/A Perfect Day for A Love Declaration/ Day Fourteen(2)
a perfect day for a love declaration
day fourteen(2) ★ what he has hidden in memories
"Where should I begin?" I asked, swiftly standing up to get myself a glass of water from the kitchen. Kibum followed suit (he was obviously keeping an eye on me, making sure I wasn't going to go anywhere) and shrugged.
"How about just telling me what happened that day?" he said, looking me in the eye.
I nodded, gulping down my water. I stared at the glass for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts and finding that it was difficult. Of course I remembered that day well: I had acted worse that day than any day of my life and I'd always regretted it. I almost lost my nerve halfway but then I had to face reality... I didn't do it for myself -- I did it for her.
Not that she'll ever find out. I'm getting married after all... in a week and three days.
"You know, I hate it when you stare off into space like that. It makes you look like an idiot."
I laughed despite myself, and turned back to Kibum's anxious face. I clapped him on the shoulder and pushed him back to the living room. "I was just thinking off where to begin, Kibum."
"And have you thought of it yet?"
"Maybe."
He hit me over the head with his right hand, glaring at me. "I'm not kidding, you jerk."
"I know. You're not. But you have to understand -- some things aren't easy to talk about." I sighed, sitting down on one end of the couch and slouching. "And more than that, there are some things that I regret, but can't take back... even if I wanted to."
"But I will tell you. Not just because you'll kill me if I don't," I said, looking at Kibum with a pointed look, "but also because maybe if I did, it might lessen the grief I've felt over the years."
"I don't know about that, Changmin. But... go ahead." Kibum replied, his expression curious and patient.
I licked my lips.
"It took me awhile before I could get used to her. Yoona, I mean. You know how she is -- sweet, bright and... loving. At first she annoyed the heck out of me, being so perky and all -- but gradually, I started to tolerate it. I started to like her... maybe a little too much." I saw Kibum grinning out of the corner of my eye and I felt my cheeks start to warm. I cleared my throat.
"Anyway, it was a few days before graduation. You guys were completing a final project and I had a whole week off because I finished early. Around that time, those feelings I had for Yoona grew -- quite substantially -- and being the way I am; I've never ever felt the need to confess to a girl in my life, much less propose to one so--" I took a deep breath. "-- it was all very new to me and I didn't know what to do. Then one day, I made up my mind--"
FOUR YEARS AGO...
"What in the world came over me and drove me to go all the way here?" I asked myself, staring down at my steering wheel as I stopped in front of a small jewelry boutique. I glanced at my side, checking if there was anyone I knew around and then mentally kicked myself in the head for being so paranoid. I took a deep breath and looked out to my right, taking in the boutique's display and groaned into the steering wheel after a moment.
I've never felt so cowardly in my entire life.
Get a hold of yourself, Changmin, I thought, releasing the air inside my lungs. It's just a shop. You've gone into plenty of these while carrying your mother's shopping bags before.
That makes you sound so lame, my conscience countered and I (begrudgingly) agreed. However, I began to still myself and got out of the car. Taking another deep breath, I trudge on towards the shop.
"Good day, Mister-- Changmin?!" Lee Yeonhee, a friend and classmate, stood shocked to see me enter the boutique. I had completely forgotten that she always took the day shift on Thursdays and today was (coincidentally) a Thursday. I almost slapped myself and ran but something inside of me made me stay rooted in my spot.
"Hey, Yeonhee." I greeted, nonchalantly, going over the selections inside the glass cabinets. I could see her raise her eyebrow at me out of the corner of my eye.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her and peering at me suspiciously. I shrugged.
"No reason. Just looking around." I replied.
She shook her head. "Right. You regularly check into a jewelry boutique shops in your free time, Shim?"
"... Yeah."
"That sounded really convincing." Yeonhee grinned at me, her expression changing into a knowing one. I blinked slowly and turned around, hiding my already burning face when I realized what her look meant.
