CHAPTER 17
Another day passed…. And it was already time for everyone to go home…
“A penny for your thoughts?” a voice suddenly said that made Ellie quickly look behind her.
She then saw Micky smiling happily at her. “What are you thinking? You seem to be quite serious all of a sudden,” he asked again.
Ellie smiled and tried to hide the confusion she was feeling. “I was thinking of about the script. I need to make some major changes,” she tried to lie.
Micky looked at her more thoroughly. He was trying to decide whether or not to believe what she said. “Oh, is that it?” he uttered after realizing that it would be useless to dwell on the topic that was bugging him. He just then decided to dismiss the real question that he wanted to ask her.
Ellie stared back at Micky and saw the hurt look in his eyes. She instantly felt something… something …. She couldn’t quite explain.
“Why are you here? Are you guys finished already?” she asked, just to change the conversation.
Micky nodded. “Yes, I came here to ask you if you would like to go out with me for a cup of coffee… and some light snack too,” he answered sweetly. “Oh, but it’s late already. Samar and Krizzia are waiting for me at home. I really need to go home straight away,” she replied.
“Then how about I just take you home instead?” he asked again.
“What?” she asked. “Take me home? Where? Your home or my home?” she asked, quite confused all of a sudden.
Micky quickly burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re really cute! I mean I would like to take you home… to your apartment. But if the chance do came along…. do you think… I can take you home with me… to my home?” he asked jokingly.
Ellie quickly blushed. “Please don’t make such jokes. I don’t like it,” she said nervously.
“Sorry. Please don’t get mad. I was just joking... really. Anyway, how about my question? Would it be okay if I just take you home instead?” he repeated.
“I guess it would be okay. But then... how about your friends?” she asked.
Micky smiled. “Don’t worry about them. They are already grown up. They can take care of themselves. They don’t need me to take them home.”
Ellie nodded her head in agreement. She somehow felt more secure knowing that someone was with her when she goes home. It was already passed midnight and she was always afraid during night time.
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“Bye guys. I will just take Ellie home and then I will go home straight away too,” Micky told his friends as he and Ellie got into the van that she was using.
“Be careful while driving,” Xiah uttered as he waved them goodbye.
Jaejoong just stayed silent as he continued to stare at the van as it slowly moved away. His heart was aching. He pitied himself and his situation. He was totally torn between what is right and wrong. He wanted to fight for Ellie, but he knew he had no right to do so. So he was left with the option of just accepting everything that was happening.
Ellie was sick and she needed someone to help cure her. And though reality was painful, he had to accept that he wasn’t the person she needed.
He slowly turned and walked to the van that was waiting for them. He quietly went inside and just stayed silent for the rest of the trip back to their apartment. He didn’t want to talk. He had no strength to talk or think. He just closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
U-Know who sat beside him just looked at him every few minutes to check if he was all right. He also kept quiet during the whole trip. He didn’t want to disturb him. He wanted to give him some space… to think and to deal with his emotions. He knew that Jaejoong’s silence meant a deeper meaning. He could easily sense the problem he was carrying. And though he wanted to support him, he knew only time and fate were the ones who could really help him.
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Ellie opened the window of the car and the cold air quickly brushed up her face, blowing her long and loose hair in different directions. She quickly tied her hair and smiled. She liked to travel with the window open. She liked the smell of the cold air while she looked at the wonderful sights that she passes. She kept her eyes outside the window and just kept on smiling sweetly like a small child.
Micky couldn’t help but be captivated with Ellie as he watched her move so naturally. She was so simple in every way… but her simplicity was what made her more special to his eyes. Somehow the more time he spent with her, the more he fell for her. At first, he only wanted to help. It was the reason why he accepted her condition to be his boyfriend during the first time they met. He knew how desperate their management was in making her stay. Yes, he was already attracted to her the very first time that he met her. But he knew he could still control his emotions. He was just playing around… but after a short time of being with her, he knew he had already fallen for her… quite hard. She was so different from all the women he had met that she easily caught his heart. And it was also the main reason that he didn’t want to help in Samar’s plans after she had told them everything. He knew he already had a much deeper attraction for her… something that he wouldn’t be able to control, if he stayed with her longer. He didn’t want to be around her any longer than what was needed. He was afraid of his own emotions running out of control. But after the way Jaejoong had begged him to help… he just couldn’t say no. His own heart was already begging him to agree. He couldn’t bear to see Ellie suffer. She was such a special person who deserved a second chance to be happy… a second chance at life.
Now… he was quite sure…. He was already in love. He was in love with Ellie… the girl that Jaejoong had been waiting and searching for. He knew it was such an ironic fate for the three of them to actually meet and end up in such a situation. He didn’t care what consequences were waiting for them. But he was willing to do anything for her… even if it means to betray and forget one of the people closest to his heart.
