Taekwoon woke up the next morning to a knocking on his door. He sat up in bed as he waited for the nurse to come in but the knocking continued. The nurse has a spare key, he thought to himself, so who could it be? He was forced to leave his bed and walk on the clutches next to his bed to open the door. As soon as he did, his jaw dropped as he stared at the person in front of him in shock. The last person he expected to see was your father. He stood there staring back at him with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Aren't you going to let me in?"

Your father said and Taekwoon felt flustered as he moved out of the way and asked your father to come on. He closed the door and swallowed hard as he wondered why your father would pay him a visit. He went back to where your father had sat and asked:

"Would you like something to drink?"

Your father crossed his legs and then said:

"No. Sit down."

Taekwoon sat down on the seat next to the one your father had chosen. Thousands of thoughts roamed in his head. Why is he here?

After a few seconds, your father started talking:

"So this is where you live?"

He asked as he looked around the place in disgust. Taekwoon could see pity in his eyes, and he hated it.

"Wasn't our house better?"

"At least I can call it home."

He answered back, gaining himself a glare from your father.

"Listen to me very carefully."

Your father said and Taekwoon felt a shiver go through his body. He was afraid of what to come next.

"I know you're still seeing my daughter. I know she sneaks out of the house to meet you. I hate to see this happening behind my back."

"But... I...."

He stuttered. Your father ignored him as he continued:

"Like any father, I want what's best for my daughter. Living with you in this place is definitely not an option."

Taekwoon swallowed hard before opening his mouth and attempting to answer when your father asked:

"Do you remember Mr. Park? Park Hodong?"

Taekwoon thought for a second before nodding. He definitely remembered your father's friend who was a frequent visitor. He never liked that man, always boosting about his money and properties and endless list of wives.

"He built that tree house when my daughter begged for one."

Your father paused for a second and Taekwoon wondered why your father was suddenly talking about Mr. Park.

"He is a wealthy man, twice as rich as I am. He comes from a well-known family and he can make any woman happy."

Taekwoon's heart skipped a beat as he tried to follow where you father was going. He tried to convince himself that he went too far. Your father can't be this cruel.

"He came to my office a while ago and he was surprised to see how my baby girl grew up to be such an elegant lady."

He paused as he stared at Taekwoon who could feel blood boil in his veins. His face was a dark shade of red as he looked at your father in disgust. How could he do this to his own daughter?

"He didn't officially propose to her yet, but I'm sure he will. And when he does, I'd be more than delighted to give him my daughter."

Taekwoon couldn't take it anymore. He clenched his fist as he yelled:

"He's twice her age!"

Your father remained calm as he said:

"Age is not important. He can grant her a comfortable life, which is something you'll never be able to do."

Taekwoon was beyond disgusted. That man has already married 7 women and he is more than twice your age. How could your father even consider this marriage?

"You can't do this! Money is not everything! We love each other and I'll do anything to make her happy."

Your father smirked as he said:

"Money is not everything you say? Maybe to pathetic people like you, but to business men like me, money is everything."

He then got from his seat and walked toward the door as he said:

"I'm not here to ask for your opinion. I'm here to tell you this: you either break up with my daughter, or she's marrying Mr. Park. It's as simple as that. I will never allow you to marry her. But if you really care about her, you'll break up with her."

"But... I really love her! Why are you doing this to us?"

"I don't care."

He almost yelled.

"You're not worthy of her, and you'll never be! You break up with her right now or she's marrying Mr. Park in two weeks."

"You can't do this! I won't let you!"

"Watch me."

He left the apartment and closed the door without giving Taekwoon the chance to say anything. Taekwoon placed his head between his hands as he bit his lower lip in frustration. He didn't know what to do. He tried to think of a way to prevent your father from imposing such a terrible decision on you but he felt vulnerable and weak. He wanted to call you but he wasn't sure if he should tell you about what happened. He refused to believe that your father was serious about his threats. He cared about you more than anything else and he'd never even consider taking such a decision and ruining your life like that. But he was also worried. A part of him was trying to convince him that it wasn't just a threat. He grunted in frustration as he threw the cushion to the floor. What should I do? He remained like this for almost an hour. Occasionally tearing up when he felt helpless and sometimes coming up with plans to get you both out of this situation. He finally decided to wait until you came over before deciding what to do.