"Oh my goodness, you're so cute when you realize that I know the reason why you're here." She exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as she clasped her hands together. "You do realize Yoona doesn't really where jewelry right? She tends to lose them."
I scratched the back of neck and sighed. "I know."
"Well of course you know! But it's so sweet that you're buying her something for graduation! Hey, you should give Kibum pointers for these types of things." Yeonhee said, smirking at me. She tapped the glass. "So what will it be?"
"Yeonhee, slow down will you? You're giving me a headache. And this isn't for graduation."
"Come on Shim! If it's not for graduation, then what are you giving Yoona for?"
I didn't answer but instead busied myself into peering at the selection of rings in front of me. "Could I look at these?" I said, pointing at a particular box. Yeonhee looked surprised but took out the selection I had pointed out anyway. And as I studied them... she seemed to finally catch on, and for a moment I didn't dare look up.
It took a minute or so but eventually she gasped and grabbed my arm from across the counter.
"YAH! Shim Changmin! Are you going to -- I mean, you can't be, right? You haven't even -- wait, are you?" she spoke in a low volume but her grip on my arm was painful. I winced, but managed to smile at her and she let go, backing up in shock.
"... OH. MY. GOSH."
I ignored her and went back to the rings in front of me. I picked one up and immediately saw her in my mind. I grinned. "This is the one." I said, showing it to Yeonhee (she had finally started to calm down).
She looked down at it and smiled. The ring was simple, with its platinum band and an almost star-shaped cut diamond. Her eyes had always made me think of stars -- and so it seemed to fit. Yeonhee nodded her head approvingly.
"You're going for it, huh?" she said, as she rung up my purchase and wrapped the ring into its little box.
I grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said simply, taking the small bag from her hand. She wrinkled her nose at me.
"Don't tell a soul!" I muttered and waved at her before leaving.
I finally let out a relieved breath once I got inside my car. Leaning back, I pulled out the little box and stared down at it -- my heart pounding against my chest as I thought about the next (huge) step I was planning to do.
"Let's hope she says yes," I muttered under my breath as I enveloped my hand around the box.
Then a knock came upon my car window: I looked... and froze.
I recognized who it was. How could I not? They were practically around my father's side at all times. That is, except for today. I pulled down the window and met the man's gaze with a level stare.
"Mr. Changmin. You have to come with us."
/ / / / /
"You've been quite busy." My father spoke, scribbling down on his paperwork as I deftly entered the room (his office) with his bodyguards. It was a long drive from downtown Seoul towards my home and I dreaded it. Seeing my father now only meant one thing: trouble.
I didn't answer and instead put my hands in my pockets (burying the little box deep into the one on my right). I looked around the room, vaguely noting the family portrait that hung at the wall beside me and sighed. My father looked up, pulling his pen down and laced his fingers together.
"I'm not going to let you make a mistake, Changmin." He said, staring at me. I met his gaze evenly. "I'm sure she's a fine girl -- but she won't do anything for our family, much less to your career."
I gripped the box around my fingers. "She doesn't have to. I want her the way she is."
He smirked at me. "Don't be foolish," he said, standing up. "You're only twenty-one, Changmin. You have your whole life ahead of you. You can't make such a big mistake while you're young. You'll ruin your future."
I scoffed. "My future? Or the future of this company?"
"Isn't it the same thing?" he replied, "The future of this company depends on your future as well. You know this, Changmin. That's why you also took a Business degree along with your pre-Law."
"I can do well regardless of my age or education, Father."
"Well of course you can. You're my son. But I do worry about your priorities. I can't have you married to someone you hardly know."
I shook my head, sighing deeply. "Hardly know? Don't you mean someone who's not of your liking?"
"Don't act like a child, Changmin." A chill ran up my spine as his tone changed and he spoke, "I've been watching you for awhile. And this girl, she doesn't fit into our plans. I'm not going to let you make a mistake."
"Besides... love fades. You'll see."
"Does that apply to you?" I said, gripping my hands into fists inside my pockets. "Or does it only apply to your children?"