Just being close to Ellie and staring at her was enough for him to forget the worry and guilt he was feeling. It was enough to make him forget his principles and turn himself into a worthless friend…
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Two hours passed….. in the DBSK’s apartment….
Micky carefully entered the living room. He was tired and he wanted to lie down in the living room first before going to bed. The room was dark, but he didn’t care. He was too tired to even put on the light.
“How is she? Did you take her home?” a voice suddenly asked out of the darkness as soon as he sat down on the couch.
It was only then that Jaejoong opened the small lamp near the chair he was sitting on.
Micky was startled, but quickly regained his composure. “What are you doing there? You’re waiting for me?” he asked with a hint of irritation.
Jaejoong shook his head. “No. I was drinking,” he replied as he showed him the wine glass he was holding.
“We have an early schedule tomorrow… and you’re drinking? You’re developing a new habit?” Micky couldn’t help but ask with concern.
Jaejoong laughed with bitterness in his voice. “I wish it was something simple like that. So how is she? Did the two of you talk?” he asked again.
Micky was feeling lost on how to answer his friend. “She’s fine. I took her home. End of story. What else do you want to know? Do I have to make notes starting tomorrow? Do I have to report everything to you?” he asked while feeling agitated.
Jaejoong shook his head again. He then drank all the remaining wine in his glass in one gulp. Slowly he stood up and started to walk away. “Good night…. and thank you…” he uttered to his friend before finally leaving the room.
Micky felt like someone had just stabbed him with the last two words that Jaejoong said. Again he felt horrible for even thinking of taking Ellie away from Jaejoong. But his heart was giving him all the wrong excuses. His heart was somehow making him believe that what he was doing was right. Micky slowly bent down his head and cupped his face with his two hands. “What am I supposed to do now?” he suddenly asked out of confusion.
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Inside in Jaejoong’s room……
Jaejoong looked out of the window. A single star was shining in the darkness of the night. “Good night Ellie… I will hold you in my dreams tonight…”
CHAPTER 19
Minutes passed…. Micky and Muko were finally alone in their room. Muko was sitting on the bed and was already reciting a prayer because of her nervousness. She didn’t know what to do. Micky had already gone to the bathroom to take a shower. He told her that he needed to freshen himself up before sleeping.
“What should I do? …. Why didn’t I think about this before? What if he suddenly wants to sleep with me? How can I say no to him? Hikaru said I should just give in to his demands … since he is already my husband. But… Should I say no to him? I am his wife after all. Hikaru is also right.. It is my duty as a wife to …. to … Aaaaahhh,” she suddenly felt so embarrassed to even think of such a thing.
“Oh why did Hikaru just leave me to handle this all by myself? She didn’t even elaborate on what I should do… I am so stupid. I should have asked her more thoroughly. Hikaru…. Hikaru…” she uttered nervously.
“Why are you calling Hikaru?” Micky asked as he walked into the bedroom.
Startled and worried, Muko quickly looked at Micky. And her heart started beating fast the moment she laid her eyes on him.
He was continuously rubbing his wet hair with a towel. The bathrobe he was wearing was somehow loose in the upper part showing a small portion of his chest.
Cold sweat immediately started to trail down Muko’s face. She then bit down on her lower lip several times due to the tension she was feeling.
Micky noticed the worried look on his wife’s face. “What’s wrong Muko?” he asked.
“Oh… nothing,” she quickly replied as she turned away and looked at a different direction. She was feeling very nervous. She felt like she wanted to just stand up and run out of the room.
Not knowing anything, Micky carefully sat down beside Muko. He then gently touched her forehead to see if she had a fever. He had noticed that Muko was slightly pale and sweating.
It was like a bolt of electricity circulated in Muko’s entire body, the moment she felt her husband’s touch. Suddenly a loud screaming siren started to scream in her head.
Muko couldn’t help but stare at Micky again. This time she felt a warm and unfamiliar feeling. As she gazed upon him, she couldn’t help but think that Micky looked so tempting, with his wet hair shining as the light reflected on it, and his white and soft skin slightly damp from his cold shower. Then her eyes fell down to his wide and bare chest. It was then her imagination started running wild.
“Muko, are you all right?” Micky suddenly asked, snapping her back into sanity.
Hot blood quickly rushed to Muko’s cheeks. She felt like a child suddenly caught doing something forbidden.
She hurriedly stood up and moved herself far from where Micky was sitting.
“No… nothing,” she tried to answer. She felt like just a little more and she was really ready to walk out of the room.
Micky smiled sweetly. “I know what would make you feel better,” he uttered.
“What?” she asked curiously.
“A shower to freshen up yourself before we go to bed,” he answered fast and straight.
Muko suddenly felt like something was stuck in her throat. A loud warning bell was already ringing in her ears.
