Years passed and I’m still with L.Joe. I didn’t think it was possible but I fell more and more in love with L.Joe everyday. We would do a lot of stuff together and we never had any fights. We argued, but it never came to the point where we would get really mad at each other and he usually let me have it my way. Kang Sung Hoon was L.joe’s other friend and he hangs out with us a lot too. Sung Hoon is a little older than me and is really nice. He has this really cute smile. When he smiles, you can’t help but smile back. I called him ‘bang geul ee.’ He didn't have a good family life either. His dad is a drunk and his mom had passed away when he was young. Usually, it was just the three of us together. My home life is a lot better thanks to L.Joe. My stepmom didn’t dare to touch me anymore and it’s still the same between me and my dad. We don’t talk much. L.Joe’s parents like me a lot too. It’s because when they tell L.Joe to do something and he wouldn’t do it, they would come to me for help. I’m kind of like their pawn. Life was heaven for me until it completely shattered on this day. It started out with good news but who would have known it would end up in tragedy?

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June 15, 1996
My stepmom and dad came home one day from visiting the Eun's. “Guess what?” my stepmom told me excitedly. “What?” I asked calmly. “TheEun's are planning a wedding for you and L.Joe!” I sat down because my knees gave way. I was totally surprised by this news but I was so happy to hear it because I’m so in love with L.Joe. “Really?” I asked excitedly. “How did this happen?” “Mr. Eun wanted L.Joe to get married and he figured you’re the girl he should marry.” “What did L.Joe say?” I had to ask. I didn’t want him to be forced into this. “Of course he agreed,” she answered. My breathing increased so I took out my respirator. After I calmed down, my stepmom took me into her room and told me all about the arrangements.

Meanwhile back at the Eun mansion…

“Just because you’re making this wedding for me andChorong doesn’t mean I owe you anything!” L.Joe yelled angrily at his dad. Mr. Eun grabbed L.Joe by the collar of his shirt. “L.Joe! Listen to me. Once you and Chorong get married, your grandpa will give you all of his businesses. Sharing part of it with your dad isn’t asking for too much is it?” L.Joe pushed his dad away. He began to laugh. “The only two people grandpa will give the businesses to is me or uncle. He won’t give it to you because you’ll spend it all on those ! I bet all your money is gone by now.” It was true. Mr. Eun was in serious debt and he needed L.Joe to get married because L.Joe’s grandpa was going to give L.Joe his inheritance once he gets married. L.joe had just turned 18 and his dad had planned the marriage months ahead. His dad got on his knees. “Please son. Please do it for me.” L.Joe rolled his eyes. “You’re so pathetic, dad.” He sighed. Living with Chorong taught him compassion and sympathy for others. “I’ll see what I can do dad.” He went into his room. Just then his cellular phone rang. He picked it up, thinking it was Mina. Using his y voice, he whispered, “Hi Chorong.”A weird high-pitched giggle came from the other end of the line. “Ooh…” said the voice. “Hi to you too y.” L.Joe rolled his eyes. “Oh shut up Sung Hoon.” Using his real voice, Sung Hoon began to laugh out loud. “Gross Hyung! That’s how you talk to Chorong? Ew! It gives me the chills!” “Hey Sung Hoon,” said L.Joe seriously. “Is everything set and ready to go?” “Yeah hyung,” said Sung Hoon. “Good,” said L.Joe, smiling. “Meet me at the docks tonight. From there we can sail to the mainland airport and get away from Hawaii to start a new life in Korea.” “Yeah,” said Sung Hoon. “But did you tell Chorong about it?”

“No,” answered L.Joe, sighing. “I’m afraid she won’t leave her family. I’m planning to just kidnap her and take her along. It’s easier that way and no hassle.”
“Right,” said Sung Hoon. “At least the three of us will still be together.” “Yeah,” said L.Joe. “Meet you in an hour. Get everything ready. I got our money too.”
“Okay,” replied Sung Hoon. “Bye.” L.Joe clicked off his phone. L.Joe’s dad didn’t know about it but his grandpa had given him $10 million in advance, along with hotel ownerships in Korea and Hawaii as his wedding gift. He planned to leave his dad $5 million and live off the rest with Chorong and Sung Hoon. He smiled thinking about how he would get away from everything and just be with the one he loved the most,Chorong. Back at home I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I know I was still too young to be thinking about marriage but I know L.Joe is the only guy for me. I held my teddy bear close as thoughts of L.Joe drifted me to sleep. It was midnight. L.Joe sneaked out of his house quietly without making a noise. He carried his backpack which was full of money on his back. He planned to go to Chorong’s house to grab her and leave. Then it would be just be him, Chorong and Sung Hoon leaving together. He was almost at Chorong’s house when he realized that he was being followed. It was his uncle’s men. They came to get rid of him. L.joe was smart. He knew the streets too well. He made it through the alley and those men ended up losing him. But when L.joe reached Chorong’s house, about 10 men had surrounded her house. They saw him approaching. L.Joe began to run as they chased him. He made it to the dock. He saw Sung Hoon on the boat.