He glared at me. "Do not test my patience, Changmin. You'll understand when you're older."
"I won't." I retorted, my tone rising, "I'm not going to let you do this. Im Yoona is special, Father. She won't ruin the future of the company or mine. If anything, she'll make it brighter. Love fades? I know it doesn't or else you would have left mother years ago."
"Yoona is special. And I love h--"
"Ah! I bought her father's company today. I thought it would take awhile but -- apparently, her father doesn't really know much about stocks."
I drew in a sharp breath. "What?"
The look on my father's face made my blood run cold, and for a split second I was terrified of him. With a smirk, he spoke again in his cool, business-like tone: "Why don't you call her right now?"
His eyes never left me as I fumbled to get my phone from my pocket. I swiftly pushed 1 and immediately it started to dial. I counted the seconds as I waited (phone over my ear and staring back at my father's relaxed figure) for her to pick up.
"Yoona?"
"Changmin -- I... I need you." Her voice sounded distorted, sad and scared. I gulped; the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach became unbearable as I looked back at my father's knowing face.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my own voice unsure as the realization dawned to me.
"My dad lost his company. He's not doing well with this and he's hurting himself," she cried; her voice breaking into short sobs and my heart clenched. "I don't know what to do! I hadn't even thought of a plan after graduation and this happens!"
"Calm down, Yoona--"
"Please... I don't know what to do..." she pleaded, and I was left unable to speak. I hung my head low, covering the mouthpiece with a hand and shook my head slowly before raising my eyes to meet my father's.
"What do you want me to do?"
He smiled, turning back to his desk and taking something out of it. He brandished in his hand an airline ticket and my passport. I winced when he finally spoke, "I want you to finish your Law degree in Japan. You will not come home until I say so. Understood?"
"Will you leave her alone?"
My father shrugged. "I will as long as you stay obedient."
I nodded, breathing deeply.
"Changmin?" Her whisper was so soft I almost missed it. I closed my eyes.
"I'll leave." I said finally.
"But she'll look for you, won't she?" my father said, his eyebrow rose. I shrugged.
"She won't..." I'll make sure of it, I thought. "So just leave her alone."
He nodded and I brought my attention back to the phone; to her. I removed my hand and sighed deeply.
"Where are you?"
/ / / / /
"And that's what happened." Yoona cried, her eyes glittering from unshed tears. I was only half-listening, on account that I already knew what she was going through, and remained silent for the most part.
After frantically running towards my car and driving all the way to her parents' home from my father's office, I couldn't think of anything to do to help her. With how things have begun to unravel, I knew that disobeying my father now could only lead to even worse circumstances not only for Yoona, but for her family as well. And I couldn't very well have that. Not even if it meant disregarding my heart...
So I grabbed her hand, pulled her into the car and drove once I saw her sitting meekly in front of her home. I let her speak -- it was all I could do from pulling her into my arms and therefore making it difficult for me to do what I had to do.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked, pulling me out of my reverie. "Changmin?"
I could feel the warmth from her hand reaching for me, but as my heart lurched and longed for her touch I pulled away, drawing in a deep breath as I stood up quickly.
"What do you want me to say?" I asked, in the coldest tone I could muster. It felt odd, leaving a metallic taste on my mouth -- I've never spoken to her this way.
She was shocked at my reply. I could tell by the way her eyes widened and she pulled her hand back behind her ear. "Nothing. I just needed to tell somebody..."
I turned my back to her and desperately tried to still myself. "Then why didn't you call Yeonhee or Kibum? I shouldn't be the one hearing this." I retorted, my hands turning into fists at my sides.
She stepped closer. And I almost wavered as I could smell her faint scent of strawberries and honey. "I wanted you to know..." she whispered.
My heart clenched around my chest again and I closed my eyes, stilling myself once again. I pulled back and spoke again in an even harsher, colder tone. "Whatever. What I don't get is how your mother could stand how pitiful your father is being."
