"Ms. Chung." The driver softly said after the car had been pulled over. It seemed like she had slept for hours but in reality, it was just a quick fifteen-minute nap, she could freely enjoyed while in the car. She squinted her eyes for several times and tapped her cheeks, forcing her soul to wake up along with her body.Unconsciously, her face broke into a smile, which she had taken with her when she got out of the car.

However, that smile faded at once, when she became aware of its existence. Joongki was pacing up and down on the bridge over the artificial pond in the garden swarmed with Koi fish. He stopped when he saw her, he hesitantly smiled as a relief but it was clear on his face that he was still anxious. He ran into her frantically and hugged her. Struck in surprise, Gain cleared her throat and Joongki released her from his embrace.

"Ya, where have you been?Didn't I tell you to just stay here? You're not fully recovered!" He said with a surveying fretful eyes.



"I just went out for fresh air. That's all." Gain said. Feeling her tired body, she just wanted to take a rest and walked past Joongki.

"Oh I thought, you went out this early for work." Joongki muttered, his tone was sarcastic. Upon hearing this, Gain snapped. She couldn't understand herself either, why little things like this annoyed her, especially when Joongki was involved.

"You know what. You're overreacting." The limpid water of the pond showed her how miserable Joongki appeared to be after hearing those words. Guilt struck her, but pride told her to just leave.

Little did she know, a cold porridge was on her bedside table. Cold as the way she looked at Joongki that morning.

----------------------------------

It was a dainty snowflake brooch made of diamonds and pearls, Minhee received three days after her birthday. For twenty-five years, she had been receiving a gift three days after her birthday. She did not know if it was intentionally delayed or the giver was not aware that the gift did not arrive on time. She let out a sigh, totally clueless where on earth those gifts came from.

Her bodyguards were equally distributed to every part of the veranda, where she was spending her afternoon, designing shoes. The maids were busily attending to the flowers displayed there. She checked her phone, no message from Siwon. How could he not check on me? She thought. Feeling bored, she heaved a sigh and asked her maid to get the iPad for her.  She aimlessly browsed through the wide motley of songs her iPad offered. The unbearable ennui of her afternoon let her fingers to freely choose a song. Soon, she was wagging her head in Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape. When the song ended, a childish grin broke her face.

She moved her fingers like playing a virtual piano until it touched the glass of tomato juice. Then, she put a little more effort for her knuckles to knock it down and fell off the floor. All attention were on the juice spattered on the ground and the glass that was broken into pieces.  Checking if all the people hindering her freedom were ready for her show, she faked a trembling hand. The hand touched her head and screamed, "Aaaaahhhh!"

"Agassi!" The maid exclaimed, panic-stricken, she almost stepped into the broken glass.

"My head... it hurts" Minhee said, her two hands clutching her head, massaging her scalp.

"I'll bring you medicine."

"No, it won't do." She said, searching for the bodyguard's eyes, she continued. "Please bring me to the hospital. Please." Her words were spoken in a weak and staccato tone. The bodyguard's eyes strayed from her glance and looked at his fellow guards, asking for their opinion. They all shrugged their shoulders. It was a victory for Minhee.

Two bodyguards accompanied her to the hospital, Minhee was seated at the backseat, her hand was still on her head. It was rush hour, but unexpectedly it was a light traffic. She worried that she might really end up in a hospital. Think of something. She said to herself and as a Harvard graduate, a light bulb appeared above her.

"Stop the car. I think I'm gonna throw up." As soon as she finished speaking, she pretended to puke and covered her mouth. One of the bodyguards just closed his eyes as if vomiting was contagious. The other one, opened the door and assisted her out and walked her to an inconspicuous place. The car was neither far nor near, with only one bodyguard following her, Minhee took a deep breath for her next action. She bent down as if she was really going to puke. She noticed the bodyguard was watching her every move, she looked at him and smiled.

