Yoong and Jessica were still trailing Yoong’s coach. Yoong held Jessica’s hand tightly as they crept quietly into his coach’s residence. Yoong was surprised to see the shabby neighbourhood where his coach has been living. He thought the man was staying in some posh place.

“Yoong, where is this place?”

“This is just the outskirt of town.”

“You seem surprised.”

“I didn’t know he stays in such places.”

“You don’t know where he lives?”

“No, coach has never invited us over to his place. We normally have celebration parties at the restaurant.”

“I think we should hurry. He’s moving faster now.”

“Okay, hold on to me tightly. I’m not going to lose you in the crowd.”

Jessica nodded as she held on to her boyfriend’s hand tightly. The crowd was rapidly passing them by while some were drunk. One attempted to grab Jessica but Yoong kicked him away. He then pulled Jessica closer and stood behind her.

“You walk in front of me. I’m not letting these drunkards touch you.”

Yoong wrapped his arms around Jessica as both struggled to walk through the drunk crowd. Finally, they reached to the end of the lane. He could still see his coach limping his way back to his house. Yoong followed him cautiously.

The man finally stopped. He stood in front of run-down building; Yoong was frowning away. The place was definitely not a home to any proper human being. There were a lot of mice and rats running around; Jessica was struggling so hard to avoid them.

“Baby, come over here.”

Yoong bent down and Jessica got onto his back. He held her legs properly before stabilizing himself. He then stood behind the pillar; watching his coach intently.

“Are you going to approach him?”

“I need to find out about certain things but not now.”

“Why is he staying in such places?”

“I have no idea, Sica. I didn’t know he has been living in poverty.”

“What are you planning to do now?”

“Let’s go home first. I’ll call my team members later.”

“Okay.”

Yoong took one last glance at where his coach was staying before walking away. He should be fine; his injuries were superficial. But he couldn’t stop worrying. He needed to find the truth.

-

Soo Young was sitting on the sofa; watching Taeyeon typing furiously on her laptop. She was drafting her report for her trip to UK. He watched with a smile on his face; his girlfriend looked adoringly y from where he stood. She had this serious look on her face with her black specs that brought out her intellectual image. Taeyeon was too concentrated on her report. Her boyfriend suddenly stood up.

She finally turned when she caught a glimpse of him leaving the sofa. She watched as he disappeared into the bathroom. She sighed softly. She couldn’t believe Soo Young has became her man. She grinned to herself.

“Why are you grinning like that?”

She looked up to find Soo Young gazing at her. She shook her head and gave him a smile.

“I was just thinking of you.”

“Oh? What are you thinking of?”

Soo Young went over to her side; he was half with only a towel wrapping on his lower torso. Taeyeon was ogling at his six pecks. She couldn’t believe Soo Young has those. Her boyfriend really has a model-like body. The man bent slightly forward and put his arms around his girlfriend, protectively.

“I just cannot believe you’re my boyfriend.”

“You’re still thinking you’re living a dream?”

Taeyeon nodded cutely; Soo Young chuckled softly before leaning in to kiss his girlfriend’s forehead. Taeyeon closed her eyes as she savoured Soo Young’s minty breath. He must have just brushed his teeth before this.

“You’re such a silly girl. I love you. I love you. I love, love you.”

“Will you put that on repeat for me?”

“Sure, I’ll record on your phone.”

Soo Young took her phone and started recording his “I love yous”; leaving Taeyeon basking with the warmth of his love. Soo Young put the phone away and pulled Taeyeon closer to him. He then gently hoisted his girlfriend up and the girl was quick to wrap her legs around his waist. They started kissing; lost in their own world.

“Kim Taeyeon, I love you so much.”

Soo Young breathed his words and Taeyeon’s eyes turned teary.  She nodded before leaning in for another kiss.

“I cannot be in love with anyone else but you.”

With that, Soo Young gently placed her down on the bed; trapping her under him. Taeyeon looked up a soft gaze and Soo Young was admiring her beauty once again. He purposely brushed his lips against her neck; Taeyeon moaned softly.

