“Aren’t you excited?” Joshua asked after the plane took off.

Aeri was still trying to get a hold of what was happening.

Going back to Korea would put not only put her in danger but it would put Woohyun, L and Hoya in danger too.

“Oppa…can we go somewhere else instead? Anywhere but Korea.” She panicked.

“Aeri, we’re thousands of feet in the air. We can’t just jump off the plane.” He laughed.

“Please. Oppa, I can’t go back to Korea. I can’t.” Aeri worried and Joshua realized she was being serious.

This was the first time he had seen her like this – she looked lost but most importantly she looked scared.

“Aeri. What’s wrong?” Joshua held her by the shoulders and searched for her eyes.

“Please I can’t go back there.” She began to cry.

Joshua immediately wrapped his arms around her.

“Everything will be okay.” He the back of her head to calm her.

“I promise.”

And with those words said, Aeri felt reassured.

Joshua never broke his promises.

Aeri slowly pulled away and wiped away her tears.

“Now tell me, why you can’t go back to Korea.”

~

“And that’s why I can’t go back.” Aeri told Joshua everything.

“If you don’t tell, he won’t know you returned.”

“He will…he’s capable of anything…”

“Not everything.”

“What do you mean?”

Joshua held Aeri by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes

“Aeri, do you trust me?”

Aeri nodded.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“How about - ” Aeri thought about Hoya.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“You promise?” Aeri held out her pinky.

“I promise.” Joshua hooked his pinky around hers.

“But there’s one thing you have to do for me.”

“Hm?”

“Promise me you’ll have fun.”

“I will.” Aeri broke into a smile. 

~

“Wait.” Aeri stopped in front of the gate.

Joshua walked over and grabbed Aeri’s hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m here.” He said before the they walked through the gate.

“Jisoo! Over here!” A man waved holding up a welcome sign.

“Jisoo?” Aeri looked up at Joshua.

“Yea, that’s my Korean name.”

“You never told me that!”

“I prefer Joshua.” He laughed.

“Hello Mr. Lee.” Joshua bowed.

“Jisoo, you’ve lost some weight. Are you not eating well? How was the flight? And this must be your friend.” He bombarded Joshua with questions.

“Hello.” Aeri bowed shyly.

“I’ll take your bags. The car’s just waiting out front.”

“Mr. Lee is my father home right now?”

“Yes he is. He’s been waiting for your arrival.”

“I’m sorry but what’s your name again?” Mr. Lee asked Aeri as then got onto the car.

“Her name is Ariel Kim.” Joshua quickly answered for her.

Aeri turned to him and with wide eyes.

“I’ll explain later.” He mouthed in English.

“Does she not have a Korean name?”

“Oh, it’s uh…” Joshua turned to Aeri.

“Areum. Kim Areum.”

“Your name suits you very well Areum.”

“Thank you.” Aeri smiled.

~

“You have some explaining to do Mister.” Aeri turned to Joshua once they got off the car