"Could you please turn around? I couldn't do what I needed to do since you're watching me. It's embarrassing." She calmly said, left with no choice, the bodyguard obeyed her. She bent down again and fake a vomiting sound, while taking little steps. Her bodyguard must have sensed something dubious, turned around to see that she was already several steps away. Their eyes met, Minhee grinned and ran away.

Her legs were about to give up but looking back, she still saw her bodyguard. While running, she hovered her arm in the air whenever a cab passed by. Unfortunately, no cab stopped and the thought of just stopping her Sweet Escape crossed her mind until she saw a bus. Its door was about to close, she pushed herself even more. Like a sprinter, she bolted her way into the bus, waving goodbye to her unlucky bodyguard.

------------------------------------

Sauntering through columns of goods in the grocery, staring blankly at her to-buy-list, and pushing the cart like touching a wind, she doubted her existence. People looked at her, stared at her for a bit and passed her. She lowered her head and wallowed again in sad memories. Memories of her childhood, her fatherless childhood. Her mother, who died early because of depression. Her encounter with happiness for the first time when she met Siwon. Siwon, who was engaged to another girl. The girl, who had stolen everything from her.

Her gripped on the cart became tighter, her heart raced upon the thought of Lee Minhee. She hated her and hated more that she couldn't entirely hate her. A part of her saw Minhee as her sister, as a person deserving of her unconditional love. She was deep in a thought until a resounding blow awoke her from her reverie. Her cart had bumped into someone else's cart. She raised her head and gasped. It was Siwon.

"Hello." She faked a smile.

-------------------------------------

 

 

The make-up on her face hid her true feelings throughout the night. She feigned a lively woman in front of high-end people, singing love songs, of fairy tale dreams. Her dreams before. That dream that once had come true. After three songs, her job was done and headed back to the dressing room. There was an inexplicable urge to remove the layers of make up on her face. She had been wanting to wash them away with her tears, since that morning. That morning, when she went to the person, who brought her into the world of cruel lies and fake dreams.

The dressing room was empty and blank. Lifeless. She stared at herself in the mirror, realizing how really pale she was. And how lifeless. It took her a moment to notice the flowers on the table. It was the irony of the whole picture. It was full of life. Yellow tint orchids nestling pure white and pale green roses, matched by the green foliage and berries uniting the bunch. Somehow, it lightened up her feelings. She looked for a note. She found nothing. Nothing from Choi Siwon. She was disappointed.

Perhaps the creak of the door, and the light footstep coming from there could tell her who sent her those flowers. Yeori saw the man from the mirror, but she turned her back anyway to meet him appropriately.

"Do you like the flowers?" Asked the man. His eyes were saying something. Something that Yeori hadn't had a clue of but somehow could relate to.

"Who are you?" The man just smirked and occupied the nearest chair, crossed his right leg over the left one. He handed Yeori a calling card. Instead of giving Yeori an idea who he was, he made it more cryptic to her. "What do you need?" Yeori asked another question.

"You and I. We need each other." The man said, looking intently at her. The way he looked was killing and at the same time, calming her soul.

"What do you mean by that?" Yeori scoffed and turned her back from him, starting to remove her makeup. She pretended not to see him, but the mirror allowed her to view him and look into those eyes.

"Samsung." The man's reticent word explained his intention to Yeori. Basing from her reaction, the man let himself to speak freely. "Jay Y. Lee. Revenge." He continued.

"How did you know that?" Yeori asked. Suddenly, shiver occupied her whole body. The man just smirked and sprang to his feet.

"Call me, if you're interested." He said and left the room.

Her fingers were trembling, she couldn't even bring them to finish removing her makeup. She looked at the mirror. The echo of his words filled the room. Samsung. Jay Y. Lee. Revenge. He gazed at the calling card. Uhm Taewoong, who are you?

--------------------------------------

The natural shine coming from the gold foliage, fallen leaves that marked the Fall, brightened up the morning in the riverside. People were doing a warm up, waiting for the sunshine. Gain had never expected to find herself there, among the throng of physically active people. One of them was their car designer. The very reason why she was there.

