Chapter 1

He knew it was for the best. He knew that if he continued any longer, it would eventually kill him from the inside--the pain. But somehow, guilt still showed it's face inside of him. "Mianhae. But, I just can't go on like this anymore."

Stephanie took a deep breath. "Bwo? Are you breaking up with me?" Yun ho sighed and bit his lips. She stepped up and pushed him against the wall.

"Yah! Who the hell do you think you are, huh? How can you do this to me after all this time that we've been together?!" Her words burned inside of him. Fury and disgust filled his heart. "Stephanie, I don't think I can just stay beside you while you go off and cheat on me with other guys. I've had it. I tried to tolerate it. There is just no excuse for the things you did. And now, you're talking about me doing this to you?!"

Tears welled up in her eyes. The world was silent. "So, you told me to come out for this? You could've just called me. Or, did you just wanna come out of this as the good guy?" Yun ho turned around and faced the wall. "So, this is what our relationship has come down to? Yah, this is really…" He tightened his hand into a fist. He gathered all of his anger and threw his fist against the wall. His feelings churned inside him--sadness, anger, hate, love. Stephanie sighed and leaned her back against the wall.

"Geureh, we're over." Yun ho turned around to face her, feeling a slight bit of disappointment. "Bwo?" "I said fine. We're over." Stephanie walked closer to Yun ho.

"But, just remember, Yun ho-sshi. You wanted this. Don't regret it."

Her eyes were filled and the tears finally ran down her cheeks. A bitter feeling grew inside of Yun ho. The tears that he used to erase are now falling because of him.

Yun ho's eyes followed her as she walked away. Without realizing it, he was holding himself back. He was holding himself from running after her--the one person that has ever made his life worth living. Yun ho slowly sunk into the familiar darkness.

---

"Attention, Bae Seul gi." Seul gi looked up from her book and turned around.

She giggled and said, "Bwoyah? What are you doing?" Jae joong quickly sat down beside her. "No. I should be the one asking that." Seul gi closed her book and held it up over her face. "Jae joong-ah, this is called a book. You know, for reading? Maybe you should try it sometimes."

He chuckled and replied, "The day I'll actually pick up a book and read it for fun is the day that I'll finally get to kiss you--without getting slapped."

Seul gi's face immediately turned red. "I'm kidding, Seul gi." She sighed.

"Jae joong-ah, we've known each other since we were three. If anything was supposed to happen between us, it would've kicked in by now."

"Well, you don't know that. You said you wanted to marry me, remember?"

Seul gi laughed and lightly poked him with her book. "Yah! I was four."

"Geureseo? Who said four year-olds can't fall in love? You know, I've been waiting around, Seul gi." "You're kidding me, right?" Jae joong placed his hands on her shoulder.

"Look at me." Seul gi slowly turned her gaze to him.

"Do I look like I'm kidding right now?" He squinted his eyes and lightly pucker his lips.

After a few seconds, Seul gi finally laughed. Nothing ever got in between these two.

They've always been like this, like siblings. The only difference is they don't fight… much.

"Come on." Jae joong said as he got up from the bench. "Where?"

"Well, you're not actually gonna stay here and read all day, are you?" Seul gi shrugged.

Jae joong rolled his eyes and pulled her up. "You can read at home. Let's go."

"No. I wanna stay and read. This is one of those rare days I get to spend outside of the hospital." Jae joong groaned. "It's your own fault. You choose to hang out there almost everyday" Seul gi scoffed and said, "Oh really?" Jae joong nodded.

She finally closed her book and shoved it in her purse. "Fine. You win." A huge grin appeared on his face. "Hey, I should win once in a while." Losing to her had became second nature to him. It would break his heart to see even the slightest tinge of sadness on her face. Seul gi tucked her hair back and puts on her sweater. "Are you cold?" She quickly shook her head. "Geundeh, where are we going?" "To eat. I'm hungry, Seul gi-ah…" She giggled and quickly linked her arm with his. "Aw… poor Joongie!"

---

The door quietly opened and one of Yun ho's maids slipped into his room.

"Sir?" Yun ho groaned quietly. "It's almost 12. You have a meeting with the board of directors at two." Suddenly, the dark blue curtains were opened and sunlight entered his dark room. Yun ho sat up and leaned back against the suede headboard. His head was spinning. "What time is it again?" "It's almost 12." "Okay, I guess I should ask what time is it exactly." "Oh, choesong hamnida. It's 11:55" She scurried towards the empty Crown Royal bottles and out of the room. Yun ho slowly opened his eyes and stared blankly at the light. "You wanted this. Don't regret it…"

He buried his face in his hands and sighed. It's been nearly three weeks. But, it felt as if it was only yesterday. "If she really thinks that I wouldn't regret it, she doesn't know how much she means to me." He got up from the bed and dragged himself into the bathroom.

Icy cold water ran from the silver faucet and in between his fingers, numbing his hand. He quickly splashed some water on to his face and glared at his reflection in the mirror. He scoffed and shouted, "What are you looking at? Someone like you shouldn't be allowed to live--better yet, exist." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He walked into his closet to pick out a suit. Yun ho slipped on the black Armani suit that fitted him like a glove. He glanced to his left and the ring on the counter caught his eyes.

"Ta-da!!" A smile covered Yun ho's face. "Bwoyah?? I could've told our designer to make us one. I should be the one surprising you." Stephanie giggled and swiftly took out the couple rings from it's box. "Yeppuji? I picked it out last week." He smiled as she slides in the ring on to his finger. "You said you were sick." She rolls her eyes. "People lie…" She held his hand and looked at him. "Oppa, even though it's not as expensive as the stuff you sell, it's still special. So, you're dead if you lose it! Got it?!" He chuckled and kissed her passionately. "I'll wear it for all eternity. I promise."