You were completely oblivious to the fact that your father had paid Taekwoon a visit. You also knew nothing about your father's plans. When he returned home, he said he was out with a friend. You were surprised when he chatted with your over lunch, and you thought he forgave you for going out with Taekwoon behind his back. It somehow made you feel better and you were starting to wonder if he'll approve of your relationship with Taekwoon. Maybe he realized that we really love each other?

You packed lunch and went to visit Taekwoon. You arrived to his apartment, knocked on his door and waited for the nurse to open the door for you. You were surprised, yet happy, to see that Taekwoon was finally able to leave his bed and sit on the couch. The nurse excused himself a couple of minutes later after helping Taekwoon change his clothes. You sat down next to him on the couch before leaning in to kiss him. You were surprised to see him backing away from you. Your heart skipped a beat and a strange feeling tugged at your heart. Is he okay?

"I'm sorry. I just don't feel well."

He said, in an attempt to soothe the worry he saw written on your face. He was still thinking of that sudden visit, wondering if he should tell you. It was making him anxious by the second and he felt helpless. He was indecisive, and he was afraid that whatever decision he'd take will only make things worse.

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

You asked.

"No no. I just woke up feeling a bit bothered. I'm sorry."

"Are you sure? I'll call the driver to take us."

He smiled faintly as he said:

"I'm sure. I'll be better as long as you're here."

Although you were disappointed that he was acting distant again, you tried to smile as you took the food out and placed it on the coffee table in front of him. Food always makes him feel better, you thought to yourself.

You ate together in silence. He was thinking of a way to help you both out of this situation. When you were done eating, he thought of a question to ask you before he was able to decide if he should tell you about your father's visit. He turned to look at you, placed his hands on your thighs before clearing his throat and saying:

"Can I ask you a question?"

You swallowed hard when the same strange feeling tugged at your heart again. He is hiding something.

"Do you love me?"

You gawked at him. What kind of a question is this?

"Why are you suddenly asking me this?"

"Just answer me. Do you love me?"

The seriousness in his tone forced you to answer immediately:

"Of course I do."

He remained silent for a second and then asked:

"Then will you do anything for me?"

You were growing impatient by the second, his questions making no sense to you.

"You're making me worry. What is it?"

He sighed and hesitated for a few seconds before saying:

"If I... If I ask you to run away with me, will you do it?"

You were speechless. Running away with him never crossed your mind, regardless of everything you've been through. It sounded like an unrealistic solution for your problems, a solution you'd never considered.

"Run away with you?"

"Yes."

He looked at you, waiting for your answer. You averted your eyes away from him, knowing you couldn't give him the one he was waiting for:

"I don't... think I can."

He couldn't say he expected any other answer. He knew how much you cared about your family. Running away wasn't going to solve things. But he couldn't stop the pounding in his heart as he asked:

"Why? Didn't you say you loved me? We can run away and live together somewhere else away from everybody!"

"Taekwoon... I... I don't know."

You stuttered. The topic was starting to bother you. You were both suffering for different reasons. The family you cared about was the reason behind the pain piercing through his heart.

Remembering your father's threats, he was getting agitated. He held your chin, forcing you to look at him.

"Let's be logical, shall we? Your family will never accept me. They'll never allow us to be together and they'll prevent us from seeing each other once they find out about us."

"I know... but..."

"But what? I'll work, I'll find 2 jobs, even 3 if I have to and I'll support you, you won't have to worry about anything."

You looked at him apologetically as you said:

"It's not about money, Taekwoon. I... I just don't know if I am ready to leave my family behind."

He remained silent for a couple of seconds before saying:

"Then would you leave me behind for them?"

You grunted in annoyance. How could he think so?

