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Your POV:

“I’m back in Korea. I was about to go and find you. Where are you now?”

“I’m working, in china.”

“What?” she exclaimed loudly and I jerked away from the phone, a small smile creep up my face.

“I’m working for uncle now. It’s been 2 years.”

“So you are working with your parents?”

“No, they passed away 5 years ago. Car accident.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know, I should have been there for you.” she started to cry again.

“It’s okay. I’m doing fine. We lost contact, so there was no way for you to know about it.”

“Okay, keep this number. Put it on speed dial 1 or something I don’t care. Next time when something happens, let me know first. I’ll come running.”

“Thanks Yongju.” She was really the best.

“Wait how did you find my number?”

“I was planning to hack the government system to find you.”

“You what?”

“I didn’t. I found your number through our system. No harm done.”

“Phew, for a second I thought you really hacked the government system. You could get jailed if they found out.”

“I won’t do that, though it sounds really tempting.”

“HAN SE RIN!”

“I won’t I promise.” I let out a small laugh. “I have so many things I want to tell you, not over the phone.”

“We are meeting up!” she declared. I love her really. She is always so spontaneous and bubbly. An opposite of my character but still she manages to match me all the time. “When are you coming back? You are not staying there for good right?”

“In 4 days, well in 3 since its morning now.” I looked up at the night sky.

“Okay. We meet on the day you come back. No excuses saying you have work or anything. This is important.”

“I’ll text you my flight details.”

“Awesome!! God, I missed you.”

“Me too.” I said softly.

“I’ll see you in 3 days.” I could see her smile over the phone, her tone gave her away.

“See you.” I was about to hang up when she called me.

“Rin?”

“Hmmm?”

“No matter what’s happening, I’ll be there for you. I will always be. Love you”

“I love you too.” I whispered as the line disconnected. I wiped away the tears around my eyes and sighed. 3 more days until I can see her and forget about all of these things.

“You okay?” I whipped my head upwards and saw Kris standing there. He did not just see me cry. I looked away immediately but it did not stop my heart from beating really fast. Why did I have to fall for him in this life again?

There was silence and then the bench squeaked and I felt a presence next to me.

“You know, you can tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I can help.”

“I don’t need your help.” I said a bit coldly.

“But you were crying. Something must have happen for you to cry.” He probed further.

“It’s none of your business.”

“I’m your friend.” His tone changed to one that was stating a fact.

“Still, you don’t need to know everything about me. You don’t need to.” I said softly. “You don’t need to waste your time on me.”

“Why do you say that? You are my first friend who is a girl. You are special I don’t want that to change.” He placed his hand on my shoulder and as expected, I felt nothing. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t force you but if you need someone to talk too, I’m all ears.”

“That wouldn’t be needed. I’m leaving in 5 days.” I stated the fact. I was sad, but I tried to speak with confidence.

“Can’t you stay?”

“Stay and do what?” I looked at him. “You want me to stay and continue to look after Xue like what a maid does? Kris, 24 hours isn’t easy. For you guys, you may think it’s easy, you just have to keep her out of trouble and keep her safe right? Try handling her all day while having to look out for possible threats. You have breaks but I don’t have. To tell you the truth, I would rather fight off an army of people then work for you. At least I am doing my job unlike now. Remember, I am a bodyguard, not a maid.”

“S-stay for me?” he looked at me, his eyes were begging me not to go. “I won’t have anyone else to talk to after you go. It’s weird to talk to the members about the things I talk to you. It’s personal yes, but I need girl’s advice sometimes.”

‘I’m leaving because of you.’ I want to tell him that so bad. I was leaving because of him.

“You can talk to Xue. She is a girl too and it seems that you guys have gotten closer.” I was tempted to stay but I knew it will only get harder for me. I had to be firm with my decision.

“It’s true that we are closer now but it’s still hard to talk to her about personal stuff. With you I can relax and talk about it comfortably.”

“So you talk to me just because you can relax? Because I make you feel comfortable?” I looked at him in the eye. I was disappointed.