Yoona stepped back, her mouth hanging open in shock and she nudged me hard. "How could you say that?" Her face was beginning to redden (I tried not to think of it as attractive) and the frown on her face grew. "My mother loves my father. She'll stand by him no matter what happens."
As I would for you, I said in my mind as I lowered my head. "Love, huh?"
"I'll never fall in love." The words felt heavy on my tongue as I looked at her.
Yoona blinked, her brows furrowing in concern. Her hand was upon her chest.
"Love messes you up." I said, staring into her eyes -- willing my words to sound as convincing as I could muster without faltering in her gaze, "It'll take you up for a few moments and then pull you down. It's not worth it."
"But, Changmin... you can't mean that. I'm sure it'll be worth it when you meet the right person." She replied, her tone sounding cheerfully fake; her breath coming in soft breaths... almost afraid.
"It doesn't matter."
Don't make this difficult, Yoona. I'm already dying as it is.
"She could be anywhere!"
I started to walk away from her, but she followed me. "And you know this because?"
"Because you're the right person to me!"
I stopped dead in my tracks; the air leaving my lungs in an instant. I bit back a bitter laugh as I realized how ironic this situation was. How utterly Shakespearean the circumstance of this moment was. I bit my lip, willing myself not to turn around and kiss her and take her away from all of this: the pain, the sorrow, the uncertainty.
And I almost did. If not for the flash of light before my eyes and the partially hidden men in black suits I realized were watching over us, I would have given in. I shook my head slightly, pushing my hand into my right pocket -- feeling the little box as I closed around it in my hand.
I pulled it out and looked at it briefly, before turning my head and looking back to her. Her hand was on her chest again, and she looked like she was holding her breath. My own heart was clenching and unclenching in my chest. I opened my mouth -- dimly aware of the hidden eyes watching over me and my words:
"That right person you're talking about..." I love you, and I'm sorry. "--that person is not here."
"I took a plane out of Korea right after that. They guys in suits escorted me, of course and I was gone. Just like that."
Kibum sat seriously on his seat, letting my words sink in. "You left because you didn't want Yoona and her family to get hurt?"
I nodded.
"Wow. That was very -- Romeo of you. Except not really."
"Yeah. Our families didn't hate each other nor did we try to run away together, drink a poisoned drink or stab ourselves with a dagger."
"Your sarcasm really lightens the mood, Changmin," Kibum joked, smiling -- then he turned serious again. "But you know, a month after that Yoona's dad was offered job at Macshim Company. The company associated with your family's business; the one that distributes locally in the provinces. Couldn't you have come back then? Her family was doing fine even after everything."
"Didn't you hear what I said about my father's conditions?"
"So? I heard that Macshim was a pretty much independent from your father's business anyway! Plus, it was a lot more stable than Yoona's father's company if you ask me. It wouldn't have crumbled easily if your father even dared."
"Macshim, huh?" I said, more to myself than to Kibum. I felt a faint smile come across my face.
"Yeah-" he started then stopped when he looked at me closely. "Wait. Macshim... Mac Shim... Max?"
"You own Macshim Company!" Kibum exclaimed, "YOU GAVE YOONA'S FATHER A JOB!"
I shrugged. "Yes, but my mother manages it so the credit for the company's stability is all hers."
"That isn't the point! You've been watching over Yoona all these years, haven't you? Even when you were studying in Japan and dodging my calls?" Kibum said, shaking his head and looking at me with an expression of surprise and relief.
"She thought you didn't care, but in reality you broke your heart to save her." He grinned. "You have to tell Yoona this."
I shook my head. "I'm getting married, Kibum."
"So? You don't love Yuri. You love Yoona." He argued. "You've always loved her, and that's why you're wearing that ring you gave her on her birthday around your neck. Because you want her back, and you want to exchange that ring for something else."
The look on his face was so pointed, it was almost comical. I sighed.
"I'm getting married..." I repeated.
Kibum only smirked at me. With a hand on my shoulder, he spoke again:
"Not yet, and it's not too late."
A few hours later; after two years of hiding it away,
I pulled out a little box and opened it again.