Yun ho scoffed and thought, 'Your promises… they all mean nothing now.'

Yun ho gracefully pranced down the stairs. His assistant walked up to him and bowed his head. "The car is ready, sir." "Good. Let's go."

---

Jae joong added the rest of the ddeok into the boiling pot. The spicy smell of gochujang filled the air around them. "Joongie-ah, I told you I didn't mind buying."

He stepped away from the stove and leaned on the counter. "I can cook. Why should you buy?" "Well, I don't know. I never treat you to anything."

It was true. Jae joong always felt like he needed to take care of her--sometimes as a friend, or a big brother. But, he wanted to be that person so badly, her safe harbor. He needed her just as much as she needed him, if not more. The ddeokbokki was cooked in no time and the hot pot was set on the table. Seul gi picked up her chopsticks and popped a ddeok into her mouth. "Yah, you did a good job." She picked up another one and held it up to Jae joong.

Jae joong looked at it with a confused look on his face. "Joongie, say ah…"

He smiled and finally took the ddeokbokki. Jae joong smiled. "If someone sees us, they might we're together." "Really? I thought friends were more… affectionate these days."

"These days? I don't think we're old enough to use that phrase." She nodded. "But, what's sad is we're actually old enough to use the phrase 'back then…'"

She nodded again and pouted. "Good thing you're still older than me." Jae joong scoffed. "By a few months!" "You're still older. Should I call you oppa now?"

He wanted it to stay like this forever. If time would just stop right there and then, he wouldn't have minded. He would gladly stay beside her forever. Her smile lit up his world. If only she knew. Every hint he drops would be just another joke to her.

She would think, 'No. We're just friends. He's just kidding around.'

He would think, 'Hello! I'm right here. Did you not hear what I just said? What do I need to do to make you take me seriously?'

Moving on would be the hardest part for him. What if she meets someone else? Could he tie her up and keep her isolated from any other guy? No, he couldn't. Jae joong's expression slowly changed. Seul gi looked up from the now rather empty pot.

"Joongie-ah, what's wrong?" "Huh?" "What's wrong?" "Oh, nothing. I was just… daydreaming…"

---

"The thing is, ever since the former chairman passed away, that brat has been acting worse and worse. He acts like he owns every damn person working here!"

Yun ho scoffed as he listened to restless ranting. "I agree. He thinks he can do anything he wants because he's the CEO. Someone needs to put him in his place! He's nothing but a spoiled, immature little infant." Yun ho took a deep breath and walked into the meeting room. The directors immediately sat down in their chairs and was silence.

Yun ho sat down at the head of the table and cleared his throat. "Hmm… I don't feel like having a meeting today." The directors looked around at each other. One of them spoke up and said, "But, we need to discuss--" "You know, honestly, who the hell cares about this crap? We manage one of the biggest fashion brands in Asia." "But, sir, we're supposed to be discussing the possible North American branch." Yun ho leaned back and yawned. The rest of the men in black suits looked at each other. "See what I told you?" one of them mumbled under his breath.

Yun ho turned to him and said, "Director Choi?" "Yes?" "You have something you want to share with the class?" "Excuse me?" Yun ho sighed. The room was quiet.

They held their breaths and stared at Yun ho. "If you want to say something, say it to my face. Don't bitch behind my back to the other members like the little wuss that you are."

"Bwo? You little bastard!" He suddenly got up and grabbed Yun ho by his collar. Yun ho smirked. "I'm half your age and about twice your size. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"You better watch what comes out of your mouth, or I'll kick you out of this company. And, I have no doubt that the rest of the board will back me up." Yun ho smirked as the director shoved him away. He let out a smile. "You pinched my skin… Alright." Suddenly, his fist balled up and smashed against the man's jaw. He instantly flew towards the carpeted floor.

He chuckled at the stunned faces. "Director, maybe you should watch what comes out of your mouth. Don't forget that I'm still the biggest shareholder. If you want to kick me out, you better learn how to bring the dead back to life first."

He walked back towards his seat and looked around. "In case you people don't watch the news, the economy there is pretty bad right now, thanks to some war-obsessed president. I will look over the details again and get back to you with my decision on our next meeting." They all nodded slowly. Yun ho looked down at his watch and said, "I guess the meeting ended early. I'll be heading out first." Just as Yun ho was walking out, there was a sudden low groan. He turned around and said, "Rub an egg on it. Don't be a baby."

He walked out into the hallway and saw his assistant waiting.

"Sir, is the meeting over?" Yun ho nodded. "I told them what I thought and they agreed. So, I cut it short." His assistant nodded. Yun ho suddenly held out his hand. The man looked a bit confused. "The car key, Assistant Kim. I want the key to the new car."

"But, your chauffeur is already up front." Yun ho rolled his eyes.

"I know. I just want to take a drive." Assistant Kim slightly bowed his head and handed him the key to a new McLaren. "Please be careful." Yun ho scoffed and walked away towards the exit to the parking lot. And, there she was, perfectly parked in front of him--a silver beauty packed with over 600 horsepower. Yun ho shrugged and quickly slipped into the driver's seat. His expression slowly changed.

"The thing is, ever since the former chairman passed away, that brat has been acting worse and worse."

"He's nothing but a spoiled, immature little infant."

"I said fine. We're over…"

He sighed and let out a smile. "The Ferrari only landed me in the ER. Let's see if this will take me all the way." Yun ho started up the car and the engine roared. He stepped on the gas pedal. The car immediately sprung forward on to the road.

Yun ho glanced at the ring on his finger. "For all eternity--I promise."