Prepare yourself for a LONG and twisting chapter! By the way, I wrote this chapter while hearing this song. Have a good reading!

 

A Century waiting for you - Part VI – Final

 

Jesse watched the great castle from afar as he heard steps behind him. Already knowing who was, he turned around slowly and added:

 

“Tae… I need a favor of yours.”

 

“Yes, master. Anything.” The butler promptly answered:

 

“Does not matter what it happen, do not enter in the castle.”

 

“B-but, master. It is dangerous, I can not let you go alo-“

 

“Tae… I can not risk your life. This is my fight and the enemy is astute. If anything happens to me… please continue with your life and… take care of Stephanie for me…”

 

“But-“ “Please?” “Yes, master.”

 

A defeated Taeyeon sighed as he nodded his head in acceptance. Jesse bowed gratefully as he placed his hand on Taeyeon’s shoulder, whispering:

 

“You are my first and loyal friend, Tae. Do not let the life escape from your hands, enjoy every moment. Thank you for everything, my friend… Farewell.”

 

“Thank you, master… Farewell…”

 

Taeyeon spoke weakly as he watched his master run to the castle to save his beloved. He could only pray to the heavens for everything ends fine.

 

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

 

After cross a long bridge, lord Jung found himself before a big and sturdy gate made of iron. He scanned his surroundings to find another entrance, however, to his surprise, the gate opened by itself, revealing the way to the castle’s yard. It wasn’t a mystery; the enemy already knew about his arrival. The latter kept his fierce and cold semblance as he did not waste time to enter by the castle long doors.

 

Again, Jesse found himself into the darkness, but it wasn’t a problem since his sight was incredibly sharp. The vampire rushed by the long corridor once he saw a faint light at the end of the aisle. As soon he reached his destination, a metal door was instantaneously closed behind him, eliminating any chances of coming back, yet, he will only leave this place with his beloved. Nonetheless, before he could look around, he heard an annoyingly familiar voice, drawing his attention:

 

“Welcome to my humble castle. I was expecting for you… Jesse…”

 

“Siwon… why am I not surprised? You can not hide your putrid smell from me…”

 

The lord frowned when he saw the duke at the room’s second floor, staring at him wickedly. The latter laughed loudly at Jesse’s comment as he rubbed his chin, uttering maliciously:

 

“Hmm… is that so? Oh, I am surprised with your skills. It is a pity that you made all this way for nothing. Your precious beloved will be the last key for my plan… hahahahahahaha!”

 

“WHERE IS SHE?!”

 

Jesse shouted angrily as his sharp canine teeth loomed and his eyes were glowing yellow. His hands were curled into tight fists as he was ready to launch on the wicked duke. Seeing that Siwon kept laughing mockingly at him, Jesse lost his patience as he prepared himself to charge:

“I SWEAR… IF YOU LAY ONE FINGER ON HER… I WILL—“

 

“Ah ah ah, I would not do that if I was you… or else your beloved might suffer the consequences…”

 

As if it was a cue, Siwon snapped his finger and lights illuminated the entire room. Jesse closed his eyes for a second due the flash, but once he opened again, he realized that it was inside of some kind of alchemic laboratory, ready to make a ritual. And right a few meters of him, there was his love chained tightly on the wall, Stephanie still was unconscious. At this moment, even without a heartbeat, Jesse felt his interior crushing and crumbling down. He widened his eyes as he desperately tried to run to her and set her free:

 

“STEPHANIE!”

 

“Not so fast, prince. If you take another step, I can end her just like this.”

 

To prove his point, Siwon smiled deviously while snapping his finger while blocking Jesse’s way. The latter groaned angrily, really tempted to rip Siwon’s head of his body, but Stephanie’s life was in danger and right now, he had to be extra cautious to not make harm to her. Refraining himself momentarily, the lord tensed his jaw as he never broke his stare of his chained beloved. Seeing his ‘cooperation’, Siwon smirked in victory as he shook his head into a taunt:

 

“Tsk tsk tsk Jung, Jung, Jung... for a vampire, you are very weak… You have such a potential, but… you thrown everything just because of a woman?”

 

“You do not have rights to talk about her like thi--!!!”

 

“Tsk… pathetic…” Siwon kicked Jesse’s face with such strength that the latter hits his back on a wall, a crack was created due the impact. The duke shook his head in disapproval while a dizzy Jesse stood up slowly with blood dripping from his mouth. He spits the red liquid and wiped his lips with his sleeve as he glared the wicked duke. The latter laughed like a maniac and mocked:

 

“Oh, the cat ate your tongue? Where is the furious vampire now? Hmphhh, defeated because of a stupid love?! Hilarious hahahahaha!!!”

 

Before Jesse could even blink, Siwon was right before him, punching and kicking him endlessly. With a devilish smirk, he taunted the beaten lord:

 

“Awww aren’t you going to fight? Are you afraid that I can hurt your precious Stephanie? Oh, do not worry, I have better plans for her… well… after I take her powerful blood…”

 

“You are not going to arghh…” Jesse dragged himself up as he was pressed against the wall with Siwon’s hand gripping on his neck forcefully. The latter eyes were glowing red as an evil smirk never left his face. Meanwhile, after loud noises, Stephanie felt herself recovering her conscious as she weakly fluttered her eyes open. However, she widened her eyes when she saw that she was in a laboratory, but her heart was crushed when she saw Siwon beating and hurting her Jesse constantly. With a scream of despair, she called for her beloved:

 

“JESSEEEEEEEEEEEEE! SIWON, STOP! LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

 

“Oh… the sleeping beauty woke up at least…”

 

Siwon turned his attention to Stephanie and smiled maliciously, seeing his actions, Jesse stood up quickly as he warned dangerously:

“Siwon, I swear if you hurt her I –“

 

“Hahahahaha! What will you do? I can snap her neck into a second if I want to!”

