Chapter 1

"Get the fuck out of here right this fucking minute!" the shout from John, my boss, made everyone turn to look at us . "I can't even believe how you can still be here."

"But..." I wanted to retort but another angry shout broke through the two of us.

"No buts will do, get out of my sight, I don't want to see you on my premises again!"

His shout made me jump in my place as I turned to look at the man sitting on the floor, covering his nose which was bleeding, with one of the waiter's cloths.

Maybe I hit him too hard. But he deserved it, for trying to touch under my skirt.

"He wanted to touch me!" I tried to defend myself, feeling the tears stinging in my eyes.

It was all so unfair, it wasn't possible that he was firing me just for defending me from a drunk man who wanted to touch me without my consent.

"If you don't have money to support yourself and you make a living working in a bar, the least you can do is accept the offer and let them touch a little" he sneered and I clenched my hands into fists, wanting to punch him.

People were swirling around us again and already several of the patrons had helped the drunk man with the broken nose.

"That's not fair, and if it was your daughter are you going to let them touch her?"

"What do you say, stupid girl?" he roared with his hand raised, ready to slap me and all I did was close my eyes, waiting for the blow to come.

Funny thing, the punch never came.

I opened one eye and then the other, with my arms on either side of my body feeling me small and what I saw in front of me made me frown in confusion.

"What..?" I stammered.

"It's not okay to hit your employee" a tall man with brown hair and a black suit was holding my boss's hand in the air.

No, he was no longer my boss, he was a ruthless person, who was willing to hit me just for defend my body.

John looked at him dumbfounded before pulling his hand back with a jerk and baring his teeth angrily.

"What do you care? Ah?" he shouted, but backed up a step, noticeably intimidated by the tall pale man standing between us. 

I couldn't see my defender's face and at the same time could see little of John 

"That silly girl hit one of my clients. She's rude" he pointed at me, like someone scolding a child who only knows how to get into trouble and as he seemed to remember more of his anger, he tried to approach me and hit me again.

And once again the tall man in front of me stopped him, pushing him away from my reach.

"The next time I see him treat her like that, her or  any other woman, I'll have this filthy place shut down" the man threatened, his voice was deep and thick, as if he had just woken up. 

And I felt the desire to know what it would be like to hear such a voice in the morning. But this was a serious situation, I had just been fired and a tall, well-dressed man was defending me.

So I pushed the fleeting and inappropriate thought away from me and fixed my gaze straight ahead, though I could only see my defender's back.

"What?! And who do you think you are, you stupid brat..."

"Boss!" the voice of Luis, the waiter who had given his handkerchief to the man I hit, tugged on John's shoulder, shushing his nasty insult.

The boy leaned close to his ear and seemed to say something important to him, as Jonh opened his eyes so wide I thought they would pop out of their sockets.

"It can't be, it's... it's..." I scowled at him as he bowed to the man who stood between us and who had also defended me, as if he had seen a policeman... Or his wife. In awe.

"I hope someday he learns that you don't just have to be nice to a customer. I'll have an inspection come," was the last thing the tall man said before pulling my hand and starting to walk to the exit.

"No, please, sir... No, wait" I heard Jonh stammer, looking in our direction with a horrified expression. 

What had just happened?

. . .

We left the bar and the cold night greeted me as it began to cool my panties.

God, what was I supposed to do now? Jesus, I was so fired. 

I brought both hands to my arms, my uniform was a skirt and a button down shirt with short sleeves, so it didn't cover anything in the freezing night.

"What's your name?" a male voice asked softly and I spun, almost fearfully, on my feet to face the man behind me, only to be dumbfounded. 

God, what modeling magazine had this man come from? 

"Ah, I..." I began and he arched an eyebrow, waiting for my awkward response. 

His eyes were a light brown, almost honey color and his long hair fell on either side of his forehead. He looked soft and the scent he was giving off from his body was messing with my brain cells. 

God, where had she come from? I had never, in my short nineteen years, seen anyone as handsome as him.

 Maybe I was hallucinating from the sudden shock of John wanting to hit me... And this man had defended me.

 I sighed and clutched my arms tighter.

