“Sometimes people choose to hold back and watch love walk away not because no love is there but because they are just so afraid of the risk of loving and losing again…”

Lee Min Ho came to the agency first thing in the morning. He couldn’t sleep last night, not because of Park Min Young but his mind can’t stop thinking of another girl. What if she thinks that there are still something going on in between me and Min Young? Last night was crazy. It has been 2 years since the last time they meet. Min Young did text him to congratulate him on the successful of his drama months ago but he was quite taken aback when she called him last night.

Min Ho: Yobuseyo

Min Young: Is me. Are you busy now? Sorry if you are working. I can call back later.

Min Ho: I’m… ah… just at home. What’s up?

Min Young: …………

Min Ho: You okay?

Min Young: I just need someone to talk to but when I browse through my phone list, I couldn’t find anyone who can really talk.

Min Ho: What happened? Where are you?

Min Young: …… can you… I mean can we… meet up?

Min Ho glanced at his bedroom door where Shin Hye was sitting outside. He couldn’t just leave her alone here like that.

Min Ho: Erm… I don’t think is a good idea. I’m actually in the middle of something and…

Min Young: It’s okay. I’m just asking. I know it’s awkward. Sorry, just pretend I never call. Erm… I’m sorry.

Min Ho: No, is not that. Erm… I just…

He ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh. She doesn’t sound right. He can’t just leave her alone when she sounds like that. They may not be together anymore, and he may have moved on but that doesn’t mean he don’t care for her anymore.

Min Ho: Where are you? I think we can meet up for a while.

After Min Ho sent Shin Hye back home, he made his way to a small park near the Han River. He saw a heavy tinted white SUV and he stopped his car few metres behind. It was Min Young’s car. The park was quite hidden and he can’t see anybody there. Not many people will actually be there at this hour especially at this kind of cold weather. He used to bring Choco to jog here and he remembered he has once brought her here too for cycling at night. How long was that? He can’t really remember. What he remembered was at that time, they hardly have the chance to meet up. Their schedules were so tight and their agencies warned them to stay as low profile as possible. Whenever they have a chance they will try to meet but always ended arguing.

He turned his sight to the passenger seat. He recalled the image of Shin Hye sitting there just a while ago. She sounded worried when she knows that he was meeting Min Young. He knew she was worried they will get caught by reporters but why does he felt that it’s more than that? A smile slowly curved on his lips, remembering that morning when he embraced her from behind, her soft body and the sweet scent of her hair. How he wished he could stop the time and live in that moment forever. But reality bites and he have to let go.

Then something caught his eyes on the floor of the passenger seat. He bends down and picked it up. It was a pink handkerchief with tiny embroidered flowers at the corner. Shin Hye must have dropped it just now. He looked at the handkerchief on his hand and then took a look at the white SUV in front. He sighed before putting the handkerchief in his pocket. He removed his seat belt and lowered the rear view mirror. His scarf was covering half his face and he was wearing a cap too. He then took out a sunglass from the car drawer and put it on. He scanned around before he opened the door and went down. He walked straight to the white SUV and jumped in immediately.

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Everyone was looking nervously at Manager Han’s room when Min Ho stepped into the office. Shin Hye was not at her place. He knew something must be wrong. And then Seon Yang walked to him. “Manager Han was very angry this morning. The first thing was looking for Shin Hye. She just got inside and we are worried. Do you know what’s wrong, boss?” Without answering her, he walked straight to his manager’s room but before he could open the door he heard him saying, “You told me that you were with him in his house at that time. So, you lied.” Min Ho widened his eyes. He found out!   

Without waiting for another second, he opened the door and walked in. Both Shin Hye and his manager were startled by him. He saw a photo of him and Min Young in front of Shin Hye. Great! We were caught! She looked pale and was sitting there with trembling hands. At that moment, Min Ho really feels like punching himself in the face. What have he done that put her in this kind of situation? She shouldn’t be the one who going through all this because of his recklessness. Min Ho turned to his manager and said angrily, “It’s not her fault. I forced her to lie for me. Yes! I was with Min Young last night. So?! I don’t even have my freedom to meet up with a friend?”

“Can you please lower down your voice and close the door before everyone in the office know about it?!” Manager Han said, almost yelling at him. Min Ho slammed the door and took a seat beside Shin Hye. He was glaring at his manager and trying his best not to lose control. Manager Han let out a deep sigh and pointed at the photo. “Can you tell me honestly what was you guy doing there? That was Park Min Young’s house car park basement. I didn’t know you still keep in touch with her. Were you guys back together?”

“NO! It was not like that. Something happened and she was very sad. She needed a friend to talk to and she was not okay. I just followed her car behind and make sure she got home safely.” Min Ho said defensively. He stole a glance at Shin Hye who was very quiet. He doesn’t know why there is a need to explain but most importantly he doesn’t want her to misunderstand.

“But it doesn’t look like you were in the car. You were walking behind her. It looked like you were going up to her house. And that was a great angle to snap a nice photo for both of you.” Manager Han said sarcastically and leaned his back on his chair with his arms crossed, looking at him suspiciously. Min Ho ran a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. “I admit it was my fault for being careless. I didn’t know there will be reporter there. I just walked her up to her house and left minutes later. I didn’t even step inside her house.”

“Do you know how much it will cost us to block this photo from being publish? If not because one of my best friend found this and let me know about it, this photo already gone viral by now.” Manager Han sighed again and this time looking at Shin Hye. “I thought you was matured enough to judge what is right and wrong. I know you just want to help him but he isn’t an ordinary man. It might be just a small lie but as you can see, it can turns out