"Shh... Don't joke on things like this Lana, " Samuel blurted in a half-whispered tone, putting his hand over my lips. "You going to get in trouble."
Tears welled up my eyes. I do hope that all of this is only a prank, but Mr. Bong is dead, and I'm officially a criminal. I weakly shove his hand away, "Sam... I'm the last person he met. He tried to... " I hushed, chin trembled, and an involuntary whimper escaped my lips.
Staring back at me, he realized that I'm not kidding him. He is silent but at last, he exhaled, coming closer putting a hand over me, and crushing me to his everlasting safe haven body. "I'm sorry, don't say a word anymore."
"I'm scared. I didn't mean to..." I convinced him with my voice muffled to his chest.
"Hush... I know, I understand, anyone in your place won't hesitate to stab him to death..." He comforted me, tightening the embrace as I sobbed uncontrollably.
"I don't know he got injured. I'm selfish, I should have checked if he was ok back then..." I babbled, crying over my regrets.
Samuel stops running his hand over my back. Forcing me to face him, brows furrowed. "Lana, what do you mean? You stabbed him multiple times, why would you come back to check on him?"
"Stab? No! That's ridiculous!"
To my horror, I have come to ascertain that I was stuck in a wire of complicated situations.
Samuel put his hands over my shoulder, his face contorted, tensed up, "Listen, let me take you home first, " He said in his lowest tones, without being instructed, he removes the IV from me smoothly. I knew he is familiar with what to do because he indeed is a first-class trained volunteer medical crew in our school Red Crescents Association.
How could I resist falling in love over and over again with the kind, charming, and gifted Samuel Jin?
Me being dumbstruck obediently followed his step to his parked vehicle.
"Go home, get some rest, and don't think about a thing first, you get me?" He muttered as he pushes to start the engine.
Thinking about home, I knew there won't be peace when Luca is around. With complicated things running wild in my mind, I don't want to take the risk of going home.
I clung to his arm like a child, I'm breaking, I know it's a shame begging him to instead drive me somewhere. "No, I don't want to go home now."
Being calm as always, Samuel drove us to somewhere safe to park, a few meters away from the school compound. Pulling the hand brake, he puts his focus on me. "Lana, what's wrong? Tell me, you have been avoiding me so much. Is there anything I don't know? Please tell me..."
"I just don't want to go home, there is no place for me there... Just drop me anywhere I will go home when it's time."
"With you in this state? Tell me, Lana, you have been staying back just because you don't want to get home early is it?"
I nodded, warm tears tickled my cheeks again.
"And that is when Mr. Bong tries to attack you..."
And I nodded again along with a great tremor overtook me, I choked on my sobs.
Samuel shoved a box of tissues into my lap. "I'm sorry. I should have come back to check on you..." He gathers me to his arm, offering comfort. "That damned jerk, I just wanted to break his dirty hands!" He cursed as he mentions Mr. Bong.
"He didn't get me... I escaped. I hit him, but I didn't turn back, I don't know what happens afterward."
On mentioning that I manage to flee from the abuse, I could feel his relieved breath, "It's a relief, I'm glad you are safe. Dear Lord, you have saved her." I heard him whisper. "Listen to me, while they are investigating, we will get the culprit or at least any lead to this case." He promised me hope. Making me face him again.
"How?" I stared blankly at him.
"You are in a safe position right now. While you are passing out, there is another crime scene takes place. The security room had been raided last night, all surveillance camera records had been seized away." He explained lively to his newfound information.
Bringing on the issues of the camera surveillance, I remember something Mr. Bong had said. "Yes, he had told me that he shut off the monitoring system!" I exclaimed. "The one who removes the evidence is the real culprit, huh!"
"Damned that prick, there must be other victims other than you," He mustered curses again. "I'm sorry Lana, it's ok, you are safe, I should be grateful. Don't bother my harsh word."
"No, it's alright, you are not at fault on this. I guess someone who slaughtered him must be deeply loathed him. Someone who determined to kill him..."