"A… a shower?” she uttered back to check if what she heard was right. Micky smiled and nodded. “Yes, a shower. Don’t tell me you’re going to bed without removing your make-up.”
“Oh,” she said as she tried to hide her nervousness.
Micky slightly laughed. “Would you like me to help you get undressed?” he suddenly teased.
“What?” she shrieked in total horror.
Then Micky gave her a smile so sweet, enough to totally seduce a saint.
It was then Muko decided to rush to the bathroom. Micky’s charm was beginning to be too much for her to handle. At least in the bathroom, she was safe. She quickly locked the door and sighed heavily.
“I will pretend to take a bath… until he gets tired and falls to sleep,” she suddenly thought.
Only minutes passed… and she quickly felt so hot that she decided to really take a bath. As she slipped out of her dress, Micky’s words echoed through her mind.
“Would you like me to help you get undress?”
She shivered after remembering what he had said. “Snap out of it, Muko. Get yourself together,” she scolded herself.
She then started to bathe herself slowly. She was going to take her time in cleaning herself up. She was going to make him wait until he gets tired of waiting. She knew her plan was going to work.
As she slowly rubbed her skin with the soap she was holding, she couldn’t help but wonder and fantasize about Micky… what it would feel like to actually have him hold her passionately… to kiss her lovingly… to touch her intimately….
“Aaaahhhh….” she shrieked after realizing what she was doing. She was thinking about Micky in the most obscene way. Again she felt so embarrassed. “Oh God… please forgive me. I don’t know what I am doing. Please give me strength and guidance… I didn’t mean to do it. I know it’s a sin to think of a man in such a way,” she uttered as a prayer.
She continued to bathe herself. Then she unexpectedly looked at the wedding ring she was wearing. And it was then that she realized something.
“I’m already married to him. And even if this is only an arranged marriage, he is still my husband and I am his wife. No matter what I do I can never change that fact,” she said to herself with a low voice.
Minutes passed… She finally understood and suddenly accepted everything. She was now willing to surrender herself to the man who had taught her a different meaning about life…. and about love.
She slowly put on her night dress and her robe. Then she took one last look at herself in the mirror before she went out. She knew she would never be the same again after tonight. Everything will surely change and she will never be able to return to her normal self… ever again.
She smiled. She then arranged her hair. She needed to look perfect for him. She wanted to make him see her real beauty.
Tonight… her life was going to change forever.
She quietly went into the bedroom… expecting to see Micky patiently waiting for her on their bed.
But….
It was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head the moment she stepped into the room. Micky wasn’t waiting for her on their bed but instead was already lying down comfortably on the couch… reading a book.
“Eh? What are you doing there?” she suddenly asked out loud.
Micky looked at his wife and smiled. “Did you have a nice bath? I told you a shower would make you feel better.”
Muko still couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The image of Micky romantically waiting for her in bed was still lingering in her mind.
“What are you doing there?” she again asked.
“Oh, just reading a book. This is what I do to make myself sleepy,” he answered innocently.
“No… I… I mean you’re sleeping on the couch?” she was finally able to ask the real question.
“Yes, of course. I’m sleeping here. You didn’t expect me to sleep on the same bed with you… did you?” he asked back in return.
Muko felt like the ground she was standing on suddenly cracked open and swallowed her whole. She felt so humiliated and confused, both at the same time. She had been thinking and worrying about so many things, when the truth was…. she didn’t have to.
“Go to bed… It’s late already. We’re meeting up with our friends tomorrow remember,” he reminded her.
“Are you sure you’re sleeping there… on the couch?” she still tried to give him a hint about what she wanted.
Micky lightly laughed. “Yes, I’m sleeping here. Don’t worry about me. I can sleep anywhere.”
“You’re tired and…. your back might hurt if you sleep there,” she tried to make up excuses.
“Don’t worry… Go to bed,” he uttered again.
Muko didn’t know what to do. “You know… the bed is big enough for the two of us. You can sleep here if you want. I won’t mind… It would be more comfortable for you,” she uttered.
Micky looked at Muko seriously. “It’s not right for a man and a woman to sleep on the same bed. So stop worrying about me and just go to bed already… You should rest.”
“It’s not right for a man and a woman to sleep on the same bed? But we’re already married! I am your wife and you’re my husband. What’s wrong with that?” Muko suddenly said to herself. She wanted to voice out everything that she was thinking. But then just decided to turn around and quietly go to bed.
After Micky finally said good night, it was only then Muko released her tears. “It’s not right for a man and a woman to sleep on the same bed… What am I? Am I a stranger to you? Am I not your wife Micky? What am I? Do I really mean nothing to you?”
CHAPTER 29
Ten months passed….
