~Yuna~

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"It's me" Donghae smiled

I hugged him once again as I felt the tears coming up and all the feelings from the past, the memories that we had created came up inside of my head and I couldn't hold back all the feelings that I was feeling at the moment.

Donghae was the boy who lived right next door to me and since I moved to Korea since Dad got a job here, both mom and I followed. I met Eeteuk at first and then Donghae and we were kind of the trio who always were together when we were younger. Eeteuk on the other hand had moved to Japan in order to study, while Donghae left to pursue his dreams, traveling around the world.
The modeling work was a great opportunity for him because in that way he would be able to travel around the world and so he accepted. I was the only one left behind and even though Eeteuk and I stayed in touch, Donghae and I didn't. I do understand that since he was a busy guy but there wasn't a time when I couldn't help but to miss our times together

"How are you Yuna? You look.. amazing" Donghae said softly and moved the hair from my face. I chuckled

"I'm doing fine. Mom and dad are still in Busan while I live here in Seoul.." I said

"You've.. grown up a lot.. and you've matured.. A beautiful woman in conclusion" Donghae said

"Well you don't look so bad yourself either.." I said

"A bit perhaps.."

"A lot if you ask me" I chuckled

We hugged each other again and continued to talk, forgetting the surroundings and the people around us as well.

"Hey hey hey!" Junsu interrupted

Both of us turned to him and the rest of the guys

"How do.. you know each other?" Yunho asked

Donghae put his arm around my shoulders and both of us smiled brightly

"Childhood friends. I used to live right next door. We grew up together.." Donghae said

"Really?" JaeJoong said thoughtfully

Both of us nodded

"But then he left about 5 years ago... and here we are, meeting each other at the famous Mirotic Designer's afterparty" I said

"Yes, I was going to ask you about that. How did you end up working at the Mirotic? It's extremely hard to get a job there unless you know anyone from the inside.." Donghae said confused

"That would be me. I found her at the library and I hoped that she didn't have a job and that she was fast with computers and such so I hired her and now... she's Jae's assistant and secretary" Junsu said

"Really? That's.. really.. good" Donghae said and looked at me.

"So you've been friends ever since.. childhood?" JaeJoong asked

I nodded

"We used to do a lot of crazy things together.." Donghae said

"Oh really.." JaeJoong said

It suddenly was weird around here, as if the atmosphere had turned colder, not to mention that JaeJoong was being a bit weird as well.

"Seems like you don't need me to protect you anymore. Excuse me" JaeJoong said and left

We all looked at his back as he grabbed a glass of champagne, drank it in one shot and then he started to mingle, talking to his guests.

"I guess we should leave you guys alone... I bet you guys have some time to catch up" Yoochun smiled and tapped Donghae on his shoulder

"Nice seeing you man.. We should go out for a drink soon" Yunho said

"Of course" Donghae smiled

We were soon left alone and Donghae smiled brightly as he circulated around me and then stopped in front of me.

"You really.. do look amazing" Donghae said and looked at me

"Stop embarrassing me... will you?" I said and rolled my eyes

"How about we go outside for a minute..?"

I followed Donghae, walking arm-in-arm out of the hall and outside, standing by the stairs at the entrance. There was no one here at the moment since everyone was inside, mingling and talking with each other. The media had left a long time ago since they weren't invited

"How is.. life going?" I asked

"I'm doing okay. I missed Korea a lot.. but now.. I'm back for good.." He smiled

"Really? You're going to live here in Seoul?" I gasped

He nodded

"Yes, I have work here so yes, I'll be living here in Seoul. That includes a lot of lunch meetings and such right? Hanging out with each other?" He asked happily

"Of course! So how was Italy?"

"Magical. It's romantic and the people are kind. The streets by the night, it's absolutely amazing. Wonderful and you just feel relaxed by being there...I think you're going to like it once you visit Italy" Donghae said

I nodded

"How's your family?" I asked

"Ahhh~ Brother is studying in Boston at the moment. Mom... she's not working anymore. She stays home, taking care of herself and the house. I'm paying for the food and rent" Donghae said

"What about your dad?" I asked

Donghae let out a weird laugh before he looked around and then at me again

"Dad.. died 3 years ago"

I was speechless and I was immune to anything at the moment. I had no idea what I should say to him and most of all, I had brought up painful memories...

"I'm so sorry Donghae.. I had no idea.." I stuttered

"No Yuna. You didn't know. We haven't stayed in contact the past years. Don't worry about me.." Donghae smiled

I couldn't help but hug Donghae again, to show all the sympathy I was feeling and how sad he must have been at the moment. I was starting to feel guilty for not staying in touch with him and be there for him when he lost his father

"What about you Yuna? How's your life? And family?"

"I am.. doing fine as always... Mom and dad are doing great... I haven't done so much and haven't changed so much either actually.."

"You have changed. You've grown up and... why did you.. move to Seoul?"

"I wanted to try to live on my own. Not depending on anybody else and I thought that the bigger the challenge was, the better it would be for me. I was unemployed until... I got the job at the Mirotic office.."

"Oh.. do you like it? Working at Mirotic I mean.."

"I don't know.. a little maybe. It's good money"

"Are they.. treating you good?"

"Why are you asking me that?" I asked slowly

"No.. I just.. want to make sure that you like it there.. that they're treating you good.. and that... no one is making you feel uncomfortable"

"I'm doing fine. I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself, you know that. Was I ever afraid of guys?" I smirked

Donghae laughed and shook his head

"Well.. there are guys who can do a lot more and worse things nowadays. I just don't want you to get hurt... that's all"

"I won't... so don't worry. You should worry about yourself and your health. Always working too much.."

"Well I was resting in Italy wasn't I?" He rolled his eyes playfully

"You got a point there"

"Exactly.. Now, so you're back for good?"

"I'm back for good. Well I've always been but lately I've been traveling a lot. A few months forward now, I will shoot the coming new clothes and I also signed a contract with ELLE" He said

"Seems like the career are going forward then. I'm happy for you" I said

"I'm happy for you too" Donghae said

Silence took over as we were standing out there, looking around and up at the sky as the stars were about to take their place at the dark night sky. It was getting late

"Never hesitate if anything happens or if someone's hurts you, that you can call me okay?" Donghae said

"Why did you say that?"

"I just want you to know that you can count on me.. that's all"

"I know I can so you don't have to worry about that"

"Of course not.. but the protective side I have of me... that I still feels for you, I just don't want anyone to hurt you that's all"

"No one's going to hurt me Donghae" I said

"I hope so"

"What do you mean by that? Are there something that you're hiding from me?"

Donghae shook his head

"No, but the.. fashion industry is dark. It has its bright sides but almost 60% of it, is dark. I just want you to be careful. It's very easy to.. abuse girls and use them... in this industry. I just don't want you to be one of them"

"I won't and I will be careful" I assured him

"Well that's the least thing you can do" Donghae rolled his eyes

"I can take care of myself"

"But you always end up in troubles"

"That I always can get out of!" i protested

"WITH MY HELP!" Donghae laughed

We started to laugh loudly, feeling the happiness of finally being able to be together again, just like the old times...

"I'm glad that you're back" I said and smiled at Donghae

He then turned to me and nodded

"Me too"