Chapter 3: “The Unexpected Gift”

IYAH

“There. It’s done. Wow Iyah! You looked really beautiful on that dress!” Ayla-unnie told me after fixing my hair. I’m wearing a fabulous baby pink dress with halter top and reaching just below my knee.

“But you’re still more beautiful than me, unnie. That’s why Renzo-oppa loves you since we were young.” I answered smiling at her. I saw her blushed.

“Iyah, stop teasing me, okay? He told me he loves me not only because of that. And besides, you’re beautiful in your own way.” She said composing herself again.

Unnie now owned a fashion company that is known in Korea for its unique designs. She’s so busy nowadays but I’m happy she attended this special day.

“Are you girls ready?” Renzo-oppa peaked at the door. I smiled. He’s still my old oppa. Sometimes being childish.

“Yeah honey, we’re ready.” Unnie said approaching him. Oppa peck on her lips. I giggled. Well, I’m so happy they are together now. But I wonder why oppa haven’t asked unnie to marry him now. They are both on the right age. Well, I didn’t try to ask. Renzo-oppa was a successful businessman too. He owned a bar and a café situated beside each other. I also wondered why he builds it like that. But again, I didn’t ask why.

“Is the debutant ready?” Oppa suddenly asked me still holding unnie.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” I smiled at him.

And I’m excited too! Well, who wouldn’t be?! It’s my eighteenth birthday today! Mom and Dad prepared a huge celebration for me! It was to be aired live on national television so I’m kinda nervous about it. And besides, I told Dad I wanted a simple celebration with just my family and friends but he insisted on making it big. And I don’t want to disappoint him. He said it was my special day and he wanted to show it to all. He said he’s so proud of having me as her daughter. He even teased me that he’s doing that because he wants me to fall in love to someone. Maybe I’ll find someone worthy on my visitors, he said. I just laughed and told him that I’m already in love, to him. He just laughed too. But honestly, I think I’m really in love. Back when I was eight, when I met that boy. I sighed as I remembered wishing to see him again every time I celebrated my birthday. I felt cold whenever I dreamt of seeing that boy collapsing after being shot. I tried to erase the thought that he’s already dead. Because I hope, deep in my heart, that he’s still alive. Because I’m sure, we will meet again! I just wonder when…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IYAH

“Iyah!” Somebody called me as I entered the venue of my debut. I looked at the direction and shouted.

“CALLISTAAAAA!!!!” I started running towards her.

“Iyah, don’t run. You’re wearing a dress!” She laughed at me. I smiled. Calli became my friend after the ugly man and his men kidnapped me ten years ago. I was traumatized and shocked that Mom and Dad was so worried of me and consulted a psychiatrist to bring me back to normal again.  Well, Calli is the daughter of my psychiatrist and upon knowing we’re at the same age, she befriended me and helped me become cheerful again. And since then she became my best friend.

“Iyah, it’s your debut. Act like a lady.” She scolded me.

“Sorry.” I mumbled as I pouted. We both laughed.

“Easy young ladies, the party will begin in a minute.” A deep voice behind us said. We turned around and saw Yosef He was Renzo-oppa’s staff at his bar and café. I wonder why some of oppa’s staffs worked both at his bar and café. On the café in the morning, and at the bar at night. I’m really curious about it. But again, I didn’t ask.

I saw Calli blushed when Yosef approached us. I secretly smiled. I know Calli has a crush on him but this is the first time I saw her blushed like that since we’re young. I nudged her back to reality.

“Aah, yeah.” She stammered.

I saw Yosef smiled at her and I thought, Am I missing something here? Yosef then excused himself and went to Renzo-oppa. I saw the other staffs of oppa arrived and waved at us. One is Aikon who is the same age as us. Hmmm... Well, Aikon has a masculine body with really nice and perfect abs but I don’t quite like him. I mean, romantically. He’s a good friend of mine. The other one was Sean. Hmm... He has a very charming smile. He’s kinda quiet but always laughs with Miko’s jokes. And speaking of Miko, he’s still waving at me. I chuckled. He’s the youngest of them all. He’s such a naughty boy, always teasing me but afraid of Calli. I dunno why. And I forgot to tell. Yosef was tall and handsome. Quite mysterious but joins with us when we’re laughing together. I became friends with them because I think Renzo-oppa trusts them. And also Ayla-unnie. All of them are staffs of oppa both in the café and at the bar. I tried to approach them but the host started talking. The party has begun.

Well, I can say it was a nice party. My motif was baby pink and white. I instantly knew that Mom spent a lot for my party. And that Dad paid a lot for the media and for the entertainers here. I can see a lot of my fanboys here and there. Xavier, Carl, Brent, Luke, Gian, Jayson… So many, that I can’t even remember their names… Aigoo… Then the eighteen roses began. First it was Dad, then Renzo-oppa, Yosef, Aikon, Sean, Miko… Then the others, my fanboys and some I didn’t even know. Then my family and friends give their messages for me. The giving of gifts. The performances for me. Then it’s dinner time and lastly, time for “party, party”, as we call it. I got bored and went on the rooftop. Trying to breathe some fresh air and thinking of him… I sighed…

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3RD PERSON

A silhouette of a man ran from the alley towards the hotel. A group of men followed him. Or to be exact, chased him. A silent alarm triggered when he entered the hotel. The man with a smiling face looked at his watch and pressed something. The tall guy raises his head and walks towards his boss. The man being chased ignores what was happening on the hotel and continued running on the fire exit. Up towards the rooftop where he placed his escape route.

I should get away from them. He thought. The men followed after him.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

RENZO

“Where’s Iyah?” I asked Ayla when I can’t find her on the crowd.

“I dunno.” My girlfriend answered me looking worried.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked.

“Something about work…” I just said avoiding her eyes.

“Should I search for her?”

“No. Stay here. I will find her.” I said.

“Renzo-hyung!” Miko came running to me.

“One of the waiters said Iyah-noona went upstairs.” He said.

“On the rooftop. She likes going there.” Ayla said. I looked at her and saw how brave she is. That’s why I love her. I held both her hands.

“Don’t worry about Iyah. She won’t be hurt okay?” I said kissing her forehead. She just nodded. I signaled Miko and Aikon to follow me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IYAH

I gazed at the stars and at the moon in this cold lonely night for me. I think I still haven’t got my wish yet. I sighed. How long will I wait to see you again? I asked loud. Then suddenly, I heard the fire exit door opened. And a guy, I think, the same age as me came running fast towards me. I can’t see his face clearly because he’s against the moonlight. He approached me.

“Miss, can I ask a favor?” I just looked at him upon hearing his voice. It was so soft yet sounded firm and with authority to me.

“What can I do---“ I begin to ask but he suddenly crashed his lips to mine, wrapped his arms on my waist and hold me close to him. I tried to be free from his hug but failed. I don’t know why, but I snaked my arms on his neck and kissed him back. It was my first kiss and I feel I was in heaven even though I don’t know who this guy that is kissing me is. I heard footsteps from the fire exit door and knew someone arrived but we just ignored it and continued kissing each other. Soon we heard the footsteps going away and were gone. I’m still in heaven when the guy pulled away from me. I looked at him still dazed from my first, romantic kiss. I still can’t recognize his face and felt really disappointed.

“Thank you, Miss. And I’m sorry.” He said and I can tell that he’s smiling by the sound of his voice.

“You saved my life. I owe you this” he continued stepping on the edge of the rooftop. I felt nervous.

“Wait! What are you doing?!” I asked.

He attached something on a wire connected to a post below and slid down to the alley. I was left there still dazed looking at the guy disappearing in the darkness.