"I'm your main alibi. Don't worry, I will protect you." He promised to me, holding me tight to his embrace. "Indeed, with such a messy crime scene, I should be seeing you soaking in blood."
It's weird to hear him say so but I don't want to reject the warmness he radiates.
I'm deserted, stuck in the middle of a crisis where no one I can trust to talk to.
Mom had been brainwashing me all my life to not expect from others if I don't want to be hurt.
I think she told me that way so that she can focus on Hansel. She doesn't want me to cling to her so much.
But, I'm a human too. I too needed someone to hold me, at least once... I've longed for the warmness, I'm cold for no reason, I don't care if it's because I'm running with a fever, Samuel is everything that I needed now.
"Lana," Samuel wipes the tears away with his thumb, gently making me look at him again. "Lana, your parents need to know this. Otherwise, they will be worried sick seeing you in this condition."
Picturing the expression of my parents to what has happened to me traumatized me. Especially mom... I'm sure mom will despise me, it's all my fault.
If only I just surrender to Hansel... he is my brother after all. Rather than having to be involved in this huge misfortune, my future is coming to ruin...
Ahh... the convulsive gasps make it harder to breathe, I don't want to face this, I rather die, I rather kill myself.
"NO, please no... Just kill me." I clutch on Samuel, paying no heed of him hating me, disgusted by my weeping had to stain his uniform. "I don't want to live anymore..."
It's getting harder to speak and breathe at the same time, can I die this way...? Let it be if that is what it takes to die.
Bringing me into his embrace once again, coaxing me into calmness, "Lana it's not your fault. I'm sorry to see you in this state, it's a tragedy... But, at the moment it's up to you, whether to reveal yourself or not, I know it must be hard." Putting his attention away from me, he picks up the tissue box, took out a few pieces, and offered to me, "Clear your nose, you need to breathe, Lana."
Taking a deep breath, Samuel just stays still, watching, patiently waiting for me to recollect myself...
A thousand rays of the morning sun escaped from between the blinds. I used to love being near the windows, but every now and then each time my glance turns to the exact spots where Mr. Bong's body lay, a cold shiver runs down my spine, and my palms couldn't stop sweating in the cold air-conditioned room. I have to keep telling myself over and over again that it wasn't me that had him killed, I didn't stab him, someone did. And that someone, is among us... It is day four after the incident, there is no new clue of the case, crime scene investigation and evidence collection were completed and we had been allowed to move back to our classroom yesterday. I didn't take leave from school the day after the incident. When I woke up that day later in the evening, I was in Samuel's guest room, he had offered to let me rest in his guest room once I have taken the medicine provided by Ms. Oh. I'm running with fever again on that day, and Samuel said that I keep mumbling in my sleep that he ha
The soft bell chime indicating that school is over for today sends a sigh of relief throughout the class. We say our salute to Mrs. Sue, the mathematics teacher, then gather our belongings to leave. I stuffed my notebooks into my bag and went up to Samuel who was already waiting outside with his three other best friends. "Hey, Lana what's up." Jerry Chon, the boy with the most adorable eyes and sweetest smile welcomed me. "I'm good, thanks," I replied while giving way to a girl who is flirting with Jason Bak without seeing that she almost bumped into me. Anyway, can't they simply wake up to the womanizer who would never commit his heart to any of them, but then there's Jason, all confident... Good looks are definitely a plus. I saw Naomi being the last exiting the class, I try my luck to talk to her again as she approached us but Nelson Kim had already overtaken me. "Goodbye, Naomi," Nelson uttered with a smile. His dimple deepened, showing off his charms. Now I understand why Na
"No. I'm sorry Lana. I didn't mean that way. I mean, you should at least have some basic to be on yourself," He said as he put down his food, using his other free hand, he tilts my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You are going to die before entering the battleground, do you think this is wise?"Always with his broad point of view, somehow he had accidentally become my counselor as we grow up.Damn, I must be in a serious lack of common sense.Meeting his gaze, I'm overwhelmed that it is him from the beginning. As I drifted into his dreamy brown eyes, he breaks the spell by giving me another flick on the forehead."Ouch!""Gosh, stop looking at me like that," He said, lightly pushing me away from him and continuing to enjoy his meal."That's hurt, you shouldn't treat a girl like that," I grumbled, covering my forehead to soften the mild pain he caused to me."Well, I treat every girl good, except you. Eat your food, I got a new clue to share."Jerk! I wanted to say that much to him, y