“I still can’t get enough of you.”

Taeyeon smirked. She wrapped her arms around his neck; pulling him closer.

“I need you, Choi Soo Young.”

Soo Young kissed her lips and put his arm around her waist.

“The pleasure is yours, Kim Taeyeon.”

And the two slowly got lost further in their world.

-

Taeyeon was sleeping soundly while Soo Young sat up; resting his back against the bed rest. He Taeyeon’s hair gently; the girl was cuddling next to him; hugging his chest tightly. Soo Young smiled as his girlfriend mumbled her confession of love for him.

“Soo Young, I love you.”

She mumbled softly but it was loud enough for Soo Young to hear. His heart swelled with love whenever he looked at her face. It was just so natural to fall deeper and deeper for this girl. Suddenly his phone beeped and Soo Young grabbed it from the side table.

Hyung, the ring is ready. When are you coming back? Daddy is really excited to learn that you’re going to ask Taeyeon to marry you.

Minho was the sender. He asked his younger brother to get the ring ready for him.

I’ll be back in two days time. I’ll get it from you once I’m back in Korea.

Okay. Hyung, are you sure this time?

What is it?

Are you sure you’re going to marry Taeyeon noona?

Soo Young smiled as he glanced to his side. His girlfriend was hugging him tightly.

I’ve never been so sure. Feels like I’ve known this girl forever. I’ve never been so deeply in love with anyone. She’s the first one to make me certain that my future is with her.

Soo Young was never so sure before. He wanted to marry Taeyeon right now.

-

“What did I say?”

Yoong realized Jessica was staring at him. He must have said something wrong.

“You should know what you said.”

Yoong frowned. Jessica was being a hardcore today.

“Baby, what if I told you that I don’t know?”

“Then you don’t sleep with me tonight.”

Jessica walked away immediately; Yoong ran after her. The couple was having dinner when suddenly Yoong’s old female school mate approached them. She was excited to meet Yoong again and Yoong was entertaining her as well much to Jessica’s chagrin.

“She’s my old school mate, baby.”

“Well, seems like she’s interested in you.”

“She WAS interested in me.”

“So she’s your ex girlfriend?”

“No, she’s not. I mean, I don’t have any interest in her at all.”

“She was holding on to your arm.”

“I pushed her away gently.”

“Well, she said you’re good looking. And what did you answer her?”

Yoong was amused. His girlfriend’s jealous was really something Yoong could never imagine.

“I told her she’s getting prettier too.”

“So you know what you’ve said.”

“Baby, it’s a natural response when someone said you’re good looking.”

“So what? You don’t mean it?”

“How would you feel if your old friend told you that you’re getting uglier when you complimented him for looking better than he used to?”

Jessica stared at him. Yoong made sense but the girl was flirting with him right in front of her. She frowned when Yoong pulled her closer and hugged her tightly.

“My dear girlfriend, the only pretty girl in my eyes is you.”

“Fine, you win.”

Yoong grinned as he nestled his nose into Jessica’s neck. He gave light kisses as Jessica tilted her head slightly to give him the room.

“You’re the prettiest girl in my life. And you know I’m going to end this relationship with a marriage.”

Jessica quickly turned to look at him. She was surprised.

“Jessica Jung, I’m going to marry you.”

“Yoong..”

“There’s no way I’m going to ever let you go. You’re my world, baby.”

Jessica’s eyes turned watery as she leapt forward; hugging her boyfriend tightly.

-

“Appa.”

Old Mr Kwon turned over his shoulder. He smiled when he saw his son walking through the door. He put away his newspapers and waited for him to come over.

“It’s late. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to visit you. Seohyun said you’re sick.”

“Aish, that girl. I’m just having the normal cough.”

“She said you have been coughing for days.”

His son frowned as he stared at his father. Old Mr Kwon chuckled softly before putting his arm around his son.

“I’m okay, Yul.”