She examined the crowd, and wondered where the hell they got the energy to break off sweat that early morning. She was still sleepy and decided to sit at the bench underneath the tree. Sleep deprived because of the documents she studied last night, she let her eyes to close a bit. Then, a bit more until she couldn't see anything. A leaf fell from the tree and touched her hair, it woke her and sent panic alarm to her systems. Omo, I fell asleep! What if I missed- Her watery eyes spotted a man in dry fit clothes and running shoes, pounding the pavement. It was him! It gave her hope at the same time, the sun was in full action.

She ran, catching his pace, which was really fast. Her heartbeat was ecstatic and her legs were on the verge of giving up. He ran like there was no limit to his energy, while her energy was known to many as a paucity. Fortunately, the man stopped and turned to look at her. He looked askance, remembering of he had seen her before. Instead of introducing herself, she remained silent, catching her elusive breath. Not finding the answer if he knew her, the man just turned his back, put the headset back and continued to run. Wait!!! Gain wanted to scream but her tongue was paralyzed.

She ran again, hopelessly. Not fully recovered, her vision went dark, not noticing her untied shoelace. Before she knew it, she had become a victim of her shoelace. She fell off the ground, shrieking with pain, people ran into her offering their help totally clouded her sight of their car designer.

A band aid was enough to cover up her wound. Now, she was sitting at the same bench. The sun was in full bloom. She missed her chance to please him stay with the company. Gain sighed heavily with her dropped shoulders.

"Are you okay now?" She didn't notice that there was a man sitting next to her. She looked at him shortly and nodded. Realizing she knew him, she looked at him again.

"Engineer Lee!" She exclaimed. Her pale face regained its normal complexion.

"Catching up with my pace, huh?" He smiled back, handing her a bottle of Pocari.

"Well... I think I need to do whatever I can to stop you... leaving us." She said, embarrassed.

"And it includes running?" He chuckled. "I was part of the soccer team in college. I do track and field for cross training. You think you can catch up?"

"Lee Seunggi ssi.." Gain said, completely devoured by embarrassment. "Engineer Lee, about the contract, we can reconstruct it. Just tell me." She continued, trying to redeem herself.

"What's your favorite color?" Seunggi asked. Unaware, it made her brows furrowed but seeing  his face, she realized it was a serious question.

"Orange."

"Okay. Well, I have an appointment in thirty minutes. I'll think about it, lets meet later. Seven sharp, same place." He said and ran his way to the parking lot.

------------------------------------------

After submitting her pictures of Lee Minhee's party to her boss, Bomin, earning a fortune bought cans of beer to celebrate it. If celebrate was the right word. Well, she earned a lot. However, she was depressed. Her first kiss was not meant for her.

"Lee Minhee." She unconsciously uttered the name of South Korea's most popular Heiress.

"Lee Minhee what?" An inquisitive voice asked her behind. It was her best friend since she left the orphanage and lived by herself, Im Siwan.

"Siwan ssi! You want?" She asked pointing at the beer. Siwan took one, opened it and drank heavily.

"You risked your life again to follow the heiress." He said with the sarcastic tone in the last word "heiress." Bomin stared at him for a moment and heaved a sigh, she looked at the horizon, brooding over something. Siwan, on the other hand, looked at her, with those amorous eyes.

"She's beautiful, rich and smart. You couldn't ask for more if you were Lee Minhee. I have followed her every action for years. People want to know everything about her. I'm thinking, how wonderful to be Lee Minhee." Bomin said, her eyes still glued to the undefined sky.

"But she's a bratt." Siwan replied.

"Still, people love her." He loves her

"Not me." Siwan said and smiled at her. She smiled back, almost faking it to hide her the sudden urge of sadness. Sadness that had been torturing her since she left the party.

