Chapter 3

When memories are gone

The next morning, the young lady opened her eyes to the birds' singing. Their music was soft to her ears and she sligthly smiled to herself.

She spent a rather good night, despite of what happened the day before, even if she didn't recall anything that happened to her. The only thing she knew for now, was that she was in the bedroom of a stranger. This mysterious man who came to her rescue.

What was his name, again? Yonghwa...That's it Yonghwa. He took care of her, without knowing who she was. And even though she felt blessed that someone found her on the road, she couldn't help but be a little scared by the attention Yonghwa brought to her. Who could invite a stranger to spend the night in their house? In their own bed?

As she stretched, she could feel the warmness coming from the fireplace. She straightened up and stared at it. It wasn't lit up when the man carried her here, and when she fell asleep, she was still feeling the coolness of this October night on her skin. Did Yonghwa do this for her before leaving?

She looked around her, the room was pretty big and decorated in a certain taste. It was simple but the furnitures seemed expensive. Her host had money for sure.

She, then, looked at her clothes. This light blue shirt she was wearing brought back the memories of the last evening. Her bath, being washed by this seductive man. His touch, caring and tender. Only the thought of it, made her feel a kind of warmness inside. Not like a desire, more like a feeling of peace.

She finally got out of the bed, feeling her legs still aching from the bruises she had. But the care she received, was really beneficial. She heard some noises coming from downstairs. After all, it was already 10:00am, a good hour for breakfast. But she couldn't go down, only dressed with this shirt, Yonghwa's shirt.

She looked around her, but didn't find the clothes she was wearing the night before. To be honest, they were really dirty. As she was considering going downstairs or not, the noises coming from her stomach, didn't leave her any doubts. She needed to eat.

She slowly opened the bedroom door, going down the stairs, hugging the wall in hope of being unnoticed.

Miss...” a middle aged woman greeted her with a smile. She just nodded and arrived in the kitchen.

And there he was...Yonghwa. He was standing in front of the gas oven and whistling happily. She looked at her host, from the doorstep, afraid to disturb him. She couldn't help but smile, seeing this happy man.

On the table, she noticed a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup and some side dishes.

Hey you're already awake?”

The young lady was startled, before turning her head away.

Don't do that, you know me now,” Yonghwa smiled at her, “Good morning,” he greeted her but had no anwser, “You know when someone says good morning to you, the simplest this to do is to say “Good morning” back.”

Good...Good morning,” she stammered shyly.

That's a good start. I didn't think you would wake up so soon but anyway, there's some good things ready for you so please sit down. I have a lady who's cooking good things to me and she did all of this,” he glanced at the table, “But I was making some scrambled eggs. Do you like them?” he asked, putting some eggs on a plate, next to him.

I think so,” she answered, sitting on a stool.

So taste them and tell me.”

As the girl was taking a bite, Yonghwa waited for her reaction. She just nodded.

Great! So more scrambled eggs for the young lady!” he said happily, making the girl smiled, “You know, actually I wasn't that good at making them at first. But one of my close friend, Minhyuk, is the best for scrambled eggs. He gave me some tips,” as he turned around and winked at the girl who gave the hint of smile.

Yonghwa finally sat in front of her and they began to eat in silence. The young girl was glancing at him from time to time. Yonghwa was reading some sheets of papers while drinking his favorite drink, coffee. Sometimes, he pouted while reading and made the girl smile.

Ooooh I don't know what to do about that,” he sighed, letting the sheets fell on the table, “So tell me, did you sleep well?”

Yes and thanks for the fire in the fireplace.”

You're welcome.”

Actually, thanks for everything,” she thanked, smiling shyly at him.

Yonghwa was caught off guard. He didn't expect her to thank him right like that and so soon.

Well, you're welcome,” he replied, scratching the back of his head, “You know young lady, I was thinking...I can't keep calling you “Young girl or young lady” all the time so...”

But I don't know my name.”

Well we can choose one. I mean you...just until we can see things clearer, okay?”

To see things clearer? The young lady looked at him perplexed. Will he keep her here with him? He won't call the police or something.

Don't look at me like that. I just think you need some rest before beginning to search for what happened. Maybe a day or two and for that, you need a name...”

Oh ok, if you think so...I don't know...Maybe Mee-Joo or...”

Mee-Na...” Yonghwa stated seriously, “I think...It fits you well. I like it.”

Mee-Na meant beautiful woman. The girl gave the hint of a smile, “I like it too.”

Good! By the way, I'm Jung Yonghwa,” Yonghwa introduced himself, holding his hand out to her.

I know I heard your first name. But nice to meet you,” she replied, shaking Yonghwa's hand.

