Tiffany Hwang's POV
This was supposed to be an ordinary day for me at the office. But a package that was delivered to my home and single phone call changed everything. My eyes misted with tear on my ride to my destination as I recalled the event earlier this morning…
"There is a package for you, Signora." My housekeeper said with a box in her hands as I ate my breakfast. "It has no sender I just found it outside you door."
"Oh?" curious about the parcel in my housekeeper had just presented to me. For a moment I thought that someone just playing prank on me. But then again, it might come from Taeyeon who has an overseas trip yesterday.
That man loves surprises.
I smiled slightly at the thought that this Taeyeon's surprised for me. I took the mysterious package form my housekeeper and opened it like a child opening her gift on Christmas day.
I frowned when I saw USB flash drive, a red coloured necktie and a black credit card owned by Taeyeon. I couldn't prevent my smile any longer.
What is this plan of his? I asked myself silently.
"Can you please get my laptop in my room?" I asked my housekeeper with a tamed smile on my face. I am so excited to see what's inside the USB.
"Certainly, Signora." My housekeeper went to my room to get my laptop. I drink my freshly squeezed orange juice. I traded my favoured coffee for breakfast so it will not harm my baby. I am starting to experience morning sickness.
I have not yet consulted a doctor for my condition but that's the thing I want to discuss with Taeyeon once he got home from his business trip.
"Here's your laptop, Signora."
"Thank you." I smiled at my housekeeper as I took the laptop and start it to life. After a few second I inserted the flash drive to my laptop USB's port and waited for my computer to read it. When it finally okay I look at the content of the flash drive as I saw single file. I clicked it to open as video player start to read the file.
My heart stopped beating in my chest when the video to play. I am sure my eyes were just playing trick on me. My nerves were shaking my brain refused to translate what my eyes had been telling me.
This is nightmare!
No, worst than a nightmare.
My hands instinctively flew to my mouth to cover my shock.
Taeyeon…
He's tied up in a chair with a lamp over his head with two hooded guys in his side. He's eyes were blind-folded. His surrounding was very dark like an old abandoned building. Even his feet tied together so he couldn't escape. He wore his favourite grey Armani suit he still look debonair but his necktie was noticeably missing.
I looked at the ruby coloured tie inside the box. This must be his tie they took from him so they can send it to me along with this video. I can't breathe as if something was crushing my heart right this moment. Who did this kind of evil things to him?
I will die if something bad happen to him.
I couldn't bear it.
"Speak now!" the man behind the camera snarled at him.
"Who are you?" Taeyeon asked barely even though he's in that kind of situation. He's at the mercy of those thugs who kidnapped him. "What do you want from me?"
What did they want from him? I asked myself too. Money? Of course, money.
"Say it on the camera that they should follow everything I say or something bad will happen to you."
"As if, I can see the camera." Taeyeon muttered sarcastically.
"Say it!" the man snarled chillingly as the man beside Taeyeon pulled a gun and pointed it on Taeyeon's head. Oh dear God! Don't irate your abductors. I want to smack his head.
"No." Taeyeon said stubbornly. God, what was with this man! "I will not say that."
I don't think I can bear to watch it. I'd die repeatedly if I continue to watch it. When I was about to closed the video my mobile phone rang. I looked at the screen and it was unknown number.
"Hello?" I said shakily, I couldn't summon my voice to calm.
"Did you receive the surprise I sent to you?" the frightening voice sounded on the other line.
"What do you want?" I asked as I stood abruptly in my chair. "How much money do you want? I'm wailing to pay you. Just give the figures."
He laughed harshly that made my blood chill. "I don't want money, Signora. I want you to do something for me."
"Anything." I answered without hesitate. I will do anything to save Taeyeon. My eyes misted with tears but I need to be strong for him.
"First, you can't call the cops or something will happen to the man you love."
"I promised." I agreed to his condition.
"Good." He said with satisfaction. "Just do what I told you and I will not harm him. First, I need you to buy a beautiful evening gown with the black car in the box and wait for my next instruction. Remember I am watching you one wrong move he's dead. Bring the red necktie if you want to see Kim Taeyeon again."
Before I could reply the phone call ended.
I slid out of cab and hastily went inside the posh boutique to buy a new dress. I randomly selected what I thought will be beautiful without really scrutinizing the design. My sole purpose is to save Taeyeon from those thugs.