“Are you okay?” Michael asked Fate as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
It was then that Fate slowly turned around to face him. She had been staring out of the window of her room for quite some time. Sadness was visible in her eyes, and somehow seeing this made Michael’s heart ache. He tried to put on a smile and tried to pretend. He wanted to put on a happy façade so to make Fate forget even for a short while.
“Have you forgotten about our date?” he asked cheerfully.
Fate immediately shook her head and tried to smile as well. “No, of course not. As you can see, I’m already dressed up for our date. I have been ready for almost an hour now,” she answered.
“I see. Somehow I had a feeling you were waiting for someone else,” Michael unexpectedly uttered as a joke.
Fate was surprised, but was able to manage her emotions. Michael’s joke had a different effect on her.
Michael was more shocked with the things he had said. He never intended his joke to be so personal. At that moment, he wanted to just hit his head because of his stupidity and carelessness.
“I’m sorry. I was just joking,” he apologized.
Fate smiled. “It’s okay. It’s been so long… I guess it’s time I learn how to be used to such jokes…. Ten months…. Ten months is already a long time… enough to forget.”
Michael let out a deep sigh. “Ten months is definitely a long time for someone who isn’t in love, but for someone who is truly in love…. It is just a small fraction of the total time he is willing to wait,” he replied with a hidden meaning. Fate couldn’t decide on what to say next. She felt like she had suddenly choked on Michael’s words and was now slowly dying.
“You know, even if you try to deny it a million times…. I know you still love him and that you miss him. Don’t you think it’s time for you to go back and find your way back to him?” Michael bravely asked.
Fate shook her head again. “No, why should I go back to him? After I left… he didn’t even try to contact me… not even once… It just proves that I really mean nothing to him,” she said with a hurt look in her eyes.
“But Fate… you’re the one who left him, remember? If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t know whether to run after you or just let you go as well,” Michael gave out his opinion.
“But still…” Fate uttered.
“But still you’re being stubborn and totally unfair,” he uttered back in return.
“Hey, which side are you on? I’m your friend. So how come you’re on his side?” she asked out loud.
Michael suddenly laughed. “Yes, I’m your friend. But I’m not going to be biased just because of our friendship. I’m just giving you the facts… nothing wrong with that.”
Fate pouted. “Oh my head hurts with the way you think. I don’t know why I even bother arguing with you. All of you guys are all the same. You always stick with one another just like glue.”
Michael laughed harder with what he heard. “Darling, haven’t you heard the saying… Birds of the same feather flock together?”
Fate shook her head. “Oh Michael! Sometimes I really wonder how I manage to put up with you.”
Michael quickly changed his expression into a mocking look. “Maybe its because of my good looks and irresistible charms,” he joked.
Fate stared at her friend with eyes wide open with shock. “What? Good looks? Let me think about it first,” she said as a joke as well.
Michael smiled. He was happy that Fate had started to act like normal herself again. It was nice to see her smiling and laughing again.
It had taken her a few months before she could finally pull herself together again. During the first month that she arrived in Germany, she just locked herself up in her room and continuously cried for days.
A week after her first month in Germany, she was hospitalized for almost a week. Her father made sure that the news about her being sick was never leaked out to the media. He hired several men to guard her and take care of things until she was allowed to go home.
By the end of her second month in Germany, she had fallen into a deep depression that she even tried to commit suicide by drinking a handful of sleeping pills and prescription drugs. Luckily that her father had hired a personal nurse to look after her right after she got sick… so the nurse was able to save her in time…
Right after her suicide attempt she went to England, where she stayed for two months under the careful supervision of several doctors and nurses. There she was able to totally heal herself, both physically and emotionally.
During the time she was hiding, no news was ever reported about her health condition or her suicide attempt. A lot of people kept on asking where she was. Michael was sometimes bombarded by media people with questions regarding her whereabouts. So there were times that he would just end up making jokes just to change the topic.
During the time that Fate was healing herself…. Michael just silently stood by her side and carefully guided her in everything she did. It was his way of loving her. He knew that her heart was already closed and that friendship was the only thing she could offer. And though his heart was aching, he accepted reality like a real man. He had decided that if friendship was the only thing she could give him, then it was good enough for him. He was willing to be her friend… He was contented with what he had just as long as he was by her side.
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“Michael, what are you thinking?” Fate asked.
He then snapped out of what he was thinking. “Nothing… I just remembered something. Are you ready? I don’t want to be late for the concert,” he said with a smile.
“Yes, I told you I have been ready for an hour now… Come on. I don’t want to be late too. I am so looking forward to seeing the concert. I haven’t seen a live concert for more than a year now,” she said excitedly.
“Well, just make sure you don’t go screaming out loud when you see the singers okay… It’s embarrassing…” he said as a joke.
