JR’s POV

I sat on the floor of the hotel room holding Ren propped up in my arms after he had fainted. My heart was racing and I was internally wondering what to do. Do I call an ambulance in this situation, or do I wait it out? This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Ren had once told me how common a thing like this was in his daily life since the accident. I reached down and placed my index and middle fingers on his left wrist. He had a steady pulse. The last thing I wanted to do was draw any unnecessary attention on ourselves. I rested his head on my lap and softly brushed his hair out of his face while I waited for him to regain consciousness. If he didn’t wake up within the next five minutes I would call for help. Usually when he had these black outs, they didn’t last for long.

I glanced up at the news program that was continuing to report on the breaking story about Kim Baekho’s accident, although information about his current condition was extremely limited. For as long as the TV had been on, I heard them deliver the same facts multiple times. No one knew much, including myself. He was in the hospital, but what was his status? Was he clinging to life as we spoke or did he only have minor injuries and was waiting it out? My guilty conscience hoped that it was the latter of the two. If the car crash wasn’t a result of Jason’s meddling, then it had to have been my fault. Knowing all that he had done for Ren and for myself, I knew he didn’t just do it because he was a good person. No. Truth of the matter was he did it because he was still in love with Ren. But he had to give him up to someone like me. If it wasn’t an accident, then was it suicide?

My stomach sank. Would Baekho do something like that? As much as I hated to admit it, I didn’t know him well enough to know the answer to that question. When Baekho had attempted to get close to me I pushed him away because of my petty insecurities around him. And now here I was, faced with this situation of not knowing well, anything. And it was driving me insane. Why had the media been so silent? Had it been blocked? If that was the case, then this must have been Jason’s doing. What was he up to now? Was he up to something? My phone suddenly started to ring and my heart immediately started to race. I didn’t even hesitate to pick it up without checking the caller ID. I already knew who it was.

“Noona! Talk to me. What’s going on over there?” I anxiously asked.

“It seems Jason is on board with us.” She replied very vaguely.

“And what exactly does that mean? And how is he?”

“Jason?” Dambi oddly asked. “Well, as much of a loose screw as he always is, I suppose-”

“I meant Baekho!” I angrily exclaimed. Dambi paused.

“Oh,” She replied, sounding as if she had taken offense to my tone of voice. “You should have said so. Baekho is fine – he’s in stable condition. They’re just waiting for him to wake up. I’m on my way to pick up a disguise kit.” She continued to speak as if I had been there with her, failing to clue me in on any details.

“A disguise kit?”

“Oh, right. That’s what I meant when I said Jason is on board with us. While I’m out picking up a disguise for Baekho, he’s back at the hospital figuring out how to kill Mr. Kim.” She said as if it made perfect sense.

“What???” I asked, shocked. Dambi let out a frustrated sigh.

“Work with me here, Jonghyun. Turns out Jason did something smart and useful for once by blocking all media and the press from knowing Mr. Kim’s condition, hence, no one knows about his current status, providing us the perfect opportunity to get Baekho out of this mess.”

I paused. “I think I’m starting to understand what you’re getting at.” I replied, connecting all the dots. “You’re planning to let Mr. Kim die in the hospital while you sneak Baekho out, aren’t you?”

“I knew you were a genius!” Dambi said sarcastically.

“… I hate you.”

“As long as I’m in your thoughts.” She snickered.

“I’m doubtful about your plan though.” I frowned, returning back to the subject.

“And why is that?”

“Sure, we might be helping Baekho escape one persona but by doing this we’re only going to have to create another one for him to live under. He’ll never get to go back to being Kang Baekho – the name itself is too close.”

“Are you worried about him being recognized?” Dambi asked.

“No. I made him wear sunglasses in public for that very reason. I’m just worried about detective netizens digging and drawing a line from Kim Baekho to Kang Baekho.”

“Well, rest assured something’s come up.”

“Huh?”

“Apparently Baekho hasn’t been completely honest with us about who he really is. Jason said his personal ID listed him under a ‘Kang Dongho,’ the name he was originally registered under when he entered the hospital.”

“He lied…?” I asked, stunned.

“Mmm, well, that’s what we’re going to find out when he finally wakes up. Anyways, just thought I’d update you.” Dambi replied, sounding as if she were trying to get off the phone.

“Wait – before you go… You said your plan was to sneak Baekho out? In that case, where will he go? He can’t possibly go back to Mr. Kim’s mansion. Although the location has been kept secretive, there’s no doubt the moment his death is released to the public that reporters are going to really start digging to find it. He can’t be pictured going in and out.”

“Stop worrying. He’ll stay with me.” Dambi said reassuringly. I awkwardly paused.

“Wait, what?” I asked, finding it strange that Dambi would volunteer her place for someone she hardly even knew.

“I practically live at your place, don’t I? It leaves my flat practically vacant. I figured someone could use it.”

“But noona, you don’t even know Baekho-”

“And you do?” Dambi said in a judgmental tone of voice. “I know I’ve spoken more to him in an hour than you have in the entire year that he’s been working for you. Honestly, Jonghyun, I’m a little disappointed in you. You painted him out to be a bad guy all this time and look at what he’s turned around and done for you. I’m a grown woman and I pay my own bills. If I want to lease my apartment out to him I will.”

“I understand and I respect that, but this isn’t your responsibility, it’s mine.” I guiltily replied, feeling somewhat ashamed being scolded by her. She was right. I knew I had done wrong.

“Hey, kiddo. You’ve known ever since I gave you that first pair of headphones that I was going to be there for you through thick and thin. Your problems are my problems and vice versa. I know you’d do the same for me.”

“Of course I would… I just worry about you…” My voice sullenly trailed off. Dambi lightly laughed.

“Hey, that’s not your job. I’m your noona, aren’t I? It’s my responsibility to look out after you-”

“But then whose is it to look after you?” I quickly cut her off. The other end of the line abruptly grew silent. After several seconds Dambi’s voice finally returned.

“I don’t know…” Although she laughed at the end of her sentence I could hear the true hurt in her voice. “Eventually this old lady will settle down. But in the meantime there’s fashion to help fill that void. Just let me do what I can until I have to pass the torch down and then you can become Ren’s headache.” She teased, trying to change the subject. I glanced down at Ren in my lap who still seemed to be out of it.

“I’m sure he’ll be relieved to hear that Baekho is fine.”

“Hmm… You’re not worried?” She asked. I faintly smiled and shook my head.

“No. Not anymore.” I replied. Dambi chuckled.

“Heh. Something good must have happened last night then…” She continued to tease. My face grew hot and my skin red.

“Noona!” I snapped, embarrassed.

“Pfft. Fine. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything.” I could almost picture the smile that was probably spread across her lips. “Be good this time around, Jonghyun. Second chances don’t come around too often in life. I’ll keep you updated. Later.” Dambi replied then abruptly hung up. I placed my phone down beside me on the floor and stared down at Ren, furrowing my brows in concern. I knew she was right. I couldn’t afford to mess up this time around – with Ren or with LOTUS Designs. I watched as Ren’s face began to stir and his eyes slowly opened, staring up at me in a confused haze. His lips parted as he brought himself to speak.

“JR…?” His voice tiredly trailed off.

“Yes, Ren?” I asked.

“… What happened? Did I black out again?” He paused as he tried to remember something. “The last thing I remember was looking up at the TV and then…” He gasped then immediately sat up straight, pulling the sheet around him. He stared back at me with wide eyes. “Baekho-”

“He’s alright.” I quietly replied before he could panic.

“What?” Ren asked, confused.

“He’s with Dambi. She’s taking care of him as we speak…” I replied. Ren still stared at me with the same alarmed look on his face that seemed to lessen the moment I said he was with noona. I hesitantly glanced up at the TV and then back down at him. “Remember that, okay? Despite all that you’re going to hear on the news later, Baekho is alive and well.” I darkly forewarned.

“What do you mean?” He furrowed his brows.

“We’re getting him out of this mess.” I said, referring to House of Kim and Mr. Kim. Ren seemed to understand without me explaining. He slowly nodded then paused once again.

“We?”

“Me… and Jason.” I reluctantly replied.

“Jason is helping you?” Ren said, sounding stunned yet touched. I silently nodded in return. A small smile of relief swept across his lips. Without any further words being exchanged, Ren suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around my bare waist, resting his head against my chest. I slowly brought my own arms around him, a bit surprised by his reaction to the news about Baekho and Jason. I thought he would be more worried or even rushing to get dressed so that he could speed down to the hospital to visit him. Would I have been okay with that, though? Deep down probably not, but I wasn’t going to stop him if he did. I had to have faith in him and our relationship. Just last night and this morning Ren had told me that he loved me and I believed in him.

“What’s this about?” I asked him.

“Thank you for helping him.” Ren whispered. “Whether it’s for my sake or his… just… thank you…” He replied, sounding both deeply grateful and relieved. I softly smiled then pulled him in tighter. I felt Ren’s big brown orbs looking up at me.

“I love you, Ren.”

“I love you too, JR.”

“Is that why you didn’t ask where he is?” I asked. Ren shook his head.

“As long as he’s alive and well, that’s all I can really ask for... Baekho is strong, even being on his own… He doesn’t need me being there, especially if he’s still working on tying his feelings for me… and vice versa. I think it’s for the best that neither one of us sees each other or risk undoing what’s already been done and hurting people again.”

“I agree.” I replied, surprised and impressed by his answer. When Ren had said he loved me, he really must have meant it, especially when he said that he wasn’t going to see Baekho. “He is strong… And I know with Dambi on his side, he can only grow stronger. She has that effect on people.”

Ren smiled. “I definitely agree.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to see him?” I asked. “I’ll understand, even if it’s just as friends-” Ren shook his head.

“When I first heard that Baekho might be dead, I couldn’t breathe. The horrible agony of knowing that he might have gone the same way his parents did – because of me again – I didn’t know how to handle it. I couldn’t even begin to comprehend how something like this could happen twice to somebody.”