My mobile phone sounded again after purchasing the evening dress. "Are you done with the dress?" he asked once I hit answer button. I looked around and I could swear that he's just near to watching my move.
"Yes…" I swallowed hard, leaving from the famous boutique.
"Now buy a new pair of heels to match that gown."
"What is this for?" I asked with a frowned as I scanned for my favourite shoe shop in the lane. "Why do I need to but these things?"
"I said no question." The man snarled before disconnecting the phone call.
I sighed and do what he told me to do. I went inside my favourite designer shoe boutique. The saleslady asked me if what size of shoes that I want. Then it occurred to me that Teayeon's kidnapper didn't say anything. So I decided to go for my shoe size.
After that I waited for his call when I went out of the shoe boutique.
"Go to the nearest beauty salon and have a makeover in your appearance wore that dress and shoes."
I did what he told me without question this time. But I can't help, but to think why I would I need to wear this dress for what reason? But if this the only way to save Taeyeon so be it.
Once I am at the salon I tried to calm myself as I have my hair and makeup done. Praying earnestly to Almighty to make Taeyeon safe for our unborn child. When I was done and I wore the things he told me to buy I exited the beauty salon and waited for his phone call.
"See that black sedan across the street?" he asked without preamble once I answered the call. "Ride that thing if you want to see the man you love."
I followed his instruction without any question. I don't think my legs will carry me properly as I silently prayed for our safety. I slid inside the luxury interior of the car and I shivered slightly when the driver closed the door firmly. My heart pounded so loudly I need to be strong for our baby.
After an hour or so the gruesome drive the car is finally pulled in the dock and the driver gestures me to ride the dark yacht. My heels clicked in the wooden floorboard I am beyond terrified at this moment. This is not accident I want to repeat in my lifetime.
What if I will die without seeing Taeyeon? I asked myself silently. Stop thinking negative, Tiffany.
I ascended in the stair of the yacht I am shaking badly. I need to hold at the iron railing for support.
"Taeyeon?" I called out once I was on the dark deck of the ship. "Taeyeon? Are you here? Please answer me, per favore! Taeyeon!"
"Tiffany." My heart leaped at the familiar sound of his voice.
"Taeyeon—" The word stuck in my mouth when the pitch surrounding lit with illumination. The almost abandoned ship glow with beauty.
And there he was standing in front of me without fleck in his suit. My eyes instantly narrowed. "Aren't you supposed to be kidnap, Taeyeon?"
"Don't you like it?" he asked as he started to walk towards me. "The lady rescued her prince? A nice variation in the story beside the prince rescued the lady in those fairy tales."
I stared at him in stun silence. I threw the shoe I've been wearing in his direction. "Bastard! You don't know the fear I've suffered when I realized that you've been abducted."
"Tiffany…" he said with a laughed. "I'm so sorry, darling. I just want to surprise you. I want to give you unique engagement proposal."
"What's with that horrible video?" I asked as the tears threatened to fall in my eyes.
He hugged me tightly to comfort me. I should shoved him away but being in his arms felt so well. In a moment I will push him away—in a moment. "I have this friend who is have an award winning director so I asked him to help me stage the video. If you just know how many takes I did before my acting can be convincing. I laughed in the middle of my lines."
"You are horrible." I sniffed as I clutch the back of his suit.
"I sucked at acting, I know."
"Idiot." I said with a snort. "You are horrible as person that's what I meant."
"That's harsh, my love." He drew back to look at me. Taeyeon released me from his arms and took a step backward. "Fortunately, for you I have a question to ask."
"What—"
He suddenly kneeled in front of me. "So, Tiffany darling." He said kissing my hand. "I have your mother's permit to ask you a very important question." He reached out something in his pocket. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as he opened a small velvet box. "I know I am not the perfect man but I am sure as hell I will try to be the best husband for you. Will you marry me Tiffany? Will you give me the chance to try to make you happy, my darling?"
Now tears officially fell in my eyes. "Y-yes…"
The happiness in his eyes was the sight I will treasure in my life forever. He slipped the diamond solitaire engagement ring on my left hand. He stood and kissed me sweetly in the lips —our first kissed as engaged couple.
"I love you, Tiffany."
Before I could answer him firework ricocheted in the dark sky. "I love you too, Taeyeon."
He kissed me again. "This is our first day to forever."