We called the police and told them our location with the help of the GPS System of Hyemi's phone. Several hours later they arrived at the cabin, with some EMTs and Dongwoon's manager in tow. It turned out that the cab driver and his partner somehow managed to get us to Jeju Island to dump us in the Gotjawal Forest. He probably hoped that we would starve to death before someone could find us. The EMTs checked us out and told us that, aside from some bruises and scratches, we were physically okay. A hysterical and handcuffed Hyemi was pushed into one of the police cars while the police officers interrogated us. After what felt like an eternity, they finally drove us back to Seoul. When we arrived at the police station, Dongwoon's manager went out to arrange a car. I was sitting next to Dongwoon on a bench in the police station but we both didn't say anything. I kept glancing at him but he was staring out of the window. I didn't know why but ever since we got out of the forest, he was kinda distant. No comforting hugs, no reassuring words. Nothing. I would never figure out the puzzle called Dongwoon.

When the manager came back to tell him that the car has arrived, he just stood up and left without saying goodbye. A police officer approached me and told me that I only needed to sign some papers and then I could go home. After finishing the paperwork, I grabbed a cab and drove to my apartment. When I arrived, I took a shower and got rid of the filthy clothes from Hyemi. I would have preferred to burn them but I didn't think that the landlord would have allowed me to lit a fire in my apartment, so I just threw the clothes into the trash can. Then I jumped into my bed and hugged my pillow.

So many things had happened in the last few weeks. I was dumped in a forest, I had to sleep on dirty ground, I had to feed on berries and mushrooms to survive, my body was covered in bruises and scratches and a crazy pointed a gun at me. Being back in my apartment still seem so surreal to me. And there was also Dongwoon. No matter how hard it was during the last weeks, thinking of him warmed my heart. I could still feel his strong arms around me and his soft lips on mine. He may have been a narcissistic jerk when we first met but now I couldn't stop thinking about him. I sighed. He was still a mystery to me. I knew that he was afraid of giving away his heart and I thought that maybe the last days together with him has changed his mind. But judging from the way he acted when we got out of the forest, it was clear that I have been fooling myself. Once a narcissistic jerk, always a narcissistic jerk. If I was wise, I should stay away from him. But part of me was still yearning for him even though I knew that he was an idiot and I hated myself for this.

After a week, I went back to work at Cube. The composer knew why I was absent and he told me that I didn't need to hurry to go back to work. He understood that, after what I've been through, it's no surprise if I was traumatized. But I told him that I was okay and that I would gladly continue working. To be honest, I didn't really feel okay but focusing on work was way better than sit around in my apartment and think about the last few weeks. Working gave me the distraction I needed.

What slipped my mind was that Dongwoon was working here, too. When I saw him again after a week, I was once again overwhelmed by several emotions: anger, sadness, confusion and disappointment. I also noticed that he did his best to avoid me. Whenever he saw me, he ignored me and went into the other direction. I just didn't understand him. Why was he acting this way? Did the last few weeks mean nothing to him? Were all his words and gentleness just lies? I had so many questions but he refused to give me the answers.

Needless to say, Dongwoon went back to his original self. He went from one girl to another, giving each of them dazzling smiles and telling them sweet words. I bet they got to hear the same words he has been telling me. I really hated myself for being such a fool. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if another girl got to experience the soft feeling of his lips or the tender feeling of his hands on her skin. Did she also get to fall asleep while being wrapped into his arms? My heart convulsed at these thoughts. Because no matter how much he hurt me, I still missed him. I longed for his kisses and his embrace. But to protect my heart from more pain, I had to let go. All the weeks with him in the forest were now just a pleasant memory. Accepting that, I tried to move on.

One day, on my way back home, I met Taec. At first we just stared at each other but then he gave me a smile and I couldn't help but pull him into an embrace. Then we both went into a cafe and talked. I was still not ready to talk about my experience in the forest, so we just talked about random things. It felt really good to be able to talk to him again. Just because we were no longer in a relationship, it didn't mean that we couldn't be friends. For years, we have shared our pain and happiness with each other, it was impossible to have bad feelings towards each other.

“So how are you doing lately? I've heard that you're working for Cube now?”, he asked and smiled.

“Yeah, I'm a composer assistant. It's a pretty cool job.”

“Ah, then I'm glad that you've found a job you like.” Then he reached out and put his hand over mine. “And I'm also glad that you're not angry with me.”

I widened my eyes. “Angry? Of course I'm not angry with you, why should I?”

“I know it's stupid but I was afraid that you would blame me for our breakup.”

“Oh no! I would never blame you. It's no one's fault, we just drifted apart.”

He sighed. “You don't know how relieved I am. Even though we're not in a relationship anymore, I want you to know that I still care for you. And I really hope that we can be friends again.”

I smiled. “Babo, of course we can be friends. You're not going to get rid of me so easily.”

“Good to know.”, he said and chuckled.

When the cafe suddenly started playing one of BEAST's songs, I sighed. Taec must have seen something on my face because he asked: “What's the matter, Thu Ha?”

“What are you talking about?”, I asked innocently.

“I know you well enough, so I can see that something's troubling you. Tell me, perhaps I can help.”

I snorted. “I think it would be kinda weird to discuss this with you.”

He arched an eye brow. “And why would that be weird?”

“Uhm...”

“You can tell me everything.”

I sighed. “There's this....guy...”

“Ah, I see. It's okay, Thu Ha. We're past this, you don't need to be uncomfortable to talk with me about this.”

“I wish everyone could be so reasonable and understanding like you.”

He chuckled. “Well, I'm flattered. Now tell me why 'this guy' is troubling you.”

I took a deep breath. “It's just that I can't seem to figure him out. One moment he's kind and sweet and the next moment he's a narcissistic jerk who treats woman like toys.”

He frowned. “He doesn't seem like a nice guy, Thu Ha. I don't think it's wise to get involved with this kind of guys.”

“I know and my mind keeps telling me to forget him. But...” I sighed. “...but my heart just can't let him go. It's so confusing. He told me that he was afraid of giving away his heart because he did it once and got hurt. Now he thinks that he can avoid pain by avoiding to fall in love.”

“Ah, now I can see your point. You hope that you could be the one to change his mind.”

“Well, that was what I thought but I have been fooling myself.”, I muttered.

“Thu Ha, I know you well and that's why I want to tell you something: you're a kind-hearted person who, once she gives away her heart to someone, loves this person wholeheartedly. I'm really thankful that I was able to be one of the people to receive this love from you. That is why you shouldn't give up because I think that only someone like you can heal his heart. Show him how wonderful it is to be in love. Cure him from his fear, so that you both can be happy.”

I was speechless. Because no matter how unsure I've been, what he said was what I needed to hear.

“Thank you.”, I said, trying hard not to cry.

He smiled. “No need to thank me. You deserve to be happy again.”

“So do you, Oppa. I really hope that, someday, you'll find the one who'll made you happy again.”

“I hope so, too. I really do.”

After that he told me that he had to go. We both hugged each other and went our ways. On the way home, I came to a decision. I would talk to Dongwoon tomorrow and nothing would be able to stop me.