Who are you? Said the guy standing before her. Who am I? She thought. She must have forgotten her name the first time she laid her eyes on him. He looked with ineffable sensation, those expressive eyes matched perfectly with his god-sculpted nose and his lips. The moment she realized she was looking intently on his lips, she gasped. For the first time, she saw someone as a complete opposite, a man.

She explored more of Mr. Good To Be True Guy or Mr. Swagger the way he pulled off his gray suit. Instead of a tie underneath, he wore a scarf simply hanging over his neck. He left the first two buttons unlocked that showed a glimpse of his skin. His porcelain white skin. What caught her attention the most was his philtrum complimenting his lips, making more irresistible to kiss.

Ya! Geum Bomin! What are you thinking?! She scolded herself. Mr. Swagger was still there, his gaze turned to her camera. Omo! My baby! 

"Spare me please! Spare my camera! I won't do this again?" She cried. From her kneeling position, she bowed down half of her body, almost touching Mr. Swagger's shoes. The man knelt down, held her arms to help her got up. His face was closer now, and it was more beautiful. Mr. Swagger smiled his supple lips and kissed her. Waaaa!!! Wow! My first kiss is Mr. Swagger? The sky displayed a rapturous reaction, there were fireworks celebrating her first kiss. A current traveled down her spine, giving her shrill, incandescent spark. Spark. 

Ten seconds of first kiss. Ten seconds of unexpected kiss. Ten seconds of touching lips with Mr. Swagger. Ten seconds of happiness. Ten seconds of angels singing You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman in the background. Ten seconds seemed like forever. Ten seconds is not enough.

Mr. Swagger moved her head away, thus separating his lips from hers. To her surprise, Mr. Swagger collapsed. She covered her mouth as she almost screamed, she crouched down, placed her ears at his chest. She felt his heart beating. He is alive! 

"Minhee ssi..." Mr. Swagger mumbled. His breath smelled of mouthwash and liquor. "Why? Why?" He drifted off. The ten seconds she felt a while ago had changed into ten seconds of crazy as fuck.

Why would he kiss me anyway? He has mistaken me for Minhee because he is... drunk. He kissed me because he is drunk. 

------------------------------------------

The smell of Green tea woke her up. Coming out from the door was Joongki, holding a tray of green tea, ham and cheese omelette and a fresh rose. His lips was smiling benignly including his eyes. Gain, deep inside her heart, really loved breakfasts in bed Joongki had become expert of. It was something to brighten up her day, thought she was always pretending to be gloomy every time he was around.

"Here's your breakfast." Joongki said, helping Gain to sit up. Unconsciously, Gain let a smile and delightfully took the fork. Noticing how she reacted, she cleared her throat and sipped from the tea cup. "I can leave if you're not comfortable with me here. Eat up." He said and paced up back to the door. Gain, seeing how saturnine his face had become felt bad about it.

"Can I have a porridge tomorrow?" She called out. Suddenly, she felt her face blushed like someone daubed red paint on her cheeks. She lowered her head. Surprised, Joongki dropped his jaw at what he heard, then broke into a smile. A smile that would not leave him the whole day.

"Sure!" He happily said. Before he could hold the door knob, it moved and a visitor emerged.

"Eonni."

"Minhee ssi, what are you doing here this early morning?" Gain asked, her eyes gazing at her half-sister and Joongki on the peripheral. The latter went out quietly, still smiling.

"I'm just here to visit my one and only eonni." Minhee answered playfully. She turned around showing how suave the raffles on her dress were and glided toward Gain's bed, sitting beside her. "How are you feeling now?"

"Much better." Gain said and ate a spoonful of omelette.

"Because your Doctor is hot!"

"Minhee ya!!!" Gain raised her voice with embarrasment. She flushed even more, which Minhee noticed.

"You're red! Hahaha" Minhee chuckled, it faded away when a document caught her eye. Noticing that a business report sparked interest from her sister, Gain spoke up.