 

“YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TOUCH HER!”

 

A furious Jesse was about to charge against Siwon, yet the latter placed his hand into a lever and spoke into a disdainful tone:

 

“If I were you, I would sit and wait. See these chains? If I raise this lever, your beloved Stephanie will be… hmm dismembered before your eyes? Awww you would not like to see that, right?”

 

“N-No, p-please, I will d-do anything, j-just do no hurt her!”

 

Jesse felt his heart aching only at the thought; he can risk his life, but not Stephanie’s. Yet, into a flash, Siwon pulled another lever as all of the sudden, chains wrapped around Jesse’s torso, wrists and ankles. The magical chain had spikes, so if Jesse dared to make a move, it would pierce on his flesh. When the vampire looked to his situation, he tried to move helplessly, but the spikes already were making cuts and perforating his body. A sudden laughter filled the laboratory as Siwon scoffed:

 

“Now, you are not going to bother me anymore. So where was I? Oh, yes, I will draw your precious blood, Stephanie!”

 

“Why are you doing this?! Why do you want my blood?! If you want, take it! But leave Jesse alone.”

 

Stephanie screamed in despair after see her beloved wounded and chained. However, Siwon faked a frown and clapped his hands, laughing madly to himself:

“Aww how cute… sacrificing herself for a vampire? Hahaha this is new. Let me tell you something, my dear. You ask why I want your blood… well, let us say because is very special. After so long, I was trying to find the Hwang Clan and thanks to this stupid vampire, I had a bad time to look for your family… so, after so many search, I could not believe in my luck! All the time, the Hwang’s heir was right in front of me and I did not know it!”

 

“I do not understand! I am a plain person, my blood does not held anything special! Siwon, stop with this madness and let us go!”

 

Stephanie was getting angry, much more when Siwon kept laughing and enjoying their suffering. However, the duke just shook his head and eyed Jesse, smirking slyly:

 

“You do not have any idea how precious your blood is… I killed all those useless humans, looking for the perfect blood. Your blood will guarantee me an infinity source of power. With that I will be invincible! I failed at take of your great grandmother once, but I will not fail with you!”

 

“What did you say?! What has my great grandmother to do with this?!”

 

When it hit Siwon, a maniac smirk grows in his face as he turned to a bleeding Jesse. The latter was with his eyes widened, as if he was pleading him to not speak. Not wanting to lose this perfect opportunity, Siwon looked back to Stephanie and faked a gasp, as he uttered loudly:

 

“What happened Jesse? You did not tell her your little secret? Hahaha you sly vampire!”

 

“Shut up, Siwon! You do not have the rights!”

 

Jesse shouted in anger as Siwon kept laughing wickedly. However, a confused Stephanie looked to both of them and asked carefully:

 

“Secret? What is he talking about, Jesse?”

 

“Stephanie, I – I –“ The lord tried to explain desperately before it was too late, but Siwon beats him and spoke with an evil laughter:

 

“Oh… so you did not tell her ALL the truth. Tsk tsk, too bad, Jesse. I thought that a couple did not have secrets between. So, it is my task to reveal the truth… now, tell me… did your precious and beloved Jesse told you before who was his fiancée?”

 

“Siwon, stop! I am the one who must tell her!”

 

“Jesse!!!”

 

“Oh shut up!” Siwon groaned as he kicked Jesse’s face. With a devious smirk, he turned to Stephanie, who was gritting her teeth angrily at him and with her heart broke to see her beloved being beaten. So, the duke started slyly:

 

“I fear that the truth will break your heart, Stephanie, but… I must confess that you were used all this time as a mere substitute from your great grandmother…”

 

“What? I do not understand.” Stephanie asked in confusion, not understanding his words. However, Siwon faked a frown and approached of her as he dropped the ‘bomb’:

 

“Your great grandmother was… your beloved Jesse’s fiancée… Mi Young.”

 

“!!!” Stephanie widened her eyes in shock as she stared at Siwon, not knowing if her ears were making tricks in her mind. But, by the look on the duke’s face, everything was the truth. However, He walked to her and kept a ‘sad’ expression as he spoke:

 

“I am sorry for bringing the bad news. But after I casted the curse on Jesse, he could not marry with his beloved MiYoung, so he was doomed to watch her grow old with another man and die away from him. Hahahaha but being a sly fox, he thought that he encountered a new hope when he found you, a MiYoung’s identical copy hahahahaha!”

 

“Jesse… i-is that true?” A heartbroke Stephanie asked weakly:

 

“Stephanie, I – I” Jesse tried to answer, feeling ashamed as Siwon cuts their moment:

 

“Enough of stupid conversations. This time, I will make the ritual and you will not stop me, Jung!”

 

A maniac Siwon raised a lever and the ground was partly opened to reveal a ritual table. The duke pulled a debating Stephanie and laid her on the table, chaining her on the steel surface. The lady kept flailing herself and screaming:

 

“Stop, Siwon! You are insane!”