“Bakeho’s accident wasn’t your fault-”

“You don’t know that… He was on his way back from saying goodbye for good… He was distraught.”

“You’re right, I don’t know what might have really happened, but for all we know it could have really just been an accident. It’s not fair to blame yourself twice for something that was out of your control.” I tried to persuade him. It just didn’t feel right for Ren to continue blaming himself. There could have been a number of factors that played a hand in Baekho’s accident that night. I knew Baekho was troubled over the whole Mr. Kim persona and Jason situation. It also didn’t help that the weather conditions for that night were less than safe. But it being solely Ren’s fault? I didn’t believe that nor did I want for him to believe that either.

“I know… that I don’t know. But knowing that he’s okay… I can breathe again. And I know that if I show up there, he might not be able to… So I think it’s best not for me to go.” Ren shifted his gaze down to the floor.

“Okay.” I replied, respecting the decision that he alone had made. I knew better and didn’t want to push him any further. Though I’d be lying if I said that a part of me wasn’t selfishly happy that he didn’t want to see Baekho. But that was something that I needed to keep inside and stop thinking about. Baekho wasn’t competition. He was just a normal, friendly guy who Jason and I both screwed over and unjustly treated like dirt. From now on I needed to change my mindset about him if I was ever going to help him, something that I was definitely intent on doing. Ren slowly and cautiously stood back up with the sheets wrapped around him. He glanced down at me.

“Mind if I use the shower?” He quietly asked. I nodded.

“Go for it.” I replied. Ren faintly smiled then walked out of the living room and disappeared back into the bedroom. I heard the sound of the bathroom door shut behind him, followed by the sound of the water turning on. I glanced back up at the television screen which had a large headline taking up much of the lower portion of the screen that read:

BREAKING NEWS; DESIGNER AND CEO OF HOUSE OF KIM PASSES AWAY AT HOSPITAL.

I blankly stared at the screen, not knowing how to feel as live news footage was capturing the image of a doctor surrounded by several nurses wheeling out Mr. Kim’s body cloaked underneath a white sheet. A thousand emotions swept through me. First was relief, knowing that Baekho wasn’t really dead. Then it was curiosity, wondering how Jason and Dambi managed to pull this off with even the hospital’s help. Not to mention – was that even Baekho under there? Lastly, there was a strange feeling of remorse and grievance over the death of Mr. Kim. Was it because he was really just a metaphor for House of Kim? Or…? Why did I feel this way? Perhaps it was because I knew I could never really go back there, especially now. I couldn’t change my mind and take back my first company. All of my decisions were permanent now. House of Kim was over. LOTUS Designs was my next hope and future as a designer who didn’t hide himself away from the world. But still… watching them transport ‘Mr. Kim’s’ body like that… it felt as if I had just watched a different side of me die as well. It was difficult to explain and difficult to comprehend. It just felt wrong. But there was nothing I could do anymore. As much as this was Baekho’s way out of the Mr. Kim persona, it was mine as well. It was time for the both of us to move on and live our own respectful lives, traveling down the paths that were originally intended for us.

 

 

Baekho’s POV

Dambi and I blankly stared at the document Jason waved around in the air in front of us. My jaw slightly dropped in disbelief. He actually did it. He actually managed to convince the doctor and the hospital to fake my death in order to get me out of this mess – not to mention the fact that he had practically just ed himself. I was left feeling dumbstruck. With as much hell as Jason had put me through, and despite me asking him to find a way out for me, not once did I actually imagine that he would do it – or go this far. I didn’t know what to do or say next. Should I thank him? Of course I should thank him, but wouldn’t that be weird? I didn’t know how to do anything but remain silent at this point. Maybe it was best just to call it even now. Dambi walked from behind me and stopped in front of the death certificate, squinting her eyes and reading it from up close. Once she finished her eyes grew wide in shock.

“Holy … you actually did it.” Dambi cursed. I stared at her. She really was strange. Jason arrogantly held his head up high with pride.

“Of course I did. Fu Long Fei always gets things done.” Jason replied, folding the certificate and placing it down in his pocket. He glanced back up with a grin. “Besides, I got something out of it.”

“?” Dambi tilted her head to the side in wonder.

“A rich doctor’s number.” Jason smirked. Dambi paused for a moment before a sly grin slowly spread across her lips too and she leaned forward and nudged him in the arm with her elbow.

“Hey, don’t go around bragging now.” She teased. “A doctor and a designer… do you think anything will come of it?”

“We’ll see.” Jason shortly replied, keeping the conversation minimal. In fact this was probably the most I had ever heard him talk about his personal life. It was evident he got around a lot and had quite the life, but Jason never talked about it. He would rather allow those around him to draw inferences than to confirm or deny, because that would mean acknowledging it. Despite the very flashy and public life he led, that was the one thing he chose to keep private. And honestly, it was understandable. It really wasn’t anyone else’s business. Dambi seemed to pick up on this notion without it needing to be said and quickly moved on.

“So what’s our next move?” Just as she had asked, the door from behind Jason had loudly slid open with the doctor in question and a team of nurses surrounding him. They urgently rushed into the room with an air of panic around them which quickly seemed to fade once the door had shut behind them. Now that they were out of the public’s eyes, the nurses boredly stood around waiting while Dr. Park joined us. He glanced down at me and then up at Dambi, pointing. I blankly stared up at them from my wheelchair.

“The next step is getting you two out of here.” Dr. Park said, sounding very much on board now with the situation at hand. I suddenly understood why they had entered so dramatically. They were creating a scene to stir the press, as if something drastic was going on with Mr. Kim’s health.

“You tell us what we need to do, doctor.” Dambi replied.

“In a few minutes I’m going to go out there and talk to the media about Mr. Kim’s passing.” He informed.

“Meanwhile, creating the opportune distraction for you two to make your exit.” Jason replied. Dambi nodded.

“But… what about you?” I spoke out for the first time since learning about Jason’s success. “How will you get out of here?”

Jason boredly waved his hand. “Don’t concern yourself about me.” He said while walking over towards my empty bed. He suddenly hopped up and laid down, crossing one leg in front of the other. The team of nurses approached him and one even scolded him to unfold his legs. Jason rolled his eyes and did as he was told as they lifted the bed sheets and brought them up over his head, completely covering him as if he were the one that had died. I awkwardly paused while staring at them.

“Are you serious?” I asked in disbelief. I mean, really? Jason was going to –

“Mind your own business!” Jason snapped from underneath the coverings. Meanwhile I could hear Dambi giggling in amusement from behind me.

“Oh my god, this is great.” Dambi spurted in between laughs.

“Is any of this really going to work?” I hesitantly asked.

“Of course it’s going to work.” Dr. Park replied.

“How do you know?” I asked. Dr. Park suddenly shrugged. My jaw dropped. “That’s not reassuring!” I snapped at him. He laughed.

“Relax. This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked to do something like this. Only last time I was given a summer house in Belize…” His voice trailed off in thought. I knew it… Dambi tapped me on the shoulder from behind.

“You ready to do this?” She sweetly asked, pulling the hood of the hoodie over my freshly dyed black hair. I slowly nodded. I didn’t really have a choice. I had to have faith that this plan – despite how error prone and somewhat stupid it was – would work. For some reason I found comfort in the way Dambi had said that just now. Even though I wasn’t confident, she sounded as if she were. Hopefully she had enough of that confidence to last the two of us.  Dambi glanced over at Dr. Park. “Ready when you are.”

Dr. Park glanced down at his watch then back up at Dambi. “I suppose enough time has passed by.” He darkly smirked, turning back to his team of nurses who were starting to get ready. “It’s show time.” I watched as Dr. Park’s face turned blank and expressionless, almost too perfectly. He paused for a brief moment in front of the door to take a deep breath before sliding it open and stepping outside with a solemn look in his eyes, disappearing down the hall where the reporters were stationed. As I watched him walk, I couldn’t help but think this guy was Jason’s equal. He was a little too good at acting. Dambi carefully peered from the room, waiting several minutes and watching as Dr. Park talked to the reporters, distracting them. When enough time had passed, she cautiously took the two handles of the wheelchair and then briskly started to walk, keeping her head held down to cover her face with her hair as we passed the hallway of reporters. I could both hear and feel the heavy pounding of my heart as we passed them and entered the lobby. It started pounding louder as I spotted the front doors. Almost there…

I suddenly found myself outside, surrounded by bright daylight as Dambi strolled me out past the glass doors. My eyes grew big and my heart leapt with joy as one of Jason’s guards that I happened to recognize drove Dambi’s car to the front of the hospital and stopped in front of us. He immediately climbed out and circled around to help me out of the chair and into the backseat. Dambi nodded, silently thanking him then rushed to the driver’s seat as the guard folded up the wheelchair and packed it inside of the trunk, closing it. Dambi hurriedly sped away, leaving the guard in front of the hospital. As we pulled away I saw him turn, speak into his radio and then return back inside. I turned my gaze back in front of me, watching as Dambi drove the two of us down the street. Her attention was focused forwards, paying little attention to me. I glanced down to see her hands trembling on the steering wheel. I froze. Had she been just as nervous the entire time as I was? I was stunned. She certainly hadn’t shown it…

Several minutes later Dambi pulled up in front of a luxury apartment complex and parked her car in a spot in the garage. She tore from the driver’s seat and circled around, opening the trunk and lugging out the wheelchair, setting it up. Once finished, she exhaustedly wheeled it to my side of the car, opening the door. Without words, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and grabbing me, struggling to lift me. As she drew close to me I could smell the sweet floral scent of her perfume. My eyes widened in shock as she managed to pick me up brief enough to transfer me over to the chair. Once I was down she stepped back and leaned forward with her hands on her knees, heavily gasping for air and panting. For a second I was in complete awe that someone like her – so skinny and fragile – could manage to lift me.

“My god, you’re heavy! Lose some weight!” As she said this, that heroic image I was starting to build of her started to fade, replaced by annoyance.

“What?!” I shrieked, heavily offended. Dambi snickered.