Yonghwa was quite surprised that his guest didn't react, hearing his name. He was the singer of Cnblue, one of the most popular and successful band in Korea. He was known all over the country, but Mee-Na seemed to have lost all her memory. She was maybe one of the rare person in Seoul who didn't know who Yonghwa was, and he liked that idea.

Yonghwa then glanced at his watch as he started to get up.

I'm going to be late at work. Oh and by the way, your clothes are clean. I washed them yesterday. When you're ready, ask Se-Ra, the woman you probably crossed in the corridor, to drive you in town,” he explained, putting some banknotes on the table, “You'll be able to buy new stuff, okay?” he asked with a smile.

Okay but I don't want to be...”

No, you're going in town. No arguments. I'll be back for dinner I think. Maybe you'd like to have dinner with me?”

Alright.”

Take care then. I'll see you later.”

Yonghwa smiled and waved at her on the kitchen doorstep. He then left the house, without forgetting to ask Se-Ra, his cleaning lady, for the ride in town and also to give her some instructions. Everything Mee-Na will want or ask for, she will have. If there's any problems, she had to call him.

That afternoon, the now named Me- Na went shopping as Yonghwa suggested to her. She bought herself some clothes but not too much and didn't go into the most expensives shops. Of course, she could have taken advantage of the apparent wealth of Yonghwa, but she thought it wouldn't be a good way to act after what Yonghwa did for her.

After an exhausted afternoon, she was driven back to Yonghwa's house. She went into the guest bedroom, sat on the bed and looked around her.

She was feeling so good. This house just looked like a dream.

Meanwhile...

Yonghwa arrived to his agency, FNC. One of the biggest entertainment firms in the business. While Ho Joo was parking the car, Yonghwa felt a vibration in his pocket. He had a missed call. He listened to his voice mail.

Mr. Jung, it’s Se-Ra. I just wanted to let you know that Miss Mee-Na is safe at home and she’s taking some rest. Good bye.”

Yonghwa sighed in relief, putting his phone back in his pocket.

Any problem Yonghwa?” Ho Joo asked him.

Hmm? Oh no, it was nothing.”

When he went in the building, everyone was waving at him. He was the most successful singer in the agency and everyone also liked him as a man. Many trainees greeted him, bowing in respect. To what Yonghwa always responded with a warm smile.

Yonghwa made his way to the office to meet the manager Bruce. There he also had to meet the members of his band Kang Minhyuk, Lee Jonghyun and Lee Jungshin. Plus, his solo project, the shadow of a comeback for Cnblue was starting to appear and several meetings will be hold in the near future.

He walked in to the room and greeted everyone.

Hyung, you have a scary face today. Did you sleep well?” Minhyuk asked, shaking Yonghwa's hand.

Hmm...” Yonghwa barely answered, “If you don't like my face today, don't look at it,” Yonghwa smiled.

How come, you'll sit in front of me as usual,” Minhyuk pouted before smiling.

Yonghwa laughed and sat around the table. The meeting started but after a while, he slumped more in his chair, letting his spirit fly.

Lost in his thoughts, he could hear the band members talking about their new projects. But to his ears, their voices were just separate sounds. His thoughts were linked to Mee-Ha. He was wondering about what brought her to his gate, how she could lose her memory, but also what she was doing now in his house.

Strangely, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Yonghwa was finding her very attractive. Even if Yonghwa wasn't thinking about settling down and finding a wife, Mee-Ha could be a nice company to have.

He found himself smiling, thinking about her, closing his eyes, before being quickly brought back to reality by Bruce, calling for him.

Yonghwa! Is it too hard for you to be focused?”

Sorry, I didn't sleep a lot last night,” he sighed.

I told you you had a scary face. What's wrong?” Minhyuk asked.

Nothing is wrong. He maybe had some fun without us knowing,” Jonghyun teased.

C'mon, the day I'll have this kind of fun, we'll be retired from this business,” Yonghwa sighed, thinking on how hard dating was since he was famous, “And I won't tell you if it ever happened to me again by the way,” he laughed.

Suddenly, Yoon Han-Eul, one of the assistant came in, bringing some coffee. She was a very attractive girl with longs legs and long hair. As she was walking through the room, pouring cups of coffee for everyone, she was looking at Yonghwa with an enticing look. Yonghwa couldn't help but glanced at her perfect body under the amused looks of his friends.

Yonghwa,” she said, putting her hand on his shoulder, leaning in to whisper, “I chose your favorite coffee for today's meeting. I hope you'll like it.”

Oh thanks Ha-Neul,” Yonghwa replied, embarrassed.

Ha-Neul left the room and Yonghwa sighed, before noticing the staring eyes of his band members.

What?”

Hmm maybe you could have fun if you were opening your eyes,” Jungshin said with a smile.

