !ung came over to help her up. !he staggered and he caught her on time before lifting her into his arms to carry her. <!oo -oung, whats going on5 4e need to go to the hospital.> 'hats ha##ening% !he asked herself. !he noted his worried e3pression. <2o hospital please. *ust bring me home and
Ill be okay. #ome, please,> she heard herself say before the blackness swallowed her. @A@A@ !oo -oung opened her eyes and 1uickly sat up in alertness. -oo *ae !ung was sitting at the end of the couch, reading a book. #e turned to regard her. <-oure awake5 -ou okay5> he asked, placing his book down onto the coffee table. !oo -oung touched her head, reali(ing that she had fainted. &eing a guardian spirit, was it possible to faint5 !he tapped her forehead in frustration and said, <7amn. #ow long was I out for5> <% few hours,> he replied, edging closer to feel her forehead. 8mbarrassed that she let her guard slip by letting *ae !ung watch her instead, she pulled back and 1uickly said, <Im okay. *ust tired. I didnt get much sleep.> <7ont worry. %ll that housework mustve made you weary. Ill let you off for a few days. !it and rela3.> <&ut/> <Its fine,> he said. !he stood up. <&ut I cant stay here. I need some fresh air. I need to be out on the porch.> *ae !ung stood up with her. <7o you need me to/> !he waved him off. <Its okay. I need to be alone.> 'he truth was, she needed to see !ung 4on. %fter stepping outside, !oo -oung knew he was there waiting for her. !he walked over to the tree and placed the invisibility barrier around herself. !ung 4on was sitting against the tree with his legs stretched out before him. !oo -oung slowly approached him and sat down ne3t to him. <'old you so,> he said the moment she sat down.
 !oo -oung muttered shamefully. !ung 4on turned to regard her with a pu((led e3pression. <-ou knew. -ou felt it coming, but you did nothing, why5> <&ecause I wanted to forget. I wanted to forget and +ust live for that moment. I dont know why I feel that way when Im around him. I feel so human. It should be impossible for such a human to have that sort of effect on us, but whenever Im around him, he makes me feel things. Is that possible5> <It is. )nce you become too involved, it is,> !ung 4on replied. <'he only reason why it affects you is because you two are alike. -ou could relate to his problems. I know how it is, !oo -oung. Its like a mirrored reflection.> !he blinked. <-ou had it happened to you5> <!ort of.> !he knew better than to 1uestion him about it. 9ark !ung 4on played a face. &eneath the incredible cheerful smile was someone different. 9erhaps even someone who suffered more than she did. <-our attachment to him is growing.> <#ow do you know5> <)h right. 4ere bonding partners. I forgot,> she said sarcastically. #e said nothing. instead he chose to stare off into the distance. <'he petals. 'here are too many on the ground. 'oo many, !oo -oung. %nd this happened while you were gone.> !oo -oung reached out to catch a fallen petal. !he ga(e above at the branches and a sense of sadness spilled over her. !he knew instantly that the tree itself depended on her energy. If she were to never return, the blossoms would eventually wilt and die. %nd what would happen to her5 !he turned back to look at !ung 4on whose eyes became glossy. 'hat made her wonder +ust how much longer he was going to hold it in. 
#e shut his eyes and a single tear fell from the corner of his eye. !oo -oung couldnt help but sense his pain. 'ears filled her own eyes because she was touched by his concern. 'his new bonding that they shared was something new to her but it affected her in so many ways. <Im sorry. I wont leave again.> <I dont want you to feel like you cant leave this place. I +ust dont want to worry about you, thats all. ,ike what happened earlier. 4hen I couldnt feel you there. 4hen I couldnt sense your presence, I started to worry.> #e opened his eyes again and reached out to take her hand to place it on his chest. <8ven though it doesnt e3ist anymore, sometimes I still think its there, beating inside me.> !he didnt know what he was trying to tell her, but she knew, she knew e3actly how he was feeling.
||Chapter -le&en| $$$$$$$ I.T0O, 1 Past 0e&ealed $$$$$$$ 'hey pointed at him. 'hey teased him. 'hey hated him. #e was starving. #e had stolen a sweet bun from one of the food vendors to hide in the corner alleyway +ust so he could fulfill his hunger. 'he same usual school kids decided to follow him that day and kicked the bun from his grasp, and he watched in hopelessness as they began to spit and stomp on the bun until it no longer remain edible. 'ears burned his eyes. #e wanted to cry out for them to stop, but no sound escaped his lips. 'hen they were gone, +ust as 1uick at they appeared, like the nightmare that haunted him every night. !ometimes he even wished to stay in his nightmare instead of waking up the cruel world. #ead bowed and hands wrapped around his knees, he began to weep. $$
2Click to listen or Right click and save as3 Song * Song 4 -ears later, the same little boy sat in his piano chair and began to play in front the schools audience, entrancing them with his beautiful piece. !ome watched in tears, others in +ealousy, and some in unwavering contentment. 'his particular boy had turned si3teen and it was his chance to show the world what he was really made of. #e stopped suddenly, throwing them off by surprise. :losing his eyes, he glided his long delicate fingers over the keys as if he meant to cast a spell on it. 'hen for the first time in front of a live audience, he opened his mouth to sing his heart out. #is voice immediately captured the audiences hearts and his hands automatically began to play, leaving everyone spellbound by the end of it. 'hat particular day, he had worn his heart on his sleeves, revealing to the world that he trusted them with his feelings. #e wanted them to understand his feelings through the music, not his talent. &ut he was left disappointed in the end. #is foster parents had simply disregarded his talent and shunned him away. $$ %nother two years past, a lone figure stood outside in a dark alleyway bathing in the moonlight, his eyes sharp and unyielding as he stared off into the darkness. #e blew a wisp of smoke from the puff of his cigarette and discarded to the ground. #is black leather boots crushed the unfinished cigarette, putting out the smoke. #e leaned back against the brick wall, crossed his arms and raised his head up to stare at the moon. I dont $are what you do. 'hen youre old enough I want you to leave this house. Youre only a burden to me and my family. 'hose very words would forever change him. #e wasnt the little boy who stole sweet buns, nor was he the talented piano player that sang his heart out that particular day. 'o the people he thought cared for him. he was only a burden and nothing more.
'he sound of a door opened and the loud metal music blasted through, alerting him back into reality. <-ah= 9ark !ung 4on. -ou okay out here5 4ere playing ne3t.> 9ark !ung 4on lowered his head and replied, <Ill be okay. -ou go in first. Ill be there in a moment.> $$ #e smiled and bobbed his head to the sound of his band members playing the guitar inside the boisterous van. 'hey were on their way to their first opening concert. #is close friend, a tall lithe figure with dark eyeliner accentuating his soulful eyes, nudged him with an elbow. #e was the drummer boy and his name was #an 'ae #yun. 'ae #yun smiled at everything and everyone. #e didnt know how to be upset. 'he guys had done everything to see whether or not 'ae #yun would eventually break down, however 'ae #yun never ceased to give in or admit that he was ever upset by anything or anyone. !ung 4on admired his friends ability to remain strong even through a false smile. #e remembered when he first gotten to know 'ae #yun. 'ae #yuns words replayed inside his head like a scene from a movie. Yah "ung 'on. )o matter how mu$h you want to $ry you $ant let them see you. Is that why you smile so mu$h% The smile is nothing if your eyes are o#en. 5eo#le will not only look at the smile but they will see right through you. Its a$tually more about the way you smile. They read your ex#ression through the eyes. If you let them see your sad eyes theyll automati$ally know that your smile is fake right% "o what you do is you #retend to smile and give them what you want them to see. Youre a natural Tae *yun. Ive mastered it sin$e I hit the age of nine. 9ver sin$e then I got #eo#le liking me even my enemies and the best #art about it are the girls. 4u$ky bastard. Go ahead and try it on me. Ill tea$h you.
"ung 'on smiled. Your smile is $rooked. Theres nothing wrong with your teeth. 1mon use your fa$ial mus$les/ #e learned one thing that day. 'hat he wanted to be +ust like #an 'ae #yun. <'his is our moment, hyung,> 'ae #yun said, clapping along with a few of the others inside van. !ung 4on stared at each and every one of his band members and reali(ed for the first time that these guys were the closest people to him. 'hey were like his brothers, his family. 'o them, it was more about achieving the fame, but for 9ark !ung 4on, it was more about the bonding, the friendship, the sharing their talents and most of all, it was more about acceptance. $$ #e saw his life flash before his eyes when their van collided into a truck. #e saw #an 'ae #yun, reaching out to him, with his bloody fingers. <#-026==> 'ae #yun called with tears spilling from his eyes, mi3ing with the blood that stained his face. <#-026= 6rab my hand. 9lease. 'ake it. #urry, this van will e3plode=> he cried, attempting to climb in further while the others grabbed him from behind. #e fought angrily against them. <,et go. ,et go. I need to save him. ,et go, you bastards=> !ung 4on knew that he could have escaped even with his crushed foot. #e could have reached out to take 'ae #yuns hands, but he didnt. !omething in the back of his mind told him that it was his time to go. If life did not accept him, why not accept death5 #e thought cruelly to himself. !ung 4on seeing the determination on 'ae #yuns face, 1uickly van1uished his dark thoughts and forced himself to free his crush foot. )nce he succeeded, he reali(ed that it was too late. 'he fire had already consumed half of his body, engulfing him with its burning destruction.
'ae #yun screamed while the others dragged him away from the e3plosion. !ung 4on felt his life being snatched away almost instantly, but the last thing that went through his mind was the way #an 'ae #yun had smiled at him when they first met. #e would remember it forever, and he would carry it on, even in death. $$$$$$ <-oure not going5> *ae !ung asked her. !oo -oung pretended to appear sick in front of him, heading into the kitchen having him trailing after her. she lied. !ince she became a *ae !ungs guardian, she lied more than she did when she was alive. 4hat if her lies cost her in the end5 'hinking more deeply into it, she thought her role, as a visible guardian re1uired that sort of lies. 9erhaps it wouldnt too bad in the end5 <%nd the dress5> !oo -oung hadnt thought about that, she turned to meet him, taking notice of the same irritated e3pression on his face. !omehow she wanted to see him disappointed, but that however hasnt shown through yet. <Ill return it myself if I have to.> -oo *ae !ung shook his head in disbelief. <-ou didnt keep your word.> <8ven if I do go, who will you introduce me as5> <Ill +ust say a friend.> <&ut thats lying. -ou cant lie.> #e held out his hand in 1uestion. <4hat am I supposed to say5 #ey, meet my housekeeper. !hes my date.> !oo -oung placed a hand on her hip, determined to win him over. <&ut"your father"I may not know a lot about you but I know that you two are not on good terms, what if I show up and make things worst for you5> <,et me make it clear for you. Im not going there because of my father.> #e grinded his teeth together and she could barely hear him when he mumbled, <-ou dont have to meet him either.> <&ut that would be rude,> !oo -oung pointed out, trying to get *ae !ung to stop
making her attend the party. %s much as she wanted to go, she would be putting herself at risk and perhaps even defying the rules of her duties. 'he image of !ung 4ons pain kept haunting her. !he sensed the pain in his voice and his e3pression. 0ndoubtedly he was worried, but she didnt want to have to go through the same process again. &ecause of her selfishness, she also made her bonding partner worry about her. :rossing his arms, *ae !ung gave her a relatively stern look. <7o I need permission from your boyfriend5> !he 1uickly looked up at him because she wasnt sure if she heard it right. <#uh5> *ae !ung angled his face to the side as if someone was standing behind him. <'hat boy who was with you the other day. 7o I need his permission5> #er turn to grit her teeth. <'hat boy".is only a friend. %nd no, you do not need his permission,> she said, forcing her words out slowly. <7ont lie.> It might have been a decent e3cuse, but somehow it probably wouldnt work, !oo -oung thought guiltily to herself. <-ou shouldnt have to care about the old man, I dont, so you shouldnt give a damn,> he said coldly. <I"> !oo -oung was at lost for words. !he felt like giving up and escaping the house to hide from *ae !ungs persistent attitude. %s if on cue, there was a rapping on the front door. *ae !ung beat her to the door and she was left standing behind him, trying to see over his shoulder at the visitor standing on the porch. <:hoi !oo -oung there5> came the familiar voice belonging to none other than 9ark !ung 4on. !oo -oungs +aws dropped. *ae !ung stepped aside, still holding onto the door to allow her face 9ark !ung 4on who was wearing his usual attire, with a strapped black guitar case across one shoulder. !trangely enough, he appeared to be more human. #is unusual pale skin wasnt as pale as before, his painted face had been cleansed of any make up and he was left with only dark eyeliner drawn around his eyes.
7espite having to look human, !oo -oung came to a reali(ation that !ung 4ons was starting to appear more attractive to her eyes. 8ither that or she was starting to lose her senses. !ung 4ons rosy lips pursed into a smirk. Instead of looking at *ae !ung, he saluted with a warm smile. <!oo -oung. I thought I drop by to let you know that I give you the permission to attend the party with,> he looked at *ae !ung, <him.> !oo -oung silently cursed him, wondering why !ung 4on would make such a bold attempt to reveal himself. !he silently cursed at him and stopped when *ae !ung turned to look at her. <!o I was right,> *ae !ung said, still holding onto the door without bothering to invite !ung 4on in. <-ou do need his permission.> !ung 4on smiled at *ae !ung and said, <)nly on one condition though.> *ae !ung turned to regard !ung 4on like an enemy eyeing its adversary. <4hat is it5> <)nly if I come too.> <4hat5=> !oo -oung and *ae !ung blurted at the same time. !ung 4on invited himself in and went over to stand ne3t to !oo -oung. #is clothes carried an earthly summer scent. !oo -oung couldnt believe how convincingly real !ung 4on turned out to be. <-ou see, theres a problem. &eing her adoptive brother, I need to watch over her. Its obvious why because shes been living here, in this suburban area for 1uite some time and she has no friends and as an older brother I have to make sure that my sister is going to be okay.> #e reached his hand out to *ae !ung. <#i my name is 9ark !ung 4on. %nd you must be -oo *ae !ung, her master.> *ae !ung reluctantly accepted the shake. <Master5 !he told you that5> he asked, glancing at !oo -oung who 1uickly lowered her head in response, intending to dodge his glares. !ung 4on 1uickly correct himself. 0ont s$rew this u# for me "ung 'on. I beg you. !he was surprised when he answered back to her. 0ont worry "oo Young. I got this. !he fought the urge to knock her head to rid of his voice.