And even more drama will ensue. :D
day fourteen(2) ★ what he has hidden in memories
"Where should I begin?" I asked, swiftly standing up to get myself a glass of water from the kitchen. Kibum followed suit (he was obviously keeping an eye on me, making sure I wasn't going to go anywhere) and shrugged.
"How about just telling me what happened that day?" he said, looking me in the eye.
I nodded, gulping down my water. I stared at the glass for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts and finding that it was difficult. Of course I remembered that day well: I had acted worse that day than any day of my life and I'd always regretted it. I almost lost my nerve halfway but then I had to face reality... I didn't do it for myself -- I did it for her.
Not that she'll ever find out. I'm getting married after all... in a week and three days.
"You know, I hate it when you stare off into space like that. It makes you look like an idiot."
I laughed despite myself, and turned back to Kibum's anxious face. I clapped him on the shoulder and pushed him back to the living room. "I was just thinking off where to begin, Kibum."
"And have you thought of it yet?"
"Maybe."
He hit me over the head with his right hand, glaring at me. "I'm not kidding, you jerk."
"I know. You're not. But you have to understand -- some things aren't easy to talk about." I sighed, sitting down on one end of the couch and slouching. "And more than that, there are some things that I regret, but can't take back... even if I wanted to."
"But I will tell you. Not just because you'll kill me if I don't," I said, looking at Kibum with a pointed look, "but also because maybe if I did, it might lessen the grief I've felt over the years."
"I don't know about that, Changmin. But... go ahead." Kibum replied, his expression curious and patient.
I licked my lips.
"It took me awhile before I could get used to her. Yoona, I mean. You know how she is -- sweet, bright and... loving. At first she annoyed the heck out of me, being so perky and all -- but gradually, I started to tolerate it. I started to like her... maybe a little too much." I saw Kibum grinning out of the corner of my eye and I felt my cheeks start to warm. I cleared my throat.
"Anyway, it was a few days before graduation. You guys were completing a final project and I had a whole week off because I finished early. Around that time, those feelings I had for Yoona grew -- quite substantially -- and being the way I am; I've never ever felt the need to confess to a girl in my life, much less propose to one so--" I took a deep breath. "-- it was all very new to me and I didn't know what to do. Then one day, I made up my mind--"
FOUR YEARS AGO...
"What in the world came over me and drove me to go all the way here?" I asked myself, staring down at my steering wheel as I stopped in front of a small jewelry boutique. I glanced at my side, checking if there was anyone I knew around and then mentally kicked myself in the head for being so paranoid. I took a deep breath and looked out to my right, taking in the boutique's display and groaned into the steering wheel after a moment.
I've never felt so cowardly in my entire life.
Get a hold of yourself, Changmin, I thought, releasing the air inside my lungs. It's just a shop. You've gone into plenty of these while carrying your mother's shopping bags before.
That makes you sound so lame, my conscience countered and I (begrudgingly) agreed. However, I began to still myself and got out of the car. Taking another deep breath, I trudge on towards the shop.
"Good day, Mister-- Changmin?!" Lee Yeonhee, a friend and classmate, stood shocked to see me enter the boutique. I had completely forgotten that she always took the day shift on Thursdays and today was (coincidentally) a Thursday. I almost slapped myself and ran but something inside of me made me stay rooted in my spot.
"Hey, Yeonhee." I greeted, nonchalantly, going over the selections inside the glass cabinets. I could see her raise her eyebrow at me out of the corner of my eye.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her and peering at me suspiciously. I shrugged.
"No reason. Just looking around." I replied.
She shook her head. "Right. You regularly check into a jewelry boutique shops in your free time, Shim?"
"... Yeah."
"That sounded really convincing." Yeonhee grinned at me, her expression changing into a knowing one. I blinked slowly and turned around, hiding my already burning face when I realized what her look meant.
"Oh my goodness, you're so cute when you realize that I know the reason why you're here." She exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as she clasped her hands together. "You do realize Yoona doesn't really where jewelry right? She tends to lose them."