"They're my family! I... won't leave you for them but... I can't leave them... I... I just... I don't know."

Seeing how distressed you were starting to feel, he pulled you in his arms and hugged you tightly. He bit his lower lips, preventing himself from telling you the truth. He knew how much you loved your father. Knowing of his plans would definitely break your heart. He decided to keep it all to himself and he tightened his hold around your body.

You clutched to his shirt as you buried your face in his warm chest, trying to find solace from the world's harshness. He your back as he said:

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I waited 15 years for us to be together. I have never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that we will be this close and I just... I just want us to be together. I want us to be happy."

You pulled out and looked at him.

"I really want us to be happy too. I want us to stop worrying about everything and just live our lives, but I can't. I don't know what to do to make all this pain stop!"

You said between your sobs and he gathered you in his arms again. He rocked your body back and forth to comfort you. You stayed like this for almost an hour, just clutching to his shirt and delving into the warmth of his body, not aware of the unshed tears in his eyes.

The weekend came and you were knocking on Taekwoon's door with Hongbin and Wonsik to your side. You opened the door and then asked the boys to give you a second before you could let them in. You had informed Taekwoon that you were coming along with them but you had to make sure he was ready to have them walk into his messy apartment. He asked you to let them in immediately, feeling flustered at their presence outside his apartment.

"Please come in."

You let them in, closed the door and introduced them to each other. Taekwoon sat on the couch as the two boys sat on the chairs facing him while you went into the kitchen and came back with drinks.

"I've heard a lot about you from her. You're a lucky guy to have her."

Hongbin said as he looked at you with a smile on his face. A faint shade of red crept into your cheeks when Taekwoon wrapped an arm around you and pulled you closer before saying:

"I'm the luckiest man alive."

You were blushing heavily as you pushed a lock of hair behind your ear while staring at the coffee table, avoiding their gazes. Trying to change the subject, you said:

"Wonsik is a chef. He said he'll help me cook for you."

Taekwoon looked at Wonsik and then said:

"Please do. I don't want to eat unseasoned ramen again."

They laughed and you frowned as you looked at him and said:

"You didn't complain when you were hungry."

Hongbin burst out laughing and you were forced to smile when you saw Taekwoon laugh for the first time in a while. It was always refreshing to see him happy and laughing at things you said so you couldn't help but smile as they continued talking about the food Wonsik can make and how did he end up being a chef instead of studying Law like his father. You could tell Taekwoon was enjoying his time as the three of them talked about different topics and you were happy he was getting along with them. You wondered whether Hakyeon would get along with them too. Maybe I should ask him to come along next time.

After a few hours of chatting, Hongbin and Wonsik were ready to leave. Hongbin offered to drop you since he told your father that you were going out with him. You could tell Taekwoon was slightly bothered by that, which reminded you of the conversation you had two days ago. Things were difficult, you couldn't deny that, but you were hoping he wouldn't ask you to run away with him again. Leaving your father and Nana behind was not something you were willing to consider, and you hated that it was making him doubt your feelings for him.

Hongbin noticed Taekwoon's dissatisfaction and assured him that it was only a cover as Wonsik clung to his arm. You smiled as you clung to Taekwoon's arm before printing a kiss on his cheek causing him to blush as the boys giggled.

"Do you need anything before I go?"

You asked. He ruffled your hair before saying:

"Call me when you get home."

"I will."

You waved at him as you followed Hongbin and Wonsik toward the door. You thanked them for spending time with you and Taekwoon and Wonsik promised to pass by everyday to help Taekwoon around and make him something to eat.

"He's a very nice guy. I think we'll get along easily."

"Thank you! I really appreciate it."

You went up to your room as soon as you arrived. You were very exhausted and all you wanted was to take a nap. You heard a knock on your door so you jumped from your bed and opened the door to find your father staring at you with a frown on his face. He entered your room, closed the door and sat down on the edge of your bed before saying:

"Where have you been?"

He asked. You swallowed hard.

"I was with Hongbin."

