I woke up because of Haechan's voice. I looked around and realized that we're already in the mall. I also realized that I'm leaning on Haechan's shoulder
Did I fell asleep on his shoulder again?
"Just wait a little longer, mom. It's traffic" he said. I realized that he's on a call with Mrs. Lee
I immediately stay away from him and cleared my throat. He noticed that I'm already awake so he immediately said goodbye Mrs. Lee and ended the call
“How long did I sleep on your shoulder? You should have woken me up. Maybe your shoulder is aching now, I'm sorry" I worriedly said
"It's okay, I didn't wake you up because you're sleeping peacefully. It looks like you're having a good dream"
"I don't even remember my dream" I said while yawning. I immediately wear Jaemin's hoodie and smelled it
"How come that you're like an angel when you're sleeping but you look like an angry monkey when you're awake?" he started to laugh when I gave him a death glare
"Want to experience hell?" I seriously said which makes him laugh even more
"You're really cute when you're mad" he said and pinched my cheeks. I froze up on my position when he did that
So this is what I'm seeing on K-dramas. This is how it feels like to have an older brother. He's annoying most of the time but he's also sweet and gentlemen sometimes just like now
"What's with your clothes? Oh wait! Your hoodie jacket is familiar" Mrs. Lee said
We're now here at a music store. The mall is already closed but I'm amazed that they still let us in because Mrs. Lee is a V.I.P. costumer
"Don't mention it, mom" Haechan said, trying to stop his mom from talking
"Jaemin gave it to me" I said
"Oh really? You're close to each other?" she asked
"No" I answered and looked away
"I wonder why he gave that to you. That's Ji Eun's birthday gift for him last year"
I was stunned when I heard that. I don't know what to feel when I heard that. Why did he give this hoodie to me when this is actually a gift from Ji Eun, his girlfriend
"These are all grand piano. Choose whatever shape and design you want. I'll wait for you at the V.I.P. area. Haechan will help you to choose" Mrs. Lee said and left
I am now left with Haechan who's now silently checking the pianos. I walked around to find a piano that I think will suit me
A white matte grand piano with a glossy white lining on the edges caught my attention. It looks so simple but elegant
"You want that?" Haechan asked
"Mm"
He later on checked the piano and smiled
"You have a good taste. The design of my grand piano was also like this, it's just that it's color black and has my initials on the fall (cover of the keys)" he said .
"Oh really? Can I also put my initials there too?" I asked innocently
"Of course" he said and held my wrist "Let's go and tell mom" and dragged me
I used to get mad whenever he's touching me without my permission but it's different now because I felt comfortable with him now and he's also making me feel like I can depend on him anytime as my older brother
"What initials do you want to put there?" Mrs. Lee asked right after we showed her the piano that I want
The bracelet that my mom gave me suddenly came in my mind
"I want to put a symbol instead of initials"
"What symbol?"
"A sideway cross, it's a symbol from the bracelet that my mom gave me when I was young"
"May I see that bracelet?" Mrs. Lee asked
"I don't have it, I gave it to Beomgyu"
"Beomgyu? Your boyfriend?" Haechan asked so I started to laugh
"Beomgyu is my best friend. Idiot"
He looks so shocked after I said that so I laughed even more. It looks like he really thought that Beomgyu is my boyfriend
After Mrs. Lee paid everything she ordered us to go home since she still needs to go somewhere
After we get home I immediately go to my room. I'm actually really hungry but it's already late. I want to cook for myself but I don't want to make any noise since the kitchen is near to the maids quarter. I'm sure that they're going to wake up and prepare some food for me. I don't want to bother them
I later on decided to call Beomgyu. It took him awhile to answer it
"Why is your cam off?" I asked
[ I look so ugly right now ] he said and laughed
My brows furrowed when I noticed that his voice is different
"Did you cry?" I asked worriedly but he just laughed
[ No, I'm just sick. I have a cold ] he said
I felt relieved when I heard that. Him being sick is actually much better than him being mentally exhausted because of his parents
"Have you taken your medicine? You should get some rest. The weather is really cold these days so be careful, always wear a coat when you go outside, and don't forget to bring a hot pack" I said like a mom so he started to laugh again
[ I understand, mom. You too, be careful. I am not by your side so no one will take care of you ] he said
"You don't have to worry about me. They're taking care of me very well. I'm more worried about you. How are you by the way? Are they still giving you a hard time?"
He remained silent after I asked that so I became worried
[ I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me ] he said and laughed but I'm not convinced that he's really fine
"I don't believe you---"
[ I visited your mom's grave earlier ] he suddenly said
[ I saw two strange men visiting her grave ] he added
My brows furrowed when I heard that
"What do they look like?"
