I washed my face and hands cleanly under the rusted faucet. The mirror casted my dripping reflection. I looked fine... Nothing from the norm.

Two days later-
The door bell across the house rang out several times before I could reach it.
"Yes?" I said opening the door to the bright outsides.
"Hi, I'm Cha Joona," she bowed to me. She looked my age, about 20. "I'm from the Korean Central Detective service. I heard complaints of some strange things happening here. I'm sorry, but may just have a look around? So that those complaints are confirmed wrong?" She tried to peek over my shoulder. I quickly put my hand on the door frame and smiled.
"Ah, I see. I'm Jung Taekwoon. So, what kind of complaints?"
"Well, some people in the area reported hearing some strange noises a couple nights ago. But I'm sure it's a misunderstanding."
I paused... Who reported my house?
"Then, please come in," I gestured.

She walked carefully in front of me, looking around the walls and shelves. Her clothes caught my attention... She wasn't dressed like a detective, and her waist was very petite. She dressed in a short black skirt and a long sleeved lace shirt with her brown hair tied up. She was actually... Quite pretty..
"You're a fashion designer?"
"Oh, yeah. For mainly women clothing," I responded. She nodded and tip toed to my black shelf against the wall. Tense, I walked towards her to confront her. However, she continued on to check other parts of the house. I relaxed and sat down on my spinny desk chair. I turned in the seat comfortably and smiled, waiting for her to come from the other side of the house. There's nothing she would find suspicious, nothing goes on this house except my failures on designing dresses. I brushed back my hair and crossed my arms.
She walked from the bathroom and stood in front of me.
"Anything?" I asked.
I eyed her petite size, and imagined a nice idea for my next project.
"Yes actually, there is." My eyes widened and traveled up to her face.
"What would that be?"
She held up a black bra and rose her brows at me.
"It's my sister's," I laughed. "Sorry about that," I reached out to take it from her.
"I know, I was just playing," she smiled. "There's nothing strange at all. I'm sorry for bothering you," she bowed.
"It's fine," I smiled. I headed for the door to let her out and turned the knob. Light flooded onto the dark floor boards.
"Thank you so much for cooperating, Taekwoon. I guess I'll be leaving then."
"Oh no, wait," I said before she stepped out. I looked down to her nervously. She was close to my chest, looking up to me, smiling.
"Can I... Can I measure you? I mean, it's just that I think creating a dress with your measurements will make a lot of people happy if it turns out well," I excused.
"Oh okay, sure!" She said happily.

I pulled out my black tape measure from the steel drawer and spun to face Joona.
"Your arm please," I asked, reaching out my hand. She rested her arm onto my palm, and I stretched the measure from her wrist to shoulder. Then I measured her bicep width and forearm width, recording it all on my note pad.
"Your waist," I asked leaning closer. She nodded.
"Um, can you pull your skirt just a little lower, so I can measure more accurately?"
I then measured her as gently as possible. Her skin was so soft, it had been a while since I had touched such silky skin..
I continued to her shoulder width, leg length, upper body length, and then to her bust.
"If you can, please measure your bust for me," I asked handing Joona the tape.
"Sure," she said, taking it from me. She measured, and told me the centimeter circumference, "It's 59 cm." 
I looked up to her, "Oh. I think you started from the wrong point." That was a very high number...
Assisting her hands to slide to the correct starting point, I noticed the measure band pressing into her chest. I blinked, trying to forget my bad thoughts.
"Ah I see now. It's... Still 59 cm," she showed me.
"Oh. I'm sorry I told you you had been doing it wrong," I apologized taking note of the measure.
"Please stand against the wall over there," I pointed to the brick wall next to the desk. She walked over and stood still. I leaned over her, measuring her height as my hand against the wall balanced me. I looked to her face and memorized how it looked closely. Our eyes met, and we both smiled.
"I'm sorry to have to put you in these kind of awkward situations."
"No, it's fine with me really," Joona shook her head. Her pretty brown hair rested on her shoulder next to my hand. I wanted to touch it, but I resisted. My more dominant position gave me the image of a high school romance movie scene...
We stared at each other for a few moments before I began to move close to her. Leaning into her, I kissed her pink lips gently. She wouldn't have kissed me back, she would simply think of me as a freak, I'm sure.
A moment passed and Joona put her hand on my shoulder, giving me acceptance. She tilted her head to kiss me as I leaned forward. Her soft lips rubbed against mine and I kissed her more passionately this time.

