TWO

On the other hand, Lee Haekyo is desperately trying to defend himself from the attacks of the young delinquents he meets.

Earlier, after he finished his shopping errands, Haekyo accidentally walked past a group of delinquent youths who were busy doing various useless activities. Unfortunately when they saw Haekyo passing in front of them, the delinquents were like getting bait of fresh red meat that looked delicious.

With the spirit of the youth, one of the youths from the gang of delinquents approached Haekyo and began to treat Haekyo arbitrarily. Seeing Haekyo's reaction, which was so funny and ridiculous, a group of other youths also came to tease Haekyo. In fact one of them had made Aunt Nam's groceries fall to pieces on the ground.

With all his might Haekyo protects the only groceries he can save from the cruelty of the delinquent youths. Poor Haekyo continued to hug a packet of flour that Aunt Nam would use today to make cakes, while eggs and other items that had been destroyed were used by some of the bad boys to hurt Haekyo.

"Please help me." Haekyo stuttered with a voice that was barely lost.

One of his hands raised up to ask for help to anyone who passed in front of him. But neither of them turned their heads to help him. In fact they actually ran, speeding up their pace so that they didn't have to face Haekyo's pitiful face asking for mercy from them.

"Please, sto-stop it. Let me g-go," cried Haekyo with hands still faithfully embracing him and also a packet of flour in his arms.

“Hah, you idiot! Why are you walking alone in front of our campus?”

"Aw, surely her mother is waiting anxiously at home preparing a bottle of milk for her little baby." One of the delinquents chirped while imitating the style of a little baby who was whining.

Haekyo tried to raise his head towards the bad boys. His heart ached to hear the various taunts thrown at him. He wanted to cry and run into Aunt Nam's arms, but suddenly he remembered the message from Aunt Nam who told him, if as a man, Haekyo must grow up to be a tough man and not be a crybaby. One of Haekyo's hands then lifted and tried to wipe the tears that almost fell down his thin cheeks.

"Look, this idiot is crying." The bad boy mocked while laughing out loud with his other friends.

Unexpectedly Haekyo tried to struggle from the grip of the thug's hand and shouted with his stuttering voice that sounded forced.

"No, I'm not crying. I’m a strong man. I'm not afraid of you all of you."

The shout was so loud and full of courage. Some of the punks looked stunned for a moment. However the silence did not last long. One of the delinquents who was a provocateur immediately shouted provoking all his friends to act to attack Haekyo.

“Guys, this idiot boy has already dared to go against us. Let's just beat up this damn idiot!"

Not long ago, Lee Haekyo had become the butt of all the bad boys. They all beat Haekyo so mercilessly that the poor man could only curl up on the ground shaking and clutching the only thing he treasured, a packet of flour. The hustle and bustle of the pedestrians who had been passing by Haekyo didn't seem to have any effect on the poor man. They all seemed to have blinded their eyesight and deafened their hearing for a moment trying to care for Haekyo. It seems that the young delinquents really have a terrible reputation around the campus, so that no one dares to deal with them and help Haekyo.

"Hey Stop it! I said stop it!” An unexpectedly loud voice suddenly stopped the persecution. The young man who was the leader of the delinquents looked up arrogantly while staring arrogantly at the woman who was currently standing in front of him.

"Oh, so a college goddess is now trying to help this idiot boy." The delinquent leader mocked in a scornful tone. He gripped Hana's cheek tightly as he lifted her up. Hana looked at the man with a grim expression on her face. She was not at all afraid of the lowly human in front of her.

"Let him go. What a cowardly man." Hana hissed furiously.

"Let go? Geez, I'm not going to throw my toys away before I get tired of playing with him." The delinquent leader replied fiercely.

"Oh, I see. You want to deal with the police?”

"Hah, I'm not afraid of your threats sweet lady." The delinquent leader replied, starting to be rude. He caressed Hana's smooth cheek while smiling lustfully at Hana.

"You'd better be my decoration on the bed tonight, how about that?" The delinquent leader smirked at Hana.

Hana tried to release the hand of the delinquent youth from her cheek, but the young man clutched her thin cheek even tighter, until the white cheeks turned red.

