Namjoon shifts in his bed in pain. His whole body is burning up and the places where he was hit stretches, making him wish for death. Their beating has increased tremendously after Appa Bae's demise. Though that Jace had puched or slap him when the father was alive, he could not do more than that. And the butler Joseph used to swat and curse him all day. But now... 

He turns to get up but fails. He needs to take those pain-killers Noel left for him. She is not at home now.

"Dear God!!" The aching accumulates due to his bones being knit.  

"Namy?!"

He looks at his right to find Irene curled up in a chair beside his bed. Her short hair looks tangled and all over the place. She is wearing a baggy t-shirt and a faded jeans all wrinkled up. Her eyes are red, filled with tiredness and worry.

"You're here?!..." He chokes up in pain.

"No! My ghost!! Who were you expecting?! Has there been a time I am not there when you needed me?! No one can torelate you other than me!!" She claims confidently. "Besides who else do you need or want other than me...?" She gets busy to arrange his meds.

Her possessive words yet again capture the heart and soul of the 16 years old boy that quiet afternoon....

Namjoon opens his eyes to see the blank white wall of his office.  It is alarming how much he can relate to it. He opens the top drawer of his desk and brings out an old photo-frame where he and Irene are with their bikes and he is trying to dodge her smack. If one look at the photograph closely, they may even listen to their laughter clearly. Such fun, happiness, innocence, friendship, love...all gone, all burned away by the reality of life. The smoke formed shall suffocate them forever. There is no escape.

"Don't lie. Don't lie about being there whenever I need or want you...Why are you not here now?! With me..." His teardrop falls on the frame solemnly...  

Joy pulls the bag up on her shoulder and enters the kitchen groaning in pain. She is so exhausted. The tests, assignments and now she has to attend the classes as they are important. She wonders what would have happened if Namjoon had not let her go to classes or demanded that she would not study anymore. 

"I wanted to talk to you about something..." Joy softly says while getting into the shirt.

Namjoon is still beathing heavily. His vision clears out. He looks at her only to burst out into laughter.

"Oh my God!!..." He shakes his head and keeps up his amusement.

She looks down at herself and blushes. Her shirt is ed revealing a Hello Kitty bra...

"Do you always wear such  funny things?! You women are...so weird!!" He coughs because of laughing.

Joy just shrugs. It feels so different and nice to see him laugh loudly like that. Light-hearted and relaxed...

"Oh well... as if I know better what women like...never seen one in this way, other than you..." He says airily and sits up to pours himself a glass of water.

Joy keeps the "pleasant information" to herself and buttons up her shirt.

"Well I was saying...that I want to resume my studies." She blurts out before she loses the chance.

Namjoon looks up at her from the glass and puts it down to listen to her.

"I...My results for the 2nd year final is out... It is better than average this time...The classes of 3rd starts from the next week and the last day of application for 3rd year is tomorrow...so..." She looks expectantly at him.

"It sounds like you have already decided to continue your studies...then why telling me?" He asks arrogantly.

"Coz...You are..." She stops when she sees a faint mocking expression forming on his face, " You are the bread-winner of the house. I live under your roof and eat your food. I also...I also wanted to talk about the fees and expenses..." She looks down embarrassed which increased tenfold with his snort.

"I...am sorry..." She lowers her head and tears begin to flow.

Her apology and tears catches him offguard. She had not cried even once after coming here...at least not infront of him. She has never even requested for anything, neither has initiated or talked with him without being asked. All these three months of this "arrangement"...

"You really do want to study, don't you?" He studies her closely.

"Yes." She sniffs."I know I am not a bright student and may not fare very well but I want to do it! I want...I want to do it for myself...and Aera...I know I am no good role model and I am definitely not trying to be one but I just want her to know its importance considering the kind of environment she is in..."

Honestly Namjoon is taken aback by her reasonings. Who could have thought the air-headed, sophisticated heiress be so thoughtful and determined?!

"Okay...go ahead but make sure that does not hamper your responsibilities here." He lays back in the bed.

"Thank you..." Joy gratefully wipes her face.

Joy smiles at her hands. Well her ways to keep Irene at bay during her visits is working as she is again avoiding Namjoon during her visits...But Joy knows it won't be for long.

Funny thing, the love is... Irene avoided him when he first came back. But once he "married" Joy, she could not help herself. It is painfully possible to be away from one's beloved for many reasons but the mere thought of that beloved with someone else feels fatal.

And Joy knows that very well...

Namjoon comes back very late today. He had informed at the house about it. Though it was not required. He already had his dinner. As if someone will wait for him anyways? Except...

He passes the dining room only to find Joy with her head down on the table with her books and stuff.

The food is covered and set. He is about to leave her right there but then changes his mind.

He slowly walks towards her and just by his footsteps she sits up quickly.

"Oh! Please freshen up and I'll heat up the food..." She begins only to be stopped by him.

"It won't be needed..." He lowers his hand and turns to leave.

"Should I get something for you?"

He shakes his head and is gone.

Joy sits back. That was some improvement....at least he thought to wake her up before going to his room...