I led Nichkhun silently into my room. My room was small but luckily, it was far away from my parents so they can’t hear much.

I let Nichkun have the bed while I take the floor. '‘Damn,'’ I thought.

'‘Why does the floor have to be so cold and hard?’' Nichkhun stared down at Victoria who was trying to sleep on the cold stone floor. He picked her up easily and lifted her onto the bed.

“Oppa? What are you doing?” I whispered as my eyes grew wide.

“Do you trust me?” He asked. I nodded my head slowly.

“Good,” He said.

“This bed is small but it’ll fit the both of us.” My eyes grew wider upon hearing what Nichkhun had just said. But I had just told him that I trusted him.

I couldn’t take back my words so I had no choice but to sleep with him. We both got in my bed and slept side-by-side. I was so nervous, I couldn’t sleep. Nichkhun, on the other hand had no problem. He fell asleep instantly.

I turned my head over to look at him. His face was so innocent like an angel when he was sleeping. Who would have thought he was such a devil when he’s awake and moving?

An hour passed and it was 3 a.m. in the morning.

I still couldn’t sleep. Suddenly something weird happened. Nichkhun turned his entire body around and did a 360 degree turn, kicking me in the process.

“Ow!” I cried out but covered my mouth so my parents wouldn’t hear me.

When he was done, he had this happy look on his face. At first I thought he was just playing with me but he really did do a 360 degree turn in his sleep.

Suddenly he reached over and held me tight. My entire body went tense and rigid. I could feel Nichkhun’s light breathing on my neck. I don’t know why but now that Nichkhun was this close, (practically laying on top of me) it made me feel better.

It’s probably because I’ve never been this close to a person in a long time. Soon I began to fall asleep too…

November 1, 2005

Nichkhun opened his eyes and found himself lying partially on Victoria’s body. He blushed and slowly moved away from her. Then, he just lay near her watching her sleep.

Suddenly something caught his eyes. The sleeves and pant parts of her pajamas were lifted up and he got a good look at her arms and legs. Dark purple bruises covered her entire body. There were several scars on her arms and legs too. Red lines ran across her legs and it made Nichkhun wince because it looked so painful.

He didn’t want to disturb Victoria but he was really curious. She turned over and Nichkhun lifted the back of her shirt. Her back was in a worse state as compared to her legs. Nichkhun opened his mouth lightly in shock and touched her delicately, fearing that he might hurt her. Victoria began to stir.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. I saw Nichkhun looking at me with this sad expression on his face.

“What’s wrong oppa?” I asked.

“Who did this to you?” Then he lifted the sleeve of my shirt. I opened my mouth in shock. I tried to hide it but I couldn’t believe he saw my bruises.

As I tried to answer him, I heard my stepmom’s footsteps heading towards my room.

“Oppa!” I yelled, turning back to Nichkhun who was rubbing my bruises.

“You have to get out of here! My mom is coming!” Nichkhun looked at me in surprise but I opened my window for him to climb out.

“Climb down this tree. Goodbye Nichkhun,” I said to him with tears in my eyes.

Nichkhun remained silent the whole time as he left her room. But he didn’t leave though. He sat on the branch of the adjacent tree and looked through her window.

He couldn’t hear what Victoria and her mom were talking about but he saw it. He saw Victoria’s mom bringing out a small wooden stick and whacked Victoria with it several times.

Nichkhun couldn’t take it anymore. He busted back into Victoria room.

I looked up at my stepmother in pain.

“I’m sorry mom. I didn’t know we’re supposed to have guests today.” She glared coldly at me with hatred in her eyes.

“Mr. Horvejkul who owns the Horvejkul Hotel Empire with hotels all over Hawaii is coming to visit us. Your father might get a promotion if we make a good impression! You’re supposed to be awake half an hour ago to prepare all of us tea! Now Mr. Horvejkul is down there expecting tea! What am I supposed to do now huh?”

My stepmom began to breathe rapidly as her anger increased. I saw her raise that stick of hers again. I curled myself up hoping the pain would lessen but I know it wouldn’t so I prepared myself for the strike...

Nichkhun caught the stick just before it would hit Victoria. Victoria’s mother stared at Nichkhun in surprise. Victoria opened her eyes and stared at  Nichkhun in shock. He looked down at her.

“Vic, are you okay?”

“Nichkhun!” I screamed.

“What are you doing here?” 

Nichkhun looked back at me.

“I came to save you from this evil .” My stepmom's face was twisted with hatred.

“I knew you were trouble all this time Vic! How dare you bring this boy home? Wait until I tell your father about this!” Nichkhun grabbed my stepmom’s arm to stop her.

“You do that and I’ll have you fired!” I stared at Nichkhun dumbfounded.

‘What is he talking about?’

“What are you talking about you juvenile delinquent?!” snapped my stepmom.

“I mean,” said Nichkhun glaring at her.

“That you’re having tea with my father right now and I’ll get you and your husband fired if you hit Vic one more time.” I look at Nichkhun surprised.

" Nichkhun is the heir to the Horvejkul Hotel Empire? His family is the richest family in all of Hawaii!’ My stepmom looked at Nichkhun doubtfully.

“If you’re his son, then how come you’re so filthy?” Nichkhun gave her a smirk.

“I know you want proof. How about all of us go down there to talk to my dad?”

My stepmom looked at him and thought, " This is the only way for real evidence. He might get us a promotion."

Then she said, “Come on then. Let’s go.”