“Hyung! Hurry! The boat is leaving!” L.joe threw his bag onto the boat first and made a high jump. He landed safely onto the boat. His uncle’s men couldn’t chase him anymore. L.Joe and Sung Hoon started cheering until L.Joe realized what was missing. Chorong. He had left her. L.Joe fell to his knees. “What’s wrong?” asked Sung Hoon. “Chorong! We left her! We have to go back!” yelled L.Joe. Sung Hoon opened his mouth in shock because he just realized it too. Then he shook his head sadly. “We can’t. If we go back, we’ll just get killed and we’ll be putting Chorong’s life in danger too.” L.Joe moved away from Sung Hoon, knowing that the darkness will cover his face. And for the first time in his life, L.Joe cried.

I woke up the next morning with this strange feeling inside me. I don’t know why but I find it disturbing. Then when I remember that L.Joe and I are going to get married soon, the feeling subsided. When I went downstairs, my stepmom was holding that wooden stick I haven’t seen in years. I began to panic. She whacked me with it. I fell down surprised. “Where’s L.Joe?” she screamed at me. I was so confused and surprised I didn’t know what she was talking about. She kept hitting me and demanded that I answer her. But how can I answer when I don’t even know myself? Then something unusual happened. My dad grabbed the stick away from my stepmom. “Stop hitting her! Can’t you tell that she can’t think straight with all that pain?” My stepmom was shocked and she kept shut because my dad has never done that to her before. “Chorong,” my dad said to me holding my hand. “L.joe ran away from home again. He’s no longer in Hawaii and the wedding’s canceled.” “He left?” I asked blankly. My dad nodded his head sadly. “How can he leave me?” I asked standing up. My stepmom’s next words hit me hard and cold like ice. “He probably left because he didn’t want to marry you.” I sunk to my knees and fell to the floor. I began to sob. My parents left the room, leaving me alone. ‘How can you leave me,L.Joe? Were all those promises of taking care of me lies?’ I loved L.Joe so much. All I ever wanted is to be with him, even if he did only consider me as a dongsang. I needed to know why he left. Being with him all this time, I knew where he went. I’ll search all of Korea if I had to…

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One year later…
During this year, my life of hell returned. I managed to save enough money for a ticket to Korea with money to spare. I had to work odd hours so my stepmom wouldn’t find out or she’ll take the money from me. I also had to sell some of L.Joe’s gifts to me. He was a really generous oppa who would buy me a lot of expensive clothes, jewelry, perfume and just about anything that I wanted. I figured he wouldn’t mind because they’re just material possessions. They were a big help because I managed to trade them for a lot of money.

July 24, 1997
I finally had enough money to leave. It took me a while to go because I knew chances of finding L.Joe right away are low. I needed extra money while searching and I had to pay extra for a fake I.D. You could say that I had almost everything planned out. I got a pretty good amount with me and I planned on leaving today. It’s been a little over a year since l.joe left me with no reason or explanation. I’ve gotten so much thinner because I couldn’t eat or sleep and I miss him so much. The problem facing me right now were my parents. I know they are not going to let me leave. I was only 17. Damn. Still a minor. This year had been total hell for me and I can’t stand another year of it. I had to leave and I had a plan. I was going to fake my death. It was all so perfect. My family had to go out to a luau with Mr. Eun. He still keeps in touch with us. I guess it’s because he thinks I might know where L.Joe is. Truth is, I have no idea except I know that L.Joe’s somewhere in Korea. I planned to fake a drowning. Due to my heart problems, I can hold my breath for up to 4 minutes and yet stay alive. This time I am using it to let my family think that I have drowned and that the tides have taken my body to the sea so I will never be found…But before I go, I had to say goodbye to my father. I hugged him hard. He looked at me surprised. “What was that for?” he asked. I shook my head. “It wasn’t for anything dad. I did it because I love you.” My dad had tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry Chorong. I’m so worthless as your father.” “No you’re not but you have to do what’s right dad. Don’t let anyone stop you and stop putting yourself down.” He nodded his head. I hugged him for the last time. “I’m going for a swim okay?” He nodded his head and watched me head toward the ocean. The plan went perfect. I stayed underwater for a while and swam to the other side of the beach where they couldn’t see me. All my belongings were there. I got on the dock and sailed to the mainland airport leaving Hawaii forever…

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