Joona POV-
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have kissed you earlier..." Taekwoon apologized with regret.
"It's- it's okay." I smiled and rubbed my shoulder nervously. This was my first time being careless around a man... I'm not sure what got into me..
"And thank you for letting me measure you. I don't usually get real live measurements. Maybe this dress won't be a fail," he laughed.
"I'm sure it won't be a fail," I cheered. His legs were very long when he sat on his desk chair. And his hair was swept back, unlike the trending hairstyle that almost every guy in Seoul had. A small potted plant with pink buds stood on his desk, catching my attention. I pointed, "What kind of plant is that? It's very unusual."
His lighter toned voice responded, "This? I'm not quite sure, it's my sister's."
We sat in awkward silence for a few moments before he asked, "Will you be coming back?"
I didn't answer him. Should I be coming back? Or was this all a mistake I should forget about? I wanted to come back. 
"... I want to."

Narrative POV

Two weeks later-
Taekwoon awoke suddenly and looked to his side. Joona laid with her hand on his sleeping soundly. He was at rest. She hadn't walked away from him during the night. She stayed, and he felt happy to not wake up alone.
"What's the matter," she whispered, rubbing her tired eyes.
He hesitated, a flashback played in his mind. 

She had left him when he opened his eyes, and never came back.
It was a nightmare to him. He never wanted to have a girl leave him again. He would forbid it.
"Nothing," he said to her, lying back next to her. He put his hand on her waist and returned to sleep.

When morning rose, Joona stretched awake and found Taekwoon clinging to her arm. She smiled and hugged his warmth tightly. He opened his eyes and smiled to find her so close. "I love you," she told him. "I love you more."
Later in the day, they drove to the COEX shopping mall to spend the day. As they walked hand in hand, Taekwoon grew nervous and anxious. What if Joona left him someday and never returned, like her? I want to let her go... He thought. Before she leaves me...
Abruptly, Taekwoon stopped in his steps and let go of her hand.
"What's wrong Taekwoon?" Joona asked. He swallowed nervously, "Nothing, sorry." He grabbed her hand and, continued to walk around the mall. How could he let her go so easily?

"Joona, pick something. I'll buy it for you," he said putting his arm around her.
"Hmm... Okay," she said happily, "But you have to pick something for me to buy."
"Alright."
Joona looked around the racks in a men's new sale rack, sliding the hung clothes back and forth. Between the many tangled hangers, hung a light blue hoodie jacket with the words 'with you forever' printed across the front. She took it off the rack and went over to Taekwoon who was busy looking at other men's clothes.
"Oppa, try this on," she handed to him. He smiled and put it over his top,
"How is it?"
"Aw cute," she said, reaching up to fix his hair.
"I'll find you something cute too." He searched the women's section and directed his attention to the 'small' rack. She would surely fit something in this rack. He picked through the many hangers and found an identical jacket to the one he was now wearing. Couple clothes... It was a cute idea to him. He walked behind Joona and put it over her head, over her blouse.
"Couple clothes, do you like it?" He asked, peaking around her. She grinned,
"Mm, it's cute, especially when we're together like this. Lets buy it!"
Taekwoon smiled as they purchased the couple jackets. Would he ever smile without her?

Later, near sundown, they stopped by a restaurant for dinner.
"What should we order Taekwoon?"
"I don't know, what do you want to eat?"
"Mm... Ddokbokki? If you want?" She suggested.
"Sure, and how about some mandoo?" She nodded happily.

The food arrived steaming and glistening. The spicy rice cakes were in a large stone pot, and the mandoo were fried nicely and were laid on a player next to a gochujang dipping sauce. The sauce was a tinge sour and spicy, and went perfectly with the mandoo. Leo picked up a fork and poked a ddeok (rice cake). As he was about to head for his mouth, he paused. No, I should feed her before I feed myself. He reached across the table and held the fork in front of .
"Ah," He played. She bit the ddeok off of the fork and signaled thumbs up. As Joona chewed the spicy cakes, she put her hands above the warm steam.
"Ah, it feels nice," she said sighing. Taekwoon held her hands, both freezing over the steam.
"What's your favorite season?"
"Winter," he said rubbing her fingers. "Even though its cold, it's a nice season because there is Christmas and its fun to watch the snow fall at night. It's even better because its the season we met." He looked out the window and up at the gentle falling snow.
"What about you?" Taekwoon asked.
She laughed, "Spring. It's not too hot, not too cold, it's just right. Flowers are in bloom, the wind is cool and the sun is out. But winter is great too." Joona squeezed his hand and fed him ddeokbokki and mandoo.
"Mashiseo?" She asked.
"Mm," he nodded.