He took a deep breath and then said:

"Get ready and meet me down stairs. Mr. Park is arriving in 15 minutes."

You looked at him in confusion. Why should I care about Mr. Park's visit?

"So what?"

"I want you to meet him."

"Why should I?"

You asked as you continued to look at him suspiciously. Does Mr. Park have a son my age? Is he trying to hook me up with someone to make me leave Taekwoon?

He took a deep breath and then said:

"He asked me for your hand in marriage and I said yes."

"What?"

You almost yelled as you gawked at your father. This must be a joke, a very silly joke.

"You're kidding right?"

"No."

"Dad! He's older than you!"

"So what? He's rich and he comes from a well-known family."

"I don't care! I am not marrying him!"

He grabbed your arm and you yelped in pain when he tightened his hold around is as he yelled:

"You either marry him or I'll put that servant behind bars, do you hear me? I'll make him rot in jail and he'll only be out as a corpse!"

A shiver went through your body as you stared at your father in disbelief.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

You cried. None of this made sense to you. Why would your father do such a thing to you and Taekwoon? Why did he hate this relationship so bad? Why?

"To protect you. You're my only child and I will never allow you to ruin your life."

"Why would you ruin his life? What did he do to you?"

You asked between your sobs and he said:

"He wouldn't dare do anything to me. Stop being so stupid and remember everything I've done to protect you. All those years being away from my family to look after you, is this how you reward me? All those years are in vain now because of your reckless actions."

"But dad we love each other. There is nothing to protect me from!"

"Are you out of your mind? He is a servant! He will always be our servant."

He was yelling.

"Don't call him a servant."

You yelled back, and he let go of your arm before slapping your face causing you to fall to the ground in shock. He grabbed your arm again and pulled you up before saying:

"Don't you dare yell at me again!"

"I'm not a kid anymore."

You yelled again and he slapped your face again. Tears rolled down your face. You lifted your head up when you heard him call someone. The door was opened and you saw two of him men entering your room. One of them carried you inside your room, trapping you in the corner, while the other one took your laptop and your phone away before taking the key out of the keyhole.

"You're not allowed to leave this room until you go back to your sanity. I'll be back to get your answer, Mr. Park or that servant. And you better consider the consequences."

He left the room along with his men and closed the door behind him. You ran toward the door to prevent him from locking you up, but he had already locked the door and left. You hit the door with both hands, crying for him to let you out, but your cries were in vain.

You sat down on the floor, knees brought to your chest and head dropped down as you cried your heart out with no one by your side. Suddenly, Taekwoon's suggestion made sense. Maybe I should have run away with him.

After losing hope of leaving your room, you sat on the edge of the bed holding a tissue and pressing it against the bleeding cut in your lower lip. Your stomach was rumbling but you didn't care as you tried thinking of a way to get yourself out of this unpleasant situation. What puzzled you was the fact that your father know about your visits to Taekwoon even though you made sure nobody saw you on your way out of the house. Hongbin would never tell him, you thought to yourself, mainly because he doesn't know your father is against it. What if he goes to Taekwoon's apartment and beats him up? You shivered at the thought. Your father was never a cruel man but his family meant to much to him. Even if he does, you'll never know. You grunted in annoyance upon realizing how helpless you were with no means of communication whatsoever. You couldn't call Taekwoon or even Hakyeon to ask for their help.

Thinking about Taekwoon made you cry again. Maybe I shouldn't have remembered him, you thought as you remembered everything he'd been through over the past couple of months. It all happened after you remembered him and was starting to get attached to him. He left the house and was forced to get a job while studying. He felt inadequate every time your family tried introducing you to a guy from a rich family. He almost got killed trying to protect you. Everything was caused by you. Your sweet moments together were overshadowed by all the pain you caused him and it seemed like all you did was make his life worse.

Your thoughts were interrupted when you heard the key turn in the lock. You jumped from your bed, hoping your father had calmed down and realized what he's done to you. You moved backwards when you saw one of his men entering your room followed by a maid. The maid had a tray in her hands and she placed it on the coffee table in your room before leaving. You tried pushing yourself out of the room but the man pushed you back on your bed before leaving the room and locking the door again. You screamed and kicked the door but there was no answer. You looked at the tray and snorted.