“Are you sure? Do you need to see the doctor?”

“I’m really fine, Yul. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Yul finally nodded after his father assured him. The father and son sat on the sofa; Yul the television.

“What are you doing here? Where’s Tiffany?”

“She’s with Mason. I just got here yesterday.”

“Oh? Why didn’t you bring him along?”

“Appa, are you ready to meet Mason?”

Old Mr Kwon just smiled.

“You love his mother. And I’m sure you’ve grown to love the boy. I’ll grow to love him as well.”

“Appa, you love Omma, right?”

“Hmm?”

“When you married Omma, you love her, right?”

Old Mr Kwon didn’t say anything. He stood up and walked over to the mini bar at the back of the living room. He grabbed two cans of beer and threw one at his son. Yul caught it immediately. Old Mr Kwon then joined his son again; pulling the tab from the beer can. He took a sip and put the can onto the table.

He patted on Yul’s back.

“When I met your mother, she was working at a bar. She was a waitress and sometimes she had to entertain customers. Then she would rush back because of Jiyoung. Jiyoung was just a baby and his baby sitter would drop Jiyoung at her work place.  I would visit the bar every now and then. At first, I took pity on her but your mother is a beautiful woman, Yul. She had to sacrifice herself for Jiyoung and one day, someone took advantage of her. They spiked her drinks and took her away. I followed them.”

Yul was stunned. His eyes grew larger when his father shook his head.

“They almost her but I stopped them. I told them she was my wife and I told them to leave her alone.”

“Did you get beaten up, Appa?”

“I was a rich man’s son. My gang was with me all the time. They beat the crap out of those scumbags and I took your mother home. She told me she needed to go home because of Jiyoung. So I drove her back to her home and insisted to bring her home with me, together with Jiyoung.”

Old Mr Kwon took a sip from his beer can and put it back down again. Yul started to drink his as well.

“Since then, I told her to work for me. She worked as my servant at home. I gave her a room for her and Jiyoung. As years went by, Jiyoung grew from a frail baby to a healthy young boy. He had to attend school so I got him into one. Your mother decided to marry me and my parents agreed. Your late grandfather accepted your mother and Jiyoung because I fell in love with your mother and love your older brother so much.”

“Then what’s wrong now? Why is hyung going against you?”

Old Mr Kwon shrugged his shoulders.

“Did you really stop treating him nicely after I was born?”

“When you were born, Jiyoung has always been jealous of you. Even your mother shifted her attention from him to you. I guess I was overly concerned about you that I have forgotten about Jiyoung. Maybe it’s my fault.”

“But you gave him everything. You put him through university. He even went to the top university in UK.”

“Sometimes people forget a lot of things when they are at the top. I just wish Jiyoung realize that he’s not doing things correctly.”

“Appa, you love hyung, right?”

His father just smiled. Yul knew that smile. His father’s a man with few words but his smile often conveyed his utmost feelings; hidden deep down in his heart. The last time he saw that smile when he attended Jiyoung’s convocation in UK. His father was so proud of his brother. It was the same exact smile. Yul knew his father loves his half brother.

“Yul, when you have own your child with Tiffany, never ever abandon Mason because he’s going to look up to you because you’re the man in his life. Jiyoung looked up to me when he was growing up. I guess I wasn’t showing much attention on him.”

“Appa, I’m going to love Mason as much as I would love my child.”

“I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I would put my attention on Jiyoung equally with you.”

“Appa, I’ll talk to hyung. I ‘m sure he will understand.”

Old Mr Kwon just let out a soft laugh before patting on his son’s back.

“Just bring Mason to meet me soon. I would love to see the little guy.”

“I will, Appa.”

Both father and son smiled.

-

GD was parking his car two houses away from his father’s mansion. He saw another car parked outside the gate and he recognized the car. That car belonged to his half brother, Kwon Yul.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

GD didn’t want to be seen so he purposely hid behind a lorry to avoid detection. Their relationship soured recently when Yul found out about the lawsuit GD had with his step father. They weren’t like this before. Despite his hatred for his step father, GD cares about his half brother.

