Chapter 9

“Oppa and I are getting married soon”

Those words repeated in her mind as she walked aimlessly down the street. 
She didn’t know how long had she been walking, but somehow ended up at 
the front porch of the place she had recently grown familiar with. She leaned
against the wall after knocking the door and waited for a response.

“Krystel?”

Hyun Joong opened his door and found Krystel standing outside in a daze. 
She said nothing as he led her into his place, but he soon felt a pair of arms 
wrap over him and leaning onto him for support.

“Oppa… mianhae…”

“Why?”

“I thought I was over him…”

“…”

“They're getting married…”

“Oh… shall we get married too?”

“Yah… what are you thinking?”

“I meant it when I said I'd take care of you if he doesn't…”

“Oppa… don't do this please… you deserve someone better…”

Releasing herself from his grasp, Krystel took a seat 
on the couch and began staring into space once again. 

Hyun Joong had been her source of support throughout her stay in the States, 
flying over occasionally to spend time with her, without the rest knowing.
It had been tough adapting to a foreign land alone and she was really grateful 
to have him around. He had confessed about his feelings towards her, and she 
had only recently agreed to give themselves a chance, only to be shaken by 
the news of Kyu Jong and Yoora‘s marriage.

“Are you sure about it?”

“De… I'll take good care of her from now on”

“When are you intending to hold the wedding?”

“Next month”

“So soon? Krystel are you …”

“Appa! Aniyo!”

“I hope to start a family with her soon”

“Oppa!”

“Isn't that what we‘re getting married for?”

Kyu Jong stood by the doorway trying to digest everything he had just heard 
from the conversation going on in his dad’s study through the slightly opened door.

The strangely familiar voice… was somewhat disturbing. 

His thoughts were interrupted by someone exiting the study and he looked 
up to see Krystel together with Hyun Joong, his worst fears confirmed…

“Kyu oppa…”

“Hyung… what's going on?”

“We‘re getting married”

“Yah… but she's my…”

“Sister? Or ex girlfriend? I was serious when I told 
you I'd go after her if you do not treat her well…”

He was overcome by a strong surge of anger and landed a fist right 
on Hyun Joong’s face, triggering a tussle between the both of them. 

“Yah! What are you doing?! Stop it!”

Krystel managed to break them apart and stood by Hyun Joong’s 
side, and his dad had come out of the study by then.

“What happened?”

“Uh.. nothing Appa… Oppa… it‘s getting late, go home and get some rest…”

Taking Hyun Joong’s hand, she led him away from them and walked him to his car.

She found Kyu Jong waiting outside her room when she returned and she braced herself 
for what was coming her way, telling herself to stick by her decision to move on.

“Is this what you really want?”

“De…”

“Will you be happy?”

“Oppa… I…”

Holding on to Krystel, Kyu Jong gazed into her eyes before giving her a kiss on her forehead…

“Promise me you‘ll be happy and live well…”