CHAPTER 21
“Why are you so quiet?” Micky nervously asked as they slowly walked away from the house they were staying.
Ellie momentarily stopped and stared at him, she was trying to decide whether to tell him the truth or not.
“Is something wrong?” Micky asked again.
She instantly shook her head and tried to smile. “No, I am just a bit tired, I think,” she lied.
Micky’s face suddenly dimmed. He knew she was lying. “How about we just go back to the house then? Maybe you need to rest already,” he said with a cold tone.
Ellie couldn’t help but look at him. Somehow she didn’t like the way Micky was staring at her. “Yes, I do think… it’s a good idea to go back,” she uttered.
Micky’s heart quickly started beating fast. “Is she mad at me?” he worriedly asked himself.
Ellie was already about to turn back when Micky quickly spoke. “Sorry,” he uttered with a low voice.
“Huh? Sorry for what?” Ellie asked in return. Somehow she felt like she needed to act like she didn’t know anything at that moment. She felt that it was the best for everyone’s sake, especially Micky’s.
“Sorry for acting harsh and for not thinking straight,” Micky answered as he gently took her hand and held it tightly.
Ellie wanted to take her hand away, but she didn’t want to hurt him. So she just allowed him to hold her hand and stare at her.
“Do you think you can still walk a while… with me? I promise, we won’t be long. I just want to have some time alone with you… so we can talk in private,” Micky tried to explain.
“Did you like the dishes I cooked?” Ellie suddenly asked as she tried to change the subject. But she didn’t expect that her question would still have a negative effect on Micky.
“The dishes you and Jaejoong cooked?” he asked as if mocking her. Ellie quickly bit down on her lower lip. “Wrong question,” she said to herself.
“It was quite good actually… considering you and Jaejoong never met before… or have you?” he unconsciously insinuated something.
Shock and fear instantly registered on Ellie’s face.
And at that instant, Micky felt like he wanted to hit his head with a rock. He was acting quite irrationally. And the end results were becoming too disastrous on everyone’s part. He took a deep breath. He needed to calm down. He needed to think fast. “What do you mean?” Ellie curiously asked.
“Oh, I mean the two of you cooked together like you were professional chefs or something. Maybe the two of you met in a cooking class or something… or maybe the two of you have the same teacher in cooking,” Micky tried to cover up what he had said.
“I see…” Ellie uttered with a sigh of relief. She actually believed that Micky was just talking about the way she and Jaejoong cooked together. “I don’t know… maybe… who knows…” she replied.
“So where would you like to go to? How about we buy something in the nearby convenience store?” Micky again tried to change the topic.
Ellie quickly nodded and smiled. “Okay, I also need to buy some things for Samar and Krizzia,” she uttered.
As they slowly headed towards the store, their conversation quickly shifted to other things that both of them started to enjoy talking to each other.
Back in the house…. “Hyung, are you all right?” Max asked as he gently tapped Jaejoong’s shoulder. He was silently staring outside the window. He was waiting for Ellie and Micky to return.
Jaejoong quickly turned to look at his friend. “Yes, I’m fine. Why?” he tried to deny the hurt he was feeling.
Max shook his head. “You know, you’re lips can lie but not your eyes. I am sorry, hyung. Honestly, I am quite torn right now. I don’t know whether to support you in what you’re doing or go against it. I can see that you’re hurting and that there is already a growing wall between you and Micky. Maybe the two of should stop before it’s too late. I think sooner or later, the three of you will be suffering greatly, if you don’t think of a better way of handling this situation. It’s a no win situation for all of you… She gets cured but she ends up with Micky which in turn hurts you. Or she doesn’t get cured which in turn hurts both you and Micky. And the worst scenario is… if she learns about the deal you guys made with Samar and Krizzia which will result in her hating you, Micky, Samar and Krizzia and even us. So please think carefully hyung… “
Jaejoong smiled bitterly. “Then what do you suggest we do? Just let her go on in her condition forever? I would rather be hated forever than see her in such a pitiful state,” he answered boldly.
Max sighed hopelessly. He knew he could never change his friend’s mind. But at least, he tried. “Fine, I just hope that everything still works out for the best or… even if just for Ellie’s sake,” he said as he again lightly tapped his hyung’s shoulder as a sign that he was leaving.