"I am not eating anything until you let me out."

You yelled, but again there was no answer. You sat down on your bed again, your head between your hands, waiting for anyone to find that you're locked up in your room. You knew Nana would freak out if she found out about this and she'd definitely order him to let you out, but you waited and waited to an avail. The night came and you crawled under your blanket when you could no longer keep your eyes open without anyone missing you or coming to look for you. When the maid came again the next morning to take out the old tray and serve you breakfast you realized the man was waiting outside your room the whole time, preventing anyone from seeing you or even talking to you. You asked the maid if Nana found out you were locked in your room but the man yelled at her when she tried talking to you and forced her out before locking the door again.

Wonsik knocked on Taekwoon's door and was received by the nurse. He greeted him and entered the apartment to find Taekwoon sitting on his bed. He sat down on the chair next to his bed before asking him:

"Do you feel better today?"

"I think so. Thank you!"

Wonsik looked around and then asked about you when he didn't see you. Taekwoon let out a sigh before thanking the nurse who was on his way out and then turned to Wonsik saying:

"I have no idea. I've been calling her for two days but she didn't answer any of my calls or my text messages."

"Did something happen?"

Wonsik asked in concern. Taekwoon shook his head 'no,' before saying:

"Not at all."

"I think Hongbin knows someone from her family. I can ask him to call and check if you want."

"No no. She might be busy with her family or something. I'm just worried about her."

Wonsik smiled as he said:

"Yeah she might be busy. Don't worry; I'm sure she'll call you soon."

He then straightened up and asked:

"So what do you want to eat today?"

Taekwoon's cheeks turned bright red as he said:

"I can't thank you enough for offering to cook for me."

Wonsik patted Taekwoon's shoulder as he stood up before going to the kitchen.

"I'm glad I can help. Now tell me, do you like pasta?"

Taekwoon nodded and Wonsik found his way toward the kitchen. He put on his apron and took the grocery out and proceeded to prepare lunch while Taekwoon tried calling you again. Hongbin came half an hour later and the three of them ate lunch together as they talked about various topics including your sudden disappearance. Hongbin asked Taekwoon again if he wanted him to call Hakyeon but he said he'll wait another day before deciding whether he should get Hakyeon involved. Although he was feeling at ease having Hongbin and Wonsik around, he couldn't stop thinking about your father's threats and whether your disappearance had anything to do with them.

Your father opened the door and found you sitting on the floor next to your bed with your head between your knees. He noticed that the food was left untouched. He called your name. You lifted your head up and looked at him for a second before looking away. He closed the door and sat on the chair facing you. You were still avoiding looking at him. He could see your hollow cheeks and the circles under your eyes.

"Why haven't you eaten your food?"

You remained silent so he asked again:

"Are you trying to starve yourself? Do you think you can impose your opinion on me if you starve yourself like this? Do you think you can make me change my mind?"

"I'm not trying to do anything."

You said, your voice coming out weak and faint.

"Then why aren't you eating?"

"I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten anything in 2 days."

He yelled and you averted your eyes away from him. He stood up and jerked you to your feet. You tried getting out of his hold, but you were too weak to resist. You shrieked in pain when his hold on your arm tightened but he ignored your yells as he took you toward the mirror, forcing you to look at yourself:

"Is this what I wasted my life for? Is that servant worth what you're doing to yourself? Is he worth what you're doing to me? to your family?"

You lowered your head as you avoided looking at the mirror. He let go of your arm and then forced you to lift your head as he repeated his questions. You remained silent and it made him angrier. He turned you around and slapped your face. You fell to the floor without any resistance. You could taste blood and you knew the cut on your lower lip was reopened. You've never seen him this ruthless before and you couldn't understand why. Taekwoon being a servant and coming from a poor family doesn't mean he's less of a human than you yourself were. He's better than a lot of rich guys whom your father would be thrilled to introduce you to. Your father's extreme anger with this issue made no sense to you.