The dim light poles along the winding alleys illuminated shadows to the pavement Naomi stepped on. Commuting back home after her self-study in school, this is the long stairways she had to walk up daily, to her home at the top of the alleys. For an outsider, this hilly neighborhood gives an illusion of a romantic getaway as it has the closest space to a better view of the moon. Yet, with the chipped paint of colored houses along with the distinct lack of planning development, this place is soon to be abandoned. Sooner the neighborhood will be only occupied by the elderly and bad memories. Because in reality, living in peace doesn't enough if the stomach goes hungry... The younger generation believes that they can only dream in the land of skyscrapers overlook the run-down neighborhood she lives in. Naomi's sister was one of them, she runs away from home five years ago, leaving behind her aging parents with her litt
Day 2 of tracking Naomi and Harry's mission. Gosh... I sighed to a long exhale of boringness. Why on earth does Samuel have to put me on them? They are merely future scholars, only studies excited them. I am aware that I have developed a new habit of biting my nail recently. Gross, this is a bad omen, what is next? Even Naomi still refuses to talk to me, she rather spends her time alone. I pity myself, oh... Closing my notebook in frustration having the whole class turn to me. A moment of silence, then they return to their desk, leaving me in an awkward situation. Samuel makes a hand signal asking what was wrong with me, but I just waved my hands acknowledging him that it is nothing to worry about. Looking at the wall clocks showing five more minutes to 4:30 p.m, our free time for club activity will start soon. Naomi was in art while Harry
"Let me go, Nelson!" Naomi harshly pulled away from him as soon as Lana and Samuel disappeared from their view. "What's wrong Naomi? What did I do to you that you despise me that much?.." "As I said. Nothing wrong, just stay away from my business." "No. It's not going to happen. I'm not going to let you go. At least I won't." "Don't make me repeat myself!" Holding up the rage buckling in her, she makes sure Nelson heard her well this time. "Stay. Away. From. Me." "NO." Nelson gets a hold of her arm before she gets the chance to run away again. "Give me a chance, let us prove that we are not meant to be together." Nelson hadn't staggered from his position, inoffensive by Naomi's harsh attitude toward him. "Give me a chance." He said, almost half whispering. As if the time had frozen, for a second, Naomi had listened to him. Their eyes locked, and a
The hot day of the day is beginning to subside as the sun is going down. Naomi and Nelson take a seat on the bench by the riverbank overlook from the bustling of the metropolitan Sillas City."Promise me, from now on, never turn your back on me again." He muttered.Naomi paused, staring into the eyes of a boy who wanted to be with her persistently, Naomi lost, the stone-cold heart of her melted a little by little, starting to warm her from the inside."Naomi..."The way he speaks her name awakens her soul. Urging her to feel human again. After the bad encounter with her uncle, she has no reason to be happy anymore.In her subconscious mind, man is a monster. Being strong, they only wanted to conquer the female and threaten the weakest.But...Why is there another one other than Samuel Jin in front of her, denying every thought that she had in a male?"Naomi? Hello? Are you alright?" Nelson waves to her face, trying to get her attention.Directing her view to the other side, Naomi sighe
In the heart of the most luxurious neighborhoods of Sillas City, the Hills of Moon Village is ironically stuck in a re-development that is still in progress after so many years due to the terrain.Thus, if there is the unurgent business to settle, the villager won't bother to go through the unwinding stairways alley just to get to the city as the basic essential supplies still can be acquired from the row of old shops which I barely remember, consist of a barbershop, little cafe, and a groceries martYet, Naomi is going through the same route daily to get to the school. I almost admired her strong will, looking back to check on Samuel, I had caught Samuel had been wiping away sweats many times."Are you alright, Sam?" I deliberately ask just to check whether he regrets his decision to go with me this morning."I'm good, watch your steps." In his breathy voice, he replied."We are almost there," I said, showing him the significant gate at the end of the alley.Ringing the bells, we are