 When he had taken me off the premises I couldn't even take my coat, luckily that was the only thing I was carrying. I won't miss that coat, I guess, because I won't come for it.

So what.

Maybe if he hadn't intervened, maybe, just maybe, I would still have my job.

No! Who wants that stupid job, with a macho boss who thinks women are men's playthings?

I exhaled deeply and the steam came out of my mouth, as a reminder that I no longer had a source of income and that I wouldn't even be able to afford heat at home.

"Thank you" I spoke for the first time and he gave me a serious look. Now that I thought about it, he was intimidating, with his erect posture and serious look.

In addition to his clothes, he was dressed in a suit and that gave him a certain magnanimous air... Someone important.

That's why he had pushed John back, who could beat him in muscle mass, since he is fat....

But the man in front of me is muscular without being exorbitant. And he doesn't look that much older... About twenty-something? 

Although it didn't go unnoticed that Luis said something in John's ear and John seemed to come to his senses as he looked at my defender.

Who is this man?

"You must not allow anyone to touch you without your consent" he said and his voice was like a hint of warmth in this freezing night. "You were right to defend yourself" he continued.

"All right" I replied and bowed to curtsy by way of thanks. "I thank you very much..."

"What's your name" he asked a second time and I lifted my face to look at him, meeting those pretty brown eyes.

"Hazel, sir. But my friends call me Hal" I add as an unnecessary tidbit of information.

"My name is Lee Rang Do" he introduces himself, politely and I gawk at him once again. He's Korean, I wasn't sure where his features were from. "It's nice to meet you and I'm sorry about what happened in there."

"Oh, no, no, I'm sorry too" I laughed nervously. This was embarrassing, more so because I was sure that if he had come to my defense he must have also seen what had happened with that man. "I feel ashamed for everything that happened" and I bowed again by way of bowing, I once read that in Korea or Asian countries they did this as a thank you, greeting, farewell or in my case, apology. "Excuse me..."

But a hand under my chin shushed me and slowly his fingertips began to lift my face. 

The touch of his hands was delicate and above all, respectful.

"Don't put your head down, ever. It's not wrong to take care of your personal space, please stop apologizing."

And he did the unthinkable. He accompanied his words with a short smile that took my breath away. 

"Yes, sir..."

"Please call me Rang Do or just Rang."

"Okay..." I smiled and pulled my arms to ahead to shield my chest, it was freezing outside and it would be freezing at home too.

Oh, Mom.

"Where do you live?" she asked, pulling a cell phone out of her pocket and a really expensive one at that, wow, I couldn't afford something like that..... "I'll take you home..."

And it was like a bucket of cold water had fallen on me. Home? No! I couldn't take him there, mom doesn't like strangers and he might get scared.

Besides, today was my day off, but I wanted to come in for overtime. Maybe I shouldn't have come, breaking the timeline brought me consequences.

"No!" I exclaimed and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow, the phone already to his ear. "No, it's not necessary" I quickly denied. "I can take a cab" but what are you saying, silly Hal? If that's not even what you've got for, God. "I thank you very much."

I put a hand to my chest and bent over again.

"Stop bowing" he asked in a serious voice and I straightened up immediately, for God's sake, I was making a fool of myself.

"I'm sorry" I let out, stunned. 

"Taxi!" He raised his hand and his loud voice echoed in my head. He was hailing me a cab... No no no no, I don't have the money to pay for it.

From here I could walk, it's only an hour's drive... Almost the middle of the night. Oh, my goodness. 

"Sir, sir, please, that's not necessary, really that's..." but it was too late, as a yellow vehicle was parking in front of us.

Oh shit, how was I going to pay for that?

"Get in" ordered the man not, rather, Rang Do and opened the cab door for me, earning a look of fear. I don't have money for a cab, for God's sake, a cab was a week's worth of food at home. I simply couldn't afford it. "It's late" he continued and pulled a card out of his wallet. "Please call this number when you get home."

I passed saliva and looked at the man in the cab. I took the card he held out to me and walked straight into the vehicle. I sat in the back seat and then tucked my legs in. 

I took a deep breath. Well, I could wait for the cab to go a block and then get out and walk home. 