"That's a contract. We'll be shooting a CF with Mario Maurer next week for our new car." After saying that, Gain looked awry at Minhee, waiting for a violent reaction. However, she just heaved a sigh and showed her hand to Gain.

"Eonni, today as you can see, this hand is plain, empty. Thirty days from now, I would wear the most expensive engagement ring in the planet." Minhee said in a smug manner, her eyes were sparkling.

"Don't tell me?" Gain arched her brow for confirmation.

"Yes, Siwon agreed to the wedding."

-----------------------------------------

The car pulled over at Samsung building, the one of the many symbols of how affluent the chaebol was. A man opened the door for Jay Lee and like a domino effect, people bowed their heads as Jay passed by them on his way to his office. As part of his routine, he was expecting his secretary to bring him coffee the moment he arrived. However, what surprised him was a young lady, not his secretary, served the coffee. Looking at her eyes, he sensed desperation.

What this child wants? He asked himself. His question must be ostensible in his eyes, to answer that, the lady roughly placed the newspaper on his desk. Lee Minhee marries into Choi Family, the headline said.

"I never asked you for anything but please don't take him away from me." She calmly said.

"I don't know what you're talking about. You may go now, I have things to do." Jay said apathetically. The lady knelt down that shocked him.

"This is my first and last favor. Please. I'm begging you." Tears made her voice wobbled.

"Secretary Park!" Jay called out, he sounded tremulously.

"Abeoji!" She cried. "I won't ask you to love me. I won't ask you to treat me like how you treat Minho or Minhee. I'm just asking you to give him back to me. Don't let him marry Minhee. I love him." Secretary Park came in and she was dumbfounded seeing the crying lady, calling her boss Abeoji. The lady was still sobbing, her eyes were in terrible pain. To make the matter worse, Jay got something from his drawer. It was a check, wrote a walloping amount of money.

"Here's money. Leave. You may leave. Please." He said and turned his swivel chair 180 degrees so not to see her. The lady wiped off her face, tucking her hair behind her ears, raising her finger to warn Secretary Park not to touch her.

"Okay. You want this Mr. Lee. From now on, I am not your-" She cut off. The word that described her relation with Jay hurt her the most. "We are not related now. I hope you won't regret this. I, Lee Yeori, will not bother you about this." She said and left.

The check was still on the desk, which Jay stared at the whole day.

The clock stopped ticking in the middle of their main course. It ruthlessly stopped. His harsh voice along with the unforgivable words betrayed his beatific face. Let's break up. That was Siwon told Yeori, the girl she was dating for almost two years. Let's break up. 

The steak almost untouched did not leave Yeori's eyes. She could not seem to look at other things, neither move or lift even a finger. She could not move. Not even utter a single word. Let's break up. Why? Have I done something wrong? Siwon, on the opposite side, looking intently at her, patiently waiting for her to speak, even though he had already made up his mind. He took a sip from his wine glass, closed his eyes and opened them again. Truthfully, he could not breathe. Let's break up. Three words he had regretted the moment it spilled from his mouth.

Take it back. Yeori's eyes were saying when her sight left the steak and turned to Siwon, scrutinizing his every movement. And his eyes. She knew them well; she could tell the truth and lies from them, but the moment she set her eyes on him, he blinked and turned his head away.

"Why?" She asked, with trembling voice and warning tears.

"I'm seeing another girl. I think I like her." He answered. His voice was full of clarity and conviction... and a subtle lie. "She is beautiful, smart... and rich. My parents like her too." He continued, he let his eyes meet hers. Because the last thing he said was true, that his parents liked that girl so much. That the girl was beautiful, smart and most importantly rich. Sadly, Yeori was not, to be important.

He met her at his father's birthday celebration, where all the executives and top performers of the company were all present. He preferred a simple dinner, a more intimate time with the members of the family. The moment he saw the faces of people, who just came there out of obligation and to earn commendation from his father, he wanted to run away. However, a single song made him endure the long night. Yeori sang it.

