Yoona heard the doorbell as she polished the bathroom sink. She could see Yuri’s shadow slide to the door, so she let her take it this time. Yoona wanted to help as much as possible in the house, feeling bad about invading the siblings’ property. Her parent’s left for a business trip for months, and being alone was impossible for her.

   Taec appeared through the doorframe as he watched her scrub to profusion.

   “You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to,” he said mockingly.

   “Ani, I want to.” Taec came closer and tried to take the brush away. It was dumb for a guest to do house cleaning. Yoona resisted and jerked away. Stepping on a damp spot, she almost slipped dangerously until Taec caught her. His arm supported her back as their noses rubbed together sweetly. They stared at each other for a while. His face slowly came closer and closer. He could feel her heart beat stridently through her chest. Just when their lips were above one another, Yuri ran through the bathroom door.

   “Oppa! Uhh…” Their awkward position surprised her. “What…?”

   “It’s nothing. We weren’t doing anything,” assured TaecYeon. Yoona gazed away and retreated in embarrassment. “What did you want to say?”

   “Umm… Okay. I just wanted to ask if you invited Nichkhun here.” He scratched his head in frustration.

   “Yeah… I did. How did you know?”

   “Well thank you for informing me beforehand. He’s sitting in your living room with his princess, asking to stay here.”

   TaecYeon followed his sister, with Yoona tagging along as well. As they entered the living room dressed in rags, Taec jumped on top of the prince.

   “Yah! Stop! You’re scaring my wife,” he pronounced proudly, taking Victoria’s hand pleasantly. Yuri was angry, but she masked it with a smile. Her feelings for him were unchanged. No matter how much she tried, she couldn’t stop loving him. Yoona and Minho knew that their friend was hurting with that superficial expression on her face.

   “You know what?” started Yoona. “Why don’t we have dinner now? Let’s go,” she suggested pulling Yuri to the kitchen. “Don’t take it personally,” she whispered. “Just have fun and go with the flow.” Yuri knew that she was right. But how would she do it when her heart kept aching for him? She couldn’t stop herself from feeling jealous.

   “He’s your brother Yuri-ah. He’s only your brother,” she thought to herself. Even with these words, images of their past lingered through her thoughts. When preparing the dishes to place on the table, that was all she could think about. Yoona tried her best to change her mind, but Yuri was just stubborn. She refused to listen. Minho snuck through the kitchen to give Yuri a few encouraging words.

   “Yah! I have to go Yuri-ah. If that bastard hurts you, just give me a call,” he joked. Yuri listened but continued to heat up the food on the stove. Minho understood that she was annoyed at the moment and greeted her goodbye before disappearing past the exit. Nobody could break her boiling dissatisfaction.

   At last, the table was set and everyone gathered around. Everyone was smiling. Yuri tried to do the same while avoiding any contact with the married couple.

   “Yuri, can you pass me the rice?” asked Nichkhun with a friendly tone. She didn’t even have to look up and simply handed him the bowl of food. He noticed the disappointment in her eyes, but ignored it. “She’s probably in a bad mood,”he thought to himself.

   “So, how have you two been?” asked Taec curiously to the couple.

   “We’ve been well. The King gives us international projects yearly. So far they’ve been good. It was really pure luck that we ended up here. I hope that you wouldn’t mind if we stay here for a few weeks. You know… Just so that we have enough time to finish up.”

   “Why didn’t you just stay at a hotel?” commented Yuri in a low voice.

   “What was that?” asked Victoria.

   “Oh! Aniyo. I didn’t say anything.” She seemed frustrated, and it was obvious. Victoria tried to be friendly and connect with her a bit more.

   “Yuri-ah, tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to. Who have you been seeing these past years? Is there someone that you’ve got your eye on? I mean you are a very beautiful young lady, shouldn’t you think of dating?” Yuri chocked on her rice and drank water. What on earth was this person asking? She wasn’t in any position to be talking about that. Nichkhun watched his friend in concern. He knew her from top to bottom. He felt her anger and irritation, though he wasn’t sure why. Yuri should’ve gotten over him a long time ago, just like he did.

   “Excuse me.” Yuri walked away from the table and hid behind the hallway walls. She hit her chest not just to let down the food, but to calm her heartbeat down. It raced like crazy and it resonated in her ear. “Babo Yuri-ah, he’s married. He’s married. You can’t love him anymore.” These words repeated a thousand times in her head, but her heart couldn’t get the message. In the middle of her thoughts, Yoona tapped her on the shoulder.