 

“Yes, I am! Hahahaha but with your blood I will be immortal! Just watch it, Jung!”

 

“LET HER GO!”

 

Jesse desperately watched the scene with widened eyes. He was chained firmly on the ground, in every move he would make, the more the spikes would penetrate in his body. The pain was insignificant. Jesse kept flailing himself to set himself free as a huge amount of blood came out of his wounds and gashes. Suddenly, Siwon raised a huge dagger to crave on Stephanie’s heart as he uttered a spell. With a wicked smirk, his eyes turned red as he spoke while staring at Jesse:

 

“This time, you lost, Jung. Her blood will be mine HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

 

“STEPHANIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

 

However, everything turned into a slow motion as Jesse watched everything. In an action of despair, the lord’s eyes glowed into an orange color as he screamed. With a sudden boost of strength, Jesse broke the chains and lunged himself to forward, violently pushing Siwon against the wall. The push was strong that the duke fainted as he was stuck on the cracked wall. Only caring by his love, Jesse quickly turned around to the table and rapidly broke Stephanie’s chains. Not losing a second, he pulled her to his embrace and mourned:

 

“Oh my God… you are safe… A-are you all right, my love?”

 

“Jesse!”

 

The lady wrapped her arms in his neck as tears rolled by their cheeks. The nightmare ended. A crying Jesse, still with glowing eyes and loomed teeth looked down and whispered helplessly:

 

“I – I thought I would lose you… my Stephanie…”

 

“I am not going anywhere. Our place is together.”

She tried to sooth him while caressing his hair and placing her forehead on his. So, he gulped, held her hands gingerly, kissing both as he spoke earnestly, and looking deeply into her eyes:

 

“Stephanie… please, forgive me for not telling all the truth… I thought that you would want to separate of me, but know… you never were a substitute. Yes, I loved your great grandmother, but… ever since I saw you, I knew that it was you… when I thought I was lost… I found you. And nothing will change my love for you.”

 

However, when she was about to answer, her blood froze when she saw Siwon as the black creature, behind of Jesse, ready to kill. In an act of love, she rapidly placed herself in front of Jesse to receive the attack. But, premeditating her action, Jesse would not forgive himself if something ever happens to his love. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he embraced her with all love, turned her around as he felt something piercing trough his heart. Stephanie widened her eyes in despair to his blood flowing endlessly by an open wound in Jesse’s chest.

 

Before that Siwon could finish, Jesse, even fatally wounded, turned around in a flash, draw and craved his sword on Siwon’s heart. The latter lost his senses and recovered to his human’s form as he spoke weakly:

 

“Y-You really hit me… I t-thought you-“

 

“You are not going to escape this time, Siwon. You will end … h-here.”

 

All of a sudden, the duke managed to laugh with blood dripping from his mouth and yelled in disdain:

 

“But y-you will never be a-able to stay with y-your Stephanie… Never! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

 

Jesse gritted his teeth, removed his sword of Siwon’s chest and uttered coldly:

 

“Then I will make s-sure to send you to hell this time!”

 

Suddenly, Jesse slashed his sword and Siwon’s head rolled out of his body. The latter’s body fell flatly on the floor and turned into a dark dust. Finally, he was finished and wont going back anymore. Relieved, Jesse sighed as his knees gave in; he would fall if Stephanie wasn’t holding him. Gingerly, she laid him on the floor, crying and sobbing into a heartbreaking tone:

 

“W-why did you do that?! *sob* It is supposed to be me! J-Jesse! Oh God *sob*”

 

However, the vampire calmly wiped her tears with some difficult. He smiled at her weakly and ignored the pain as he raised his torso a little. There is something that he must confess and won’t leave without say it. He held her cheek gently and whispered:

 

“When I came here… I – I thought m-my life was dest-troied without MiYoung… I vowed t-to protect h-her and h-her future generations… and I p-promised to myself that I – I would be i-invisible for everyone, but… after changed when I saw you for t-the first time…”

 

Stephanie kept crying as she held his cold hand tightly on her cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut and more tears rolled by her face. His words pierces on her broken heart, much more when he stared with such love, even when he was in pain. He held her cheek and lovingly confessed:

 

“You were just a ch-child… but – I will n-never forget the first time you saw me... I saw your f-fear when you th-thought that a carriage w-would smash your dear doll in the street… I – I remember t-to that I ran to grab it, I wiped t-the dirty and placed in y-your small and fragile hands gently. That moment … your eyes s-showed such innocence, such warmth and gentleness as you s-smiled for me to the first time… and I f-found myself smiling back at you… I will n-never forget that moment…”

 

Jesse added with a growing smile in his face, as he recalled the sweet memory. However, his expression turned into a caring one as he enveloped Stephanie’s hands with his, as the latter sobbed much more with his confession. He thumbed her skin gingerly and continued:

 

“Unconsciously… y-you were making your way into my frozen heart… I thought it was impossible to l-love someone again, b-but you proved to me… that I – I was wrong. I w-watched you silently to grown in a beautiful woman; every night, I would admire you from afar, b-being your silent guardian… But… the more I knew you… the more I fell hopelessly you. A-at first, I condemned myself… I was unworthy of your l-love… but the more I – I t-tried to stay away from you… more I was attracted to you… the more I loved you…”

 

“J-Jesse, s-stop. Y-You must rest, y-you will be all right, I – I know it. P-please…”

 