“Thank you for your concern, Max. I really appreciate it,” Jaejoong uttered as he smiled at his friend.
Minutes passed….
Jaejoong was alone again. His wondering mind was quickly brought back to the present when he suddenly heard voices approaching the house. He carefully hid behind the curtain, but he still managed to take a look at Micky and Ellie as they happily walked towards the house. Again his heart started to bleed. But he didn’t care. He was happy that she was happy and smiling like the way she used to. It was such a beautiful sight to see… a sight that he had been dreaming of for a very long time now… And now how he wished that he was the one standing in front of her and being close to her… How he wished, if he could only trade places with Micky.… he would be the happiest man on earth. But he knew it could never happen… He was no longer needed in Ellie’s life… In fact, he was someone she needed to forget.
CHAPTER 23
Muko tightly held her sister’s hand as she unexpectedly fell asleep… She had been taking care of her continuously for the last two days.
It was then that Hikaru slowly opened her eyes and looked down on her already sleeping sister. Her heart sank as soon as she saw the traces of tears on Muko’s face. She knew Muko had been crying non-stop again. She gently started to caress Muko’s head. It was her simple way of comforting her. It was her way of showing her love for her.
Startled, Muko quickly looked at Hikaru. “Hikaru, you’re finally awake,” she said with extreme joy as she embraced her.
“How… how long have I been unconscious?” Hikaru asked curiously.
“Two days…” Muko answered as her voice suddenly changed into a very sad tone. She instantly released her sister from her embrace and stared at her face to face. “Hikaru… why?” she immediately asked out loud.
Hikaru stared at her sister, still trying to deny the truth. “What do you mean why? I am just tired that’s all,” she said with a smile. She still determined to lie even though she knew that she was already caught. Somehow she didn’t have the heart to admit that she was sick and was dying.
Muko shook her head and immediately cried again. “No! You’re not okay. You’re sick… You’re very sick. Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t say anything? Why did you keep me and our father in the dark? You know we love you right? So how could you?”
Hikaru felt like she had lost her voice. Her quick-tempered and forceful character suddenly disappeared and was replaced with a weak and confused one. She didn’t know what to say to defend herself. She knew she was wrong. But she did it… for everyone’s sake. She didn’t want Muko and her father to be unhappy. She didn’t want them to worry about her. She wanted to see them act naturally around her until her very last breath. She didn’t want to see pity in their eyes. She only wanted love, true and unconditional love…
“I… I am sorry,” Hikaru was finally able to voice out. Muko stared more closely at her sister. “So… you already knew and you didn’t tell us? Why? You don’t trust us enough? Or maybe you just don’t really consider us as your family?” she asked with disbelief and shock.
Hikaru looked away in a different direction. She couldn’t bear the accusing and pitiful looks that Muko was giving her.
“I… didn’t tell you and father… because I didn’t want you to be worried about me. I didn’t want anyone… to pity me. Ever since we were small I had always been the one who takes care of you and everybody around me… I certainly don’t want everything to change and for me to be the one who gets taken care of. I… don’t want to be a weakling in everybody’s eyes,” she was finally able to reveal the truth.
“A weakling? Oh God! Hikaru… we will never think of you that way. We love you with all our hearts. Do you know Father is resting in the other room because he was so shocked that he collapsed the moment he heard what the doctors said? How could you think of handling everything on your own? How long were you planning to keep everything from us? But…I think there is still a way… maybe we can still go to another country and ask for another doctor’s opinion… maybe…” Muko was starting to act like she was going crazy.
“Stop! Everything is already over… I already consulted a dozen doctors here and abroad… And they all said the same thing. I am already at the final stage of my sickness… There’s nothing else to do now but wait… You don’t have to hope and get heart-broken in the end,” Hikaru said sadly.
“No! You can’t say that! You can’t accept everything like its all over… We can still find a way… Maybe you can have an operation… Maybe we can find a doctor who can cure you… We can go to the States or Europe. They have such sophisticated medicines and machines now. There is always a way. Don’t give up please,” Muko cried and begged as if she was out of her mind.