I scratched the back of neck and sighed. "I know."
"Well of course you know! But it's so sweet that you're buying her something for graduation! Hey, you should give Kibum pointers for these types of things." Yeonhee said, smirking at me. She tapped the glass. "So what will it be?"
"Yeonhee, slow down will you? You're giving me a headache. And this isn't for graduation."
"Come on Shim! If it's not for graduation, then what are you giving Yoona for?"
I didn't answer but instead busied myself into peering at the selection of rings in front of me. "Could I look at these?" I said, pointing at a particular box. Yeonhee looked surprised but took out the selection I had pointed out anyway. And as I studied them... she seemed to finally catch on, and for a moment I didn't dare look up.
It took a minute or so but eventually she gasped and grabbed my arm from across the counter.
"YAH! Shim Changmin! Are you going to -- I mean, you can't be, right? You haven't even -- wait, are you?" she spoke in a low volume but her grip on my arm was painful. I winced, but managed to smile at her and she let go, backing up in shock.
"... OH. MY. GOSH."
I ignored her and went back to the rings in front of me. I picked one up and immediately saw her in my mind. I grinned. "This is the one." I said, showing it to Yeonhee (she had finally started to calm down).
She looked down at it and smiled. The ring was simple, with its platinum band and an almost star-shaped cut diamond. Her eyes had always made me think of stars -- and so it seemed to fit. Yeonhee nodded her head approvingly.
"You're going for it, huh?" she said, as she rung up my purchase and wrapped the ring into its little box.
I grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said simply, taking the small bag from her hand. She wrinkled her nose at me.
"Don't tell a soul!" I muttered and waved at her before leaving.
I finally let out a relieved breath once I got inside my car. Leaning back, I pulled out the little box and stared down at it -- my heart pounding against my chest as I thought about the next (huge) step I was planning to do.
"Let's hope she says yes," I muttered under my breath as I enveloped my hand around the box.
Then a knock came upon my car window: I looked... and froze.
I recognized who it was. How could I not? They were practically around my father's side at all times. That is, except for today. I pulled down the window and met the man's gaze with a level stare.
"Mr. Changmin. You have to come with us."
/ / / / /
"You've been quite busy." My father spoke, scribbling down on his paperwork as I deftly entered the room (his office) with his bodyguards. It was a long drive from downtown Seoul towards my home and I dreaded it. Seeing my father now only meant one thing: trouble.
I didn't answer and instead put my hands in my pockets (burying the little box deep into the one on my right). I looked around the room, vaguely noting the family portrait that hung at the wall beside me and sighed. My father looked up, pulling his pen down and laced his fingers together.
"I'm not going to let you make a mistake, Changmin." He said, staring at me. I met his gaze evenly. "I'm sure she's a fine girl -- but she won't do anything for our family, much less to your career."
I gripped the box around my fingers. "She doesn't have to. I want her the way she is."
He smirked at me. "Don't be foolish," he said, standing up. "You're only twenty-one, Changmin. You have your whole life ahead of you. You can't make such a big mistake while you're young. You'll ruin your future."
I scoffed. "My future? Or the future of this company?"
"Isn't it the same thing?" he replied, "The future of this company depends on your future as well. You know this, Changmin. That's why you also took a Business degree along with your pre-Law."
"I can do well regardless of my age or education, Father."
"Well of course you can. You're my son. But I do worry about your priorities. I can't have you married to someone you hardly know."
I shook my head, sighing deeply. "Hardly know? Don't you mean someone who's not of your liking?"
"Don't act like a child, Changmin." A chill ran up my spine as his tone changed and he spoke, "I've been watching you for awhile. And this girl, she doesn't fit into our plans. I'm not going to let you make a mistake."
"Besides... love fades. You'll see."
"Does that apply to you?" I said, gripping my hands into fists inside my pockets. "Or does it only apply to your children?"
He glared at me. "Do not test my patience, Changmin. You'll understand when you're older."