Oh c'mon. She's just nice, that's all,” Yonghwa shrugged.

Did she bring you your cup with a whisper and a smile?” Minhyuk asked to Jonghyun.

Nope,” he smiled, “And same for Jungshin,” he said shaking his head.

Same for me and I'm a manager here,” Bruce laughed.

Alright, stop this. Maybe we can go on, don't you think?” Yonghwa asked under the amused looks of his friends.

The meeting kept going for 2 more hours. Everyone agreed that it was time for Cnblue to make a comeback in the coming months. Yonghwa was about to leave the room when Ho-Joo and Park Se-Kwang, one of the lawyer of the agency walked in.

The members looked at each other surprised, when Yonghwa felt that something wrong was on its way.

Yonghwa, wait a minute,” Se-Kwang said.

What's going Mr Park?” Jungshin asked as the two other members came closer too, “Is there a new scandal we don't know about?”

No, not any scandal. I just want to see Yonghwa for something.”

You can go, I'll join you later,” Yonghwa uttered and the members left the room wondering what was going on, “Bruce, you can go too,” Bruce agreed with a wondering look before leaving, “So what? I'm tired, I would like to take a coffee and see the guys before going home.”

It won't be long,” Park Se-Kwang stated.

Ok,” Yonghwa replied, sitting on a chair in a sigh.

Yonghwa, I heard about this young girl.”

What? How?...You!” he uttered, pointing to Ho-Joo

Yonghwa, I had to...”

You betrayed me. I told you not to speak about it with anyone. I can't believe you did this,” Yonghwa uttered pretty upset.

He was right Yonghwa. This girl has to be entrusted to the police. You don't know anything about her or about what happened to her. It's careless, knowing who you are to having her at your house. Do you want another scandal?”

She doesn't know who I am first of all. And to the police? They will put her in a centre or something. She's better off with me at the moment. And another scandal? So what? I went through that already and for once, I'll be responsible for it.”

Yonghwa, I know the law and what you're doing isn't good.”

I'm not a kid, I know. I'll call the police. I just want her to have some rest before. She needs to recover, that's all.”

But...”

No. I won't change my mind. So excuse me but I want to see the guys before going home.”

Yonghwa left the room, sighing. He joined the cafeteria of the agency to take a coffee. There, was Ha-Neul, talking with some employees. As soon as she saw Yonghwa, she rushed to him with a big smile on her face.

Yonghwa, the meeting is over?”

Oh you're here,” Yonghwa smiled, “Yes, we're finally done.”

How things went about the comeback?” she asked twirling a lock of her hair.

Pretty good. I think we'll be back next year,” Yonghwa answered, taking a sip of his coffee, “But something came up and I really needed a coffee,” he sighed.

You seem upset. Do you wanna talk about it?”

No I have to join the guys. But thanks for asking,” Yonghwa gave the hint of a smile, “I have to go. Bye,” he waved at her.

Yonghwa wait...Do you...Do you think we could take a drink together some time? Maybe tonight after work or...”

I'm sorry, I have something planned at home already,” Yonghwa apologized politely.

Oh I see,” Ha-Neul uttered clearly disappointed, “Maybe another day. You know...” she said coming closer to him, “I really would like for us to do it,” she said her lips seductively.

I'll think about it. Now, I really have to go.”

Yonghwa left the room, leaving a sighing Ha-Neul in the cafeteria. He joined the other members in the recording studio, who jumped on him as soon as he walked in.

Hey Hyung, what did Mr Park want earlier?” Jonghyun asked.

Nothing. Just a talk about some royalties stuff,” Yonghwa answered, sniffing.

You're getting too rich my man, that's all,” Jonghyun said, shaking his head with a smile.

Yeah, you should try to catch on me,” Yonghwa laughed, “Ok, let's talk some other things. Let’s practice together okay?”

The Cnblue members talked and for one more hour, before Yonghwa looked at his watch.

Have you something planned?” Jungshin asked.

Hmm? Yeah, more or less,” Yonghwa answered clearing his throat.

With Ha-Neul?” Minhyuk teased before laughing.

Nooo, c'mon there's nothing with her.”

For now. Minhyuk is right, she's definitively into you,” Jonghyun teased too.

But I'm not so stop both of you,” Yonghwa laughed, slapping the back of the head of his two friends, “So, I'm going home. See you later.”

Yonghwa walked in the hall, noticing Ho-Joo.

Hey traitor,” he yelled to him, “I'm going back home, so c'mon here.”

He seems pissed at you,” the employee with who Ho-Joo was talking said.

You have no idea,” Ho-Joo answered.

The drive back was long and silent. Yonghwa didn't want to talk to Ho-Joo. For now, the only thing that could relax him was his dinner with Mee-Na.

 

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