Yes, that would be a good idea...

"Please take her safely home" requested the man who had defended me, handing the cab driver a few bills. My mouth dropped open, as he turned his gaze once again to me. "You owe me nothing" he added, as if reading my mind. "Get home safe."

"Thank you..." I stammered, but he couldn't hear me, as he pulled his body out of the vehicle and immediately the man started the car to get going.

Walking away from that kind person who had touched my chin and asked me not to lower my head. 

I turned my body and looked out the back window, just to look at him one last time. He was standing, watching us walk away, hands in his pocket and pose straight. 

The last I saw of him, before the car turned a corner, was a man in a suit running up to him.

. . .

"We've arrived" announced the car driver, pulling me out of my reverie, where a gentle hand rested under my chin....

"Oh, yes, thank you, thank you very much" I hurried to get out of the car and once outside I bowed to the sir in the cab who looked at me as if I had gone crazy, before he started and drove away.

My eyes were glued to the vehicle as he drove away and I sighed. Apparently this was my night to make a fool of myself. 

I looked behind me at the building that loomed huge, I felt so tiny every time I saw it from the outside.

And just as I expected, Mom was waiting for me sitting on the steps, one shoulder leaning against the entrance frame. I smiled and walked to her calmly.

It was cold and she shouldn't be sitting there.

"Mom?" I reached over and touched her shoulder gently, I didn't want to scare her. "Mom" I tried one more time and she started to open her eyes.

A smile tugged at her wrinkled cheeks as she realized it was me touching her and I smiled back fondly. Mom always brightened my days.

"My Hally" she said cheerfully and I sat down beside her on the steps so she could hug me. "How was work?"

His question made me sigh, I had always hated that job deep down inside so I didn't know if I was glad or sad that Jonh had fired me.

"Oh fine, but I'm not going to work there anymore" I shrugged and started to get up, I have to get her inside or she'll get sick and that won't be good.

"Why not?" she asked worriedly, taking my hand to stand up.

I flashed her a small smile, kissed her cheek and tried to look casual not desperate and wanting to cry two days in a row, as I actually felt.

Mom is not good at tolerating strong emotions, she hasn't been able to for years. Her heart is fragile.

"I want to do other things. I start college tomorrow so I'll devote it to my studies" and meanwhile think about where the fuck I'm going to work.

God, it's all so hard.

"Well, I'm glad you're doing something else, baby" the elevator doors opened but inside there were already people. "Oh."

"There's still room for one person," said Mrs. Ines, our neighbor, she was accompanied by her husband and two children. The elevator must have gone down before it took them. 

"We'll wait... " Mom started.

But no, we couldn't. The elevator wouldn't go back down, it wasn't in the best condition, so that would be its last ride before being shut down. Besides, I would never put Mom up twenty flights of stairs.

"Mom, you go" I grabbed her by the shoulders and gently pushed her inside, the people in the elevator made some room for her.

"But, Hally..."

"I forgot to look for something, Mom" I lied and touched the button so the doors would close. "Wait for me upstairs."

"No, Hally..." and I couldn't hear her anymore.

Well, I'll get some exercise.

With a sigh I walked to the stairs and started up. I guess this day couldn't get any worse. 

"What am I supposed to do now? It's all so bad and hard. 

And sad.

And unfair too, what did I do to have to carry all this by myself?

For God's sake.

I stop for a moment to catch my breath and that's all I need to explode. I've already gone five floors when I stick my back to the wall and let myself slip to the floor. 

My chest rises and falls and I feel myself hyperventilating and the urge to cry is consuming me from the inside. It's like it's burning and I can't help it anymore.

I put a hand to my face and burst into tears, what am I going to do? Mom has had a heart condition for two years and the only solution is a transplant, but I can barely afford to buy her medicine. Or pay for the apartment.

"Why must it be like this?" I say between sobs. "It's not fair."

And with my knees up to my chest I allow myself to cry as much as I haven't been able to for a long time.

. . .

I open my eyes wearily. 

They are swollen and hurt a little. Last night while I was on the stairs I texted mom and told her it would be a while, to please go to bed.

I waited a reasonable amount of time until I sensed she was asleep. I didn't want her to see my face. I didn't want her to worry about anything.