“Heh, joking. I know it’s all muscle.” She shot me a wink as she lifted herself from her knees and stood up straight. She shut the car door and locked them all with her remote before taking the handles at the back of my chair and turning me, walking the both of us inside the lobby of the apartment complex. We entered the elevator and started riding it towards the top. I sheepishly stared down in my lap before glancing up at her beside me.

“Thanks…” I murmured. Dambi looked down at me, surprised.

“Huh?”

“For doing all of this. Thank you.” I repeated myself. A sweet smile spread across her lips, followed by a faint tint of red across her cheeks. She embarrassingly waved her hand, trying to dismiss it.

“Oh, it’s nothing-”

“You should be busy with a thousand other things right now in preparation for JR’s big show, but you’re here with me.” I insisted. Dambi’s face completely turned red. She tilted her head down to allow her medium length brown locks to cover her face.

“JR is the one who sent me, remember?” She tried to explain herself.

“That’s right…” I replied, suddenly remembering.

“A-Anyways, we’re here.” She said as the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. She quietly wheeled me out into the hallway and traveled past several doors until she stopped at one, unlocking it. She pushed the door open and rolled me inside, placing me inside of her carpeted living room and leaving me there as she returned back to the door to lock it. While she was gone I observed my surroundings. She had several luxury and designer furniture items, however, the apartment was mostly bare. When she returned she stopped behind me. “It’s not much. I don’t spend too much time here.”

“You don’t? But you live here, don’t you?”

“I practically live with JR, to be honest. I know that’ll have to come to a stop though… Anyways, when I’m not there, I’m out with my friends. I really only use this place to sleep. And besides I’ll be working again soon so I’ll be in and out.” She replied.

“You mean you’re not going to be around much?” I surprised even myself when I asked. Dambi awkwardly paused as if caught off-guard by my question and then nervously laughed it off.

“Come on, now. You don’t want me in your hair, now do you? Hey, look at it this way: you’ll have plenty of privacy.” She replied. I didn’t know why but I suddenly felt sad when she said that. I mean it was understandable why she wouldn’t be home. She was apparently a very famous ex-supermodel. “Ah, you’re concerned about getting around while your battle scars heal, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’ll have my girls come check on you when I can’t.” Dambi reassured me. I slowly nodded, shifting my gaze down into my lap. That honestly wasn’t what I was worried about. My real concern was being alone again. I didn’t want to sound needy, but she had promised to be my friend… and right now I could really use one.

“You said that living with JR will have to come to come to a stop… You almost seemed sad about it when you said it. Is it because you’re afraid of being alone?” I asked. Dambi softly smiled then shook her head.

“Solitude and I are longtime friends… well, more like frenemies. Don’t get me wrong – being alone , but at least you get a lot of time to yourself to think or do whatever you want. I opened a dance studio while I stepped out of the spotlight. I had occasional visits from JR, but you know that kid – always a shut in. I did my best to turn a negative situation into a positive one.”

“Then why were you sad?”

Dambi shook her head again. “I wasn’t sad.” She paused for a second. “Well… it was more like a sweet sadness. JR has always been like a little brother to me. Watching him grow like this… not needing me to take care of him anymore… it leaves me feeling a little alone, knowing I have to step aside and let my role be filled by someone else.”

“I know that feeling.” I quietly replied. Dambi glanced down.

“It’s going to be weird not being needed anymore. I’ve always been the type of person to put others before myself – I can’t help it, it’s part of my personality. He’s come a long way from the kid that was bullied in high school to the designer he’s already become and the one he’s about to reinvent himself as. It’s astonishing how well he’s really stepped up these past several months... I know… it’s time now to stop worrying about him and focusing on myself. It’s just a little hard for me to do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m terrified about going back out there. After Jason sabotaged my career, I’ve just been hiding. Right now the only thing giving me the courage and strength to stand back up is JR. He’s doing it. So can I, right?” Dambi heavily sighed.

“I don’t think he could have come this far alone though. Let me tell you something – the man I met at the beginning of all this mess is definitely not the same one I spoke to on the phone the other day. He’s grown… he seems more self-confident. You were the only one who was with him during his disappearance. Who else could have influenced that in him other than you?” I asked. “Give yourself some credit.”

“Should I?” Dambi awkwardly laughed.

“There’s nothing wrong with it.” I reassured her. Dambi nodded then grew quiet. The two of us stared out of the floor length window in front of us, looking out into the city. Several minutes went by where neither one of us said anything. Finally Dambi spoke.

“You did an honorable thing, letting JR take your place.” She suddenly said. A small, faint smile spread across my lips as I kept my gaze in front of me.

“So are you.”

“Huh?” She asked, surprised.

“Letting Ren take yours.” I replied. Dambi froze as it seemed my words hit her extremely hard. She grew silent once again. She brought her right hand up to cover her face. I suddenly heard her sniffle from behind me. I quickly glanced back at her over my left shoulder to see her own two shoulders trembling as she silently cried into her palm. I took my right hand and placed it on the wheel, somehow managing to spin myself around in the chair to face her. “Do you… need a shoulder to cry on?” I carefully asked her, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. I knew what it was like to go through something difficult and not have anyone to rely on. I stared up at Dambi when no response came. When I was starting to believe an answer would never come, slowly she started to nod her head in her palm. I hesitantly glanced down at my wheelchair, wondering how I was going to do this. I hadn’t really thought it all through when I had extended the offer. I awkward glanced back up at her. “I would stand if I could-”

Without words Dambi suddenly threw herself down on my lap and leaned into my right shoulder, crying her eyes out. I froze, stunned for a moment by her seeming lack of boundaries or personal space, but I let it pass. I brought my right hand around her and softly patted her on the back.

“I’m proud of him…”

“For how far he’s come?”

Dambi nodded into my shoulder. “…For finding someone who could take my place.” She replied. My heart stung a bit as she said that. I still wasn’t over Ren and I was still learning to let go. But I could understand where she was coming from. Dambi had spent at least half of her lifetime taking care of JR, who hadn’t been strong mentally and emotionally well enough to do it himself. And now that he was doing better, he had someone – he had Ren to lean on, meaning Dambi could finally look after herself.

“Yeah. They’re both pretty lucky, I guess.” I half-heartedly murmured, still feeling pretty numb and raw about the whole ordeal myself but still trying to be sensitive. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still want Ren. But I couldn’t bother him anymore. He had found his own happiness and now I needed to find mine, just as Dambi was searching to find hers. I had just been freed from the Mr. Kim persona and now I was back to being regular old Dongho again. But who exactly was he? “Now you can focus on your modeling again, right? And without any worries.”

Dambi sat up in my lap and sniffled, wiping the tears away from her face with her right arm. “That’s right, but not exactly true.”

“Hmm?” I asked.

“There’s you with your broken arm and foot, silly.” She replied. I paused for a moment as something just occurred to me. Did I just become her next project? She had said it earlier – helping people was just a part of her nature. I didn’t even have to see myself in a mirror to know that I probably looked like a charity case waiting to happen after my car accident.

“You said you were going to have your friends come check on me, didn’t you?” I quickly responded, not wanting to take up any of her valuable time.

“You don’t want me checking in on you?” Maybe it was a side effect from all of the pain relief medication I was on, but I could have sworn she almost sounded hurt or disappointed when she said that. Still, I felt strongly about being pitied.

“You’re going to be busy. You’re always in and out.”

“I can make time for you.” Dambi persistently offered. I couldn’t understand how she could go from saying she would hardly be around to wanting to be around so quickly – I froze before slowly shifting my gaze into my lap, finding myself staring down at her thin legs seated on top of mine. Now that I found myself thinking about it, she was almost asking for me to ask her to stay. It finally occurred to me the reason why she had been acting so nervous around me. Did Dambi have a crush on me…? I frowned. I wasn’t sure how to handle this situation because I had never been involved in one like this. 

“I appreciate your generosity and letting me stay here, but you don’t need to worry about me. As soon as I’m well enough, I’ll leave.” I replied, wanting to put distance between us before anything could escalate further. Dambi seemed to be a great person with many likeable traits. In many ways she reminded me of Ren. Aside from her being a woman, the fact that she was too close to him bothered me too much to even want to consider a relationship. I didn’t hate Ren or that he never really felt the same way as me and ended up with JR – I hated that I had to distance myself from him. Dambi was practically Ren’s best friend. It would have felt too strange even if I were attracted to women. I felt Dambi’s body tense up in my lap as if she were picking up on my signal that I was turning her down.

“Are you sure…?” Her voice slowly trailed off, sounding a bit sad.

“Dambi, I’m gay.” I replied, cutting straight to the point. Dambi paused before glancing back up at me.

“Being a close friend is good enough.” Although she had a smile on her face, I could tell that it was forced and that deep down she was really hurting by my response.

“I’m sorry. It’s not you, it’s me. I just can’t seem to wrap my mind around getting over Ren. I’m just… lost right now.”

“I understand. Sometimes none of us really know what direction we’re being pulled in and then we’re given two options: to go with or against the natural flow of life.” Dambi responded. For a moment her words struck me. If anyone really understood what I was going through right now, it was her. Both of our lives had been turned upside down by the same person, the same as the both of us were alone after helping other people find their own happiness. Dambi scooted off my lap and stood, stretching her arms out in front of her and yawning. “I’m sorry, I’m so tired. I didn’t sleep too much between hearing about the accident and running errands for JR.” She awkwardly said, trying to escape from this tension filled situation between us. I quickly glanced up at her before she could leave.

“And what did you choose?” I asked. Dambi halted in her tracks.

“Huh…?”

“From the two options.” I clarified.