They grew up together; they were close. Yul had never fight with him over anything.  But Yul’s arrival caused a drift between him, his mother and his father. GD grew up; disliking them because they were just putting their attention on Yul.

So GD often took it personally and decided to work his way up. He studied hard; got into good schools; often scored good grades and got into one of the prestigious universities in UK. He knew his step father was proud of him. He could see his step father’s eyes sparkled so brightly when he attended his convocation.

But GD found out something about his mother’s dark past. His uncle told him everything. His uncle, Kwon Sang Woo, who was his step father’s younger brother, told him the truth about his mother’s relationship with his step father.

“Your father married him because they lived together. Your mother had no choice but to marry him. Your mother was working at a sleazy bar and your step father was often a patron at the bar.”

“You’re lying!”

“Why should I lie to you? Your mother got pregnant with you and she didn’t even know who your father was. If not for your step father, your mother would have been !”

“YOU LIED!”

“Kwon Jiyoung, do you really think you’re part of the Kwons?! When your step father dies, the only person who would get everything would be Yul – his own flesh and blood! You’re not even worth anything; you don’t belong to the Kwons!”

GD punched his uncle in the face. His uncle’s bodyguards immediately caught hold of GD. GD had always listened to his uncle. He was the one who instigated GD to embezzle the funds out to form his new company with his uncle. But his uncle betrayed him. He tricked GD; making him the scapegoat.

So when the board of directors found out, Kwon Sang Woo conveniently pointed his finger at GD. GD was trapped and he thought his step father would believe him but he was wrong. The old man couldn’t seem to do anything. He didn’t even talk to him after the news leaked out.

GD got furious. Maybe his scumbag uncle was right. His step father had never cared about him. He only cared about Kwon Yul. That was when GD got crazy and threw a lawsuit at his step father.

GD was fragile. He was lost when his uncle betrayed him. He was blinded by betrayal and hatred that he did things without thinking. But now, with nobody on his side; even his business partners left him; GD had no choice but forced to end things the way it should.

He thought of killing both Kwon Yul and his step father. But Yul was never a threat to him. Yul never had interest in business and he remembered when they were younger. Yul fought with their father over this issue.

“Appa, I have no interest in the business!”

“But you’re part of Kwons! Shouldn’t you do something for the family?!”

“You have hyung! He’s so much better than me. He has Masters in Business Administration. He’s the pride of the Kwon family. Let him do it.”

His father’s facial expression changed. GD knew his father dislikes him.

“He’s going to be part of this too but I would prefer if you could join him!”

“No way, I have no interest in business. You do know why I took Music & Theatre in university. I’m not going to be forced to wear a suit and tie and sit in a big room with file all over my table. I’m not that kind of guy!”

Yul left the dinner table with his father screaming for him. His then-wife was already trying to console him while urging GD to run after his younger brother.

“Jiyoung, go after Yul and bring him back.”

“Yes, Omma.”

GD didn’t say much after that. He quickly grabbed his car keys and jumped into his convertible. He knew where his younger baby brother would be.

“Yul?”

He threw the key onto the table. He was at Yul’s apartment – the one Yul bought with his own money. Yul was already an established song-writer.

“Oh? Hyung, what are you doing here?”

Yul appeared; after coming out from his room.

“I know you’ll be here.”

“Is this about Appa?”

“Yul, Appa has your interests.”

“What are you talking about? What did I tell you before? I’m not interested in business and you agreed to study business to help Appa with his business.”

“But you’re his flesh and blood.”

“Don’t give me this bull, hyung. You’re his son too. His wife is your mother so you’re his son as well.”

GD was supposed to comfort Yul but it always appeared otherwise. Yul was always there; defending his half brother again and again. GD adores his younger brother; he would do anything to protect him too.

“But you shouldn’t have fought with him. Today is his birthday.”

