Prologue

They pulled away from each other after sharing a rather long and passionate kiss before meeting each other for yet another warm embrace. Despite the simplicity of the act, it echoed love and affection enough to tear down the four walls that enclosed them and sheltered their intimacy, only meant for them to feel, only meant for them to see. The moment was called for with their hearts beating in sync, silently proclaiming their dedication towards each other with mere gestures yet transcending whatever word would come to their minds which contained only one thing - surrender.

The warmth left their bodies as they decided to let go of each other albeit reluctantly, but the smiles remained intact. The bright and proud smile he flashed at her direction made up for the small degree her still raw and swollen lips tilted upwards in a sheepish smile. The high has left her and although it was not hard for her to imagine that not long ago, she and the person before her were tangled between the sheets, covered with a thin sheen of perspiration and set afire by their passion for each other, attested to by the crimson stain that was her maidenhead, she still found it difficult to believe that it really happened.

Regrets were all but forgotten. She might have shed a tear or two but she would not exchange the night with him for the world. Their union was made in love, blind trust for each other, want...need and sheer passion. It had been agonizingly slow and urgent, burned them yet made them shiver, pained them until eventually, pleasure came, brought them to heights they never knew existed.

In spite of the doubt reflected in his eyes, afraid he might have caused her pain in the process, afraid he might have caused her to feel negatively towards him, she assured that everything would be alright and nothing could come between them with just a mere squeeze of his hand, engulfed in the warmth of hers. It was all he needed to know that he should believe because she believed in him without inhibitions. It was all he needed and nothing else. He had enough confidence in him to think that he would survive the odds with nothing as long as she was with him.

It was getting dark outside and yet there they stood under the lintel of his bedroom door, gazing at each other intently. Sooner or later the magic would ebb away but they both knew it would soon come for them again. With the rising of the sun, paving way to another day, they had nothing to worry about.

She broke the cord that tied their gazes together and flashed him one last smile before saying, "I need to go."

He smiled and laughed awkwardly, placing a hand over his nape. "Of course." He hesitated for a moment, but the words, though staggered, came out of his mouth for the umpteenth time. "Are you sure you're alright? You're not hurt?"

She looked thoughtful. "Of course, I hurt. It hurts a lot." At odds to her words, she was still smiling at him. "How many times do you plan to ask me before I am out the door anyway?"

His eyes rounded before he screwed them shut. When he opened them again, they reflected his unspoken apology. He can't get himself to spit it out, not even for his life or hers.

She chuckled then. "Wonwoo, you're such a kid. It's natural for me to feel like this." Her face turned a delicious shade of rose. "But I regret nothing and I am fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you..." Uncertainty settled in as her gaze met his. "...regret it?"

He shook his head vehemently. "No...No. Why would you think that?"

She smiled then. "Then snap out of it." She chuckled. "See you tomorrow."

He smiled cheekily at her. "I'll miss you."

"Shut up." With a slight laugh, she walked down the stairs and headed for the door.

Wonwoo entered the house once more, barely taking a step into the living room when he saw that she left her school bag on top of the center table where she left it in haste. He smiled at the thought of their eagerness for each other as he picked up the bag in a hurry.

He made his way out of the door, freezing under the lintel as he gazed upon the figure of his girlfriend along with another male friend of his. He blinked, feeling his eyes grow hot from behind.

Before him, albeit only being silhouettes in the dark, slightly illuminated by the street lamp was the girl he thought he would love for the rest of his life, kissing his friend.

Anger welled up in him, his eyes wide with fury like coals ablaze, while his fingers grew slack until he let go of the bag in his hand. The dull thud as it met the ground made her turn around and face Wonwoo, a startled expression on her face.

"Won -"

It was too late. He refused to confront her and refused to see her face. Right after he has professed his love for her, right after he thought she has given everything to him, she was there with another man.

He entered the house but not before he has made sure that she saw just how hurt he was at that moment. Slamming the door shut, he collapsed behind it, hugging his knees to his chest while he tried to control his breathing.

The rest of the evening was spent listening to the sound of battered flesh and bone against the solidity of the wooden door that was once always open but would never again open.