When they finished, they walked outside looking at the shops one last time. Joona stopped at a high-end women's clothes store and gazed at a cute white short dress. Taekwoon watched at her amazement towards the dress. He thought, I'll make her a dress like this. Better then this. A dress just for her.

Back at home, they sat on the black leather couch. Taekwoon put his arm around her, and Joona leaned against his shoulder. Taekwoon flipped through the channels and stopped when he saw several baby pigs sniffing a pile of feed.
"Pigs..." He said in awe over the babies.
"You like pigs? They're quite cute actually."
He nodded, and continued to watch them sniff the ground. Joona smiled, so this is something he likes, cute baby pigs.

Christmas came soon, and Joona and Taekwoon both had surprises for each other.
Joona began to change into her day clothes when Taekwoon hugged her from behind.
"Merry Christmas Joona. I have something for you," He handed her a black gift box. She began unwrapping it, and when she pulled off the pink tissue paper, a folded dress was uncovered. Joona took the dress out of the box and let it unfold. It was a cute short white dress with some chiffon frill. 

She put it over her underwear and bare body. Taekwoon zipped the delicate dress up and looked at the perfect fit.

"How do you feel?" He asked scanning his creation's perfection.
"It's really comfortable and it fits great! It's really... Really beautiful, Taekwoon. Thank  you, I love it so much," she told him, admiring herself in the mirror. She pulled out a gold case and handed it to him. He took out a golden pig with glass wings and held it in his hands.
"It's so cute," he said smiling. "Thank you so much, I love pigs." Taekwoon reached out to her petite body and hugged her right.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too Taekwoon."
Although Taekwoon was reminded of his past girlfriend, and the pain he went through after she left him, he ignored his memories. It didn't matter. If she left him, well at least he got the chance to even meet her. Besides it was too late to try and keep away from her. He was in too deep. The happiness she gave him would be worthy of heartbreak.

"I'll be going out for a little Joona," he called out across the house. "I'll be back in a few hours."

Joona walked around the house bored. A white box caught her eye.
"What's this?" She opened the box and peered in. There were pictures of two girls, older than her age. What? Who?... She dug deeper in the box and pulled out a letter. She unfolded it. It read:
October 2014. 
We're done. Don't think we ever dated. We never met, so just forget about it. I never loved you. You were foolish, caught up in a foggy dream. I knew what you were planning to do with me. That other woman left you so you wanted to keep me forever by making me plastic and frozen for your designs. You're sick. I hate you. I hate your guts. Rot away alone. - Yujin

Joona frowned. How can someone be so cruel? She continued through the box hesitantly. She pulled out another letter. This one read:
November 2014. 
This is the first one I've gotten rid of...
The paper seemed to be water marked, and the writing was awfully messy, but somewhat familiar. It was Taekwoon's...

It's not my fault... It's not. She wanted to leave me, like the other woman. I couldn't bear the pain of another leaving me. But why? What did I do wrong? Is it me? No! It's them. Those two rotten... Yet so pure. I create a masterpiece for them, and they threaten to leave. They are not my true loves. My masterpiece is the true love. The dresses... One silver like the moonlight, the other simple and a velvet red that brings goosebumps to men. Those are my loves. Those women were no one. They are gone anyway... One very much burned and stored stored away.

A sick feeling went through Joonas stomach and neck. She dug deep into the box, and stopped when her hand reached a glass jar. The box rocked a bit on the unsteady chair. Water could be heard inside. She slowly pulled it out and looked to the jar. Red blood filled the jar, and inside was a heart. Not a fake heart. A heart. Veins and tubes connected. Joona put it back in the box and rubbed her eyes.

ALTERNATE ENDING 1
This was what she had been waiting for this entire time. Finally, playing as his doll, all to find out if he was actually the one who created a neighborhood disturbance that night. She sighed. Time to call the office up and tell them the news.
As she dialed the phone number, she shivered. Finally. After so long.
She told the other detectives the news. They would be right over soon. They would arrest him, take him in for a trial, and he would probably be given life behind bars or death. 