Yul kept quiet. GD threw his arm around his younger brother’s shoulder and the two brothers started to hit and push each other playfully.

“Are you going home later?”

“Do I have to?”

“Yul, it’s his birthday.”

“Fine, I’ll do it when I’m cool down.”

“Okay, you promise?”

“Hyung! You’re so long winded!”

“Yah~ It’s for your own good!”

The two brothers were laughing at each other.

GD sighed when he thought of his brother. He missed those moments when they used to be closer than now. He suddenly saw a figure walking out from the gate. Yul was leaving and GD held his steering wheel tightly.

He waited until Yul’s car was out of sight. GD had to do this. He wasn’t ready to lose his wealth and everything he used to have. He just needed to get back what was rightfully his. He got out from his car and hid his gun in his pants. He walked cautiously towards his step father’s house. He looked around cautiously before walking in.

His step father was in the living room. GD stood outside the door.

“Yul?”

His step father thought it was his son but it was his step son instead.

“Jiyoung?”

“Don’t call me by that name.”

“What do you want, son?”

“Son?”

GD scoffed.

“Jiyoung, you know you’ve always been my son.”

“No, that’s not right. Your son is only Yul.”

The old man shook his head. GD put his hand into his pocket. He held on to his gun. His step father was completely unaware.

“You can tell me what you want, Jiyoung. I can give it to you.”

“You have already transferred the company to Yul. You think I don’t know anything?!”

“Jiyoung, I have to do that. You know how the tradition is.”

“Then why did you put me as the CEO of the company when you know that you have to transfer this company to your own flesh and blood?!”

“I have already planned something else for you. But you went to do something stupid. You went to embezzle the company’s funds for your own selfish use. I cannot save you. The board of directors know everything!”

“I know who told on me.”

Old Mr Kwon looked up; he was surprised. He wanted to know who was the one who snitched on his step son to the board of directors.

“Your beloved younger brother.”

“Sang Woo? Why would he do that?”

“He betrayed me.”

“But Sang Woo has his own company. Why would he want to do this to you?”

“Because he told me I don’t belong to the Kwons.”

GD’s eyes were red but fiery. There was a lot of vengeance in his eyes. Old Mr Kwon could sense it.  He knew GD was no longer Kwon Jiyoung. He has lost his step son.

“Jiyoung, that’s not true. You’re my son. You’re always my son.”

GD refused to listen. He shrugged the old man’s words.  He took out the gun and pointed at his step father. The old man was surprised but remained calm. He knew Jiyoung was no longer himself.

“I lost everything. I’ve lost everything that I’ve worked hard for. People came coming after me! Why did I do wrong? I earned that money for the company! I returned it back! So why are they chopping me off?!”

“I’ll talk to them, Jiyoung.”

“You won’t! You didn’t!”

“I did! I did talk to them, Jiyoung!”

“I don’t believe you!”

GD pulled the trigger.

-

Tiffany was hugging Mason to sleep. She decided to squeeze with Mason on his bed instead of hers. Yul was smiling widely when he saw Tiffany’s feet sticking out from Mason’s small bed frame. Yul needed Tiffany; his conversation with his father was making him upset.

He knew his father had always loved his half brother but he never expressed it well; causing the older boy to think otherwise. He knelt on the floor; caressed Tiffany’s cheeks. The lady stirred in her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes.

Her eye-smiles immediately appeared and Yul’s aching heart softened.

“Baby? You’re back?”

“Yeah, and why are you sleeping on Mason’s bed?”

“He wanted me to sleep with him. But his bed was too small.”

“Your feet are cold because they’re exposed.”

Yul stood up and grabbed a blanket from Tiffany’s bed. He then wrapped it around Tiffany before scooping her up in his arms.

“Where are you going to take me?”

“I’m going to take you to your bed and I want to sleep with you.”

Tiffany looked at him; she saw the gloomy expression on his face. She caressed his cheeks gently.

“Did something happen?”

“No, I just wanted to sleep in your arms.”