Fate lightly laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t be screaming…. but yelling.” Michael laughed as well. “Fine, scream all you want. Just make sure you don’t go around complaining tomorrow... Oh, and please save some of your voice. I still need a talking Fate by tomorrow. We have a meeting with the organizers of the race we’re joining remember?”
She then sweetly smiled, then nodded. “Don’t worry… I will make sure I can still talk tomorrow. I wouldn’t want to miss the upcoming race… I have been out of the race tracks for almost a year already… I really need to join that race.”
“Well. Let’s go… “ he happily said as he took her hand and led her out of the room.
A few minutes passed and both of them were already on their way to a rock concert. Unknown to them, something was about to happen… something that they weren’t prepared for.
Whatever They Say (Acappella) - DBSK CHAPTER 16
The following day…
The DBSK boys arrived early on the new location for their next shooting. They were all taken by surprise after they saw Ellie already working together with some of the female crew.
Micky immediately went to her side and gave her the packed breakfast that he had bought along the way. He had bought it for himself but decided to give it to her instead.
Ellie smiled and took the plastic bag containing the food. “Thank you,” she uttered shyly.
One of the female staff couldn’t help but sigh with envy. “Oh my! That’s so sweet. I wish my boyfriend would also bring me food. You’re so lucky,” she said to Ellie.
Micky lightly laughed. “Then maybe you should give me your boyfriend’s number so I can remind him to bring you packed food as well,” he said to the girl.
The girl shook her head. “No need… I don’t even have a boyfriend. Ellie’s really lucky to have you as a boyfriend…. The two of you are really together right? I heard one of the crew members talking about it.”
Micky gave Ellie a quick glance before he answered. “Yes, it’s true. She’s my girlfriend,” he said with a serious tone.
Jaejoong who was standing nearby felt like his heart just suddenly stopped beating after he heard what Micky said. He knew it was just an arrangement. But his heart just kept on hurting. Even if it wasn’t real… the words struck his heart hard and deep.
There was only one thing he could do now… Quickly he turned and started to walk away. Running away… it was the only thing he could do to save himself from any further pain.
U-Know just sadly watched as Jaejoong left the set in a hurry. He knew the reason why his friend left. He knew Jaejoong was hurting because of what he was seeing and hearing.
Only an hour passed and everyone was already busy with their individual work.
Ellie couldn’t help but notice Jaejoong’s uneasiness whenever she was around. Somehow she couldn’t help but feel sad about it. She knew he couldn’t really blame him. She had started their first encounter in such a horrible way. And so to help him feel more comfortable while doing his work, Ellie decided to just hide away in her van. She knew it was the best for both of them.
The day went by quickly that Ellie didn’t notice it was already night time. She had been keeping herself busy doing revisions for some parts of the script while inside the van.
Suddenly someone lightly knocked on the window of the van.
“Hey, it’s time for dinner. Stop working already. You’ve locked yourself up for hours already,” Micky said as he opened the door of the vehicle.
Ellie stopped on what she was typing and looked at Micky. “I’m used to being locked up. So you don’t have to worry,” she replied with a light laugh.
Micky suddenly stopped and stared at her seriously. Somehow he wanted to say something but quickly decided to just act like he knew nothing about Ellie’s past.
Ellie saw the strange reaction that Micky had with what she said. “Does he know what I’m talking about? Impossible!” she said to herself.
Micky quickly put on a sweet smile. “Come on. Let’s eat. If we don’t hurry, we might end up with nothing to eat. Max is already having a feast.”
Ellie laughed. “Why do you always tease Max like that?”
“Because he’s really like that… ever since from the start. And I just love teasing him over and over again. You know, he’s our baby in the group,” he explained.
“I see. He’s quite lucky to have such loving friends,” she uttered.
“Come on,” Micky said again with an inviting smile. He then carefully took Ellie’s hand and made her come out of her van.
Again… Ellie was surprised and amazed. She still couldn’t believe that Micky could easily touch her without any reaction from her. “ How come you can touch me… when nobody else can?” she unexpectedly asked out loud.
Micky just gave her a warm and comforting smile. “Honestly I don’t know the answer to that question. But maybe it is because…. I’m too irresistible,” he said as a joke.
Ellie laughed. “You’re really something… sweet and totally cute.”
Micky’s heart quickly skipped a beat after hearing what Ellie said. He couldn’t deny the truth that he was very happy that she was already comfortable with him. “Let’s go. I’m starving,” he said as he gently pulled her to where the other DBSK members and crew were eating.
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“Hey, where’s Jae?” Xiah asked U-Know. Micky who was already busy eating suddenly stopped and looked at Xiah. “Hasn’t he eaten yet?” he asked curiously.
Max shook his head while still munching on the large piece of shrimp tempura.
“What’s wrong with him? He didn’t eat lunch as well. If he continues to act like that, he might get sick or something,” one of the crew members suddenly voiced out.