[ I didn't see their face clearly but they're both wearing a suit and have some bodyguards with them. They're both crying when I arrived there ] he said
Who the hell are they? My mom has no relatives
"Maybe it was just a mistake"
[ I think so. They actually left a flower there but it was not your mom's name written in there ]
"What's written in there?"
[ Yujin M--- ]
I later on heard a knock on my door
"Come in!" I shouted and it shows Haechan wearing an apron
"Let's eat downstairs, I cooked ramen" he said
[ Who's that, Ryujin-ah?" ] Beomgyu suddenly spoke so Haechan stepped closer to me and wave his hand on the camera
"Annyeong! I'm Lee Haechan" he smiled
[ Oh! You're a Lee? That means--- ]
"Yeah, Ryujin is my adoptive sister"
[ Oh really? If that's the case then I'll get straight to the point. Please take care of her for me. She's good at everything except one thing and it's drinking alcohol. She has a very low alcohol tolerance so please don't let her drink and als---- ]
"Yah! Choi Beomgyu!" I shouted which makes Haechan laugh
[ And also, she has a claustrophobia so don't left her---]
I immediately ended the call when Beomgyu mentioned that. Why does he have to mention that?
"So that's the reason why you don't use elevator, am I right?" Haechan asked
"Don't tell anyone about it" I seriously said
I suddenly felt uncomfortable. Only my parents, Beomgyu and Sunwoo knows about that. I told them about it because they're the only person I trust. I don't want anyone to know about it because I'm afraid they might use my fear to against me
"I won't tell anyone. I promise" he said
I don't trust promises but I trust him. And I think that's enough
"Let's go? The ramen is waiting for us" he said and laughed
I smiled and followed him downstairs
"Tada!" he looks so proud of the ramen that he made
I can't stop myself from laughing when I saw how he put an effort to the ramen. He even made a smiley face using the egg and carrots
"I don't know how to cook so I decided to just cook ramen since it's easy to cook" he said
"You don't know how to cook? That's a minus factor once you get married" I said
"Then what's the purpose of the chefs and maids?" he pouted
"Do you really depend on them? For me, a guy is more attractive when they know how to cook. It means you can depend on them once you get married" I said
"Why? Are you planning to marry me?" he smirked, trying to tease me so gave him a death glare
"What is this? Incest? " I whispered to myself
I was about to eat the ramen when I heard footsteps approaching us
"What is this? Why are you the only ones eating?" Chaeryeong suddenly came out of nowhere with her laptop. It looks like she's watching K-dramas
"I thought you're already sleeping so I didn't bother to invite you" Haechan explained
"So it means you cooked this for her? You're so unfair Haechan-ah you can't even prepare coffee for me!" Chaeryeong complained
Juyeon and Mark later on came out of their room. They seem to be disturbed by Chaeryeong's voice
"What's up?" Juyeon asked
"Chaeryeong is being childish just because I cooked ramen for Ryujin" Haechan explained
"You cooked for her!?" Mark asked in disbelief
"You don't even know how to cook!" Juyeon said
"But I know how to cook ramen!"
"It's unfair, right?" Chaeryeong added
They all started to argue just because Haechan cooked ramen for me. I just watched them silently while eating the ramen
"I'm hungry! Cook for me too" Mark complained
"Why don't you cook for yourself!" Haechan shouted
"See! You have favoritsm!"
The maids and chefs woke up because of their noise. I suddenly felt so bad for them
I stood up after eating the ramen and slammed the table. They all stopped arguing and looked at me
"Stop being childish. I will cook for you"
Their face brighten when I said that
"But apologize to them first, you ruined their sleep" I said pertaining to the maids and chefs
"A-Ah no! I-It's nothing" the maids panicked because of what I said
"We're sincerely sorry, you can now go back and sleep" they said
I later on started cooking Fajitas. My mom taught me how to made Fajitas when I was 8 years old. She used to cook this a lot
They offered to help me but I declined
I finished everything after 30 minutes. I laid the Fajitas on the dining table. They all looked so excited to eat it
"This is new to me" Juyeon and Chaeryeong said
"This is Fajitas, right?" Mark asked
"Yeah"
"Woah! This is a food from U.S. How did you learn how to make this?"