"I won't." I retorted, my tone rising, "I'm not going to let you do this. Im Yoona is special, Father. She won't ruin the future of the company or mine. If anything, she'll make it brighter. Love fades? I know it doesn't or else you would have left mother years ago."
"Yoona is special. And I love h--"
"Ah! I bought her father's company today. I thought it would take awhile but -- apparently, her father doesn't really know much about stocks."
I drew in a sharp breath. "What?"
The look on my father's face made my blood run cold, and for a split second I was terrified of him. With a smirk, he spoke again in his cool, business-like tone: "Why don't you call her right now?"
His eyes never left me as I fumbled to get my phone from my pocket. I swiftly pushed 1 and immediately it started to dial. I counted the seconds as I waited (phone over my ear and staring back at my father's relaxed figure) for her to pick up.
"Yoona?"
"Changmin -- I... I need you." Her voice sounded distorted, sad and scared. I gulped; the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach became unbearable as I looked back at my father's knowing face.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my own voice unsure as the realization dawned to me.
"My dad lost his company. He's not doing well with this and he's hurting himself," she cried; her voice breaking into short sobs and my heart clenched. "I don't know what to do! I hadn't even thought of a plan after graduation and this happens!"
"Calm down, Yoona--"
"Please... I don't know what to do..." she pleaded, and I was left unable to speak. I hung my head low, covering the mouthpiece with a hand and shook my head slowly before raising my eyes to meet my father's.
"What do you want me to do?"
He smiled, turning back to his desk and taking something out of it. He brandished in his hand an airline ticket and my passport. I winced when he finally spoke, "I want you to finish your Law degree in Japan. You will not come home until I say so. Understood?"
"Will you leave her alone?"
My father shrugged. "I will as long as you stay obedient."
I nodded, breathing deeply.
"Changmin?" Her whisper was so soft I almost missed it. I closed my eyes.
"I'll leave." I said finally.
"But she'll look for you, won't she?" my father said, his eyebrow rose. I shrugged.
"She won't..." I'll make sure of it, I thought. "So just leave her alone."
He nodded and I brought my attention back to the phone; to her. I removed my hand and sighed deeply.
"Where are you?"
/ / / / /
"And that's what happened." Yoona cried, her eyes glittering from unshed tears. I was only half-listening, on account that I already knew what she was going through, and remained silent for the most part.
After frantically running towards my car and driving all the way to her parents' home from my father's office, I couldn't think of anything to do to help her. With how things have begun to unravel, I knew that disobeying my father now could only lead to even worse circumstances not only for Yoona, but for her family as well. And I couldn't very well have that. Not even if it meant disregarding my heart...
So I grabbed her hand, pulled her into the car and drove once I saw her sitting meekly in front of her home. I let her speak -- it was all I could do from pulling her into my arms and therefore making it difficult for me to do what I had to do.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" she asked, pulling me out of my reverie. "Changmin?"
I could feel the warmth from her hand reaching for me, but as my heart lurched and longed for her touch I pulled away, drawing in a deep breath as I stood up quickly.
"What do you want me to say?" I asked, in the coldest tone I could muster. It felt odd, leaving a metallic taste on my mouth -- I've never spoken to her this way.
She was shocked at my reply. I could tell by the way her eyes widened and she pulled her hand back behind her ear. "Nothing. I just needed to tell somebody..."
I turned my back to her and desperately tried to still myself. "Then why didn't you call Yeonhee or Kibum? I shouldn't be the one hearing this." I retorted, my hands turning into fists at my sides.
She stepped closer. And I almost wavered as I could smell her faint scent of strawberries and honey. "I wanted you to know..." she whispered.
My heart clenched around my chest again and I closed my eyes, stilling myself once again. I pulled back and spoke again in an even harsher, colder tone. "Whatever. What I don't get is how your mother could stand how pitiful your father is being."
Yoona stepped back, her mouth hanging open in shock and she nudged me hard. "How could you say that?" Her face was beginning to redden (I tried not to think of it as attractive) and the frown on her face grew. "My mother loves my father. She'll stand by him no matter what happens."
