Chapter 5

Yuri read today’s newspaper for the third time. She gazed at the bold title on the front page.

‘JUNG IS A FREE MAN TODAY’, by Min Kangdae.

‘Jung Yunho, twenty-seven, was finally release from a ual harassment charged by a young woman whose identity is fully protected. She annulled her allegations against him after a long debate with his lawyer during these two weeks.

Spokesman Kim Jaehwa, Jung Yunho’s lawyer, said that it was extremely difficult to investigate & pursue this matter without revealing who she was to the public. His comment was only, “She & my client have reached an agreement.”

One of the police officer said that if the woman didn’t want to show herself, it would makes their job impossible.

However, the police & Jung had agreed to protect the identity of the sources of this case so the wider issue cannot be exposed.’

Yuri closed the newspaper on her hand, ‘So, he’s free now.’ She told herself, ‘I don’t want to think about him. Oh please god, let him out of my mind.’ She prayed.

She lay down on her bed, staring up at the sky outside her bedroom window. She could see a nice view from her window. Her room was on the second floor with a view of a small public park in front of her house. She could hear some giggling coming from the children playing in the park. She smiled. How she always loved children. Her mind wondered, ‘I wonder how my child would look like? Will they looked like Yoongi Oppa or me?’ She smiled again. She remembered her last conversation with Yoongi two days ago. Her fiance was really worried about her.

*Flashback*

“Yuri, are you alright?” The voice of Yoongi on the other line sounded very worried.

“I’m fine.” She answered shortly. Her heart was beating fast. These last few days, she had been refusing to take his phone calls but Yoongi wasn’t easy to give up. He called her everyday until she finally gave into him, “Don’t say a word, Yuri. I knew what happened. Don’t get angry, I forced your mother to tell me what happened. It wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you.”

Yuri started to sob, “Oppa, you’re so kind. I don’t deserve you. I ruined our dreams. I’m not the same Yuri you love before.”

“Yuri, listen to me. I want you. I still want you. I love you the way you are. That tragedy didn’t affect my love for you. My love is beyond everything in this world. Our love is too strong to be destroyed. Trust me. We are still together, holding onto our dreams.” His voice was firm.

Yuri was sobbing loudly now.

“Do you really mean it?” She whispered.

“Yes, I do. When I heard this news, my heart broke into pieces. I could feel your pain, Yuri. You are hurt, I could feel it, too.” His voice sounded weak & sad as the person who uttered those words was in deep pain.

“I don’t deserve your love, Oppa.”

“Please don’t cry, Yuri. How I wish I could be with you during that time.” He paused & then continued, “I’ll come to Seoul this weekend. I want to be with you, to hug you, to kiss you so I could erases your pain.”

“Oppa, you don’t have to come here. I’m okay. I’m starting to get over it now. You just started your new job. It’s not good for your career. I know how hard you work to get this job. You have been longing to work at this famous architect consultant company for these past three years. They are the biggest in Australia, aren’t they?” “Yes, but I can’t clear my mind when thinking about you. I need to see you.” His voice sounded urgent, longing with deep love.

“I’m fine, really.” She sounded cool now.

Yuri could hear a sigh of relief from the other line.

“Yuri, I’m glad you could get over it. I’m glad that that bastard got his punishment in jail, too!” He sighed again, & laughed bitterly.

Yuri stiffened, ‘Do I have to tell Oppa I let him go?’ Her mind became muddled.

“Yuri, why are you so quiet?”

She cleared , trying desperately to be sensible but there was a small voice inside of her, urging her to tell the truth.

“Oppa, I let him go.” Her voice was almost liked a whisper.

There was a moment of silence. Yuri swore she could hear Yoongi choked.

“Why? Why, Yuri?” He spoke bluntly, “I don’t understand. He ruined you. Why did you let him go?”

This was the first time he had ever spoken so openly about his disagreement of her decision. Yoongi always supported what she wanted & had never argued back. Yuri felt the rawness in his words. It shocked her. It made her look at him differently. She thought she knew him well. Yoongi was an ambitious man, always in realistic. Was he scared of risking their love? Did he actually think that she was still worthy enough? Her mind was full of unanswered questions.

“Yuri, are you okay?”

Yuri got back her wandering mind. She concentrated again, to the conversation with her fiance.

“Yes, I’m fine, just a little bit tired.”

“I’ll come to Seoul.”

“You don’t have to. I’m fine.” She refused.

“I’ll come to find him & when I do, I’