“I’ve found that I have better luck these days just going with it.” She replied with her back still facing me. “I’m going to go lay down for a bit. You should rest too. I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.” She said then disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone to my thoughts in the living room. Once she was gone I turned my chair back around to face towards the window. I stared down at all of the people walking the streets of Seoul, painfully noting how mostly everyone seemed to be matched in pairs. My heart stung. I hadn’t imagined that I would have met someone as amazing as Ren in my life and having to let him go, the same as I hadn’t imagined I would have become a famous designer and then back to my old self. Dambi was right. Sometimes life really did pull us in all sorts of unpredictable directions. I glanced back over my left shoulder over towards the hall that Dambi had disappeared into. I paused. Maybe she was right. Maybe it really was time to stop fighting life and start going with it.

 

 

Ren’s POV

I anxiously sat on the edge of the couch inside JR’s living room staring at my phone in my hands while he was out doing last minute errands for his grand debut fashion show scheduled for the following evening. Ever since returning back to Seoul, I had started staying over at his place. I hadn’t seen him much these days because of how busy he was, which was completely understandable, at least now that I knew what he was up to. And honestly, I didn’t much mind it seeing as how busy I was as well. I had sent in photos and videos of myself walking down the catwalk from JA Style’s shows to a few designers in Seoul, looking for my next big break. Since Jason had given me what I had asked for, which was a split from his company, I was out of work once again. Knowing that time was a model’s worst enemy, I started reaching out to designers in the odd chance that they might be searching for a new face. JR hadn’t known that I was doing this. Although he had offered me a spot at LOTUS Designs, I wanted to find my own way.

I started tapping my feet as I waited around. Today was the day that if I was going to hear back from any of the designers I had reached out to, I would. A lingering feeling of dejection stuck with me all morning. The only call I had received was from JR asking me to meet him down at the venue later for dinner, which I agreed to. Other than that, nothing. It was difficult to take. During my time at JA Style, I had received so much media attention and had caught the eyes of several in the fashion industry, being called ‘unique,’ ‘powerful,’ and even ‘exotic.’ But now that I was searching for work, it seemed like all of that interest had faded. Was it because I was untouchable when I was tied down to JA Style that made me all the more attractive? Or was it simply because of JA Style’s name in general that had made me famous? Had I ever truly been a good enough model on my own? 

I sighed. The more time passed without hearing anything, the more I found myself doubting myself and picking at all my flaws. I felt like I was starting to go crazy. A major indicator of this was when I started to think that maybe I should have never left JA Style to begin with. Now that was crazy talking. JA Style was a company with a designer that made me uncomfortable and made me do things that questioned my morals. How could I go back to that? No, despite how desperate I was becoming, I could never go back. It was better to resort to a life of repetitive part time jobs than to go back to doing something that just felt wrong in every way.

Riiiiing~

My eyes grew wide and my heart stopped as I felt my phone both ring and vibrate in my hand. Someone was calling! I immediately glanced down at the ID on the screen then froze in stunned silence when I read who it was. The irony. For a split second I hesitated about picking up but then a thought occurred to me: what were the consequences of not answering? I really didn’t want to, but not accepting this call might turn out to be a foolish decision I might later on regret down the road. I pursed my lips together then finally hit the accept button. Before I could say anything, Jason’s voice poured out from the phone.

“Check your email.”

“W-What?”

“Don’t ask why, just do it.” He ordered. I furrowed my brows in confusion as I glanced over at JR’s open laptop that was sitting on the coffee table. I scooted off the couch and sat down on the floor in front of it, quickly pulling up my email. There was an unread message in my inbox sent from Jason’s address. I clicked on it to view an empty message with an attachment. I scrolled up and clicked on it. Once it opened, it revealed a list of phone numbers and email addresses. I slowly scanned my eyes down the list which contained the contact information from some of the most internationally known fashion brands. I paused.

“Jason… what is this? Why did you send this to me?”

“Letting you go was a given. But never say that I didn’t do anything nice for you.” Jason shortly replied before continuing on. “It’s a list of designers that had contacted me at some point or another, asking to buy out your contract. You should contact some of them – I doubt you’ll have a hard time finding work from now on.” My eyes widened in shock.

What…?

“Jason-”

Click.

I took a minute to process what had just happened. I hadn’t been expecting for Jason to call me out of the blue and send me something like this, especially when the last I had talked to him I had told him that I no longer wished to see or associate with him. I glanced down at the list. There were a lot of contacts. Just why had he sent this just now? Had he been thinking about me being out of work recently and felt guilty about this too? My heart started to race as I stared at the list. This many designers had tried to contact me during my time with JA Style? They were all foreign too… I couldn’t believe it. In fact, I almost wanted to believe that Jason was pulling a fast one again, but… why would he lie about something like this? The possibility of Jason benefiting from sending me off to another designer was 0%. I knew his health was failing him and he was trying to turn over a new leaf last I heard… was he really still following through with it? I felt dumbfounded. This list looked real.

I took my phone and curiously punched in one of the numbers listed. The phone started ringing. This couldn’t be real. Jason was probably just trying to psych me out and then crush me once again – suddenly an English woman’s voice poured out from the speakers after several rings.

“This is the office of Vivienne Westwood-”

I abruptly hung up, my heart racing. It was real. Panicking, I slammed the laptop shut and stood up. Every fiber of my being was telling me that I needed to see JR. I didn’t know how I arrived at that certain logic, but part of me felt like he would know what to do. I threw on my thick dark grey cardigan over my black long sleeve shirt and black skinny jeans and ran towards the door, stepping into my pair of black sneakers and rushing out the door. I rode the elevator down to the lobby and ran from the building and down the street until stopping at the nearest bus station and waiting both anxiously and impatiently for it to arrive. It must had been about fifteen minutes that I had been standing outside in the cold until the next bus drove up and parked beside the station. I quickly climbed on board, scanning my card and taking the seat nearest to the front doors. The remaining passengers loaded on and then the bus took off.

Several minutes later after arriving closer to downtown I pulled the cord for the bus to stop and I practically flew from the steps and out the door, running in the direction of the large concert hall that was hosting LOTUS Design’s show the following day. I ran around to the back of the building where several large trucks sat in the process of unloading stage and sound equipment backstage through the dock. When I approached one of the open garage doors I was stopped by the security crew who I stood and argued with for several minutes before one of them called in on their radios to confirm that I was indeed on the entrance list. Although by that point I was ready to strangle one of them for standing in my way of seeing JR, I decided to let it go – mostly because I didn’t have the time or patience. I needed to see him. When I entered the concert hall, I found JR dressed in all black standing in the dead center of the concert hall wearing a headset with a microphone to his face. He was too busy spouting instructions into his radio to notice me approach him from his side and when I did, he nearly jumped three feet in the air in surprise. He placed his hand over his heart and deeply exhaled.

“God, you scared me...”

“Hard at work, or hardly working?” I awkwardly . JR shot me a dirty glare above the dark bags underneath his eyes. He looked exhausted. I glanced around at my surroundings. It was clear that he had been working diligently, as evidenced by everything going on around us. The main runway was already set up, spanning half the length of the venue and stopping just before the center of the music hall. Several venue staff members were testing the video footage on the large screen at the back of the stage while other crew members stood in the sound booth, playing with the music and lights.

“You’re here early. I thought you weren’t coming until later?” JR asked, sounding fatigued.

“I needed to see you.” I replied. An amused look spread over JR’s face before he faintly blushed. He held his index finger in the air in front of me, signaling for me to stay quiet before he hit a button on his radio, sending out a message to his crew.

“I’m taking a break. I’ll be in the backstage break room if anyone needs me.” He replied then turned to me with a sweet smile. “Follow me.” He said, leading the way past the stage and to the break room in the back of the music hall which was stocked with all sorts of snacks and beverages. JR sat down at one of the large, circular tables and waved his hand towards all of the food. “Feel free to help yourself.” He offered.

“No thanks, I’m not hungry.” I said, sitting down beside him at the table. I couldn’t even think about eating at a time like this. My nerves were still shot from that unexpected call earlier. JR gave me a strange, weird look as I turned him down.

“Choi Ren isn’t hungry… that’s a first.” He replied. The sad thing was, I didn’t even think he was teasing me. He sounded genuinely shocked.

“We need to talk.” I insisted, my mind in a state of perpetual racing. JR paused before a dark, solemn look washed across his face.

“Is something wrong…?” He worriedly asked, starting intently at me. He could sense that something was off about me and that I seemed troubled. I tightly pursed my lips together, not sure how to start.

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?” JR asked before pausing again. “Is it… about us?” My eyes grew big and I shook my head hysterically in response.

“Oh, god no!” I quickly shot back. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean for it to sound like that-” A sudden thought occurred to me just now: wasn’t it? If I started working again, wouldn’t it put a damper in our relationship? Well, not if I was working straight from Seoul, but that list Jason had emailed me… they were international designers. If I were to work for one of them, it might be impossible to stay here. What would happen to us…?

“Something is wrong, isn’t it…? Is that why you came all the way down here?” JR continued to question me. My uncertainty in the matter must have been killing him. He looked scared. I sighed. Just tell him. You already came all this way to ask him for his advice/opinion. Why are you suddenly getting cold feet now? Besides, it’s not like you’ve made up your mind about anything or even started considering it. Ask him. If there’s anyone who knows best in this situation, it’s JR.

“Well, I got this strange call from-” I slowly began after finally building up the courage to start but was suddenly interrupted.

“Ren!” Dambi called out to me in surprise as she exited from one of the rooms backstage. She also wore a headset with a microphone over her head. Dambi stopped beside our table, remaining standing. I awkwardly paused in my story and glanced up at her, forcing a smile on my lips. Although I was happy to see her, the timing was poor. Dambi smirked, unaware of what was going on. “What are you two lovebirds talking about?” She teased.

“Ren was just about to tell me something important.” JR shortly responded, bluntly sending Dambi the signal to leave. I was actually shocked that he was the one out of the two of us bold enough to say it like that. Either I had become really soft or JR really was different. Dambi paused for a moment and made an ‘o’ shape with , awkwardly glancing off to the side as she received his signal.

