Only two days passed…

            Both Samar and Krizzia were totally amazed with Ellie’s quick recovery. It was like she was instantly transformed into a different person.

            “Are you sure about what you’re doing? You know, you should rest,” Samar said with concern. She then slowly zipped up Ellie’s dress.

            Ellie faced her friend and smiled. “Thank you for caring so much about me. But I really need to continue with my work. I think I’ve already caused so much disturbance in the DBSK project. I really need to make up.”

            “But are you absolutely sure that you’re all right? What about the thing that happened in the alley? Doesn’t that bother you at all? I mean you haven’t said a word about it. I’m quite concerned that you’re starting to hide your true feelings again,” Samar said with a low voice. She didn’t want to voice out all the things that were running in her mind at that exact moment.

            Ellie looked at her friend carefully, then sighed heavily. She sat on her bed and started to talk. “I’m sorry for making you and Krizzia worried. But I think I am really, really all right now. Well… not perfectly fine, but just enough to start things over again. About the incident that happened in the alley, would you believe me if I said that I wasn’t that affected at all. During that exact moment… while  those men were touching me… yes, I was scared. And I really thought that I was going to lose my mind again. Good thing that I didn’t. And because of that incident I suddenly realized something…”

            “What?” Samar asked curiously.

            “I realized that no matter how hard I try to lock myself up and separate myself from other people, destiny will always find a way to make me experience all the things that I am most afraid of. So after giving it some serious thinking, I have finally decided to give life another try. This time I will try to be stronger. Instead of running away every time a problem appears, I will now try to face all my fears. I will try to face them bravely and I won’t hide anymore. I don’t want to be scared for the rest of my life. I want to be normal again. I want to learn how to move on… how to forget and how to forgive,” Ellie said with determination in her voice.

            Samar didn’t know what to say. She felt like she wanted to scream and dance because of the happiness she was feeling. Ellie had finally decided to face everything … on her own. She quickly went to Ellie’s side and tightly embraced her.

            “You don’t know how happy I am with your decision. Always remember Krizzia and I will always support you. We will always help you in whatever you want to do.”

            Ellie felt so secure and loved in Samar’s embrace. She closed her eyes and let her whole body and mind feel at ease.

            “Thank you, Samar. I promise from now on. I will try to be stronger,” she uttered.

***************************

            All the DBSK boys together with the production staff were totally surprised with Ellie’s sudden appearance on the scheduled location.

            Micky hurriedly approached Ellie. “What are you doing here? You should go home and rest,” he said with concern.

            Ellie smiled. “I’m fine. I know I have already caused so much trouble for everyone here. Let me make up and continue with all my unfinished work I have here.”

            Micky carefully stared at her. He could see that she was really serious and determined to do her work. Then he looked around at all the staff members that were already looking at them with curiosity written all over their faces.

            He couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “Fine, just make sure you don’t over work yourself. I will be keeping a close watch on you okay?” he uttered sweetly.

            Ellie nodded. “Thank you. You’re really sweet.”

****************************

            Only a few meters away….

            Jaejoong slowly turned away from the scene that was breaking his heart into a million pieces. He couldn’t bear to see the smile on Ellie’s face as she gazes at Micky’s face. Somehow he couldn’t help but think that her smile should belong to him and not to Micky.

            He hurriedly walked away. His heart was already too heavy with regret and pity.

            “Hyung, where are you going?” Max called out.

            “I’m just going to take a short break. I suddenly have a headache,” Jaejoong lied.

            U-Know and Xiah exchanged glances with each other and just shook their heads in pity.

**************************

            The day passed by rather quickly. All the staff members were quite happy with the sudden appearance of Ellie on the set.

            All the works and decisions that had been postponed and left undecided were finally finished.

            Ellie worked continuously and tirelessly without any complaints. She knew she needed to work fast for everyone’s sake.

            It was already midnight when the staff members finally told the DBSK boys and Ellie that they were free to leave.

            Max yawned and stretched his arms. “I’m so tired. I can sleep for a whole week straight,” he uttered.

            Xiah laughed. “You wouldn’t last half a day without putting any food into your mouth.”

            “Hey, where’s Jae? He was here a few minutes ago,” U-Know asked curiously as he suddenly noticed that Jaejoong wasn’t around anymore.

            Micky started to look around. “Strange. He suddenly disappeared,” he uttered.

*******************************

            Jaejoong slowly walked to the spot where their van was parked. He wanted some time alone. It was like he couldn’t breathe whenever he was around Micky and Ellie. He knew he was being unfair. But he couldn’t teach his heart not to feel pain.

            He then leaned on the door of their van. It was already cold but he didn’t care. The coldness he was feeling inside his heart was more unbearable.

            A few hours ago, while he silently watched Micky lovingly take care of Ellie, his heart was bleeding to the point that it was driving him mad. He wanted to get angry but he just controlled himself. He knew he didn’t have any right to get angry in the first place. He was nothing compared to Micky.

            He covered his face with his two hands. If only things weren’t so complicated, he would surely try to fight for her. He had waited so long for her to return to him. But he never expected that their paths would cross again in such a cruel and painful way.

            “I don’t think I can take this anymore. I miss you Lena…. I miss you so much,” he uttered out in total frustration and pain. “Aaaaaahhhhhh!” he screamed to get the heavy feeling out of his chest. Slowly his knees gave way… he fell down on the ground and started to sob. He had been controlling his tears ever since Ellie appeared on the set. He didn’t want her to see him crying because of her. He wanted to pretend that he wasn’t affected by Micky and Ellie’s relationship.

            He cried and sobbed just like a small child that had lost something very valuable to him.

            Unknown to him… as he cried…. Someone was silently watching him inside one of the cars that were parked.

            Ellie couldn’t understand why her heart was feeling very heavy while she watched Jaejoong weep uncontrollably. It was like a part of her wanted to run to him and comfort him.

            She sighed. No matter how hard she tried she still couldn’t deny the fact that Jaejoong still meant something to her. He was still a part of her life. He was her best friend before and it was something she can never change.

            Minutes passed, Ellie continued to watch while her heart was feeling pity for Jaejoong. Unexpectedly, a tear ran down her cheek. She immediately wiped it away. But after the first drop of tear, several tears quickly followed.

            “I’m sorry if I’m making you so sad. And I’m more sorry for making you cry. Ever since we were small, I have never seen you cry before. This is the first time I’ve seen your tears. I’m sorry. Now I know I made your life miserable as well. Now… I know, you missed me too. Somehow it makes me happy. At least, now I know I meant something to you,” she uttered as her tears freely ran down her cheeks. “I guess it’s really time for me to forgive and forget. I forgive you now Jaejoong. It’s just so sad that we can never be the same way we were before. I’m already a broken soul with nothing to give. I don’t even have the confidence to stand beside you … even as a friend. Before I had the courage to be with you… but not anymore. I’m sorry I will never have the chance to live the life we always dreamed of… Please don’t cry, Jae…. From now on, I promise everything will be all right.”