Long seconds had passed, he could not hear anything from her. If he could be honest with himself, he would ask her to sing that song again. He could have kissed her and told her he loved her the most. But he couldn't. So, he stood up, moved his neck a bit and loosened his tie. He still could not breathe. Her silence was killing her. "I'd better go." He said and walked away from her, not looking back.

She heard his footsteps, it gradually fading into the melody coming from the piano, playing music of love and romance, the happy ever afters, fairy tales, those things she had high hopes with but did not make sense to her now. She opened her mouth, mustered all her strength, her voice chased after his footsteps. "You'll regret this."

I know. Siwon said to himself.

-------------------------------------

The sight of her doctor disgusted her. Not because he was wearing only a crew-neck shirt paired with chino shorts. Because he was her step-brother. After checking her temperature, Joongki smiled at her, pulling over the blanket.

"You should rest a bit more, Gain ssi." His warm voice said.

"If you don't have anything more to say, you may leave Doctor Song." Her cold voice replied, staring blankly at the pictures posted on her wall she took by herself.

"Joongki. Please call me Joongki."

"Why? Because you are part of my family? And what's next? You will ask me to call your mother, Omma?" She turned her head away from the sea of pictures and set her eyes blazed of infuriating fire on Joongki.

"I don't mean that-" Joongki wanted to tell her things to subside her hatred but he did not know where to begin. For a long time, he wanted to tell her how much he cared for her, more than a brotherly love. However, like an ice her cold stare melted down, her tears now touching her cheeks down to her chin, prevented him to say anything.

"Remember the first time we met, there were guys who were beating you up to death. There was blood on your face, you looked so vulnerable. I was conscience-stricken when my car passed by, so I asked my driver to stop and helped you. Abeoji instantly liked you, he said you're smart. I was really happy, I thought I found a friend, who told me I was the most beautiful when I smile. From then, I smiled more."

"Gain ssi..."

"Now, I think I couldn't do it. Ever since my father married your mother, I couldn't do it." She reproachfully told him, then wiped off her tears with the back of her hands, eradicating them for they showed weakness and vulnerability, a sign of defeat. She pulled over the blanket up to her face, "Leave." Joongki left her room, as soon as he packed all his tools, he never said anything, but Gain felt how much he was hurt. She removed the blanket off her face, covering it with her hands, she let the tears fall freely, admitting how vulnerable and how weak she was.

-------------------------------------

Politicians, Businessmen, Socialites, people of High Society, they all joined together to celebrate the 25th Birthday of Lee Minhee, Jay Y. Lee's daughter, President of Samsung Electronics. Epicureans loved the buffet at every Samsung party, people of great ambitions love the connections they hoped to build inside the Samsung influence, and paparazzi love every action of Lee Minhee, the richest daughter, known for being Paris Hilton of Korea.

Minhee was involved in many controversies and Samsung had spent a fortune for covering all her faults. She was a spoiled brat, sheltered, and a heiress who did not belong to earth. She hated tours in their factories, worrying that the working class people would touch her Hermes bag, or they ripped off her Chanel skirt for she thought, they were so envious. Good thing, Minho, her older brother, offset the people's perception about Jay Lee's children. He was the exact opposite.

People were also excited of the big announcement, Jay Lee was about to make. There were rumors about the engagement of Minhee. People were so curious who the lucky guy would be, marrying a chaebol like Samsung was like marrying the Royal Family.

Aside from Lee Minhee, people were looking forward to Chung Gain, her half sister and the daughter of Chung Euisun, President of Hyundai. There were circulating rumors about Gain's health, a bad omen for succession.