"My mom taught me" I can't stop myself from smiling while remembering my reaction when I first tasted her Fajitas
They later on started to taste it. I didn't bother to watch their reactions because I'm confident that they will like it
"R-Ryujin-ah! It's so good!" Mark
"Whaa! It's so delicious" Juyeon
"Ryujin-ah, teach me how to do this" Haechan
"Me too! Teach me" Chaeryeong
I don't know why but it warms my heart to see them smile
They finished eating the Fajitas in just 20 minutes. They asked for more but I declined since it's already getting late and it's not good for them to sleep with their stomach full
After they eat they all thanked me and get back to their rooms to sleep. I stayed to wash the dishes. Haechan also stayed because he said he can't left me here alone. He also helped me to arrange the plates after I washed the dishes
"I already told Alexa to wake you up tomorrow so you won't be late again" Haechan said
"Who the hell is Alexa?" I asked
"It's a virtual assistant AI technology. It is capable of voice interaction, music playback, making to-do lists, setting alarms, streaming podcasts, playing audiobooks, and providing weather, traffic, sports, and other real-time information, such as news. Alexa can also control several smart devices using itself as a home automation system" he explained
"Oh really? I thought it's a robot" I innocently said so he started laughing
"It's already late. Goodnight, Ryujin-ah"
"Mm. Goodnight" I said before I entered my room
I took a warm bath before I decided to go to bed when I saw Jaemin's hoodie. I can't stop myself from smiling. But my smile faded when I realized the fact that this jacket is from Ji Eun
He already gave this jacket to me but I'd rather not wear it outside. I don't want them to get the wrong idea. I like Jaemin but I know my limits. I know that he already has a girlfriend so I'll just like him silently. I'm not expecting something in return because I'm used to it
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"You're not late" Haechan said right after I entered the car. Chaeryeong was on the front seat and she's sleeping
"Thanks to Alexa" I said and we both laughed
I fell asleep in the car the whole ride and as expected, I fell asleep on Haechan's shoulder again
"You two look like a couple here" Chaeryeong said while looking at her phone. She later on showed us a picture of me sleeping on Haechan's shoulder while Haechan is sleeping on my head
"A couple of siblings" I said
Our first class is Math and I'm in the same class with some of the residence and elites of District 9. I looked around to find Jaemin but I can't find him. I immediately chose the seat at the back row, near the window
"That's Ji Eun's chair" Yeji suddenly said
"So?" I asked confusedly
She started to laugh sarcastically
"You maybe look like her but it doesn't mean you have the right to sit on her chair" she said and grabbed my bag and placed it on the chair beside Heejin
So childish. I can't understand her reason
"Yah! Hwang Yeji!" Haechan shouted which makes everyone turn their attention on us
Ugh! I really hate this kind of attention
"It's okay, Haechan-ah" I said to calm him down
I was about to leave and move when someone grabbed my wrist. My heart started race when I realized that it's Jaemin
"Stay" he said while looking directly at my eyes
"E-Eh?" I confusedly asked
"I said, stay" he coldly said and later on faced Yeji
"What are you doing Jaemin-ah?" Yeji looks so mad but she's scared at the same time
"I'm the one who should ask you that. What are you doing Hwang Yeji?" Jaemin said with a poker face
"W-What do you mean? W-We all know that that's Ji Eun's chair"
"Then where is Ji Eun?"
"W-What?"
"Stop being childish Hwang Yeji. You're an elite so act like one. You're supposed to be a good example to others"
Everyone was left speechless after Jaemin said that. Our teacher later on came so they all go back to their seats. Jaemin sat beside me. We're so close to each other and he smells so good
"Don't let anyone look down on you. I hate people like that" he seriously said
My lips parted when he said that. I even almost laugh
Me? He really said that to me? What a joke. I even punched a guy who called me ugly when I was young
This guy probably didn't know what kind of person I am
I didn't let Yeji look down on me. It's just that she's not on my level to deal with
"Then, thank you" I said while trying myself not to laugh
"Treat me a cup of coffee later" he said which makes my jaw dropped
Eh?
"Uh, okay"
I can't focus on the class the whole time because of Jaemin's presence but I can still manage to answer the teacher's questions. I noticed that only Jaemin and I were the only ones who can answer the teacher's questions. I can tell that he's also smart in academics
After our first two classes ended, Jaemin gave me his phone. I looked at him confusedly
"Give me your number"
"Eh?"
My hands were trembling when I held his phone. I slowly typed my phone number and gave it back to him
"Save my number, I'll call you later" he said and immediately left. I received a text message after that from an unknown number
Unknown Number:
.
