*A little insight to Namjoon's past*

"Is it true that you've said yes to Mr. Kim's proposal?" Noel asks looking at the huge diamond on Irene's left ring finger.

"You can see that," Irene keeps brushing her hair.

"Yes. I can see that. But this is really sudden! I mean..." Noel hesitates.

"Why? It would have happened anyway. So why does it matter it happens now or after six months?!" Irene's tone is cold and face looks stoned. Her heart is bleeding though.

"Have you thought about this? Irene...this is a very big decision! Your whole life, your future everything depend on this," Noel still insists.

"Why not? I am 23 now. I can decide for myself! And what is wrong with Seokjin?! He is one in a million guy. A gentleman, rich and so good looking...I am lucky to get married to him."

"Then why are you not happy?"

'Wh-what?! I am happy and besides who is there better than him? I cannot rely on Oppa now! He is gambling so much! Yesterday he even brought his despicable friends here! I tried so much to stop him but he got violent. Then Nammy and all of them fought like animals! I can't!! I can't tolerate this anymore. I don't want Nammy to suffer anymore because of me. He will die if he keeps on fighting for me. And most importantly, I don't have any other way to save appa's business."

"What about Namjoon? Don't you love him? Will you forget him?" Noel sounds sad.

"Namjoon...How can I forget him? How can I stop loving him?! He is part of my soul. Part of my existence. But I cannot be with him. Sometimes...sometimes a person has to live without their most loved one for betterment."

"Whose betterment? Yours or Namjoon's?" She challenges.

"BOTH! Both of our betterment! Have you thought what will happen if Jace oppa keeps gambling like this?! He is not listening to anyone! Just two days back he mortgaged our farmhouse in Busan and six months back he sold almost 7% of our company shares! I cannot do much cuz these things are under his name! He is entitled to most of our property! Though I can save the business! For which I need money! I need to merge it with the Kims then everything will be fine. I cannot let our forefathers' hard work go into dust. Appa worked so hard." She wipes her stray tears.

"So you are sacrificing yourself for business?" The older woman closes her eyes in despair.

She lets out a hollow laugh,"Wasn't it suppose to be like this?! Listen, Noel. I've given it a lot of thoughts. I need to save my father's last legacy for which I need money and good connection. Which I'll get from marrying Seokjin. He is a very nice guy and moreover, he truly loves me. His love is like an unwanted gift to me. He could have been a spoilt playboy." Irene's final decision echoes in the room.

"Alright. I am getting your point. But what about Namjoon?" Noel tries one last time.

"Do you think I am happy or I do not care?! I feel like I am dying every moment and will continue to do so until my actual demise. I know I can never be heartily happy and this will be my punishment for breaking Namjoon's heart. I am breaking my own heart with his. We've never confessed to each other and there is nothing to confess to be honest. We both know that we love each other. That we are madly in love with each other. If I listen to my heart and be with him, what will happen? How will we survive? I am sure I will be disinherited and we are yet to complete our studies. We've no job. I am sure he'll not let me do anything and will take up every responsibility. He will succumb under pressure and will end up suffering. At least, now he can concentrate on his studies and have a bright future without worrying about me."

"Irene. I don't know what to say." Though she is absolutely against Irene's decision, she cannot help but agree to an extent.

"Please don't. Don't say anything, Noel. I've taken this decision with traumatizing heartache. Please do not try to break my resolve." She takes a deep breathe and stares hard at her,"Besides, you don't forget your place. I tell you things because you brought me up. I respect and love you. I pay heed to your suggestion but you have to right to insist."

"I am sorry that I for..." Noel stops suddenly. They hear a loud sound. Someone was outside the room. They go to check.

"Oh! The vase is broken?" Irene looks at the broken pieces.

"It's-it's not only the vase. Something else has also fallen and broken. But unfortunately, one cannot hear or see it."

Namjoon moves away from the window-sill. He has been working till late night so he does not have to look at Seokjin's bratty sister. Her face and everything remind him of that cursed day. The day he heard Noel and Irene's coversation.

He had left the house in few hours with his books and some clothes and lived on the college campus. He was lucky that he had an insurance that paid for his studies. There was a fund that made sure the Bae children could study without any trouble. And it was late Mr. Bae's kindness that he included Namjoon's name in that list.

He was grateful to his foster father who got him home one cold and snowy night. He was a child of 4 years with no knowledge of his whereabouts. He just knew his name was Kim Namjoon. Mr. Bae was always so caring towards him. Then there was Irene, no, there was, is and will be Irene. The best thing ever happen to him.

He had a sound knowledge of the economic world. Being a student of business administration helped a lot. His intelligence and sound judgement helped him to do wonder. Or else, he would have to be a smuggler or something to be so rich in only 3 years. But he worked so hard that there were days he forgot to eat or sleep. His clever approach, intellectual decisions and luck played their parts in his quest. Thus made him one of the youngest and successful enterpreneur of the country. A decent amount of money won in a lottery was the first step. Utilizing the amount in a very smart way was the second step and good acquintance with the share market moghuls was the third step and then the rest is history.

He could have destroyed the 'Kims and Company' with his 'Kim Enterprises' but that would have been materialistic and could be momentary. So, he decided to hurt them personally. Moreover, the Bae's has collaborated with the Kims so that means he will be damaging his appa Bae's hard work. He could not do that. Besides, this was more fun and satisfactory.

He bought 60% of the whole Bae state from Jace. He had to sell it to save himself from money mongers. This mansion embodies his whole life, his days with his Appa Bae and Irene.  He could not let it go to some lowly people. So, he offered to purchase it all but one could say Jace had not yet lost his senses completely. He proposed a deal that Namjoon could buy 60% of the whole state and stay there. 40% will still remain with him. So, he could have a roof on his head. Namjoon wanted to kill him at that moment but had to make the deal. Or else that loser would have sold it all to someone else.

Irene did not know that her brother was selling the house. By the time she had learned about it, Namjoon already moved in.

He had not communicate with anyone during these 3 years.