“You look beautiful.”Hongbin whispers to my ears as we walk to his car. I know. Don’t remind me.

“Thank you.” I say and step away from his face.

We drove for a short while. Time seemed to shorten because I had a lot in my mind. The Queen’s warning and people’s memory of me, it is too hard to understand completely.

“Hey, we’re here. Are you,ok?” Hongbin’s standing on my side of the car, opening the door for me.

“Yes.” I step out, ignoring the hand he was offering to me.

As common as the sun setting on the west, the males gaped at me taking in my beauty. I appreciate the cozy ambience of the coffee shop, it was quiet and the classical music is a definite bonus. I lead the way and sit on the corner near the veranda.

He placed our orders and when he returns, he looks absolutely flustered with all the guys still having their eyes on me. As usual, I just recognize them and move on but considering I have a lot on my mind I should not have acknowledged them.

“I missed you.” He starts our conversation and flaunts his dimples.

“Last night, my thoughts drifted to you and suddenly I remembered a memory of us.” I was silent, even Hongbin has memories of me.

“Last year, your mother wanted you to transfer to my school so I gave you a tour. You were equally beautiful then as you are now.” I search his eyes and he searches mine. He looks away embarrassed as our eyes met.

“I don’t remember the tour.” I look faraway, as if thinking about that but really I was with the Hunters last year, and I spent that year learning more about hunting and making weapons.

“It’s ok.” He chuckles. “Honestly, I feel guilty about not remembering you instantly. I mean look at you, how can I not remember such a beautiful face?” He sips from his coffee, his hands slightly shaking.

“You like to take photos?” I took notice of a camera, one time I asked Juri about it and she laughed because how could I not know such a common thing?

“Uhh, yes.”  He rubs his nape and shows a toothy grin.

“Then, I want to go to river later.” He nods and I drift into my thoughts again.

The cool breeze of the Han River calmed me and the fresh scent of the air kissed our faces. He took some sneaky pictures of me and I pretended not to notice.

“Hongbin, may I try?” I turn to him as his camera was aimed to take another picture of me. He suddenly drops the camera and sighs.

“Why?” I ask him, his head dropping as he hands me the camera.

“What, why?” His raspy voice that came with a sigh catches me off guard. I aim the camera for the Han river and imitate him taking some shots.

“I just…” He leans in as I drop the camera to my lap. “I’m just so in love with you.” His hands were forming tight fists resting on his lap and his eyes scanned over my lips.

I look away, preventing what I think he was about to do. “I’m sorry.” He bites his lips and casts down his eyes. “I know your mother forced you to come with me.”

 “But its okay, what’s important is that you’re here.” He takes notice of the minute changes in my expression and assures me.

“My mother can be overbearing sometimes, I do the things that make her happy.” I continue to take the pictures, easing the awkward tension between us.

“Sometimes, not even deciding if…” I paused, suddenly I’m talking about my real mother. “Doing the things that make her happy, ultimately makes me happy too.” I caught his face on the camera and caught a picture of him. He has a gentle face like my brother’s. Does his heart bear the same quality?

“Danbi-ssi.” He starts after a long stretch of silence. I have placed the camera on the space between us and he had sighed for the nth time.

“Why so formal all of a sudden?” I turn to ask him, he gives me a serious look, his hair swept by the wind to the side.

“Danbi-ssi,” He clears his throat. “If only it was up to me, I would marry you right now. I can’t stand other men looking at you.” I wanted to scoff or laugh just to forget what he just said, but he remained serious as my eyes drifted again to his face.

“But, it doesn’t work that way.” He concludes.

“Right. When I was… I mean last year, I had the same fantasies about marriage, but now not anymore.” I look back when I was 16. My real mother wanted to marry me into a rich family and I didn’t think it was a bad idea in fact I found it romantic. The idea of being with a stranger and falling in love, it wa