<%doptive you say5 4hy is it youre both using different family names5> *ae !ung 1uestioned. !oo -oung could feel his eyes on her again. <)h. Im not really adoptive. I only like to think I am. Im the closest thing to a friend or a brother to !oo -oung. !he adopted me as her brother a couple years ago when she reali(ed how friendless she was. It was weird, I was +ust crossing the street and tried to steal from her and then she 1uickly grabbed my hand and said, 4ere the same. ,ets be friends. %nd it started from there.> <-ou were both pickpockets5> <2o. It was nothing like that. Its +ust thats how we started"> !oo -oung couldnt allow !ung 4on to lie any further so she opened her mouth to speak. <If you e3cuse us for a moment,> she said, shoving !ung 4on out the door and shutting it behind her. !he only stared at him, when he stumbled onto the porch. <!ung 4on"> he admitted, eyes downcast and suddenly he looked up and smiled as if nothing was wrong. <7ont worry though. I got permission from the white angel.> <7ont lie.> #e held up a piece sign, like someone who was ready for a snapshot. <4ith a piece sign5> <'hats my way,> he replied childishly. !oo -oung shook her head in disbelief. !cratching the top of his head, he admitted, <-esterday when you told me how happy you were, I reali(ed afterward how much youve missed when you were alive. %nd then I thought to myself"what about you !ung 4on5 #ow much did you miss when you were alive5 #ow many times were you happy when you were alive5 I reali(ed that perhaps I was +ust like you.> #e turned his back on her, unwilling to face her as if he was afraid she would scold him. <-eah, I know what youre thinking. % smiling guy like me couldnt possibly suffer as much as you
did.> !oo -oung didnt know to respond. 'his guardian spirit that she thought she knew was slowly opening up for the first time. #e made her understand her situation more clearly by relating to his own past problems. 4hat she didnt understand was why he continued to help her, knowing he was going against his own duties. <-oull go to that party, !oo -oung. -oull let all those people know that youre very much alive as they are. 'hat youre someone who is e1ually capable of being accepted in their reality.> !oo -oung could feel the tears starting to brim her eyes. <!ung 4on. -oure like my fairy godmother. Right now, I feel like a crappier version of :inderella. I really dont know what to say.> #e turned back around and opened his arms wide, making kissy faces at her. <:ome give your fairy godmother a big hug then.> !he moved away from him, but he came after her. !he leaped off the porch and ran toward the tree, kicking off her shoes to run bare feet in the grass. <:ome give your oppa a big hug and kiss,> !ung 4on teased, closing in on her while she screamed. -oo *ae !ung watched them chase each other, envying their close relationship, almost to the point that he was +ealous that !oo -oung didnt offer him the same kind of attention. 'he phone rang, and he went over to answer it, seeing Min *is number on the caller I7. #e answered, <Min *i$sshi.> her voice flowed softly over the phone. *ust hearing the sound of her voice, made him ache for her. #e needed her close. <!ame.> 'here was an awkward silence before Min *i came on the line again. <4hat is it5> <-our grandfather. #as he ever mentioned anything about the people who lived there before you5>
#is grandfather mentioned very little about the details of the house and its history. #e wondered why Min *i was bringing it up all of a sudden. <4hat do you know that I dont5> <7id you know that the past owners had a daughter who committed suicide5> #e heard of the rumors and gossip that circulated around town regarding the house he was staying in. <Im aware of that.> <'heir daughter. 7o you know her name5> <2o.> <#er name was :hoi !oo -oung.> @A@A@ <:hoi !oo -oung5 %re you done5> *ae !ung called up the stairs impatiently, staring at his watch. !oo -oung appeared at the top of the stairs with !ung 4on ne3t to her. !he had let her long hair spill over her shoulders in loose waves. % gleaming white butterfly pin held the hair back from her delicate face. 'he make up on her face wasnt overdone, in fact it made her appear more natural, enhancing her beauty. %gain, the dress fitted her perfectly on her. !he came down the stairs in slow apprehensive strides. !ung 4on acted as her guide, dressed in a black stiff collared suit, he looked rather dashing and handsome by her side. *ae !ung couldnt help but think that they looked more like a pair rather than what they both claimed themselves to be. Remembering Min *is words, he couldnt help but wonder more about the young woman who claimed to be :hoi !oo -oung. the suicidal young woman who drowned herself in her own tub. 'his woman that he confided in wasnt the real the :hoi !oo -oung but someone else. ;eeling betrayed, he decided to put aside his feelings and focus on his brothers engagement instead. )nce they reached the landing, *ae !ung decided to impose, placing himself between the two. #e offered !oo -oung his arm. <!hall we5> !oo -oung stole a glance in !ung 4ons direction before inclining her head and gracefully placing her arm around his.
||Chapter Twel&e| Seoul $ The Yoo s 0esidence $ 'he elaborately decorated ballroom was draped in reams of white and pink satin. 'he scent of lilies filled the air and the guests chattered amongst themselves. 'he newly engaged couple were dressed in their own traditional engagement hanboks, greeting and sociali(ing with their guests. ?ang Mi Ra, though dressed in a fine pink and purple hanbok, looked stunning as the bride$to$be with her hair pulled back from her heart$shaped face. !eo *in on the other hand, looked more than happy, parading around with Mi Ra by his side in a simple deep blue and yellow hanbok. 7irector -oo who was the head director of a high fashion modeling agency stood at the far end of the room, with his elegantly dressed wife by his side, smiling and bowing to the guests as they passed by. !oo -oung could see the uncanny resemblance between the older man and his first son. 'heir eyes both held the same mystery about them. -oo *ae !ung remained hidden in the shadows standing at the far end of the room, dressed in a stylish cream colored opened collared tailored suit minus the tie along with a pair of e3pensive shades to cover his eyes. #is hair fell unruly over his shades. #e was too focused staring at his father that he was oblivious to the stares he received from all the young women at the party. 7isappointed that *ae !ung had brought her to a party in which he refuse to make himself known, !oo -oung felt cheated and she wanted to leave. %side from that, she had lost !ung 4on the moment they entered the room. !he hoped he was around somewhere, remaining out of trouble. 0ont worry "oo Young. Im around wat$hing. You .ust $ontinue doing what youre doing. If youre bored hanging onto him take a walk around. !he answered him back. 'hat makes you think Im hanging onto him% 4ook at where your arm is. !he knew he was right. 'he problem was with *ae !ung. #e hadnt let go of her arm since the moment they entered. These humans theyre too involved with themselves. !he looked around to notice that she too had caught some attention from some
of the male lookers. )ne approached her and offered her a glass of champaign and she kindly declined him. *ae !ung who hadnt been paying attention to her, didnt take notice until !oo -oung removed her arm from him. <4here are you going5> he asked, as he came from behind, gently taking her arm as if she belonged to him. !oo -oung started to feel uncomfortable when she caught the eyes of the onlookers, staring in their direction. !he looked up at him and smiled innocently. <4hy5> 'hy "oo Young% !he heard !ung 4on 1uestioned in her mind. <I"well. Im a little concern for him.> :eally% !he needed to get use to hearing him inside her head and !ung 4on needed to learn how to stay out of it. "orry. Im out. 3ut if you kee# thinking about me like that I $ant $ontrol it. Get out/ <Im sure he could handle himself,> *ae !ung said, guiding her towards -oo !eo *in and ?ang Mi Ra who approached them from the opposite end. !eo *in hurried over to take his brothers arm and led them outside the room, ordering the guards to shut the door behind them. 'hey were alone in the grand hallway. It was +ust the four of them, looking at each other in awkward silence. ?ang Mira inclined her head towards !oo -oung who 1uickly returned the same courtesy. !eo *in, whose hand was still around his older brother, said, <Im glad you came.> *ae !ung displayed a warm smile and said, <Im glad for the both of you.> #e looked over to Mira who automatically looked down as if she couldnt bear to face him. !oo -oung didnt understand their relationship, but she could tell that ?ang Mira had liked *ae !ung long before she liked his younger brother. <!oo -oung. -ou look ama(ing,> !eo *in remarked, coming over to place both
hands on her naked shoulder and spinning her around to observe her fully. <*yung, you got her all made up. !he looks like a doll,> he pouted. <Im +ealous.> <-ah. -ou have your fiancDe to worry about,> *ae !ung scolded him. !eo *in went over to Mira and placed an arm around her shoulder, holding her close to him. <Im lucky.> !oo -oung admired the way !eo *in held Mira, and the way he looked into her eyes. It was so full of love and admiration that she became envious. *ae !ung decided to introduce them. <!oo -oung. 'his is ?ang Mira, !eo *ins fiancDe and Mira, this is :hoi !oo -oung,> he paused as to think about it, <a friend of mine.> 'he two women greeted each other once more and Mira decided to ask, <#ow long have you two known each other5> &oth !oo -oung and *ae !ung looked at each other in 1uestion. !eo *in cut in to answer for them. <8ver since he got to the summer house. #e met her there. !oo -oung lives close by. %nyway, I was thinking, lets go catch some fresh air outside in the back of the house.> 'hey all agreed and followed !eo *in toward the back of the house, leading them down a corridor full of family portraits of 7irector -oo, his wife, !eo *in and #ae *in. *ae !ungs portraits were nowhere to be found. ;inally they came upon the private terrace, surrounded by tall trees, shapely bushes, shrubs and an array of white and red roses growing along the side of the house. 'hey were ready to take their seats at the iron table situated at the center of the terrace when *ae !ung went over to ?ang Mira and pulled her aside. <Im stealing your fiancD for a moment.> !eo *in inclined his head. <&e careful with her.> #e turned to face !oo -oung. <#ave a seat.> !oo -oung sat down and placed her hands on the table, cupping her chin, en+oying the cool bree(e and the warm sun. <'his house is grand. 'he summer house is nothing compared to this.> !eo *in took his place across from her. <%ctually, the atmosphere here is nothing compared to the summer house. )ver there, I feel free. 'his house, this place makes me feel caged,> he admitted, ga(ing around to finally settle his eyes on his brother and fiancDe standing over by the white roses.
!oo -oung couldnt help think that perhaps *ae !ung had felt the same, maybe even worst considering his ties with his father were loose. #e turned back to focus his attention on !oo -oung with interest. <'ell me something. 4hat do you think of my brother5> !oo -oung couldnt believe he would ask her that. <-our brother5> <-es. 4hat do you think of him5 #ow is he like when hes there5> !oo -oung was thinking that !eo *in shouldnt make his 1uestions so vague. <#e likes to be alone. #e doesnt want to be bothered and most of the time he keeps to himself. #e seems pretty reserved,> !oo -oung replied. <%h. !o you two"> !oo -oung 1uickly held her hands in front of her to deny anything that might have crossed !eo *ins mind. <2o. 2o. Its nothing like that. I work under your brother. #es not too fond of me. I prefer to keep out of his way.> 6nd if he were alive now !ae "ung would have been different. #e would have never occupied the summer house and !oo -oung would be where5 )ff protecting another suicidal human5 #e was staring at her again. <-ou know, you look beautiful today.> !oo -oung suddenly covered her face with her hands. <9lease dont say that. -oure making me uncomfortable.> !eo *in only laughed in response. ?ang Mira had her back facing him. !he made a habit of doing that whenever she was around him. *ae !ung knew what he wanted to say. he +ust found it difficult, especially in front of Mira who knew him too well. <%re you happy5> he asked timidly. !he turned around and flashed an endearing smile. <)f course Im happy. &ut if you ask me if Im happy for you, no I am not happy>
*ae !ung bobbed his head. Miras e3pression shifted into a more serious one. <#ow long have we been friends5 4hat dont we tell each other5 I know that you like going off on your own, but I didnt like what you did this time. 7o you reali(e how much you threw away5 -ou threw away your life, *ae !ung. If I could, I would beat you right now.> <If throwing away my life makes everyone else happy and satisfied, then Im willing to do that.> Miras eyes glinted with tears. <-ou like to run and hide. -ouve always been that way. %lthough you seem selfless at times, most of the time you are selfish. -oure inconsiderate of other peoples feelings.> #e nearly snorted at her words. <#ow could I be inconsiderate if there is no one in this family that cares for me as much as I want them to5> !he lowered her eyes. <'hats where youre wrong, *ae !ung. I did. %t one point I did. I waited. I waited, hoping something would happen. 'hat answer never came to me.> Mira was right. #e was aware of her affection for him, but he purposely brushed it aside. #e always felt he was never good enough for her. #e knew that ?ang Mira never liked him because she found him attractive or fun to be around him. !he liked him out of pity. <Im sorry, Mira. Im sorry I let you down.> !he shook her head, struggling to contain her tears. <7ont worry about it. I am with the man that I love.> *ae !ung could feel a slight +ab at his heart. 'hose words somehow stung him. 'his was coming from his childhood friend. 'he one woman who was always there for him. 'he one woman who cared for him. #e had to force his ne3t words out. <Im glad for you.> @A@A@ 'he four of them returned to stand in front of the ballroom door. *ust when they were about to enter, the doors swung forward and another female in a yellow, white and pink hanbok appeared. !oo -oung recogni(ed her immediately. 5rin$ess -oo #ae *in. <)ppa=> she called over to *ae !ung, rushing over to throw her arms around him.
#e hugged her back, but her smile fell the moment her eyes landed on !oo -oung who forced herself to look elsewhere. <-ou=> she pointed accusingly as she approached !oo -oung. <4hy are you with my brother5 4hat do you want from him5=> she asked with anger seeping through her e3pression. !oo -oung stood her ground. !he was never too fond of #ae *ins presence. 'he little twit was troublesome. she answered politely. <&y me,> !eo *in inter+ected. <)ppa=> she yelled, <#ow could you invite a servant to your engagement5=> It was obvious that #ae *in like to look down at others. ?ang Mira 1uickly looked up at !eo *in, e3pecting some type of e3planation. *ae !ung decided to intervene, placing himself in front of !oo -oung as if he wanted to protect her from #ae *in. <#ae *in. -oure seeing this all wrong.> <#ow could I be wrong5 -oure obviously infatuated with her. !hes probably a witch who cast some spell on you. I want her out of here=> !oo -oung felt like she was in some drama because of #ae *ins hysterical outburst. !he wouldnt be surprised if the little witch started to attack her. <4hats going on here5=> a deep voice interrupted them. 'hey all turned to see 7irector -oo *i !uk and his lovely wife -oo -un 2ee by his side. #ae *in 1uickly rushed over to stand by her fathers side and rested her head on his shoulder like loving and spoiled daughter that she was. <%ppa,> she pointed toward !oo -oung. <'hat girl, I really dislike her.> &oth *ae !ung and !eo *in blurted in unison. <#ae *in=> <Cuiet= 'he both of you=> the older man 1uipped. #e drew away from his wife and daughter to approach *ae !ung who kept his head up defiantly. 'he tension between father and son, started to form and !oo -oung could almost feel their fiery, burning along her skin.
<4hy are you here5=> <;or !eo *in and Mira. 2o one else,> *ae !ung replied coldly. <-ou bastard. #ow dare you speak to me that way=> <4hy should you care5 I am no longer your son.> !eo *in wanted to intervene but ?ang Mira held his arm back, pleading him with her eyes. !oo -oung on the other hand, wanted to simply disappear. !he really didnt want to involve herself in the family drama. ,ooking away, she caught Mrs. -oo eyeing her with a hateful stare. <-ou promised never to step foot in this house again and now youre here. #ow does that make you look, *ae !ung5> <My name. 9lease, dont say my name. :all me bastard, call me a dog, I dont care. *ust dont speak my name. 'o your eyes, my name shouldnt even be mentioned.> 7irector -oos face contorted in anger as he raised his hand up to strike his son. <4hy you/> *ust before he could do that, !oo -oung threw herself in front of *ae !ung and decided to introduce herself. <7irector -oo. #i, Im :hoi !oo -oung, your sons friend.> #is hand immediately dropped to his side and his face softened at the sight of !oo -oung. <4ho are you5> he asked, as if he hadnt taken notice of her before. <Im sorry5> !oo -oung 1uestioned, wondering why he asked when she already introduced herself. <4ho are you to interfere5> he 1uestioned, raising his voice. !oo -oung knew that this man was powerful in his own sense. 'he usage of his tone was clear that he didnt like being interrupted. <I really dont like to see people fight. I especially dont like to see anyone get hurt. 2ot only that but you do have to reali(e sir, that there are other people here including some photographers, who might be more willing to take advantage of the situation so I suggest that you be more careful of your actions.> :ertainly !oo -oungs words had an effect on him because he grinded his teeth
in defeat and regained his composure. <!hes a servant, working for oppa in the summer house. 7ont listen to her, appa=> inter+ected #ae *in. <!ervant you say5> Mrs. -oo asked, her +aws dropping in shock. <%igoo= % servant5 #ow dare she=> !oo -oung tilted her head so she could look past 7irector -oo to his wife and said, <#ousekeeper. More like a housekeeper,> she corrected politely. <'his is disgraceful,> Mrs. -oo remarked snobbishly, fanning herself with her hand. <'ruly disgraceful,> 7irector -oo concurred, looking past *ae !ung toward his favorite son. <,ets return inside !eo *in. 'he guests are going to start to wonder. 4e dont need to be here any longer.> ?ang Mira pulled the reluctant !eo *in inside followed by 7irector -oo and his wife. Meanwhile #ae *in approached !oo -oung one last time while eyeing her up and down. <#ow does it feel like to be :inderella for a night5> <If I am :inderella, then you must be one of the wicked stepsister,> !oo -oung countered in return. #ae *in wanted to retaliate by raising a hand to strike at !oo -oung, but *ae !ung snatched his sister back roughly. <8nough, #ae *in. Im sick and tired of your attitude. 6o with the others.> <)ppa= ,et go, it hurts=> she screamed, trying to struggle from *ae !ungs grasp as he guided her inside, and shutting the door behind her. *ae !ung turned back around to s1uee(e the bridge of his nose. #is face had loss its normal color. #e appeared to be sick. <Im sorry for bringing you here. I think thats enough for today.> !oo -oung started to worry for his health. !he knew had hadnt slept much ever since his arrival to the summer house. 'hey both shouldnt have agreed to attend the party in the first place. otherwise they wouldnt have to confront his family. !oo -oung never intended to interfere but she couldnt bear to see 7irector -oo, shaming his own son in front them. <Im sorry too,> she apologi(ed. <'hank you,> he said, surprising her.
)ne moment she was smiling in appreciation and in the ne3t, the room started to spin before her. !he could feel her energy draining out of her, like blood seeping out of a deep cut. It was the same feeling she e3perienced when she was out with *ae !ung the other day. "ung 'on. 'here are you% 'e have to leave now. !he lowered her ga(e and placed a hand on her head. *ae !ung went over to take her arm. <-ou feelin okay5> !oo -oung shook her head in response. <!oo -oung=> !ung 4on called, bursting through the door. he paused and hurried over to the other side of her. <-ou okay5> <-es. 4e were about to leave,> she spoke softly, feeling her knees about to give in on her. <Migraine. I get bad migraines.> *old on "oo Young. *old on. Im trying "ung 'on. 3ut its diffi$ult. <,ets go then,> *ae !ung said, guiding her away when !ung 4on came between them and said to him, @A@A@ *ae !ung drove with one arm on the wheel. #e kept thinking back to the way his fathers icy eyes pierced right through him. 'he old man had seen +ust how much he was hurting but he continued to play the righteous man that he was. 2one of them had spoken a single word since their drive back. *ae !ung wondered why the two at the back hadnt spoken to each other either in the back seat. 4hen he glanced at his rear view mirror, he finally understood why. !oo -oung had fallen asleep on !ung 4ons shoulder. !ung 4on appeared to be in deep thought while listening to his mpE player as he ga(ed out the window. *ae !ung thought about the way she stood up for herself and the way she protected him, making him feel like the coward that he is. #e hated when she did that. #e hated that she protected him as if she was more of his mother figure rather than his housekeeper, and yet he admired that about her at the same time. 2o matter who she was, or where she came from, he still en+oyed the fact that she was there and that she was willing to help him when no one else could.