The heartbreaking lady whimpered, not having more strength to cry, this was too painful for her. However, Jesse kissed her hand endearingly and let his lips linger for awhile. He looked up and felt his strength leaving his body. With his last source, he trembling grabbed a rose inside of his jacket and placed on Stephanie’s hands. The latter sobbed loudly and held the rose tightly, afraid that it would fall. Jesse stared lovingly into her eyes and finally whispered:

 

“Does not matter w-when or where I am, I will always l-love you, Stephanie. I will c-carry your love f-for the eternity. I – I hope this rose make y-you remember how much I love you… my love…”

 

“I love you, J-Jesse. I always loved you… e-ever since the first moment and forever…*sob*”

 

The lord smiled genuinely at her words and in his last move, he cupped her right cheek with his bloodied hand and kissed her moistened kiss for the last time, pouring all his love for her as he closed his eyes… forever. Stephanie closed her eyes and returned the heartbreaking and bittersweet kiss with her pure love. After a second, the hand which held her face gave in and fell slowly. She opened her eyes quickly and shook Jesse, calling his name in fear:

 

“Je-Jesse? Jesse! JESSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

 

She kept crying and shaking his body, but no use, he finally was gone. Stephanie refused to believe that her love died in her arms, giving up on his life for her. Fresh and warm tears rolled by her face, damping his face as she held his body tightly. Mourning her lost and deep pain, she sobbed loudly:

 

“Wake up, J-Jesse! P-please wake up, y-you can not l-leave me! J-Jesse!!!”

 

However, to her despair and shock, his body started to turn into a white and shining dust which was drifted away by the wind. She only could watch everything hopelessly as finally disappeared from her sight. Looking down to the rose in her hands, Stephanie embraced it with all her love and sadness; sobbing and mourning as she confessed with all her heart:

 

“I – I am so sorry, J-Jesse. Please, f-forgive me for not being a-able to sav-ve you and for n-not find out this love earlier… If I – I only I – I have a-another ch-chance, I h-hope with the b-bottom of my heart… for you h-have a chance to b-be happy… I – I love you, my love… I love you…”

 

Stephanie kept embracing tightly the rose and all of a sudden, everything turned into black as she finally fainted. The rose never left her hand; otherwise, it kept right close to her heart all the time.

 

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

 

*GASP*

 

“JESSE!!!”

 

The young lady jolted and hastily seated on a soft surface. Carefully looking to her surroundings, Stephanie realized that she was in her room, but she couldn’t understand, just now Jesse killed Siwon and… unconsciously, tears rolled by her cheeks when she remembered about his sacrifice. He gave up of himself just to make sure that she would be safe. The tears washed her face as she saw a book and a lonely red rose beside her, lying comfortably in her mattress. The young lady carefully grabbed the rose and embraced with her whole heart.

 

However, once she looked to the window, she realized that it was day time. Her heart squeezed in her chest, but standing up in a flash, she ran down the stairs in despair. There is something that she must confirm. In the way, her body accidently collided with something, or better, someone and fell flatly on the floor. When she recovered herself, the person helped her to get up as spoke warmly:

 

“Oh my dear Stephanie. What are you so early? May I know--- Dear? What happened?! Why are you crying?!”

 

“Father, p-please, let me go. I – I must go to the Lord Jung’s house!”

 

“Darling, who is this lord? I do not know what you are talking about.”

 

The concerned Mr. Hwang thumbed his daughter’s shoulders, hoping to tranquilize her as the latter shook her head and uttered promptly:

“Father! How can you not remember?! Lord Jesse Jung is our neighbor, he live beside us, he-he moved on to our city m-months ago.”

 

“Darling… I do not know what to say, but… there is no one living beside us.”

 

Mr. Hwang calmly replied as he still held his anxious daughter. The latter froze as she asked hesitantly:

 

“What d-did you say?”

“My daughter… no one lives on that mansion at least… for one hundred years… You can ask to anyone in this city, they will tell you the same…”

 

“NO! I-it can not be! I – I have to see him, y-you must be wrong! I – I know that Jesse is there! H-He is waiting for me! I m-must go!”

 

“Stephanie, wait!”

 

But she did not listen, Stephanie hurriedly set herself free of her father’s grasp and run outside her house, still her sleeping outfit. She doesn’t care, in her mind, she has to prove that she wasn’t insane, that everything that she had live wasn’t just a dream… that her Jesse was real… real as the love that they felt for each other. Once she arrived in the abandoned mansion’s gates, her heart stopped. She looked around and realized that her father was right… the place was completely abandoned. However, not believing in her sight, she rushed to the mansion’s door and more despair came to her heart… everything was left for the dust and totally empty.

 

Once again, more tears rolled by her cheeks as she walked by the long corridor, until she found a familiar room… yet again, emptiness were everything she found out. She walked to the place where the piano lied. The same piano that she and Jesse played beautiful symphonies… the place that their love grow… Sobs mixed with her cries as her knees gave in and she fell on the dusty floor. She couldn’t believe that it was just a dream, she can remember everything… his piercing, yet warm stare; his charmingly, yet smitten smile; his possessive, yet caring embrace and… his passionate, yet lovingly kisses… How can she forget everything now?