Tears escaped and rolled down your face as you sat on the floor. You could hear him pant as he stood next to you. He pulled you up again as he said:

"You better come back to your senses or I'm sending him away. Do you hear me?"

He let go of your arm and you fell to the floor again. He left the room and locked the door again. Your senses were numb and you were barely able to lift your body to sit on the edge of your bed. Your stomach growled and you forced yourself to reach for the tray and grab a piece of bread. You knew he wasn't going to let you out anytime soon and you felt that your body was forcing you to eat to at least remain conscious and try to figure out a way to get out.

As soon as your father left your room he walked toward Hakyeon's room. He pushed his door open, entered his room and addressed him:

"Call Taekwoon."

Hakyeon pulled down his earphones and gaped at your father, not knowing how to respond. Your father has never entered his room without knocking.

"Call him now!"

Your father yelled and Hakyeon stuttered:

"I... I don't have his number."

Your father grunted in annoyance before remembering he had your phone in his room.

"Follow me."

Hakyeon followed your father as he entered his room and opened the drawer before taking your phone out and giving it to him.

"Call him and tell him I locked her up and beat her and that she's starving herself."

"What?"

Hakyeon asked in shock.

"Do it!"

Your father yelled again and Hakyeon flinched before saying:

"Okay."

"Tell him I said I won't let her out unless he breaks up with her, and convince him to do it unless he wants to see her get married next weekend. Do it."

Hakyeon dialed Taekwoon's number with shaky hands and your father stood next to him waiting for Taekwoon to answer. He was internally praying that Taekwoon won't answer. He hoped the boy was asleep or away and that your father will look for someone else to carry this mission but him. He cursed himself for telling your family that you were seeing Taekwoon. He was scared and he didn't know what to do when you disappeared.

After a couple more seconds, Taekwoon answered. Hakyeon was sweating heavily.

"Baby! Where have you been? I was so worried about you. Are you okay?"

"Taekwoon it's me, Hakyeon."

Hakyeon's heart clenched at every word he said and he could hear Taekwoon sob over the phone. It broke his heart to hear him cry like this but he couldn't do anything as your father watched over him until he hung up. He bit his lower lip, trying to prevent his tears from escaping when your father took the phone away and asked:

"What did he say?"

He hesitated for a second before answering:

"He said he'll break up with her now if you want."

"No, not now. Go to her room after an hour and try to convince her to break up with him. Don't you dare tell her of what happened. If she is not convinced and asks you to help her leave the house, tell her you'll do it."

"Why are you doing this to her?"

Your father stared at him before saying:

"It's none of your business. I know how to look after my own daughter!"

Hakyeon nodded and your father left the room after making sure he was going to do exactly what he told him to.

Taekwoon hung up with Hakyeon as he wiped his tears away. How could he do this to his daughter?

He dialed a number and waited for the person on the other end to answer. A few seconds passed until he could hear a female's voice.

"Taekwoon!"

"Hello."

"Hello! How have you been?"

"I... I'm fine. I... I need to ask about...."

Before he could finish his sentence, the maid let out a sigh and then said:

"She's starving herself. Her father locked her in her room and she hasn't eaten since then. I... I heard something about forcing her to marry one of his friends but... I am not sure. Does... does this have anything to do with you?"

He was sobbing again as she confirmed what Hakyeon had just said. He was hoping it was a lie. He was hoping it was a lame attempt to force him to break up with you. He felt his heart shatter to pieces as he asked her if there was anything she could do to help. She told him about the men waiting outside your room before apologizing for not being able to help. He wished he could go to your house and take you away. He wished he could do anything, but he was scared. He didn't know what your father could do if he attempted such a thing. Would he take you away? Would he hurt you? He couldn't care less if he hurt him but he would die if anything happened to you. Why is the world against us? Why can't we just be together? He thought to himself as he sobbed again, hating his vulnerability and helplessness.