(OST – The Power of a Broken Heart by Luis Fonsi for El Cid: The Legend)

“Mm I will,” was my answer, nodding eagerly with a delighted grin. “Take care of yourself—oh wait a moment I almost forgot.” I added before ending it with, “I love you.”

Hearing her say it back made fireworks explode in my heart as it came off her tongue sweetly without being artificial. As I put my phone away I couldn’t help but feel a slight pain in my heart as I hadn’t seen her say it to me face to face in a while.

Five new phone number changes between the two of us equalled eleven months of separation between me and Naeun. The only way I could see her face was if we used video call to contact each other but it wasn’t the same. The Naeun I saw was just a series of pixels, all put together to make a perfect replica of her.

The companies believed that we had split up, or so that’s how they interpreted our decision when we’d both arrived at a conclusion. The news came out as ‘Taemin and Naeun are no more?’ And the articles suggested different reasons for this result. Some believed that it was because she dated a fellow actor to whom I have no idea of where they got such a conclusion from. Others suggested that I had been dating during the whole We Got Married filming and so when she’d learned the truth contact had been broken.

All were ridiculous and stupid reasons. However those closest to us knew the truth.

I even had to reassure my own parents over the phone. “Its fine mother, we’re just avoiding meeting face to face for the meantime.” I couldn’t help but feel slightly annoyed as she asked me the next question. “No she won’t be able to come with me to hyung’s wedding.  Ah it’s been pushed back again?”

When was my future sister in law going to decide on a date? “Alright I’ll keep in touch with him to find out.” That ended that phone call and I don’t have to go into detail about the other phone calls I had to take.

It was the end of December just after Christmas. Unfortunately Naeun and I couldn’t meet because she had gone to Japan during that time so I stayed with family and close friends. But she had posted me her gift which was a photo frame with the two of us. She had the same one but it was in black and love hearts were engraved along the sides. It was a cheesy gift but I really liked it.

My gift to her had been a black scarf with some red glittery threads weaved into it. She’d sent a photo to me of her wearing it. She could wear a lot of things and that was part of her beauty. It could be shaped and then return to normal after the moulding.

I had arrived at our company to discuss with them an opportunity they seemed very excited to tell me about. Coming into the president’s office I sat down in the black, leather chair as they revealed what couldn’t be shared over the phone.

“Lee Taemin, ever since your solo debut it’s been discovered that you have a lot of fans in one particular country. Now how would you feel about having a solo concert in Spain?”

It made me almost fall off my seat. A solo concert; in another country, in Spain?! What were the chances of such an event?! They laughed at my surprise. “Does this mean you would like to do it?”

“S-sure,” I said still trying to take it in. “When would it be?”

“Not for another two months,” I was told. “You would be leaving at the end of September and arrive at the beginning of October. You would be there for about two days.”

It sounded fine even though I wouldn’t be there for long. With a smile still I took out my hand and shook it with our president and then our manager. I couldn’t wait. The sun, the people, the food, it would be some adventure.

Ω

“You’re going to Spain?!” Jongin and Joonmyun hyung both sounded ecstatic the moment I told them.

I confirmed it to them and they opened up another can of beer for me to drink. “Cheers Taemin.” Jongin grabbed my head to make me scull it down.

“Isn’t this great?” Jongin began, “you can enjoy the sun, meet the women—“

“—ah you,” I said putting a hand to his collar pretending to get cross. “You really have a loose tongue don’t you?”

Joonmyun hyung had to grab my hand so I would release his fellow member. “I need him for a filming tomorrow.”

“Fine alright,” I said sounding rather smashed. “But don’t talk about other women alright? You know that I have someone right?”

“Yes, someone who I think you miss.” I couldn’t lie to that.

Jongin smirked when he saw I wasn’t able to hide it. “Oh he does I know a way you can make yourself feel better.”

We both looked at him and listened actively. “Why don’t you say it?”

Confused I asked, “Say it?”