 

Embracing the rose with all her love and despair, Stephanie grasped to her last and only memory of her beloved, not caring about anything more, she just remained on the dirty floor, mourning her lost and heartbreak. If she only could have him again, this time she wouldn’t let him go anymore…

 

“Jesse…”

 

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

 

One month passed and Stephanie did not get better, she was like a living corpse. Her father was deeply concerned with his daughter’s behavior, whenever he asked what have happened; she just held tight the rose and her eyes got moistened. Even her cousin Sunny realized that something really bad happened to her cousin; she tried to ask her what happened, but silence was everything that she had in return. However, she couldn’t help, but feel part of her cousin’s sadness, unknowingly, she felt also like a part of her heart was missing, even when she didn’t know why.

 

Another day passed and the young lady watched the abandoned mansion by her window. Whenever she did that, tears would form into her eyes as she hugged the red rose close to her chest, this same flower never left her ever since the day that everything ended. Seeing his daughter in such depreciated state, Mr. Hwang tried to introduce some good gentlemen for her, hoping that she would feel better, but none, she refused everyone. Until one day; sad and tired of seeing his dear daughter’s life wither away, Mr. Hwang practically persuaded Stephanie to take a walk around the city. The latter would refuse at first, but decided that for the first time… she needed some fresh air… Jesse probably wouldn’t want to see her losing her life like this.

 

So as it was told, she sadly walked by the city and end up arriving in her home early than she thought. However, to her surprise, she a row of carriages bringing large boxes, furniture’s and everything, this means only one thing… someone was moving on. Stephanie became even more curious when the carriages were situated beside her house. As soon she reached her sidewalk, someone greeted heartily, making her jolt in her spot:

 

“Oh, hello! It looks like we are going to be neighbors!”

 

“Huh?” Stephanie dumbly replied as the young brunette giggled and spoke calmly this time:

 

“I apologize, mother always scold me because I talk too fast, but… well… Hello again, neighbor. I am sorry if I am being indelicate, but … what is your name?”
 

“Oh… sure, I am sorry. My name is Stephanie and yours?”

 

Stephanie asked softly as the young girl smiled and nodded her head. So, she started:

 

“My name is—“ “Darling! I need your help here!”

 

“I apologize, it looks my mother needs my help now.”

 

“By the way, your rose is beautiful. Funny… it is my mother favorite’s flower.”

 

The young girl said as she pointed to the flower in the brunette’s hands. The latter held the rose gently and replied softly with a bittersweet smile in her face

 

“Someone very dear gave me this rose.”

 

“Oh… he must love you a lot! I think I –“

 

“Darling!” “I am coming, mother! I have to go. It was a pleasure to meet you, Stephanie unnie!”

 

Nonetheless, the young girl huffed while complained loudly and excused from ‘the unnie’:

 

“Why do I have to do this?! Where is my brother?! He should be the one to help us with this!”

 

“You know how your brother was distracted with our relocation. I wonder why he was so excited to come to this country.”

 

The jovial mother pinched her sulky daughter’s cheeks and smiled when the latter finally grinned at her mother’s affection. The mistress looked at Stephanie with warm eyes and smiled softly, she even waved friendly. Stephanie was surprised at her action since they looked to be from a very rich family due their outfits, but returned the smile. However she felt strange since she had a feeling that already saw that same smile and stare in somewhere else. Hmm, maybe she was thinking too much. Unconsciously, she smiled sadly and thumbed the flower in her hands as she remembered of her beloved. Even if he was just her imagination or a dream… it was the most sweet and real memory that she ever had.

 

Unconsciously her heart squeezed again, it seems that this wound won’t heal… if this means to keep her beloved always in her heart… she will pay the price. Uttering his name in her mind, Stephanie sighed loudly and prepared herself to enter in her house’s gates… until someone collided on her:

 

“Oh my God! I am terrible sorry, milady! Are you all right?!”

Stephanie grunted softly as she tried to stand up, but the stranger did not let her as the person gently grabbed her hand and helped her to stay on her feet. Unconsciously, she felt her heart increasing the pace rapidly when she felt awfully familiar. Trying to brush these thoughts away, she shook her head and explained while holding at the person’s arms:

 

“I am fine, do not worry. It was my fault, mister…---!!!???”

 

Her eyes passed by the stranger’s arms to his shoulders, neck and finally, to his face. On that moment, her knees almost gave in if the unknown man did not hold her in the spot. Her face was pale as if she was seeing a ghost. The stranger’s eyes were frenetic as he prompted worriedly:

 

“My goodness! I am really, really sorry, milady. I did not intend to… Milady… are you all right? You look so pale.”

 

To prove his point, the man quickly checked her temperature since her face was getting red. He held her firmly and Stephanie just stared at him with wide eyes in shock. She shook her head, convinced that her mind was playing tricks on her or about the fact that she was insane. However, once she looked up, there was the face that she most wanted to see again. With tears rolling by her cheeks, the brunette held herself to not sob as she cupped his face tenderly:

 

“J-Jesse? Is it y-you? Am – am I not dreaming?!”

 

The young man frowned in confusion as he held her hands gently, asking in curiosity:

 

“Milady… how do you my name?”

 

That moment, Stephanie’s heart shattered into one million of pieces when she heard those words… He doesn’t remember her, how can it be? After what they passed through so much to stay together; not giving up, she nibbled her lips and asked with a broken tone:

 

“Don’t you remember our story? The day on the alley, the castle, the confession… anything?”