Meanwhile Haekyo looked surprised on the ground with his breath still racing when he saw Hana's sudden appearance. Didn't think that there was a brave woman who would help him from the hoodlums. Unfortunately the girl now has to be unlucky because the bad boy is now clutching her chin. He couldn't fight the bad boys because now his hands were being grabbed by that damn man's men.

Not long after, suddenly Kyunghee's figure appeared who brought several policemen with him. The police then immediately arrested the delinquents and took them to the police station. In fact the head of the delinquent's face had now turned deathly pale. Even though a few minutes ago he was still standing in his place with a disgustingly arrogant face. After they left, Haekyo still faithfully sat on the ground with a trembling body and a pale face.

"Hana, are you okay? Did they hurt you?” Kyunghee asked worriedly while examining Hana's body one by one. The woman gently tried to calm Kyunghee and told the man that she was fine.

"I am alright. But, that young man...." Hana pointed at Haekyo's trembling body who was currently sitting with his back to them.

Kyunghee frowned in surprise at the sight of a man who was currently sitting with his back to him, hugging a packet of flour. For some reason Kyunghee could immediately tell if the man was hugging a packet of flour, because he had time to glance at the flour spill that was scattered there.

"What's with him?" Kyunghee asked flatly looking unconcerned. After all what is the relationship that man has with him that he has to pity this strange man who is currently shaking with fear while hugging a packet of flour.

He's a very strange man.

"He's sick, Kyu. He's a mentally retarded man." Hana whispered trying to give understanding to her lover.

Hearing Hana's words, Kyunghee could only raise her eyebrows in confusion.

"You mean he's an idiot?" Kyunghee asked sounding harsh. Hana gently nudged Kyunghee's arm so that her boyfriend wouldn't say idiotic words to the man, because it felt like it was inappropriate to say that.

"Shhh, I'll go over to him." Hana said as she walked away to approach Haekyo.

Suddenly Kyunghee's hand rose to grip Hana's wrist. He looked at her face flatly while shaking his head disapprovingly.

"You don't have to think about him. There's more important things I want to talk to you about."

“Kyu, we have to help that guy. At least I have to make sure he's okay."

"Hana, please don't test my patience." Kyunghee hissed getting emotional. He really doesn't like rejection. Moreover Hana refused him just to help a weird idiot like that. Really really annoying!

“Kyu, I'm not testing your patience. If you want to go, then go. I'm going home by bus."

"But there's one important thing I want to talk to you about." Kyunghee said irritated.

Hana tried to release Kyunghee's grip from her hand, and after that she immediately walked away to Haekyo.

From his place, Kyunghee seemed to clench his fists in anger while staring intently at Hana and the idiot man who now looked up to look at Hana while putting on a face that was very disgusting according to Kyunghee.

"Hey, are you okay?" Hana asked softly while patting Haekyo's shoulder lightly.

Haekyo, who was a little hesitant at first to turn his head towards Hana, now shyly turned his head to look at Hana's face because he suddenly felt curious about the face of his guardian angel.

"Yy-ya, I'm fine." Haekyo stuttered with a face he was trying to hide.

Hana smiled gently at Haekyo while extending her hand for a handshake. Haekyo then took the opportunity to shake hands to stare at the Hana's face with a very cute innocent face. Hana then laughed out loud with her hand still stretched out in front of Haekyo's face.

"My name is Im Hana. What's your name?" Hana asked while holding back her laughter. The man in front of her was really innocent. It made her want to laugh out loud. But not. She would try to keep her attitude in front of this man, because she didn't want him to be offended by her attitude.

"Le-Lee Haekyo."

“Wow, what a nice name. Oh, that man is my lover, Cho Kyunghee."

Hana quickly turned around to call Kyunghee over.

"Kyu, come here," called Hana while waving her hand.

At first Kyunghee just stared at the wave of the hand flatly while remaining motionless in its place. However Hana then showed an irritated look on Kyunghee's face, so that Kyunghee couldn't help but comply with Hana's request to come closer. After all, he really had to be nicer and sweeter to Hana so that she would accept his proposal later.