As soon as I went to bed I had trouble falling asleep, so I just tossed and turned in my bed, trying to find a solution to my life. Like a million dollars in a suitcase.

I had to find money somehow, I could even sell things on the street... But I didn't even have anything to invest with. 

I groaned out loud and shoved the pillow in my face. 

"Meow" I heard in the distance and pushed the pillow away, I smiled as I saw Oliver, my cat, looking at me with confusion on my bedside table.

"Hello, kitty" I raised up on my elbows and nuzzled his neck. "Come to give me a solution to my problems?" I inquired.

"Meow" He insisted.

"Or maybe you just came because you're hungry."

"Meow."

And I did nothing but get up, I had to go to college and also think about some job.

I didn't see mom anywhere so she was probably asleep, it was six in the morning. 

I fed Oliver, ate some bread with jam, took a bath and washed my hair. 

If any interviews were coming up, then I had to look presentable.

"What do you think?" I asked Oliver, as I looked at myself in the mirror, today was my first day of college, I would be studying business administration and I was feeling optimistic. At least that was what I had left, my studies... Until I had to leave them. "Do you like it?"

"Meow."

"Yeah, I think it's too formal too" I dropped my shoulders and went back to change. A worn tube skirt and blazer was too much for the first day. 

Although Danna, my best friend, who by the way, will be studying the same as me, often says I have nice legs.

"Ha!" I scoffed in front of the mirror. "Nice legs, what good does that do me? Besides, men are all morbid and old geezers... God. I don't want anyone's hands all over me, no..." I shook my head frantically. "Although..."

And instinctively he came back into my mind, or maybe he never left. The man from the night before....

"Lee Rang Do" I tasted his name on my lips. He was also the reason I was awake much of the night. I couldn't get him out of my head. "His hands wouldn't bother me in my... No! Ah! But what are you saying Hally? You're such a pervert!"

I claimed to myself.

"A man like him would never notice me. Look at me!" I pointed at myself as I looked at Oliver.

"Meow."

"I'd probably never see him again. Besides, he didn't seem to be from around here... And I don't have anything to offer him, Oliver."

"Meow."

"I only have debts, an untouched virginity, and a sick mother I have to take care of. So the second thing I have left I'll keep until I die, I don't have time to look for a mate."

"Or you could sell it..." whispered my head.

Sell my... body?

"MEOW!"

And a dry laugh came out of me.

"God and look at me, talking to my head and a cat" I laugh and deny as I reach over to take Oliver in my arms and pet him before the apartment doorbell rings. "What, who could that be?

I frown. It's early for a visitor and we never get visitors even if it's not early. The only person who usually comes is Danna and I'm sure she's still asleep right now.

I walk to the door with Oliver in my arms and open it.

"Yes?" a tall man in a suit with neatly combed hair stares at me. He looked like an executive. "Can I help you?"

"Hazel Mason," he says.

"Yes, it's me..." I say with reservation, intimidating his serious look and he's too erect to be normal, reminds me of....

"This is yours" he holds out a bag I hadn't noticed he was carrying and I frown more, who the hell is he?

"Hey, that's not mine. I didn't order anything and..."

"It's yours" he insists and extends the bag even further in my direction. "Please take it."

I look from him to the bag and once again my mind travels to that place in the night and some hands under my chin.

It reminds me of Lee Rang. And that suit... Yes. That's the same man who approached Lee Rang when the car came around the corner.

What is he doing here?

I grabbed the bag and opened it. It's a gift bag like the ones they give in the malls when you buy clothes.

Inside it is my coat. My coat! The one I left at John's bar.

How did he get here? To my house. How did he get here?

"Why do you have this?" I held the bag to my chest along with Oliver and he stretched out his paw to try to check if what was inside was food.

"Mr. Lee Rang sent it for you."

"What?" I replied dumbfounded. "How?"

"And he sent you a message too," the man continued, looking like an executive. Was the man who had defended me someone important? But how important? "He says "Thank you for calling."

I frowned at his words.

"Calling?" and then I remembered. "The card he gave me."

The man in front of me just nods.