 

The so called Jesse frowned deeply as he tried to remember, but none, nothing crossed his mind. Yet he was afraid that he could break the lady’s heart once he reveals the fact. So, he sighed and spoke softly:

 

“Milady… I really want to help you, but… are you sure that am I the right person? I just moved in today. I have never been in this city before…”

 

Yes, he was right, and Stephanie realized that everything was just an illusion created by her mind. She just wanted find the true love and when she finally found her beloved… it was just a dream. Even when nothing really happened, she will carry only her Jesse in her heart. Letting go was hard, much more when you love someone a little too much. Then, breathing heavily, Stephanie gulped and nodded as Jesse asked gingerly:

 

“Yet… I have a feeling… Have we met each other before?”

 

“I – I guess not… I apo-pologize for my actions, Mister Jesse. I – I just mistook you with someone…”

 

She spoke into a broken tone as she turned around and held her flower dearly. However, his words stopped in her tracks:

 

“Oh… he must be a lucky person. I am sure.”

 

Stephanie had to hold her tears as Jesse replied warmly with that same coy smile. Yet, a smile of someone unknown; a bittersweet smile crept in her lips as she confessed:

 

“No… I am the one who is lucky… I have t-to go now. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mister Jesse. And I am sorry for my confusion.”

 

“Do not worry… Oh, I am sorry for disturbing you again, but I can not help to ask… where did you found that rose? It is my mother’s favorite flower. I looked in everywhere in this city, yet nothing. All the florists told me that they are very rare around here. I am just curious.”

 

The lady looked down to the rose and smiled bitterly while thumbing the soft petals. Her heart got warm when she recalled the moment when her Jesse gave this flower to her. Suddenly, a tear rolled by her cheek and fell at the petal. It was time; she needed to accomplish her fact. Gulping deeply, Stephanie turned around and held the flower caringly, her eyes never leaving it:

 

“Someone very dear for me gave me this rose… but I think that it is time… to give it back.”

 

“What? No! I can not accept it, milady! This rose certainly is important for you!”

 

“Do not worry. This flower is important… but what I held here in my heart… time can not change or make me forget… so please, accept it.”

 

Jesse frowned sadly as Stephanie gingerly placed in his hands. For a moment, their hands brushed on each other and a rush of warmth ran all over to their body. Their hearts thumped loudly as the young man carefully held the flower. Stephanie smiled warmly at the figure and turned around to leave:

 

“Farewell…” “Hmm, farewell, milady…”

 

Before Jesse could finish, Stephanie already left. Unconsciously, he felt a hole in his heart without her presence.  The latter finally let her tears wash her face as she confessed in her mind:

 

“Even that he doesn’t remember me and our love… He is alive and had another chance… this is more than I can ever ask for…I hope he can be happy… even without me.”

 

“Oh God… w-who am I trying to fool? How can I --- h-how can I fo-forget him?”

 

Stephanie felt her legs giving, yet, she held herself on the gate’s bars as tears rolled by her cheeks like a river. She can’t be selfish, she won’t risk his life again… Now, he can rebuild his life again and for that… she will be eternally grateful. Countless sobs escaped by her lips as her tears fell on the pavement. However, for her ‘happiness’, drop by drop, a sudden rain poured above her. It seems that the sky was feeling her pain. When she was about to open the gate, she heard her name faintly, but again, her mind was probably playing tricks again. However, she opened the gate, she heard loud and clear, like a thunder calling her name:

“STEPHANIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

Her whole body jolted at the sound as she turned around hastily to see Jesse running to her direction desperately. Her jaw dropped and everything happened so fast and when she realized, Jesse embraced her with all his love, despair and longing. She was in such a shock that it took seconds to return the hug. He raised her in the air and shouted:

 

“Stephanie… my dear Stephanie… you came back for me.”

 

Jesse placed his head on the crook of her neck, hugging her tightly. Stephanie was still in daze, she was afraid that this could be another dream that it will snatch her Jesse away as soon she wakes up. No, this inst a mirage; her beloved was right here before her.  To prove that everything was real, she cupped her cheeks and laughed and cried when he held her hands on his tenderly. With overflowing emotions, she sobbed and confessed weakly:

 

“I thought – I thought you *sob* forgot me. I – I thought you forgot u-us…”

 

“Never, my love. Never!” Jesse held her tightly, feeling his own tears rolling by his cheeks as he uttered lovingly:

 

“H-How can I ever forget you? Y-you are impossible to forget…”

 

“B-but I saw you there on the castle, your fatal wound… when I woke up… you were gone… I – I was despaired that everything was just a dream and I was hallucinating.”

 

Stephanie placed her forehead on his and closed her eyes, feeling deeply emotional. He smiled lovingly and cupped her face, making her look into his eyes as spoke warmly:

 

“No, our love is real and always will be. I do not know how this happened and I do not care. When I woke up, I was in Korea and everything was normal, but I felt an immense hole in my heart, everything was a huge blur. Once my family told me that we were going to move to this country… I felt excited, happy, like someone who is looking for something very precious…”

 

Jesse caressed her cheek endearingly as he whispered:

 

“I did not know what I was looking for… until I found you. When you gave me the rose, everything came back into my mind in a rush. We were blessed with a second chance and there is nothing in this world that it will separate you from me anymore.”  

 

“Jesse…”

 

Stephanie whispered lovingly as she felt lost into his smitten stare. The latter smiled caringly and carefully grabbed her hand and placed above his chest. Her eyes widened when she felt the loud heartbeats and looked back to his face in awe. It was when he whispered breathlessly with blush in his cheeks as he leaned to her face:

 

“My heart finally beats… just for you… it is screaming for your name… I love you, Stephanie.”