'ho are you% If you are not 1hoi "oo Young then who are you% #e wondered. %s if reading his mind, !ung 4on 1uickly removed the earphones from his ears and said, <-oure looking at her as if you suspect something.> #e kept in mind that !ung 4on was another one he had to learn more about. 4hoever the punk was, he wasnt too fond of him either. <!he looks cold. &e a gentlemen and use my +acket to cover her,> *ae !ung suggested. !ung 4on smiled, and replied, <#ow do you know shes cold5 Im the one sitting beside her. !hes my adoptive sister, what makes you think you could keep looking at her the way that you do5> *ae !ung didnt like his insolent remark, he nearly snorted when he said, <;or being a fake adopted brother, dont you think youre making yourself a bit too co(y5> !ung 4on leaned back, rested his head against !oo -oungs head and smirked. <2ot at all.> 3astard. *ae !ung cursed inside his head. @A@A@ Yoo 9un "uk sat next to her on the #or$h staring u# at the $herry blossom tree. 6s long as were sitting here wat$hing it. I dont think the blossoms will ever wilt. "oo Young looked u# at him in &uestion. 'hy do you think its like that% she &uestioned him. Its magi$al. "oo Young always found the old man to be strange. To her he was like some mythi$al human who saw life in de#th more than others. 'hi$h was why he saw her and even when he saw her he wasnt afraid. It must hard for you "oo Young. To be here alone. "oo Young shook it off unwilling to think of her #ast. They left me .ust like that. 6ll of them. -ather got #ut away in .ail mother ran off with some other man and my sister never $ame ba$k for me like she #romised. I was alone.
"o you killed yourself% I did. Im sorry. "he brushed it off like it was no big deal I am dead now. You dont have to feel sorry. It never bothered the old man that she downright admitted that she was dead. 0id you ever leave the #la$e% )o. I $ant leave. )ot yet anyway. This is my #unishment "oo Young said sadly thinking how $onfined she was roaming around the house all day. I wonder what would ha##en to this tree if you leave "oo Young. 'hy do you think this tree has anything to do with me% This tree s#routed on its own on the same year as your death. 6nd its been this way ever sin$e. I think its symboli$. "oo Young stared u# at the blossoms whi$h seem to glisten magi$ally against the moonlight. *mmI never really thought about it. ,aybe youre right.
||Chapter Thirteen| !he heard a faint low humming in her head and opened her eyes to find herself staring up at the canopy of blossoms that shielded the diamond glittered night sky. <-oure awake5> his voice flowed softly over her. !he turned to the side, reali(ing that she had somehow managed to end up sleeping on !ung 4ons chest. Cuickly bolting upright, she craned her neck to look back at him. #e had his eyes shut with his arms supporting the back of his head and she was immediately drawn to the way the shadows danced along his smooth luminous face. <Cuit staring. -oure starting to make me feel uncomfortable,> he spoke softly, opening his eyes. !oo -oung dropped her ga(e to reali(e that she hadnt changed out of her dress. !he didnt know how long she had been out for and she was even more afraid to
find out. It happened twice and luckily she had !ung 4on there with her. If it wasnt for !ung 4on" <*ae !ung is asleep. I brought you down here by the tree. I thought it would help you 1uickly recover.> !he looked at him with a pu((led e3pression, thinking about what she had seen. <7o you think guardian spirits could dream5> <2o. 4hy5 7id you dream5> <It felt like a dream, but then it didnt. It was like a forgotten memory.> <'hats possible. 4hat did you see5> <*ae !ungs grandfather.> !ung 4on sat up immediately to ask, <'hat nice old man5> !he nodded. !he walked over to place her hand against the trunk and felt the power flow through her body. 4hat she was feeling was neither cold or hot sensation, it was somewhere in between. <0nbelievable. It feels alive.> !ung 4on came over to stand ne3t to her, placing his own hand against the trunk. <-oure right. It feels like its trying to communicate.> came the voice from above them. !oo -oung raised her head to look at the glowing angel, seated comfortably with one leg dangling off the thick branch. !he couldnt tell the color of his eyes, because it was hard to tell in the dark. <!urprised to see me5> he asked with a raised delicate brow. !oo -oung didnt know what to think. 4henever the 4hite %ngel appeared une3pectedly that only meant one thing. 'hat she mightve broken the rules or he wanted to tell her something regarding her task. !he hoped it was the latter. <-ou know about the tree5> she asked in return. <&oth of you obviously neglected to uncover the real reason behind !oo -oungs drained of energy. 'he cause didnt come from !oo -oungs absence. It has more to do with protecting the tree.>
<4hat do you mean,> !ung 4on in1uired. <4hile the both of you were gone, another managed to sneak through locking barrier and caused harm to the tree. It not only happened once, but twice, even on your watch !ung 4on. %s a guide, I am somewhat disappointed that you neglected to acknowledge the presence yourself.> !oo -oung couldnt believe that anyone would want to cause her harm. 2o one else was capable of such harm, unless/ <?im *i 4oo=> !oo -oung blurted suddenly, turning to face !ung 4on. <:ould it be her5> !ung 4on frowned and thought about it. #is frown immediately changed into an angry one. <!hes crossed the line.> #e turned to go when !oo -oung reached for his arm, <!ung 4on, wait. ,ets think this over.> #e ignored her and disappeared out of sight. !oo -oung turned back to the angel who stood leaning against the tree, watching her attentively. !he felt vulnerable under his ga(e, as if she wanted to run and hide. !trangely, she felt his power washing over her like seawater on sand which was almost too overwhelming. <4hy would she go this way to hurt me5> <'hat should be obvious,> came his direct reply. !he thought about !ung 4on and their bonding. &ecause they grew closer, ?im *i 4oo might have been against it. <4hat will happen to her5> !oo -oung in1uired. <'hat is your choice to decide.> <4hat do you mean, my choice5 7ont the elders do the punishment5> <It is your choice to place her in our hands if you feel there is nothing you could do,> he said matter$of$factly. <6iven your status you have the right to settle this issue on your own if you feel that these spirits deserve punishment.> !oo -oung dropped to her knees and shook her head. !he never understood how their laws worked and she could barely grasp the fact that *i 4oo would
want to harm her that way. <4hat could I do to her5 4hat powers could I use against her, for wanting to destroy me5> he replied, his voice gentle and reassuring. #esitantly, she asked, <%nd if I do place her in your hands5 4hat would happen to her5> !oo -oung didnt want it to come to that. 7id *i 4oo deserve all of that5 <)ppa=> a female voice yelled, catching their attention. 'hey both turned to see ?im *i 4oo kneeling and !ung 4on standing above her, ordering her to keep her head down. !ung 4on had managed to track down *i 4oo and dragged her to confront them. %t this point ?im *i 4oo appeared to be the most vulnerable and scared. 'ears seeped from her fearful eyes as she looked directly at !oo -oung. 4hatever !ung 4on had said to her, he made her appear almost pitiful. !oo -oung approached them slowly without taking her ga(e off *i 4oo. <?im *i 4oo. 4hy did you do it5 #ow did you know to go after the tree5> *i 4oo kept her head down, afraid to look up. <7o you really want me to hurt me that much5> !oo -oung found herself asking. ?im *i 4oos head shot up instantly. <2o. 2o I didnt. I +ust wanted to get back at you for taking !ung 4on away from/> <!hut up=> snapped !ung 4on angrily. <-ou knew what would have happened to !oo -oung. -ou knew=> *i 4oo shook her head in defense. <2o, no I didnt. I +ust had one thought in mind. 'o destroy the tree. I didnt know what would happen to her. 4henever I looked at the tree, all I could see was her. 'heres something about it. I felt this urge to destroy it.> 'he angel came to stand ne3t to !oo -oung. !he turned +ust enough to regard him, immediately captivated by the way his hair glinted like diamonds held up against the sunlight. <4e gave you a chance, and yet you took it upon yourself to
go against our rules.> *i 4oo broke into a sob. !oo -oung didnt know what to think of it either. #owever she could tell that *i 4oo wasnt lying. It was an advantage !pirit guardians had over normal spirits. *i 4oo crawled over to pull on her arm. <Ill do anything, please. %nything as long you dont give me over to them. 9lease, !oo -oung. Im sorry. Im very sorry. I wont ever do anything rash again. It was my own selfishness that devoured me. 9lease. I would help you,> she paused, her eyes lighting up with hope and desperation, <4hat then5 -ou gain her trust and stab her in the back again5> came the bitter retort from !ung 4on whose ga(e was full of intensity. *i 4oo shook her head. <2o. 2o. I wont let it happen. -ou have to believe me.> !oo -oung looked over at the angel who inclined his head as if he was forcing her to choose. !he knew instantly what she had to do. <)kay. Ill give you another chance, *i 4oo. &ut if you mess this up, Ill be more than willing to hand you over to them.> *i 4oo placed her cold face against !oo -oungs hand. <'hank you. 'hank you so much. I wont screw this up for you. I promise I wont hurt you anymore.> 'he angel leaned in to speak softly in her ear while placing a placing a hand on her shoulder. <-ouve made a good choice. I shall leave you now. &ut before I do that, let me give you a name. Remember this name, because you will need it. #an !oo %h. 6ot it5> *an "oo 6h she repeated in her mind before inclining her head to tell him that she understood. <6ood. Ill be around,> he said, sparing a glance at *i 4oo before disappearing into the night. !ung 4on was sitting ne3t to her again and !oo -oung had her ga(e lowered. )ddly they both hadnt said a word to each other since *i 4oo left them. !ung 4on finally broke the silence. <Im sorry. It was all my fault. I didnt think of the conse1uences.>
!oo -oung turned to regard him, wondering why he felt the need to apologi(e. !he wasnt angry with him. In fact she couldnt blame him. It was ?im *i 4oo who took it upon herself to retaliate by choosing to harm her. <!ung 4on. It wasnt your fault.> !he could see in his profile, that same sadness casting over him like dark gray clouds. <4hen I chose to bond with you"> he didnt finish. <4hat is it5> #e shook his head to brush it off. <9rotect5 !ung 4on. Its not your +ob to watch over me like,> she paused, thinking of the way !ung 4on was always there, by her side, protecting her when he should be off taking care of his own duties. <4hy do you feel the need to protect me5 I dont understand.> <-oull never understand. Its hard to e3plain,> he said, lowering his ga(e and !oo -oung felt the urge to comfort him, by placing a hand on top of his. <Im like a sister to you, arent I5> she asked, bumping her shoulders against his. 'hat brought a smile to his face, as he gave her a sidelong glance. <Maybe.> <Maybe5> she asked, reaching out to tousle his hair. <4hat is that supposed to mean5> #e returned the same gesture. <It means that maybe you could pass for my sister. Maybe you cant.> <&ut the others seem to think we look alike.> <4e used to. In your gothic glory days.> <4as I that horrible to look at5> <-es,> he replied bluntly. !he covered her face as if she meant to hide her embarrassment. <Im so embarrassed, thinking about it now.> !ung 4on stifled a chuckle and then turned to her. <&ut you are a different now. 'heres something about you that makes you different from how you used to be. 9erhaps, its the glow.>
<Maybe,> she said, finding herself smiling at him. #e was looking at her now, with much more seriousness in his e3pression. <!oo -oung,> he whispered. !he was almost taken aback by the intensity of his ga(e. <-es5> <:ould I ask you one thing5> <-es,> she replied, wondering why !ung 4on was behaving as if he was someone else. <4hen you were alive, did you believe in guardian angels5> <2o.> <'here mightve been someone there, right5 4atching you drown yourself within your own sorrow5> he asked. It never occurred to her until now. !ung 4on seem to be opening up her mind for the first time. <Maybe.> !he placed a finger against her chin to think about it. !ung 4on agreed with a nod of his head. <Right.> @A@A@ -oo *ae !ung knocked on !oo -oungs door. #e let her sleep in one of the room upstairs because he didnt like that she slept on the couch downstairs. 8ven though she was his housekeeper, he didnt want to her to see him as the cold, distant and moping owner. <!oo -oung5> he called, giving another knock before he decided to enter. 'he bed was empty and made. 'he curtains had also been drawn aside and the windows were opened to allow the fresh scent of morning country air to flow through. #e e3ited, shutting the door behind him and headed downstairs. <!oo -oung5=> he called. !till there was no response. #e began to worry. 4hat if she fainted somewhere5 #e didnt like that !oo -oung kept getting sick due to
the fact that they were away from the house. #urrying towards the back of the house, he entered the kitchen and she was nowhere to be seen. #is phone started to ring. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out the phone to answer it. <-oo *ae !ung, speaking,> he said, peering out the window to see whether !oo -oung was outside, tending to the garden. 'o his dismay, there was no one. <*ae !ung sshi. 'his is Min *i. I want to see you today. Ill be coming over in a half hour. Im on my way. 4hat do you want to eat for lunch5> <)h. It doesnt matter,> he answered, heading out of the kitchen toward the front doors. <%nything you want to eat.> <*ae !ung sshi5> <#mm5> <4hat are you doing5 -ou seem occupied.> #e opened the door and stepped onto the porch with his naked feet, feeling the cool wooden platform beneath him. !oo -oung was nowhere in sight. <2o. Im +ust searching for my books,> he lied. <&ooks5> <4hat are you doing5> came the voice from over his shoulder. #e nearly gasped at the sudden sound of her voice as he spun around to confront her. :hoi !oo -oung stood in front of him with a curious e3pression, her single braid fell over her shoulder, and she was dressed in a plain olive long sleeved shirt with a purple skirt that suspended +ust below the knees. #er feet were bare as always. <!oo -oung,> he said, almost glad to see her. !oo -oung looked at him 1uestionably with her innocent face. <*ae !ung sshi5> the voice on the other line called and he remembered he was on the phone with Min *i. <Im sorry,> he apologi(ed, turning his back on !oo -oung to focus his attention on Min *i instead.