“Now then, this is Cho Kyunghee.” Hana said cheerfully while embracing Kyunghee's stocky arms cheerfully. Unexpectedly Haekyo immediately stepped forward and hugged Kyunghee’s body happily, until Hana herself was surprised and reflexively stepped away from Kyunghee's side.

“Kyu, C-Cho Kyu-Kyunghee.”

Lee Haekyo shouted happily like a child. Kyunghee who received such treatment from Haekyo looked very disgusted and immediately pushed Haekyo away until the man fell to the ground. Now all the flour that he had been holding on to for so long was spilled on his face as well as his shirt which was already very dirty.

"Idiot, why are you hugging me." Angry Kyunghee in front of Haekyo.

Hana who saw that looked surprised and immediately helped Haekyo to stand up.

"Kyu, what are you doing!"

“I t it's okay. Ky-Kyu, today I'm going to make a cake with Aunt Nam." Haekyo stuttered with a cheerful face. He seemed too concerned about Kyunghee's treatment of him. After all, it was normal for him. From the first time he saw Kyunghee, the man always seemed to hate him.

"You know him, Kyu?" Hana asked Kyunghee asking for an explanation.

The man looked so angry as he clenched his fists in his trouser pockets. He really doesn't like it if his family's disgrace is now known to Hana. The fact that Lee Haekyo is his older brother is indeed very disturbing in his life.

"Kk-Kyunghee is my brother," Haekyo answered innocently answering Hana's question.

Hearing that, Hana couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise. All this time Kyunghee had never told her anything. What she knows all this time is that Kyunghee has only lived alone, because his parents have long passed away. However, about his brother? Kyunghee never told her anything at all.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Hana asked demanding an explanation.

Kyunghee looked disgustedly at his brother. Even Kyunghee openly gave Haekyo a threatening look, so that the man looked frightened while looking at the ground and twisting the hem of his shirt.

"He's not my brother, he's just the son of my father's bitch." Kyunghee answered flatly.

"Kyu, you hurt him." Hana whispered fiercely when she saw Haekyo who lowered his head even more.

"I do not care. After all, he is a disgrace to my family.”

"Enough. I don't want to ask you any more explanations. Now let's go home."

Then Hana was about to invite Haekyo to go home with Kyunghee, but when Hana turned her head to the right, Haekyo had already walked away leaving the two of them with a very sad looking down face. Seeing that, Hana immediately ran after Haekyo, she didn't want something like that to happen to the poor man again.

"Lee Haekyo. Haekyo oppa, wait."

Haekyo stopped in his tracks for a moment when he heard Hana's voice calling his name. However, he was reluctant to turn his head back, he was too scared to look at Kyunghee's hideous face.

"What's wrong?"

"Let's go home together. Doesn't oppa live with Kyunghee?"

"N-no, I'll go home alone."

"Oh, come on. Kyunghee won't be angry if oppa comes home with us," said Hannah once again.

Kyu, you really sucks. Hana thought furiously. But she tried her best to contain her emotions.

"Re-really?" Haekyo asked unsure and scared.

“Yes, Kyunghee has promised me. He won't be mad at you."

Then Haekyo started to turn around walking hand in hand with Hana to approach Kyunghee who was waiting for them in the car.

Arriving in front of Kyunghee's car, Hana immediately opened the passenger door for Haekyo. However Haekyo never stepped into the car, the man didn't even move, staring at the passenger seat in front of him.

"What’s wrong?" Hannah asked softly. She was surprised by Haekyo's strange. However, then Hana immediately corrected her own thoughts, because actually Haekyo was really weird. In a real sense.

“Hh-how about my clothes… dirty.” Haekyo said while showing all his clothes which were really dirty. Some of the clothes that Haekyo was wearing were covered in flour and also had yellowish spots with a very strong fishy smell.

Hana looked at all of Haekyo's clothes with sad eyes. She couldn't imagine how Lee Haekyo's life had been. He must have been in a lot of torment every day and had always been in a lot of pain.

"It's okay, Kyu can wash this car after this. Here, I will help oppa to clean your clothes." Hana said with a sincere smile while patting the remaining flour stuck to some of Haekyo's clothes.