“Right, got it. I was just leaving – I’ll talk to you later, Ren!” She started to leave but sharply came to a halt as one of the TV’s mounted on the wall to our left playing the news in the background displayed the message: BREAKING NEWS. Dambi stopped in her tracks and glanced over at the screen. Naturally being curious about what had caught her attention, the two of us looked over our left shoulders and towards the TV. Both of us paused when we spotted the image of the much despised these days red haired designer sitting across from one of the news anchors on the set at the studio. My heart stopped and my jaw dropped.

“Jason…” His name slipped from my mouth in horror. Seeing him was never a good thing. JR glanced back at me with a questioning look as I covered my mouth in worry with my left hand and pointed with my right index finger at the screen. JR turned back.

“Jason, or rather, Fu Long Fei, of the popular fashion brand to the stars in both China and Korea has requested to be with us here today in the studio to make an announcement.” The female news anchor spoke into the camera before turning to face Jason across from her. “Thank you for choosing our station, Jason. What brings you by today, may I ask?” She stated. Jason stared at her for a couple of seconds in silence. Judging by the dark look on his face, he seemed to have something important to say.

“Several years ago there was an infamous theft scandal between my company and a world renowned supermodel.” Jason replied. Dambi who had been standing to our right on the other side of the table suddenly stumbled backwards in shock. She quickly grabbed the back of one of the chairs to catch herself and regain her balance. Both JR and I glanced over at her in concern but Dambi wasn’t paying us any attention. Her eyes were still glued to the screen as we all wondered what it was he had to say about the old news and how he could possibly benefit by bringing it up now. 

“Ah, so it’s about the scandal, isn’t it? I thought today’s interview might be about the passing of the late House of Kim fashion designer, Kim Baekho, who you were so close to.”

“I’ve already given statements about his passing. Instead of continuing to talk about it, I’d rather honor my friend and let him rest peacefully.” Jason replied, declining to talk about Baekho any further than he had. Since the news had broken out about Mr. Kim passing away at the hospital several days ago, Jason had been on maybe two or three news stations, displaying the image of someone who was grieving their loved one. Of course his performance had been impeccable – could you really doubt that it would be? He was so used to lying that his acting skills were sharp. But at last he was finally putting them to good use, using them to help Baekho out of the Mr. Kim persona.

“Such an honorable thing to do.” She complimented him. If only she knew what this man was capable of… Would he admit it though? Would he tell the world how he wronged Dambi, continuing to prove the promise he made to become a better person? Or was this his one last attempt to take glory from the both of them?

“Yes.”

“The theft scandal – it was about supermodel Son Dambi, wasn’t it?” She asked, quickly changing the subject as it was clear Jason wasn’t going to talk anymore about the hot topic in the news right now.

“Yes, it was.” Jason confirmed.

“Reports from that time state that she had been caught lifting one of your main pieces from your fashion line, wasn’t it?” The female news anchor asked.

“Yes, they did.” Jason shortly responded.

“It was this scandal that many believe forced her into an early retirement, ending her career.”

“That’s not true.” Jason suddenly said. The woman paused, looking surprised by his response. “Aren’t you a news anchor? Aren’t you supposed to keep current about the news going on around the world? Wherever did you hear that Son Dambi’s career had ended?”

“Um…” The news anchor uncomfortably stuttered. Jason waved to somebody off camera. Shortly afterward a thin, pale, black haired man with a camera draped around his neck carrying a file with him appeared on screen, taking a seat beside Jason.

“This is reporter Choi Seungchul, responsible for breaking the news about Mr. Kim’s secret assistant set to be debuting his own fashion line tomorrow.” Jason replied.

“Tcht.” JR suddenly scoffed underneath his own breath. I tore my gaze from the TV and glanced at him in wonder. What was that reaction about just now? As if to answer my question, JR continued. “Reporters really don’t have any shame.”

“What do you mean?” I asked him. JR shook his head.

“It’s nothing…” His voice trailed off, noticeably frustrated. He let out an irritated groan and stood up from his seat, the legs of his chair loudly scraping against the concrete floor. “What are they doing…?” JR worriedly grabbed both sides of his head. Back on the screen, Seungchul nodded in response to the anchor’s question.

“That’s right. And according to my sources and in the article I published, supermodel Son Dambi is set to be the Top Model and face of LOTUS Designs.” He stated, taking out a news clipping of the article he had written that featured an official picture of Dambi modeling for LOTUS Designs. Dambi stared up at the TV with wide eyes in stunned silence as if waiting for Jason to make his next move. Everyone seemed to be internally panicking at some level because we all knew Jason was unpredictable.

“… The day before the show and he’s bringing up old news… Is he trying to distract attention from LOTUS Designs back onto JA Style…? After I let him go…?” JR said in disbelief and lifelessly collapsed back into his chair. I reached over and placed my left hand on his right knee, squeezing it.

“Maybe this isn’t it.” I said. JR remained staring down into his lap.

“What do you mean ‘this isn’t it’? What more could there be…?” JR’s voice hopelessly trailed off.

“He let me go, he apologized to noona… he was trying to change-”

“People like him don’t change, Ren!” JR suddenly snapped at me. I immediately withdrew my hand from his leg and pulled away from him in shock. JR froze and his face fell after watching me recoil. He hung his head down low in shame. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you…”

“Shhh!” Dambi harshly shushed us, trying to listen to the interview on the screen that was heavily focused around her. Both JR and I grew quiet. I silently nodded my head at him, accepting his apology. I couldn’t even imagine the amount of stress he was under already, trying to plan the fashion show. Throwing Jason into the mix and not knowing what he was up to…. Even I felt nauseous.

“My question for you, Jason, is ‘why’? Why now do you choose to bring up an old scandal just as she is set to move forward with her career? Is it to create public backlash? Do you perhaps still hold a grudge against Son Dambi?” The news anchor asked several questions that we were all dying to ask him ourselves. Jason silently shook his head and paused for what felt like forever.

“No, the opposite.” He responded. She gave him a confused look. I glanced over at Dambi who stood as frozen as a statue, a perplexed look written on her face as if she didn’t quite believe what was going on. My heart was racing. Was Jason really following through with his intentions?

“Pardon?” The anchor asked. Jason leaned forward in his seat.

“I came here to clear her name.” He further clarified. “This has been going on for far too long. Even at the risk of slandering my own name and potential lawsuits, the truth needs to be said. Son Dambi never stole anything from my collection. As a matter of fact, the person that framed her was none other than myself.” Jason finally confessed. Dambi collapsed down to her knees before falling to her bottom on the floor. The anchor’s eyes grew wide in shock back on the TV.

“Are you stating on live national television that supermodel Son Dambi has been innocent and reflecting in private this entire time due to your own actions?”

“Yes.” Jason shortly answered.

“Why?” She asked, sounding astonished. “What prompted you to tarnish her reputation and destroy her career?”

“Jealousy.” Jason bluntly replied. Dambi placed her left hand over as silent tears started to stream down her face. I immediately climbed out of my chair and ran towards her, approaching her from behind and placing my hands on both of her shoulders for support while JR sat with his mouth slightly draped open, staring at the TV in bewilderment.

“Jealousy?”

“I’m quite used to getting everything I want, but she was the one thing far beyond my reach. I selfishly and childishly punished her for continuously rejecting my agency, something which was probably a smarter move for her. A star such as her could have never flourished underneath JA Style and deep down I resented that feeling of never being good enough to have her. But I know both the designer and LOTUS Designs are. I wanted to send her off with a fresh new start.”

“Are you saying that you personally know the designer of LOTUS Designs?” The anchor asked. Jason shot her an annoyed glance at her attempt to fish out any relevant clues as to who this mysterious new designer really was the day before his debut show.

“That’s not the subject of the conversation we’re having here.” He coldly snapped at her. She awkwardly apologized, slightly bowing her head. Jason continued, only this time focusing his softened gaze at the camera. “He is someone I’ve known for years. He’s a great designer whose talent is endless – someone whose reputation I would tarnish by saying that we are friends, so I won’t. Instead I’ll congratulate him and Son Dambi for their achievements and wish them luck on their future endeavors and successes that are sure to follow.”

“Thank you, Jason of JA Style, for coming in today to share your story. We’re going to cut to commercial, but be sure to stay tuned-”

“Noona, are you okay?” I asked Dambi who nodded hysterically underneath her hand. She quickly turned around and threw her arms around me, leaning into my chest.

“He really did it.” Dambi said through tears of happiness. “I asked him to wish me luck and the bastard really did it…” I patted her back as I held her then quietly glanced up at JR who continued sitting still in his chair, blankly staring down onto the surface of the table in front of him.

“Noona, Ren… I’m not… imagining things, am I?” He suddenly asked. Dambi paused in her hysterics and slowly pulled herself away from me, sitting back up. The two of us stared up at him from the floor, waiting for him to continue. “I thought… I thought for sure he would have taken this moment to drift attention away from us and back onto him, but…” JR’s voice trailed off before he quickly rose from his seat and ran into the room to his left, returning with a laptop which he practically slammed down onto the table. After a couple of seconds of toying with it, he finally came to a halt. His jaw dropped. An alarmed look spread across Dambi’s face.

“JR, what is it?” She called out to him. JR glanced up from the computer screen and down at her.

“We’re trending on Naver and Daum.” JR immediately responded. “LOTUS Designs – we’re trending at spot #2!” He said in shock. Dambi shot up to her feet and ran around the table, standing behind JR and hovering over him.

“Who’s #1?” I asked, still sitting on the ground. JR glanced down at me with a big proud smile on his face while he pointed his index finger towards Dambi beside him. My jaw dropped and my eyes grew wide with excitement. I jumped off the floor and dashed behind the computer, reclaiming my seat next to him. I confirmed with my own two eyes that Dambi and LOTUS Designs were currently the most searched items at the moment, something which Jason was personally responsible for. Dambi placed both hands over and turned to the side in astonishment.