For the first time in years, I woke up feeling… light.No lingering drowsiness from medication.No heaviness pressing against my chest.Just the quiet hum of the morning, the distant crash of waves against the shore, and the warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains.I sat up slowly, letting the realization settle in.I had slept.Truly slept.Without the aid of pills, without waking in cold sweats, without the weight of forgotten memories clawing at the edges of my mind.Since the day Nelson had taken me to the memorial park. He had stood by my side as I faced the past I never knew I had buried so deeply.The guilt, the unanswered questions, the fear of the unknown.Had finally begun to lift.I stepped out onto the balcony, the ocean stretching endlessly before me. The salty breeze kissed my skin, the crash of waves a soothing melody against the silence.For once, I felt calm.Not healed. Not whole.But calm.Everything was still sinking in. The truth about Naomi, the lies Jas
"Because I killed him. I killed Bong, Lana!" she admitted with an evil mock.She stood there, the wind whipped around her, catching the loose strands of her hair.Gusts of wind send shivers through my frail body, but rather my lips tremble as I chooses to speak. "You didn't, you didn't...""Lana, I did. I was there." She responded. "I'm the one who removes the evidence; I try to keep him away from you, but my resentment for such an animal, I rather end his life."I feel it back then how my heart break at the truth that the murder of our school security guard who tried to harass me was done by Naomi.Naomi was indeed... trying to protect me.I was hoping it was a hoax, but the truth had been told by Naomi herself tore my heart apart even more."Naomi, why... why did you do that? You could have told me, and I would have been able to help you!""Lana, how could you possibly rescue me? He raped me, destroyed my life, and put my future in jeopardy! Tell me, have any peasants like me gotten
A faint hum of the engine and the sway of the car pulled me from the depths of sleep.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, my limbs weighed down as if my body had sunk into the seat.The world outside the window blurred past in muted streaks of grey and green, shrouded in the soft glow of the morning light.I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up.The last thing I remembered was sitting at the dining table with Nelson, his voice low as he suggested something. But the memory was hazy, distorted, as if it belonged to someone else.A faint recollection of waking up sluggishly, getting ready with Mrs. Holland's help, and having breakfast darted across my mind, but not quite tangible.Panic coiled in my chest. I turned, my breath catching as I found Nelson beside me, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the armrest.His face was calm, but there was something guarded in the way his gaze flickered toward me before settling back on the road."You're awake." His voice was smooth,
The guest room prepared for me was a surprising contrast to the rest of the antique grandeur mansion.The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, with a single abstract painting hanging above a sleek platform bed. The bed itself was low and modern, dressed in crisp silky white linens and a lightweight beige throw.Just clean lines and a calm, unpretentious aesthetic.A small bedside table held a simple lamp with a frosted glass shade, casting a warm and inviting glow.A single potted plant. A touch of green against the neutral palette stood on a narrow wooden shelf that ran the length of the wall.The floorboards gleamed too perfectly, polished wood, and the large window opposite the bed framed the darkness outside. A sheer white curtain drifted slightly with the cool night breeze, adding a touch of softness to the otherwise stark room.The warmth of the bath earlier had done little to ease the tension coiled tight in my chest.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, tracing invisible patt
