Chapter 11

Chul stared, wide eyed. They did not move an inch. They are still in the real world. “strange…” Yeon Joo look up at her husband to understand what he is talking about but was shocked to see her father gone.

“Appa?” she pulled at the blankets and called out, “Appa?” Yeon Joo started to cry harder. Kang Chul pulled her up from her seat and took her out. 

So bong stared at Chul as he went outside of the room, “Seonsaengnim-eun, eodi--?” 

“He went back.” Chul put Yeon Joo down on the chair by the table and gave her a glassful of water. So Bong was wondering what had really happened that he went back and stared at the empty room. He checked the bathroom and even the space under the table but there was no Oh Sung Moo. When he finally went out to the kitchen, he saw Chul waiting for him, with Oh Yeon Joo gone.  

“So Bong-ah. I have a favor to ask.”

“Mw-mworago--?”

“So Bong-a. We have to go back to the manga world. The baby is developing there and as Yeon Joo stay here longer, both of them are at risk.”

“what would you like me to do?” So Bong was getting nervous now. He doesn’t like how this conversation is turning. 

“You will be our spy. You will be the one to monitor the exchange between the two worlds and try to manipulate the W world. I need you to be alert of everything and update me…”

“Eottogheo? I am here in the real world and you are there. How would I--?”

“I will send you letters and you will send me clues. There must be a definite time for you to message me. How about 8 in the evening? Or when the sun finally sets? Once the lights went up?” Chul was suggesting crazy ideas and all So Boong could do is to nod his head. 
“Ani. Mwo, I’ll just send you a note.” 

Chul took Yeon Joo’s hand and smiled at her. In an instant, they vanished in plain sight with So Boong barely registering it. 

*

Chul blink back as he gaze at the wonderful chandelier above his head. 

He is back. They are back. 

He smiled at Yeon Joo but found out that she was asleep. He put her down on the bed and smiled to himself. Now, the game is on. Now, he will be able to move. 

Chul spend the rest of the hour planning. He called Do Yeon and asked his bodyguards to do a perimeter check. He also asked Do Yeon about the threats and Do Yeon confirmed saying that it was actually Han Cheol Heo’s son who was looking for him. 

Chul asked Do Yeon to do everything that he could to protect Yeon Joo. Do Yeon promised that he would and they both stared at Yeon Joo. 

Do Yeon left them  alone. Chul settled next to Yeon Joo. He held her hand and whispered, “what would I do? This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have—” Chul stopped as Yeon Joo opened her eyes. She smiled at him and said, “What nonsense. This is your not your fault. I am with  you now, don’t blame yourself.”

Chul gave her a smile but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He is so worried about what will happen. Now that they are here, he was able to manipulate this world but now he have to protect not only one but two. He pulled Yeon Joo close and she said, “Are you worried?”

Kang Chul nodded at her and she replied, “I am too.” She held unto him, her grip tightening as she look into his eyes, “are you happy to have this baby with me?” her question caught him off guard. “I know. It is hard because you can’t remember anything from the past but it is harder for me too.” Chul stared at her as she cried, sobbing on her hands. “Yeon Joo—”
“I understand. You don’t have to say anything.” She wipe away her tears and continued, “I do not know what will happen to me and the baby. I wanted to save the baby but I do not know, I do not know…” She turn her back from Chul, crying pitifully because she felt that she was the only one bearing this trial. 
Chul reach out a hand towards her but she was already asleep. Sighing, he took her on his arms and kissed her forehead. “Crazy. I am happy because you are here with me. You are the key to my life, you are my only purpose. I am happy that finally, there will be an addition to our small family.” He kissed her forehead and fell asleep next to her, his arm stretched so she will comfortably lay on it. 

*
 Yeon joo woke up. She look around but there is no Chul she doesn’t know where she went and she hated it. She sat up and immediately she rushed towards the bathroom. She was emptying her stomach of the food she ate when Chul suddenly emerge from the room. He held her hair for her and handed her a glass of water. “Gwaenchanha?”

Yeon Joo could still remember his confuse face yesterday when she ask him about the baby. Her moods shift once again and she felt really irritated at him. Chul urge her to eat breakfast with him but she just lay down the bed, not moving. Chul decided to play on her terms as he snatch the cup of rice and soup from the table and bring it towards the bedroom. 

He lay the food down on the folding table and slowly  assisted Yeon Joo. She did not resist and after giving her some, Yeon joo insisted to do it on her own. They ate on silence. The topic from last night looming over them like a dark cloud. Chul knows that if he did not spread the umbrella of explanation first, the rain of doubt will surely fall. 

He gradually finished his food as he thought of what to say. He glance at Yeon Joo and she finishes the soup in a slurp. He cleared his throat and said, “I am very happy.” 

His words caught her attention that she focuses her gaze on him. “ I was a fool not to answer you directly last night. I was taken aback. The emotions I feel are overwhelming that I couldn’t find words to explain to you.” He took her hands and pulled her close. “ You are the key to my life. You are my greatest gift and having you pregnant with a baby that is me and you, makes me the happiest person on earth. In both worlds, in fact. I am sorry if I couldn’t say much. It’s just that I love you, so much.” He lean down and kiss her tenderly. Ending any misunderstanding between the both of them for now. 

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