====================================================================

Kyungsoo was hiding himself at the back of the door near the dining room. At first, he was just thinking about how he would continue his confession to her. And even though he didn’t mean to, he couldn’t help but hear their conversation. And no matter how hard he tried not to listen, he just can’t. It was a new side of Hana he never knew about. Something he knew she would never tell him no matter what.

He heard everything. From the whole Luhan thing up to how unhappy she was with her life. Mainly because of her parents. He heard how Hana wanted a simple life. And from what she said, it gave him a clear picture of how she was when she was little. He could imagine her always alone. With no friends and no family to be with. He could imagine her crying herself to sleep because she feels lost. And to think that she was even kidnapped at such an early age. So that was why she knew how to fight. She needed to defend herself. Their family was rich after all. And since she was the only daughter of the Jung’s, she’s already a big target.  And now, he fully understands why her behavior was like that.

Everything she had become was just a result of what she has gone through. And no one could blame her for that. It’s not like she chose to be like that. She had no other choices to begin with.

“I have someone else that I love.” His ears perked up with what he had just heard. *Hana is in love with someone else…* He thought with a heavy heart.

 “And who would that be?” He heard Hana’s father ask. Kyungsoo leaned closer to the wall. He needed to hear the name of the guy. Just a name would do. Hearing his name would be enough to calm him down.

“His name is Kyungsoo… Do Kyungsoo.”

His eyes widened as his head shot up. “That’s me… right? That’s my name… It’s me.” For a nanosecond he was a bit lost, doubting if he was Kyungsoo or if Kyungsoo was his name.

His lips broke into a wide smile. He never expected her to even like him. And now she’s saying that she loves him. There was nothing likeable about him anyways. He’s not rich. He’s just a typical guy. He’s not that handsome. He’s just another face in the crowd. Someone you wouldn’t bother knowing. He was boring. He has lame jokes. And he thinks that there’s nothing special about him.

He was nothing extraordinary.

And he just couldn’t help but smile. Why? Jung Hana just chose him over the annoying Luhan. That’s something to be happy about.

“Do? I’ve never heard of them before. What business are they in? I’d like to know.” He heard Hana’s mother asked.

“I’ll fetch him.” Hana answered her.

*Fetch? Me? She’s going to introduce me to them? Now?* Kyungsoo thought in alarm. And before he could think of anything else, Hana was already in front of him. Her arms were crossed over her chest.  “How long have you been standing here? Did you hear everything?” Her brows furrowed as she asked him. She wasn’t really amused of the idea about him eavesdropping on their conversation.

Kyungsoo avoided her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean to. But I really---“

Hana just held his hand and pulled him along with her. “Whatever. We cannot undo what been done and you can’t unhear what you just heard.” He heard her say softly.

Kyungsoo stared at her hand, which was gently holding his. His heart was beating loudly against his chest.

“His name is Kyungsoo… Do Kyungsoo.”

“About what you sa—“

“SHUT UP.” Hanna immediately shushed him down.

Kyungsoo bit his lower lip. He really wanted to ask her if it was true. If she really loves him and if she prefers him over Luhan. He wants to hear it directly from her. But he didn’t even had a chance to talk to her since they already arrived at the dining room where her parents were waiting for them.

“We’re here. This is the guy that I’ve been talking about.” Hana said as she pointed to him.

Her father eyed Kyungsoo from head to toe. Watching him judgingly. “What business does your family engage in?” He asked.

Kyungsoo eyed her as he stood still. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t have any business. He’s not even rich. He was an orphan to begin with. There’s no way Hana’s father would like him.

Hana slightly pressed his hand, giving him a sign that ‘It’s okay.’ His panicky eyes turned to her. She gave him a small smile which was more than enough to calm him down. “Kyungsoo’s still a student. But he works here as my personal chef.”

“A chef?!” Hana’s father mockingly laughed as he shook his head. To him, having a chef as his daughter’s boyfriend is just a big joke.