“Yes, you make me feel comfortable when I’m hanging out with you. But I don’t just hang out with you just because of that. I truly enjoyed the times at the balcony even though it was short. Your opinions and advices were really good, it was like you viewed it in another perspective but being rational. You are really wise for your age, most girls will be hanging out with their friends going shopping but you are working, doing a dangerous job because you loved it. You want to protect people. I admired you.”

I admired you.

Just these three words made me feel so light, I could actually fly. They weren’t the three words I was looking forward to hear but still, it was the closest I could get.

“You will find someone else.” I was sure of it. He doesn’t know it yet but when he and Xue gets together, he will be with her 24/7. He will take over my place and she will take over mine. It was upsetting but that’s how it will go. I can’t change it. “And I’ll find someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“Someone who will comfort me when I’m sad, someone who will stay with me, encourage. Someone who will take care and love me like I’m the only one in the world. They will be my friend and family.”

“Can’t we be your family?”

“No, you are my clients and that’s that. Nothing more and less.” I was someone who cut work from personal life.

“So have you found that person? Was that the person you were talking too?”

“Maybe.” It’s true I found him but he hasn’t found me.

“Is it a guy?”

“Let’s not talk about it.” I stood up as the wind blew as though it was comforting me.

“It’s late. You still have work right? It’s cold here don’t stay out too late, go and rest.” I walk to the house and he followed behind me.

“Wait.” he grabbed my wrist and for a second, I thought I felt his touch. He turned me around so that I was facing him. I didn’t look at him, I couldn’t. My heart was racing and I was worried that he could actually hear it. He pulled my arm and I crashed into his chest, his arms wrapped around me. I froze, I didn’t know what to do. I know that I’ve dreamt of this countless of times and now it’s really happening. It was exactly the same feeling. I couldn’t help but wonder if he felt what I felt.

“I’ll be sad to see you go.” He said softly. “I’ll lose an important friend.” we stood there for a few seconds and I pulled away. I didn’t want to become more attached than I already have. It will only make leaving him tougher. I was bound to him by fate. Having to see him fall for another girl, it was a cruel fate. I turned and walked back into the house leaving him standing there.

“But you will find someone else who will be more important than me.”

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I texted Yongju my flight details and it was about 5AM when I heard multiple footsteps outside. They were heading to work. I waited for about 10 minutes when there was silence before leaving my room. I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t. I went to the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea. I don’t drink coffee, I didn’t really like the taste. Sitting down on the chair, I scrolled my laptop which I brought along with me.

Starship.

I did a deeper search on their organisation and got more details on them. I was surprise that I could get into their system easily. So much for being a top crime organisation. Their system is full of loopholes. I transferred more information I collected to the thumb drive.

Since I’m quitting soon, I don’t think I would want to go back to the organisation, especially if I don’t have much time left. I wanted to take a break. I began searching for places to go, somewhere not too far but also somewhere nearby.

Jeju. Japan. China. Taiwan. Guam.

I listed down the places that were nearby and started to narrow it down. I always wanted to go Taiwan or Guam so these 2 were my top 2 choices. I looked at places and things that we could do there, I was planning on bring Yongju along. I was most certain she won’t mind tagging along.

“What are you doing up so early?” I saw my mother entering the kitchen.

“Good morning.” I bowed. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Tsk, that not good. You need to sleep so that you can look healthy and prettier. Then guys will ask you out.” she walked over to me but she froze suddenly. “You can speak Chinese?”

I mentally hit myself inside. I was careless and exposed that I could speak Chinese.

“Yes. I’ve learnt the language before and I’m fluent in It.” since the cat is out of the bag, I might as well tell the truth.

“Then why did you pretend not to know?”

“No one asked. So I just kept it to myself. It comes in handy as I know what they are speaking to me behind my back.” I smiled.

“Tsk tsk tsk. You gave me a hard time yesterday. Yixing had to translate everything when you understood everything. It’s not nice to lie to an elderly person.”

“I’m sorry but no one asked.”

“I’m joking. At least I can converse with you now. It’s so much easier, I have so many things I want to tell you.” she smiled she came over and saw my laptop on. “What are you looking at?”

“Just some places. I’m thinking of going for a holiday.”