“I can’t believe it… After all this time – is it really possible? Is it really happening?” Dambi asked, turning back to face the computer screen as if double checking to see if her eyes were deceiving her. When she spotted her name on the top of the most searched toolbar on the side, she took a step back and rubbed her hands over her face and exhaled deeply, letting this news all sink in. “To think I thought I would be forgotten… All that time living in the dark, in worry and fear… Jason…” Dambi glanced back up at the news on the TV screen. Jason had already left the studio and the news anchors were discussing the bombshell of a story he had just dropped on their station minutes ago. “He did the one thing I thought he would never do. He set me free.”

JR held his head down low in shame. “Was it wrong to distrust him?” He asked. “The moment I saw him on screen, my thoughts were ‘what’s he going to do next to ruin my life?’ Jason, the person who was single-handedly responsible for ripping and tearing House of Kim right out of my hands… He helped us…” JR’s voice trailed off in disbelief. I paused behind him, thinking about the call I had received from Jason earlier today and the email attachment he had sent me.

“You’re not wrong… I didn’t trust him either.” I reassured him, taking his side. It wasn’t like I didn’t know what type of person Jason was or what he had done to JR. Even I had a difficult time trusting him anymore, despite his phone call and email filled with good intentions this morning. JR glanced over his shoulder and gave me a small relieved smile as if he were grateful that I had his back. Finally he sighed.

“I’m sorry, Ren. You had something to tell me, right?” He asked, somewhat startling me. That’s right – I hadn’t told him yet. I had been too distracted by both Dambi and the conveniently timed interview to get the chance to. Now that it was suddenly being brought back up, I found myself hesitating again.

“It’s nothing.” I lied, shaking my head in attempt to brush off the subject. I felt fearful telling him about Jason’s email and what it contained especially since JR had offered me a position in his new company that I had already turned down. Just from that brief glimpse of contacts, I had spotted some pretty prestigious and impressive names – in fact, it was part of the reason I thought Jason had to have been lying to me. Some of these names were equal or on par with JR’s old company, House of Kim. I didn’t want to imagine how he might feel or see his face if I were to bring this list up.

“But you said you wanted to talk…” JR insisted, sounding somewhat saddened by my refusal to bring it back up. I guiltily pursed my lips together.

“Let’s talk about it later, ok?” I said, giving in to JR’s sudden sullen attitude. I hated seeing him upset – even worse, I hated knowing that I was the one who upset him. After all that we had gone through just to make it here, I didn’t want either one of us to hurt anymore.

“But…” JR seemed hesitant to let it go. Dambi, who must have been too occupied watching the after reports stemming from Jason’s interview to have paid any attention to our conversation suddenly gasped as a thought occurred to her.

“I have to tell him the great news!” Dambi excitedly exclaimed as she started digging for her phone in her pocket. I furrowed my brows.

“Him?” I asked. Who was ‘him’? Dambi walked off to the side and pressed her phone up to the side of her face. After a short while of waiting she finally spoke up.

“Baekho, were you watching the news?” She asked in the background. I immediately tensed up upon hearing that name. Sudden flashbacks of the time we had spent together played like an old movie reel in the back of my mind, stopping at my most recent memory of him, which was seeing his crushed car on the news and being told by JR that it was all a façade for the cameras and that Baekho was alive and well. When JR had told me this, I didn’t ask any questions. JR had no reason to lie about something like that. In fact, he even told me that Dambi was taking care of him, so I didn’t really understand why I felt so numb or shocked. JR quietly reached over and squeezed my hand which was resting on my left knee. I was stunned. He must have known that I was hurting after hearing that name again. It wasn’t a lie – I had developed feelings for Baekho over time. Even before then, we had been friends. That’s why letting go of him had been so hard. Silent tears started to build in the corners of my eyes and my nose started to run as a result of trying to push back the pain of knowing that I could never see Baekho again.

“He’s going to be alright.” JR reassured me. I sniffled and nodded.

“I know.” I replied.

“How do you know?” JR asked. I glanced over at Dambi who had the biggest smile I had ever seen on her face while she was talking to Baekho. I returned my gaze back to JR.

“Because he’s not alone. He has Dambi now.” I replied, coming to terms that Dambi seemed to have some sort of feelings towards Baekho. What exactly those feelings were, I wasn’t sure. Friendship? Love? Maybe it was both, though by how happy Dambi seemed, she looked like a woman in love. Although I knew Baekho was gay, I secretly found myself hoping that he might have an open enough mind to give Dambi a chance. If there was anyone in the world that I would want for either one of them to date, it would have to be each other. Noona was crazy, Baekho was more grounded – they complimented each other. A surprised look spread across JR’s face before he furrowed his brows and glanced back at her in wonder. After seeing the smile painted across her lips he turned back and stared at the computer screen in stunned silence as if he had just reached an epiphany about Dambi and Baekho. I couldn’t help but chuckle at him. I sniffled again. “They’re both going to be fine.” I said. JR cautiously peered his eyes away from the computer and back to me.

“Just like us?” He asked again, his mind obviously still concerned about the talk that we needed to have later on. I awkwardly nodded.

“Yeah.”

 

 

After getting back from my visit with JR I returned back to his apartment and found myself sitting in front of the closed laptop once again. I checked my phone to see if I had any missed calls from any of the companies I was waiting to hear back from today. My hopes dashed, I frowned when I saw that there were none. No, I wasn’t ready to give up yet. Maybe they had emailed me instead. I started to reach for the laptop then froze in hesitation when I remembered that the last screen I had left open was the list of contacts. I bit my bottom lip and sat in silence for a couple of minutes before finally settling on opening it. As soon as the screen flickered on, as I expected, it revealed the list of contact information from earlier. I quickly minimized the screen and opened up my email. Empty. My heart sank. No… Why was this happening…? I stared down at the minimized tab briefly before opening it. I didn’t understand. Why was it that designers as big as House of Kim and JA Style had reached out to Jason about me, but yet when I had personally applied to local designers in Seoul I couldn’t even so much as receive a response? Was I not doing something right? I started to scroll down the list until one brand caught my eye:

Yves Saint Laurent – Paris

My heart started to race with excitement. Although House of Kim had been my number one favorite brand, Yves Saint Laurent has always secretly been in second place… and they wanted me? With as much as I found myself wanting to pick up my phone and start making calls, I knew I couldn’t. Did it make any sense just to up and leave JR for a job that, if I tried a little harder, I could do right here inside of Seoul? Or maybe… maybe I should just take JR up on his offer and join his team of models, since the offer was there. But… how could I? I had only had one professional stint as a model, and JR was the one designer I admired the most. I didn’t really have much to offer him like his other models did that could possibly do his clothes justice.

I glanced back at the list. It was tempting. Oh, how it was so insanely tempting. Just picturing it – if I had experience walking the runways of Paris or New York, just imagine the type of publicity I could bring LOTUS Designs when I finally joined him? Ever since JR had mentioned it, it was never a question of ‘if’ I would model for him, mostly ‘when.’ I definitely wanted to make it happen. But I also knew that I couldn’t tear down or ruin his reputation with my inexperience. I had to join him on my own terms, once I was fully satisfied with myself. However… how could I leave him to gain that experience? I felt utterly lost and confused over what to do. The more I waited to hear back from some of these local designers, the more time, experience, and money I lost out on. What do I do?

I immediately shut the laptop lid closed, nearly jumping three feet from the ground when I suddenly heard the sound of the front door opening and shutting from the hallway, followed by the sound of JR’s footsteps that seemed to stop as he entered the living room. I froze in a panic. Had he seen what I was looking at just now? I slowly turned my head over my left shoulder to look back at him. He had a dark expression written over his face.

“… What were you looking at just now that you didn’t want me seeing?” He asked. .

“H-Huh?” I tried to play coy but my heart was racing so fast that I couldn’t even speak straight. JR furrowed his brows.

“On the laptop.” He darkly stated.

“N-Nothing.” I lied once again. JR stared at me with a hurt look in his eyes as if he knew I wasn’t being honest with him. After a few seconds spent in silence, he wordlessly marched over to me, joining me on the floor and reaching over and opening his laptop. Recognizing defeat, I didn’t even fight him and sat motionless with my head hanging down in shame. I curled my knees into my chest and covered my face with my hands as I felt JR’s eyes reading over the list of contacts for several minutes. When he finished he called out to me.

“Ren,” He said. I couldn’t look at him. I kept my face buried in my hands. I suddenly felt JR’s hands around my wrists, tugging them downwards so that he could see my eyes. “… What is this?” He lowered his tone of voice, sounding somewhat depressed. I slowly lowered my hands and then wrapped my arms around my legs, cradling myself into a protective ball. I kept my gaze forward and away from him.

“It doesn’t matter what it is… I’m not going to do it.” I half-heartedly murmured.

“Why not?” JR unexpectedly asked. I froze.

“What do you mean ‘why not’?” I asked, stunned. “You read the list. Obviously you know what this is about-”

“Is this what you were so afraid of talking to me about earlier?” JR asked, concerned. I stared at him in fear for a few seconds before slowly nodding my head.

“Yes… and no.”

“What do you mean?” JR quietly asked.

“It’s from Jason.” I admitted.

“What?” JR asked in confusion. Even I was aware that I wasn’t making any sense.

“The reason why I came to see you today earlier than planned was because I received this call and email from Jason. He told me that it’s the list of designers that had contacted him at one point or another during my time with JA Style, asking to buy out my contract… I didn’t believe him when he said this, and actually, I was scared. Honestly, I’m surprised he even bothered to keep all of this written down. You were the only person I could think of to run to in a situation like this.” I replied. JR looked back at the computer screen.

“Is it real? Did you call?” He asked. I slowly nodded.

“Yes…” I guiltily replied. “It’s real…”

“How did it go?” JR asked, seeming to miss the sole cause for my uneasiness.

“What do you mean? I called and hung up.” I replied.

“Are you going to call them back?”

“How can I?” I stammered, shocked that he would be the one to suggest doing something like that. For a second it almost sounded like he wanted for me to –

“How can you not?” JR asked, confirming my suspicions of him wanting me to take the job. “It’s just a phone call-”

“They’re all in Europe!” I exclaimed, both hurt and frustrated with him. Right now it seemed like JR was thinking as a designer and not my boyfriend. I knew how from a professional point of view how illogical it seemed not to take any of these offers, but as a lover? It was the exact opposite. I thought that after finally becoming a couple that he would want to hold onto me. Why was he suddenly pushing this?