 

“Jesse… I love you too. Always.”

 

Finally, the couple leaned their heads and let their lips touch into a breathtaking kiss. Jesse managed to pour every longing, sadness and love for her; Stephanie could only return with the same intensity since she truly missed her love desperately. The kiss was passionate and lovingly at the same time as they embraced each other possessively; Jesse enveloped her plump lips with his like if he was starving. The brunette softly moaned in return as she gladly received all his fiery kisses, not even the rain was able to bother them.

 

When the air was necessary, he gingerly broke the kiss to let her breathe a little, yet it was useless as she pulled him by his neck to kiss him again. After many rounds of fervent kisses, they withdrew slowly as a blush crept in both cheeks. Stephanie was amused to see how adorable he looked with pink cheeks. Their smitten smiles never left their faces. They intertwined their hands lovingly as Stephanie placed her forehead on the crook of his neck. Still embraced, there was a question that lingers in her mind. Breaking the silence, she asked gently:

 

“Jesse?” “Yes, my love?”

 

She hesitated for awhile, but when she felt his hand rubbing her back gingerly, the brunette felt ease to ask:

 

“If… if everything happened again… would you still wait for me?”

 

Suddenly, he gingerly withdrew her head from his neck to make her look directly to his eyes. It was when he flashed his most lovingly smile as he thumbed her cheek tenderly:

 

“Stephanie… my love for you passes through everything… time means nothing…”

 

He cupped her cheeks with utmost love and care as he breathlessly confessed:

 

“If I had to do everything again… I would wait another century for you… and many others… because you… you always will make everything worthy.”

 

With such deep and loving answer, Stephanie couldn’t help but smile widely as she pulled his face to hers and kissed him deeply. They smiled between kisses until it turned passionate and fervent again. They embraced each other with all love, not wanting to let go. It wasn’t a mystery that the couple would build a life together and make sure that it will last… forever. However, the flower never left Jesse’s hands as the couple kept kissing each other lovingly. For a snap of second, the flower glowed into a vivid red color. Maybe, just maybe… the rose was magical after all.

 

...

...

 

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

The Dandyu moment (no, I did not forget them lol)

 

Meanwhile, as the new found couple was busy staring and smiling each other with love, Sunny watched them with a relief smile in her face. She was glad that her cousin finally found out what she was looking for and everything would be all right again. However, the short brunette sighed tiredly; she couldn’t help, but ask to herself when her love would come. While the lady was looking to the skies, she heard a sudden call for their new neighbors:

 

“TaeYeon?”

 

“Yes, Lady Jung?”

 

A young man into a butler outfit promptly answered to his mistress as the latter spoke softly:

 

“I am really sorry to bother you, Taeyeon. But could you help us to remove our belongings to the mansion? I do not want to importunate our neighbors with all this furniture in front of their house.”

 

“Do not worry, Lady Jung. I will remove everything.”

 

“Good. Why would we do without you? As soon you finish, please enter to feed and rest properly, understood?”

 

Lady Jung worriedly uttered as the butler smiled and nodded:

“I appreciate your concern, Lady Jung. I will enter as soon I finish. I will start now. Excuse me.”

 

The mistress nodded with a kind smirk as she entered in the mansion. Meanwhile, Sunny, who was watching everything, felt attracted and curious about this young man who was removing some boxes from the Hwang’s sidewalk. Yet, there was she, staring at him intently without now why. However, feeling eyes on him, Taeyeon raised his head up and their eyes met, finally… Both of them widened in surprise when they ‘caught’ the other staring and their hearts pounded madly in return; in result, the dandyu pair blushed instantaneously. Sunny tried to look away due her embarrassment, but the butler couldn’t stop staring her, he was amazed and agape as if he was seeing an angel, a beautiful angel.

 

Nonetheless, due his lack of attention on his task, Taeyeon tripped and let the box fall of his grasp. The young man slapped his own forehead for being so careless and mostly, to look like a fool in front of this beautiful lady. However, to his surprise when he was about to reach the box, a fragile hand brushed on his accidently as Sunny tried to help to get the box. For a moment, they looked to the other’s eyes and got lost within. Hearts were thumping loudly and their faces were definitely red due the sudden touch; finally recovering himself, Taeyeon gulped deeply, just to make sure that he wouldn’t stutter as he started nervously:

 

“Hmm, I – I… thank you, Lady. B-but you did not need to worry. I got this.”

 

Yet, it was useless since he ends up stammering anyway. Meanwhile, Sunny couldn’t help to hide her giggles with her hands, finding him incredibly adorable. Once again, the butler stared at her agape, enchanted with her heartily laughter. It was when she spoke warmly with a smile:

 

“Do not worry, it is a pleasure to help you. I am sorry if I disordered your work.”

 

The lady solely apologized as she bowed her head in embarrassment. Yet, Taeyeon quickly shook his head and admitted a little too loud and bluntly:

 

“No, lady! You did nothing wrong. If I was not being so distracted while looking at your beautiful face, I – I --- well, I mean! Please, forgive my bluntness. I should not say that, even when you are beautiful and worthy of admiration… Errr… I think I will take these boxes to inside. E-excuse me-“

 

Again, Sunny flushed at his compliments, but ends up smiling coyly after seeing the young man having a hard time to explain himself and scolding himself for being so direct. However, he halted his scolding when he heard her cheerful laughter and couldn’t help, but admire her, he even sighed while his face probably looked a dumb right now. It was when she spoke gently while helping him to put the box in the ground and have his attention only on her:

 

“You do not need to scold yourself… I – I am flattered with your compliment… And I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lee SunKyu, but my friends call me Sunny. I am pleased to meet you…?”

