March 2014

The maidservants greeted Changmin as he entered the Crown Prince’s headquarters. BoA was extremely pregnant and was on a checkup, so Changmin stood in proxy for the Crown Princess and helped settle a matter for her. He went to her desk and typed in her laptop password: Eunji. That was to be the name of the new royal family member.

All he had to do was to look at the email in her account and run through the proposal for the new orphanage. The email was already open and she had left the minor details for Changmin to decide. The prince leaned comfortably into the office armchair. He understood why BoA would be frustrated about the orphanage project. The most minor details had to be decided by her and she’s majorly pregnant with major mood swings. He didn't have those, but the minor details were enough to drive him crazy, until… A blinking alert popped up with a ring.

Changmin was surprised by the blinking chat alert. His world stopped when he saw the alert name.

Chat with SJH

There was only one person he would dream to own those initials. Cautious, denying, curious, hopeful – he clicked on the blinking chat box. Could it be?

Eonni! You’re online!

His heartbeat doubled with pain and hope. He clicked on the contact details. It wasn't Joohyun’s e-mail address, but the contact name read:

Seo JH

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He wanted to be sure. His hands trembled as he typed

Joohyun-ie?

He typed with hopes and hurt. Could it be her? Why did BoA hide her from him?

Neh, eonni ^^

Came the reply. Emotions were rushing all over him. Then he decided to grab hold of this chance, to have a conversation with her again.

How are you?

I’m doing well. France is slowly getting warmer. Is Korea still freezing?

She’s in France?

It’s getting warmer too.

He took a shot. Maybe for once he would know.

Where are you now?

In town as usual :) I have another 10 minutes before our bus leaves for the village.

No words could describe how Changmin felt right now. Too many feelings were flooding him.

Did you read Changmin’s e-mails?

I did. But I didn’t reply.

Why not? Why did she reply BoA and not him? Carefully, he typed

Still?

Neh. I intend on keeping my word.

Right there and then – one emotion was in Changmin: anger. Anger that Joohyun had not wanted to speak to him, anger that Joohyun had kept in contact with BoA, anger that BoA did not told h