Jongin grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me up so I was overlooking the Han River from our hang out spot. “Call it over the waters, maybe your words will reach her.”

Joonmyun hyung cracked up laughing. “Are you serious? Oh my fingers are curling.”

“Mine too,” I didn’t particularly want anyone hearing me try to call out to my girlfriend. Especially if someone complained about the noise I made or recognised who I was. “I don’t want to do it Jongin, not since the rumors have quieted down.”

“You’re no fun Taemin,” Jongin remarked. “I’ll do it first so you won’t have a reason to back down.” Turning with his back to the road he placed two hands on his mouth and called out. “I miss you!”

“That was nothing,” Joonmyun hyung retorted and he got out of his seat to call out. “Mother I miss you!”

I had no reason now. Taking a deep breath and a sigh I stood up, turned the same direction as they were and without any hands I yelled out to the dark sky and the black ripples.

“NAEUN I MISS YOU!”

My cheeks became red as my cry was rewarded with applause from two somewhat tipsy friends. “Well done, good job Taemin,” they chorused.

I couldn’t regret such an action. I knew where my heart lied and it was not with my fans or with my family anymore.

It was with the pretty girl I had met less than ten years ago on Jeju Island.

Ω

I felt the warm humidity hit me like a whip as I walked to the car which was scheduled to take me to the hotel where I had ten hours before I performed for the audience. The numbers were going to be huge so I had been told and the rest of the members were jealous. The concert was going to be in Barcelona in a large stadium. I was excited as I was also nervous. To show them my best I had prepared as much Spanish as I could but it had proved to be a tricky language.

But they had no reason to be. Minho was in the army and I would be joining soon. My enlistment notice would arrive by the end of the year we expected. Naeun didn’t know because it was too early to say and I didn’t know how to.

I couldn’t expect her to wait for me.

“Taemin,” my manager entered the hotel room. “We still have two hours before you have to go to the stadium, would you like to have a look around the city?”

Thinking it through I nodded and hopped off my bed. “Sure let’s go,” he smiled along with me as we both came down to the lobby where we got a taxi with our guide and translator to the heart of the warm European city.

We spotted a building with tall towering steeples and our guide explained to us that it was a famous church which surprisingly still hadn’t been finished. The Cathedral also caught my eye and I said a quick prayer as we stood in front of it.

Keep my Naeun safe.

“Taemin,” my manager called as our guide spoke to a taxi driver. “He says there’s a park close by we can check out.

I hadn’t been paying attention so I said, “excuse me?” My eyes had gone to a window in a shop where a dozen shining bracelets, earrings and rings were sparkling against the mirrored backdrop.

He raised his eyebrows, “would you like to have a look in there even though we just went to a market where you brought a rosary bracelet?”

I was about to agree when I paused. “Hyung… Would it be ok if you waited outside?”

This confused him but fortunately he agreed and I quickly went inside. I didn’t know what my heart was set on searching for but I would find out when I saw it.

Inside I went to the area which had their ruby stones. A tear drop necklace with matching earrings caught my eye but then…

Then I saw it. A ring that seemed so perfect I was beginning to believe that it couldn’t be mere coincidence.

“Do you like Senor?” The shop keeper asked me in his accented English.

“Ah y-yes, h-how much is it?” I asked wishing my pronunciation was clearer. He told me in Euros and then I had to quickly duck outside to ask my manager and our guide how much it was.

“That’s about 590,000 won.” My mouth dropped open. “Why are you asking?”

“I’ll be right back,” going back inside I asked him if I could pay with card and then he boxed it up and put it in a black bag with a white string.

My manager and our guide were curious when they saw the bag but I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t respond even if I wanted too because my heart was thudding so loud that it blocked the sound out of my ears.

I could tell them that it was a gift but for what reason and why I could not say. The receiver of the gift was forbidden to say anything as well. Fortunately I know them well enough that they wouldn't.

Ω

Thanks for waiting and see what happens!