The next day was Saturday. I decided to visit my brother in the hospital. I got myself prepared as I wore fitted jeans and a tee. I left the house and took the bus. After twenty five minutes of ride, I finally arrived at the hospital. It looked busy with people walking back and forth. I went in right away and headed to my brother’s room through already-memorized-corridors. Some of the nurses I knew even greeted me and I happily greeted them back with smile.

Upon arriving at my brother’s room, I knocked on the door and went inside. My brother and my mother turned their heads to my direction. “Hi Haru,” I chimed as I closed the door behind me.

My brother’s face lit up upon seeing me. “Noona!” he exclaimed happily. He stretched out his arms to me and I gleefully bear-hugged him. I felt him squeezing me and I patted his back in reassurance.

“I miss you, Noona,” he confessed when we pulled away. I almost cried, seeing my brother. He had gotten thinner as time passed by. His chubby cheeks were no longer there and it pained me every time I visited him and looked at his worsened condition.

“Sweetheart, can I talk with you for a moment?” my mother asked, standing up from the chair beside my brother’s bed. My mother’s eyes signaled me something and I got the message. She led me outside and made sure the door was closed perfectly so that my brother wouldn’t hear anything. Good thing he was also in the middle of watching some cartoons.

“What is it Mom?” I questioned straightforwardly. My mother smiled as she put a hand behind my back.

“Thank you, Dear. His surgery will happen soon. Our family and The Kim are still looking for the perfect donor,” she informed. I breathed in relief. At least, I sacrificed for something.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I confessed truthfully. My mother nodded in appreciation. She patted my back few times before going back inside. Meanwhile, I still stood there, not wanting to move. I blankly stared at the door before me. That marriage was happening for real. There was nothing I could do to stop or prevent it from happening. I sighed and faked a smile as I entered the room.

---

I excused myself to go home at night but I didn’t go home right away. I stopped by a small café. I ordered myself a cappuccino and spent sometime there. I sighed; stirring my cup with a straw. My mind recounted my last night event with Taehyung. My first impression of him wasn’t good. I knew he was rich but he didn’t have the right to say that about me and my family. If he didn’t know anything then it was better to shut the hell up.

Then my brother’s smiling face formed before my eyes. My eyes got hot with the tears. I sighed in desperation. Oh God… what did we do to deserve this. I quickly wiped a tear that successfully escaped my eyes. I had to be a strong sister. For my brother, Haru, for my parents.

I looked up to see the outside view from the big glass window. Suddenly, someone familiar walked past the coffee shop I was in.

Isn’t it Taehyung? I thought to myself.

That person was so similar to him, based on a glimpse of his face that I managed to catch. He was walking beside a tall and lean girl. Her hair was long and wavy. They were both so close and I looked at how the girl laughed as she leaned her head on the man’s shoulder. My heart clenched a bit at the sight. Was I jealous? Hell, no. But assuming that man was Taehyung and the woman was his girlfriend and knowing the fact that he was going to be my husband gave me a slight possessiveness in me. I knew, I had no right to feel that way. But I’m a woman after all. As much as Taehyung gave me bad image of him, he was my future husband.

I sighed before drank up the cappuccino and took my leave from the coffee shop.

---

It was Monday. People hates Monday, but I don't really hate this particular one day. Why? Because on Monday, we have mathematics class. I really like mathematics. It wasn’t because I mastered the subject. But a particular guy was actually the one who mastered it. Yes, Mingyu was exceptionally good in math. I'd ask for his help to tutor me ever since we were in the same class. He was kind and always teaches me thoroughly until I fully understand. Of course it took sometime since his good-looking face always distracts me.

I was quite excited when Mr. Do, our math teacher, entered the class. Few groans were heard as most of my classmates dislike this subject. I'd done the same if it wasn’t for Mingyu. Mr. Do didn't waste any time to begin his lecture. He explained about integral equation. I didn’t pay attention to him instead I just wrote down whatever he wrote on the board. I'd just ask Mingyu to teach me. Things seemed to be easier if it was him who explained to me.

The bell rang, signaling that the lesson was over as it came to first break. I immediately walked to Mingyu's table to ask him to teach me.  He was about to leave when I arrived beside his desk.

“Uh… Sorry. I will do it later,” I apologized with a bow before my heels to leave. Seeing him about to go somewhere, I didn't want to disturb him so I just postponed my plan to ask him to teach me.

For a split second I saw Mingyu frowned. “Wait what?” I heard him asked in confusion as I felt someone had grabbed my wrist.

My heart began to speed up its beat at the feeling of his hand on my skin. I turned back to face him and he raised his brows, asking for explanation. I coughed awkwardly and pulled my hand from him. As much as I liked it, I thought my heart was going to explode in excitement. “Well, I don't quite comprehend about the integral thing Mr. Do just explained. So, I was wondering if you could help me with that.” I rubbed my palm sheepishly.

Mingyu suddenly smiled. He pulled the chair beside his table and motioned me to sit. “Sit down,” he ordered softly. He took a seat himself and took the book I was holding.

I breathed deeply before making myself comfortable beside him. “Which part is it that you don't understand?” he asked, still smiling to me.

I sensed part of me died when he shot me with his beautiful smile. But I knocked some senses to my brain so that I didn't swoon over him too much. “Mmm… Starting from here,” I pointed some line on my note book. He hummed in understanding before took my pencil and began explaining.

I was mesmerized by his side profile, something that I knew I wouldn't get bored to see. His well defined jaw, his adam-apple, his sharp nose, his bangs and everything was perfectly complimented each other presence. If only I wasn't tied with the stupid marriage, I swear I would confess my feeling to this boy before we graduated. I wouldn't care if he rejected me but at least he knew my feelings. That would be enough.