Hana’s lips twitched to the side. She didn’t find it funny nor she was joking or whatsoever. What’s more is that she hates it whenever people laugh at her specially when she’s not doing anything funny. “He’s my boyfriend.” She declared without thinking twice.

Kyungsoo turned pink as he gulped. *I’m already her boyfriend? Did we get into a relationship without me knowing it?* He asked himself.

Her mother smiled fakely at them. “Do you think we’d believe that?”

“We know you’re just pretending that he’s your boyfriend and such so that you won’t be marrying Luhan.” Her father added.

Hana sighed in irritation. In an instant, Hana placed her left hand behind Kyungsoo’s neck, pulled him closer to her and gently brushed her soft lips against his. Her eyes were closed. While his were wide. He was surprised after all. Well wouldn’t be? Jung Hana just kissed him out of the blue.

Everything went silent except for one thing. His heart. Which was beating ever so loudly against his chest.

And everything stopped when she suddenly pulled away. Hana turned to her parents with a small smirk. “By now I guess you should believe us.”

…

After showing her parents that Kyungsoo was really her boyfriend, Hana dragged him along with her. He didn’t even know where she was taking him. And specially, he didn’t know what was going on inside her head.

Hana continued walking silently. She may look calm and composed. But inside, she’s freaking out. She didn’t even know why she dragged him along with her. She just thought that it wouldn’t be right for him to be left alone with her parents specially after she kissed him in front of them.

Her biggest problem right now is to explain why she did those. First is why she told her parents that Kyungsoo was her boyfriend. And the second one is why she kissed him.

“I think we need to talk.”

She heard him say. Hana closed her eyes as she bit her lower lip. Here comes the part that she’s trying to avoid. “I think we don’t have anything to talk about….Right?” She lied at him.

Kyungsoo held her free hand and made her face him. “We have so much to talk about.” He said.

Hana sighed. The only answer she could find right now is to apologize to him. Hana stopped walking and slowly released his hand. “I’m sorry.” She apologized.

She thought that he was mad at her because of what she did.

Kyungsoo frowned. “Sorry for what?” He asked her.

“I told them that you’re my boyfriend and then.. I kissed you.” She mumbled quietly. “I’m sorry for using you.”

His eyes turned glum. and in an instant his happy thoughts faded away. *Use… So everything was not true? From the part where she said she loves me.. up to the kiss.. all of those were fake..* Everything was just a lie. Why didn’t I notice it earlier? I was too overwhelmed with what happened, with what I heard. I forgot that I was just Kyungsoo.

“It’s okay.” He smiled at her. Trying to show her that everything's fine when in reality, it's not.

…

“What’s going to happen to us now?”  Hana asked herself as she plopped at her bed. Everything’s so messed up. It’s all because of her parents. If only they didn’t show up, everything would be okay.

Suddenly, she heard a knock. Her eyes brightened. *It must be Kyung.* She thought with a smile. “Come in.”

The door opened. And it wasn’t him. The smile on her face faded and it turned into a frown. “What are the two of you doing here?” She asked as she rolled her eyes. She really hated seeing them.

“Break up with that guy.” Her father started the conversation.

Hana shook her head. “No way.”

“Don’t be stupid. He doesn’t love you. He’s just after our money. Wake up Hana.” Her mother tried to convince her.

“He’s not like that.” She defended him. “Just leave us alone. Go to another country like you always does.”

“If you’re with him, you’re only going to weigh him down. For sure you’ll be causing him more problems in the future. Doesn’t that bother you? This will be hard for him. Do you want that?”

*He’s right. I’ll definitely cause him problems. It’ll be troublesome for him.* She thought as she gulped. But still, she tried to act like she wasn’t affected with what he just said. “That’s.. my problem. It’s definitely none of your concern.”

“You’re choosing him over us?” Her mother gawked at her.

Hana smiled fakely at her. “Definitely yes.”

“If you’re going to choose him, you won’t get anything from us. You won’t have money. You won’t have this house. You’ll have nothing.” Her father tried to threaten her.

