Jaejoong's POV

            “Why do you have to stick out your fist?! What if the situation wasn't handled properly?

That would be another scandal by now!” my manager started once we arrived at my house.

I didn't answer. I know I was at fault too because I didn't consider the effect of my actions to JYJ.

            “We can't afford to be on another scandal by now.” he added.

JYJ has been on fire from day one. Leaving our previews agency has been a rough road for us.

Also, the sasaeng issue was all over the news not long ago.

          “We're still recovering from the sasaeng issue...Do you really want people to think that you

are a violent person? To think that it was a party with lots of reporters...”

            “I'm sorry...” is the only thing that comes out of my mouth.

            “Manager nim...he said he is sorry so please let it go.”Yoochun said.

            “Also, he did that because that guy insulted JYJ.”Junsu said.

            “The matter was solved and we are assured that nothing will come out. I'm sure Jaejoong

hyung learned something from it.” said Yoochun.

Our manager sighed and stopped nagging. He left after reminding us about the schedule for

tomorrow.

            “So, it's her...”Yoochun blurted out.

I stare at him.

            “Athena is the woman that Jaejoong hyung likes?!”Junsu asked.

            “I know how patient and calm you are so picking a fight is not your thing but when I saw

how you look at her, I confirmed that it's because she's the woman you like.”Yoochun explained.

            “I'm sorry guys..I didn't intend to hide it. I'm just waiting for the right time before I can

fully open up.”

            “Whaa...you've been so secretive lately hyung! I wouldn't have guessed that its Athena

sshi...you barely even talk during the MV shoot.”Junsu said.

            “It was only a bit surprising...Anyway, what did she tell you earlier?”Yoochun asked.

            “I bet she was touched...”Junsu said with a big smile on his face.

I stare down on the floor.

            “She..got mad at me.”

            “What? Why would she get mad?”

            “She told me not to meddle but I did anyway.”

            “Maybe because you had her worried...”Junsu said.

            “Good thing that you only got that.”Yoochun said pointing at the bruise beside my lips.

            “That's easy to conceal with make-up. Okay, let's call it a night. See you tomorrow hyung.”

            “We'll go ahead.”Junsu said.

I was left rewinding what she said in my head.

            “I trust only myself.”

            “Happiness? It’s just an illusion made by people but it doesn’t really exist. I’ve been to hell

because the world turned its back at me and that...that is the only existence I know.”

I sigh.

Her past....should know more on that...

_____________________________________________________________________

Athena's POV

            “Athena.”

I found No Min Woo standing there.

            “I was notified that you dropped the role in the movie.”

I turned it down. Saying that it was too early and I might not be able to handle the schedule.

            “So you heard about it..”

            “Do you really have to do that just because you don't want to work with us?”

            “Can't I choose the people that I want to work with?” I asked him back.

I walk towards the door.

            “It's been seven years. Why can't you move on?” he said making me stop.

I released a bitter chuckle before answering.

                        “You think I'm acting like a teenager who's making a fuss over a break up? Sorry

but that’s not the case.”

            “Then why do you still have the grudge against us?”

            “Because whenever I see you…I feel nothing but hatred…There’s so much hatred that I

couldn’t bear looking at your face. The trust and respect that we once had between us are gone.

Both of you trampled on that the day you left me in my misery. I don’t think I can work with

people that I don’t respect and trust.”

He just looked back without a word.

_____________________________________________________________________

No Min Woo’s POV

            “I heard that the production is in panic right now. Athena backed out..” my manager said.

            “Huh?”

            “She said that she couldn’t do it because of her other commitments…why does it has to

happen now? The production has already conditioned that everything is good and we’re just

waiting to sign the contract…It’s hard to cast an actress in this time..Who would say yes to do a

movie without any preparation?!” He added.

I know that she just said those things as an excuse and it has nothing to do with the schedule. It’s

about GyuRi and me.

            “What should we do? I thought this is good for your comeback movie…” he continues to spout.

I decided to go to her agency company.

******

            “It's been seven years. Why can't you move on?” I decided to point it out.

She chuckled bitterly.

                        “You think I'm acting like a teenager who's making a fuss over a break up? Sorry

but that’s not the case.”

            “Then why do you still have the grudge against us?” I really want to know.

            “Because whenever I see you…I feel nothing but hatred…There’s so much hatred that I

couldn’t bear looking at your face. The trust and respect that we once had between us are gone.

Both of you trampled on that the day you left me in my misery. I don’t think I can work with

people that I don’t respect and trust.”

I’m out of words because of what she said. I’m guilty and I admit that. I guess I’m just not

prepared to know how much harm I’ve caused her.

She walks away. That look in her face engraves itself in my mind. It was a totally different from

the face I left seven years ago.

            “Happy birthday…Ae Young ah..” I whispered to the wind.

*FLASHBACK*

            “Min Woo ah…” Athena shyly calls his name.

He gave her a blank stare. She tries to put up a happy face as she approaches him

            “Min Woo ah…how are you? You seem so busy that I couldn’t contact you..”

He held her elbow and brought her to the corner.

            “Let’s stop seeing each other.”

She blinks her eyes, wondering if she heard it right.

            “Ah…about that scandal…I understand..Let’s not see each other for the meantime..”

            “I mean…let’s break up..” he says in a cold tone.

            “H-huh?B-b-reak up? W-why?” she stutters.

            “I’m starting to reach there…my dream…the dream that I work so hard for…I couldn’t

afford to be stained with a scandal..I won’t allow it.”

            “Min Woo ah..I’m innocent…you know that right? Don’t do this to me…” tears stars to fall

from her eyes.

            “Don’t you worry…I will take all the blame for it. I won’t let people get you involve in this. If

you want, let’s just keep our relationship a secret to all. I will gladly watch you from a far so they

won’t know. Just....don’t break up with me…”

            “I can’t. I want to move forward and I’m sorry that I have to do this by myself.” He answers.

Silence came between them.

            “You’re cruel….you didn’t even asked how my condition is…now you are leaving me when I

needed you the most? You know that you and GyuRi are the only people I have in life.” She says in

a dry voice.

He didn’t answer.

            “How about the promise we made…not to leave each other sides no matter what?” she asks.

            “I can’t keep that anymore.”

            “Our love…is there anything left?”

            “Who knows? At some points I thought I do love you but I proved that it’s not that strong

because I can live without you.”

She embraces him.

            “No…don’t say that…you told me that I’m the girl you love the most in this world…we can

work it out..” she says while crying.

            “Let’s stop…I don’t want it anymore.” He says while trying to remove her arms around him.

            “No…No…Please…don’t…I can’t…” she cries hard but struggles to hold on tighter.

Min Woo manages to release himself from her embrace.

            “Min Woo ah! Min Woo ah!” she keeps calling his name but he didn’t even look back.

Athena falls on her knees as she watches his car leave.

Min Woo’s tears fall as he look at the contract that he signed on. He never imagined that he’ll get a

chance like this but in exchange of his love.

*END OF FLASHBACK*