“You should. You look like you need a break.” She smiled at me. “Are you hungry? I’m about to make breakfast. Though it’s just you, me, my husband and Xuehwa. Is there anything you want to eat?” I shook my head.

“Just go ahead and make what you feel like making Madam. Your cooking is delicious.”

“Just call me mama. Madam makes me sound so old.”

“But I-“

“Nope, I will only accept mama and nothing else okay? You are like my daughter, I want to treat you like one.” She reached out and held my hand in hers. “She would have been around your age.” She smiled sadly and I knew who she was referring too.

“Okay, m-mama.” She smiled at me and let go.

“Want to learn some recipes?” I smiled and nodded. She was really an amazing cook. I loved her dishes. Lay was lucky to have grown up eating her dishes. She gestured me to follow her and I closed my laptop and entered the kitchen for my first lesson in Chinese cooking. She taught me how to make a simple dish, stir fried minced meat with dried chilli. It smelled absolutely delicious.

“Try it.” she gave me a spoon full and I looked at it a bit hesitantly. It looks really good but there was chillies inside.

Dried chillies.

So that means that it would be hot. She looked at me expectantly so I couldn’t reject her and I took a bit. I chewed and it was tasty, a bit salty but it would be perfect with rice. Then it hit me. I started coughing and fanned myself, as expected it was spicy.

“Here, drink this.” She handed me a glass of milk that she took out from the fridge. I drank it gratefully.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you can’t take spicy food?” she patted my back as I blinked back my tears. My nose was running from the spiciness. “You are just like Yixing. He also can’t eat spicy food.”

“Sorry for not telling, I thought it won’t be that spicy.” I smiled as she reminded me of the time where me and Lay ran for the milk.

“Later when you eat, just take a bit of it and make sure to eat it with rice.” I nodded as she scooped the food onto plates and placed it on the table. “Could you scope the rice? I’ll go and get my husband and Xuehwa.”

“Sure." I went to the rice cooker and scoped out 4 bowls of rice. They came back down just in time and we had breakfast together. Before I sat down by the table, I pulled mama one side.

“Mama, could you do me a favour?”

“What is it?”

“Could you pretend not to know that I can speak and understand Chinese? They all don’t know about it and I want to keep it that way.”

“Okay. You must have your reasons if you insist, I’ll keep it to myself. It will be a secret between us.” She winked and went to the table with me at her tail.

After breakfast, Xue wanted to go shopping so that means I have to follow her. We went to a department store where she shopped for 4 hours. We came back with lots of bags and thank goodness, this time there was a driver to pick us up. While she was shopping, I had this feeling that we were being watched. I looked around carefully and from one corner, I saw someone dressed in black disappearing from behind a pillar. I took note of that and made sure she was with me all the time. I wouldn’t want to take that risk. We safely made it back to the car, behind us there was a car tailing us. I tapped the driver’s shoulder.

“Could I take over from here?” he looked at me with a blur expression. Oh right, I was speaking in Korean. I turned to Xue and asked her to translate.

“Why should I?” she folded her arms and leaned back. She was back to being a brat. I knew that she had been acting, her change was too sudden and definitely not very sincere.

“If you don’t want to be taken away by force by people you don’t know, I suggest that you cooperate with me.” I look at her right in the eye and she immediately nodded and translated what I what I said. The driver nodded and shifted to the passenger seat without opening the doors. Good thing the windows were tinted enough so they couldn’t see what we were doing.

“Tell him that he needs to show me the directions back to the house. But first we need to shake them off.” She repeated what I said. He nodded and put on his seat belt.

“You do the same, seat belts on and lock your door.” She did as she was told with a scowl on her face. Too bad girl, if you want to be safe, just have to do what I asked you to do whether you like it or not. I drove off slowly first and after a while, they followed behind in a grey car.

“Turn here.” She translated and I did as he told. The car followed. Soon we were at the cross road with a lot of cars. I tried shaking them off but they were hot on our tail. I cut lanes and there were about 3 cars between us.

“Will we be able to go back if I make a turn here?”

“Yes.” Xue said and I nodded.