I started to laugh when I saw how simple his text is. I got goosebumps when I realized that I'm laughing alone
I don't know what should I name him in my contacts so I decided to just name him 'Jaemin'
We all decided to go to the cafeteria to meet Younghoon, Haruto, Sunwoo and some of their friends
"Ryujin-ah, sit here" Sunwoo tapped the space beside him but I just ignored him and sat beside Younghoon instead
"What is this? Don't tell me you like me?" Younghoon said while smiling like an idiot so I rolled my eyes and they started to laugh except Sunwoo
I realized just now that Sunwoo keeps on sticking with me instead of his girlfriend, Lia. If I were Jaemin I would also think that Sunwoo is cheating on Lia with me. I even asked Sunwoo to hold my hand and hug me yesterday
Why am I so insensitive? I know the feeling of getting cheated on so I know how painful it was. I will never let Lia or any other girl that I know experience what I experienced.
Maybe I should to start distancing myself from Sunwoo now
"Oh! Lia-yah! Come here and join us" Heejin shouted
Lia immediately smiled when she recognized us but her smile faded when our eyes met
"Sunwoo-yah, invite Lia here" Haechan said
"O-Oh right, Lia come here" he patted the space beside him and Lia immediately sat beside him
"You're both engaged now, right? And you're still calling her Lia? Poor you Sunwoo-yah. You don't have any sweetness in your body" Younghoon said and they all agreed
My lips parted when I heard that. I didn't know that they're already engaged. They're still so young. I'm really fucked up for asking Sunwoo to hug me that time. I think I owe Lia an apology
Sunwoo and Lia looked at each other awkwardly
"I just forgot to call her 'babe'" Sunwoo said and held Lia's hand
I looked away because I'm cringing to see sweet stuff like that. I'm not jealous or anything because I've already moved on but it still hurts me a little to see them together. It reminds me of the past
Just because I've already moved on doesn't mean the pain was already gone, because it's still there. What Sunwoo did to me left a deep void in my heart
He didn't just cheated on me, he also made me question myself as a woman
"Why are you so quiet, noona? Are you okay?" Haruto asked worriedly
"Don't worry, I'm fine" I smiled at him and stood up "I have to go, I need to go to the restroom"
Chaeryeong and Heejin offered to join me but I declined. I didn't go to the restroom just like what I said. I go to the garden instead to calm myself. My mom told me that nature is her medicine whenever she's having a hard time. But I'm different from her, silence is my medicine whenever I'm having a hard time
Only silence
I later on heard someone playing piano. The title of the song that he/she is playing is All of Me by John Legend if I'm not mistaken
I closed my eyes when he started singing. Yes, he's a guy. I can tell it because of his deep voice
"Give your all to me
I give my all to you
Love your curves and all your edges
Even when I lose I'm winning"
I opened my eyes when I realized that his voice is familliar. I immediately stood up and find him and there, I found Jaemin emotionally playing the piano once again
"Cause I give you a-a-a-all of me
And you don't give me a-a-a-all of you ~oh"
He changed the lyrics
I found myself staring at him with full of admiration. He's smart, he's kind and he's also talented. He's so perfect
How can he make my heart beat like this
I was about to step closer to him when someone grabbed me
"Ryujin-ah"
"Sunwoo? What are you doing here?" I whisphered with my brows furrowed
"I just want to apologize for not telling you that I'm already engaged with Lia. I'm just finding a perfect time to tell you about it"
"No, you don't have to apologize. I'm the one who owe you and Lia an apology. I'm sorry for asking you to do that thing yesterday. I didn't know that you're already engaged. I'm really sorry" I sincerely said
"R-Ryujin-ah"
"Sunwoo-yah, I gave you a second chance to be friends with me once again. If you treasure our friendship then please distance yourself from me. Stay away from me if possible, for the sake of Lia"
I was about to leave when he suddenly spoke
"I'll never do that"
I froze up on my position when he said that. I turned to him and looked at him confusedly
"What? Why?"
He pulled me closer to him and hugged me
"Because you're important to me, Ryujin-ah"
My lips parted when I saw Jaemin standing beside him
"Then what about my sister, Sunwoo? Was she important to you too?" Jaemin said with his dark eyes. He looks so mad
"J-Jaemin, I'll expl---"
He couldn't continue what he was going to say because Jaemin punched him. Sunwoo fell on the ground. I was about to help him when Jaemin blocked me
"You're embarrassing. How can you flirt with a guy who already has a girlfriend---oh! Fiancee to be exact. I shouldn't have apologized to you. You're a flirt" he said while looking directly to my eyes
I don't usually get hurt by words that other people throw at me but his words were like knives. It hurts to listen
I raised my hand
"What? Are you going to punch me again?" he said angrily
I gently pushed him on the side and helped Sunwoo to stand up
"Are you okay?" I asked with a poker face
"R-Ryujin-ah"
Jaemin laughed sarcastically after I asked that but I just ignored him
"I'm asking if you're okay" I repeated
"Y-Yes, I'm okay" Sunwoo answered
"Go to the clinic to be sure and bring Jaemin with you, his hand was bleeding" Jaemin didn't expect what I said. He looked at his hand and looked at me
I silently left them there and left the school. I'm already quite familiar with the places here in Seoul since I studied it last night
I decided to go to Han River where I think I can think peacefully. I sat on a bench and closed my eyes when I heard a flash of camera beside me and there, I realized that a man was already sitting beside me
How come I didn't noticed his presence?