<!oo -oung5 %re you still calling her that5 7ont tell me you havent spoke to her about it,> she paused, releasing an e3asperated breath, <you shouldve confronted her right away. 7o you not believe me5> 'here was hurt in her tone, as if she felt she couldnt be trusted. <Min *i sshi. Ill have it cleared out before you get here.> <%ll right. &ut remember one thing. !he lied to you.> 4ith that, she hung up, leaving *ae !ung to ponder on it. %part of him, didnt want to bring it up while another part of him knew it was wrong not to confront her. :hoi !oo -oung seated herself properly in front of him with her hands folded in her lap. !he already knew what he wanted to say and how she was going to handle it. It didnt surprise her that her own sister was trying to get rid of her. 'here was a reason behind that. 'here had to be, and !oo -oung plan on finding out one way or another. -oo *ae !ung leaned back comfortably against the couch, with one arm wrapped around a pillow. #is posture obviously lacked the dominance which he usually carried. he said timidly. !he understood clearly what type of situation he was in. #e only felt pressured by Min *i to do what he thought was right, not because he wanted to do it himself. <4hat is it5> *ae !ung raked his hair with his fingers to settle his eyes onto her. <-our name isnt :hoi !oo -oung,> he stated. <-oure right.> !urprised, he leaned forward and said, <4hat5> <-oure right. My name isnt :hoi !oo -oung. :hoi !oo -oung was the woman who killed herself in this house.> #e shook his head slightly, wondering why she appeared to be so calm about it. #e held his hands out. <,ook, I dont understand where/> <9lease. ,isten to what I have to say first,> she told him with a hint of anger. !he fidgeted with her fingers. <'he reason why I told you my name was :hoi !oo -oung was because I wanted to see whether you knew her or heard of her name. I wanted to see how many people knew of the young woman who died in the summer house. 2o one seems to want to acknowledge the fact that she even e3isted or that she is dead.> <-ou were testing me5> !he nodded. <!adly, no one passed.> <?im Min *i,> he muttered. <?im Min *i knew.> !oo -oung pretended to be surprised. <!he knew5 &ut how5> *ae !ung frowned as if he it pu((led him too. <4hat would drive her to do that5> *ae !ung looked up at her as if he wanted to defend Min *i, but !oo -oung could tell that he didnt know himself. !1uee(ing the bridge of his nose, he said, <'hen what is your real name.> <#an !oo %h.> <#an !oo %h,> he repeated after her. <4ere you planning on letting me go5> <I"I"> he stammered unable to finish. !oo -oung stood up. <Ill go.> *ae !ung stood up abruptly, automatically reaching for her arm. <2o. 4ait.> !oo -oung looked down at her arm and she knew. !he knew that *ae !ung made a habit of doing that. 4hy was it she get the feeling that -oo *ae !ung was always the one being left alone, not the one walking away. #e 1uickly withdrew when he reali(ed he was holding her back. <!orry,> he apologi(ed. #er face lit up because she had managed to win over him. <Really5> #e nodded. <-es.>
||Chapter "ourteen| !he approached her sister, holding out her hand. <,et me take that for you,> she offered. Min *i held the groceries close to her chest possessively. her eyes seemed to be condescending her. <-oure still here.> <-es,> !oo -oung replied, lowering her head. <-ou lied to him and he let you stay here5> <-es,> she replied calmly. <0nbelievable,> Min *i said, looking away to find *ae !ung approaching them both. !he moved to stand ne3t to *ae !ung. <!hes staying,> he said, sparing a glance at !oo -oung. Min *i argued against it. <&ut/> <4e need to talk, Min *i,> he said, cutting her off. 'aking the groceries from Min *i, he used his free arm to lead her inside the house. %s shocking as it was to see her dead sister return from the grave, why did she feel Min *i was going out of her whim to rid of her5 It was either Min *i was entirely convinced that !oo -oung was dead or she wasnt. %nother sleek car pulled up to the driveway, stopping behind Min *is car. !oo -oung reali(ed it was the same car from the other time. Min *is fiancD. 'hey probably tailed her to the summer house. 'wo men in black suits stepped out of the car. !oo -oung clenched her fist and went over to greet them kindly. 'he taller of the two replied, <2o. 4ere here for ?im Min *i.> <Ill go and/>
<7ont bother,> one of them said, shoving her roughly out of the way. !oo -oungs eyes widened in anger. !he ran to block their path, holding out her hands in a protective gesture. <'hat was really unnecessary.> %nother man stepped out of the car, his eyes were focused solely on the house. It was the same man from the other time. Min *is fiancD stood tall with his usual stoic e3pression, which gave away nothing. <4e dont mean to impose on you and were not here to cause you any trouble, but if you insist on stopping us, Im afraid my men wont act too kindly.> 'he two men strode past her, towards the house and !oo -oung was left confronting the man himself. <'he house wont let you in,> !oo -oung said aloud, determined to win over them. 'he two men tugged and pushed on the door but it didnt budge +ust like she wanted it. !he told them, <Its locked. I dont have the key.> <4ell knock.> <'hey wont hear you,> !oo -oung said. <4hy not5> one of them asked while the other pounded on the door. <&ecause I said so,> !oo -oung replied. 'hey both gave up and turned to look at her with pu((led e3pressions. Min *is fiancD came forward to take a closer look at her, re$assessing her behind his shades as if she was a tiny specimen. <4ho are you5> <-ou lie. -oo *ae !ungs fiancDe has now become his younger brothers woman. 4hat makes you think you could lie to me5> !oo -oung never overlooked his ability. !he knew a man in his status was capable of anything. #e was dangerous and she could sense it from the aura that surrounded his presence. <"he wont let you in. 'he one who watches the house.> <!he5> one of the other two asked nervously. 'he other inter+ected as if something finally registered, <'he one who haunts this
house. I heard she killed herself. 7o you see her5> !oo -oung said, spinning around to meet their ga(es, and finding ?im *i 4oo standing behind him, giving a 1uick wave of her hand in acknowledgement. <In fact shes standing behind you both, watching you with her watchful eyes.> 'he two of them slowly stepped away. *i 4oo covered her mouth to muffle out her laughter as if she was afraid they would hear her. <!he wont let you in, no matter how hard you try.> <4ell break in.> <,ike I said. I could simply go in and fetch her for you. 'heres really no need for you to go through all the trouble +ust to enter the house,> !oo -oung insisted, looking over to Min *is fiancD who finally gave her a curt nod. <4ait here. Ill be back.> !he stopped suddenly and turned back around to meet him. <Im her fiancD. I wouldnt harm her.> !he opened the door using her magic and heard the surprised gasps from the other men. !he pretended to thank ?im *i 4oo before entering. )nce the door was shut, she headed to where *ae !ung and Min *i were. !he found them in the kitchen, in the middle of an argument when she decided to interrupt. <83cuse me.> 'hey both turned to her. <?im Min *i. -our fiancD is outside.> *ae !ungs face went slack and Min *is eyes widened in response. <#e cant know that I am here.> -oo *ae !ung was already rushing toward her, grasping her wrist to pull her aside. <4hy didnt you tell them to leave5 4hy did you let them know Min *i is here5> !oo -oung looked up at him, not liking the fact that he was being illogical. <'hats not the way to handle things.>
!he could see his tightened +aw. <-ou dont understand. !he wants nothing to do with him.> <&ut she is putting you at risk,> !oo -oung found herself arguing. <&esides, he made a promise not to hurt her.> <%nd you believe him5> ?im Min *i strode past them both, towards the front door. *ae !ung released !oo -oung to catch up to her, blocking her way. <7ont do it. #ell take you away. 7ont.> Min *i stepped around him to e3it the house. *ae !ung followed her out, along with !oo -oung who remained on the porch while she watched them approached Min *is fiancD together. Min *is fiancD was eyeing them both with a smug look on his face, as if he anticipated it. <)ppa. I/> her words were immediately cut off by the harsh slap to her face. !he was wrong to have assumed Min *is fiancD would be smarter not to use any force. % guardian spirit like herself believed a human, trusting that he wouldnt use such force. #ow could she have mis+udged him5 -oo *ae !ung wanted to lunge at him, but the other two men 1uickly caught both his arms, forcing him on his knees. <-ou bastard. -ou fucking bastard=> he cursed, attempting to break out of their hold. <-ou prefer the younger ones5> Min *is fiancD mocked. <#e looks rather fresh. 0nfortunately youve picked the wrong brother. ;rom what I hear, -oo !eo *in is the one who will carry on his fathers position.> ?im Min *i was still holding onto her cheek in complete shock. <-ou struck me. -ou bastard. -ou struck me=> she said, lashing out at him when he easily dodged her attacks, grabbing hold of her shoulders and shoving her roughly to the ground. !he fell, her eyes burning with rage when she looked back at him. <7ont look at me like that=> he shouted, making another attempt to grab her, but !oo -oung found herself rushing toward them and placing herself directly in front of her sister. <'ouch her like that again, and Ill promise you, you wont be able to use your fingers anymore.> #e was looking at her as if she was helpless human. <4ho are you to threaten
me5> !oo -oung would have tossed him against the tree if it had been her will. #owever, she reali(ed how far she had allowed it to carry on. <,eave before everything turns turmoil,> she warned. #e chuckled disbelievingly. <-ou really think I believe in those stuff5> ?im *i 4oo suddenly appeared right ne3t to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered softly into his ear. <-ou should start believing.> !oo -oung could see a shiver going through him as he looked around nervously, wondering who whispered those words. ;im !i 'oo was making herself useful, !oo -oung thought amusingly. ?im *i 4oo made her way towards the other two who still held onto *ae !ung. !he made sure it was only those two who heard her. <,et him go, before I break both your fingers.> Immediately they complied, dropping *ae !ungs arms in fear. !oo -oung touched the ground with the flat of her palm and called upon the wind. 'he wind came rushing passed them, causing the two guards to hurry towards their boss. <&oss, I think we should deal with them another time. 'his is starting to look like some sick twisted horror movie.> 'heir boss glared at *ae !ung and Min *i before he turned fully around and stalked off with his guards following closely behind, not speaking another word. )nce the car was out of sight, !oo -oung hurried over to Min *i, offering to help her stand up, but Min *i simply disregarded her with a brush of her hand. *ae !ung on the other hand, didnt look too happy with what +ust happened. <7ont speak a word, !oo -oung. I dont want to see you right now.> !oo -oung watched them reenter the house with a feeling of guilt washing over her. <!oo -oung, what have you done5> she muttered to herself. *i 4oo appeared, sitting on the porch in front of her. <-ou acted out as best as you could. 4hat would have happened if you defied them instead5> !oo -oung went over to sit ne3t to the spirit. <#e doesnt look the type. I dont see why Min *i would risk coming here and putting both herself and her lover in danger, knowing that she turned against him.>
!oo -oung turned to the spirit. <'hey love each other. ,ove defies everything.> *i 4oo almost snorted. <,ove5 If this is an e3ample of what love does, I rather be out of it,> she paused, <well, lets not get into that stuff. &ut Im curious. If she really was your sister, why is she so determined to see you out of this house5> <!ee. 'hats what pu((les me/> *i 4oo rudely interrupted her. <,ets look at all the possibilities. !he probably thinks youre some twisted psychotic girl whos trying to pretend to be her dead sister and she wants you out of here. 'hats my best guess.> !oo -oung thought about it and agreed. <:ould be.> *i 4oo put up her finger. <)h, and she thinks youre trying to brainwash *ae !ung into believing that youre the real :hoi !oo -oung and also, youre trying to steal him away from her. I see why she wants you out. ;iguratively speaking, of course.> %ll in all, she figured *i 4oo was right about it. 9erhaps Min *i did feel threatened by her presence. &y all means, she had every right to get rid of her. 4hat bothered !oo -oung most was the fact that Min *i hadnt acknowledged her the way shed e3pected her to. @A@A@ !he twirled around in the rain, her feet bared with the grass tickling them. #er little baby doll dress that her father had given on the day of her birthday was soaked from the rain. !he liked the way the hem of the dress spread, and twirled along with her. <!oo -oung$ah= :hoi !oo -oung=> the voice called over her shoulder. 'he voice belonged to her mother. It was that time again. !he stopped and waited for her mothers approaching figure. #er mother, though a kind woman, rarely shown her any affection towards her while growing up. It was always towards Min *i, and no one else. Min *i, her older sister was showered with warmth and love while !oo -oung have always been disregarded. !he often felt unloved because even though her father paid attention to her, he was barely around. #er mothers scolding look appeared on her face. <Its raining. 4hat are you doing out here all by yourself5>
<4aiting for unnie and appa.> #er frown deepened. <4hy cant you wait inside5> <&ecause, I like the rain.> <;oolish child. :ome. ,ets go inside before you catch a cold, and have your father complaining to me about your health again.> !oo -oung didnt want to follow her mother inside. !he wanted to wait for her sister and her father. !he wondered why they were taking so long. <0mma, wait. ,et me wait a bit longer.> <-ou stupid kid. :ome right now before I beat you,> her mother scoffed. !oo -oung was afraid of her mothers abuse but she was more determined to win her over. <;ine. 7o as you please. ,et your father beat you once he finds out that youve been out in the rain this long=> she scolded, before turning around and heading back inside the house alone. !oo -oung knew her father would give her trouble for it, but she didnt care. !he wanted to see Min *i again. Min *i always got the chance to go somewhere with their father. Min *i told her that they went to catch fishes, but !oo -oung wasnt entirely convinced because some days they returned without fishes. )n some occasions Min *i came back carrying gifts and presents of all sorts. %nd yet !oo -oung was left at home, devoid of all of that. !oo -oung was +ealous of her sister, even when she didnt want to be. <!oo -oung. !oo -oung=> her sisters voice called out. !he turned to meet Min *i who ran up to her, throwing her arms tightly around her. %nd then she cried heavily. <!oo -oung. I miss you. 4hen I was gone. I miss you.> !oo -oung being only seven years old couldnt understand what her sister meant, but she hugged her back. !he looked up to see the familiar figure of her father and he too, looked unhappy, almost distressed. <&ring your sister inside, !oo -oung.> <)kay,> she said, leading Min *i away, more than glad that she wasnt going to be punished for waiting in the rain.
#er sister held tightly onto her hand, unwilling to let go. ;or the first time, !oo -oung felt her sisters fear. Min *i refused to let go because something bothered her that day. !he didnt know what and she never sought to ask. $$$ Twel&e Years 5ater/ #er father slowly reached out to stroke her head as if she was the same ignorant child she used to be. #is touch didnt matter. 'here was no warmth left in it, only a strangers touch. !oo -oung stood in front of the newly built house, unaffected by the tran1uility of it. <'his is going to be your house, !oo -oung. %lthough your mother is not with us. 'his house, Ive saved up +ust for you. 'oday, I finally have the chance to give you what I always wanted to give you. -our own house. % !ummer house. 4hat do you think5> 'he house wasnt going to make up for all those times, he left her alone, showing up whenever he felt like it. It was too late for that. <Its different,> was her only response as she ad+usted her black duffel bag and slowly stepped onto the porch, without bothering to turn to meet her father. <4hen you say this is my house, does this mean, its my house entirely5> <-es.> <!o that means I have the right to kick anyone out who doesnt belong here, correct5> 'here was only silence and then a inaudible yes coming from her father. <6ood. 'he ne3t time you plan on visiting, please let me know beforehand. 6oodbye.> 4ith those last words, she unlocked the door with her key and entered the house, shutting the door on him. 4ith her eyes closed, she covered her mouth and cried. !he was alone now than she will ever be. $$$
#er sister, Min *i was seated ne3t to her on the couch, reaching out to pull a strand of her hair. <-ah= !oo -oung. I think I found the love of my life,> she confessed. !oo -oung wasnt surprised that her sister finally found someone. <Really5 4ho is he5 %n old gee(er with money perhaps5> !he slapped her sisters hand. <Cuit it. It hurts.> Min *is face broke into an apologetic smile. <!orry.> !oo -oung shifted around to face her sister, her face a few inches away. <4ho is this bastard5> she asked, growing curious. Min *i pretended to (ip her mouth and said, <#es nice. 'hats all you need to know.> !oo -oung frowned. <%nyone could be nice. 'hey could all play a face. I could too, but Im not so nice and Im a bad actress.> Min *i reached out to ruffle her hair. <-oure so bitter.> <:ant help it. Im the opposite of you.> <-ou never told me what you want to become.> !oo -oung said, intending to surprise her sister who in turn laughed at her instead. <-ou serious5> Min *i asked disbelievingly. <-es. I am, actually.> <4ow. 'hats"something different,> Min *i stammered. !oo -oung averted her ga(e, knowing Min *i was only trying to sound like a supportive sister. <Its okay. -ou dont have to like it.> <-ah= Cuit that. Im leaving in two days. -ou planning to give me a tour of this place5> <'heres nothing much. 'he people here, they leave you alone which I like. I get a lot of alone time. -ou want to know whats funny. 'he other day I stepped onto my porch and there were these kids. %ll four of them. 'hey all had rocks in their hands and they called me a witch. &efore they could throw them at me, I said &e nice or Ill visit you in your dreams and then they dropped their rocks and ran off crying. 'wo days later their parents came to confront me about what happened
and I was being 1uestioned like I was some witch on trial. 'hey asked me if I studied the black arts. My gosh, these humans, theyre so gullible, naive and superficial.> Min *i shook her head. she admitted. Min *i placed a hand over top of hers. <!oo -oung. Im sorry that it has come down to this.> <4hy are you sorry for it5 Its his fault. #es the drunken gambler. #e doesnt care. If he did, he would have ended all of that years ago. 0mma on the other hand, is living pretty large, isnt she5 !he found herself a nice divorced gentlemen and is now taking care of his kids for him.> <%nd Im also a bad sister. I should be here, with you. Meanwhile Im off on my own/> !oo -oung cut her sister off. <-oure going to school and doing what you en+oy doing.> Min *i was going to school for fashion design. !he always grew up en+oying fashion and watching the fashion channel. <)nce Im done. Ill be back. Ill be back for you. I promise !oo -oung.> Min *i placed her arms around her younger sister and held her tight. !oo -oung didnt show it, but she was crying inside. I hate being alone ,in !i. I really hate being alone.
||Chapter "i6teen| *ae !ung watched Min *i fall asleep and he reached out to wipe away the tears that spilled from her eyes. #e placed the blanket over her and placed a hand on her shoulder. #e always thought Min *i was a strong person, but looking at the way she was sleeping, he reali(ed how fragile she appeared. %lthough he was upset that he couldnt do anything for her when they were confronted by her fiancD, he was angry with !oo -oung for e3posing Min *i. #e hadnt seen her all day and wondered if she felt responsible for what occurred which was why she knew to keep away from him.
