Chae Won was cleaning up their leftovers when she heard him
talking in the phone with Suk Jin.

“But you say that I don’t have a schedule today, hyung. So
why on earth…” Joong Ki stopped to hear his manager hyung
replied.

He felt annoyed right now, close to angry. Yesterday Suk
Jin said that he had no schedules until a day after
tomorrow, and now when he had planned it all out perfectly
today for him to spend time together with the girl he loved
more than anything, his hyung’s phone call threatened to
ruin it all.

“They already told me that they had to change the
appointment, and since you’re in your free times I said
that anytime was okay. This morning they told me they want
to have a meeting today. I can’t say that you’re out of
town for dating, can I? So you should drive back to Seoul,
like, now.” he ordered him through the phone call.

He fell silent, thinking it through. What will Chae Won
going to react when he tells her that he had to go back?
But he knew the answer even without asking her—she will
understand and encourage him to go, like she always did.

Joong Ki took a glance at Chae Won, who gave him a smile
when their eyes met. When he saw her smile, he knew he
doesn’t want to ruin the plan and disappoint her. But more
than that, he doesn’t want her to understand because he,
himself, doesn’t want to go back. He still wants to be out
from the crowd and be with her, just the two of them.

“Hyung, forgive me for being unprofessional just this time.
Please make an excuse to them and rearranged for another
meeting. If they don’t want to, then they can forget their
offers to me.”

Chae Won heard him and she turned her widened eyes at him.
What did he just said?

“Mworagu?! Yah, imma, you know that this brand is a great
deal, right? There are many great actors that wanted to
sign a contract with them, but they chose you instead! This
is a dream job, Joong Ki-yah!” Joong Ki could hear his
manager tried to influence him to change his mind.

He then looked at Chae Won again, who still stared at him
in disbelief. He at first felt unsure too with his own words,
but seeing her face—worrying about him, the doubt is gone.
He let out a smile. “no, hyung. My dream is already here
beside me.” He said it with his eyes still fixed on her and
he hung up the phone.

“Joong Ki-sshi…”

“Mwo?” he asked, smiled like nothing happened.

“What are you doing?”

“Mwo ga?” he spoke, pretending to be dumb.

Chae Won sighed in exhausted.

“We should go back now.” she decided and stood up just for
Joong Ki to grab her hand and made her sat down again.

“Where do you want to go? Our vacation isn’t over yet.”

“Joong Ki-sshi!” she called his name in frustrated. How can
he act like everything is okay when it’s not?

He reached out to caress her cheek and push his head to
land a kiss on her bottom lip.

“Just stay beside me, Chae Won-ah. That is all I need from
now on.” he said as he embraced her.

Chae Won swallowed. If it turns out like this, then what’s
the point of her asking Suk Jin yesterday?

Joong Ki let her go and then stood up. She looked up in
surprised before he gives his hand for her to reach. “come
on, I want to go somewhere.” He said. Hesitantly, she took
it and he helped her stand up.

They both sat silently on the way back to Seoul, drawn in
their own thoughts. Chae Won steals glances to Joong Ki,
who just stared straight to the street. The thought that he
might regret for choosing her over whatever a job Suk Jin
offered him appeared on her mind, and she sighed quietly.

Soon after, Joong Ki pulled his car in front of a Church
that Chae Won knew too well. He put a hat and eyeglass
before got out and approaching the passenger car, opening
it for her. She’s looking at Joong Ki in confusion.

“I want to visit him with you.” he said. Still bewildered,
she got out of the car and walked slowly towards the Church.
He grabbed her hand and pulled it to get her walk faster.

Joong Ki holds her hand so tightly for her not to be able
to release it. Not that she wants to do that either, though.
They stand in front of Joong Seon’s columbarium and with
a bitter smile, he spoke. “Joong Seon-ah… Look, I’m holding
your eomma’s hand right now.” he showed their hands to the
picture.

“As I promise you, I will never make her feel lonely and I
will protect her no matter what. You could count on me…” he
continued to speak, and then turned to see her and smiled.
She looked back at him—still in confusion.

“Chae Won-ah, promise him that you’ll never leave my side
ever again. Promise that to our son, so you can’t break it.”

Chae Won didn’t say a thing. She swallowed hard as she
locked her eyes at him, still unsure with this whole idea
to be together with him.

To protect his dream wasn’t the only reason why she had to
let Joong Ki go. She’s afraid for him. If she took this
hand, she knew their journey will be hard, not only to her,
but to Joong Ki also. In fact, he might have a lot to
sacrifice than her.

What will his fans do? His antis? The dispatchers?
Moreover, what will her father do if he learned that Joong
Ki was his late grandchild’s father and the reason he got
his daughter kicked out of the house for protecting him?
Her father is a very influential PD-nim so if some actors
messed up with him, then it’s the end of their career.

“I…” she wanted to say that she can’t, but once again Chae
Won’s mind is battling against her heart and seems like her
mouth is now taking her heart’s side because she can't find
words to reject him.

Joong Ki smiled disappeared. He knew what it is that’s
bothering her. He turned his whole body to face her and
gave her a serious look yet she can still feel his
affection to her in it. And then he pulled her in to his
arm.

“I know. I know why you’re still feel hesitate to be with
me. But… do you still don’t understand? Anyone else won’t
do, Chae Won-ah. I told you, right? I want to build a
family with you, to grow old together with you. It has to
be you.” He spoke while embracing her. He wanted to held
her tighter but afraid that he’ll break her bones. “Let me
love you. Let me be the one who protect you.” He continued
with his smooth husky voice.

Chae Won could feel