For a moment Haekyo just stood there, looking at Hana's face who was currently seriously cleaning his clothes. Somehow Haekyo felt so happy to have Hana here.

"Well, it's done. Now you can go inside. Do you need help from me?"

“N-no, I- I can do it alone.”

Haekyo then stepped into the car and sat himself stiffly like a statue. It was obvious that the man was so tense right now. Hana sighed in exasperation when she saw Kyunghee who again threw his anger gaze at Haekyo openly. Hana quickly pulled the car door handle and sat down next to Kyunghee. That way Kyunghee can immediately start the car without continuing to spread terror on Haekyo.

-00-

The night wind blows gently, spreading a chill that pierces the skin. From the balcony of Kyunghee's house, Hana is busy looking at the stars while enjoying the cold night air. From the balcony, Hana can see Haekyo's excited playing with Kyunghee's personal driver and also Aunt Nam, a housemaid who has been serving the Lee family.

This afternoon Kyunghee finally told her everything about his messy family. In the past, it turned out that Mr. Lee had another wife besides Kyunghee's mother, and also had a son besides Kyunghee. The fact that Mr. Lee has other children besides Kyunghee made he hate his father so much and made Kyunghee change her surname to Cho, according to his mother's surname after his mother died. However Kyunghee's hatred grew when it turned out that his brother had such a great ability far beyond him, that his father admired and loved Haekyo more than him. Remembering all of Kyunghee's stories about his family made Hana realize that she couldn't blame Kyunghee completely for the hatred he had for his brother. If she was in Kyunghee's position now, maybe she would also feel a lot of hatred towards her stepsister.

"Honey."

A pair of strong hands suddenly hugged Hana from behind. Hana immediately flinched in surprise, but after that she was able to receive a hug from Kyunghee which was very sudden. While enjoying the cold night air, the two of them warmed each other with the closeness of their bodies pressed against each other. In fact Kyunghee purposely buried his entire face into the crook of Hana's neck to inhale as much of her scent as possible.

"What's wrong Kyu? You surprised me," Hana said in a soft voice.

Kyunghee tightened his hug even more while leaning his chin on Hana's small shoulder.

"I miss you."

"Hmm, then?"

"I love you."

"Hmm, then?"

"I want to marry you."

"Hmm, then?"

"Let's get married tomorrow."

There was no response from Hana after that. Cho Kyunghee then slightly poked his head forward to see Hana's face, but what he saw was a very cute surprised face from his lover.

"Why are you silent? I'm really proposing to you right now Im." Obviously Kyunghee was a little amused. It felt really strange to say those words to Hana. Given that he rarely treats Hana like this. Usually Kyunghee is only limited to giving attention in the form of actions, not with words.

"You want to marry me?"

"Of course." Kyunghee replied while turning Hana's body in front of him.

In her eyes those clear eyes were deep. At a glance, Kyunghee could catch a look of worry and fear in her eyes. Don't know what Hana is currently afraid of, what is clear is that Kyunghee must immediately ask this so that his wish to marry Hana is immediately realized.

"What is wrong with you? You don't like marrying me?"

"No, it's not like that. I was just too shocked by this sudden proposal. Besides, what are you going to tell my dad later? Don't you know that daddy doesn't like you a little bit?" Hana asked in a small voice.

Honestly, she didn't want to say that to Kyunghee, but in reality it was like that. For some reason, her father had never liked Kyunghee, even though her father had not shown it openly.

"About that, you take it easy." Kyunghee said with an evil grin.

He won't be able to let Mr. Im get in the way of his intentions. Whatever happens Im Hana must marry him, so that he can get all the assets of the Lee family. Then he will kill the entire Lee family that is left until there is not a single creature named the Lee family who is still victorious and becomes a millionaire in South Korea. After this, Mr. Im will definitely not be able to say no to his daughter's marriage to him, because Mr. Im's whole life now depends on him, on all the assets he has.

“Kyu, but I still want to continue my studies. I don't want to have kids right now." Hana said suddenly breaking Kyunghee's daydream.

"For me it doesn't matter, we are both still young and still have to work hard to develop our respective careers. So, putting off having kids for a few years I don't think it's a problem."