“Hold on tight.” I press the accelerator and sped up. I knew this was the only chance to shake them off. There was a traffic light ahead and it turned yellow. It was now or never. I made a quick U-turn just as the traffic light turned red. The car was stuck behind the other vehicles and as I turned, I took note of the person behind the wheel. He wore a cap and it was really low I couldn’t see his facial features. He slammed his fist on the wheel and I noticed something on his neck.

A star.

It’s them. Why were they following us? What is their motive?

I drove off as quickly as I can so that they can’t catch up with us. The driver guided me through the lanes with the help of Xue. We made it back to the house and he unloaded the bags. I carried them inside and Xue was a bit pissed off that her shopping session turned into a chasing session.

“Thanks for helping to translate just now.” I said as placed her bags on the floor.

“Yeah, you should thank me. If not how would you make your way here?” If she was an actress, she could win the best actress award. Her acting looked really believable and innocent. The total opposite from her real personality. I didn’t say anything else that would aggravate her. The last thing that I don’t want is to have a faceoff with her. I bowed and went off.

Just as I sat down in the living room, they came back, all 12 of them. I stood up immediately.

“Welcome back.” I said softly and they all walked passed me. Some even brushed my shoulder and made me stumble, they didn’t even say sorry. I take it as they were tired and they didn’t mean it.

“Hey.” Lay came up to me. “Don’t mind them, they are just tired.”

“I know. It’s my fault for standing in front of them anyway.” I turned around and sat back down on the couch. He followed behind me.

“Don’t say that. Thanks for welcoming us back home.” He patted my head and smiled. I couldn’t help but smile back. He was really the best brother anyone can have.

“Are you hungry?” I asked as Kris, the last one to come in, walked past us.

“Yeah.” Both of them said at the same time and they looked at each other. There was a sudden awkwardness in the air and I spoke.

“I’ll make something to eat. You 2 wait here.” and went into the kitchen. I took the leftovers from this morning’s breakfast and stirred fried it with rice. It was something simple but because mama’s cooking is the best, it would taste good.

I placed the dish on the table where they both sat. I placed a cup of water for Kris and a cup of milk for Lay.

“Why milk?” he tilted his head and looked at me confused. He looked so cute doing that. Wait I did not just say that my brother is cute.

“I might be spicy. We had that for breakfast. I didn’t put in the sauce but still, it will be spicy.”

“Thanks, you remembered.” He grinned and I smiled.

"Water?” Kris looked at me and I shrugged.

“You look a bit tired and your lips are peeling a bit. You haven’t had water the whole day right? You are probably dehydrated, so water.”

“How did you know?” he looked shocked.

“Don’t ask me, just eat.” I pointed to the dish and they ate up. I watch them, one was my brother and the other was the one I love. Being with them both made me a bit happy. Just a bit. At least I can spend time with them.

Then Kris put down his utensils.

“What’s wrong? Does it not suit your tastes buds? Do you want me to make you something else?”

“No, it’s good. But I don’t feel so good suddenly. I’m probably just tired.”

“Go and rest. You have been working hard on it.” Lay said and he nodded. He slowly made his way to his room, I couldn’t help but feel worried. He looked a bit pale.

“Thanks for the food, mei.”

“What did you call me?” I blurted out in shock.

“Mei.” He smiled. “It means younger sister. Since you are younger than me and we have similar interest and hobbies, I want to treat you like my sister though we aren’t related by blood. It still amuses me how we are so similar.” He smiled.

‘I am your sister.’

“You can call me gege is you want. It means older brother.”

“I think I’ll stick to Lay.” He looked a bit disappointed by my answer. It was as if he wanted me to call him gege.

“Call me Yixing instead. Mama calls me that and so does the others.”

“Are you sure?” I felt a bit uncomfortable. Not in the bad way but in a good way. I really wanted to call him by his real name and I liked that he is calling me mei mei. It makes me feel closer to him. Closer to them.

“Yes. Now try saying my name.”

“Yixing.” I said softly.

“Hmmm? I can’t hear you.” he teased me and bit back a grin. I gave him a small stare.

“Yixing.” I said louder this time. He smiled and ruffled my hair which I gladly let him.

“Thanks for lunch mei mei.” I smiled and shook my head it was nothing.

‘Thank you gege.’

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