Sirens roared and blue and red lights flashed as Joona walked outside. Taekwoon tried fighting with the cops, and flailed about. He looked to Joona with fear and anger in his eyes, "You!! I loved you," he screamed. She stood emotionless. It was justice. Those two women need justice. She stepped into the car and watched as he was forced into the back seat of the other car.
"Good work Joona. You finally put the suspect in the hot seat," her co worker, Jinki said.
"Thanks. It was... Nothing." 

ALTERNATE ENDING 2
This was what she had been waiting for this entire time. Finally, playing as his doll, all to find out if he was actually the one who created a neighborhood disturbance that night. She sighed. Time to call the office up and tell them the news.
As she dialed the number, she paused. Was she really just playing as a doll? Or were her smiles throughout her time with him, genuine?  She pressed the call button, and dialing tone rang. She waited for an answer.
"Hi this is Korean Central Detective service, how may I help you," asked a familiar voice. It was Joona's good friend, Sunggyu.
She gulped, "It's Cha Joona reporting. I have some news... About the neighborhood disturbance under my Seoul branch."
"Mmhmm?"
She responded emotionlessly.


She sighed and waited for Sunggyu to hang up on the other end. It was done. She thought back about what she told him,
"It's not him. He's not guilty. Lets try a different house."

Now he would be free of his crime. Justice was not served. But there was something she felt. She couldn't just turn on him like that. Although it was supposed to be just an act, it was real. This was her first and last love and she would keep it that way, even if he was a murderer. The pain he housed came from those two women, not because he was crazy or anything.
I will be different from them, I will accept you for who you are, as well as all of your mistakes and right choices. I will never leave you to be alone. 

ALTERNATIVE ENDING 3
How could he have done this...? What if I'm next? I have to leave... Now, before he comes back home.
Joona began to gather her things into her suitcase. She headed for the door, until it opened unexpectedly. Taekwoon looked at her bag and her panicked expression. She is trying to leave me, he thought, no. She won't leave me. I won't let her. 
"Where are you going?" He questioned. He walked towards her. She froze, and started to back up against the wall. He pinned her onto the wall and sighed.
"Why does everyone want to leave me?"
"I found out what you did to her. You killed her, stuffed her heart into a jar, and burned her. How can I stay with a murderer?" He moved closer to her, trying kiss her.
"Stop it Taekwoon." She shivered in scare and tried to move away. He pounded the wall when she tried moving and began to grow so angry, his eyes started to water.
"I love you Joona, please don't leave me." He bent down on his knees with frustration. She was afraid to stay, that he would eventually kill her too, if not right now. She stepped away from him, towards the door. Taekwoon got up from his knees and sighed. His hands covered Joona's face and her sight went black.
A new heart was placed in a jar.

MAIN ENDING
Joona took a moment to breathe, and to think through what she had just seen. The truth seemed horrendous... But she loved him still. And she would continue to love him, no matter what he did to her... Joona admitted to herself, that she would die for him. What he did to the past girl didn't matter. I accept him for who he is, and I forgive his mistakes...

"I'm home Joona!" He called out. She came to the door happily, as if nothing had ever happened.
With his hands behind his back, he bent down in front of her and smiled. Embarassed, he asked,
"Will you marry me?" She hugged him,
"Yes!"

Later in the day, Joona came clean about what she had seen. It was so risky. She didn't want to lose him if she said the wrong thing. Taekwoon as well as herself were so happy, giddy in fact. They wanted to both spend the rest of their lives together, married peacefully.
"... Taekwoon, I have something to say." She paused. "I found out what you did to her... But I love you. It doesn't matter to me. I will always love you," Joona said, hugging him. Taekwoon was in shock that she knew, yet could still love him. It was unbelievable, that a girl so wonderful could love a man who has committed the greatest crime a person could ever do. She was no girl, he thought, but an angel.
"How can you be so kind?" He hugged her tighter, filled with the greatest relief. "Yes, I now know. What I have done was a sin... There is no use in holding a grudge against the women in the past because now, there is only one who matters, and that's you, Joona."
"Taekwoon, I love you so much," she said, kissing him. He kissed back and ran his hands over her smooth back. Taekwoon gently pushed her onto the couch and kissed her neck passionately. Eventually they found themselves bare. As Taekwoon gave her his deepest love, Joona let him do as he pleased. This was their love that would last till the end of eternity.