12 

Chul kissed her tenderly and stopped. Yeon Joo’s eyes were glazed with emotions. How could he make her feel so vulnerable? She looked at him, wondering silently when he said, “ Go and change. We will go out to see some movies.”
She was startled as she stared at him. She went off to the bathroom to change and after a few minutes, she was ready. They went off to the movies without any body guard. She selected a romantic comedy movie and Chul enjoyed the popcorn while she laugh and laugh. Though the ending scene made her quite teary. 

“Waeyo? Appeu?( why? Are you hurt?”

“Ani, Geunyang. Naneun neomu haengboghaesseoyo (No, I was just so happy). I wanted to do this with you ever since the beginning.” Yeon Joo took his hand and nuzzled it with her nose. He smiled as he pulled her closer. They went off to the grocery to shop for some things. It made Yeon Joo remember those moments on which Kang Chul is still suffering as a fugitive. Pity that he doesn’t remember all of it now.

Yeon Joo feeling quite down, insisted that she should have some ice cream.  They pick up the necessities like a normal couple: Yeon Joo enjoying her ice cream while Chul took some items.  It was like nothing has change between the both of them. Same as always.

They paid for their items and went home. While driving, Yeon Joo asked him about the prospect of them moving out.  She told him that she understand his predicament of moving into a home because of what happen in the past but then there is a difference now. They are already free from the villains. 

Chul sighed as he took her hand, “ I would love to do so but we have to make sure that you and the baby will be safe.” He took her hand and kiss her knuckles. His worry about Oh Seong Moo’s warning, burning on the back of his head. What if he’s right? What if there is a new villain after them?

Chul look down on his wife and gave her a tight smile. They arrive at the hotel in no time. Yeon joo prepare dinner. She tried  to convince Chul to agree on her proposal but then he wouldn’t give in. 

He still have his doubts and demons to deal with. 

They ate stir fried chicken and retired to their room. Yeon Joo snuggled close to him and he smiled as he tucked her under his chin, “hmm, you are still so small.” Chul receive an elbow to his ribs which made him chuckle as he kiss his forehead, “Goodnight, yeobo.”
 
Yeon Joo stared up at him and remembered their past, “Goodnight…yeobo.” She felt quite uneasy as she say them out loud because until now she couldn’t help but wonder if the husband she have loved is still here in this new version. 

“Omo! Why are you so hesitant? You wanna call me Oppa, am I correct?” Yeon Joo elbowed his ribs once again and said silently, “saranghae.” 

Though Chul heard it loud and clear in this silent room. He smirked in the darkness and kiss her fully on the lips, “Nado, saranghae.”

*
Chul awoke with a start. His hands drifted off to Yeon Joo’s side of the bed only to find it empty. Pulling the gun from under his pillow, he slowly slid off the bed and began walking towards the living room. 

He was about to make it out of his room when he heard someone from the bathroom. He went towards it only to find Yeon Joo leaning towards the toilet bowl as she empty her stomach out. “Gwaenchanha?” Chul approach her slowly and held his air away from her face. 

“You shouldn’t be in here. You should—” Yeon Joo lean towards the bowl again and again , turning paler than before. Chul didn’t move. He stayed close to her, watching her heave. When she was finish, he took her into his arms and they began walking out of the room. 

Chul made some pancakes for her to have breakfast with. Yeon Joo was surprise that he was able to cook well nowadays, and tried to hide her smile with a bite. She finishes the pancake quickly which delights Chul. “Mwoya? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Ani, mwo…” He smirked before tucking a stray hair behind Yeon Joo’s ear. “I am just happy to see you happy.” Yeon Joo just nodded her head and did not make a comment at how ridiculous he looks when he is smiling so wide.  After breakfast, they do the dishes together. Chul was still smiling at Yeon Joo as he does the dishes. She insisted to help him but he insisted so she just sat there, staring at him. 

Yeon Joo was so absorbed of staring at him and was slightly preoccupied. Hmm, what should she do to make him agree to her on moving out. She wanted to have a real—
“What do you want to do?”
Kang Chul lean down on her making her look up. She frown, trying to think of a thing she wanted to do with her husband. 

She was about to tell him that she would like to visit the park when his phone rings. Chul answered the phone making Yeon Joo glare at him, “Oh, So hee-ya…,”

Did he just say So Hee? 

Yeon Joo frown at him as he continue the call. She couldn’t help the green monster resurfacing deep within her as she glared at Chul. Is he still in contact with her? What could be the reason of So Hee’s call? 

“hmmm….jigeum?”  Chul looks down on Yeon Joo and nodded. “Arasseo, give me 5 minutes.” He ended the call and look at Yeon Joo. “ Mianhaeyo. I have to look at something. I will go to Busan this afternoon to confirm something. Meanwhile, you should rest. I will get back as soon as possible.” He lean down to give her a kiss on the lip but she turn her head making it end up on her cheek. 

Chul caressed her cheek but Yeon Joo felt irritated towards him. She can’t help but shrug away from him and collapse down on the bed, turning away from him. Chul sigh and began packing some clothes. He was not sure how long he would stay. It might take a while. 

With a last glance, he turn towards Yeon Joo to see her sleeping soundly. He smiled and caressed her cheek making her stir, “Mianhae, yeobo. Saranghae…” He kissed her forehead and went out of the room. 

*

Yeon Joo waited for him to go before she let herself cry. She couldn’t help but feel jealous that Chul would go with So Hee. Can’t he take Yeon Joo with him? 

And why is he so anxious? Do they have a lead of the new villain now?

Thinking of it just makes her jumpy that she bolted out of the bed, trying to look for something to do. She go through the books on the back of their bed and was delighted to find what she was looking for. 

The book was the one she had marked before. It contains the things she wanted to do with Chul though it made her sad remembering that he isn’t here. 

Bringing it back on their bed, she couldn’t help but cry silently. What would she do now? Should she do this all alone and not wait for him? She is so bored and so tired. She wanted to know the truth and above all that, she wanted to help Chul. 

With a determine expression, she rise up from the bed once more and headed inside their closet to change. 

It’s time to make a game changer. 

계속