#e thought back to Min *is words. You $ant #ossibly kee# her here. You dont even know where she $ame from. #e thought Min *is arguments were unreasonable. It seemed as if she was determined to get !oo -oung out of the house. #e knew that he would have to let her go, but yet he couldnt bring himself to do it. 4hy does he feel so attached towards this !oo %h character5 !he saved your life, you bastard. #e had to remind himself. 4hen he opened the door, !oo -oung whose real name was !oo %h was standing there with an e3pression was full of concern. #e moved toward her and shut the door behind him so that she wouldnt see Min *i. 4ith that, she turned to go, but he reached out to take her arm. Immediately her head shot up to look at him in surprise. 4hen he reali(ed what he was doing, he 1uickly dropped her arm and muttered, <Im sorry.> %nd then he 1uickly added, <Im not hungry. -ou go on ahead and eat. Ill be in my room.> !he said nothing in return and he could hear her footsteps descending the stairs as she parted from him. #e headed inside his room and shut the door behind him. 'hen he went to sit against the end of his bed, stretching his legs out before him like a tired and sore athlete. :lenching and unclenching his fists, something had triggered his past memory. $$$ %n eight$year$old -oo *ae !ung sat in the back of his class. #e didnt care to sociali(e with the other children who didnt seem to care about him either. #e had isolated himself from the rest them because he preferred to be alone. #e was more afraid that they wouldnt accept him as their friend because he was different. #e knew that behaved no different from school than how he was at home. %t home, he was alone. #is father was never around and didnt seem to take notice that current wife was abusing his first son.
0o you really think I #ity you% 0id you really think I $ould re#la$e your mother% I am nothing like your mother. Your father doesnt seem to $are for you anymore. "o why dont you go% :un away. "ee if we give a damn. 0ont you $all me umma again. You go that%/ #er words pierced right through his heart. #e knew that no matter how he looked at her, he could only see a witch. 'o his eyes, she was an evil witch who managed to place some kind of loves$spell on his father and convinced him that his son was the real enemy. #e hated the smile she offered to his father. It was fake and conniving. #e hated that she didnt care. #e hated his father because he acted like he didnt care. #e hated his mother for leaving him. $$$ In the still of the night, he heard her faint approaching footsteps. !he came to him, sitting on the bed and leaning over the brush his hair back. #e only pretended to have his eyes closed and waited for her ne3t movement. %nd then he saw her, raising a pillow over his head. &efore she could smother him with it, the lights came on and she 1uickly dropped the pillow ne3t to him, pretending that she was drawing the blanket higher to his neck. <*oney. 'here you are. 4hat are you doing in here5> his father 1uestioned from the doorway. !he stood up and turned to meet her husband. !he didnt care. !he wanted him dead. #e clenched and unclenched his fingers and bit hard on his lip until he could taste his own blood. If he had stood up to blurt the truth, no one would believe him. 2ot even his own father. $$$ 2ine -ears ,ater <%beo+i=> he pleaded desperately clinging to his fathers arm while he fell to his
knees. #is uniform soaked from head to toe. #e saw !eo *in, his younger brother, embraced by his mothers warmth, with a towel around him. 'he shaken and scared !eo *in, said nothing. #e only stared, like a lifeless manne1uin, refusing to help his older brother. #is father pried his fingers off and backhanded him in front of wife and second son. #e could taste his own blood filling into his mouth like coppery li1uid. <%beo+i. I saved him. I saved him,> he repeated, trying to +ustify himself. <!ave5 -ou call that saving5= I told you that you had to stick beside !eo *in and you went against that today. #e could have drowned to death. #e ran after the soccer ball. #e didnt know how to swim. -ou kicked the ball directly into the lake=> !eo *in said nothing and only he continued to stare. #is e3pression was unreadable. *ae !ung only wanted his younger brother to speak a word and tell them what they needed to hear. ;ive seconds turned into ten and ten seconds turned into a minute. -oo *ae !ung pulled himself away from the figure of a man whom he thought he knew and began to walk away from them. ;rom all of them. 2one of them understood +ust how much he was suffering. $$$ )ne -ear %fter. #e was still standing there when the bus left, e3posed to the rain. #e saw the moving traffic and he fought a desperate urge to throw himself in front one of the cars. Initially it was the first time suicide ever crossed his mind. 4ould they care that he left5 )o they wouldnt. % voice answered back. 0o it. 0o it. Youre not brave enough% % voice inside his head taunted him. %nd then suddenly his foot slid off the sidewalk and before he could move another inch, a hand reached out to stop him.
<#ey there, are you okay5> a voice, so soft that he had to turn to look. #e saw her. !he was like a goddess that came to his rescue. #er long dark hair spilled over her shoulders like a silk cape. #er unusually large eyes were framed by long lashes on a face that could only be described as beautiful. !haking his head in shame, he answered, !he stepped closer, holding the umbrella out so that it shielded them both from the rain. %nd then she ga(ed into his eyes as if she knew him all her life. <-oure shivering. -ou must be cold.> #e rubbed his hands together and blew on them. he admitted. 2e3t thing he knew, she made him hold onto the umbrella and covered her warm hands over his. <7o you feel any better5> #e felt much better. #e almost wanted to cry in front of her. 'his was someone who noticed him. !omeone who cared enough to warm his hands for him. !omeone who didnt shun him away and most importantly, someone who didnt want him to die. @A@A@ !oo -oung was still rubbing her arm. 4hy did his touch leave a warm feeling along her arm5 !he couldnt understand *ae !ung. #owever, she didnt want to, but something about him, made her curious about his odd behavior. <!oo -oung5> a voice called over her shoulder as she was heading towards the kitchen. !oo -oung didnt bother to turn around to reali(e whose voice it belonged to. <4hats up5> he muttered behind her. !oo -oung spun around 1uickly to meet his ga(e. <;elt what5> <'he warm fu((y feeling along your arm. I felt it on mine too.> !he shook her head in response. <-ou couldnt possibly feel that too.> !ung 4on smiled, raising an eyebrow. <4eve bonded. !ometimes if its powerful
enough, I could feel it too. *ust like I could read your mind.> <-ou mean"when he touched me"he wanted me to"> she trailed off, without understanding what she was trying to e3plain. !ung 4on didnt look at her when he said, softly, <#es grown attached to you. 4e guardians are more prone to become ultra sensitive to things such as feelings. 4e could feel it through a simple touch.> she asked, feeling as if !ung 4on was trying to hide something from her. ,ately she hadnt seen him around much and that pu((led her. <-oure his guardian,> he retorted, <not something else.> !oo -oung almost burst laughing at !ung 4ons implications. !he paused, reali(ing that !ung 4on did not find it amusing as she did. !he playfully punched him in the chest. <:ome now, you dont really think that Id" become attached to him either, do you5> #e turned away from her. <!ee you around, !oo -oung.> !oo -oung found herself, catching up to him and blocking his way. !he didnt like that he was acting strange. <4ait. I dont understand why you came here +ust to say that. 4hat else is there that you know that I dont know of5> #e was staring at his boots when he answered, <9erhaps, its better not to know.> !he grew more curious. <,ets take a walk together then5 ,ets go to the lake and talk. 4e havent done much talking lately,> she insisted. !ung 4on looked back up into her eyes and gave her a curt nod. <;ine.> !he sat at the end of the wooden pier, dangling her legs off the side of it. !ung 4on had taken sat ne3t to her but he didnt let his legs dangle like hers. #e was hugging his knees like an insecure child. !oo -oung kept her ga(e ahead, staring off into the darkness of the hori(on. !he could see that there were no stars out that night. 2either was the moon. <;ess up,> she said, finally having the courage to break the silence. <7o you trust me enough to tell you, !oo -oung5> he asked in return. !he had to turn her face to look at him. <'rust5 )f course. 4ho else am I to trust besides myself5>
#e still wasnt looking at her. <4ould you come to hate me for telling you this5> <2o. )f course not. 2ow stop stalling and tell me the truth.> <9romise you wont hate me.> <!ay it. !ay that you promise.> !he nodded and raised her fingers up into a peace sign. she said, smiling cheekily afterward. !he could tell that he wanted to smile, but he fought against it instead. !he moved back +ust enough so that they were side by side. <4hats bothering you5> <-our death,> he muttered inaudibly. <My death5> <-our death wasnt a suicide.> &efore she could speak, he cut her off again. <It was murder. -ou died of murder, not suicide.>
||Chapter Si(teen| 'he words barely escaped her lips as she murmured, <Murder5> !ung 4on barely looked at her when he replied, <-es. It was murder.> !he shook her head in denial. <2o. I cant. I would have remembered.> <&ut you dont. -ou choose only to remember what you want to remember.> !oo -oung continued to shake her in disbelief. <It happened in my own bathtub,> she e3claimed, envisioning the scene over in her head. !he saw that she was sinking lower and lower, deeper and deeper into the cold water that filled her tub. 8verything became blurry in an instant and the darkness finally engulfed her. <It was suicide.> he admitted. 
#er eyes were suddenly filled with tears and she felt herself falling, deeper into her own mind. % mind filled with harsh memories, which were all too painful to invoke. $$$ "he saw herself standing in the doorway as she wat$hed her sister get into her $ar and drive away waving her final goodbye. "hutting the door behind her the smile &ui$kly faded and her eyes be$ame glossy. "he fell to her knees and broke into an immediate sob. 9verything shifted into another #la$e and time and she saw her sister being led into a brightly lit $orridor of a giganti$ house and finally $ame to a halt at the last door. The door was wide o#ened. Gathered at the $enter of the room five middle(aged men stared at the young inno$ent girl with a si$kening hunger in their eyes. Their father had been standing behind her trying to $onvin$e ,in !i inside. *e was nervous and afraid almost hesitant to allow his daughter to enter. ,in !i took hold of a stranger womans hand and looked over to her father. 6##a. 'ill you wait for me% *er father whose ex#ression was barely readable re#lied 6##a will be here. 6##a wont leave you. 0ont worry #um#kin. Theyll give you #lenty of toys and dolls. !ust do as they say. 2n$e ,in !i was inside her father threw himself the floor and broke into a &uiet sob $overing his mouth. Im sorry ,in !i. Im sorry. "oo Young finally understood why ,in !i had taken her hand and refused to let go that rainy day. "he finally understood why ,in !i seemed so unha##y with her gifts. 'hen time shifted on$e more she found herself standing in ,in !is room. ,in !i who was only thirteen at the time was a##lying s$arlet red li#sti$k to her li#s in front of the full length mirror. "he wore their mothers red dress that was two si<es larger than her fragile frame. "he sli##ed her small feet into the red high( heeled shoes and stood $onfidently in front of the mirror #u$kering out her li#s and lifting her long dark hair over her head like a sedu$tive mistress. "he would turn into a beautiful woman. "he knew. "oo Young. Im mu$h #rettier than you are. Thats what they all tell me. Im so mu$h beautiful. They like me. )ot like you they like me. "he #la$ed one hand on her hi# and bowed before raising her eyes to stare at
herself on$e more. "he rea$hed out with her fingers and tou$hed the refle$tion. Tears seemed to naturally fall down her #ale #owdery $heeks as if she was #erforming in front of a live audien$e. "he wi#ed her fa$e and s#oke softly to her refle$tion. I hate you "oo Young. I hate you for making me suffer. I hate you be$ause youre still inno$ent. I hate you "oo Young. I really really hate you. In the blink of an eye ,in !is ex#ression be$ame distorted into shatter of glass. -ragments of glass fell like shiny flat $rystals to the floor and then she released a #ier$ing s$ream that only #roved of her anger and #ain. $$$ !oo -oung was catapulted back to the present, where she sat haunted by the forgotten painful memories. !ung 4on was crouched in front of her, with his hands holding her arms. <!oo -oung5 !oo -oung, look at me,> he said, voice calm and soothing. !oo -oung blinked twice and felt the tears streaming her face. !he felt her sisters emotion. !he knew e3actly what Min *i went through. <Min *i. I didnt know"> !ung 4on shook her lightly again. <Its okay. ,ook at me.> !he looked into his face and said, <!ung 4on. 4hat are you trying to tell me5> #is face became dead serious when he said, <-ou know e3actly what Im trying to tell you.> !he broke away from him, unwilling to believe any of it. #er sister wasnt the culprit. Min *i would never try to kill her. <4hat do"do you e3pect me to believe5> <!oo -oung. -ou promised.> !he turned to him, eyes flashing angrily. <4hy5 4hy tell me this5 4hy involve yourself5 4hat do you have to do with this5=> <9lease dont look at me that way, !oo -oung,> he pleaded, turning his face away. !oo -oung found it impossible to respond. #er mind was +umbled with 1uestions and she couldnt figure out what she was feeling. It was anger. %nger for Min *i. %nger at herself for causing Min *is anger. <Im sorry. I dont know what to think. I dont want to believe it. I refuse to believe it.>
!ung 4on moved to position himself ne3t to her. <-ou had tea with her that day. 'he day she left. -ou know what happened, but you forgot.> !oo -oung remembered it now. %lthough it came back to her in fragments, she knew she had tea with her sister. !he remembered the way the hot ginseng tea tasted in her mouth and how it traveled down her throat to calm her nerves. %nd she remembered Min *is delicate hands pouring tea for her. <4e had tea,> she said. <'hen we discussed our dreams. 'hat was our last day together. !he said that she needs to take a big step in her life and she cant bear to keep looking to her past. Meaning, she wanted to forget me. !he said she was sorry that she was ever my sister. !he cried and told me how sorry she was. %nd then she left. *ust like that. !he left. I knew how much I wanted to kill myself that day. I wanted to die.> !oo -oung paused, <'he thought of being alone for the rest of my life, knowing my father was put away in +ail and having a mother who abandoned her kids and then having my sister, the closest person to me tell me that she wanted to forget me, I reali(ed that I wanted to fade away.> !ung 4on decided to inter+ect, <&ut you felt it. -ou felt the drug taking control.> <I dont think I noticed because the feelings of suicide was much stronger. I turned on the water to fill my tub. %s I waited, I decided to leave a note. I didnt care whether or they were going to see it, but I wanted to know that I was there. I was there. :hoi !oo -oung e3isted. !he lived, but she was very much dead.> !he wiped her eyes. <4hen I felt myself sinking deeper into the cold water, I knew that this was it. 'hatd I die in sadness, and Ill be alone more than Ill ever be.> !he could feel an arm going around her and she turned her face, raising her ga(e up toward !ung 4on who stared down at her with a discerning e3pression, proving that he understood. <Im sorry.> #is arm, offered her comfort. !he needed that most. !he pried her eyes off him and stared off into the distant darkness. <It hurts. My heart no longer beats and yet these memories of the past seem to hurt. 7ont you know how painful it is5 'o have you try and tell me that my sister is my murderer5 7o you know how much it hurts for me to find out that I was the one who drove her to"> !he closed her mouth, refusing to finish. #e s1uee(ed her shoulder. <Im sorry.> <Its not your fault.> <!oo -oung. -ou dont know how much its been bothering me. 7o you reali(e how much it hurts me to keep it inside all this time5 I wanted to tell you, but I couldnt bring myself to do it.>
<!o, you knew all these times5> <#ow5> !oo -oung turned to look at him in complete shock. <-ou mean/> #e answered before she could finish. <-es.> !ung 4on seemed to be a barer of shocking news. !he couldnt believe that the man she thought she knew had downright admitted that he was her guardian before she died. &ut why would he hang about all this time5 !he finally understood. 9ark !ung 4on hung around her because he felt that he didnt do enough for her while she was alive. 4hich would e3plain their previous discussions regarding his protectiveness. !he turned to look at him again. #is tears were evidence of his pain. If she had a heart, the look in his face would shatter it. % slight smile appeared. <-ah, if you keep looking at me like that, Ill start to think you have feelings for me.> <!ung 4on. 4hy hang on5 -ou did all you could,> she asked aloud. !he tried to bring herself to tell him that he neednt to protect her any longer because she was capable of protecting herself. !he was more than grateful for his friendship and most importantly his guidance. #e stared off into a different direction. <0ntil the day you forget about me, thats when Ill leave. &ut if you keep thinking about me, Ill still be around.> #e tightened his hold on her arm and pulled her close so that she was forced to rest the side of her head against his shoulder. <&ut if you want to let me go, !oo -oung. %ll you have to do is tell me. % simple word and Ill be gone forever. 2ow the real 1uestion is, are you capable of letting me go5> 'he truth was, she didnt want him to go. !he felt ashamed for feeling that way.
<4hat were you like, !ung 4on5 4as I a bore to you5> she 1uestioned suddenly. <4atching a suicidal girl being depress isnt a fun. If I had a bucket with me for every time you cried, we would have an ocean by now. %nd Ill be swimming in it every day, floating on buckets.> !ung 4on still had the humor in him. !he was afraid that she wouldnt see it again. <-ou lie. I didnt cry that much.> <#ow would you know5 -ou werent watching yourself. -ou were oblivious, even to your own tears.> 8mbarrassed, !oo -oung pulled away from him. <!hes not your sister, !oo -oung. 2ot anymore,> !ung 4on said matter$of$ factly. <2ot after what shes done to you.> #e was right. :hoi Min *i became ?im Min *i the day she left her alone. !he hated !oo -oung. <#e has to see the truth, !oo -oung. #e has to know that Min *is intentions whatever they are, arent good.> !he shook her head in confusion. <!o youre trying to tell me Min *i is only using *ae !ung5> <'hats my best guess.> <4hy5> <Its your house. Min *i wants everything that is yours.> @A@A@ <)ppa= )ppa= )pen up this door=> -oo #ae *ins voice shouted out for him to hear. *ae !ung nearly stumbled on his way down the stairs, wondering why his housekeeper hadnt got to the door yet. #e had to recheck the time on his watch to make sure he wasnt +ust seeing things. 'hree oclock in the morning.