Ellie who was already finished eating and was just silently listening to their conversation, suddenly stood up and went straight to the table where the different foods were placed.
She didn’t know why but she just allowed herself to do what her mind and her heart were telling her to do. She then carefully picked out the foods that she knew Jaejoong would like to eat. She placed all the foods she selected on a plate and creatively arranged everything like the way she always did before. Micky just silently watched as Ellie continued to fill the plate she was holding. Somehow he already knew to whom Ellie was going to give the food to.
“Ellie, are you hungry again?” one of the female crew members asked curiously.
“No… I’m going to give this to someone,” Ellie answered.
Xiah, U-Know and Max immediately exchanged glances with one another.
After finally finishing her arrangement of the food she was holding, Ellie unconsciously smiled.
Micky’s heart instantly ached after seeing Ellie’s beautiful smile while she looked at the plate she was holding. He couldn’t help but feel jealous. Somehow he wanted Ellie’s attention to belong only to him.
“Is that for me? Are you going to make me eat all of that?” he suddenly asked Ellie as if to tease her.
Ellie looked at Micky. “No, this isn’t yours. Don’t worry,” she replied without any reaction. She then quickly walked away with the plate on one hand and a glass of juice on the other hand.
Micky felt like something suddenly got stuck in his throat. He had instantly lost his appetite. So he just placed the food he was eating on a chair next to him.
“You’re finished already?” Max asked, quite surprised.
Micky just nodded. Then he quickly walked to the same direction that Ellie went to.
“Micky, where are you going?” U-Know asked.
“I’m going to get my girlfriend back,” he answered with a serious tone in his voice.
Max, Xiah and U-Know couldn’t help but shake their heads in total disapproval of what was happening. They already knew there was trouble in the air. Micky was really starting to fall hard for Ellie. And they all knew that he wasn’t going to give her up that easily. Chaos was coming their way.
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Ellie moved quietly behind Jaejoong. She was very careful not to disturb him. He was obviously too preoccupied with staring at the stars that he didn’t notice that someone was already looking at him.
Ellie smiled. Somehow she wanted to observe him first and just watch him until her eyes grew tired of looking at him.
As she continued to stare at him with his back in front of her, she couldn’t help but reminisce the times that she had hugged him from behind when they were younger.
It was an ordinary thing for her to just embrace him with no specific reason. She just loved the feeling of being so close to him… to feel the warmth of his body next to her… to drown herself in the scent of his favorite cologne and to feel his heart beat as her own heart beat somehow tries to follow its rhythm. She was like a puppet trying so hard to mimic and follow her master’s every move.
Jaejoong didn’t know it. But her whole world revolved around him. He was the only reason why her family still stayed in Korea even though they were supposed to leave for Japan. She had continuously begged her parents to stay in Korea until she finished her studies. She lied and made up so many excuses. She didn’t want to leave… And it was all because of him. She didn’t want to leave him. She believed that she didn’t know how to live without him.
“She didn’t know how to live without him…” what a cruel joke she thought as a bitter smile appeared on her lips. Before she thought that she could never learn how to live without him. But she had to learn the hard way….
Suddenly a frightening flashback entered her mind… a face of a young man laughing continuously… then his face quickly turned into a devil.
Ellie quicky dropped the glass and plate she was holding.
And a crashing sound made Jaejoong turn around…
“Ellie,” he uttered with concern.
Ellie quickly returned to her senses after hearing the sound of the broken glass and plate.
“I… I’m sorry,” she tried to utter.
Jaejoong wanted to come near her, but he just restrained himself.
“Are you all right?” he asked while trying to act calm.
Ellie nodded. “I heard you haven’t eaten yet. So I decided to bring you some food… But I accidentally dropped it… Sorry,” she tried to explain. Jaejoong felt his heart had stopped. “Could this be true? She’s actually concerned about me? She’s starting to forgive me,” the words continuously flashed in his mind.
“I… I’m sorry if I disturbed you. I’m going now,” she said nervously as she hurriedly walked away.
Jaejoong wanted to stop Ellie. But no voice came out of his mouth. So he just silently watched her leave even though his heart was screaming out for her.
As soon as she gone, Jaejoong’s attention was drawn to the broken plate with some of its content still intact.
Without hesitation, he quickly knelt down in front of the broken plate and carefully picked up some pieces of food that were still arranged on a portion of the plate. He carefully cleaned and brushed off some dust on the foods.
And as if he was going crazy, he suddenly started eating all the foods… one by one. He had been waiting for her for so many years. And this was the first time that she had brought him food… just like the way she used to….
He continued to drown himself in their old memories. And with each bite he took, a tear fell from his eyes.