“I don’t care about your money or about this house or about the two of you or anyone else. From now on, what matters most to me, is him.”

Her father wasn't pleased with her answer. She didn't expect her to be like this. “Go with him and leave this house! We’ll just forget that we had you as our daughter.” Her father told her as he shook his head. Disappointment was apparent in his face.

“Don’t worry. I already forgot the fact that you guys were actually my parents. So the feeling will be very much mutual.” Hana grinned to irk them more. “And about me leaving this house, don’t stress yourself about it. I really plan to do that.” She added.

…

Hana grabbed her clothes and placed it harshly on her bag. She didn’t care if it was a mess or whatever. What she wanted was to leave her house as soon as possible.

She grabbed everything whish she found useful to her. A pair of shoes. Her vanity kit. Several snacks hidden in her cabinet. A ponytail. A brush. And a pack of candy. Yes. It’s lame. But those are all she has as of the moment.

With that, Hana went straight to the door and was surprised to see Kyungsoo standing there.

Her eyes widened In surprise. “What are you doing here? It’s 11 something. Shouldn’t you be asleep? Don’t you have classes tomorrow?” She asked him normally.

“How can I sleep after all the things that happened today?” He asked her. From the moment he opened his eyes, she was the first thing that registered in his mind. That was how his days started. But today was totally different. First she asked him how feels about her. Then in an instant, she declares him as her boyfriend. And then they kissed. Lastly, she’s saying that everything was just a big fat lie.

But to him, it doesn’t matter anymore. What he wanted was to get things straight. He wants to tell her what he needed to tell her. He just needs to get these out of his chest.

Kyungsoo breathed deeply as he stared at her eyes. She stood there, staring back at him, waiting for him to speak. She was as calm as ever. While him? He just realized that staring at her eyes was one thing he should avoid doing. Yes. Her eyes were very pretty. But gazing at them was enough to make a mess out of him. Lesson of the story? Never stare at her eyes.

“What now?” Hana asked him.

Kyungsoo puffed his cheeks up as he stared at the floor, unable to express what he wanted to say. That’s when he noticed that Hana was holding a big bag. He paused for a moment. “What’s that? Are you going anywhere?” He asked her.

“Yeah. I’m leaving.”

“WHAT?!”

“I can’t stand staying here while they’re still here. Besides, they said I should leave so---“

“You’re going to leave without even telling me?” He asked her. His voice was a bit higher than the usual. He was clearly mad.

“I.. uh forgot to tell you.. But we can still text each other right? I really need to go---“

Kyungsoo held her arm. “What about me?”

“You need to stay here since you work here as a chef. That’s your source of income right?” Hana asked him.

“NO. If you’re leaving then I’ll come with you.” Kyungsoo stated firmly. “What’s the point of staying here when you’re not with me?”

“Yah. Do Kyungsoo, don’t be stubborn and stay here.” Hana told him with a frown.

Finally Kyungsoo thought of something. “You told your parents that I’m your boyfriend right? If you’re going to leave me here, wouldn’t it look weird?” He asked her.

Hana slowly nodded, getting his point. “You’re quite right..” She admitted.

“Then, I'll go with you. And you should wait for me here. I’ll just get my things.” Kyungsoo turned to her. “Wait here. Wait for me. Don’t even move an inch okay? I’ll be right back.” He told her.

“I’m only going to wait for 5 minutes.” Hana rolled her eyes. it’s like Kyungsoo was treating her like a kid.

“What about 10 minutes? Kyungsoo bargained.

“5 minutes.”

“8 and a half.”

“60.” Hana mumbled as she leaned against the wall.

Kyungsoo smiled. “60 minutes?”

“59….. 58.. 57….” She started counting off.

“Hey that’s so unfair!”

“55.. 54…52…49….”

“Count properly!”

Hana turned to him as she scratched the back of her head in irritation. “Aish. Just get your things! Hurry!”

====================================================================

<3