After long hours of people chattering, indulging themselves with abundant food and good wine, Jay Y. Lee, escorting Minhee on stage, got all the attention. Though, years robbed him of his youth, his handsome face remained. He tapped the microphone and began to speak. "I would like to thank you all for coming to my Minhee's birthday. It seems like yesterday when I carried her in my arms singing lullabies to send her off to sleep. Now, look at her, a woman already, very beautiful. Well, I guess beauty runs in the family." He chuckled at his own humor, it was contagious that people laughed after. "Having a degree from Harvard, I couldn't ask for more for Minhee, now, she is free to live her life. When I asked her what she wanted to do, she answered me with straightforward honesty. She wants to marry that guy." Jay Lee pointed at the man sitting next to Minho. "Friends, I would like to introduce my daughter's fiance Choi Siwon, whose father is also a good friend of mine."

Cheers, applause, the people gone wild after Jay Lee's announcement. Behind the bushes, Geum Bomin was feasting over her shots that would surely cost a fortune. She kissed her camera and hugged it like her own child. However, her adrenaline peaked when a voice interrupted her happiness, it was a caveat of law charges normal to a paparazzi.

"Who are you?" Asked the man. Instead of fear, she was dazzled by this man's beauty.

 

The rain was louder than her footsteps, alone, she felt her womb and mustered strength from it. Out of breath with vision blurred by the rain amid the impeccable black street, her tired legs continued to run. Run for her life, no. Running for the most precious thing she had, hidden in her womb. That thing did not feel her sadness and fear, it only saw bliss and happiness, the cruel world could offer.

Her knees soon kissed the pavement, but she did not cry. She did not want to ruin the joy the thing inside was feeling. She stood up, her fresh wound was immediately washed by the sky, it erased any evidence of blood. But not the blood on her clothes.

Run! Hurry! She could not afford to show the thing inside the darkness, the monotonous cry of the sky, the fear of being alone or they would both die. She ran until every part of her body felt sore. She closed her eyes, trusting only her heart for the direction to the only safe place she knew. A safe place.

"Hyerim! Kim Hyerim!! Hyerim ssi!" She called out, tapping the door heavily with her last energy. Then, she felt numb, her both hands were paralyzed. She could not speak either, her cries turned into whispers. I'm sorry my child. She let loose of her last string of hope. I'm sorry my child. 

"Omo! Jaeshin!" The door opened and the woman brought back the light again, and her hope. And she passed out.

-------------------------------

She opened her eyes and let them wander around the room. There was a rope nailed from one corner to another, damp clothes hung there. The safe place for her was an old house of stone from antiquity, aging perforated walls with patches of wood to cover, a bucket was occasionally placed in the middle of the room to catch drops of water.

What caught her attention was the little boy, sitting beside her and watching her intently. The innocence of his eyes gave him comfort and helped her to gain her hope again. She touched her womb and smiled. The boy smiled at him and she smiled back. She smiled again. She never expected to smile again.

"What's your name?" She asked the little boy with curiosity stemmed from gladness but before he could answer, the door opened. It was Hyerim, holding a bowl of soup.

"Jaeshin ssi, did my Joongki trouble you?" Hyerim bantered and stroked her son's hair with her fingers. "Joongki ya, can you leave us for a moment?" He nodded and left the room, shyly smiling again at Jaeshin.

"He's going to be a fine man." Jaeshin muttered, her eyes following Joongki until he disappeared from her sight. Hyerim flushed as if that was the first time she heard that remark. "When is your due date?" asked Jaeshin, placing her hand on Hyerim's womb.

"Next month." Hyerim replied, her expression was cryptic, bordered in happiness and misery. From her womb, Jaeshin's hand reached for her hand and pinched it. "Joongki's father has not returned yet, almost a week from now." She craned her head to hinder her teary eyes to wet her face. Silence consumed them, Hyerim realized the awkwardness, broke it. "Eat up." She said, gave her a smile and helped Jaeshin sat up.

"Thank you, Hyerim."

------------------------------------------

"Its a girl." Jaeshin did not hear what her friend said but the cry from the baby made her heart jumped but it did not help to prolong her capacity to breathe. She was in the peak of happiness but the same thing deteriorated her body. She flashed her last smile and closed her eyes... forever.