******************************
Micky quickly turned away after witnessing the pitiful sight of Jaejoong. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Somehow he could never imagine the kind of pain he was going through.
His heart immediately ached after remembering the tears that fell from Jaejoong’s eyes as he stared at the food that Ellie had brought him.
Micky felt his heart suddenly became heavy with guilt. He couldn’t help but think that while he was enjoying Ellie’s company, he was also slowly killing his friend.
With heavy footsteps, he continued to walk farther and farther away…. “I’m sorry, Jaejoong… I’m sorry… But I don’t think I can ever return Ellie back to you. I already warned you about this… Now it’s too late. She’s mine now and I’m going to do everything to keep it that way.”
Proud - DBSK CHAPTER 18
“She’s pretty and quite nice, isn’t she?” Muko uttered as she watched Nan Hee leave.
Xiah who was standing right next to her couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, she’s pretty… But about the being nice part? Hmmm…You have to change the whole meaning of the word to make it appropriate for her.”
Muko suddenly looked at Xiah with a confused look on her face. “What do you mean? Well I’ve talked to her and I think she’s nice,” she uttered again. Max just shook his head. “You still don’t know her real side. It’s better to just leave her alone.”
Muko this time gave Max a questioning look. “Why is it I have the feeling that you guys don’t like her?”
“Well… the truth is that we really don’t. At first, we also thought she was nice but the more we got to know her… the more we despised her,” Jaejoong answered while trying to hide the frown on his face.
“Oh really? She’s that bad? But if she’s like that, then how come she became Micky’s friend?” Muko asked again.
“Micky’s friend?” U-Know asked back. He was trying to make sure what he heard was right.
Muko nodded instantly. “Yes, Micky said she’s an old friend. And can I ask what did she do to make you guys dislike her that much?” she finally allowed herself to be inquisitive.
U-Know exchanged glances with Jaejoong. He was somehow asking help on how to answer Muko’s question. Jaejoong then looked at Xiah, as if to ask him for help as well.
Xiah tried to clear his throat first before replying. “We really don’t have any right to answer that question. I think the person you should ask is Micky.”
Muko remained silent after hearing what Xiah said. She suddenly became more curious about Nan Hee’s real identity and the reason why the other DBSK members didn’t approve of her.
***********************************
The whole wedding reception was finally finished after a few hours. All the important guests had already left and only a few close friends and relatives remained in the reception area.
Muko was totally exhausted that she just sat down on a chair beside Max as soon as the last special guest left. She sighed heavily, then started to drink a glass of wine that Hikaru had given her.
“What’s wrong?” U-Know asked.
Muko tried to smile. “Nothing. I’m just tired I guess.”
“You shouldn’t be drinking,” Jaejoong said with concern.
“Oh it’s okay. I can handle it,” she replied.
“No, you can’t,” someone suddenly said.
Muko quickly looked at the person who just talked. It was Micky.
“You shouldn’t be drinking,” Micky repeated as he took Muko’s drink and drank all its content.
Muko sighed, then pouted. “Why can’t I drink? I’m not a kid, you know?” she voiced out.
Micky couldn’t help but laugh after seeing the cute expression on his wife’s face. “You know you’re becoming more and more irresistible in my eyes,” he said with a husky voice.
Muko instantly blushed. “Oh please, stop saying such things.”
Micky laughed again. His wife’s innocence was truly captivating.
“You two newly weds should be taking your rest now. Micky, why don’t you make Muko rest already?” U-Know reminded his friend. I
t was only then that Micky worriedly stared at his wife. “I’m sorry. I never thought that you might be tired already. Come on, I think it’s time for us to leave,” he said as he took Muko’s hand.
Muko’s heart started to beat very fast. “I… I’m not tired. Your friends and some of my friends are still here. We can stay here for a few hours more,” she nervously uttered. Somehow she didn’t want to go out of the reception area yet. She was too afraid of what was going to happen once she was finally alone with Micky in their room.
“You’re tired. I can easily see it. You’re just denying it. And honestly I am totally exhausted as well. So stop fighting. Let’s go,” Micky said as he persuaded Muko to follow him.
“But….” Muko wanted to utter something but Micky was already pulling her out of the reception area.
“Good night… and have a wonderful sleep!” Xiah shouted as a tease to Micky.
Micky turned around and just waved back. “Good night everyone. My lovely wife and I will be leaving now,” he shouted back as a joke as well.
“Wife… “ the word made Muko’s heart jump in unexplainable joy. Just hearing him call her that word was like a dream for her. Somehow she couldn’t believe that she was already someone’s wife.
Hikaru just looked at her sister. She was very happy that everything had turned out how she wanted it to be. Her beloved sister was now married and was never going to enter a convent ever again. She smiled. She had succeeded. She had taken her sister from her doomed world and had placed her into a new and exciting world.
