Even this late — early? — the streets of the city are alive. The activity around the 24 hour establishments and the buzz around the nightclubs is a big contrast from the quietness we've left behind in my apartment.
Hyun Bin drives though the city towards Min Ji's neighbourhood. After checking her security system, she found out that Yeri left barely half an hour ago. If she's on foot, she's bound to still be in the area.
I keep my eyes on the street, hoping to spot her figure. Beside me, Hyun Bin is an anxious case of nerves. One hand is gripping the steering wheel tightly, while the other is on his lips, his teeth working on his thumbnail. It appears like a nervous tic of his, one I've never seen before.
"Between us, Henry, and your sister, it's hard to miss her," I tell him, hoping to reduce his nerves. Before we left my apartment, he called his driver and let him know of the situation. In five minutes, Henr
I'm unable to go back to sleep when I get back to my apartment. I make myself a mug of instant coffee and pull out my notebook, making sketches of outfit ideas. It's the only thing I can do to preoccupy myself and prevent myself from calling him. It's almost five o'clock when my phone pings with a text message. Hyun Bin: Are you awake? I reply back, ‘Yes’. As soon as my message is delivered, my phone rings with his call. I rise to my feet and accept the call. "Hey." "Hey. Couldn't go back to sleep?" "Yeah." "Me too." There's a sigh on his side. "Sorry for disrupting your night like that." "I was happy to help," I assure him. Tentatively, I add, "If there's anything I can help with, just let me know." He chuckles lightly. "Min Ji told you about Yeri, r
"I'm so happy for you!" I try to get some oxygen into my lungs as Bella squeezes the life out of me. Ever since I told her about the development in my relationship with Hyun Bin, she has repeated these same words and action too many times. I pat her back with one hand and try to push her away with the other. "I know, you've been telling me that for the last two weeks." She pulls away, a grin that looks like it could fill the world on her face. "I think it's finally sinking in. When you told me about it, I admit I was skeptical." I huff and settle back in my car seat. We're in a cab, headed to town to shop for clothes. It's Friday evening. I had the day off, only because I'll be at work over the weekend working with the new group as they wrap up their promotions. Tomorrow, Bella is attending a family dinner, and she wants to look for an appropriate outfit. She pushes my
"You're crazy," I say, looking outside the car window to the parking lot outside. It's five in the morning. Not a time I would normally choose to go to a movie theatre. But it's November 14th and I didn't expect Hyun Bin to be the kind of romantic who wouldn't let our first couple holiday together go by unobserved. "For you," he says, reaching over to wrap my scarf securely around my neck. Leaning towards me, he gives me a quick kiss. "Let's go." We leave the car and head towards the entrance. As you'd expect of a movie theatre this early in the morning, there's barely anyone around. We get our tickets and snacks from a half-asleep worker and get inside. There's one other couple settling in their seats farther below, and I realise we're not alone. Maybe this is not a totally crazy idea. Holding onto my hand, Hyun Bin leads
The last few weeks have been great in both my work and personal lives. Park Entertainment has managed to steer clear of scandals for a while now, which is a nice change from when I first joined. I've almost forgotten about my own unfortunate brush with the paparazzi and the drama that ensued on social media. Since the issue about the incident at The Daze was cleared, Fiona has also not made any attempt to intimidate me at work. That's likely because she no longer has something to hold over my head. But better than all that is my relationship with Hyun Bin. The challenges I thought would be in our way due to his social status are non-existent. I mean, of course, we cannot walk into any restaurant we want or go to the movies like every other couple. But I much prefer the date nights we have where we cook together — or where I sit and watch him cook —and the peaceful night walks we've taken several times.
"I thought we could watch the snow tonight somewhere nice by the river. But with everything that's happening... I'm sorry I couldn't take you anywhere nice." I give Hyun Bin an amused look and lift an eyebrow. "You don't have to feel bad about that. This is great too. It's nice. And I have you all to myself." Hyun Bin watches my face, and he doesn't look assured by my words. I huff and pretend offense. "What do you take me for? You must be tired dealing with those ridiculous rumours all day. I'm actually happy we're here instead. It's quiet and safe. And you can relax." He reaches for my hand and kisses the back of it. The simple gesture sends tingles up my arm. "I'm glad to be here with you too." There's a sitting area fashioned in his back garden, and that's where we are right now. With the plants, flowers, and lights around us, it seems like the perfect hangout spot
We plan to spend the weekend together but Hyun Bin has to go to work on Saturday. So I stay back at his place when he leaves. He assures me that the day won't come to an end without the rumours being put to rest. Seo Daehyun is so lucky he is going up against such a considerate rival. Maybe he knows how considerate Hyun Bin can be, and that's why he dared to lie in the first place. He must have forgotten that while Hyun Bin sacrificed himself for him and the others years back, he's now responsible for another group of artists. Therefore, no matter how much Hyun Bin wishes he doesn't have to rat him out, Daehyun is not his priority. Not anymore. I keep checking phone, waiting for updates about the situation. X Entertainment, Hyun Bin's old agency, refrains from making a statement. Social media is a battlefield as the opposing fandoms defend their respective favourite. When it gets
"Emma? Emma, are you there?"I'm unable to respond. Or think.My mother?Is this really my birth mother?How...Why...I draw the phone from my ear and hang up.The phone rings again, the same number.I don't take it.It pings with a new message and I take a look."Jennifer told me about what happened. I know this is a surprise to you, but I have something to tell you. Come and meet me here (address) at 6pm tomorrow and I'll clear everything up about your father. When you arrive, ask for Emily Larsson."I read the message over and over again.After 25 years, my mother wants to meet me? Where was she all these years? Ever since I found out the truth from Louise, the thought of her fills me with bitterness. It's t
"How did it go?" Hyun Bin asks me when I get back to my apartment and give him a call."To be honest? Nothing like what I expected.""Better or worse?"I shrug. "Neither. After everything she said, I didn't have the energy or motivation to be angry at her. It doesn't erase the fact that she abandoned me, but... The other stuff were the highlight of the night, I guess.""You sound like you need a hug right now."What an understatement.I smile. "I do, but I'll be fine."Actually, I think I can do with some alone time right now. I'm still processing everything. Then, I have to gather enough courage to reach out to Jennifer.I cannot put into words how relieved I am to find out that Dad never betrayed us. That relief is shadowed by guilt and shame.I've been wron