The winding road felt endless, the hum of Nelson's motorcycle filling the silence between us. The city's glow had long since faded, replaced by the barren fields and a sky bloated with stars, an emptiness of the countryside.Trees lined the path, their shadows stretching ominously under the pale moonlight. My grip on Nelson's jacket tightened as the bike slowed, its headlight glaring at a wrought-iron gate.Nelson pulled off his helmet and reached for his phone. With a quick call, he muttered something I couldn't hear. Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a long driveway framed by hedges trimmed to razor-perfect lines casted by a soft golden glow of bulbs.The house at the end of the path loomed, grand yet secluded, with its aged wood and stone exterior.We rolled forward slowly, the bike's engine a low rumble that echoed in the still night. A figure waited by the entrance, an elderly woman, her posture straight and her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She had a calm
I had been waiting for him.The moment the motorcycle roared into the car park, I knew Nelson had come. Relief swept over me, momentarily silencing the chaos around me.When Nelson dismounted his bike, pulling off his helmet, his eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and steady. "I'm here," he said simply, his voice firm but calm.I took a shaky breath, the decision already made long before he arrived. "Thank you," I whispered.I took a step toward him, my heart racing, but Jason's voice broke through the stillness, trembling and soft, like a whisper cracking under pressure."This isn't your business, Nelson." Jason snapped.Nelson tilted his head, an almost amused expression crossing his face. "Isn't it? But Lana asked me to help, Jason."Jerry, sensing the brewing storm, interfered, his voice calm but firm. "Let's not do this here."Nelson's expression hardened, his gaze locking on Jason. "I didn't come here to fight. But, Lana had asked for help."Jason's head snapped up, his face a mas
The cold concrete of the car park pressed up through my soles as if trying to root me in place, but my body moved forward, and the weight of unspoken words pressing down on my chest.Jason walked slightly ahead, his hand gripping my arm as though he feared I might slip away.Not tightly, but firm enough to remind me that, he was in control.Each step echoed the conflict in my heart.The medication effect had begun to fade, but I remained deliberately slow, dragging my feet as if the weight of my hesitation could anchor me in place.I glanced toward Jerry, who walked beside us with his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his face calm but watchful. His presence was the only tether holding me together, his earlier assurance repeating in my mind.Trust me. Stay calm.I wanted to stop, to refuse to take another step. But the pieces of my past clawed their way to the surface, dragging me back to my final year in medical school at Granata.Back then, I'd been trapped in a relationship with
The first thing I noticed was the soft golden light filtering through the curtains. It was late morning—much later than I ever slept. My body felt heavy, every movement sluggish, as if weighed down by invisible chains.Then Jason's voice broke through the fog."Lana," he called gently. His tone was soothing, warm, yet it grated on my nerves. I blinked, struggling to focus on his face. He sat beside me, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile curving his lips."There you are," he murmured, his fingers brushing my arm. "How are you feeling? Jerry medication helped you rest?"Medication. The word tugged at my hazy memories, the events before I'd drifted off felt distant, like a half-remembered dream.I tried to sit up, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness through me. Jason was quick to steady me, his hand firm on my shoulder."Easy," he coaxed. "No need to rush."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Jerry…" I croaked, the name slipping out before I could stop myself.Jason's expression di
The next day arrived with an overcast sky, casting dull shadows over the apartment. I sat by the window, absently tracing the edge of my bandage, the throbbing wound a dull reminder of my fractured state. My mind buzzed with static, unable to focus on the passing hours.The soft chime of doorbell, shattering the silence. Jason, who had been typing away on his laptop, stood and moved to answer it. His footsteps were steady, calculated, as always."Jerry," Jason greeted warmly, opening the door wide. "Right on time."Jerry stepped in, carrying his medical bag, his expression carefully neutral. He nodded at Jason before his eyes sought me out across the room."Lana," Jerry greeted, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"I mustered a faint smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine."Jason gestured toward me, his tone brisk. "She's been good, but check her thoroughly. We're flying back to Granata tomorrow."Jerry's eyes flickered at Jason's words, but he said nothing, only offering a