“Hyunjoong-sshi Somin-sshi welcome back to Korea” Siwon bowed

“Anneoyong Siwon” Somin smiled while Hyunjoong nodded

“Been well?” Hyunjoong asked

“De. You’re trip went fine?” Siwon asked

“Yea”

“The car’s outside. Please wait while I bring in your lugguage” Siwon bowed and left

“Welcome back home baby” Hyunjoong smiled  and wrapped his arm around Somin’s and walked towards their car.

----------

Jihoo stopped his car outside Somin’s place and looked at his watch.

“It’s late. Granny will beat me into a pulp” Jihoo sighed “Well you’re here so its better you give it a try then go back fearing Granny” he said and got down. He couraged up and rang the doorbell.

Granny opened the door and her eyes grew big “Jihoo!”

“Anneoyong ha-harameoni” Jihoo greeted nervously

“Why are you standing outside? Come in!” Granny opened the door wide and invited him in. Jihoo wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome and stepped hesitantly into the living room

“Sit sit..”Granny said and Jihoo obeyed “You were in Australia right? When did you come back?”

“Today. Infact just a few hours back”

“Shincha?”

“De…” Jihoo replied and stealthily glanced around the house. When he couldn’t spot Sominhe finally said “Mianhe harameoni…I know its late…but I wanted to meet Somin…my sister..”Jihoo sighed

“What about your sister?” Granny inquired

Jihoo looked up hesitantly “There’s this guy she suddenly wants to marry…I mean it’s really weird its hardly been months since her breakup with…”

“I understand your worry,son.”

“That’s why I wanted to meet Somin…discuss with her”

“But Somin’s not here,dear” Granny said

“Not here? Where did she go at this hour?” jihoo asked worriedly

“She’s out on a vacation with Hyunjoong” Granny stated matter-of-factly

“WHAT?!” Jihoo rose up from the couch in surprise

“Yes. Didn’t you know? Infact they’re supposed to return today. I am up waiting for them” Granny informed

Just then they both heard a car driving into the driveway. “It must be them” Granny said and worriedly glanced at Jihoo before going forward to open the door. Jihoo was to shock to respond,he was so overwhelmed with fear,horror and surprise

Granny took one final look at the frozen Jihoo and then opened the door

“Harameoni!” Somin cried and hugged her granny “I missed you!”

“I missed you too kiddo” granny said patting her back

Somin suddenly felt strong hands painfully pulling her away from Granny. She opened her eyes to find Jihoo standing before her breathing heavily

“Jihoo?” Somin cried—she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“YAH! What are you doing? Have all of you lost your minds?”

“Wa-wae?” Somin wa taken aback. She was so happy to see Jihoo. She expected that they’ll talk and go out. But instead he was shouting at her!

Just then Hyunjoong entered carrying Somin’s lugguage. His face stiffened as soon as he saw Jihoo. Jihoo looked at him and his blood started to boil

“Wae? How can you go off on a holiday with him ALL ALONE?” Jihoo yelled “Don’t you have any sense of your own security?”

Somin creased her eyebrows in confusion trying to decipher Jihoo’s implication. But she failed to understand.

“And you!” Jihoo charged at Hyunjoong “What do you think of yourself huh? Taking her out like this? Don’t you have any virtues! The media says ‘Oh Hyunjoong is such a gentleman!’ but in reality you’re a skimpy bastard—“

“JIHOO!” Somin cried

Jihoo stopped and looked at her in despair.

“Don’t talk to him that way!” Somin warned

“You’re siding with him?” Jihoo said “Don’t you get it?! He’s promising you big things now but once he’s done with you he’ll throw you away!” Jihoo looked away pressing his temples.

“Jihoo-ah” Somin tried to explain.

“Are you really this naïve?” Jihoo sighed in disbelief “Or you just want to sleep with him and—“

Jihoo couldn’t finish his sentence as Hyunjoong’s hand hit his face hard making him fall back a few steps

“HYUNJOONG!” Somin and granny tried to pull back the angry Hyunjoong charging towards the injured Jihoo. But he was too strong for them and his fury too overwhelming. He pulled Jihoo’s collar with both hands and brought him closer.

“Don’t you dare say anything about my wife!” Hyunjoong yelled

Colour drained away from Jihoo’s face. “Wi-wife?” Jihoo stuttered and looked at Somin who was now on the verge of crying.

Granny rushed to the two men fighting and tugged at Hyunjoong’s hand that was still gripping Jihoo’s collar. Finally Hyunjoong left him with a jerk which along with the shock he got,made Jihoo tumble onto the floor.

All this while, never for once, did Jihoo’s eyes flicker away from Somin. He watched as Somin,with tears in her eyes, went over to Hyunjoong’s side. Wife? He was his wife? When Hyunjoong told him, she never denied it,nor showed any signs…then does that mean Hyunjoong has managed to take away the love of his life? He couldn’t believe it. He somehow managed to gather his strength and clumsily got up. He feared what Hyunjoong said was tru but still his heart was hoping against hope that maybe,maybe it was all a lie. “Somin…” he asked helplessly,tears sparkling in his eyes. “is it true? What he’s saying?” he whimpered, he couldn’t hold back his tears as they started pouring down his cheeks. “Just tell me he’s lying….please…I wont doubt you…I wont say anything to you…just tell me he’s lying” he cried

It was then that Somin finally understood Jihoo’s heart. All his words,his worry,his accusation now made sense—he loved her! Somin felt guilt-stricken. “I’m sorry Jihoo-ah…Mianhe…I didn’t know” she cried, weeping alongside.

“NO! NO! NO!”Jihoo placed his hands over his ears in a futile attempt to unheard everything. He felt his whole world crashing. It’s all over for him. His love is lost; the love he came back for, his sole love. His first loves is gone…his lovestory will remain incomplete forever.

“Jihoo-ah mianhe..” Somin took a step towards him but Jihoo couldn’t take it. The pain in his heart was too much—it was overpowering. He couldn’t bear it and if Somin came close to him now, he knew he’ll break. So he retracked and dashed out of the house.

“JIHOO! JIHOO! JIHOO!” Somin followed him out of the house but before she could reach him Jihoo got into his car and drove away at top speed. Somin dropped to her knees at the gates crying out Jihoo’s name one last time. Hyunjoong understood the whole situation,the fact that Somin was unaware of Jihoo’s feelings. He sat down beside and pulled her close,letting her cry her heart out