 

“Kim. Kim TaeYeon. And the pleasure is all mine.”

 

Like a true gentleman, Taeyeon bowed and gently grabbed her right hand to place a soft kiss on her skin. The lady blushed instantaneously, but enjoyed the touch. Once he raised his head, they kept staring each other, but this time, they smiled warmly to each other. So, balancing herself to back and forwards, Sunny asked gingerly, not removing her eyes of him:

 

“Hmm so… would you like to talk a walk on the city one day? I – I mean, if you need a guide, I will be glad to help you, but if you do not want, I will under---“

 

“I would love to… Lady Sunny.”

 

Taeyeon answered kindly with a growing smile in his lips as he saw her flushed face. Sunny snapped her head up in surprise and smirked widely. Nodding her head quickly, she spoke in excitement:

 

“Great! I will wait for you here, tomorrow in the afternoon!”

 

“I will be looking forward for our encounter, Lady Sunny.”

 

The butler spoke rapidly after feeling the boost of courage growing in his chest. However, to his shock and surprise, everything was a flash as Sunny did not hold herself and launches herself to forward, landing a shy kiss in his chubby cheek. His mouth dropped and his eyes widened due her not so subtle move. Before he could even blink, Sunny eye-smiled and added shyly:

 

“I do not know why, but I feel really comfortable around you. And I think you are adorable. It is like I already met you before… I – will wait for you tomorrow, do not forget our encounter!”

 

An awestruck Taeyeon held the spot where she kissed and his face grown warm and flushed. He watched her run back to her home, probably embarrassed of her action, yet he couldn’t feel better. This lady was incredible amazing and cute. The butler held a stupid smile in his face as he kept holding his cheek. While his heartbeat kept accelerated, he placed his hand on his chest and confessed to no one in particular:

 

“I will not. I will be waiting for you… Sunny… always…”

 

FIN

 

REPLIES:

 

@jessjung_dew: I am glad that you liked, my friend ^^ I believe this chapter held more angst and romance lol. Now you know the answer hehehe. Yup, you are right, my friend =D I am glad, who doesn’t love JeTi moments, right? Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@namos26: Omo, thank you, dear reader. I hope you liked. Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@casugac: Aww, that’s great! Yes, this last chapter was a rollercoaster of feelings, right? Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@FanyJess: I am glad that you liked, my friend. Hahaha I believe you got your answer now, hmm? Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@shajanie: Hello, dear friend. Yes, this was the last chapter. Remember that you were one of the main reasons that I decided to go on with this fic. Thank you for strength, comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@Va_asianloverz: I am happy to hear that, my friend ^^ Hahaha I believe you know the truth now hehehe. Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@leesun: Hey, new reader and welcome. Yup, I love a good vampjeti as well hehe much more when Jessi is the vamp lol. Omo, I am glad to hear that. Yes, you are right, that’s why I decided to make this different since the person always turned the love interest in vampire. I voted for a miracle hehehe Sorry for the half angst chapter hahaha. Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

@just4u: Haha I believe you already know now, you guys are smart or I am really bad when it comes mystery hehehehe. Jesse is strong, but when it comes Fany, he gives up of everything just to make sure that she is safe. Now, you know the truth, Jesse was engaged to Fany’s great grandma. Hahaha ah a big twist I think lol anyway… Thank you for comment and read this fanfic, you are jjang!

 

IMPORTANT NOTE - PLEASE READ!

 

A/N: First, I want to thank to everyone who subscribed, voted, commented and read this multi-shot. I really appreciate your kind words and feedback, this was enough to go on and end this fanfic properly for all of you. Second, as all of you know or a major part, I am really sorry for my short hiatus, but I got really discouraged to write JeTi fanfics since all we know why… the heartbreaking news.

I wont be hypocrite saying: “Whoohoo, you guys have to support Fany! Lets shoot some fireworks and they are perfect and etc”, when I heard about it did hit me deeply, in my opinion, I wouldn’t chose that guy for her. But the most important its what she wants. At the first thought, I was thinking to throw everything away and do not ever read or write jeti fics. Yet… I realized that this would be unfair with all my readers and JeTi surfers. So, I am sorry I took too long to write, but as all of you, I am into a healing process.

Of course we know that its unfair with the girls. They are persons and they need to live. I am sorry for saying that, but as much I want to see our dear Soshi’s girls last forever as Sunny said, they will date, get engage, marry and have their own kids, so we don’t until when it will last. Everything will pass, but we will always love them.

So, I realized that now it’s the most important time that the jeti surfers and readers needs the authors. I cant lie, I am with lack of inspiration. However, I will try my best to also end “I got married to a k pop princess” properly. But, as I am doing my best to keep the flame lightened, I ask for your help. Even if Jessica and all the girls confess they are dating, I just hope that even so, Fany wont forget Jessi and give us JeTi moments when the times comes. JeTi FTW! Dont forget to support the other authors, they need you guys now too =)

Thank you for everything, you guys are incredible readers! Sorry for all grammar errors and the long note, but this was stuck on me. I love you all! God bless all of you! See ya~~~~ In advance…

 

HAPPY B-DAY, JESSICA! May God bless you! We love you!