“Well… it’s not ideal… but is it something you want to do?” He cautiously asked me.

“It doesn’t matter.” I stubbornly replied, unfolding myself from my ball and wrapping my arms around him instead. “I’m staying right here with you.” I insisted, making up my mind. JR remained both motionless and quiet for a while before finally speaking up. He almost seemed bothered by my response.

“… I understand what it’s like to hold back because you’re afraid of something… The same as how I know what it’s like to miss out on that something too…” JR’s voice lowered into a softer tone full of regret as he subtly referred to House of Kim, the company he took great pride in but was too afraid to take credit for and in the end was taken away from him by Jason. “But you also have to know that using me as an excuse to avoid those things you’re afraid of will only lead to regret or resentment later. I don’t want to be your reason why you missed out on a possible amazing opportunity.”

“What?” I asked, pulling away from him and staring at him with wide eyes. “Why… after all that we went through, is that the reason why you won’t hold me back? It’s ok! As long as I’m by your side – that’s all I need.”

“I’d rather you hate me for letting you go than hate me for holding you back.” JR replied, turning down my offer. “Europe is only a continent away. If you’re ever lonely, I know you’ll call me. You always do.”

I quickly released him and pulled myself back. He just wasn’t getting it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go to Europe. The timing was just off. We were finally together – and we hadn’t even been together for that long either. I wanted to spend more time with him, not immediately board a plane and ship myself off to Paris only to be lonely again. I curled my left hand into a fist down by my side as I quickly stood up, tears in my eyes. JR stared up at me in shock.

“Ren-”

“If that’s really how you feel, I’m going home.”

“Ren!” JR climbed to his feet as I turned my back to him and started towards the front door hallway. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to fight now of all days, especially with JR’s debut into the fashion world slated for tomorrow. There were literally a million other things that he should be worrying about right now and the last thing I needed was to be one of them, but I couldn’t help it. I felt so… betrayed.

“You said you wanted to let me go, so let me go then!” I bitterly shot back at him before JR ran up and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, holding me tightly to prevent me from leaving.

“I didn’t say that!” JR protested. “I meant it as in letting you go to Europe, not ending our relationship!”

I froze. “… Isn’t it the same thing?” I asked. I felt JR’s body momentarily tense up from around me. Suddenly he squeezed me tighter, digging his face into my shoulder blades.

“Don’t say that…” His voice sadly trailed off. My bottom lip trembled as I realized that his voice was beginning to crack.

“It drove me crazy waiting for you....” I shakily replied.

“It’s not you who will be waiting this time though.” JR said. “Without even asking me how I felt, you decided to run off. Didn’t we make a promise to stop running?” He asked me. I held my head down in shame, remembering what was said in the hotel room in Busan that night that he had come to see me. “You’re all I ever wanted. Why would I ever want to leave you…? I’ll hate it if you’re gone, but after all the things I’ve done-”

“This isn’t about getting even, JR. I don’t even know how long I’ll be gone or when I’ll come back. Can you tell me that you’re really okay with that?”

“… I’m not the only one with a dream.” JR replied, starting to turn me around in his arms to face him. He cupped my face with both of his hands, passionately staring me straight in the eyes. “Tomorrow I’ll be facing my biggest fear, but knowing that I have the support of everyone who believed and came together to help me, I have confidence that the show will be successful and I’ll have finally made it as designer Kim Jonghyun, CEO of LOTUS Designs. Just as my dream is coming true, I want yours too… Even if it means spending time apart again, because I know it means that much to you and your future, I’ll support you. I just… want you to be as happy as you make me feel.” He awkwardly fumbled with that last bit.

“JR…” My voice trailed off. I was stunned speechless.

“I’m not going to stop you from going home if you really want to go. Just… really think about it tonight, okay?” He said before leaning in and giving me a quick soft peck on my lips and pulling away. “I’ll see you at the fashion show tomorrow?” JR asked me with hopeful eyes. I warmly smiled at him.

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss my favorite designer’s show for the world.” I replied, planting another kiss on his lips. “I’ll be Minhyun and Aron’s problem tonight and give you a break from my weird and tiresome antics.” I lamely joked after pulling away. Although I was tempted to stay after hearing his touching little speech, I knew that JR needed to focus on whatever last minute details for tonight and he probably needed his space. And besides, Aron was always begging me to come and visit their newly shared apartment together, even if it was in Minhyun’s old place.

“I think that’s what I love about you the most, to be honest.” JR admitted. I slightly blushed before wagging my right index finger at him.

“Watch it, or you might not be able to get rid of me tonight after all.” I seductively winked at him. JR chuckled then sheepishly nodded. “Get some rest. Seriously. You have bags under your eyes, Kim Jonghyun.” I once again.

“Of course you would notice something like that…” JR sighed.

“I know you’ve always hated grooming yourself, but it only takes fifteen minutes to apply a mask.” I advised.

“…”

“Do it. You want to look your best tomorrow.” I replied. JR rolled his eyes and nodded.

“Goodnight, Ren. Tomorrow will be an eventful day for both of us, I’m sure.” JR cryptically said. I sadly smiled. I knew he was right. Either I made the decision to stay right here in Seoul or try my luck by calling some of the previous designers that had been interested in me – my life was still going to change. I just needed to decide as to how it might change. Which path did my heart really want? Before I turned to step out his front door I stole a quick glimpse at JR’s face. Was my career drive stronger than my love for him?

“Goodnight, JR.” I said, gave him another quick peck then turned to walk down the apartment complex hallway. I left JR’s apartment feeling somewhat numb. I hated not knowing what to do. I hated being this clueless. At the same time I didn’t want to think about it either. It was easier not to. I exited the building then walked further down the street until I found the nearest bus stop and waited. I blanked out as I was sitting on the bench. I didn’t know how much time had passed or how long I had been sitting out in the cold when the bus finally rolled up. To be honest, I really didn’t even care. I promptly stood up and climbed on board and stared out the window until the bus neared the station closest to Minhyun’s apartment. Once I arrived, I walked through the double doors and into the lobby, riding the elevator up to Minhyun’s floor and stopping in front of his front door. I pressed the doorbell with my index finger and stared up at the small security camera installed. Several moments later I heard rustling at the doorknob before it quickly opened to reveal Aron smiling rather widely, surprised.

“It’s a post-Christmas miracle! Look who’s still alive!” Aron teased.

“Sorry it’s taken me a while to get here.” I awkwardly replied. This was my first time seeing him face to face after the forced stunt I had pulled on him at the collaboration fashion show. Although I had talked to Minhyun over the phone and he had said that they were both fine now and weren’t mad anymore, I still couldn’t help but feel guilty. Aron looked back over his left shoulder and into the living room.

“Min! Get off your jolly and come see who came to pay us a visit!” Aron cheerfully yelled.

“Jolly…? Did you just call me fat?!?!” I heard Minhyun angrily shriek before hearing the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the door. Minhyun stopped at the end of the hallway to peer out of the door. A stunned look swept across his face as we met eyes. Without words he quickly brushed past Aron and stepped out into the hallway, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into his shoulder. “Are you okay?” He worriedly asked. I briefly accepted his hug before pulling away and nodding.

“Things are a lot better now.”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve, disappearing off the grid like that.” Minhyun scolded, returning back to his normal self.

“I know.” I replied. I wasn’t in the mood for making excuses, not that Minhyun would want to hear them anyways. Minhyun rolled his eyes.

“Get in here.” He sighed, stepping aside to let me enter. I quietly nodded then did as I was told, slipping out of my shoes in the hallway and then entering their living room. Aron and I sat down on the couch across from Minhyun in the armchair. “So how are things better?” Minhyun asked. He seemed to share a concerned look with Aron.

“What do you mean?” I asked. Minhyun tensed up and Aron frowned.

“You mean, you didn’t hear…? No way… it was all over the news.” Aron said in disbelief. It suddenly occurred to me what they were referring to.

“We’re talking about Mr. Kim’s passing… I know the two of you were close-” Minhyun started but I had to stop him.

“About that… let’s talk.” I said, realizing that while JR, Dambi, Jason and I knew about Baekho’s current status, Minhyun and Aron had been left in the dark. They both stared at me, nodding sympathetically. Before I began I took a deep breath and exhaled. “You were right all along, Minhyun.”

Minhyun furrowed his brows in confusion. “What?”

“Baekho wasn’t who everyone said he was.” I replied. Minhyun paused.

“Did something happen between the two of you before the accident?” He worriedly asked.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?” Minhyun stared at me.

“About Baekho being Mr. Kim.” I replied. “… He wasn’t.”

“What the…” Aron’s voice trailed off in shock. Minhyun’s eyes grew large and wide.

“He wasn’t? Then who was?” Minhyun asked. Now it was my turn to pause. Do I tell him and risk revealing JR’s big secret that he had wanted to die along with House of Kim as it fell from it’s former glory? I couldn’t.

“He didn’t say.” I replied, somewhat telling the truth. Baekho had never outright admitted that JR was the real Mr. Kim, although he had given me hints that he was. “What he did say though was that Jason, who did have close ties to the real one, had put him up to this. Jason, who was jealous of House of Kim, had paid Baekho to put on a persona to steal it out from underneath the real one, which he succeeded on doing.”

“Are you serious?” Aron asked, stunned. “You mean House of Kim is no longer being run by the real Mr. Kim, but by Jason?” He continued. “How the does something like that even happen?”

Minhyun shook his head. “Of course House of Kim isn’t being run by Kim Baekho anymore, Baekho’s dead-”

“He’s not dead.” I quietly interrupted. “Baekho’s still alive.”

“But we saw on national television-” Minhyun started, pointing at his TV that was sitting off to the side.