Hikaru’s tears fell as she watched her beloved weep continuously. She was hurting so much and there was nothing she could do. “Do you think I didn’t try to find a cure for me? Do you think I want to die? I promised you that I will always take care of you… And whatever happens I want to keep that promise… I want to be always by your side. I want to take care of you until we both grow old together. It hurts me so much that I will never have the chance to see you grow old and your children to have children as well…”
“Oh, Hikaru… Please don’t say such things….We will always grow old together. We will always be together,” Muko uttered as her words were covered with sobs.
“Muko… please don’t cry… You know I hate to see you cry,” Hikaru tried to utter in between sobs.
Muko quickly embraced her sister again. “No… I am not going to let you die. I am going to make you well again… I will do everything,” she said with so much determination in her voice.
HIkaru gently caressed her sister’s head again. “Muko, listen to me… The only thing we can do now is accept fate. I don’t have much time left… And if you really want to make me happy, you can do something for me.”
“What? Anything for you? Just tell me what you want and I will certainly do it,” Muko quickly replied as she looked at her sister face to face and tried to wipe her tears to make her look like she was strong and in self-control.
Hikaru stared closely at Muko before giving out her answer….
“I want you to give yourself to Micky and bear his child,” Hikaru’s words sounded like thunder that came crashing in on Muko’s world.
CHAPTER 33
“What?” Max asked out loud as soon as he heard what Michael said.
The other DBSK boys who were sitting nearby were also surprised.
“How come she’s suddenly marrying him?” Max asked again with a quivering voice. He felt like all the energy in his body had suddenly disappeared.
Michael shook his head. “I don’t know either. I am quite confused as well. She wouldn’t even dare go alone on a date with him. So I know Norman’s lying. I know something is wrong. I think Norman is blackmailing Fate… Max, we have to do something quick. Their wedding is already set. I just don’t know when exactly. Norman is really keeping a tight lock on all the details.”
“Of course, I will help. I am certainly not going to let Fate marry another man. She belongs to me. I know I have a lot of things to make up for. And I was just giving her some space and more time to heal herself before I court her again. I would die first before anyone takes her away from me again,” Max said with fire in his eyes.
The other DBSK boys stood up and quickly clapped their hands.
“Finally our boy has woken up,” Junsu uttered with a wide smile on his face. He was happy that Max had finally decided to act.
“Whatever you guys are planning, don’t forget to count us in too,” U-Know added with a smile as well.
Max looked at his friends. And it was that exact moment that he felt his strength and courage had returned. He only hopes that he still had a chance to get back what he had lost…
********************
Fate was in the balcony of her room and staring out at the garden below. She smiled after seeing the beautiful effect that the moon had as it shone in the sky and cast a soft light over the entire garden.
How she remembers she would sometimes play hide and seek in the garden with some of her friends whenever there was a full moon.
How she wish she could return to being a child again. Everything was so simple and there were no complications.
She let out a long sigh. If she could only wish for everything to be all right, how she wished she didn’t have to marry Norman.
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about Max again?” a man’s voice suddenly uttered behind Fate that made her turn around with fright.
Norman laughed at Fate’s reaction. “Why? Am I that scary now? Do I look like a ghost?” he asked as if teasing.
Fate’s reaction quickly changed into a cold one. “Oh, it’s you… Actually a ghost is nothing compared to you,” she sarcastically answered.
Norman smiled, then clapped his hands. “Bravo! My girl is already learning how to bite. That’s what I like about you. Feisty!”
“What do you want? Just say what you want to say and then get out,” Fate said with an irritated tone.
“I will be gone for the whole day tomorrow. I just want to remind you about our agreement. Just in case, some crazy idea gets into that pretty head of yours,” Norman announced quickly with a serious tone.
Fate lightly laughed. “What do you think of me… an old woman that you have to keep on reminding or repeating instructions to? I know what I agreed to. I just hope you stick to your end of our agreement. Because if you don’t…. I promise you…. I will make your life a living hell.”
“Ohhh… I’m already shivering in fear,” Norman replied in a mocking manner as he slowly turned around and laughed again before finally leaving the room.