As I would for you, I said in my mind as I lowered my head. "Love, huh?"
"I'll never fall in love." The words felt heavy on my tongue as I looked at her.
Yoona blinked, her brows furrowing in concern. Her hand was upon her chest.
"Love messes you up." I said, staring into her eyes -- willing my words to sound as convincing as I could muster without faltering in her gaze, "It'll take you up for a few moments and then pull you down. It's not worth it."
"But, Changmin... you can't mean that. I'm sure it'll be worth it when you meet the right person." She replied, her tone sounding cheerfully fake; her breath coming in soft breaths... almost afraid.
"It doesn't matter."
Don't make this difficult, Yoona. I'm already dying as it is.
"She could be anywhere!"
I started to walk away from her, but she followed me. "And you know this because?"
"Because you're the right person to me!"
I stopped dead in my tracks; the air leaving my lungs in an instant. I bit back a bitter laugh as I realized how ironic this situation was. How utterly Shakespearean the circumstance of this moment was. I bit my lip, willing myself not to turn around and kiss her and take her away from all of this: the pain, the sorrow, the uncertainty.
And I almost did. If not for the flash of light before my eyes and the partially hidden men in black suits I realized were watching over us, I would have given in. I shook my head slightly, pushing my hand into my right pocket -- feeling the little box as I closed around it in my hand.
I pulled it out and looked at it briefly, before turning my head and looking back to her. Her hand was on her chest again, and she looked like she was holding her breath. My own heart was clenching and unclenching in my chest. I opened my mouth -- dimly aware of the hidden eyes watching over me and my words:
"That right person you're talking about..." I love you, and I'm sorry. "--that person is not here."
"I took a plane out of Korea right after that. They guys in suits escorted me, of course and I was gone. Just like that."
Kibum sat seriously on his seat, letting my words sink in. "You left because you didn't want Yoona and her family to get hurt?"
I nodded.
"Wow. That was very -- Romeo of you. Except not really."
"Yeah. Our families didn't hate each other nor did we try to run away together, drink a poisoned drink or stab ourselves with a dagger."
"Your sarcasm really lightens the mood, Changmin," Kibum joked, smiling -- then he turned serious again. "But you know, a month after that Yoona's dad was offered job at Macshim Company. The company associated with your family's business; the one that distributes locally in the provinces. Couldn't you have come back then? Her family was doing fine even after everything."
"Didn't you hear what I said about my father's conditions?"
"So? I heard that Macshim was a pretty much independent from your father's business anyway! Plus, it was a lot more stable than Yoona's father's company if you ask me. It wouldn't have crumbled easily if your father even dared."
"Macshim, huh?" I said, more to myself than to Kibum. I felt a faint smile come across my face.
"Yeah-" he started then stopped when he looked at me closely. "Wait. Macshim... Mac Shim... Max?"
"You own Macshim Company!" Kibum exclaimed, "YOU GAVE YOONA'S FATHER A JOB!"
I shrugged. "Yes, but my mother manages it so the credit for the company's stability is all hers."
"That isn't the point! You've been watching over Yoona all these years, haven't you? Even when you were studying in Japan and dodging my calls?" Kibum said, shaking his head and looking at me with an expression of surprise and relief.
"She thought you didn't care, but in reality you broke your heart to save her." He grinned. "You have to tell Yoona this."
I shook my head. "I'm getting married, Kibum."
"So? You don't love Yuri. You love Yoona." He argued. "You've always loved her, and that's why you're wearing that ring you gave her on her birthday around your neck. Because you want her back, and you want to exchange that ring for something else."
The look on his face was so pointed, it was almost comical. I sighed.
"I'm getting married..." I repeated.
Kibum only smirked at me. With a hand on my shoulder, he spoke again:
"Not yet, and it's not too late."
A few hours later; after two years of hiding it away,
I pulled out a little box and opened it again.
And even more drama will ensue. :D