   “Are you okay?” She didn’t wait for an answer and plainly gave her the best thing a friend could give: her love and support. In contrast to their childhood, Yoona was on Yuri’s side now. She would fight for her if she had to. “Even if Victoria has him in marriage, you have something that she doesn’t; his heart.”

   Victoria heard Yoona from behind the wall. This made her furious. “That’s not true! Khun does love me,” she said to herself. “He doesn’t belong to Yuri anymore. He’s mine, and I’ll prove that he only loves me!” She walked away in fury. Her fist clenched together as she made her way to the kitchen where Nichkhun washed his dish. Yuri and Yoona came out of their hiding spot and joined the rest.

   The princess gripped on her husband’s arm lovingly and gave glances at Yuri who came over to their direction.

   “Honey! Do you need help? Here I’ll take it,” shouted Victoria more or less discreetly for Yuri to notice. She gave him a huge peck on the cheek with a smile to follow afterwards. Already in a horrible mood, Yuri rolled her eyes. She could see what Victoria was up to, it was evident: She was playing with her jealousy.

   It was late and Yuri was finishing up in the kitchen. Giving that the apartment was quite small, Yuri could see the couple on the sofa bed. They looked like two puzzle pieces stuck together; a perfect fit.

   “Oppa, you’re the best! That’s why I love you. SARANGHAE!” she giggled exaggeratedly. Trying her best not to look, Yuri’s eyes couldn’t help but peek. Victoria’s head rested on Nichkhun’s upper leg. Yuri’s gaze met with her rival. Victoria’s stare was hard and full of hatred. Yuri respected Victoria… She saved her life after all. However, this intent look made her forget what she ever did for her. The stare made her forget that Victoria’s marrow was inside her.

   Yuri shook her head again. “Ani! Aniyo! She saved your life Yuri! Stop!” she repeated. The ‘look’ kept changing her mind. Her thoughts merely lingered around them as she forgot about the coffee she was trying to make. Without paying attention to the hot water, she accidentally pored some on her bare skin. Yuri let out a scream as everyone looked over.

   Nichkhun ran towards her without hesitation, leaving Victoria laying on the bed.

   “Gan-cha-na?” he asked worriedly. Yuri continued to hold her burnt hand. Nichkhun quickly dragged her to the bathroom. He ran cold water over the bottom part of her arm that stung like crazy.

   “Ah! That hurts.”

   “Stay still…” He blew on it gently. She couldn’t help but stare at this sight. He was gorgeous, just like they first left off at. Looking at him like this was wrong, and she felt it. Yuri pulled her hand away.

   “That’s enough. Gwenchana yo…” She examined her skin and rubbed it a bit. Nichkhun insisted and proceeded with the treatment. He opened the bathroom cupboard and brought out the first aid kit.

   “You should be more careful. You’re so clumsy. Babo!”

   “Yah! Who are you calling an idiot? Then what are you?” Yuri remained annoyed while Khun continued to nurse her injury. He observed her blank expression. “What are you looking at?” she asked.

   “Nothing… By any chance, were you in a bad mood today because of me?”

   “Aniyo!” He could tell that she was lying.

   “Were you jealous?”

   “In your dreams! I’m not in love with you anymore.” A weird feeling surged within him. Were these words affecting him? Impossible… He didn’t love Yuri anymore. Or did he? His hand rubbed her soft skin with the cream.

   “Same!” he said clearing his voice. “So, I see that your hair grew. You look pretty. The cancer did you some good.” Yuri frowned.

   “Nichkhun oppa, why do you keep doing that? You always make me go insane.”

   “What do you mean?” Before she could say anything, Victoria peeked through the doorframe.

   “Are you okay, Yuri-ah?” asked Victoria with her fake concern. The pressure in Yuri’s chest released. Nichkhun got up and handed the bottle of cream to his hurt patient.

   “Be careful next time, Yuri. I’ll head out first.” As he followed his wife, he felt odd. The feeling that made his heart beat so hard wasn’t coming from Victoria. It never did. He hadn’t felt this way in so long. It must be… Yuri. “Nichkhun, you’re married. Get your mind off her,” he told himself.

   Victoria glared at Yuri before walking away. She officially hated her for being a threat.  

Hi readers! I hope that you’re enjoying the story. Please don't be disappointed if Khuntoria got married. I promise that this is not how it will end. I won’t allow it. :D Keep reading! I appreciate all your comments and subscriptions. I will update soon since I’m off school. This story will end on chapter 30 or 31. I’ll try to finish it. Do any of you want me to write another Khunri story? I was actually thinking about doing a Milky Couple story next, but I’m debating on it. Please let me know what you think. KHUNRI!