4hat did #ae *in want at this time5 0nlocking the door, he opened it and watched her stumble directly into his arms. <)ppa=> she shouted, followed by a chuckle. #ae *in was wearing a slinky, revealing top and a mini$skirt to show off her slender legs. #er short hair was clipped back from her small shaped face and big hoopy earrings hung from her ears. 'he scent of alcohol struck him s1uare in the face. #ae *in was into3icated. <#ae *in. 4hat are you doing here and who brought you here5> she slurred out, unable to remain on her two feet, she fell backwards but he kept her balanced. she added in e3ertion. #e didnt want to ask why she had gone out and decided to come all the way to his place to sleep. #e carried her and brought her over to the couch. &ending down to crouch so that he could look at her face, he reached out to stroke his thumb along the contour of her brow before covering her with a blanket. #er partying habits never ceased to stop because she wanted to live her life to the fullest. !he was convinced that she could die any time because of her congestive heart failure. *ae !ung blamed himself for her illness. 4hen he was eight and she was four, he told her that he wasnt her older brother. %ngered by the fact that -oo #ae *in was favored by his father, he wanted something bad to happen to her. )n the day of her birthday, #ae *in became short of breath and collapsed, shocking everyone including himself. 4hen he turned to go, a figure standing in the darkness startled him. It was :hoi !oo -oung. 2o, not !oo -oung, but #an !oo %h. #e could barely see through the darkness, but he knew she had been outside by the scent of the lake with her into the house. <4here were you5> he in1uired in1uisitively. she replied, taking a few steps closer to peer over at #ae *in. <Is she alright5> It was understandable that she couldnt sleep because of what happened, but it worried him knowing she hasnt slept much either. <!hell be fine,> he answered. <6o get some rest.> she said in return.
#e could see her lift a hand to her forehead, a gesture indicating an3iety and stress. <-ou go first. Ill watch her.> <!oo -oung,> he murmured, and then 1uickly corrected himself. she admitted. !omehow, !oo -oung suited her more. #e wanted to call her !oo -oung rather than !oo %h. he told her. 'hey were seated on the porch together with a single candle burning to fight off the darkness. *ae !ung lifted the mug to his lips and took a sip of his green tea. !hadows flickered across his defined face, contorting his stern e3pression. 4hen he pulled the cup away from his mouth, he glanced at her and sneered, <4hen I told you I could use a drink, I didnt mean tea.> <'ea calms people like you. -ou should really learn how to drink it.> #e almost smiled, but he held back. <!ince when do we drink tea in a mug5> <!ince now,> she said, bringing her own mug to her lips and took a sip. 'he things she talked about made him curious in how she was before. 2o doubt she had been lonely, but how could someone who possessed such beauty and grace become so lonely5 <Its no wonder why you dont have a boyfriend,> he remarked. #e e3pected some smart reply, but she said nothing in return, as if he said nothing at all. #e had to ask, <4hats going through your mind5> <4hat if I was to disappear and never come back here5 #ow would you take it5> 'he 1uestion clearly caught him off guard because he nearly choked while sipping his tea. <4hat do you mean5> <If I was to simply vanish forever, would anyone even notice5> <4hy would you do that5> he 1uestioned, noticing the tears sliding against her cheeks. #e hated seeing women cry. #ow many times have he wiped away a
womans tears5 <4hy are you crying5> <!ometimes I forget that I do,> she replied, wiping her face with the back of her hand. *ae !ung instinctively reached out and pulled her closer so that she faced him, and then wiped her tears dry with his fingers. <Idiot. !ince when did you become such a sentimentalist5 2ot so tough are you5> !he was staring into his face now, as if she was astounded by his actions. Reali(ing how close he was, he pulled away, but she was faster than he was. !he was already standing up and stretching her arms over her head while yawning loudly. <Right,> he agreed. Meanwhile, ?im Min *i peeked through the door that was left a+ar. #atred filled her face as she dug her sharp fingernails into her own skin.
||Chapter Se&enteen| !oo -oung stood aside as she watched *ae !ung bandaged Min *is hands. #e was careful not to hurt her, as he wrapped the gau(e around her hand. 'he way he handled it was +ust like how a doctor would handle a patient. !he was almost envious of the way he treated Min *i. Min *i continued to flicker her ga(e back and forth from *ae !ung to !oo -oung as if she had something suspicious on her mind and she was condoning her. !oo -oung had sensed Min *i watching them last night, although she refused to think about what stirring inside her sisters head. !he couldnt help but block the image of Min *i watching them with her nails digging into her hands until she bled. *ae !ung had called her while she was downstairs preparing breakfast to bring him some bandages and alcohol pads early in the morning. <:ould I speak to you alone5> Min *i asked suddenly as she took hold of *ae !ungs arm, like a nervous child. <9lease.> <#ow did you hurt yourself5> he asked ignoring her re1uest and placing her hand down to place the bandages onto the tray !oo -oung was holding onto. <Ive mustve had a bad dream,> she replied, looking at *ae !ung. !oo -oung inclined her head and decided to take her leave. !he was halfway down the stairs when she met with -oo #ae *in who glared up at her from the bottom landing. <6ood morning,> !oo -oung greeted her with a forceful smile upon her face. #ae *in said nothing in return. !he waited for !oo -oung to reach the landing before pulling on her arm and causing the tray to slip from her grasp. <:ome here=> she demanded, pulling her roughly toward the front doors and shoving her outside. 4hen the doors shut with a loud bang, the younger woman spun around and cursed, <-ah, you bitch. 4ho the hell do you think you are5=> 4ho did she think she was5 !oo -oung replied with, <4hy would you ask me that5> <,eave=> #ae *in shouted, shoving her back off the porch, and causing !oo -oung to slip and fall flat on her back. !he felt no pain, but she needed to pretend that she was hurt so she winced. 9ushing to sit up, she wiped the dirt from her skirt and glared back at #ae *in. !he wondered +ust how #ae *in was planning on dealing with Min *i. <-ou didnt have to push me.> #ae *in was already on top of her, clawing at her face and yanking at her hair like a vicious attacker that she was. 4ith one simple shove from !oo -oung, #ae *in was sprawled two feet away on the ground, unmoving. !oo -oung hadnt meant to hurt her, only to throw her off. #owever, #ae *in didnt seem to budge and she started to worry as she hurried toward her and tried to shake her awake. <#ae *in. #ae *in. 4ake up. %re you hurt5 Im sorry,> she apologi(ed, <#ae *in=> she yelled once more, but the younger woman did not respond. !he heard his footsteps and the doors swinging opened as he came rushing out toward them. #e was crouched ne3t to !oo -oung when he asked her what happened. !oo -oung replied, her tears brimming her eyes. !he looked at him, e3pecting him to yell and scream at her, but he didnt. #is
mind was focused only on #ae *in and nothing else. )ne look at his face and she knew how concerned he was for #ae *in. *ae !ung already carried his sister towards the car. 4ith those last words, he was gone. 'hey met up by the tree. !he was walking around the tree in circles, worried that something bad mightve happened to #ae *in and it was her fault. !ung 4on who stood leaning coolly against the tree, said nothing as he watched her walk around like a sick worried patient in the hospital. <-ah. Cuit walking around like that. Im getting di((y.> <'hen dont watch me=> she snapped angrily at him. <-ah= -ou called me here=> she argued, and then mumbled inaudibly, <my mind did.> <-ou still called me here.> !he looked at him, noticing the smug look on his face. !he was in no mood to +oke around. !he was at the point that she needed some reassurance. !ung 4on was supposed to help her. <4hat are you supposed to do5 -oure not human anymore, remember5> <&ut its my fault.> #is left brow rose. <#ow5 !he attacked you, didnt she5> <It wasnt in your control.> !he had to blink twice. <It wasnt5> <?im *i 4oo was hanging about. !he did it.> 'he ne3t instant, *i 4oo was standing ne3t to her. <-eah, it was me. !orry.> !he turned to regard the other woman. <4hat5>
 she defended. <9oor +ob at it too,> remarked !ung 4on. *i 4oo glared at him. <#ey, at least I helped.> <!oo -oung is fully capable of defending herself from a mortal.> !oo -oung couldnt understand why !ung 4on and *i 4oo were behaving like it was no big deal. <4hat if something happens to her5 Itll still be our fault.> !ung 4on stole a glance at *i 4oo before walking up to !oo -oung. <!omething has happened her to her already. Its only a matter of time.> !he turned to him in confusion. <4hat do you mean5> <!hes dying.> <2o,> !oo -oung argued. <It cant be.> <!hes been sick all these times. !he has a heart problem.> !he didnt want to know how !ung 4on knew. <&ut she cant die=> !oo -oung retorted, picturing the e3pression on *ae !ungs face. #e didnt need any of that now. 'here has to be a way to save #ae *in. !ung 4on said. <4e +ust have to hope, shell be okay. #opefully she will be.> <-eah. -ou cant save everyone. &esides you have your own problems to deal with.> !he looked at the both of them. $ :lick to listen to song $ Right click save as: 7eane 8 1 9ad :ream It was getting late. 'oo late and *ae !ung still hadnt return. !oo -oung hadnt gone inside yet. !he wanted to be alone and made *i 4oo leave her too. Min *i on other hand hadnt come out either. !he was too caught up in worrying about #ae *in that she nearly forgotten Min *i. 4hen the door opened and Min *i walked out with a shovel in her hand, !oo -oung 1uickly stood up to greet her but she didnt acknowledged her. !oo -oung
reali(ed that she was under the invisibility spell. Min *i walked straight to where the tree was, and the atmosphere shifted around her. % flash of lightning flickered across the darkened sky. !oo -oung placed her hand out and felt the dampness in the air. It was thick enough that she could have choked on it. 'he rain began to pour in thick droplets and Min *i seemed unfa(ed by it all. !he stuck the shovel into the dirt ne3t to the tree and began to dig. !oo -oung wondered what her sister was up to and only watched in curiosity as she continued digging. It was a possibility that Min *i had something buried there and she didnt want anyone to know. % secret perhaps. 3ut what kind% @A@A@ 'he slap on his face from his stepmother was uncalled for. -oo *ae !ung stood there and allowed it to happen. <-ou couldve told us where she was. %nd now my poor #ae *in is lying unconscious in the hospital bed=> she scoffed at him. #e despised the way she always treated him. #e hated that she laid her filthy hands on him. 'hose same hands that tried to smother him with the pillow. <!hes right. ,ately, #ae *in hasnt been in the condition to go off on her own,> !eo *in inter+ected. <-ou couldve called me.> *ae !ung wasnt in the mood to defend himself from his younger brother. <'hats why she went out clubbing and came to the house drunk. 4ho was supposed to be watching her5 -ou or her mother5> he asked coldly. #is stepmother wanted to lash out at him again but !eo *in held her back. <-ou bastard. #ow dare you speak to me that way=> she yelled angrily. #e almost wanted to laugh. <'hats right. I became a bastard since you married my father.> Mira was also there standing ne3t to him, tugging at his arm. <)ppa. 7ont say anything rash. 2ow is not the time.> #is father showed up with the doctor and he turned to his wife. <'he doctor says shell be okay for now. !he should be able to wake up soon.>
*ae !ung slowly pulled Miras hand away and turned to go. 'hats all he wanted to hear. 'hat his sister would be okay. If anything happened to her, he only had himself to blame. <7ont go,> he heard his fathers voice call out after him. #e stopped walking and listened to his fathers approaching steps. 'he tone his voice. #e had never used that tone with him for a long time. #is father went to stand in front of him. #e didnt look at him when he said, <'hank you. 'hank you for bringing #ae *in here. If it wasnt for you, we dont know what would have happened to her if it wasnt for you.> *ust like his father, *ae !ung refused to stare the old man in the face. Instead he walked right past him. It was his turn again. #is turn to walk away. 'here was nothing left more to say. @A@A@ <!oo -oung, Ive finally found you,> her sister cried out through the rain. !oo -oung watched in shock and horror as she discovered her own skeleton buried si3 feet under the dirt. #er skeletal body was entangled in the roots of the tree. 'hat would e3plain why she was so attached to it. 'hat would e3plain everything. Min *i with a twisted e3pression on her face, said, <!o you are dead.> 0nbelievable. !he was witnessing the evil in Min *i. It had to be a nightmare. % &ad dream. 4hile she stared, she could feel her anger rising and she could feel the wind answering her, picking up its speed. 'he thunder roared like an angry giant beast and the lightning suddenly struck the tree, splitting the branches apart. &lossoms came down on them like snow in the winter. Min *is ga(e drifted from the skeleton towards the tree and she smiled. <%rent you beautiful.> !oo -oung clenched her hands and fought the urge to reveal herself. <#ow could you do this to me5> she cried, as she fell to her knees in sadness. 'he rain cried with her like a mother sympathi(ing her daughter. %nd finally, she wished for it to happen. !he wanted Min *i dead.
'he lightning answered her final call as it struck Min *is body and splitting the entire tree apart. !oo -oung felt herself 1uickly fading. Min *i collapsed onto the ground in front of her. !oo -oung cried harder until she felt she couldnt cry anymore. %ll until all was 1uiet and there was nothing left. *ust the echo of her pain showing through the relentless rain. @A@A@ <Min *i. ?im Min *i sshi,> the voice called out. !he opened her eyes to the voice. It became clearer in an instant. <Its me, *ae !ung. Im here.> <*ae !ung5> she asked in return. #e lifted her up and held her close. It took a moment for her eyes to ad+ust to the surrounding area. !he was in the *ae !ungs room. %nd she felt e3tremely tired as if she had been drugged. !he was breathing. &reathing. !he could feel his heartbeat close to her. !o close it became in sync with hers. 2o. #er heart didnt beat. !he had no heart. &ut she felt it beat. *ae !ung pulled away from her and placed a hand against her cheek. <Min *i.> Min *i5 #e had to be delusional. 2o. !he was not Min *i. !he was 1hoi "oo Young. !he pushed him away and stumbled off the bed, hitting the floor. !he felt pain
crawl up her body. <2o. 'his cant be happening. 2o=> she said struggling to get up before *ae !ung could catch her. !he rushed into the bathroom and shut the door behind her and then locked it. !he hesitated to look in the mirror. !he was afraid whom she might see. !lowly and apprehensively she forced herself to take a glimpse in the mirror. *ae !ung was right. !he was Min *i. 8verything about her face and body was Min *i. !he touched her face and the tears came flowing down from her eyes. <:hoi !oo -oung. 4hat happened to you5>
||Chapter -ighteen| <Min *i sshi= ?im Min *i=> he called, pounding hard on the door, wondering when she was coming out. Its been ten whole minutes that she hadnt replied, and he was starting to wonder if she could hear him at all. <%nswer me, dammit=> #e heard her unlock the door and then she opened it. !he had washed her face, but her eyes still remained puffy and her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, held up by an elastic band. !he wasnt looking at him. !he was looking past him. #e stood in her way and reached to touch her shoulders. <4hats wrong5> !he shook her head but still refuse to look at him. <2othing. 2othing.> <4hat happened out there5 4here is !oo -oung5> !he looked up at him. #er eyes seemed to hold such an unfathomable pain. It wasnt like he was staring into the eyes he knew. 'hey look like they belong to someone else. <-ou could tell me.> <!hes gone. !he left in the rain.> !oo -oung wouldnt +ust leave like that, unless they had some kind of dispute. 4here would she go5 #e couldnt begin to understand what happened. <7id you say something to her5> Min *i shook her head again. <!he left. I went looking for her. I was standing out there. I was scared. It was pouring. %nd then I felt it hit me hard. I really dont know what happened ne3t.> !he was trembling under his grasp, not because she was cold, but afraid. <#ey. #ey, its okay,> he said, pulling her toward her and cradled her against him. <7ont worry. Im here. -oull be okay.>
!he didnt hold him back like he e3pected. !he stood in a stillness that surprised him. <-oull be okay. 8verything will be okay.> <Im not. Im not. -ou shouldnt be holding me. Im not okay. I want to cry. I really do. I dont know what to do. I feel like a fool. I feel helpless,> she mumbled against him. 'hat only drew him to hold her closer. <Im not gonna let go until you feel safe. If I have to hold you forever, I will.> !he shoved him away and retreated, shaking her head in the process. <-ou dont know who I am. -ou dont know what Ive done. -ou dont know anything about me, *ae !ung. -ou have no idea=> she shouted, as she turned to open the door and ran out. #e chased after her outside in the rain. !he ran toward the blossom tree and then she collapsed to her knees and started to weep. <Its still here. I dont understand. 'he tree is still here. &ut why5> #e had no clue what she was talking about. #e wished he could understand. #e wished he could help her, but he felt +ust as helpless as she was. <4hat happened to the tree5> he asked, approaching her from behind. <Ive seen it destroyed,> she answered. <4hy is it still standing5> <4hen I got here. I saw you lying unconscious beneath it. 2othing seemed to be wrong with the tree. :mon lets get you back inside.> #e took hold of her shoulders but she brushed his hand away. <-ou go in first. I need to be out here.> <2o=> he shouted back. <Its too dangerous=> !he looked at him with a pleading e3pression. <,eave me alone. ,eave me here for a moment. I promise Ill go back to you. 9lease.> #e didnt want to go against her considering she was in a fragile state. <%lright,> he agreed. 4ith that, he turned to leave because he truly believed that she wouldnt leave him. 2ot like !oo -oung had. #e didnt like that she had suddenly left him without a final goodbye and wondered if she would return. 'heir last conversation, he recalled what she had said to him. If I was to sim#ly vanish forever would anyone even noti$e% 9erhaps that was her way of telling him she was leaving.