"Is that true? Aaaah, thanks Kyu." Hana said happily while hugging Kyunghee tightly.

The man then hugged Hana back just as tightly without intending to let go of Hana's body after this. The woman in his arms is indeed very special for Kyunghee. It took Kyunghee years to get Hana. However, all of Kyunghee's hard work has now paid off, because finally he can have Hana and after this they will get married. That means Hana will really be his, completely.

"Hana."

Kyunghee slightly moved his body away from Hana's body to see Hana's beautiful face that adorns his dreams every day. Suddenly Kyunghee's face moved closer to kiss Hana's very seductive red lips. It's been a long time since he kissed Hana since he was busy with his work as CEO replacing Mr. Lee who died and also his dirty business problems which have been getting a bit of trouble lately.

The longer the face got closer and closer until Kyunghee's hot breath now hit Hana's face and made Hana's white cheeks turn red. The woman closed her eyes hoping anxiously because now Kyunghee would kiss her. Both of Hana's hands rose and wrapped around Kyunghee's neck so they could kiss comfortably. However, before the two lips met, there was a loud thud coming from the lounge next to the balcony. Both of them immediately realized their reflexes and immediately distanced themselves to see the source of the chaos that had just disrupted the romantic atmosphere between the two of them.

“Idiot, what are you doing there? You accidentally dropped all those books. Shit!” cursed Kyunghee was annoyed at Haekyo who was currently groaning in pain on the floor because he had just been hit by a few books that fell from the bookshelf in the lounge.

Hana who saw this then immediately helped Haekyo to get up and sat the man on a chair.

"I-I'm so-sorry. I stumbled on the carpet while I was picking up the story book," said Haekyo feeling guilty while pointing to a thick gray book containing a collection of fairy tales.

“You idiot. How old are you now that you still like reading children's stories full of deceit like that. You should read stock charts or business books. You idiot!" shouted Kyunghee is merciless.

A clear tear escaped from the corner of Haekyo's eyes. He felt so stunted now. He wanted to return to his normal self like before, without bothering the people around him, including Kyunghee.

"I-I'm sorry," Haekyo said with difficulty in a choked voice. Im Hana stroked Haekyo's back so that the man would be a little patient in dealing with Kyunghee's behavior, which she thought was too outrageous.

"Kyu, come on. Your hyung is innocent after all. Haekyo oppa just tripped, he didn't do anything fatal." Hana said trying to suppress Kyunghee's emotions. She didn't want to see Lee Haekyo fall victim to Kyunghee's anger just because he was weak and an idiot. However it seems that Kyunghee's hatred for Haekyo has exceeded the limit, so it will be difficult for Hana herself to make Kyu turn to like Haekyo.

"Whatever, I don't care about him. Now tell this idiot to quickly clean up the mess he's made, I'll finish the office work in my room."

After saying his harsh words to Haekyo, Kyunghee immediately left the lounge with an extremely angry face. Meanwhile Haekyo could only lower his head while playing with the hem of his shirt nervously. He really felt very guilty. Even though at first he only intended to take a book, but he was a little surprised by the presence of Hana and Kyunghee who seemed to be doing something on the balcony. Because he was too fixated on Kyunghee and Hana, he ended up tripping over the carpet, crashing into a bookshelf and making several books fall with a thud on the floor.

"Oppa, it's already late. I'm going home now. Are you okay oppa?”

"Yea, I'm fine. I’m- I'm sorry."

"It does not matter. Do not think about it. I'll try to make Kyunghee reduce his anger to you. I’m leaving, good night."

Haekyo waved his hand at Hana until the woman disappeared behind the stairs. He then walked with his limping legs to the balcony while watching the departure of Hana who had entered the car with the driver. While looking from the balcony, Haekyo smiled to himself at the thousands of stars that were currently shining illuminating the earth. The strange man cupped his two faces which were currently shining, even though he had just made a mistake by making Kyunghee angry with him. But with Hana here, Kyunghee's anger, which was usually very painful, turned into something that was nothing compared to Hana's sincerity and gentle demeanor. Once again Haekyo smiled at the stars who were currently staring amused at Haekyo, because a second later Lee Haekyo was already jumping up and down with joy like a child who just got candy.