Ten years had passed since that heart-breaking incident, the final page of the previous chapter had been written and stored away, never to be reopened again. Like a mighty phoenix reborn from the ashes of its’ previous blazing glory, you broke up with your ex-boyfriend—Mingyu and started a new life abroad and became a surgeon after completing your studies in Russia.

You left everything back in Seoul, your old life, your friends, your family but you never lost contact with them. Now, you’re back home and working at a hospital but currently taking a vacation from your hectic schedule. However, you weren’t alone by the time you came back. Dmitri Lev Ivanovich, your boyfriend who stayed by your side for three years came back with you.

‘Lev, how’s the food? I hope it’s not too spicy.’ Your mother asked but relied on you to translate the question since Lev could only understand bits of Korean words. You smiled and spoke in fluent Russian to him, he replied your mother with a thumbs up and a grin before continuing to wolf down his food. ‘Seriously, if it’s too spicy for you just tell me. I don’t want to have your throat cut open and wash it down with a gallon of milk.’ ‘It’s fine, I can handle spicy. I love the food, tell your mum that she’s an amazing cook.’ Lev said in his deep, heavy Russian. ‘You sure?’ You asked again, unconvinced. ‘I’m really fine. I’ll let you know if it’s too much, da?’

‘Oh, you’re home this early already?’ Your older sister asked as she took off her shoes. ‘Lev here is too excited to eat mum’s cooking and demanded that I bring him home early.’ Hearing this, she chuckled. ‘Wow, never thought it would take time this short to let him get accustomed to our style. Hell, he even eats with chopsticks like us.’ She replied, impressed.

You told her that Lev is a fan of Asian cuisine and practices other people’s customs and traditions, hence, his amazing skill in using chopsticks. You sighed and immersed yourself in your own thoughts as your sister left, staring at a random spot on the ceiling. Being back home felt good since you were homesick after staying in Russia for too long, it brought back nostalgic memories but your mind automatically drifted towards him.

Kim Mingyu—the boy who broke your heart into trillions of shards.

After so many years of separation, you wondered what happened to him. No calls, no messages and not even letters. Nothing. Your heart was hollowed out when your father died in an accident and he took away what was left of your heart. Then again, it was only puppy love, it was naïve and brought you nothing but pain. You left Korea and along came Lev, the man who put you back together—what remains of your shattered heart.

Lev never asked why you were so cold to him when you first dated him, he waited patiently until you opened up to him. That was the best part about him, he does things without questioning much and loves surprising you occasionally. Your older sister approved of him and he got along well with the rest of the family, especially with your older brother. They would talk nonstop about the new books and games that were going to be released and would often leave you standing and feeling like an outsider when they talked.

Today, your mum wanted to cook something special for Lev and your second brother’s return from his work in Brazil so she told you to buy some groceries from the nearby store. ‘Want me to come with you?’ Lev asked, always the gentleman which made you melt on the inside. ‘Nah, its close by and I can manage on my own.’ You smiled and left.

The ahjumma managing the store was happy to see you, you used to frequently come here before you left. You chatted with her and let her know what life was like as a medical student in Russia, it was hard but it was worth it. You became a famous surgeon worldwide because of your expertise, not an easy achievement.

When you were about to leave, you bumped into a small group of people you knew so well. ‘(F/N)… Is that really you…?’ It was one of the four rappers from the hip-hop line—Wonwoo who recognized you. ‘I’ve really changed so much haven’t I?’ You let out a small laugh. ‘Man, we definitely should have a reunion! It’s been like what? A gazillion years since I last saw you! You’ve grown taller!’ S. Coups ruffled your hair, making it messy.

‘How’s work?’ Seungkwan asked. ‘It’s no joke dealing with patients but I’m here on a vacation.’ ‘So, if I get sick, would you heal me?’ The8 smirked. ‘I would, since it’s my job to save people but let’s hope I don’t have to meet you in an operating theatre.’ The others laughed along. They asked for your contact number and you gave them before parting ways.

The moment you went back home, your phone started vibrating and ringing like crazy. It was the guys you met earlier who kept spamming your phone with notifications. It was pleasant to meet old friends again but it also brought back painful memories, the ones you tried hard to forget. Lev brought you back from memory lane with a simple peck on your cheek, smiling brightly and asking if you wanted to play some games with him, you agreed so you could distract yourself from your past.

Meanwhile, back at the dorms, S. Coups was busy telling everyone his encounter with you to everyone who was present which was all of the members except for Mingyu because he was away for a photoshoot. ‘Do you think we should tell him about this?’ Dino asked. ‘Well, we’ve known both of them before we debuted. Maybe we should tell him, it’s not fair to keep him in the dark after all.’ Hoshi made a point and some of the members agreed. ‘But if we tell him, would he go back and find her?’ Jun asked and made everyone think twice again.

‘Look, we all know that kid still has feelings for her but if we told her that she moved on, he’ll be devastated.’ Jeonghan said. ‘Who will be devastated?’ Mingyu’s voice startled everyone and the conversation ended abruptly. ‘Seungkwan will be devastated if he lost his ring…!’ Woozi blurted out and made the latter glare at him and Mingyu looking at them with a puzzled expression. ‘I’m pretty sure everyone would if they lost theirs.’ Mingyu raised a brow at them, he knew that they were hiding something but decided not to pursue the matter since he was tired and went into his room.

‘Phew… That was close…’ Woozi heaved a relief. ‘Why me of all people?’ Seungkwan crossed his arms and looked at him, annoyed. ‘Because I just so happen to be looking at you, now shut up because the conversation ended ages ago.’ He retaliated. Everyone was fidgeting nervously at the table when having dinner, casting glances at each other every now and then. ‘There’s something you’re hiding aren’t you?’ Mingyu said casually, making everyone in the room tense up. The members looked at each other and to the leader who agreed after contemplating for a while.

‘We met (F/N) today.’ S. Coups said and that was all it took to send Mingyu into a state of shock. ‘Where?’ He demanded, nearly slamming the bowl of ramen he was previously eating on the table and startling Vernon. ‘Dude, finish your ramen first THEN we’ll tell you.’ The8 simply said and that shut him up effectively. Mingyu now found himself running on the streets, he didn’t care if he bumped into people and received angry remarks in return, he just needed to get to where you are. Just a few more blocks… He thought to himself, pushing himself harder.

‘Take out the trash will you?’ Your mother asked and you agreed, doing what you were told. You were about to go back in when you heard someone gripped your shoulder and panting hard, you went defensive and elbowed whoever had the guts to touch you this late at night. When the guy groaned and lifted his head up, you received the most immense shock in your life.

‘Mingyu…? What are you doing here? How did you know I was back?’ You tried your best not to let your voice crack. ‘Why…? Why did you leave me…?’ At this point, you felt stuffy and you pushed him away. ‘Make no mistake. It was YOU who dumped me, I left for Russia for a better life and to complete my studies.’ You said coldly and turned to go back inside the confines of your house but he wouldn’t let you do so just yet as he hugged you from behind, like what he used to do when you were still with him.

‘Please… Just listen to me for a while… I know what I did was wrong but I really regretted my decisions. I shouldn’t have left you for another girl