"You're so pretty. Do you want to be my girlfriend?" he said while smiling like a kid
Eh?
He looks older than me but I admit that he's good looking
"No" I simply said and closed my eyes again
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked
"Yes, I have five" I lied
He started to laugh
"Then make it six, let me be your boyfriend too"
"Stay away from me, I'm not in the mood. I might ended up punching you" I said
"I don't want to" I immediately opened my when I heard his voice infront of my face. My eyes widened when I realized how close his face was to mine
I immediately punched him but he managed to dodge it. I tried to kick him but he also managed to dodge it
"You look more prettier when you're mad" he said while dodging my attacks
I'm sure that this guy is good at fighting. I can tell it by the way he dodges my attacks. But he's not on the same level as mine
I stopped attacking him after I get tired
"I'm bored. Let's go on a date" he casually said like we already knew each other before
What the hell?
I sighed heavily and stepped closer to him
"I'm not interested in you" I tried to punch him again but he managed to block it
"I'm interested in you" he said
"You're not my type" I seriously said
I tried to kick him from his side but he managed to block it again
"You're my type" he started to laugh
I took that opportunity to place my right foot between his legs
"You mess with the wrong person"
I kick his balls which makes him fell on the ground. I also took that opportunity to punch his face. I couldn't control my strength. I didn't noticed that I punched him really hard. He's now unconscious and lying on the ground with his camera
"I'm just not in the mood that's why you managed to dodge my attacks you bastard"
I immediately left him there but when I was about to completely leave the Han River, the rain started to fall. I don't know why but I looked back to see if he's still unconscious. He's still on the ground with his camera
The rain is getting heavier. I don't know why but I feel guilty for leaving him there. I later on decided to go back. I find his wallet to know his identity but he don't have one so I have no choice but to carry him on my back. His camera is already wet but I still carry it with him
"F*ck this life" I whispered to myself while carrying him to the bus stop. I'm already wet and the rain is getting heavier as the time goes by
The bus driver didn't let us in when we arrived at the bus stop because we're both soaked in the rain
I have my phone with me but it's already lowbat. I also left my bag in the classroom and my wallet is there so I don't have any money or anything with me right now
I shouldn't have helped this guy
"Aish! It hurts!" he later on woke up and held his face
"You're now awake. You can now handle yourself" I said and was about to leave when suddenly grabs my hand again so I immediately gave him a death glare
"Let me go or I'll knock you out again" I seriously said so he slowly let me go
"I just want to thank you for not leaving me there" he sincerely said
"It's nothing" I said
A car later on stopped infront of us
"Yoon Su! Where have you been?"
I decided to leave silently while he's busy. I don't have any money with me so I don't have a choice but to walk on my way home. It's already getting cold. My head is aching and I feel like my body is going to give up anytime
The rain was still falling so hard so I tried to walk as fast as I can. It took me almost an hour to reach District 9 but when I was about to enter the gate, my legs already gave up
The guards noticed me but they just ignored me when they found out who I am
"She's the new member of the Lee's. Don't mind her. I heard she's an orphan" one of the bodyguards said but I just ignored them since they're just telling the truth
I'm so tired
I decided to take a rest on the side of the road when a car suddenly stopped infront of me and it shows Jaemin
"Get inside" he coldly said but I just ignored him and stood up. I tried my best to walk steadily but my legs are trembling
"Yah! I said get inside" Jaemin shouted from the car
"I'm okay! Don't mind me" I also shouted and continued walking
"Then don't!" he said angrily and left
I smiled when I reached the garden of District 9. I'm already near
I was about to take another step when I suddenly felt dizziness. I feel like my body was going to give up anytime. My vision was also getting blurry. I blinked twice when I saw shadows running towards me
"Ryujin-ah!" Haechan
"Ryu!" Sunwoo
"Noona!" Haruto
They all looks so worried
I smiled unconsciously before my body gave up and everything went black
====================================
NEW CHARACTER (NAM YOON SU)
A.K.A. The Smiley Guy