I didn't realize for how long I already dreamily eyeing him until Mingyu called my name repeatedly.

“Song Hera, are you okay?” he asked. I snapped myself out of my thought and cleared my throat nervously, trying to act as normal as possible.

Damn. He caught me staring.

“W-well yeah I'm fine. I mean why wouldn't I be?” I asked awkwardly. Mingyu just chuckled as he twirled the pencil between his fingers.

“Get it now?” he asked, referring to the integral thing he just explained. I quickly, maybe too quickly, nodded my head. “Yeah, I got it.”

Mingyu sent me another heart-warming smile and patted my head softly. “Don’t hesitate to come again if you are still confused,” he told me.

I nodded mindlessly and watched him stood up and left the class. I looked at his back view as I fanned myself with my hand. Oh my God… If I could, I would do anything to replace Taehyung with Mingyu.

---

I was watching some Korean music show on television when I heard someone knocked the front door. At first the knocks were in regular pace but as I lazily headed to the door, the knocks got more urgent and impatient. I sighed, fastening my legs to move. Who the hell disturb me at this hour? Dad hadn't come yet, made me alone in the house.

I opened the door and surprised when it revealed Taehyung standing at my door frame.

“What are you doing?” I blurted out, not minding to hide my wonder.

Taehyung wore a neat maroon sweater with a white shirt underneath. He tucked out his collar shirt while the end of his shirt was tucked in his jeans nicely. Taehyung stood there with his hands stuffed into his pocket. I had to shamelessly accept the fact that this man was definitely handsome. What no! I had to stay loyal to Mingyu. He was much more handsome.

Taehyung cleared his throat before he spoke, “My mother wants to see you. Get dressed.”

I scrunched my nose at him, trying to find a hint of dishonest in his eyes but I couldn't find any. He was being truthful.

“Wait here,” I snapped before closing the door at his face. I didn't care nor bother to invite him in. I was still displeased with what he said the other day.

I ran to my room and quickly changed into a floral dress. After having some make up and grabbing my things, I left the house and put the key behind the flower pot near the door for my father when he came. Taehyung was waiting inside his car. I jogged a little to his car and hopped in.

He didn't say anything but just started the engine and began to speed up. Few minutes later, thanks to the clear traffic, we arrived at an apartment building. I mentally shook my head. The Kim family must be freaking rich. This apartment was one of the most expensive apartment buildings in Seoul.

We both got out of the car as he paced up inside. I trailed behind him, half-running since he was walking quite fast. We entered an elevator as he pressed the button to the highest floor. The elevator ride took few minutes and the silence between us was killing my whole soul. Sometimes, I'd steal glances to the man beside me and he had his scary blank face on.

The elevator dinged and it opened. Taehyung stepped out first and I followed behind him. He stopped before a room and typed the password to unlock the door.

“Come inside,” he ordered with the cold voice of his as he opened the door for me.

I shot him a glare and went in, taking off my shoes before getting further. His apartment was definitely fancy that it sent shiver down to my spine. I looked around. The interior was dominated with white and black.

Taehyung then guided me to the dining room. I saw his mother, in the middle of eating. “Mom, she is here,” he announced, earning the elder's attention. She turned to our direction and a smile began to grow on her face.

“Oh! My beautiful daughter!” she exclaimed. I blushed at her nickname for me. “Come here,” she enveloped me into a hug.

She dragged me by my wrist to sit beside her while Taehyung took a seat across us.

“How are you Sweetheart?” she asked softly. I smiled. “I’m fine Mrs. Kim,” I replied, trying to sound as polite as possible.

Mrs. Kim shook her head. “Who are you calling Mrs. Kim? Just call me Mom. You are going to marry my baby Taehyung soon.”

“Mom,” Taehyung said in displeasure. I didn't know if it was because of that his mother called him baby or that his mother mentioned about the marriage or both.

I laughed awkwardly. “Thank you, Mrs.. I mean Mom.” I looked at Taehyung briefly to see his reaction and his expression was just as dark as always. I mentally scoffed. This boy totally couldn't smile.

“How’s your brother doing?” she asked.

I was slightly taken aback, not expecting her to ask about my brother's condition. I meekly nodded. “He is fine, M-m-mom.”

She nodded, taking a sip of her juice. “We will expedite the surgery. We will do it right away if we found the matching donor,” she explained.

“Wait. What is it about her brother?” I heard Taehyung asked. He had this scowl on his face, clearly disliking the fact that he missed some information. I sighed inwardly. Now the reason behind our marriage would be revealed.

Just like I expected, Mrs. Kim explained to his son about my brother's condition and one of the reasons of our marriage.

I watched Taehyung's expression remained. His poker face was shown and it stayed that way throughout the whole story from Mrs. Kim. I added sometimes when she asked but it was all her who enlightened the confused Taehyung.

When Mrs. Kim ended her words, Taehyung turned his attention to me. I raised my eyebrows at him. He pressed his lips into a thin line before looked away. I gulped. My sense told me that it wasn't a good sign.

“My dear Hera, what do you think about our Taehyung? Is everything good between both of you?” she smiled to me. I caught myself flustered at her question.

I looked to see how Taehyung reacted, even though I knew his face would be blank just like usual. The end of his brows twitched in amusement as I noticed. It seemed like he also was anticipating what I was going to say about him, about us.

I rubbed the non-existent twitch on the back of my neck shyly. “Umm… We are in a good terms,” I lied. “As about Taehyung, I think I need more time to figure out and to decide what kind of person he is,” I said instead. Mrs. Kim nodded in satisfaction.

Then she rolled for another question, “What about you Taehyung? What do you think of her?”

 

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Another new chapter. I am planning to finish this story before my holiday ends and I go back to college.

Comments are loved^^