Wow, despite the fact that I couldn't stop thinking about that man throughout the night, I completely forgot what he had given me. 

Well, I guess I was busy walking up twenty flights of endless, hot stairs.

"Oh, well, thank you very much." I said to the man and he just curtsied and I mimicked him, still with Oliver in my arms, who was still trying to get his paw in the bag.

"That's all. I hope you have a nice day, miss" and without further ado he started walking to the elevator.

Lee Rang had sent me my coat and he had also been expecting my call... Oh, god, no.

I shook my head quickly and walked out into the hallway with the coat and Oliver clutched to my chest, straight to the man who had brought the only coat I have, to my house.

"Wait" I called and he turned to look at me, straight and attentively.

"Yes, miss?"

"Could you send a message to your boss?"

"Of course" he replied politely.

"Tell him..." what could I tell him?. "That I really appreciate him taking the trouble to return the only coat I have" I laughed nervously. "No, don't tell him that" I ask and clear my throat. "Tell him thank you for everything. And that I hope to see him again someday and invite him for coffee" I'm poor, but at least I can afford that. "Please."

"I will, miss."

"Thank you very much" and I got a curtsy before the elevator opened its doors and he slid in.

. . .

"And he fired you?!" exclaimed Danna indignantly, standing up, alerting half the cafeteria. I tugged on the sleeve of her sweater to pull her once again to the seat and she looked at me apologetically.

"Yes, he did that. And please don't talk so loud."

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "But it's just that it's amazing what cavemen men are. And plus that fat old man, what else did you do?"

"I broke the nose of the man who wanted to stick his hand up my skirt," I said reluctantly, dropping back in my seat.

"That's my female. I'm proud" she praised and then burst out laughing. Yes, that's right my Danna.

"I must get a job and soon. Mom's meds won't buy themselves."

"Your brother insists on not helping?"

I nod and she grimaces with hatred. Ever since Kadin, my older brother, left to work abroad he forgot about us. His excuse is that he doesn't live at home anymore.

"Well, we don't need him. I'll help you get a job" she smiles and I walk over to hug her. "We can start with Go Empress."

"Go what?" I ask and Danna just rolls her eyes.

"For God's sake, you never pay attention to what I say."

"Only sometimes."

"Go Empress" she repeats. "The owner is from Korea, Seoul. The company was also founded here a year ago and since they are going to expand they need workers with or without experience. We can try. Besides, he owns half of Seoul and a lot of the companies in this region, apart from Go, he will be here for a while to see how things are developing. I think he settled in about a week ago. That's not really clear to me."

"How do you find out about all that?"

"Camila is a reporter," he shrugs. Camila is her older sister. "Oh and the most interesting thing is that today he's going to..."

"Hey Romans" Ian, a pale, dark haired boy sits next to Danna and hugs her by the shoulders to which she slaps him away.

"Don't call me by my last name."

"Yeah, yeah, because you don't like it" He rolls his eyes. Ian goes to the same class as us, we've known each other since high school. He's quite studious and eternally in love with my friend.

But she doesn't seem to notice him. Or just ignores it.

"Yeah, yeah" Danna slaps him again and looks at her watch. "We should go now.

The three of us stand up and walk to the first class. It's Tuesday but it's opening day and they will most likely give some speech.

We get to the classroom and the three of us take a seat in the third row, not too far or too close to the professor. 

Danna and Ian start a discussion about my friend's last name while I just pull things out of my bag.

"Oh, what I was going to tell you, Hal," Danna calls out to me and I give her my attention, but what I think is the professor from the first class bursts into the classroom and everyone stands up.

Someone else enters, but without paying attention to him I return my attention to Danna.

"The owner of Go companies will come and give a commencement speech, as he will also fund this university."

"Dear new students please welcome the president of Go Empress."

And when I direct my gaze to the dais my mouth goes dry. 

The air leaves my lungs and I feel like I could faint at any moment as I watch him walk with that erect posture and serious look.

And this time his hair doesn't fall over his forehead and he looks much more imposing.

"Oh, shit..."

"Mr. Lee Rang Do."

I feel Danna squeal next to me and I just have my mouth hanging open.

He... He's here.