“Wait; please don’t tell me you’re jealous of Mason?”

Yul scrunched his eyebrows together.

“What would I be jealous of your son?”

“I was hugging him to sleep.”

“Fany, I’m going to sleep with his mother. We might be doing more than that. Why should I be jealous?”

Tiffany stared at him.

“You want to have with me while my son is in the same room; sleeping next to us?!”

Yul giggled like a little child.

“Yul, don’t giggle. You sound like a girl.”

“Fany, why are you asking so many questions tonight?”

Yul placed her on the bed before crawling next to her. Tiffany put her arms out and Yul took advantage by laying his head on her chest. The lady then hugged him like a child.

“Is everything alright, Yul?”

Yul nodded.

“Are you sure, baby?”

“I admit; I didn’t feel good earlier on but now I’m in your arms, all my worries melt away.”

Tiffany smiled widely.

“Sleep then, sweetheart.”

“Are you going to pat me to sleep?”

Tiffany kissed his forehead.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Yul slowly fell asleep in his girlfriend’s arms.

-

Seohyun was with Krystal. They had watched a movie together and it was too late to return to their dorm. Since Seohyun’s house was nearer, they decided to sleep over and return to the dorm the next morning. Seohyun’s mother was not in town; she had travel back to her hometown to visit her friends so only left Seohyun’s father at the house.

“You think your father will mind?”

“My father’s awesome. He wouldn’t mind at all.”

“But..”

“Krystal, you’re not a guy. You’re a girl. My father won’t ask much. I can assure you.”

Seohyun grabbed Krystal’s hand. Krystal’s heart started beating rapidly. Well she wasn’t the only one; Seohyun was struggling to hide her nervousness away. But both held hands together; walking in the stillness of the night quietly; enjoying each other’s company.

They finally reached Seohyun’s place. But something was amiss. Her gate was opened.

“What’s wrong?”

“My gate’s opened.”

“Maybe someone’s here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why don’t we go in and look for your father? Maybe he forgot to close it.”

Seohyun nodded.  But as they got neared to the mansion, Seohyun’s heart felt uneasy. Firstly, the lights were off. Usually, the porch light was still on. But now, it was pitch darkness.

“Seohyun?”

Krystal could sense the uneasiness as well. She held Seohyun’s hand tightly.

“The house is too dark for my comfort. Daddy will not turn off the lights because he doesn’t like the house to be in total darkness.”

“Maybe he’s tired?”

“He’s coughing badly. I hope nothing’s wrong with him.”

Seohyun quickened her movements; Krystal was following closely behind him. Seohyun was tense up as she struggled to get the keys from her bag. Krystal stopped her.

“I’ll look for the keys. Where did you put it?”

“It’s in the front pouch.”

“Okay.”

It took Krystal just few seconds to retrieve it. Seohyun couldn’t even locate it. That was how nervous Seohyun was. Krystal then jammed the key into the keyhole but she couldn’t twist it. Seohyun was getting more alarmed.

“Why wouldn’t the door open?”

Seohyun was about to kick the door open when Krystal put her hand on the doorknob instead. She then turned it. The door was open. It wasn’t locked in the first place. Krystal turned to look at her.

“Something’s not right.”

“Let’s go in.”

“Wait! Grab the umbrella.”

Seohyun looked at Krystal, confused.

“In case.”

“My father’s not a criminal.”

“The door’s not locked. Let’s just take precaution okay?”

Krystal grabbed an umbrella and squared herself in front of Seohyun. She suddenly had the urge to protect Seohyun. Both girls then went inside cautiously; Seohyun found the lights.

Once the light was on; both girls screamed out so loudly. Seohyun was hysterical. In front of them was a man with a shot wound on his forehead.

“DADDY!”

Krystal was paralyzed to the ground in fear.

-

I'm back! Sorry for the long wait. I was too busy lately. I tried to squeeze on chapter for today. I think I should be able to start updating from next week onwards. :)

hope you enjoy this.

and brace up, the rough ride is coming up.