@A@A@ !he ran towards the pier and continued to call out for !ung 4ons name. !he felt no connection to him or ?im *i 4oo at all. #er powers were gone. 'here was nothing. !he completely human. <9ark !ung 4on= -ah= 9ark !ung 4on,> she shouted, running towards the end of the pier, hoping he would be waiting for her. 'here was no one. 2othing. 4hat was happening to her5 #ow had she ended up in Min *is body5 'oo many 1uestions swarmed her mind and she needed answers. )nly !ung 4on could provide her with answers. <9ark !ung 4on. 9lease answer me= 9lease. I need you=> she cried out in despair. 2o reply. !oo -oung reali(ed that she was on her own. 'here was no answer or aid. !he had lost her powers and she was stuck inside Min *is body. %nd what happened to Min *is soul5 4as she dead5 :ould she handle the fact her sister was dead and she had something to do with it5 !he had killed her sister. "oo Young you are no different. % voice seem to call out inside her head. @A@A@ 9ark !ung 4on stood staring at !oo -oung who was stuck in Min *is body. !tanding ne3t to him was ?im *i 4oo. 'hey watched in hopelessness while she cried out to them. <-ou sure you cant do anything5> *i 4oo asked with a concerned e3pression. #e felt useless when he said, <It is beyond my powers now. I cant do anything.> 4hy did it hurt so much, knowing he was failing her again5 'heir connection was no more and there was no way he could reach her. 4hat happened between them all was inevitable. #e knew what was coming, he didnt know what. ?im *i 4oo retorted, <&ut !oo -oung doesnt deserve this. Min *i had it coming for her.> <!oo -oungs anger controlled her. !he let her powers control her. If she was intelligent enough, she would use this new body of hers to her advantage,> came the voice from their right.
!ung 4on turned toward the voice to find the 4hite %ngel standing ne3t to *i 4oo. #e was as always too perfect and made a habit in intruding into others conversations. 'hough revealing little of any emotion, the angel appeared almost sympathetic when he looked over at !oo -oung. <4hat do you mean5 7id you do that to her5> !ung 4on had to ask. <Min *i is dead. :hoi !oo -oung is now stuck in her body. !he has three days to do whats right before the body begins to deteriorate.> "u$h little time, !ung 4on thought. <'hree days5> <%nd what happens if she doesnt5> *i 4oo inter+ected. <!oo -oung will fade.> !ung 4on snapped his head toward the angel. <!he cant. !hes done nothing wrong. 4hy5> 'he angel was smirking at this point. <4rong5 -ou speak of wrong when you revealed yourself in front of a mortal. %s a guardian spirit, she has lost her connection with that tree. 'hat tree is no longer there because she destroyed it. 4hat shes seeing now is only an illusion. It saddens me to see how much she wanted to disappear. &ecause she knows shes done wrong to her sister, she thought she would make it simple but attempting to get rid of herself too.> !ung 4on understood why !oo -oung would do what she did. !he felt guilt. #e stepped in front of the angel and got down on one knee, lowering his head in apology. <'hen let it be my punishment, not !oo -oung. ,et me take her punishment.> <7o you honestly believe that she is that hopeless5 7o you not have faith in her5> !ung 4on lifted his head up to look at him, but said nothing. #e didnt know what to say. <If she does not let *ae !ung know the truth regarding Min *i and her death, that means she has failed. If she cant walk away from him, then she too has failed. If you do anything to assist her, then she will also fail. 7o you understand me, !ung 4on5> !ung 4on nodded. <'hink about it. It would help him. #umans like him need to open their eyes. 'hey need to start seeing for themselves not rely on other peoples eyes for guidance. #e is blinded by the hurtful things in his past. #e does not think himself worthy.
4hy do you think Ive chosen !oo -oung. I wanted her to help him, but I wanted her to help herself too. I wanted her to see what she has neglected to see in life. 2ow, if she does not take the opportunity to resolve this, then I too have failed her as a guide.> <-ou knew it was coming5> <!he would have faded if I did not help her. I thought Id give her another chance. I pleaded with the elders, so do not think that I am not on your side.> 'he angel looked away, appearing slightly offended when he added, <and if it bothers you so much, Ill give you the permission to watch her. &ut you cannot help her.> !ung 4on had to smile and inclined his head. <0nderstood. 'hank you.> <Remember three days only,> the angel said, having had his last say and simply vanishing into thin air. *i 4oo was the first to speak. <6osh, I dont know why he always have to look so good. I wonder how many other spiritual admirers he has.> !he turned back to !ung 4on. <7id you get all of that5 7o you know what hes trying to tell you5> #e knew e3actly what the angel wanted to tell him. #e turned to !oo -oung and ran towards her, calling her name. <!oo -oung. I am here. Im here.> !he stopped crying suddenly and spun around to face him, but he knew she saw nothing. he spoke again. <!ung 4on5> she spoke softly. <-oure still here, arent you5> <-es,> he replied. It was heartbreaking. #e would have reached out and held her close, told her that he was there and how much he wanted to help, but he couldnt. It bothered him tremendously that the person he was looking at was Min *i, not !oo -oung. #owever he wanted to see !oo -oung so he placed an illusion spell on her. Min *is image slowly shifted back into !oo -oung. #e was glad that he could see her beautiful face again. 'he pain in her eyes, the sadness on her face told him that this was the real !oo -oung. 'he one who was truly suffering. <!how me that you are here,> she whispered as she closed her eyes. #e called upon the wind and reached out to caress the side of her cheek. !he reached up and placed her hand on top of his. <!ung 4on,> she said as a single tear slipped from her eye. <Im glad youre still with me. -ou dont know how much it means to me.>
#e remembered the angels words. You $annot hel# her. 'here was a message behind that particular line. It didnt necessarily mean he couldnt allow her to see him nor touch her, as long as he did not help her. !hutting his own eyes, he called forth his own powers and tried to find !oo -oungs mind. #e was going to attempt something he never did before. #e probed deeper and tried to find her link to him. %nd then he found it, beneath a web of dark tangled barrier which blocked him from reaching out to her. 'he web was too strong for him. 'he web represented Min *is dark thoughts. "oo Young. I need you to o#en your mind. I need you to let me in. 1an you hear me% "ung 'on. Is that you% Yes it is. I need you to destroy the barrier. I need you to break through to me. You have to $ast ,in !is tangled thoughts aside. You got that% 2kay. I think I got it. #e waited for her to answer him. "oo Young you still there% "ung 'on. *er thoughts. Im afraid. Im afraid to fight it. You have to. You have to let me in. I think I got it. I got it/ !ung 4on searched her mind again and the darkened entangled web had disappeared. !lowly opened his eyes to find !oo -oung staring up at him. #e reached out to wipe the tears from her face and smiled. <'hank you, !oo -oung.> <!ung 4on,> she said, and threw hear arms around his neck, catching him off guard. <!ung 4on. I can see you. I can really see you. %nd I could touch you,> she said happily. !he tousled his hair playfully. <-ou dont know how happy I am to be able to see you.> !he wouldnt understand. !he wouldnt understand how happy he was that he managed to touch her. <!oo -oung. I have a confession. Im a cheater. I put the illusion spell on you so that I could see your true face. I figured if Im going to hug you, at least let me hug the real !oo -oung.> !he chuckled and pulled to look into his face. <-ou cheating bastard.> #e took hold of her hand and then brought it to his nose. <,et me sniff you.>
!he gave him a pu((led frown. <4hy5> #e fought the urge to pinch her face. he said as he placed it against his nose with his lips slightly brushing up against it. 'he smell of her was still the same. It brought back the times where they both would sit with her for hours, having meaningless discussions. !he drew her hand away from him. <!ung 4on. Cuit it=> <2ow for a closer inspection,> he said as he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close. !o close, her forehead was gra(ed against the side of his cheek. !he became still. #e could hear the heartbeat, which didnt belong to her. Reali(ation dawned on him like a ton of bricks. #e felt like his chest was going to e3plode because there were still many things he wanted to tell her. <!oo -oung. 7o you reali(e this would be our last meeting5> <4hy5> #e refused to let her know any more than he could give. <-ou have three days. 'hree days to settle everything with -oo *ae !ung. I cannot help you. I wont see you after that either. 4hether you fail or not, depends on you. 7o you understand what Im trying to tell you5> !he pulled her head back to stare at him. <4hats going to happen to us5> #e gave her a nervous smile. <I want to see you again, !ung 4on. I really do. 'his bonding thing that we have, it means a lot me. &elieve it or not, youre the closest to me. I appreciate what we have. Im glad you were there. &ut I really dont want to see you go. 2ow having to feel this heart beating. It really hurts. 2ot like it hurt before, but it hurts even more.> <Rela3 !oo -oung, +ust close your eyes.> !he shut her eyes and waited like she had done when they bonded. #e counted to three before lowering his head and kissed her lips. If we have to #art like this I might as well get a goodbye kiss. @A@A@
!oo -oung could feel the tingling on her lips, but he was no longer standing there. 9ark !ung 4on had left her for the last time. #e came to deliver her a message and then he was gone as if he was only a figment of her imagination. !he was back being Min *i and she still had *ae !ung to deal with. !till it hurt her to know that he was gone and she was alone. !he felt someone grab her arm and spun her around. *ae !ung had brought her a +acket and placed it around her trembling shoulders. <Its time to go back now. -oure going to catch a cold.> !he sat in front *ae !ung and he sat in front of her on the floor, drying her hair with a towel. <4hen I left you outside, I didnt e3pect you to leave me like that.> <Im not a child,> she argued. <Im not someone you could take care of.> #e stopped what he was doing and leaned over her shoulder. 9erhaps he was right. &ut she knew he was probably directed to Min *i, not herself. #ow would she do this5 #ow would she end it with him5 !hould she leave as Min *i or !oo -oung5 <4hat did you think of her5> she asked suddenly. <)f !oo -oung5> <-ou truly believe her name is !oo -oung5> <!he told me her real name. &ut I cant help but call her !oo -oung.> I am. I am "oo Young. !he wanted to answer. <If I told you a story. 4ould you be willing to listen and not say anything5> <Min *i/> <7ont call me that.> <Im sorry,> he apologi(ed. <6o ahead with your story.> !he turned around and crossed her legs in front of him. #e was looking at her with such an intensity that she was almost afraid of what he would do ne3t. 'aking hold of her hand, he said, <-ou can start.> !he inclined her head and started to tell him a story about two sisters who once
loved each other until one day a father had ruined it for them because of a gambling debt. *ealousy, envy and even hate separated them. )ne of them was abandoned while the other pursued her career. )ne of them fell in love while the other felt unloved. Meanwhile they both shared the same pain. )ne sisters pain turned into hate, driving the other sister to her death. *ae !ung said nothing while he listened and she was glad that he didnt. <7o you know why Im telling you this5> 'he look on his face wasnt serious enough. <-ou want to teach me a lifes lesson5> <&esides that.> #e averted her ga(e when he thought about it. <7ont tell me you were involved in this.> <4hat if I am5> #e shook his head in disbelief. <2o, I dont believe that.> 'his was her cue to play evil. <7o you know why !oo -oung makes me nervous5 &ecause she resembles my dead sister.> #is eyes widened. <Min *i, please dont talk that way.> <%m I scaring you5 I cant go on without having to bring up my past. I cant see a future with you, *ae !ung. &ecause my past keeps haunting me.> <4hat are you trying to tell me5> !he felt her eyes sting and uncontrollable tears started to cascade down her face. #e was shaking her now, as if he thought he could wake her up from her current state. <Min *i, snap out of it.> <*ae !ung. Im telling you the truth. I am"> she wasnt able to finish and turned her back on him. <'he reason why I chose you because I wanted this house. I wanted to keep the secret buried. 'hats the reason why I am with you. I dont deserve you. 'his is why I am telling you because you deserve to know what kind of person I really am.> #e let go of her and sat back stunned. <4hy5 4hy use me5>
!he knew it was finally dawning on him. <-ou were vulnerable and you still are.> #is +aws clenched and his hands curled into a fist. Bisible veins were beginning to show through and tears fell from his pain filled eyes. <#ow could you5> <&ecause I have it in me,> she replied coldly. #e shoved her back roughly. <6et out. 6et out of my house. 6et out of my life. 6o. %nywhere I dont care. *ust get out.> <*ae !ung/> <7ont you dare speak my name. 6et out of here=> he snapped, standing up to turn his back on her. !oo -oung couldnt handle it anymore. !he couldnt handle the fact she was hurting him and she couldnt stand pretending to be her sister. 8ach time she had to force the words out, she felt as if it was Min *i speaking for her. !he fled the room, rushed down the stairs and ran outside of the house. 4here would she go now5 4hat would happen to her5 %nd what of *ae !ung5 7id she make the right decision5 !he wouldnt know and she couldnt tell. !he saw the tree and went over to place her ear against it e3pecting to sense some kind of heartbeat. !he felt hopeless. !he wrapped her arms around it and closed her eyes because she didnt know what to do. !omething bright flashed and then she reali(ed that the tree no longer felt the same. 'he white angel was looking down at her with his colorful eyes when she opened her own eyes. #e was holding onto her like she was holding onto him. <!oo -oung. -ou did the right thing,> he spoke in a hollow tone. #e reached out to place a hand against her cheek. !he didnt think she could have done it either, but she knew she had to. !he didnt want to let herself down either. 9ulling back from him, she asked, <4hat will happen to me5> <If you want, you could still visit *ae !ung with the days you have left. If not, then you have to follow me.>
!oo -oung turned back to the house and tried to suppress the memories she shared with all of them. 'he angel held out his hand. <'hen come.> <&ut, leaving him like this seems unfair. I would like to say goodbye to him in my own form.> 'he angel smiled and she felt all the sadness washed off her like she was being cleansed from all her sins. #is smile was powerful enough to make her feel infinite. <'hen Ill grant you your re1uest.> !oo -oung looked down at herself to find that she was back to her normal self. #er feet were naked and she was in her purple skirt, along with a simple long$ sleeved shirt. !he ga(ed up at him and smiled in appreciation. !he thought of Min *i and wondered about her sister. <My sister. I need to know. 4ill she be safe5> <!he will be okay. I promise.> !he took hold of his hand and placed it against her face. <'hank you.> 'hen she released him and watched him turn to leave. #e looked over his shoulder and said, <%s for this tree. I do think the house needs it.> #is wings spread out behind him and she watched in awe as his form changed back into the tree like a white magical bird settling back into its original form. 'he branches started to sway at her presence and the blossoms fell on her, spreading it scent across the air. !he felt the grass tickled her feet and she felt happy, knowing she was herself again. !he turned to look at the house and started towards it. If she were lucky enough, -oo *ae !ung would forgive her for leaving him like that.
||Chapter .ineteen|
-oo *ae !ung was seated in his grandfathers storage room, staring blankly at the unfinished painting in the dark. 8verything that happened an hour ago, he tried to not to think about. #e only wanted to remember the positive things that came out of it. 'o him, ?im Min *i was only an illusion. 2ow he knew +ust how close she came to being real to him. 'he woman he thought he had loved and willing to live for had simply destroyed him with her powerful and heartbreaking words within a single shattering moment that left his emotions crippled. #e thought about all the things that would have happened to him if Min *i had not told him the truth about herself. #e thought about the outcome and reali(ed that in the end, he would still be left in heartbreak. In the end, -oo *ae !ung was still not meant to live. 'he long unshed tears seemed to flow naturally down his sad face as he thought about this history of :hoi !oo -oung, the dead sister. 'he woman he would have liked to get to know better. #e knew nothing of the stranger, and yet he felt attached to her. If she were alive, he would have made the effort to get to know her. 'hings would have been different. 4ith all thats happened, his mind would not allow him to rest. 'he faces of Min *i continued to taunt his mind, reminding him +ust how happy he was when he didnt know her. 'he real her. 'he only one he desperately wanted to forget. It was over. I had to be over. !he no long remained in his heart. #e had to believe that. % knock on the door suddenly drew him back to reality. <*ae !ung sshi. 'his is !oo -oung/ah sorry, I mean !oo %h. %re you in there5> #er voice. It was her. 4ithout bothering to wipe the tears from his face, he stood up and went over to open the door. #er face, so fragile yet innocent. !he stood before him with a concerned e3pression as if she seen it all. %s if she knew what happened and in an instant, he drew her close to him and held her there as if she was the only person on the earth who could understand his pain and suffering. <7ont leave me. Im afraid. Im afraid of what I might do.> !he did not answer him right away and did not try to pull away either. It took her a moment to speak. #e didnt want to discuss any of that. #e didnt care where she went off to.