Fate just kept on staring blankly in front of her even after Norman left. It was as if she was remembering something that happened the day she disappeared… the day her whole world changed…
------------------------------------
“What do you want Norman?” Fate asked out loud. “Have you thought about this? Do you know kidnapping is a crime?”
Norman placed on an evil smile. “Whoever said this is kidnapping?”
“Take me back! Michael is surely looking for me already. Aren’t you afraid of the consequences? I have already told you a million times… I can only offer friendship… nothing more, nothing less. So just find another girl. I am not the one for you,” Fate said with an angry tone.
“Do you really think I would easily give up? I have spent so many years courting you. And this is what I get? A useless person … a nobody gets you easily and I end looking like a fool? Do you know what kind of embarrassment I got after your relationship with Max was exposed to the public? My friends constantly made a laughing stock out of me. All my business associates who knew I was courting you even made jokes that I was already too old and you were better off with someone younger. Do you know how hurtful that was to my pride and reputation? Do you think I can let you off so easily?” Norman said with a crazy look in his eyes.
Fate instantly felt fear after seeing the strange reaction that Norman had on his face. “You’re sick! I think you should see a doctor,” she tried to hide her fear and put on a brave face.
“See a doctor? Like the ones you went to?” Norman said with a wicked smile. He then started to mock Fate. “Help me to decide… will you? What kind of a doctor should I visit first? A doctor where I can consult about my past aborted child… or my sudden insanity… or better yet about my inability to bear children? What do you think?” he asked with a laugh.
Fate was stunned. Her whole body shivered. “How? How … did you know?” she managed to ask out loud.
“Nothing can be kept a secret… especially if money can make people talk,” Norman replied.
Fate felt hot tears were trying to escape her eyes, but she still tried to keep them in…
“You’re a monster. So what if you know… I don’t care. You want to scatter the news about me? Be my guest… I don’t care and I am not afraid,” she uttered with anger.
Norman laughed. “Are you sure? Are you thinking straight? What do you think will happen when the news about you being pregnant and having a sudden abortion because of an accident…. suddenly broke out… Do you think Max’s fans will accept it? He will surely be blamed by everyone. Poor guy! Don’t you know Japanese fans will surely condemn him and put all the blame on him especially when the news about you going into a mental institution broke out… They will surely pity you and hate him…” he said with a loud laugh. “And then after all the scandal fades out… your beloved Max will be left without a career and his friends will surely be affected as well. What a pity!”
“God… you’ve really thought about this haven’t you? You’re blackmailing me with this?” Fate asked out loud.
“Yes! And honestly, it’s quite fun and entertaining to do so. Because no matter which way I took or decide on, I will always end up being the winner,” Norman answered coldly.
“All this evil plans just to get me? Aren’t you even concerned about the last part you stated yourself… I… I can’t bear anymore children… It was the main reason why I couldn’t go back to Max even if I wanted to… and why I just decided to commit suicide…. I feel so useless right now… It’s like my sense of being a woman is already gone. What is a woman if she can’t bring a child into this world…” Fate said as her voice suddenly softened.
“Like I said before… what I want… I always get. I had always wanted you… Children? Who needs them? I can have a child with any woman, anytime I want. Your condition doesn’t bother me at all,” Norman uttered.
Fate looked at Norman. “So you’re willing to accept me?”
Norman smiled. “I will accept you anytime… any day… I have never been this crazy about a woman before… And I assure you, I will certainly take care of you, not like the way that foolish Max did.”
“But I don’t love you Norman…” Fate uttered.
“Love? It’s just a word… A simple word that can be taught and forgotten… So who cares…” Norman uttered with a maddening laugh. “The only thing I need is your word that you will be my wife and you will always stay by my side.”
Fate lowered her head. “If I say yes, promise me… you won’t let the news about what happened to me get to the press… especially my physical condition?”
Norman smiled. “I promise… “
Fate stared at him again. She was somehow making sure. “Michael and even my father don’t know about my condition and I want it to stay that way…”
“I will never say a word… provided you give me what I want,” Norman replied.
Fate lowered her head as a sign of defeat. “Fine, I will marry you. Just promise me, you will leave Max alone and keep my secret.”
An evil smile appeared on Norman’s lips…. “I promise.”