Now … what is left to be done is already in destiny’s hands … She only hopes that she would have the chance to see the fruit of what she had planted. She only hopes that she would have more time….
TAXI - 東方神起
CHAPTER 28
Max nervously entered the hospital with the large bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“Hey relax. You look like you’re going to collapse any minute now,” Micky uttered as he placed his arm around Max’s shoulder.
Max sighed. “I’m nervous. What if she still doesn’t want to see me?”
“Then we all go home… end of story,” Jaejoong immediately replied with sarcasm.
U-Know quickly shook his head. “Stop being so pessimistic. Let’s just hope that she’s in a better mood today,” he uttered as he pulled Max away from Jaejoong.
All of them knew that Jaejoong didn’t approve of Max seeing Fate again. So Micky, Xiah and him had constantly been keeping Max and Jaejoong away from each other to avoid any further arguments.
Xiah and Micky also shook their heads after looking at Jaejoong. Somehow they couldn’t say anything since they already knew why Jaejooong was acting harshly with Max.
A few minutes passed….
Max happily entered Fate’s room with the bouquet of flowers in his hand.
“Good morning! I’m sorry if I just entered the room,” he quickly uttered as he was immediately shocked with what he saw.
“What happened?” the other DBSK boys also uttered.
Fate’s room was already empty and only two nurses were inside. They were about to leave when Max entered the room.
“Excuse me, but where is the patient that was staying here?” Max quickly asked.
The nurses exchanged glances with each other.
“You mean Fate Nakamura?” one of the nurses asked.
“Yes. Where is she? Has she been discharged? I thought she was supposed to stay here for about a week. How come she’s out already?” Max asked.
“Actually she wasn’t supposed to be discharged until next week. But she insisted since she said she needed to return to Germany as soon as possible. She was so determined to leave that she even signed a waiver so the hospital wouldn’t be responsible if something bad happens to her during her flight. Even though the doctors here in the hospital didn’t approve of discharging her, they really had no choice but to do so,” the nurse explained.
“What?” Max asked with shock somehow he felt like the ground just opened up and swallowed him whole.
“By any chance, did she say when she was leaving Japan?” Xiah asked.
The other nurse nodded. “She just left here an hour ago. The doctors needed to make one last final examination on her before she was allowed to board a plane. And I heard one of the other nurses say that she was leaving Japan today so her examination was rushed.”
Blood quickly drained out of Max’s face. Then confusion and fear were immediately seen on his face. He instantly dropped the bouquet he was holding and ran out of the room. He needed to find Fate before it was too late. Xiah, Micky, U-Know and Jaejoong quickly followed Max. But he had already gotten into a taxi as soon as they reached outside of the hospital.
The other DBSK members hurriedly got into their van and followed him to the airport.
“Fate, how could you do this to me? How can you leave me? I love you…. Please don’t leave me,” Max uttered to himself. It was like he was going crazy. How he wished he could fly so he could get to the airport right away.
Max nervously looked at his watch. His heart was pounding so hard and beating so fast that he couldn’t explain what he was really feeling.
“Fate, wait for me… Please don’t leave me,” he uttered again.
The taxi driver who heard what Max said gave him a quick glance. He then shook his head and just decided on something out of the blue.
“You should have told me you were trying to catch someone… Hold on tight… We’re going to be there in no time,” the old man said with a smile.
Max smiled and then nodded.
Ten minutes later.....
Max hurriedly entered the airport like a confused boy trying to find his way through an unfamiliar place. He quickly looked at the departure listing of all the flights for that day. And somehow what he saw was something his mind couldn’t and wouldn’t accept.
The only flight going to Germany that day had already left more than half an hour after he arrived.
“No… no… no…” he uttered as he fell down on his knees. Some of the people in the airport started staring at him, but he didn’t care. He suddenly felt weak, very weak. “Fate… why did you leave me?” he asked as tears started to form in his eyes.
******************************
Xiah, Micky, Jaejoong and U-Know rushed inside the airport. They knew they needed to help Max. But as soon as they entered the airport, their hearts were filled with pity.
Max was already approaching them with his eyes already filled with tears. There wasn’t any need to ask anymore. They already knew the answer just by seeing his tears.
“Hyung, she’s left me…. Hyung…. Hyung…. What… what am I going to do now?” Max asked his friends as soon as he was near them.
Jaejoong’s heart was crushed. Even if he was mad with Max. He still loved him like a brother. And seeing him so full of grief was too unbearable for him. He lovingly took Max into his arms.
“Hyung…. I don’t think I can live without her…. What am I supposed to do now? Please help me… I need her back…. I love her,” Max uttered in so much anguish in his voice.
Jaejoong gently rubbed Max’s back and simply replied in the most gentle and caring voice. “It’s time to let go, Max. It’s time to let her go…”