Instead he stood still, holding onto her tightly. !he pulled away from him, staring up into his face. <*ae !ung sshi. 7o you reali(e what youre doing5 7o you know who I am5 Im your housekeeper. -ou could trust me.> #er eyes passed 1uickly over his saddened face. <-ou could tell me whats wrong.> he told her. #e was +ust happy to see her face again. %t least that much helped him take away his thoughts off Min *i. <Im tired. I need to sleep,> he muttered softly. !he inclined her head. <'hen you should go ahead and get some rest. -ou look like you need it.> <4ill you come with me5> !he tensed at his words. <4hat do you mean5> <!o that I know that youre still here in the morning.> <7ont be ridiculous/> <9lease,> he pleaded only to have her give in with a curt inclination of her head. 'hey walked to his room together and *ae !ung offered her the bed while he took the floor. <-ou stay on the bed.> !he had to argue. <2o. Its yours. -ou take it.> he insisted in return. <&ut/> #e grabbed her arm and dragged her on the floor with him. <'hen I guess well have to/> !he suddenly pulled away and hopped onto the bed in a childlike manner, tossing him a pillow and a blanket. <2o, thank you.> *ae !ung turned over so that he was facing the bed. !hutting his eyes, he mumbled, <Im glad youre here, !oo -oung.> #e reached out his arm and found her hand, curling his fingers around hers tightly. <!oo -oung5> he heard her soft voice echo him.
<-es, !oo -oung,> he replied before allowing the sleep to overtake him. #e wished that when he woke up in the morning, it would +ust be a bad dream and everything was back to normal again. 4hen he woke up that morning, apart of him was missing. #e was alone on the porch, leaning against one of the pillars as he watched her sweep the pile of blossoms in a careful manner, as if she was afraid she might hurt them. #er long hair danced along in the wind, blowing behind her like a silky cape. #er skin seemed to glow as if its been kissed by the morning sun and a blissful smile plastered her pretty delicate face. 4hat if the real :hoi !oo -oung had looked like that5 #e wondered. 4ould she ever appear as happy as !oo %h5 7id she ever smile5 #e reali(ed then how little he knew of the past owner and how much more he desperately wanted to know her. !ensing that he was staring, she lifted her head to meet his eyes for the briefest moment. % feeling overcame him. #e felt free again. ;ree of all his bottled up emotions because she was the only one who capable of making him feel that way. "he made him feel that way and no one else. It was then had he reali(ed how much she mattered to him. !omething inside drove him to approach her. !he stopped sweeping and spun around to meet him as if she knew he was going to her and opened her mouth to speak, <*ae !ung sshi/> #e pulled her into his embrace, cutting her off. <'hank you. 'hank you for being here,> he said, feeling the tears beginning to fill his eyes. <If you didnt come back, I dont know where Id be right now.> #e held her tightly and refused to let go. &ecause of her, he had made the right decision. #e didnt want to see darkness again. #e no longer felt afraid of it. !he never budged. instead she gave in and slid her arms around him. <It mustve hurt. Im sorry,> she said in return, like a close friend consoling him. <Im sorry that it had to happen/whatever it was. &ut dont blame yourself. 9lease dont blame yourself.> he mumbled in shame. <-ou have to reali(e that you cant continue to hurt yourself,> she said, pulling away to look at his face and shook her head. <2ot that way. 'heres no more need for that.> !he forced a smile upon her face. <&esides, youre beginning to
look more and more like a sap.> 'hat automatically brought a smile on his face. #er words were powerful enough to make him feel a sense of relief showering over him like a magical rainstorm. It was the first time, he felt happy and thankful that what happened to him the previous night only made him stronger. !lowly, he reached for her hand and held it close to his beating heart. <Im glad.> !he only looked at him and smiled wider. <-oure welcome.> !he turned to lead him down the path. <,ets go for a walk. Its such a lovely day, dont you agree5> #e caught up to her and they walked side by side, uncaring what others thought of them as they passed. !he stole a glance in his direction. <)nce the summer is over. I wont be coming back.> #e looked down at her, feeling his heart sinking. %part of him knew her but she still remained a mystery to him. #e felt ashamed for wanting to get to know her better. <4here will you go5> <%way. !omewhere far. I think Ive done a lot already. ;or you and for you grandfather.> #e noticed that she was keeping her ga(e ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. 'he 1uestion came too suddenly out of his mouth. <4hy5> !he sighed as she stared down at her moving feet. !he looked up and scowled. <!o stop being selfish.> !he was right. #e was being selfish. #owever much time they had spent together, he knew that she was the only person who cared enough to understand his situation. #e made a true friend for the first time in his life and he came to a discovery that his life was far more valuable than anything else. &ecause of her. %nd he knew it would be difficult to see her go. 'hey both knew they were happy for that moment, even if that moment never lasted. One Year Later
-oo *ae !ung watched his sister run along the shore with her new puppy. #ae *in became a different person. !he was much happier than before and her whining and tantrums and ceased considerably. #er health improved miraculously over the year. 'hat particular day when she woke up, she was a different person who saw things in a new perspective. #er short hair had grown out past her shoulders and he was watching her tiptoe along the sand. #e watched the way the wind swept her hair behind her. #e watched the way she smiled and the way she ran while the puppy chased her close behind. 'he clear blue sky seemed to reflect her happiness. #e listened to the music created by the sounds of the birds, falling into the rhythm of nature. %nd then he thought of her and thought about their last parting. #e had woken up one morning alone. #e reali(ed for the first time in his life how lonely he felt without her. 'hat same morning, the blossoms had fallen and the tree itself stood naked, e3posing its soul to the world. % soul which was now empty. It was e3actly how he felt that morning. #ad he seen her, he would have told her that he wanted to see her again. %lthough it felt like apart of him was missing, he knew the emptiness he was feeling now only sought to be filled with something new. <)ppa=> #ae *in called, alerting him back to his senses. <)ppa= 'he puppy=> #e saw his sister hopping frantically along the shore and the puppy was in the water, struggling to swim back, but he was lost and continued to swim further away from them. #e rushed towards it when someone 1uicker flashed past him into the water. It was a woman. #e could see that she was in denim shorts and a yellow t$shirt with her long flowing hair billowing out behind her. !he was already in the water and swimming to fetch the dog before he could do anything more. #e stood watching like a useless citi(en. !he was swimming back with the puppy cradled in one arm while he comforted #ae *in. 4hen the women reached the shore, he noticed that her long hair nearly covered half her face making it impossible for him to see her face clearly. !he handed the wet s1uirming puppy toward him. #ae *in took the dog and thanked her, before hurrying off to take care of it. 'he woman didnt bother offering him a glance as she walked right past him. #e turned around and called out, <-ah= 4ait up.>
!he ignored him. #e had to run and stand in front of her to get to stop walking. #e saw that her t$ shirt had molded against her body like a second skin because he could see that she had on flower$printed bikini top. #e had to 1uickly pry his eyes away. <Its okay. &e thankful that you didnt have to see him drown,> she said as she made another attempt to walk past him, but he was 1uicker than she e3pected, hurrying to block her for the second time. <%re you in a rush5> <-eah, actually I am. I was supposed to meet my boyfriend here, but I think hes left me now since I was trying to save your dog. !o if youll e3cuse me, Ill be on my way,> she said, brushing him off as if she didnt care. <6osh, I dont know what Ill be telling him. !hould I say )h, I was trying to save a dog from drowning so Im sorry I stood you up5> #e +ust stood there looking at her as she walked away. 'here was an odd familiarity about her. 'hat voice. #e heard it before. %nd that face, he had seen it before. &ut why did he get the feeling that he could not pinpoint it no matter how hard he tried. <'here you are=> came another male voice from behind them. #e turned to see that her boyfriend was wearing a baseball cap, a dark blue beater and a pair of +eans rushing towards her. 'he moment he was close to her, he placed a protective hand around her shoulder and glanced in *ae !ungs direction. %gain, he had the feeling he had seen him from somewhere too. <)ppa= )ppa=> #ae *ins voice turned him away from the couple. !he approached him and held the puppy to his face. <,ook, hes okay. I think he wants ice$cream now. :an we go for ice$cream5> #e nodded and turned his head enough to look back at the couple, but they had simply vanished as if they were never there to begin with. %s he was walking back to toward his car, trailing behind his younger sister, it finally clicked in. 'hat woman. It was her. <#ae *in, you go into the car first. I think I forgot something,> he told her as he rushed back to the spot, searching the surrounding area for any sight of her. !he was nowhere.
<*ae !ung, you bastard. %re you going cra(y5> he mumbled to himself as he frantically searched around for her, desperately wanting to call out her name. #e was certain it was her. #e +ust needed to see her again. #e wished for it, but she never came.
||Chapter Twent;| :hoi !oo -oung stood by the tree with her arms folded in front of her and watched as -oo *ae !ung and his sister walked off in the opposite direction. 9ark !ung 4on was standing ne3t to her, kicking at the sand like a bored child. <-ou didnt have to show up either, !ung 4on,> she remarked. <4hy did you5> he blurted in return. !he couldnt tell him the reason. <&ecause/> <&ecause you still cant let him go.> <)h for heavens sake, !ung 4on, why do you have to bring that up5> !ung 4on leaned in and shouldered her. <-ou crush on a human5> !he glared up at him. <!ure. !o you decided to play hero.> #e scratched the back of his hat. !oo -oung touched her arm and looked down at herself. <'hat felt weird. ;or a moment I could feel it. &ut its gone. 'hat part of being human again. Its gone.> Instantaneously, her outfit had changed and she was wearing a simple white dress that hung +ust past her knees, her long hair braided and hanging over her shoulder. !he lowered herself to the ground and ran her finger across the soft sand. #e leaned down ne3t to her and grabbed a fistful of sand in his grasp, watching it slide from his slim finger. <&ecause you dont like being a mortal5> <I really dont know. &ut to be honest with you, I would much have it this way than anyway else. ;or some odd reason I know Ive become what I am for a purpose. I feel that Im apart of something now. I feel so much more alive than I ever did.
*ust spending time with *ae !ung made me reali(ed how much I wanted to protect him or rather protect anyone.> !he turned her head enough to look at !ung 4on who kept his ga(e steady on her. !ung 4on reached out to touch her elbow. <-oure a good person, !oo -oung. #e wouldve liked you a lot as his friend.> !he smiled at his understanding. <'hanks. 'hanks for always putting up with me.> !he reached out and tousled his hair. <-oure great too.> #e smiled in return, before staring off into the sea. !oo -oung thought about it and agreed. <-oure right. If not then, perhaps a million years from now.> In another time and place/ "oo Young. 'hy do you en.oy the bea$h so mu$h% = 5ark "ung 'on I love nature. )ature is beauty. It brings #ea$e. If I had it my way I mu$h rather be a#art of nature than a human being. = 1hoi "oo Young *ow $ome I get the feeling like we all knew ea$h other in another life time% = Yoo !ae "ung Your voi$e is almost as soothing as the birds "ung 'on. 6lthough I dont want to have to wake u# hearing you sing to me every morning. = 1hoi "oo Young If I had wings Ill take flight with you in my arms and we $an both fly away. ,aybe to heaven% I wonder if heaven would a$$e#t someone like me. = 5ark "ung 'on Im afraid that if I kee# being your friend that youll eventually $ome to hate me for not wanting to be your friend but something more. = Yoo !ae "ung <-ah= :hoi !oo -oung=> a males voice called from the other side of the door. <,et me in. 4hy did you have to steal my books5=> 'he seventeen year old :hoi !oo -oung pressed her back tightly against the door thinking she could outwit the person standing on the other side of her room.
!he was much more irritated at the fact that he neglected to see the real problem. <-ah= -oo *ae !ung. I did not steal your books. 4hy are you chasing me all the way home5=> she yelled back, feeling her feet sliding as the door being pushed from the force of weight. #er legs gave in and she slipped forward, falling flat on her face. #er pigtail braids slapping her hard against her face causing her to s1ueal in pain. !he turned her head 1uickly to meet her best friend. -oo *ae !ung stood in his school uniform with his dark hair hanging in front of his eyes. ,ike a shadow he moved 1uickly toward her, sei(ing her by the arm and force to stand +ust inches away from his face. <4here are my books, !oo -oung5> !he winced in pain and words barely escaped her lips when she tried to e3plain to him. #er heart thumping out of rhythm whenever she came close to him. <0h" theyre not"here.> he asked, growing agitated. she said, attempting to free herself from his overpowering grasp. !hed always hate that she couldnt hide her emotions from him. #e loosened his hold on her. If only she knew that it was only his e3cuse to hold onto her as much as he could. #e stared into her innocent face and knew immediately that she was telling him the truth. #e knew her that well. %nger welled up inside of him. #e was going to kill those bastards. <'hose same guys that tried grabbing your behind the other day at the cafD5> !he inclined her head, knowing what was coming ne3t. *ae !ung spun around, ready to storm out of there when another figure emerged from behind the door, running into him. 'he force caused him to double over. <4ah, *ae !ung. -ou feel like a rock. 4hat have you been doing, working out5> remarked the other male named 9ark !ung 4on. 9ark !ung 4on stood watching them both, with a rips and tears in his uniform. #is right cheekbone was starting to swell. % trickle of blood began to travel down his nose.
!oo -oung hurried over to his side. <-oure hurt=> she panicked, using the back of her sleeve to wipe his nose as she guided to the edge of her bed and force him to sit down. #e cringed in pain as he watched her wipe at his nose. <Im okay. I took care of them. %fter I heard that you were attacked by them.> #e turned to meet *ae !ungs ga(e. <-ah. I saw you chasing her while I took them on. I thought you knew what was going on and decided to ditch me as I took them all on myself.> 8mbarrassed, *ae !ung averted !oo -oungs ga(e. <'hats all you care about huh5> !ung 4on said, looking away in disgust. <&ecause I knew how important they were to you. I picked them up. Its in my bag downstairs.> <!oo -oung. If youre done tending to this cow. ;ollow me out. I need to speak to you.> <:ow5 *ae !ung, you cocksucker=> !ung 4on yelled in defense, ready to +ump at his friend when !oo -oung intervened, standing in between them. #er two best friends were going at it again. 'here were several occasions when they got physical with each other and !oo -oung usually ended up being the one who was in+ured. !he didnt like that at all. <6uys. :alm down alright. 'his shouldnt matter anymore. %ll that matters is that were all okay. %nd that the ne3t time we see those punks around again, Im going to make sure to stomp on all of their heads=> &oth guys turned to look at her in surprise. *ae !ung turned to leave the room first. !oo -oung turned to look at the in+ured !ung 4on. <-ou gonna be okay5> <9romise that youll come back and tell me what he says about me.> !he only smiled in return and followed after *ae !ung. )nce she was out of the room, she shut the door behind her. <4hats up5> *ae !ung turned to face her. <Im sorry. I shouldnt have/> <Its okay. -our books are important/>
<Its not that. I want to help you, !oo -oung. I shouldve been the one to take on those guys, not !ung 4on.> <!ung 4on is my friend too, *ae !ung. I mean/hes our friend too.> #e said nothing as he stared at his feet in shame. <'hats because you are=> came the voice from inside as the door swung opened. !ung 4on peered out and laughed. #e went over to !oo -oung and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. *ae !ung half$smiled. <'hanks. ;or what you did. 'he books and the kicking ass.> <%w come here. ,et papa give you a kiss,> !ung 4on said, only to have !oo -oung shove him toward *ae !ung. *ae !ung took off down the flight of stairs, followed by !ung 4on looking like a puppy chasing its owner. !oo -oung stood on top of the staircase staring down at them both. !he was glad for her two friends. !he didnt know what shed do without them. !he closed her eyes and whispered a simple thank you to whoever might be listening to her and descended the stairs with a smile on her face.
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The Summer House by Moe

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