“I don’t know what Jason did or how he did it, but that wasn’t Baekho. He’s still alive somewhere, probably recovering from the crash that occurred that night when he was coming back from seeing me in Busan.”

Minhyun’s jaw slightly dropped. “That’s… where you were. You weren’t in China, but in Busan?” He asked in disbelief. “You were that close and had all of us worried about your whereabouts?!” Minhyun snapped at me.

“I’m sorry.” I hung my head down low in shame. “I had needed time. I felt remorseful over what I had been forced to do to you and Aron, angry that Jason wouldn’t allow me to quit, I was still heartbroken over JR, things between me and Baekho were confusing  – I couldn’t breathe. If I had told anyone where I was, you would have come to see me and I just wanted to be alone-”

“But you told Baekho where you were?” Minhyun scoffed in disbelief. He sounded jealous.

“I didn’t tell him, my brother did.”

“So you told your brother, then?” Yes, he was definitely jealous. Not that he would ever admit it though.

“No! He just figured it out and told Baekho, ok? I left without telling anyone where I was going.” I replied, starting to get frustrated.

“Is that why he wrecked, then?” Aron suddenly asked. “Because he told you the truth about who he was and you didn’t take it so well and he was upset?” He said, trying to predict what might have happened that night, given the minimal pieces of information he was dealt.

“He was upset over something else…” My voice trailed off.

“So something did happen between the two of you.” Minhyun insisted. I shifted my gaze down into my lap.

“He let me go.” My voice grew quiet.

“… He let you go? Where?” Aron asked, confused.

“To JR.” I responded. Both Aron and Minhyun gasped. Aron’s face seemed to light up while Minhyun’s did the opposite. I knew that they both had different perceptions regarding my complicated relationship with JR. Aron had wanted me to keep pushing and fighting to get JR back while Minhyun thought it was best for me to just move on.

“Explain.” Minhyun demanded. “Last I remember, JR too had dropped off the face of the Earth. Tell me just how did Baekho know where to find him?”

“He must have asked Dambi.” I replied.

“Dambi?” Minhyun asked. Aron suddenly froze.

“Dambi is the only other person in this world that knows JR the best. She must have known where he was or at least played a part in helping Baekho connect to him.” As I said this I caught Minhyun staring at Aron who was reacting kind of oddly.

“What did you do?” Minhyun asked him.

“Nothing!” Aron exclaimed before pouting. “Actually… something. Baekho had called me, asking for Dambi’s number… Why? Was I not supposed to?” He nervously asked while under Minhyun’s heated glare.

“You idiot…” Minhyun sighed, letting it go. “Because of you, those two have probably rekindled their lost flame.”

“Is that such a bad thing? You saw how happy he made Ren.” Aron shot back defensively.

“Exactly. You saw how miserable he made him as well. Or do you not remember the time he drunkenly ransacked my apartment in heartbreak?” Minhyun snorted. Aron rolled his eyes and turned to face me.

“Don’t let him get to you, Ren. People talked about our relationship too about how mismatched we were or how we didn’t belong together, but look at us now. We’re still here, even after breaking up. No love is perfect – something that this fool over here constantly seems to forget.” Aron chided. Minhyun guiltily looked away.

“Thanks, Aron.” I softly smiled.

“Baekho must have sensed your feelings for JR were just too strong and let you go. Dang, that’s kind of sweet. It for him though. He always seemed to have a thing for you. It must have been devastating for him and that’s why he crashed.” Aron replied. I glared at him.

“Once again, thanks, Aron.” I sarcastically replied. As if I didn’t feel guilty enough for probably being the reason why Baekho had gotten hurt…

“Regardless of the reason, Baekho crashed. Jason covered it up and announced to the media that Mr. Kim had died. Now House of Kim has no owner, other than Jason who is still secretly pulling the strings. But why cover it up?” Minhyun asked.

“To free Baekho.” I replied. They both stared at me. “We weren’t Jason’s only victims. Baekho too had been conned into putting on the Mr. Kim persona, which made him miserable.”

“Why would Jason give Baekho an out? To say that would suggest that man actually has a heart.” Minhyun replied.

“Isn’t it obvious? Because Jason is in bad health. His stress keeps putting him in the hospital. I think he’s been trying to right all of his wrongs as a result. I mean, look at what he did for Dambi earlier today… And he even ripped up my contract too.”

“He did?” Minhyun asked, surprised. I nodded.

“Damn… Just what the hell is going on lately?” Aron said, stunned. “It’s like hell has finally frozen over.”

“Or things are returning back to their proper place.” I replied. Minhyun looked away.

“I can’t believe I apologized to that man…” His voice bitterly trailed off.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Baekho.” Minhyun responded. “That must have been what he meant when he said that he wasn’t a saint, and that he had his own share of things that he would be spending the rest of his life paying for.”

“He didn’t purposely try to deceive you or anyone else. He didn’t have a choice because-” I shot up to defend Baekho. Minhyun placed his hand in the air to stop me.

“I know.” Minhyun murmured. “I’m not happy that things turned out as I predicted about him, especially knowing that Jason was behind that as well. But Baekho’s no longer fronting around in that position, committing fraud, is he? That’s all I was concerned about since the beginning. Many people dream to become designers. To pretend to be one and take all of the prestige that comes with it is a mockery to the actual profession itself.”

“Minhyun…” My voice trailed off. I knew what Baekho did was wrong. I wasn’t going to deny it just because Jason had forced him to, just like how I wasn’t going to deny what I did to Aron and Minhyun was wrong either. And I think deep down Baekho knew it too. That was probably why he was eager to try to break free from the Mr. Kim persona. He didn’t know what he was doing, design-wise and running a major powerhouse fashion company too.

“It must have been hard for him though. I couldn’t have made it any easier for him either…” Minhyun replied, lost in thought. “At least he’s alive and freed from that nightmare.” He surprisingly said, actually sounding relieved.

“We all are, right?” I spoke up, referring to how Minhyun and Aron had also managed to squeeze a better contract with more money for their inevitable, fast-approaching retirement out of Jason. Minhyun glanced back at me while Aron paused briefly before looking up and sharing a smile with him. The both of them nodded.

“It appears that we are.” Minhyun replied, smirking.

“Everything has seemed to settle down now… I’m not sure I like it, heh. It’s too quiet. What’s next?” Aron asked. I suddenly paused before remembering something.

“Did you guys get your invitations yet?” I asked. Aron furrowed his brows.

“Invitations?” He glanced over at the front door. “That would require going down to the lobby on the first floor to check our mail… Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to make that kind of commitment yet.”

Minhyun scoffed. “Who uses the postal service these days? It’s all about email.” He defiantly folded his arms across his chest. I stared at them like they were crazy.

“When was the last time either of you physically checked your mailbox?” I asked.

“I hate people and the ones I hate the most are the ones that send me letters.” Minhyun replied. Aron shook his head.

“I don’t even know which one’s ours.” He admitted. I slapped my palm across my forehead as they continued to feed me a list of excuses to cover up their pure laziness.

“The one with your apartment number on it…? Guys, you’ve got to leave this apartment every now and then. This is important! Dambi sent out invitations to her re-debut fashion show tomorr-” Before I could finish my sentence Aron shot up from the couch and dashed down the hall, slamming the door wide open and running out into the hallway in his slippers. Both Minhyun and I awkwardly stared at the open door, waiting. Several minutes later Aron returned holding a whole mountain of unclaimed mail. He kicked the door shut behind him and ran into the living room, throwing the stack on the floor and falling to his knees to search through all of the letters. He practically screamed when he found the silver invitation addressed from Dambi.

“It’s here… it’s really here!” He happily exclaimed then carefully opened it. “Aron Kwak, you and your plus one are cordially invited to the exclusive LOTUS Designs fashion event held in blah, blah, blah… This will mark the return of the fashion industry’s most coveted super model, Son Dambi, to the catwalk! Oh my god, Min, hold me!” Aron started to tear up. Minhyun rolled his eyes.

“Glad to be referred to as ‘plus one.’” Minhyun arrogantly snorted. Aron paused in the midst of his crying to glance up at him.

“To be honest, Dambi never really liked you anyways.”

“I beg your pardon?!”

“She’s probably doing me a solid by allowing me to invite you.” Aron clarified. I had to use all of my effort not to laugh. There was probably zero truth to Aron’s statement. Dambi’s heart was big enough for everyone. Aron was probably just trying to cause trouble again. Minhyun angrily stood up.

“Do you want to die?”

“Not at this particular moment, no-” Aron stopped as Minhyun shot to the floor and wrapped both his arms and legs around his smaller frame, grabbing him into a chokehold. I shook my head and smiled as I watched them roll around and fight on the floor, pulling each other’s hair out and bickering like a couple of old ladies. At times when they would get too close to me I pulled my legs up onto the couch to prevent myself from being in. I started to think about what Aron said, how everything around us seemed to start settling down. Aron and Minhyun had gotten what they wanted from Jason, Dambi was freed from her scandal, JR was set to become a world famous designer, Baekho was alive and free, and I was finally with the person I felt I was meant to be with. All of the drama was over, except… for mine. I frowned as I realized that if I really did make the call and was accepted, I wouldn’t just be leaving JR, but all of this too. I would miss out on good times with my friends as well. But at the same time, who knew what this call could do for my career and all of the people I could potentially meet in the future? Just because I was finally comfortable, finally happy… did it mean I should really settle down?

I glanced down at Aron who was biting Minhyun’s wrist while the taller one was actively trying to kick him off. Why not? Both Minhyun and Aron had taken the leap before to abandon everything and model in Europe under different designers. They were a couple then and they were a couple now. They didn’t seem to have any difficulty re-settling down in Seoul either. Minhyun and Aron were living proof that it was possible to leave and come back and have everything return to normal again. As Aron had said, no relationship was perfect and without faults, but it was possible to make it if we loved one another strong and hard enough, even if there might be periods of time spent apart. JR had accepted it, if it was really what I wanted to do, and right now I was starting to think that maybe… maybe it was…