"Here she is." Hyerim said after she cleaned the baby, she noticed how peaceful Jaeshin face was, and how cold it was at the same time when she tapped it slightly to wake her up. "Jaeshin ssi... Jaeshin." Her heartbeat became louder, it was shouting. Chill spread down her spine, rooted from a different level of nervousness. She sought for her pulse in almost every part of her body. When she gone hopeless, she splashed a glass of water on her face.

Jaeshin remained like a stone. A cold one.

--------------------------------------

An hour after Jaeshin's death, Hyerim staring blankly at the hanging clothes as she rocked Jaeshin's daughter in her arms. A knock on her door stopped her but she did not answer. It was Joongki who opened the door. His innocent eyes met the interrogating eyes of the cop.

"How may I help you?" Hyerim asked, dragging Joongki behind her. The cop bowed at showed her his ID.

"I just want to know if Nam Jaeshin was here."

"What do you need from her?"

"Miss Nam is the prime suspect in killing Bae Kyunghee." The cop said, his eyes showed no hint of feelings and incapacity of any emotion.

"What?! Jaeshin wouldn't do that?!" She scowled in disbelief.

"We have no time for that Ma'am." The cop said calmly. "It could be a self defense since we learned that Ms. Bae forced Ms. Nam to abort her child, we won't hurt her. We just need to clarify some things." He continued.

"She's dead."

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The funeral lasted for two days. Jaeshin became an orphan at the age of seven and learned to live independently since then. Some of their friends went to the funeral but Hyerim never heard a word from Chung Euisun, Jaeshin's husband.

She found out that Jaeshin left Euisun and her two-year old daughter, and eloped with Jay Lee, who was also married to Bae Kyunghee and like Jaeshin, had a child. Should she call Jay Lee and tell him about her daughter? Or call Euisun and tell him about Jaeshin's death?

"Hyerim! You wench?! Where are you?" It was her husband, from his voice, Hyerim smelled alcohol and smoke.

"Yobu!" Hyerim called out. She tried to smile at the presence of her husband.

"Ya! Give me 20,000 won. I'll give it back. Hurry!" said her husband whose balance was stolen by alcohol.

"Yobu, all I have is for the rent and food." She said trembling in fear. The baby must have felt her tension and cried.

"Ya, who's that?" Her husband asked, entering the house and saw the baby. "Whose baby is this?" He grabbed Hyerim's arm, gripping it tightly she yawped in pain. "So you adopt a baby. Spending my money to feed another mouth and if I ask for some, you won't give me!" He said with fury in his eyes.

"No, its not that. Its not what you think. The truth is-" Her husband cut her off and slapped her. The impact threw her on the floor. She felt a different kind of shock, not from being hit by her husband, but by the sight of blood on her legs.

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Two weeks had passed, Hyerim was in a funeral again after giving birth to her daughter. Her husband died after being involved in a shootout. She did not know the right emotion for her husband's funeral. All she knew was, no one would hurt her. No one.

Her husband's death did not give her a relief at all. She knew that her neighbors' generosity would not last. She knew that she had to look for a job to feed her children.. and Jaeshin's. She knew it wouldn't be easy.

Another knock on the door. Too late for any visitor. It was past twelve midnight and the crickets were louder than people's snore. Hyerim opened it. It was Jay Lee.

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Clouds from the east just gave way to the sun when Joongki woke up. He searched around the house for his mother and the babies. No one was around, he went outside and watched the people passing by. It was noon when Hyerim returned. It was only Hyerim and a plastic of food. No babies.

"Omma!" Joongki called out and paced up to meet Hyerim. "Where are my dongsaengs?" He asked curiously. Hyerim heaved a sigh, crouched down and hugged him.

"They are in a safe place."She answered, her eyes warned an upcoming tears. "From now on, we only have each other, okay?"

"Omma..."